Baltimore Washington 2-16-2018 by AFRO News

A1 afro.com February 17, 2018 - February 17, 2018, The Afro-American $2.00 www.afro.com $1.00

Volume Volume 127 123 No. No.28 20–22

FEBRUARY 17, 2018 - FEBRUARY 23, 2018

Inside

Washington

Local Schools Teach Black Lives Matter

B1 Stunt Woman Turned Actress Makes Feature Film Debut

Baltimore

She’ll Be Back

Rick Bowmer/AP

Maame Biney, who was the first Black woman to make the U.S. Olympic speedskating team, became America’s sweetheart with her infectious smile. While the 18-year-old originally from Ghana who now lives in the Washington, D.C. area did not win her signature event, the 500-meter race, she vowed that she would return to next Winter Olympics. “I just have to wait four more years to be able to get back to this big stage, so I can’t wait until those four years,” she told reporters.

Health Care Is on the Ballot

CBC Blasts 2019 Budget

Your History • Your Community • Your News

afro.com

Join the 600K+ members of the AFRO Facebook Family

European Theater of Operations (ETO) of World War II. Organized to tackle the problem, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black, all female military unit was formed, but not without conflict. Also nicknamed, “The SixTriple Eight,” the unit’s determination to overcome

By Ajoya Long Special to the AFRO Years’ worth of backlog mail was stacked from floor to ceiling in warehouses throughout Birmingham, England in February 1945. The letters and packages were sent from loved ones to soldiers in the

Continued on A6

AFRO Names New Publisher, Board

Please join us every Monday and Friday at 5 p.m. EST for our new podcast, The AFRO First Edition w/Sean Yoes, on afro.com and the AFRO’s Facebook page.

47105 21847

President Trump sent a $4.4 trillion 2019 budget to the U.S. Congress for ratification on Feb. 12 and the membership of the Congressional Black Caucus rejected it outright. Highlights of the Trump budget include extensive cuts to domestic programs and entitlements and large increases in the military. U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), the top CBC member who sits on the House Budget Committee, dismissed the president’s proposal. “After giving massive tax cuts to billionaires, President Trump’s disgraceful slashes to Medicaid, Medicare, nutrition assistance, heating assistance and attempts to yet again

repeal the Affordable Care Act,” Lee said. “This Robin Hood-in-reverse agenda is the last thing American families need.” As required by law, the president creates and sends a budget to the U.S. Congress for consideration. However, as has been the case for decades, the president’s budget has been “dead on arrival” when it reaches the U.S. House of Representatives, which is the body that first considers government revenue spending as mandated by the U.S. Constitution. Still, the president’s budget is a reflection of what the administration’s priorities are and in some cases can be used as a public relations tool. Trump’s budget would fund his border wall, give money to fight the opioid crisis and privatize such entities as Dulles International Airport and Washington

Reagan National Airport. Trump, who campaigned in 2016 on a promise for $1.5 trillion in infrastructure upgrades, actually set forth $200 billion for that and much of the money is contingent on private investors and states putting forth money. That was no good for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), who tweeted “45 releases FAKE infrastructure plan today.” “No money left to repair crumbling bridges/roads/tunnels after #GOPTaxScam,” he tweeted. “America deserves a #ABetter Deal.” Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Texas) said that Trump’s infrastructure proposal is inadequate to meet the nation’s needs. “It’s no secret that fixing our nation’s crumbling roads, bridges, and railroads Continued on A3

Courtesy photo

Rep. Barbara Lee, the senior CBC member on the House Budget Committee, dismissed the president’s proposed budget.

Remembering the Instrumental $2.2M Black Cultural Center Black Women Who Served in WWII Planned for University of Oregon

New Podcast!

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

Celebrating 20 Years of Rambling Rose

By AFRO Staff The AFRO-American Newspapers on Monday named a new publisher and a new board of officers. Frances Murphy Draper, who served as president of the family-owned company from 1987-1999, will be chairman of the board and publisher. John “Jake” Oliver, who became chairman and publisher in 1986, was named publisher emeritus. Continued on A6

By J. K. Schmid Special to the AFRO

The University of Oregon (UO) recently announced plans to begin building a $2.2 million Black Cultural Center. The 3,500-square foot facility’s construction is expected to begin this summer and completion is planned so that it will open for the 2019-2020 school year.

“I think that the tangibles will really bring it home,” Dr. R. Kevin Marbury, University of Oregon’s Vice President of Student Life, told the AFRO. ”The first time that we’re able to produce a document with the elevation, what the thing could look like, it takes it away from being a concept to being reality. Putting shovels in the ground in the summer, I think that we have some things in play

Continued on A3

AFRO Special 3 Part Black History Month Series

Remembering the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike Part 3

The Death of King The Struggles SanitationWorkers Still Face AFRO file photo

Frances Murphy Draper, a direct descendant of the AFRO’s founder, John H. Murphy, was named the new chairman of the board and publisher of the AFROAmerican Newspaper. Benjamin Murphy Phillips (right), IV, was elected president.

By Toni Marshall Special to the AFRO The month of March was met with the heaviest activities from protesters and supporters of the 1968 Memphis

Black Sanitation Workers Strike. Protesters staged sit-ins at City Hall, set fires to trash and boycotted stores, while their heavy downtown presence intimidated Whites from patronizing Continued on A3

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

NATION & WORLD

Omorosa Spills More White House Secrets

Gates Hounded by Trump’s Erratic Behavior

CBS’ “Celebrity Big Brother” is turning out to be a great source for secret political intelligence, as reality star, former presidential aide, and ex-Trump booster, Omorosa Manigault, continues to air dirty laundry about the current administration, after her forcible exit from the White House grounds last December. According to The Washington Post, Manigault warned her fellow Big Brother cast members on the Monday, Feb. 11 episode about Vice President Mike Pence. “As bad as y’all think Trump is, you would be (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) worried about Pence,” Manigault said. Former Presidential Aide Manigault’s forewarning about Pence, comes Omorosa Manigault continues days after her declaration on Big Brother that she to make news now that she has would never “in a million years” vote for Trump, left the White House. after having worked for the businessman and former reality star. Despite her disdain for her former boss, Manigault said that people would begin to have Trump-era nostalgia if Pence became president. “So everybody that’s wishing for impeachment might want to reconsider their lives. We would be begging for days of Trump back if Pence became president.” Beyond her reality fame, Manigault is also an ordained minister. Yet, while she proudly admits her Christianity, part of her concern about the vice president is his reliance on Jesus for political advising. “He’s extreme,” Maingault said. “I’m a Christian. I love Jesus. But he thinks Jesus tells him to say things. I’m like, ‘Jesus ain’t saying that.” Trapped together in a studio and isolated from access to the outside world, the celebrities in the Big Brother house, such as television personality, Ross Matthews, admitted to looking forward to the information Manigault leaks. “Every time she opens her mouth, I’m like, ‘Is she going to drop a bomb’,” Matthews said. Presumed as a ploy to remain in the Big Brother house, Manigault did not hesitate to spill more White House tea to her cast mates during their political discussion of issues such as immigration and the Obama-era program, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). “No we’re not okay,” she said. “I’ve seen the plan. The roundup plan is getting more aggressive.” Having been saved from eviction up to this point, Manigault remains a strong competitor on Celebrity Big Brother, which runs until Feb. 25. While Manigualt’s remarks may have kept her in favor at the Big Brother house thus far, the White House was dismissive of her recent comments. During a press briefing last week, White House press secretary Raj Shah said, “Omorosa was fired three times on ‘The Your History • Your Community • Your News Apprentice,’ and this was The Afro-American Newspapers the fourth time we let her Baltimore Office • Corporate Headquarters go.” 1531 S. Edgewood Street

Bill and Melinda Gates, two of the most powerful philanthropists on the planet, say they endure a constant barrage of negative questions and comments, as they travel the world, about the disturbing antics of President Donald Trump and his administration. On Feb. 13, the New York Times reported that the Gates’, in their annual update on the work of the Gates Foundation, said the already hefty list of scandals, outrageous comments and incompetence, which seems (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) to grow on a daily basis, Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates say the emanating from the Trump outrageous nature of the Trump administration make White House is affecting their work more difficult. their efforts around the globe negatively. Specifically, the Gates said Trump’s comments referring to African nations as “sh*thole countries” have been of great concern among many people outside of the United States. “Those disparaging comments don’t belong in any public discourse,” said Melinda Gates during a recent joint interview with her husband. “That’s not how we teach our kids to speak. So, it’s discouraging to hear that kind of talk,” she added. Trump has roiled so many globally, his offenses earned a special section in the Gates’ 10th annual report published February 13. “I wish our president would treat people, and especially women, with more respect when he speaks and tweets,” wrote Melinda Gates. Bill Gates said he was worried about Trump’s pledge to significantly slash foreign aid, which he says is critical to the Gates Foundation’s global efforts to combat disease and poverty. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, a pioneer in the tech industry and one of the wealthiest men in the world, added he and his wife have increased meetings with Republicans in Congress to emphasize the importance of U.S. foreign aid. “Although we disagree with this administration more than the others we’ve met with, we believe it’s still important to work together whenever possible,” he stated in the annual report. “We keep talking to them because if the U.S. cuts back on its investments abroad, people in other countries will die, and Americans will be worse off.” The Gates Foundation, believed to be the largest philanthropic organization in the world, has given away $41 billion since its inception in 2000 to 2016.

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

By Sean Yoes Baltimore AFRO Editor syoes@afro.com

Baltimore, Maryland 21227 410-554-8200 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297 afro.com

Founded by John Henry Murphy Sr., August 13, 1892 Chairman of the Board/Publisher - Frances Murphy Draper (Publisher Emeritus - John J. Oliver Jr.) President - Benjamin Murphy Phillips IV Vice President of Advertising - Kevin E. Peck Executive Assistant - Sallie Brown - 410-554-8222 Receptionist - Wanda Pearson - 410-554-8200 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - 410-554-8271 - lhowze@afro.com Advertising Account Executives Baltimore - Robert Blount - 410-554-8246 - rblount@afro.com Washington, D.C. - Vetta Ridgeway - 202-332-0080-ext. 1104 vridgeway@afro.com

AFRO.COM •Your History •Your Community • Your News

Director of Finance - Ronald W. Harrison - 410-554-8242 Assistant Archivist - Shelia Scott - 410-554-8265 Director, Community & Public Relations Diane W. Hocker - 410-554-8243 Editorial Managing Editor - Kamau High Baltimore Editor - Sean Yoes Washington, D.C. Editor - Micha Green Editorial Assistant - Takiea Hinton Production Department - 410-554-8288 Baltimore Circulation/Distribution Manager Clarence Massey - 410-554-8232

Washington Office 1816 12th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-4422 202-332-0080 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297

(Washington Publisher Emerita - Frances L. Murphy II) General Manager Washington Circulation/Distribution Manager Edgar Brookins - 202-332-0080, ext. 106 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - ext. 119 - lhowze@afro.com Office Administrator - Mia Aguilar - ext. 100

Customer Service, Home Delivery and Subscriptions: 410-554-8234 • Customer Service@afro.com Billing Inquiries: 410-554-8226 Nights and Weekends: 410-554-8282

Did you know smokers are at greater risk for developing heart disease? February is Heart Month! If you smoke, consider quitting.

We can help.

Call or email the Department of Health: 410-887-3828 tobacco@baltimorecountymd.gov Healthy people, living, working, and playing in Baltimore County Gregory Wm. Branch, M.D., MBA, CPE, FACP - Director, Health and Human Services Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and the Baltimore County Council

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 17, 2018

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

CBC Blasts Continued from A1 remain a priority for both sides of the aisle,” Veasey said. “Where Democrats and Republicans differ is in our approach to spur job growth and our commitment to ensuring the economic benefits from any plan reach the middle class first. President Trump’s mediocre $200 billion proposal leaves states, cities, and local governments to foot the bill and puts additional pressure on their budgets that are already stretched too thin.” We need an infrastructure plan that makes daily life easier for America’s hard-working families, not one that makes your family foot the bill with more taxes and tolls” The Texas congressman said. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) criticized Trump for targeting programs that help the most financially-vulnerable citizens. Alabama has the sixth highest percentage of Blacks in the country with 26.2 percent of the population.

University of Oregon Continued from A1 that will really push this thing forward.” The university has raised $1.6 million at press time. 120 donors have made 144 donations, with the largest single donation coming from alumnus David Petrone. The facility was conceptualized when it became a component of 13 demands made of the UO administration in 2015. UO’s Black Student Task Force, comprised of elements from the Black Student Union, Black Law Student Association, Black Women of Achievement and Black Male Alliance, presented the demands in November 2015. Included in the demands, were the renaming of two halls; one honoring a Grand Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan and a second honoring the first President of the Board of Regents that had at times advocated for Oregon’s admission into the Union as a slave state and other times for the forbiddance of all Blacks from entering Oregon’s borders. Dunn Hall, named for the Klansman Frederic Dunn, was renamed Unthank Hall in Summer 2017. Deady Hall remains named for White supremacist Matthew Deady. Deady, a native of Easton, Maryland, was Oregon’s first federal judge and a framer of Oregon’s constitution before becoming President of the Board of Regents. “The president empanelled a group of historians that went through the record and looked at his actions and took public comment and there were a lot of really thoughtful discussions around it,” Tobin Klinger, UO’s senior director of Public Affairs

“As healthcare costs, food costs and education costs rise, President Trump’s budget hits working families where it hurts the most by cutting the basics, including food assistance and child care, repealing the Affordable Care Act, slashing funding for student aid and a host of programs that specifically help communities of need,” Sewell said. She said Alabama’s 850,000 residents rely on SNAP (food stamps) to put food on the table and was cut by over $200 billion, and Trump cut Medicare (health care for seniors) by $230 billion when “many hospitals in our state are struggling to stay open.” “Make no mistake, if the budget becomes law, more Alabamians will go homeless, more children will go hungry and more families will go uninsured,” Sewell said. D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) noted that Trump’s budget ignores the DC TAG (District of Columbia

Communications, told the AFRO. “At the end of the day, he sat down and with the Black Student Task Force and said ‘look, I’ve looked at this, I understand why you’ve brought it to the forefront, but we don’t necessarily gain anything by simply taking that name off. And here’s some of the information that I’ve gathered.’” The university had previously cited Deady’s strict constitutionalism, particularly his embrace of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments, as evidence of a possibly softening of his outlook towards Blacks. Neither the university officials or student activists the AFRO spoke with considered each and every demand met. But the administration is embracing the opportunity for dialogue. “We’re about half way, maybe a little bit more through those demands,” Marbury said. “Which is pretty impressive when you think some about the amount of time and about the things that we’ve been trying to accomplish. There’s an effort, a concerted effort, to move through making this place an inclusive and safe, and some place that people will feel good about being, and will feel good about coming in the future.” But one unmet demand may the most critical in creating a lasting change. “We need movement on the Black Studies Program,” the task force wrote in an email to the AFRO. “It needs to move forward, per our vision, as an independent program. While we are buoyed by the commitment of Dean Marcus and leadership of President Schill, we are disappointed in certain campus leadership/ professors rancorous strategies to subvert our vision and hope for an independent Black

Tuition Assistance Grant) program that helps the District of Columbia’s college bound and enrolled residents receive money to pay in-state tuition at higher education institutions not in the District. “I want to assure D.C. parents and students, thousands of whom are away at college now, that I do not believe they are in danger of losing their tag funds,” the delegate said. “DC TAG has been funded every year by Republican and Democratic Congresses alike and unlike Trump this year, Republican presidents as well, since its creation. This draconian and backwards budget shows how out of touch this administration is with reality.” A spokeswoman for the CBC told the AFRO that Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) isn’t likely to respond to the president’s budget and that the CBC and its staff are working on its annual budget proposal.

Courtesy photo

Members of the University of Oregon Black Student Task Force (pictured) were advocates of the planned Black Cultural Center. Studies program. Black faculty have been hired as a part of the Black Studies cluster, with the assurance of developing and building an independent Black Studies Program. Though they are immensely qualified, these faculty lack firm support and are consequently walled off from leading the development/ implementation efforts of an independent Black Studies Program, which is the chief duty of the job they were recruited and hired

for.” While the administration frames the current argument as stemming from University of Missouri protests in 2015, the task force sees unmet commitments from a confrontation in 1968. The Demands of 1968 called for the creation of a Black Studies program 50 years ago and secured a $3 million endowment at that time

Sanitation Strike Continued from A1 businesses. Strikers chanted dirges in mock funeral processions to symbolize the death of liberty. Meanwhile, Memphis Mayor Henry Loeb remained defiant, budging little if any at meetings with workers’ representatives, visits from NAACP leaders and strikes led by those like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s Ralph Abernathy. Protesters and the nation waited for another appearance by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who already had joined marchers on March 18. King’s arrival 10 days later was impactful, but not in the way he planned. Strikers often met at Clayborn Temple, an African Methodist Episcopal Church, to rally and to pace forward to City Hall or the courthouse. The church had a White minister, Malcolm Blackburn, who also was a printer. It was in the church’s basement that he allowed strikers to print “I AM A MAN” posters, inspired by local activist Rev. James Lawson’s words to

sanitation workers: “For at the heart of racism is the idea that a man is not a man, that a person is not a person. You

City Hall, someone broke windows along the route. Police went on a beating frenzy, hitting protesters and

Ueal, Elmore Nickleberry and James Winton, King’s reappearance at the Mason Temple on April 3, summed

AFSCME

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his prophetic “I’ve been to the mountaintop” speech at Mason Temple in Memphis the day before he was killed.

are human beings. You are men. You deserve dignity.” But on March 28, as King led protesters from Clayborn Temple toward

Identification Statement

The Afro-American Newspapers – (USPS 040-800) is published weekly by The AfroAmerican Company, 1531 S. Edgewood St., Suite B, Baltimore, MD 21227.

Subscription Rate: 1 Year - $70.00 (Price includes tax). Checks for subscriptions should be made payable to: The Afro-American Company, 1531 S. Edgewood St., Ste. B, Baltimore, MD 21227. Periodicals postage paid at Baltimore, MD and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send addresses changes to: The Afro-American Company, 1531 S. Edgewood St., Ste. B, Baltimore, MD 21227.

spraying mace and teargas. They arrested nearly 300 of the demonstrators and injured scores of others. They shot and killed 16-year-old Larry Payne, not yet a man. The teen’s death gave more momentum to the movement. In the final segment of the three-part series, the AFRO revisits the last few weeks of the march, King’s impact and the struggles the sanitation workers still face today, despite their feats from 50 years ago. For workers like the Rev. Cleophus Smith, Ozell

up his decades-long fight as parity’s conductor and signaled more self reliance for those who looked to him to balance the scales for Blacks. Ueal, Smith and Winton actually were at the Mason Temple when King delivered his prophetic speech, which underscored the country’s incremental moves toward justice, yet dismissed despair. His “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech was painstakingly hopeful and would be revered as one of the greatest speeches of all time.

“It was something else. The Mason Temple was full of people, White and Black, but mostly Blacks,” said Winton. Smith said it was like being on “Cloud 19.” “When he spoke the last words: He may not get to the promised land with us, but we would get to the promised land...It was like the whole place stood up and shouted.” The next day, April 4, 1968, James Earl Ray, from 200 feet away, took aim, pulled the trigger and shot King as he stood on the second story balcony of Memphis’ Lorraine Motel. King was pronounced dead at a Memphis hospital. Winton recalled the guilt he felt: “He was trying to help us and got killed,” he said. The death of King didn’t stop the movement. The message soon flashed from the top to resolve the protest, as cities across the country erupted in violence. President Lyndon Johnson sent the Undersecretary of Labor, James Reynolds, to mediate and settle the strike. On April 8, King’s widow, Coretta Scott King, and other national and local leaders, led a peaceful protest in downtown Memphis, symbolic of the slain leader’s nonviolent message and to memorialize his mission. Two days later, Reynolds, the city and the union came to an agreement. The strike ended on April 16 with an agreement reached between the parties.

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) announced the end of the strike on April 16, as an agreement was met between all parties, according to the union’s published reports. Some of the workers initially received a raise of 10 cents per hour, and gained another five cents more, later. Blacks were afforded more chances to get supervisory jobs and better safety conditions were instituted. Fifty years later the movement has raised salaries and conditions for workers, but employees still struggle, and the younger ones lack direction, a few of the surviving ’68 strikers agreed. Nickleberry and Rev. Smith are still public works employees. “They need to step up to the plate,” said Smith, referring to some of the younger employees. Smith explained that there are a number of temporary workers who seek full-time employment in a department that has a little less than half the sanitation workers it had in 1968-- and the city has grown. “We try to keep these people encouraged...They are just throwing in the towel, so to speak, because they are being ambushed,” he added. “I’m still working, but I’m working for a cause. I tell the young people that’s out there to take the torch and run. Don’t stand still.”

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

Trailblazing New Jersey Man was One of America’s First Black Marines By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO Hugh Victor Browne II of New Jersey was excited to sign up for the U.S. Marines in 1943 because that distinguished him from his four older brothers who served in the U.S. Army, according to his daughter, Lovie Browne Tarver. Two years earlier, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed an executive order that ended racial discrimination in the national defense industry, which in turn allowed the Marines to recruit Black soldiers. But Tarver, of Bowie, Md., remembers in later years that her father talked about how angry he was when he found out he wasn’t going to boot camp at Camp Lejeune, one of several training grounds for white Marine recruits. Browne, like all of the other Black Marine recruits, was sent instead to Camp Montford Point, a training facility in Jacksonville, N.C., near Camp Lejeune. “He felt as if he had been tricked and he didn’t like that,” Tarver said. While Browne considered the conditions at Montford Point to be subpar, Tarver said her father, “made the best of a bad situation.” Despite facing racism at home and abroad, Montford Pointers made history with their service. About 13,000 of the Black marines from Montford Point went abroad during World War II, with nearly 2,000 of them helping Allied forces take Okinawa, in the largest amphibious landing in the Pacific theater of the war. The U.S. Armed Forces were racially segregated back then, and wouldn’t start integrating until after President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order forcing them to do so in 1948. Nearly 20,000 Black men enlisted in the Marines during World War II, and Montford Point trained America’s first Black Marines from 1942 through 1949. Jacksonville, N.C., followed Jim Crow laws that made it illegal for them to patronize “White’s only” establishments. Browne also made the trip to Montford Point in a “Colored” train car and packed plenty of food for the journey because he wasn’t allowed to eat in the dining car. At Montford Point, the men were housed

Courtesy Photo

Hugh Victor Browne II surrounded by his children. in corrugated metal huts with no running water and walked “half a block” to go to the bathroom, according to an article written about Browne on nj.com. Alligators, snakes, mosquitoes and muskrats roamed the grounds as well, the article said. On the few occasions her father ventured into town, he’d go with other Black Marines, take care of his business, and immediately head back to base. “If you’re looking at White women in the town, that’s going to be a problem for a Black man, so they rarely went into town and if they did, they went in groups,” Tarver said. Once they graduated from boot camp, racism often relegated Montford Pointers to support roles during the war that typically meant packing and unloading ships or

delivering ammunition to front-line troops, and only took arms when they were ordered to, historians say. Browne, for example, joined thinking he’d get to fight. He was instead sent to clean up the aftermath of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for eight months, an experience he found disappointing. “They thought they had signed up for something much different than that, something much more noble, something more rewarding,” Tarver said. “You think you’re signing up to defend your country and you see no action … I don’t think that sat very well with him.” The New Jersey man had come from a long line of military men. His great grandfather Michael Brown, a slave and master blacksmith, shoed horses for the Confederate Army during the Civil War,

Tarver said. Browne’s father, Sylvanus Brown, served two tours in the U.S. Army, first as a Buffalo Soldier keeping peace between Native Americans and White settlers, and then as support personnel in France during World War I. His older brother, Moses Douglas Browne, saw action in Italy with the U.S. Army’s 92nd Infantry Division in World War II. And his famous brother, Emmy-award winning actor, Roscoe Lee Browne, served in the Army during World War II as well. Hugh Browne wished his experience had been more fulfilling, his daughter said. After Pearl Harbor, Hugh Browne served three years as a Marine payroll manager, a job that made him much happier, his daughter said. “He thought that that was a position of power, a position of prestige because he was responsible for making sure everybody got paid,” Tarver said. “Everybody had to come to him for their pay, so I think he liked that.” After discharging from the Marines, Browne studied pre-law at Lincoln University, where he met and later married Tarver’s mother, Erma E. Browne. He became an entrepreneur, opening a deli and three dry cleaning shops in New Jersey. Nearly 70 years after he set foot on Montford Point, Browne and hundreds of his fellow Montford Pointers received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2012 in recognition for their service. It’s the highest civilian honor the U.S. Congress gives. “He was elated that finally someone had recognized them for their service and for all that they persevered through and they endured,” Tarver remembered. “He kept kissing the medal and he kept holding it.” Browne died at the age of 90, three years after he got the gold medal, but his legacy lives on in his family. Tarver said. “The thing that he instilled in us is pride,” Tarver told the AFRO. “Pride in serving and … that’s something that I think my grandfather and my great grandfather they’ve all instilled through the generations in our family is to take pride in the opportunity to serve in whatever capacity that is, whether its military service or you’re just serving in your church or in your community. I mean, they did all of that.”

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

COMMENTARY

Health Care Is on the Ballot

The American people justifiably look to the President and their elected representatives in Washington to do everything within their power to protect them – to defend our nation, maintain safety in our workplaces and communities, and assure that every one of us can afford the high quality health care that every human being deserves. This is why (although too many of my Republican colleagues in Washington seem to have missed the memo) we all must come to terms with an essential truth about Election Day 2018. The health of our families will be on the ballot this year. Recent public opinion polling confirms that health care remains a top priority for most voters. The poll found that 54 percent of those surveyed view health care as one of the two issues that will be most important to their decision on Election Day (compared to the economy and taxes at 28-29 percent). Congressional Republicans who have repeatedly attacked (but failed to kill) the Affordable Care Act’s protections are politically vulnerable as a result. More than twothirds of the voters polled (68 percent) indicated that President Trump and congressional Republicans should abandon their efforts to repeal the ACA and “start working across party lines on common sense solutions that build upon the current law.” My Republican colleagues should also take note of this political reality. The fate of the ACA is not the only health care priority at the forefront of people’s minds. The American people are demanding that we in Washington take action this year to make the prescription drugs upon which we depend more affordable. Over the past decade, the prices of 90 percent of brand name drugs have doubled; and prescription drug spending reached $348 billion last year – a staggering cost with real-life consequences for the American people. A 2014 Commonwealth Fund survey found that nearly 20 percent of Americans reported not filling prescriptions because they could not afford them – a harsh and unacceptable reality. These hardships and dangers are even more appalling when practical solutions have already been proposed. For example, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and I introduced proposed legislation in March of last year that would allow the importation of safe, lowercost prescription medication from licensed Canadian pharmacies [S. 469 / H.R. 1245]. Our Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug Importation Act would require that imported medicines have the same active ingredients and strength as their U.S.-approved counterparts. Our bill also mandates safeguards that include FDA certification of foreign sellers. The President and congressional Republicans have acknowledged that prescription drug prices are excessive, but they have failed to take corrective action. Between now and next November, they owe the American people an explanation for this failure. Excessively high prescription drug prices continue to be a significant drain on our federal budget, especially within Medicare. Yet, the Congress has the power to mitigate those costs. Since 2006, government programs have paid for approximately 40 percent of retail prescription drug expenditures – and, largely as a result of skyrocketing drug prices, total spending on Medicare Part D is projected to increase from $103 billion in 2016 to $216 billion in 2025. Why does Medicare pay far more for prescription drugs than do other federal and state programs? Under current law, the Secretary of HHS is prohibited from negotiating lower drug prices on behalf of Medicare Part D beneficiaries. As a result, Medicare Part D pays, on average, 73 percent more than does Medicaid for the same brand name drugs and 80 percent more than does our VA. In dollar terms, the cost of this congressionally created legislative prohibition is staggering. The federal government (and American taxpayers) could save between $15 billion and $16

Elijah Cummings

billion each year if Medicare paid the same prices for prescriptions as do Medicaid or our VA. It hardly is surprising, therefore that (according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll) 82 percent of Americans—including 93 percent of Democrats and 68 percent Republicans—want Medicare to directly negotiate lower drug prices. Congressman Peter Welch (D-VT) and I had met with President Trump on this issue early last year, and we subsequently sent him repeated reminders of the compelling need to take immediate action. Then, in October, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Congressman Welch and I introduced legislation that would require these cost-saving negotiations [The Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act, S. 2011 / H.R. 4138] Nevertheless, the American people have yet to see any action by the White House or Congress, despite the fact that President Trump has publicly supported negotiating lower drug prices (as recently as in his State of the Union Address). Meanwhile, we continue to pay far more than we should, placing further pressure on the long-term viability of Medicare. Improving the ACA, making prescription drugs more affordable, and sustaining Medicare are urgent, real-life concerns for every American, challenges that are at the center of our lives. If the President and my Republican colleagues do not change course and address these challenges, the American people will elect Representatives who will take action on Election Day 2018. Congressman Elijah Cummings represents the 7th Congressional District of Maryland in the United States House of Representatives.

Giving Thanks for Black History Month The following are remarks Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-D) delivered at the 37th annual Black History Month breakfast at Camelot by Martin’s in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. They have been lightly edited and condensed for space. This year, our theme is courage and the remembrance of African Americans from Maryland and across the country who served valiantly in the First World War. Their story of determined service and heroism is all the more remarkable because these soldiers fought on two fronts: against the enemy on the bloody battlefields of France and against discrimination right here at home. In a segregated military, African-American soldiers at first were denied the chance to fight and instead given the hard work of unloading and transporting supplies. Later, as the war dragged on, the French military asked for help, and General Pershing allowed two divisions of black troops to see combat, but under foreign command. These divisions, the 92nd and 93rd – which included the famous ‘Harlem

Steny H. Hoyer

Hell-Fighters’ – fought bravely at the pivotal battles of Champagne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne in 1918, which secured the Allied victory a century ago. Prince George’s County sent 450 African-American soldiers to fight in that war, whom we remember today. These courageous soldiers should have returned home to a hero’s welcome. Instead, they returned to segregation, Jim Crow laws, bigotry, exclusion, and denial of rights and opportunities. They returned to the race riots of the ‘Red Summer’ of 1919, lynchings, and acts of racist violence committed against Black soldiers still wearing the uniform of our nation. But over the years that followed their homecoming, many of the World War One veterans brought that same fierce courage they displaced in France to the battle at home: the battle for civil rights and for respect. The ‘Harlem Hell-Fighters’ gave way to the Harlem Renaissance. In the 1920’s and 30’s, Black veterans marched at the forefront of movements for AfricanAmerican pride and dignity, for the expansion of

educational and career opportunities, and for unity in the face of injustice. “In 2018, we are also marking seventy years since the desegregation of our military as well as fifty years since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Neither military integration in 1948 nor the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 60’s that Dr. King led would have been possible without the courage and contributions of the African Americans who served in World War One and the courage they showed both abroad and back in their communities. Courage. Courage to risk one’s life for the freedom of others. Courage to spend one’s life in the pursuit of freedom and democracy at home. As we celebrate Black History Month 2018, we honor them – and we thank them for all they gave. And we are inspired by them as we continue the fight for justice, equality, and opportunity today. Congressman Steny H. Hoyer represents Maryland’s 5th Congressional District.

Letter to the Editor

Oppose Inclusion of Postal Reform in Year-End Legislation As a member of the federal community who served our country for years, I am concerned with an attempt to force current U.S. Postal Service retirees onto Medicare Part B, after they previously declined this coverage. While hailed as a way to improve USPS’ finances, this is nothing more than balancing the books on the backs of seniors. Why should retirees, who spent their careers serving

this nation, be forced to pay an additional $134 per month, or more, for health coverage they previously deemed unnecessary? Mandatory Medicare Part B coverage was never part of the agreement made upon employment, and it should not be forced on any postal retiree, especially retroactively. Congress is currently attempting to fix the Postal Service’s problems by shifting costs to Medicare. I urge our legislators

to reject the current postal reform bill, H.R. 756. Retired postal workers proudly served our community and promises to them should be kept. Sincerely, Jim and Meg Bishop Gambrills, Maryland 21054

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

A6 The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

February 17, 2018 - February 17, 2018, The Afro-American

Remembering Continued from A1 strife and complete their mission resonated with Edna Cummings, a retired Colonel of the United States Army. “It was more than just standing up to the officers and the Red Cross in Europe . . . this started back in the United States when Black women were fighting for equality,” Cummings told the AFRO, referring to the concerns that led to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps was converted into the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and was created by a law signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on July 1, 1943. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt along with civil rights leader and advisor to the War Department, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, championed for the inclusion of Black women in WAC to serve overseas. In November 1944, the War Department “acquiesced” or reluctantly agreed to enlist Black women according to the Women of the 6888th website, a subset of The Buffalo Soldier Educational and Historical Committee.

“If it hadn’t been for their contributions we wouldn’t have the success that we have not just for White women or Blacks, but for the underrepresented population in society as a whole.” – Edna Cummings The postal battalion consisted of 824 enlisted personnel and 31 officers, all Black, who were recruited from the WAC, the Army Service Forces, and the Army Air Forces. Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Charity Adams Earley was selected to command the battalion. “They went to the recruitment station and they were barred from applying, one lady had to move to Washington just to apply so this was the beginning of a civil rights movement that people don’t talk about,” Cummings said. Cummings, also a member of the Buffalo Soldier committee in the East Coast, Washington D.C. area, explained how the military has been on the forefront of integration. “Before the formal movement of integration happened in terms of what history talks about [the] Civil Rights Movement made it a law to discriminate,” Cummings told the AFRO. “You had a whole fraction, a group of Black women, Mary McLeod Bethune,

File Name: Millie Veasey 688th

Millie Dunn Veasey, 100, served as a staff sergeant with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, becoming a military trailblazer, educator, and Civil Rights icon. with the help of Roosevelt and his commander standing up for the rights of these women,” she said. On February 3, 1945, the postal battalion boarded the ship, the Ile de France, headed to Britain and later arrived

imagine

what tomorrow will bring.

in Glasgow, Scotland. The women travelled by train to Birmingham, England for their first assignment. “I personally feel that when they boarded those ships to Europe they parted the ocean so the rest of us could follow through,” Cummings said. Their motto of “No Mail, Low Morale” served as motivation to get the undelivered mail to their appropriate recipients. Work was constant as the unit members were organized into three separate shifts, seven days a week. Still a segregated unit, the women had to eat and sleep in different locations from the White male soldiers. The American Red Cross did not welcome the Black WACs and in turn Major Adams refused their offer of equipment for a separate recreational facility. When the back log of mail was cleared, the postal battalion sailed to France on June 9, 1945. They arrived in Le Havre and then took a train to Rouen where they encountered another back log of mail in which they cleared, too. In October 1945 the 6888th moved to Paris where their officers were quartered in the Hôtel États-Unis, and the enlisted women were quartered in the Hôtel Bohy-Lafayette. Due to the end of World War II, the battalion was reduced by nearly 300 personnel, with over 200 more women eligible for discharge in January 1946. By February 1946, the remainder of the unit returned to the United States and was disbanded at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The women were college educated and went on to pursue successful careers and remain active activists for civil rights of Blacks. “So, you have very highly skilled, highly educated population who came back and became active in the community,” Cummings said. However, upon their return, Cummings noted that the women did not receive any acknowledgement of their service. As a member of The Buffalo Soldier Educational and Historical Committee, Cummings is working to help build a monument in honor of the women who served in The Six -Triple Eight. The committee’s goal is to raise $70,000 by the end of May. Once $70,000 is raised, the process of building the monument and requesting proper paperwork from the secretary of the Army can occur. Cummings said the monument is an act of, “gratitude and appreciation for their hard work.” She believes these women have paved the way for others to partake in opportunities. “If it hadn’t been for their contributions we wouldn’t have the success that we have not just for White women or Blacks, but for the underrepresented population in society as a whole,” Cummings said. Advertiser:

BGE celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans who have not only helped to shape our American heritage, but inspire others to pursue and achieve their dreams.

BGE

AFRO NamesAfro American Publication: Continued from A1 Insertion Date: 2/11, 2/18, & 2/25/2017 “I view the AFRO as our paper. And when I say ‘our’ I 7.28”The x 10” meanAd the Size: community’s paper. AFRO is the source for insight into what the Black community is talking about and I BHMlegacy. - Imagine want Title: to build on Mr. Oliver’s We appreciate his long service as publisher and chairman,” said Draper. If you have elected received this publication material annual Other officers or reelected at the Company’s in error, or havemeeting any questions about it please organizational Board are: Rachael Murphy Humphrey, contact theE.traffic at Weber secretary; James Wood,dept. Jr., treasurer; andShandwick Kevin E. Peck, at 212-445-8438. vice president of advertising. Benjamin Murphy Phillips, IV, was elected president, a position he previously held from 20142016.

Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON-AREA

For the Most Part, D.C. Doesn’t Want Trump’s Parade By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com

President Trump said he would like a military parade in the District of Columbia but the city’s leaders and residents don’t like his idea. According to a story in the Washington Post, President Trump told generals he would like to showcase the power and might of the U.S. military in a procession that would proceed down a yet-to-benamed avenue in the District. Regardless of where it is, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) doesn’t like the idea. “President Trump’s desire to spend millions of taxpayers’ dollars on a military parade in the style of authoritarian leaders he admires would feed his ego and perhaps his base, rather than serve any legitimate

“Frankly, I don’t think the parade will happen because Pennsylvania Avenue would crumble.” –Ralph Chittams Sr. purpose or keep with any long-held American traditions,” Norton said in a Feb. 7 statement. “While the District of Columbia, as the nation’s capital, is proud to host grand federal celebrations, such as the inauguration, we will fight a shutdown of our city that simply assuages Trump’s desire to brag and boasts in a series of tweets. No one on Earth doubts that the American military is the most powerful in the world. “Unlike less powerful nations, the United States has no need to show off by strutting our soldiers and equipment to prove our strength and leadership.”

Local Schools Teach Black Lives Matter

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

Courtesy Photo

Lead Teacher Jay Banks reads a fictional tale of an enslaved family to second graders at DC Scholars Public Charter School in South East D.C. Students asked questions like, “What is a plantation?” throughout the reading. By Aya Elamroussi Special to the AFRO “What color is innocence?” asked a student in 11th grade as she drew pictures with crayons and markers. She and five other students were in English class when their teacher, Topher Kandik, told them to draw four images to represent four statements and phrases he said out loud. Later at the end of the activity, Kandik revealed that the phrases were the last words Black people said before they were shot and killed by police officers. Schools around the country participated in Black Lives Matter (BLM) Week of Action in Schools. The week, which takes place during Black History Month, is designed to highlight institutional racism, Black history, and identity and social justice issues through lessons and conversations in the classrooms. The first BLM Week of Action in Schools in Washington, D.C., was spearheaded by two non-profit organizations, Teaching for Change and Center for Inspired Teaching, along with educators and community members. Kandik, an English teacher at SEED School in Southeast D.C., taught a poem titled “Bell Canto,” by Derrick Weston Brown, a Black poet and teacher. The poem was about Sean Bell, a Black man shot and killed by police in New York City the night before his wedding. “It’s tough for a White teacher to be talking about these things especially,” Kandik, who identifies as White, told the AFRO.

their health care and other services they need now.” The last military peacetime parade held in the District was in 1991 after the 41-day Gulf War in which America helped Kuwait retain its sovereignty in the face of Iraq aggression. The Feb. 7 edition of the New York Times reported the parade, which took place on Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., cost $12 million to put on. Trump reportedly was so impressed with France’s Bastille Day Parade last year

Courtesy Photo

The D.C. Council has been very outspoken against Trump’s idea for a military parade. Norton said, “Instead of wasting precious taxpayers’ resources, the way to show our service members and veterans that we appreciate their service is to use the military parade money to fund

Wilson Leads Fight Against Exorbitant Water Bills Affecting Black Churches

that he wanted one just like it in the U.S. Authoritarian countries such as North Korea and China regularly have parades to show the world

Continued on B2

“Sometimes there’s resistance. But once the dust settles, people want to talk. And it has opened up lines of dialogue in a really positive way.” Kandik also teaches an AP Language course that focuses on texts by Black authors. “The content starts with Fredrick Douglas and Henry Jacobs, and it moves through African-American writers up ‘til now,” Kandik said. He added this course is meant to highlight Black writers who are especially marginalized in AP courses. Kandik was named the District’s teacher of the year for 2016. He is also on the planning committee for BLM Week of Action in Schools and helped design the curriculum for grades pre-K - 12. Second-graders in DC Scholars Public Charter School in Southeast D.C. participated in the BLM Week of Action in Schools through a reading about slavery. “How do you think the children would feel hearing that their mother had been sold?” teacher Jay Banks asked the all-African-American class midway through the story. “And when I say sold that means she remains a slave, and she’s being sold to a different slave owner to go to a different state. And most likely when that happens, the families will never see each other again.” Banks said that implementing BLM in her classroom has been both refreshing and a little bit of a struggle because the topics are new to the kids. “But it’s also good because they have so much to say . . . To make them well-rounded people and to let them

Continued on B3

The Rev. Willie Wilson, the senior pastor of the Union Temple Baptist Church located in D.C.’s Ward 8, has been getting water bills that have been outrageous and learned he is not alone. Now, he is leading the fight to get DC Water, the Washington, D.C. area’s agency that supplies and regulates water and sewage for the District of Columbia, and Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland, to lower their costs so that churches and low and middleincome residents can continue to pay for service without having to make great financial sacrifices. “My church got a water

Courtesy Photo

The Rev. Willie Wilson of the Union Temple Baptist Church is actively protesting D.C.’s extremely high residential and church water bills. Continued on B3

District Leaders Discuss How to Improve D.C. Public Schools By Lenore T. Adkins Special to the AFRO The District of Columbia Public Schools has failed its students and it’s time for officials to acknowledge that, Councilwoman Mary Cheh said at a Feb. 8 hearing in which she and other councilmembers responded to a report that concluded 34 percent of last year’s seniors never should have graduated. Cheh quoted a report that showed 100 percent of DCPS students attending the University of the District of Columbia required remedial education and were functionally illiterate. As well, the yawning gap between poor and rich students continues to persist, she said. Courtesy Photo “We’re not doing a proper Antwan Wilson, Chancellor job and we’re papering over for District of Columbia it,” Cheh said. Public Schools. Antwan Wilson, chancellor for a year, implored the council not to lose faith in DCPS and pointed out the various reforms he’s implemented since the scandal rocked the city and the FBI launched an investigation of its own. They include implementing a new student information system, regularly training staff on policies and launching an Office of Integrity that would field complaints from whistleblowers, make sure policies are followed and release reports. Wilson acknowledged that the system let students down and that the probe’s results have the city, families and the general public questioning whether the progress DCPS has made since the mayor took over the schools in 2007, is real. “We have some significant challenges that we must address

Continued on B2

Kim Ford has worked for the Obama administration and for the University of the District of Columbia.

Courtesy Photo

Political Newcomer Kim Ford is Challenging Norton By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes has generally had no problem getting re-elected to the U.S. Congress since 1990 but she faces a spirited challenge this year from a political newcomer. Kim Ford, who worked as an assistant secretary of education in the Obama administration and as a dean at the University of the District of Columbia, is competing against Norton in the June 19 Democratic Party primary. Ford said it is time for the District of Columbia to have a new voice on Capitol Hill. “I don’t think that people should have a job for life,” Ford told the AFRO. “There are a lot of changes going on in the city and we need to keep moving forward. I know I can do that as D.C.’s delegate to Congress.” The District’s delegate doesn’t have a vote on the floor

Continued on B2

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

Kim Ford

Continued from B1 of the U.S. House of Representatives but serves on committees and can accrue seniority in their party and in the House. There is no representation of the District in the U.S. Senate. Even though District residents pay federal taxes and have the other obligations of citizenship such as being able to be drafted in case of war, they cannot have a vote in the Congress because only states have that right according to the U.S. Constitution. The first District delegate was Norton P. Chipman, a Reconstruction Republican, who served from 1871-1875. After, Congress decided to eliminate the position because it was considered useless at that time. The House decided to reauthorize the position in 1970 and in March 1971, Walter Fauntroy, a Democrat and an African American, became the first resident to represent the District on Capitol Hill since Reconstruction. Fauntroy served until 1991 and Norton stepped in then, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Before becoming a member of Congress, Norton was a well-known civil, feminist, and human rights activist with stints as New York City’s chair of the Human Rights Commission from 1970-1977 and as Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 1977-1981 under President Jimmy Carter.

Norton served as a professor of law at the Georgetown University Law Center and on a few Fortune 500 corporate boards before deciding to run for and win the District delegate race in 1990. Presently, Norton is 27th in seniority in the House-as well as the second longest serving member of the Congressional Black Caucus-and is poised to be the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee if the Democrats win the House in the Nov. 6 general election. Despite Norton’s past, Ford said it is time to look to the future. “Eleanor Holmes Norton has a strong legacy in civil rights and I think she is due every honorary degree and other types of honors that she can get,” she said. “I also recognize that Del. Norton has seniority but I’m not worried about that. With the number of retirements and members not running for re-election in the House, there is going to be a Democratic wave in the general election that will see the House and the Senate change parties regarding governance. “I will be part of that wave and there will be a whole bunch of new faces on Capitol Hill.” Ford is a progressive and her platform includes getting statehood for the District, increasing workforce and educational opportunities, helping small businesses

grow in the city, advocating for student loan forgiveness for residents, increasing affordable housing stock in the District, ensuring a fair criminal justice system in the city and facilitating an “efficient regional transportation system.” Ford said as the delegate, she will build new relationships for the District on Capitol Hill and will serve

Obama administration’s U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education. Also for Obama, Ford worked in the Recovery Implementation Office, which was responsible for seeing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, known as the stimulus package, put into effect. Ford has worked as

“Kim will continue the momentum on statehood and will continue to bring resources to the District.” -Kim Perry the people out of obligation and not as a long-standing gig. “I am committed to public service,” she said. “I am not going to be in Congress for decades. I will get the job done and then get out.” Ford is a District native and the daughter of famed small and disadvantaged business advocate, the late, Dietra L. Ford. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pennsylvania. Highlights of her professional career include serving as the acting assistant secretary and deputy assistant secretary in the

the dean of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning at University of the District Columbia’s Community College, providing leadership and guidance to all programs related to workforce development, career and technical education and continuing education and secured federal, local and private funding for her

division. Noting her work history on the federal level, she said that the best position for her is to be the District’s delegate, not anything else. “I have often been asked why I am running for the Congress and not for mayor or the city council,” Ford said. “The reason is I know I can get things done for the city at the federal level. That is where my strength and background is.” Kim Perry is the former executive director of DC Vote, an organization whose mission is to secure full voting and citizenship rights for residents of the District and that includes statehood. Perry respects Norton but is enthusiastically supporting Ford. “I agree with anyone that Eleanor Holmes Norton has been an effective leader and I appreciate the legacy of Eleanor but we need leadership and a new chart forward,” she said. Perry echoes Ford in reference to Norton’s seniority. “There will be a lot of new faces on Capitol Hill and Kim won’t be alone in terms

of being a new lawmaker,” she said. “Kim will continue the momentum on statehood and will continue to bring resources to the District.” However, defeating Norton won’t be easy, according to Doug Sloan, a District Democratic political analyst. Sloan challenged Norton in the September 14, 2010 Democratic primary and was crushed, 90.18 percent to 9.20 percent. “I wished she had talked to me before she picked up her petitions,” Sloan told the AFRO. “I don’t know anything about her. To the best of my knowledge, she hasn’t served as an advisory neighborhood commissioner or on the city council. “I think she should have some experience in elected office before running for delegate.” Sloan was an advisory neighborhood commissioner for 4B09 when he ran against Norton. Sloan also said that in the campaign Ford should never mention Norton’s age, 80, in the race because it would make her “look bad against a civil rights legend and warrior.”

Parade

Continued from D1 their hardware while Western democracies such as the U.S. and Great Britain don’t resort to that type of showcase of military might. Members of the D.C. Council don’t like the idea of a parade. “Tanks but no Tanks,” a Feb. 7 tweet said on the Council’s Twitter feed, with a corresponding shared Washington Post article announcing Trump’s plan for the parade. The Council followed up the same day with a viral tweet that said, “The DC government will open on time today. DC Public Schools will open on time today. Sadly, the Giant Tank Parade is cancelled. Permanently.” D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) has been particularly outspoken on the issue, tweeting on Feb. 7 a “military parade down the streets of DC to feed an insecure man’s fragile ego?” “That’s a big no,” the council member said. Ana Rangappa, a spokeswoman for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), on Feb. 8 told Reuters “just like the wall, he will have to pay for it.” D.C. Statehood Rep. Franklin Garcia (D), whose job is to lobby members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support District statehood, told the AFRO he didn’t care for the president’s idea of a military parade in the city, either. “The consensus that I am getting

throughout the city is that it wouldn’t be welcome,” Garcia said. “I have even heard that some groups are looking at boycotting it and initiating civil disobedience to protest it. Honestly, I don’t know what to think about it because there is so much coming out of this White House.” Leo Alexander, a District political activist, told the AFRO that a military parade in the city “is a ridiculous idea.” “This idea comes from someone who was a five-time draft dodger,” Alexander said, referring to Trump’s use of deferments and exemptions to avoid serving in the Vietnam War. “We the people would have to pay $8-10 million for the parade. To me, that is far too much of a price to pay.” While the feeling in the city is that the parade is a bad idea, some residents are receptive. “I personally don’t have a problem with it,” Ralph Chittams Sr., a Ward 7 resident told the AFRO. “It is good for the country’s pride and morale.” Chittams did say a parade, if it goes down Pennsylvania Avenue, would have problems. “D.C. doesn’t have the infrastructure to support the weight of the military equipment that would be in the parade,” he said. “Frankly, I don’t think the parade will happen because Pennsylvania Avenue would crumble.”

Pubic Schools Continued from B1

DC LOTTERY RECOGNIZES THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND LEGACY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS WHO HELPED FORGE THE PATH TO CIVIL RIGHTS, FREEDOM AND EQUALITY. WE PROUDLY CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND HONOR THESE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS.

Afro-American | 3 Col x 10.5 | 5.42x10.5 | 4C

if we are to deliver upon the promise of a great education for all of our children,” Wilson said. “(But) we should not lose confidence in our system as a whole. Instead, we must recommit ourselves to doing the work required to best serve our student sand to achieve quality outcomes for students.” The Feb. 8 hearing came 10 days after the Office of the State Superintendent of Education released an audit that found policy violations in 937 out of 2,758 graduating students’ records at nearly all schools. In Dunbar High School’s case, more than 4,000 changes were made to attendance records for 118 graduates, the report said. Most high schools operated under a mindset of passing and graduating students, according to a DCPS concurrent review of attendance and grading policies. At Ballou High School, DCPS uncovered a culture of doing “whatever it takes” to pass students so they could receive diplomas. The DCPS review found six high schools were the worst offenders at graduating students who exceeded the number of absences allowed, and failed to follow DCPS grading and credit recovery policies. Those schools were Anacostia High School, Ballou High School, Dunbar High School, Eastern High School, Roosevelt High School and H.D. Woodson High School. DCPS Central Office failed to provide sufficient training and support or adequate oversight in grading and credit recovery policies, the DCPS review said. In the wake of the reports, Wilson said he fired four people but does not to expect to let anyone else go. Excessive absences are much less of an issue in the D.C. Public Charter School system. Out of the 1,162 graduating seniors from the class of 2017, just eight posted more than 60 unexcused absences, said Scott Pearson, executive director of the D.C. Public Charter School Board. Six of those students came from alternative high schools, he added. D.C. Superintendent of Education Hanseul Kang confirmed that she’s been cooperating with the FBI investigation, but declined to say anything beyond that. For their part, Wilson and Pearson said the FBI has not reached out to them.

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

BLM

Wilson

Continued from B1

Continued from B1 bill that was $2,400 this month,â&#x20AC;? Wilson told a group of ministers and District residents at the Ward 8 Pastors and Faith Leaders Network Breakfast that took place on Feb. 10 at Campbell AME Church in Ward 8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My personal water bill is $212. A few years ago, people had water bills that were in the range of $60 or $80. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It would seem to me that the water issue is a class and race issue,â&#x20AC;? Wilson said. The District is mandated by federal law to pay $2.9 billion for state-of-the-art tunnels that will keep sewage and groundwater from flooding the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rivers. In order to pay for the tunnels, a plan was approved by DC Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board in 2009 that would assess a charge of $1.24 per square feet of concrete where water builds up and goes into the sewage system. This is known as the Clean Rivers Impervious Area Charge (IAC). Some District Black churches have high IACs because they have large parking lots attached to their sanctuaries and business offices. For example, Union Temple would have high water bills because its large parking lot is right outside of the church whereas Asbury United Methodist Church on 11th Street. N.W. doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have big water assessments because its parking lot is underground and there is ample parking on the street that is not assessed against the church. When the charge first started in 2009, it was small but now churches can be assessed tens of thousands of dollars that are based on aerial shots of all D.C. properties that have outside concrete. DC Water regulates IAC rates. Wilson said that the high water bills have nothing to do with how much water is used but is a built-in assessment based on the quantity of water that is on ground pavement. Wilson said that Black churches are being targeted intentionally because of â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Plan.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Planâ&#x20AC;? is a wellknown belief by many African Americans that there is a systematic plan covertly supported by the District government and some in the private sector to push Blacks out of the city. Wilson said â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Planâ&#x20AC;? is in concert with the high water bills. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know of several churches that have left the city because they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pay their water bills,â&#x20AC;? Wilson said. Places of worship such as Imani Temple, Mount Joy Baptist Church, Rock Creek Baptist Church, and the Second Baptist Church are among those that have left the city or in trouble because of high water bills. Wilson said that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and the members of the D.C. Council are largely powerless to do anything about the high water bills because they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t regulate DC Water. While the mayor picks six members of DC Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board and the Council has to approve the appointment, the mayor and Council have no power to direct the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. However, there are some District residents who believe that the mayor and the Council can do something to stop the high water bills.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe that the mayor and the Council can be proactive and come up with some sort of relief for those churches who are dealing with these high water bills,â&#x20AC;? Tyrell Holcomb, an advisory neighborhood commissioner 7F01 in Ward 7, told the AFRO. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many African American churches are struggling and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the financial status that they had 20 or 30 years ago. Now, they have to deal with this.â&#x20AC;? Some D.C. Council members have paid attention to the crisis. D.C. Council member Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) introduced a bill â&#x20AC;&#x153;The D.C. Cemetery Private Road & Parking Lot Exemption of Clean Water Fees Amendment Act of 2017â&#x20AC;?, on Nov. 7, 2017 that would exempt private roads and parking lots from the IAC. Todd did this in response to the high water bills, up to $200,000, at St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rock Creek Church Cemetery in Ward 4. On Jan. 18, D.C. Council member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), who chairs the Committee on Transportation & the Environment, wrote a letter to DC Water that asked for, among other things, a hard exemption on non-profits and residents on fixed incomes, a green space offset for large spaces such as cemeteries and exemptions for private roads. DC Water officials wrote Cheh back and thanked her for her input. Wilson said he has the support of about 200 churches and organizations to confront DC Water. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to have a mass meeting on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Union Temple and it will start at 7 p.m.,â&#x20AC;? Wilson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have the support of the DC NAACP, Washington Interfaith Network, the AFL-CIO, and Empower DC, among others. We need to organize a mass of people in order to stop these high water bills.â&#x20AC;? Wilson told the AFRO that a legal strategy is being discussed, also. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are considered a class-action lawsuit and we have a legal team that is considered other options, too,â&#x20AC;? he said. In a statement to the AFRO, Henderson Brown IV, the interim general manager of DC Water said that the agency is aware of the concerns that Wilson and others raise about high water bills. He said they are â&#x20AC;&#x153;using innovative financing to spread the costs out over the lifespan of the project and securing additional time to complete the federally mandated work.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Currently, we are proposing a one year decrease in the IAC that will provide some relief to all of our customers in fiscal year 2019, Brown said. Brown said his agency will continue to work with the mayor and D.C. Council on easing costs for low-income customers, cemeteries and faith-based organizations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have met with some of these organizations myself, and we remain open to new ideas and solutions to address their concerns while preserving the viability of this important effort to improve our rivers,â&#x20AC;? he said.

know about their culture is super important to me. Once theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re introduced to it, it becomes extremely important to them,â&#x20AC;? Banks told the AFRO. Banks is a lead teacher to second-graders. She did an exercise in her class showing students different types of families. She said when her students see something new and different, they laugh. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, then we had to shut everything down and be like, wait a second. The world around you is full of people who are different from you . . . we all have things that are different about us that make us unique and beautiful,â&#x20AC;? Banks said. Banks added that teaching kids about diversity and identity is important because it teaches them that negative portrayals of them arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t true. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are so many stereotypes that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have to battle, especially being young Black children.â&#x20AC;? But an African-American teacher and parent in Prince Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s County Schools, which also participated in the inclusion of Black Lives Matter into the curriculum, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t support the week, Fox5 reported. The woman told Fox5 she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe in the 13 principles the BLM Week of Action in Schools is based on, which are diversity, restorative justice, unapologetically Black, Black families, Black women, Black villages, globalism, loving engagement, empathy, queer affirming, transgender affirming, intergenerational and collective value. The teacher, who remained unnamed, told Fox5 that her kids attend a public school in Prince Georgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s County, and she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a teacher teaching her kids about â&#x20AC;&#x153;Black Lives Matter.â&#x20AC;? Banks and her co-teacher, who are both Black, are clear with their students about the situation of Black people in America. And since their class is entirely African-American, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to teach the students in a more personal matter about the issues that affect them all. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For Black people specifically, we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be sheltered. We are bombarded with images and with stories about what is happening to our communityâ&#x20AC;? Banks said.

%* ( !%*& * (% # ( )* &% +() . (+ (. #&, $&* ( & * ( !# ( % (&$ & % (.)* # -( % % ! ( -( % #&,!% ( % $&* ( & /, &* ( #&, &% ) % (! % ) ) & % $ . ,! - * * - (* +% ( # &$ %%!% &% &% . (+ (. (&$ $ +%*!# ) (,! $ $!#. ( '+ )*) %& 0&- () %* ($ %* ($&%. $&(! # ("

ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S TIME FOR BUSINESS. You created the perfect business cards and you have more orders

than you can handle, so whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next? As your business banking partner weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re here to find solutions that will work for you.

SMALL BUSINESS LENDING Business Loans | Free Business Checking* Remote Deposit Capture | Cash Management | Credit Cards

John Gusciora Commercial Banker 703.584.3468 BankWithUnited.com | *$100 to open. Member FDIC

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

DMV Links Presidents: Carla Johnson, Arlington; Yvonne Clarke, Annapolis; Martha Lloyd, old Dominion; Carla Williams, Reston; Candice Edwards, Mount Rose, Phyllis Caudle-Green, Capital City Links; unnamed; unnamed; unnamed and Sandra Britt, Patuxent River.

Lenora Johnson, from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Kimberly Jefferies Leonard, PhD, National Vice President of Links

Patuxent River Links members: Barbara McGee, Amy Bryan, lyndia Griggsby, Ann Everett and Sheila Harrison

Shirley Bowden with David and Latanya Higginbotham

Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford, the Army Chief Information Officer/ C6 presents the Keeper of the Community Award to Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management

The speakers: Chaplain(Maj) Willie Mashack, USA and Lt Col Janelle T.H. Jackson, USAF

Veterans who are members of the Arlington(VA) Links chapter with Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham

The co-emcees, Carol and Jesse Holland, the award winning author of The Black Panther

Jackie Harper and Josephine Rigmaiden Attendees received high blood pressure screenings

Speakers: Dr. Barbara Hutchinson, President, Association of Black Cardiologists and Dr. Olusey Princewill, Cardiologist, MEDSTAR Health Cardiology Associates

On Friday, Feb. 2, Local TV personalities Andrea Roane & Molette Green were the emcees for the 10th Annual Red Dress Event, “A Heart Healthy & Beautiful You” sponsored by the DMV Chapters of the Links. With well over 700 attendees, the event featured two noted

cardiologists, Dr. Barbara Hutchinson and Dr. Oluseyi Princewell, a vendor extravaganza, fabulous give-a-ways, coveted door prizes and a Heart Healthy buffet. The DMV Links Red Dress Event was first started by Arlington (VA) Links Member and National VicePresident of The Links.” N Street Village, the largest provider of housing and services for women in Washington Arlington Chapter Connecting D.C., is the proud Link member, Tommy Walker, community partner shared a testimonial about for this year’s Red heart healthiness Dress and received over $8,000 from the DMV Links.

Jeffrey Washington, Jeffrey Kennedy and John Giles Edna Moffitt and Ludlow McKay

Dr. Nicolette Martin, chair, Eastern Area Health and Human Services, The Links, Inc. presents Certificate of Appreciation to co-emcee Andrea Roane

Erma Withers, Sharon Bland, Elaine Bush, Wanda Smith and Lynn Selby

Co-emcees Andrea Roane, WUSA9 News and Molette Green, NBC4 News

Keeper of the Community honorees with the Gospel Service pastor, Chaplain(Lt. Col.) Sid Taylor(top right)

The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall(JBM-HH) Gospel Service hosted its Annual Black History Month Celebration and Keeper of the Community Awards Service Feb. 10 at the Memorial Chapel, Fort Myer, VA. The program included a presentation by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment(The Old Guard) of the various military uniforms worn by Soldiers during times of war, musical selections by local church gospel choirs, a commemoration of Vietnam War Veterans, two speakers addressing the topic, “Why We Serve”, all centered around the presentation of the Keeper of the Community Awards to the honorees: Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, Howard University Air Force ROTC, Detachment 130, Dr. Shakina Dunbar Rawlings, Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Sis. Cynthia Harris.

Edgar Brookins, chair and AFRO D.C. general manager, Black History Month Planning Committee present’s a Designated Offering on behalf of the Gospel Service to Jas Boothe, founder/ president, Final Salute, Inc.

Col(Ret.) Lucretia McClenney, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Arnold Fields, USMC and Gunnery Sgt. Stewart Thomas, USMC

Mount Zion Baptist Church Creative Arts Ministries Choir

Lt. Gen. Bruce Crawford with members of Psi Alpha Alpha Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity; the chapter was a keeper of the Community awardee

Woodrow Jones, Gentry Jones, Zoree Jones and Angela Jones

Photos by Rob Roberts

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

Janeshia Adams-Ginyard

Stunt Woman Turned Actress Makes Feature Film Debut in ‘Black Panther’ By Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO It was, essentially, a small thing. A pebble upon which Janeshia Adams-Ginyard stumbled as she reached a fork in the road. “Girl, my hair was eighteen inches long. When I was first told, I was trying toget out of it,” she tells the AFRO. It was a small thing but had potentially huge repercussions for the veteran Hollywood stunt woman and budding actress. She remembers, “I was like ‘Can we get some bald caps?’” The coordinator for the film was understanding but firmly communicated that was a not going to be a possibility. “So I called one of my friends and I was crying to her and she was like ‘Girl why are we crying over some hair?’” AdamsGinyard was somewhat reassured but hesitated once more. “Then I called my pastor. He said ‘Jesus sacrificed it all on the cross, you can’t sacrifice some hair? He said, ‘your sacrifice will never outweigh your reward.’” Adams-Ginyard started moving forward again. “My pastor kept it real.” She explains, “So my head was shaved for this movie. I was like ‘Bring on those clippers!’” Usually brimming with confidence, character, and optimism, stuntwoman and neophyte actress Janeshia AdamsGinyard had already stepped out on faith and auditioned for a part as a Dora Milaje in Marvel’s “Black Panther” in addition to auditioning to do stunt work, her main profession. Prior to that, in addition to stunt work, she did athletic modeling, and commercials. Adams-Ginyard slayed both audition processes. Overcoming the fear of flouting the usual Hollywood beauty standards however, was in some ways more daunting than auditioning for top director Ryan Coogler and film studio behemoth Disney. Yes, “Black Panther” was going to be a huge film but what about after that? The advice of her supporters and her own sense of honor and humility prevailed. “I was happy to be part of that chosen group,” she says, “Because they had looked all over the world for those girls.” Adams-Ginyard does double duty in “Black Panther,”

(Courtesy photo)

Janeshia Adams-Ginyard went from being a background extra to a foreground actress in ‘Black Panther.’

SPORTS

Bowie State QB Earns Nation’s Top HBCU Football Honors Amir Hall Wins Deacon Jones and Doug Williams Awards

(Courtesy photo)

Bowie State QB Amir Hall won the Deacon Jones Award as National Black College Football Player of the Year presented by the National Black College Football Hall of Fame By Mark F. Gray Special to the AFRO For someone reluctant to embrace the spotlight and the history that he’s making with each passing game, Bowie State quarterback Amir Hall continues to solidify his place as the greatest football player in school history. Now he has established himself among the greats in HBCU football after winning the highest individual honors in the sport. Hall, a junior from Bowie, who played at Riverdale Baptist high school in Upper Marlboro, Maryland won the 2017 Deacon Jones Award as the national player of the year which is presented by the National Black College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

The Deacon Jones Award is HBCU version of the Heisman Trophy and Hall is just the second recipient. Last year the inaugural honor went to current Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen for his exploits at North Carolina A&T. He also was named SBN Doug Williams Offensive Player of the Year as the top offensive player for 2017. “When I was younger I always dreamed of trying to win the Heisman Trophy and going to New York for that ceremony,” Hall told the {AFRO}. “This award is special to me because I grew up watching NFL Films and watched [Deacon Jones] play with the funny chin strap and old school swag so to win this award really means a lot.” However, when the list of finalists was first announced it seemed Hall would face an uphill challenge to win. Two other quarterbacks – Grambling’s Devante’ Kincade and Lamar Raynard from North Carolina A&T were players of the year from Division I conferences (SWAC and MEAC) respectively. Virginia State running back Trenton Cannon – the CIAA Player of the Year – rounded out the quintet. In two years as a starter Hall has already rewritten Bowie State’s record books and last year’s statistics were mind boggling. Hall led the Bulldogs to a 9-2 regular season record and a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs where they hosted a game for the first time in school history. He passed for 3,519 yards and 41 touchdowns in 11 games despite being on the bench for long stretches when they had big leads in the second half. He completed 65 percent of his passes and threw only four interceptions playing in an aggressive passing attack. Bowie St. led Division II in total offense with Hall throwing for at least 300 yards seven times and 400 yards twice.

playing one of the elite Dora Milaje bodyguards (who all sport completely shaved heads) as well as working as the stunt double for Danai Gurira (“The Walking Dead,” “Avengers: Infinity War”) who plays Okoye, the leader of the Dora Milaje. After earning a degree in Linguistics from University of California at Berkeley and being a member of the U.S. Bobsled Team, she had originally planned on becoming an interpreter for deaf athletes and a sports commentator. AdamsGinyard has been an athlete all her life and has known sign language since the age of eight. Her family moved to an area with a high concentration of the hearing impaired and her mother mandated that the whole family learn sign language. Adams-Ginyard eventually changed her mind about her career path. ”I was watching this movie and there was this guy on there and he was just awful. I was like if this guy is doing stunts and he’s running like that then I can do stunts. I started putting it out there into the universe.” She started off doing background and extra work. She trained in tumbling. “It helps in knowing how your body moves when you’re in the air.” Martial arts training also helped. “I had a taekwondo background and I chose it because it’s eighty-percent kicks. In action films, nine time out of ten, somebody is getting kicked.” Being a Dora in “Black Panther” is her biggest acting role thus far. “It was grueling but I was gonna be a part of history. It is just a huge blessing to be a part of it. It was not the first movie I worked on but it was the first movie where there was a costume that was gonna be specifically made for me and the first time I was going to be on a movie from beginning to end so it was really big.” It wasn’t lost on Adams-Ginyard the impact that she and the other actresses might have on young dark-skinned girls who would be seeing the film. “It was like, ‘Hey, we are showing up and we are showing out.’ We are dark-skinned women and we are about to make this movie and this movie is about to be bomb and there are going to be little girls watching who are going to identify with us.“

In Memoriam

U.S. Chess Champion Dies at 79 By Aya Elamroussi Special to the AFRO In 43 states and the District of Columbia, Black students are more likely to get arrested at school, an analysis by Education Week Research Center found last year. Another study finds that Black students are suspended and expelled at higher rates than White students. And most recently, NPR reported that administrators at Ballou High School, a predominately Black school in Washington, D.C., were pressured to pass a senior class where the majority of students missed more than six weeks of school. But in the 1800s, Dunbar High School, the first public high school for Black students in the U.S., was so renowned for its academic excellence that Black parents moved to Washington so their children could attend it. Dunbar was also home to Kenneth R. Clayton, the first African-American, and probably the youngest at 24, U.S. Amateur Chess Champion. Clayton died in December at the age of 79. “He’s an individual who was given a chess set as a graduation present from high school at Dunbar. And within a year…had mastered the game to the point that he was member of the Harvard chess club,” Robert L. Clayton, Kenneth’s brother, told the AFRO. K. Clayton received his first chess set in 1955. By 1963, he was the U.S. Amateur Chess Champion. “Not only was he salutatorian of the class, Kenneth did not have to apply to an Ivy League college,” R. Clayton said. “He received a

telegram from the Ivy group indicating that he was admitted to the Ivy league school of his choice.” R. Clayton said his brother had a perfect SAT score and never saw a grade below A in high school. As an African American, R. Clayton said that his brother didn’t see any limitations to what he wanted to accomplish. “The driving influence of Kenneth was never to recognize that there was an obstacle to any level of his achievement based on him being African American,” R. Clayton added. “There never was a discussion about whether or not African Americans could achieve on standardized exams.” K. Clayton attended Harvard and studied Chemistry but went into the computer science field in 1963. And that was an unusual education track for African Americans at the time because they – R. Clayton were encouraged to study law, medicine or teaching, according to R. Clayton. “Kenneth was pursuing excellence in areas in which African Americans weren’t encouraged to be excellent and still achieving significantly in those areas… there may have been encouragement to be a professional baseball player… but there certainly wasn’t encouragement, even within the African American community, to achieve in the game of chess.” K. Clayton’s successes in the fields of computer science and chess, where there were no exemplars of successful African Americans at the time, should be beacon for African American youth today to achieve and excel, R. Clayton said.

“Kenneth was pursuing excellence in areas in which African Americans weren’t encouraged to be excellent…”

“We still know the sky’s the limit for the young man,” said Bowie State coach Damon Wilson. “There’s still room for him to grow. I think we’re only beginning to see what he is capable of. He’s a joy to have in your program, an excellent student athlete”. Hall’s prolific season had to pass the litmus test from three former NFL quarterbacks who comprise most of the selection committee that were groomed at HBCU’s. Former Baltimore Ravens personnel executive and the league’s first Black starting quarterback James Harris, fellow Grambling alumnus Doug Williams, the senior vice president of player personnel for Washington’s NFL franchise, and ESPN analyst Jay Walker of Howard voted on the award. Former {USA Today} sports writer and HBCU Sports historian Roscoe Nance and Ty Miller, sports director for SBN Sports rounded out the selection committee. “I’m just so happy to continue to lead the way for the next generation,” said Hall. “The first time I went to Atlanta I had the chance to spend a lot of time with James “Shack” Harris who talked to me as did Doug Williams and Jay Walker. They all told me what I need to help me get better and what I could do to help make the team better.”

CLASSIFIED

l ad

LEGAL NOTICES

DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, RV’S. LUTHERAN MISSION SOCIETY. Your donation helps local families with food, clothing, shelter, counseling. Tax deductible. MVA License #W1044. 410-636-0123 or www. LutheranMissionSociety.org

BUSINESS SERVICES

LEGAL NOTICES

202-332-0080 410-554-8200

Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

Washington

Payment Policy for legal notice advertisements. Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices. Payment will be accepted in the form of chwecks, credit card or money order. Any returned checks will be subject to a $25.00 processing fee and may result in the suspension of any future advertising at our discretion. AD NETWORK AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS

Sma

A F R O

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

SAMPLE

results

1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words

AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words). Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN CO. 1917 Benning Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002-4723 Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ (Room, Apt., House, etc.) INSERTION DATE:_________________

Bulk advertising at its best: advertise in over 70 newspapers and reach millions of readers with ONE call. Broaden your reach and get results for pennies per reader. Call Wanda at 410-212-0616 or email wsmith@md

WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER

Place a business card ad in the Regional Small Display 2x2/2x4 Advertising Network – Let MDDC help you grow your business! Call TODAY at 410-2120616 to increase your customer base and get results.

Legal Advertising Rates Effective October 1, 2008 PROBATE DIVISION (Estates) 202-332-0080 PROBATE NOTICES

a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion c. Notice to Creditors 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion e. Standard Probates

Place your ad on Facebook; Twitter; LinkedIN and Google Ads Words through MDDC’s Social Media Ad Network; Call today to find out maximize your presence on Social Media; 410-212-0616; or email Wanda Smith @ wsmith@mddcpress. com

CIVIL NOTICES a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 b. Real Property

$180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $360.00 per 6 weeks $125.00

$ 80.00 $ 200.00

FAMILY COURT 202-879-1212 DOMESTIC RELATIONS 202-879-0157

HELP WANTED EARN $500 A DAY: Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Wants Insurance Agents* Leads, No Cold Calls*Commissions Paid Daily*Agency Training*Life Insurance Required. Call 1-888713-6020

a. Absent Defendant b. Absolute Divorce c. Custody Divorce

$ 150.00 $ 150.00 $150.00

To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch. 1-800 (AFRO) 892 For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244

Delaware New MoveIn Ready Homes! Low Taxes! Close to Beaches, Gated, Olympic pool. New Homes from low $100’s. No HOA Fees. Brochures Available 1-866-629-0770 or www.coolbranch.com.

LEGAL NOTICES

SERVS. MISC. Increase your customer base and get great results by placing your ads in the MDDC – Classified Advertising network! Call today 410-212-0616 Ask for Multi-Media Specialist -Wanda & watch your results grow. EDED

WANTED TO BUY/TRADE

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

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

FREON R12 WANTED: CERTIFIED BUYER will PAY CASH for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. (312) 291-9169; www. refrigerantfinders.com

within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

LEGAL NOTICES

Wendelin Watts Whitfield Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS LEGAL Date of firstNOTICES publication: February 2, 2018 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American

TYPESET: Tue Jan 30 02/2, 02/9, 02/16/18

TYPESET: Tue Jan 30

Superior Court of the District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2018ADM000007 Aberta Sistare Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Rica J Rich , whose address is 435 21st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Alberta Sistare, who died on June 10, 2012 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 26, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 26, 2018 , or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: January 26, 2018 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Rica J Rich Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM001205 Willie Ray Murray Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ursula Michaele Shokes , whose address is 403 South LLoyd Street, Ahoskie NC, 27910 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Willie Ray Murray, who died on October 25, 1996 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before April 27, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before April 27, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: October 27, 2017 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Ursula Michaele Shokes Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 30 15:52:24 EST 2018

01/26, 02/2, 02/9/18

10/27, 11/3, 11/10/17

TYPESET: Tue Jan 30

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2018FEP000009 Date of Death November 6, 2017 Ophelia Mary Watts Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Wendelin Watts Whitfield whose address is 10410 Balsamwood Court, Laurel, MD 20708-31786 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ophelia Mary Watts, deceased by the Orphans’ Court for Prince- Georges County, State of Maryland., on March 28, 2017, Service of process may be made upon Michael N Watts 924 Euclid Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Colombia real property: 1330 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Unit 517, Washington, DC 20005, 5512 8th St. NW, 20011, and 1336 Maryland Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20002. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, NW, 3rd FloorWashington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Wendelin Watts Whitfield Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: February 2, 2018 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2018FEP000010 Date of Death May 9, 2017 John H Harris Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Juanita Marie Harris whose address is 4670 Plymouth Court, Waldorf, MD 20602 was appointed personal representative of the estate of John H Harris, deceased by the Orphan’s Court for 15:51:32 EST 2018 CharlesCounty, State of Maryland., on January 12, 2018. Service of process may be made upon Gloria Mathis, 1700 Mass Ave, SE, Washington, DC 20003. whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Colombia real property: 5341 Nannie Helen Burr o u g h s Av e , N E , Washington, DC 20019 Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Juanita M Harris Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: February 2, 2018 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American

TYPESET: Tue Jan 30 02/2, 02/9, 02/16/18

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2018-000007 Iris Massey Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Arnold H Massey Jr., whose address is 1306 E Barringer Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119 and Bethany A Hill, whose address is 3052 Secane Place, Philadelphia, PA, 19154 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Iris Massey , deceased, on May 16, 15:50:59 2016, byEST the2018 Office of Register Wills for Philadelphia County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Service of process may be made upon District Registered Agent Services, Inc, 1025 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 615, Washington, DC 20036, whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Colombia real property: 5313 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 Sq 2931 Lot 086 Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Arnold H Massey Jr. Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: February 2, 2018 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American 02/2, 02/9, 02/16/18

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American TYPESET: Tue Jan 30 15:52:08 EST 2018

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 15:51:50 EST 2018No. Administration 2017ADM001453 Ophella W Durant Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Patricia D King, whose address is 536 Oneida Place, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ophelia W Durant, who died on July 14, 2017 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before August 2, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 2, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: February 2 , 2018 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Patricia D King Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 30 15:50:41 EST 2018 02/2, 02/9, 02/16/18 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION 15:51:15 EST 2018 Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017ADM487 Estate of Fred Hart Sr. (Deceased) Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Deborah A Hart-Johnson and Daisy G Johnson , whose address is 3501 Brightseat Rd, Hyattsville, MD & 13802 Bentwaters Dr, Upper Marlboro MD was appointed personal representative of the estate of Fred Hart, Sr., (Deceased) , who died on May 21, 2016 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . 20001, on or before August 2, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 2, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of Publication: February 2, 2018 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Deborah A Hart-Johnson Daisy G Johnson Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 02/2, 02/9, 2/16/18

AFRO. COM •Your History

•Your Community • Your News

Washington Classifieds continue on C5

CLASSIFIED LEGAL NOTICES

AD NETWORK

Delaware New MoveIn Ready Homes! Low Taxes! Close to Beaches, Gated, Olympic pool. New Homes from low $100’s. No HOA Fees. Brochures Available 1-866-629-0770 or www.coolbranch.com.

WANTED TO BUY/TRADE

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

FREON R12 WANTED: CERTIFIED BUYER will PAY CASH for R12 cylinders or cases of cans. (312) 291-9169; www. refrigerantfinders.com

Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

results

1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words

AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words). Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN CO. 2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Md. 21218-4602 Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER Legal Advertising Rates

Effective October 1, 2008

PROBATE DIVISION (Estates) 202-332-0080 PROBATE NOTICES a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion c. Notice to Creditors 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion e. Standard Probates

CIVIL NOTICES a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 b. Real Property

$180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $180.00 per 3 weeks $360.00 per 6 weeks $125.00

$ 80.00 $ 200.00

FAMILY COURT • 202-879-1212 DOMESTIC RELATIONS • 202-879-0157 a. Absent Defendant b. Absolute Divorce c. Custody Divorce

HELP WANTED EARN $500 A DAY: Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Wants Insurance Agents* Leads, No Cold Calls*Commissions Paid Daily*Agency Training*Life Insurance Required. Call 1-888713-6020

410-554-8200

LEGAL NOTICES

$ 150.00 $ 150.00 $150.00

To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch. 1-800 (AFRO) 6892 For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 LEGAL NOTICES

•Your History •Your Community • Your News

AFRO.COM

Place a business card ad in the Regional Small Display 2x2/2x4 Advertising Network – Let MDDC help you grow your business! Call TODAY at 410-2120616 to increase your customer base and get results.

Call 410-554-8200

To advertise in the BALTIMORE AFRO

AD NETWORK AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS

BUSINESS SERVICES

l ad

Baltimore

Sma

A F R O

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

SAMPLE

Baltimore Classifieds continue on C5

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American Washington Classifieds continue from C3 LEGAL NOTICES

Washington Classifieds continue from C4 LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

To advertise in the WASHINGTON AFRO Call 202-332-0080 YOU KNOW YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE IN THE KNOW... WHEN YOU READ THE AFRO

To advertise

Call 410-554-8200

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

‘Skeleton Crew’ Echoes Life of Black Workers in Baltimore

I’ve spent more than my fair share of early morning hours on the streets of Baltimore, typically either Sean Yoes heading Baltimore AFRO from the Editor syoes@afro.com nightclub or headed to the health club. But, no matter the occasion, there is one consistent observation I almost always make during those early morning hours; Black people on the bus stops on their way to work at 5 or 5:30 in the morning. It cracks me up when I hear people running their mouths about, `how lazy Black people are.’ The devil is a liar. The workers of this city are the backbone of Baltimore and the vast majority of them are Black and have been for generations. There is a beautiful play currently running (until Mar. 4) at Center Stage in Baltimore, which celebrates these workers, called “Skeleton Crew” that is written by the infinitely talented Dominique Morisseau. “Skeleton Crew” is the third play (chronologically) in a trilogy by Morisseau called, “The Detroit Project.” I also saw “Detroit 67” by Morisseau at Center Stage in May 2016 (the third play in the trilogy is “Paradise Blue”). I remember thinking while Continued on D2

Calls for Reform Follow Guilty Verdicts in Notorious Gun Trace Task Force Case

By Stephen Janis Special to the AFRO

A lengthy trial that exposed one of the most brazen examples of police corruption in the history of American law enforcement ended in a guilty verdict for two Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers who served in the now infamous and disbanded Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF). The convictions mean that a total of eight officers have either been convicted or pled guilty to dozens of crimes that range from dealing synthetic opiates looted during the uprising of 2015 after the death of Freddie Gray, to robbing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash from both drug dealers and local businesses. It took two days of deliberation for a federal jury to convict Daniel Hersl, 48 and Marcus Taylor, 31, of robbery, stealing overtime and racketeering charges that could result in sentences in excess of twenty years a piece. Each of the former BPD detectives faces a total of up to 60 years in prison. The jury acquitted the pair on multiple counts of using a gun while committing a crime of violence. The verdict came after weeks of testimony from the victims of the unit that roamed the city without supervision preying upon an array of residents in search of cash, drugs and valuables. The testimony recounted a squad that received overtime pay without working and socalled “slash days,” paid time off without taking a vacation day.

Baltimore Area Church News Compiled by Joi Thomas Special to the AFRO

2018 is moving fast. We are already in the middle of Black History Month. If you haven’t had a chance yet, make sure you take some time to learn something new about the African American experience this month. There are plenty of resources available in our city to help you on your quest for knowledge. As always, make sure you educate our younger generation as well. While researching, see what you can find out about the churches of our city. Many of them have a rich history worthy of knowing. Below are this week’s church announcements. If you have an announcement you would like included, please send it to news@itsjoiful.com. Speak to My Heart Ministries 3903 Belvedere Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21215 Winter Revival Feb. 16, 7 p.m., Feb. 18, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Bishop Duane Johnson, Pastor New Christian Memorial Church 3525 West Caton Ave. Baltimore, Maryland Sunday School Black History Program

Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m. Rev. Dr. Walter Bronson, Pastor

Whitestone Baptist Church 3001-05 Baker Street Baltimore, Maryland 21216 Choir Day Feb. 18, 3:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. Elmore Warren, Jr., Pastor Holy Temple Holiness Churches of Deliverance, Inc. 2016 West Pratt Street Baltimore, Maryland 21203 Two Night Consecration Revival Feb. 22 and Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. General Overseer & Head Prelate Apostle Dr. James Tilghman and Prophetess Greta Tilghman, Senior Pastor Dream Life Worship Center 4111 Deer Park Rd. Randallstown, Maryland 21133 Spiritual Gifts Workshop Feb. 24, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. Charity Church The City of Truth 1710-22 Gwynn Oak Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21207 53rd Church Anniversary Feb. 25 Tyrone Thomas, Pastor

Continued on D2

Gov. Hogan’s $100M Offer to HBCU’s ‘A Slap in the Face’ By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO

Courtesy Photos

Earlier this week, Daniel Hersl, 48 (left), and Marcus Taylor, 31, were found guilty on various charges including racketeering. During the trial, the courtroom became a forum for stunning revelations about a seemingly ingrained culture of lax oversight, particularly for a police department already under a federal consent decree. Throughout the proceedings former members of the unit who had already pled guilty revealed how top commanders not only ignored, but also encouraged, the unit’s plundering of overtime and reckless approach to policing. Reaction to the verdict was swift. Mayor Catherine Pugh, who as recently as last week said she had not been following the trial, promised to repair the rift the scandal had caused between the community and the department. “I am confident that this sordid chapter of policing culture can be closed as we work each and every day to re-establish the trust and confidence that our citizens need and deserve to have in their police officers,” the mayor said in a statement. The Baltimore chapter of the NAACP also weighed in, making the argument the community needed more than reform. “The horrific betrayal the officers perpetuated against the public for their personal

enrichment revealed a disturbing culture within the police department that must continue to be rooted out,” NAAPC president Ronald Flamer said in a statement. “As we move forward the NAACP is concerned about the potential hundreds of citizens who were the target and victims of this task force.” One of those victims,

After he denied possessing a gun, the trio ventured into a nearby alley and returned with a firearm which they claimed was his. Potts was convicted of gun possession based upon the testimony of the GTTF and sentenced to eight years in jail. Shortly after federal authorities announced the indictments against the GTTF, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby dropped the charges against Potts after a judge granted him a new –Mayor Pugh trial. But, the consequences for Ivan Potts, was concerned the lifelong Baltimore resident that the verdict would dim have been harsh. He’s had any urgency to help residents trouble finding a permanent arrested by the unit for crimes job. And he has yet to see his they did not commit. 6-year old daughter. “They’re not doing nothing “It’s been rough for me,” to help me,” Potts told the Potts said of life after his AFRO. release. “So, I’m advocating Potts was arrested by the for people in my situation.” three members of the GTTF, Last week, Potts testified Evodio Hendrix, Sgt. Wayne in Annapolis in favor of a bill Jenkins, and Maurice Ward introduced by State Del. Bilal in October 2015. He says the Ali, a Baltimore Democrat. officers accosted him while The bill would require he was walking to the store, automatic compensation of and immediately began asking $50,000 per year for anyone him if he knew where they jailed illegally due to officer could find a gun. misconduct. On Feb. 13 Ali “They were talking, sent a letter to Baltimore `where’s the guns, the drugs,’ Mayor Catherine Pugh and I said, I don’t know what suggesting the city disband the you’re talking about,” Potts Baltimore Police Department, said. Continued on D2

“I am confident that this sordid chapter of policing culture can be closed…”

Governor Larry Hogan’s recent letter to Legislative Black Caucus Chair, Del. Cheryl Glenn (D-45), offering to settle the 12year long Maryland HBCU Equity lawsuit evoked strong reactions from HBCU advocates and Maryland lawmakers this week. The language of Hogan’s letter, offering up to $100 million to settle the HBCU lawsuit, is being perceived by some as simultaneously an affront and a back-door peace offering to HBCU advocates who believe Hogan’s initial offer is unrealistically low. “I was very insulted about it,” said State Sen. Joan Carter Conway, (D-43). “Why would anybody in their right mind accept $100 million at 10 million a year for 10 years,” Conway said. The governor’s offer stipulated the payment would be made in installments to each HBCU over a 10 year period. Conway is principal author of SB-252, which would implement the Blount-Rawlings-Britt HBI (Historically Black Institutions) Comparability Program and has advocated for economic parity between the state’s HBCU’s and TWI’s (Traditionally White Institutions) for more than a decade. David Burton, lead plaintiff for the Maryland HBCU Coalition said Hogan’s monetary offer was a “slap in the face” and not a sincere gesture. “$100 million is just the beginning of a long conversation. It’s nowhere near the requisite amount to meet what is needed to restore HBCU’s to a position of parity as required in the judge’s ruling,” Burton said. Del. Nick Mosby (D40), author of HB-450, the companion bill to SB-252, told the House of Delegates Continued on D2

Baltimore Street Artist, Robert “Kaki” McQueen Dies at 72 By Sean Yoes Baltimore AFRO Editor syoes@afro.com Robert “Kaki” McQueen, a popular and prodigious artist and musician in West Baltimore’s grassroots community died Jan. 26. He was 72. Robert “Kaki” McQueen’s McQueen was born depiction of “The Last Supper.” in Baltimore to parents Wilbert and Nodia McQueen, Dec. 4, 1946. He was educated in the Baltimore City Public Schools, and during this time he began to cultivate his self-taught artistic prowess. He was drafted into the military in 1966 at age 19 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. After his service in the military, McQueen returned to Baltimore, but began to travel around the United States. By 1970, he said he experienced an, “awakening.” “I became aware of my Creator, my God, the first artist. I decided to make art my life,” McQueen told Rudolph Lewis, in a post on, “ChickenBones A Journal,” which celebrates Black culture. In the 1970’s, he drove across the country in a Volkswagen with a friend and stopped in cities including, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago, before landing in California and traveling up and down the California coast. McQueen said he left artwork everywhere he traveled. After more traveling around the country and overseas, McQueen ultimately

returned to Baltimore where he pursued his devotion to art as a multimedia artist, painting murals and portraits and crafting sculptures, most of which evoked themes of spirituality and Black liberation. McQueen was also a prolific drummer, who was one of the founding members of the venerable “Druid Park Drummers,” founded in the 1970’s, who still play in the “Park” every Sunday practicing their craft and entertaining anybody who gathers around to listen and/or dance. On the Sunday after his death, a group of drummers played in the rain at the corner of Penn and North, to honor McQueen, a gifted artist, musician and local legend. The funeral for Robert “Kaki” McQueen is Feb. 15, at the Wylie Funeral Home, 701 N. Mount St., in West Baltimore. The wake is at 10:00 a.m., and the service begins at 10:30 a.m. There will be a repast Feb. 15, 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., at the Unity United Methodist Church, 1433 Edmondson Ave., in West Baltimore.

29 2018 Total

Last Seven Days

Data as of Feb. 14

The Afro-American, February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018

Race and Politics Continued from D1

experiencing “Detroit 67,” which focused on a family fighting to stay together and stay alive during the Detroit riots of 1967, that this play could be set in Baltimore (I wrote about it in this column in May 2016, “Detroit Riots 1967...Baltimore Uprising 2015”). I felt an even stronger connection with “Skeleton Crew”; with superb acting by Brittany Bellizeare (“Shanita”), Stephanie Berry (“Faye”), Sekou Laidlow (“Reggie”), and Gabriel Lawrence (“Dez”), and masterful direction by Nicole A. Watson, I felt like I know these people and I know their stories. Although “Skeleton Crew” is set at an automobile stamping plant around the winter of 2008, it could have been Sparrows Point or Westinghouse, or the Broening Highway GM Plant in Baltimore, all three are either shuttered or operating at a fraction of their zenith. There are so many parallels between Baltimore and Detroit. “Detroit...one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States, grappling with economic uncertainty, White

flight to the suburbs and an insurgent police force that routinely menaced the Black community through intimidation, brutality and murder. Sound familiar?” I wrote in May 2016. The great Kwame Kwei-Armah, Center Stage’s former (tragically!) artistic director, who brought “Skeleton Crew” to Baltimore, made a similar observation about these two imperiled great American cities. “Detroit and Baltimore have a shared history of postindustrial struggle,” stated Armah in the “Skeleton Crew” program. “What ‘Skeleton Crew’ portrays about the city and people behind this struggle I think rings true for our city-- and our audiences -- as well.” On a personal note, Armah (Soul Brother Number One, to me) is a world class theatrical talent, originally from Hillingdon, Uxbridge, United Kingdom. However, his contribution to the cultural lifeblood of our city has been prodigious in just a few short years since he became Center

Stage’s artistic director in 2011. Thankfully, he will return in the spring to direct the last play of the season, “SOUL The Stax Musical.” But, the void he will leave in the city’s cultural community once he finally exits won’t fully be filled. The phalanx of playwrights like Morisseau he brought to Center Stage over the years is part of his legacy to Baltimore. The truth is, Morisseau’s work likely resonates with not just us in Baltimore and Detroit, but, Black people across the American urban diaspora, from Cleveland, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and points in between. Especially for the people who line up on a frigid bus stop at 5:30 in the morning to go to work. Sean Yoes is the AFRO’s Baltimore editor and host and executive producer of the AFRO First Edition video podcast, which airs Monday and Friday on the AFRO’s Facebook page.

$100M

Continued from D1 Appropriations Committee that Hogan’s offer, “equates to $2.5 million per institution over the next 10 years. That’s like throwing peanuts at a very gigantic problem.” Coalition plaintiff and HBCU Matters Convener Marvin “Doc” Cheatham said that billions, not millions, of dollars will be needed for the state to reverse years of discrimination at

Death Notice

Timothy S. Shelton Jr., 52 Timothy S. Shelton Jr. born August 31, 1965 resided in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the beloved husband of Celia Canty Shelton, devoted father of Timera L. Shelton and Timothy Shelton, III , and loving son of Phyllis Reese and Timothy Shelton Sr.. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Howell Funeral Home

located at 4600 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21207 on Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 4 pm-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday February 16, 2018. The Family Hour will begin at 10:30 am and Funeral Services will immediately follow at 11:30 am at Pennsylvania Avenue A.M.E. Zion Church at 1128 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21201.

Maryland’s HBCU’s. “It will take at least one to two billion dollars to craft a remedial plan to eliminate vestiges of the prior de jure system in the area of unnecessary program duplication,” Cheatham said. Robert F. Scholz, Hogan’s chief legal counsel and author of the letter on Hogan’s behalf, laid out the state’s interest in working out an agreeable settlement. ”Ultimately, I am writing to let you know that Governor Hogan wants to bring this litigation to an end in a manner satisfactory to all parties and in the best interest of all Marylanders, especially current and future HBI students,” wrote Scholz. Hogan’s interest in ending the decades-long HBCU dispute, coupled with the fact that he is running for a second term in a crowded gubernatorial candidate field, gives some HBCU advocates, like Glenn, cause for cautious optimism. “We are happy that the Governor is in the frame of mind to resolve this lawsuit. This is not a settlement, but the start of a process and of course this is an election year,” said Glenn Conway said she spoke with Glenn about Hogan’s response. “We were just incensed by the fact that they would make such a ridiculous offer. And they had the audacity to say that the offer did not include the legal fees,” Conway said. “The legal fees alone would amount to a quarter if not more of the $100 million,” Conway said. Burton warned that there was no quick fix for the years of discrimination perpetuated by the state toward HBCU’s. “There should not be any signaling at any level from anyone that the governor’s proposal addresses the long-term remedies that will be necessary to resolve this long-standing issue,” said Burton. “There is no easy way out of this.”

Calls for Reform Continued from D1

similar to what Camden, New Jersey did in 2013 following a similar scandal in their police department. The controversial proposal was met with a mixed reaction. However, Potts says it’s difficult to put a price on years lost sitting jail for a crime he didn’t commit. “Honestly, I don’t believe anything can repair what has been done. If you’re asking me to put a price on the time I lost, I can’t,” Potts said. “I would just like to see some kind of change in the justice system.”

Church News Continued from D1

First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church 618 N. Hammonds Ferry Rd. Linthicum, Maryland 21090 Family and Friends Day Feb. 25, 8 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Bishop Oscar E. Brown, Pastor Bethel AME Church 1300 Druid Hill Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Lenten Revival Feb. 28, Mar. 7,14, and 29, 7p.m. Rev. Patrick Clayborn, Pastor The Tabernacle of the Lord Church and Ministries 2100 West Baltimore Street Baltimore, Maryland 21223 Gaining Momentum Revival Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Bishop C. Guy Robinson, Pastor United Baptist Missionary Convention of Maryland Statewide Institute March 5 –March 9 Morning Sessions-Concord Baptist Church 5204 Liberty Heights Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21207 Evening Sessions-Western High School 4600 Falls Road Baltimore, Maryland 21209 To register: ubmcofmd.org Rev. Cleveland T.A. Mason, 2nd President

February 17, 2018 - February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

Celebrating 20 Years of Rambling Rose Hello my dear friends, I am excited to share with you again a look back at the years I have spent with you in your clubs, cabarets, parties and shows, that I have captured in pictures.

Many of our friends have passed away, and others may be still around, but unable to hangout anymore because of health issues. And there are my fans and friends who are still hanging in there partying, and enjoying their lives. These photos will help you remember the good olâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; days. I have thousands and thousands of pictures I have taken throughout the years, but I could only pick a few to share our memories. Do You Remember?

John Murphy III, Baltimoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s renowned, premier photographer caught on camera.

Charlie Burman and Wayne Polston hanging out in 1996.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sir Johnny Oâ&#x20AC;? (Jonathan Compton), and Senator Lary Young handing out.

Ida Peters, renowned Entertainment Editor and Columnist for the Afro American Newspaper with a friend Cojetta Stephens at a Pier Six Concert in 1990.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rambling Roseâ&#x20AC;? (center) surrounded by her musician children who came to say goodbye to renowned organist, Dave Ross at his funeral.

(All Photos taken by Rosa Pryor)

Well, my friends, enjoy the pictures, see if you remember the faces and have fun guessing who is who and where you were. Thanks for 20 beautiful years and looking forward to 20 more. Remember, if you need me, call me at 410-8339474. Until the next time, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Musically Yours.

Joe Alston and Rodney Orange having a cocktail.

0 0 ' . 0"& +/! ( ) & & , #!/! . *$ 1(* -!" #'.#, + 1(- ,( %,#&(* #,12+

" *#'! (# 1(-* #')-, (' ," * %#&#' *1 #+ % - ! , (* ," ( * ( +,#& , + '! ! /#," ," -* - ( ," - ! , ' ' ! & ', + * " ' (," * #,1 ! ' # + ,( % *' "(/ ," )*()(+ - ! , #'. +,+ #' ,, * %,#&(* (* #+ % #&#, ) *$#'! #+ . #% % #' *(', ( #,1 %% ) # ) *$#'! #+ . #% % #' ," 0#'!,(' ' 1 ,, ,* ,+ ! * ! + " . '- #+ %( , (' *(-, + ' , #+ %+( ++# % .# ," ,*(2+ "(, (/ * *$ , % +,()

, * * & *.% -

&% * & *.% -%

G IN Y T R R A TO B IS LE H H E C C K NT A O M BL

investing in

creativity

Good neighbors know that a creative community is a vibrant, successful community. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Johns Hopkins is supporting collaborative spaces and artistic endeavors across Baltimore Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;renovating and revitalizing historic theaters, partnering with our peers to share programming, and creating opportunities for the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children to explore music, the arts, and dance. Sharing these resources with our neighbors is important to us because when Baltimore thrives, we all do.

Johns Hopkins. Investing in our community.

This piece by students at Highlandtown Elementary Middle School #215 is one of the many on display at the Creative Alliance Feb. 24 through March 10 as part of the 8th Black History Month Student Competition and Exhibition, sponsored by Johns Hopkins East Baltimore Community Affairs Office.

February 17, 2018 – February 23, 2018, The Afro-American

Dr. William Watson, director, NE Region Tuskegee National Alumni Association, Inc.

James Hamlin, owner and operator of The Avenue Bakery

Anita Pinkney, chair, Members of the Baltimore Tuskegee Alumni Baltimore Tuskegee Association and Alumni Foundation hosted their Scholarship Breakfast 36th annual Carver-Washington Scholarship Awards breakfast, on Feb. 10, at the Forum on Primrose Avenue in Northwest Baltimore. The award honorees were outstanding business leaders who were honored for their positive contributions to the Baltimore community and the surrounding areas. Annette March-Grier, RN, CFSP is president/founder of the Roberta House and vice president of the well-known Gregory Dash, president, Waqiba Strother, family business, March Funeral Homes and James Baltimore Tuskegee treasurer, Baltimore Hamlin, owner and operator of The Avenue Bakery. Alumni Association Tuskegee Alumni Hamlin is also president and founder of The Royal Association Theatre and Community Heritage Corporation. Also honored was J. Albert Maddox Jr., president and CEO of amounts from funding full tuition to $10,000 Time Printers. Maddox’s grandfather, Gabriel Maddox and $5,000 respectively. Several Tuskegee Sr. was recognized for being the first instructor in alumni clubs from across the nation were printing and established the first printing shop at present for the breakfast. Tuskegee Institute. The theme, “Celebrating Our Legacy and Investing in the Future,” was emphasized by each of the honorees. Current Baltimore students enrolled at Tuskegee and incoming students were recognized for scholarships ranging in

Mary Wendhaus, Sen.Barbara A. Robinson, Fandreia Bowman

National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Gamma Chapter, Alicia Copeland, Rodney’ English, Leta Smith, Beverly Woolford, Jadd Woolford, Kaneda Shipman

E. Fran Johnson. , Charlotte Bullock, Dr. Bettina Scott , Lois Wysinger

Time Printers family, Elsie Maddox, Greg Maddox, Brenda Maddox, Wayne Maddox

Caprisa Hooper, Julia Grier, Barbara Hall

Photos by Dr. A. Lois DeLaine

Wanda Draper, dir., Reginald F. Lewis Museum

A statue of Frederick Douglass by Joseph Sheppard

James Piper Bond (CEO Living Classrooms Foundation)

Baltimore City Council Pres., Bernard “Jack” Young

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh hosted and led the commemoration of Frederick Douglass’ 200th birthday, on Feb. 1 at Baltimore City Hall. Entertainment was provided by the Dunbar Jazz Band. Sculptor Joseph Sheppard exhibited a statue of Douglass, a Maryland native and one of the most important Americans of the 19th century. Students from The Crossroads School gave a tribute to Douglass. James Piper Bond, CEO Living Classrooms, was one the speakers, as well as Baltimore City Council President Bernard “Jack” Young. Baltimore Comptroller Joan Pratt also spoke during the event. During the event, former Douglass High School graduates, Nathaniel Gibbs and Laurence Hurst also opened their art exhibit at City Hall.

Photos Anderson R. Ward Joseph Sheppard Baltimore City Councilman John Bullock

Baltimore City Comptroller Joan Pratt

Mayor Pugh with students from The Crossroads School