Prince Georges Afro American Newspaper February 14 2015

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY EDITION

Volume 123 No. 28

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FEBRUARY 14, 2015 - FEBRUARY 20, 2015

Purple Line Coming To Prince George’s Prince George’s Residents Demand County in 2015 Solutions for Real Estate Woes

By Courtney Jacobs AFRO Staff Writer

purplelinemd.com

By Courtney Jacobs AFRO Staff Writer Prince George’s County and Montgomery County in Maryland are working together to build a 16-mile Purple Line that would run from Bethesda to College Park.

All I want for Valentine’s Day is...

View on AFRO.com

The $2.4 billion public/ private project is estimated to create 27,000 permanent jobs and increase property values along the route by nearly $10 billion. It will provide another transportation option to help reduce traffic congestion and linking the University of Maryland campus in College Park to federal employment centers.

“The Purple Line is a critical component to Prince George’s County’s future economic development

plans,” Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker said during a strategies discussion at the University of Maryland campus on Feb. 4.

Other notable political figures in attendance for the meeting, included Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, Prince George’s County Council Chairman Mel Franklin, Montgomery County Council President George Leventhal, Greater Washington Board of Trade President and CEO

Jim Dinegar, and University of Maryland President Dr. Wallace Loh. Aside from our economy, it will significantly impact our environment and transportation infrastructure,” Baker said during the meeting. “The Purple Line offers a unique opportunity to revitalize communities and create transportation alternatives for our residents that will serve the region and state for many generations.”

Continued on A4

Prince George’s County residents filled a small room within the Vista Gardens shopping center in Bowie on Feb. 4 for a town hall to discuss housing concerns in the community. The topics included identifying the entity responsible for devaluing property in Prince George’s County and perpetuating the fabrication that homes in the county are not increasing in value.

A small panel including former Del. Aisha Braveboy, former State Attorney Glenn Ivey and Broker Ruth Wright helped residents address their concerns.

“The longer your house stays on the market, the more it deteriorates.”

– Aisha Braveboy For the 2015 residential reassessments, the county had a 23 percent increase in base value, which was the highest in the state from $12.5 billion to $15.4 billion, which totaled $2.9 billion in value. Although the numbers seem good, panelists Continued on A4

DC-CAP Offers Financial Opportunities for College Bound Students

the city and have become trusted advisors for students. They guide students through the journey of enrolling, being accepted, and attending college.

February is a critical month for college “[DC-Cap advisors] also teach young people bound high school seniors. While waiting to and their families the economic benefits of hear back from college admission offices, putting off working for the four years you go to students must also secure funding. In addition college,” says Leonsis. “They can show what to completing the free application for federal your earning capacity is if you go to college, student aid, students in the District are able graduate, and then enter a certain field, versus if to apply for funding through the DC Tuition you don’t go to college and go right to work.”

Assistance Grant (DC TAG) program, which Photo by courtesy of www.dccap.org The D.C. Public School system is made up opened Feb. 2. DC TAG provides up to $10,000 Since 1999, DC-CAP has celebrated the success of more of nearly 80 percent African-American students. toward tuition depending upon the cost and than 6,500 college graduates.

Like many of them, Leonsis was the first in his type of institution. family to attend college. “I had an option in While the program’s deadline is June front of me which was to work in a local grocery store chain where I worked 30, funds may be exhausted before then, according to the Office of the State bagging groceries and then in produce department,” he said.

Superintendent of Education’s website, so students must act quickly. “The cost Instead of spending years climbing the ranks in the grocery store business, Leonsis of college can be daunting and we put college counselors into high schools who help make that process a lot less daunting,” said Ted Leonsis, DC College navigated his way through the college admissions process and attended Georgetown Access Program (DC-CAP)’s chairman of the board on Jan. 28.

University. While in school, he was motivated to own his own business. Today, he is DC-CAP’s advisors are located in every public and charter high school in Continued on A8

By Christina Sturdivant Special to the AFRO

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BEYA STEM Conference Draws Huge Crowd from Across the Country

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO Despite the push among American high schools and colleges to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

(STEM), a recent study, funded by Cisco Systems, found a shortage was expected for the U.S. STEM workforce by 2018.

In addition to the U.S. shortage, African Americans are expected to stall in

acquiring STEM positions, making up less than 10 percent in each field (Science - 6 percent, Technology - 8.5 percent, Engineering - 9.8 percent; and Math - 1.9 percent) by 2016. The BEYA (Becoming Everything You

Are) STEM Conference, an annual mentoring and networking seminar, however, stands poised to answer that underrepresentation through direct mentoring and providing necessary leadership from among

the ranks of existing Black professionals.

This year’s conference, Exceeding Expectations: Path to the Future, brought more than 8,000 attendees including students, college Continued on A8

Photos by Rob Roberts

Many sessions at the BEYA STEM 2015 conference boasted near-capacity attendance of college students and newly graduated technology professionals.

Copyright © 2014 by the Afro-American Company

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The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

NATION & WORLD

Florida Mom Delivers 14-Pound Baby after Surprise Pregnancy

Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph’s Womens Hospital.

Avery Denton, the 14.1-pound baby born at the St. Joseph’s Womens Hospital hospital in Tampa on Jan. 29.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida woman who delivered a 14.1-pound baby says she didn’t know she was pregnant until her third trimester.

Officials at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in Tampa say Maxxzandra Ford delivered her son, Avery, on Jan. 29. They say the infant is the heaviest born at the hospital, and one of the largest-ever born in the state.

Ford tells television stations WFLA and WFTS that after rapidly gaining weight last fall, doctors confirmed she was 35 weeks into her pregnancy. Ford said she initially thought she was having twins.

After 18 hours of labor, Ford naturally delivered Avery, who remains in neonatal intensive care but is expected to go home soon.

Ford, who also has a 1-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter, says she “just melted” when she finally held Avery.

Man Who Commutes 42 Miles on Foot Receives Over $300,000 in Donations

James Robertson of Detroit, Mich., has a 21-mile commute to and from work each day. Except, unlike most people, Robertson makes the long commute to his $10.55 per hour suburban factory job on foot since his car broke down over a decade ago and high insurance rates prevented him from

purchasing a new one.

“I don’t think what I do is big deal,” Robertson told People magazine. “I do what I have to do to get to work in the morning. It’s just a part of my life.

When the Detroit Free-Press first reported the 56-yearold’s story, it became national news. Wayne State University computer student Evan Leedy, 19, said he was so touched by the story that he created a‘GoFundMe’ page to raise funds to buy Robertson a car. The fund, which will be closed on Feb. 8, has received more than $312,000 in donations, to date. And, on Feb. 6, when Robertson visited the Suburban Ford dealership in Sterling Heights to obtain some car brochures, he was given a 2015 Ford Taurus as a surprise gift. Some of the money will go toward the car insurance which is $400 a month.

Leedy and Robertson met for the first time during an interview with People.

Banker Blake Pollock, 47, of Rochester saw Robertson walk to work every day in any kind of weather through Troy and Rochester Hills, which has no metro Detroit bus services, and contacted the Detroit Free-Press.

Robertson’s daily commute to work starts off by riding a SMART bus from Woodward near Holbrook in Detroit to a bus stop near Somerset Collection, an upscale mall in Troy.

From there he walks about 7 miles. After getting off work at 10 p.m. he walks back to the mall and catches the last bus in to Detroit that takes him to the State Fairground at the city’s border. From there he walks home, which takes about 5 miles, according to USA Today.

Photo courtesy of Gofundme.com

James Robertson commutes 21 miles to and from work each day.

Family of Bronx Teen Slain by NYPD Cop Settles Suit for $3.9 Million The family of Ramarley Graham, a Black teenager who

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Ramarley Graham was shot to death by a New York City police officer Feb. 2, 2012. was shot to death by a New York City officer, settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $3.9 million.

“This was a tragic case,” said New York Law Department spokesman Nicholas Paolucci, according to a CBS News story. “After evaluating all the facts, and consulting with key stakeholders such as the NYPD, it was determined that settling the matter was in the best interest of the city.”

According to authorities, narcotics officers spotted Graham adjusting his waistband and, assuming he had a gun, approached the 18-year-old. But Graham took off running to his mother’s home. Richard Haste, a White officer, followed Graham into his mother’s home and fatally shot him once in the chest.

Initially, the officer was indicted on manslaughter charges by a Bronx grand jury, but the judge threw out the case due to a legal technicality, according to The Daily News. The second grand jury declined to indict Haste, who said he fired because he thought Graham had a gun, though no gun was found in the dwelling.

The ongoing investigation is looking into possible violations of civil rights against the NYPD officers who were involved in the Feb. 2, 2012 shooting, the report states.

The federal complaint filed by Graham’s family accused the department of trying to cover up the shooting, failing to properly train officers and engaging in racial discrimination through the stop-and-frisk policy.

According to the terms of the settlement, the teen’s estate will receive $2.5 million; his brother will receive $500,000 and his grandmother $450,000 because they were in the home at the time of the shooting, the Daily News reported. Graham’s mother, Constance Malcolm, will receive $40,000.

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

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HEALTH Congestive Heart Failure Striking African Americans at a Younger Age

C

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ongestive heart failure remains one of the most taxing, but preventable, heart conditions in the U.S. and is increasingly linked to heart disease caused by poor diet. Consequently, African Americans are disproportionately affected by heart failure and the disparity has been attributed in many cases to modifiable risk factors such as uncontrolled hypertension and inadequate health care. While previous medical trends target middle-aged Black populations in awareness efforts, increasingly diagnosis of heart failure is occurring earlier among African Americans.

In fact, a 2009 study in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that congestive heart failure is hitting African Americans in their 30s and 40s at the same rate as Caucasians in their 50s and 60s.

“These findings illustrate the importance of identifying solutions to the social, economic, environmental, and health care-related factors that contribute to persistent health disparities,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “The study results

also highlight the urgency of reversing the childhood obesity epidemic. Today’s unhealthy children are tomorrow’s unhealthy adults. We know that obese children are being diagnosed with conditions previously considered adult illnesses, such as Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and they’re at higher lifetime risk for a host of serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma and some forms of cancer.”

Contrary to popular belief, heart failure does not mean that the heart suddenly stops.

The heart functions as a blood pump that moves blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen. The oxygenated blood returns to the left side of the heart. The left side of the heart then pumps blood into the circulatory system of blood vessels that carry blood throughout the body. When the pumping action is compromised, so too is blood and oxygen flow to the rest of the body, causing congestive heart failure patients to experience swollen feet and legs, kidney malfunction, and pleurisy (fluid in the lungs). Among African Americans, hypertension remains the overwhelming sole predisposing factor to developing congestive heart failure.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged in the 2012 report Preventable Hospitalizations for Congestive Heart Failure: Establishing a Baseline to Monitor Trends and Disparities that an alarming linear increase in CHF hospitalization was occurring among young Black

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Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment for Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

men between the ages of 18-44. Chief among young African Americans, diet – particularly those high in salt, fat, sugar, and processed foods – contributes overwhelmingly to developing chronic conditions including hypertension and chronic kidney disease that portend congestive heart failure.

Despite the fact that young adults are often unaware that they have hypertension or the consequential link of the condition to heart failure when left untreated, ignoring the signs could lead to a pandemic of premature, preventable deaths.

While stressing the need for awareness across age demographics, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation researchers suggest promoting proper diet – avoid fast food, processed foods, plenty of whole grains, fruits and veggies, and daily exercise – to ward off chronic conditions.

“There should be a wake-up call on the need for African Americans and physicians to address risk factors that can lead to heart failure. Heart failure is disproportionately hitting African Americans in the prime of their lives,” said Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, lead author of the study

Each individual may experience symptoms differently for Congestive Heart Failure; however, the most common symptoms include: Shortness of breath during rest, exercise, or while lying flat; Weight gain; Visible swelling of the legs and ankles (due to a buildup of fluid), and, occasionally, swelling of the abdomen; Fatigue and weakness; Loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain; Persistent cough that can cause bloodtinged sputum.

Diagnosis

Congestive Heart Failure diagnosis made should be made through a medical examination in which a complete medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic procedures for heart failure are performed. Some tests include: Chest X-ray. A diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.

Echocardiogram (also called echo). A noninvasive test that uses sound waves to evaluate the motion of the heart’s chambers and valves. The echo sound waves create an image on the monitor as an ultrasound transducer is passed over the heart. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and can sometimes detect heart muscle damage. BNP testing.

Treatment

The cause of the heart failure will dictate the treatment protocol. If the heart failure is caused by a valve disorder, then surgery may be performed. If the heart failure is caused by a disease, such as anemia, then the underlying disease will be treated. Although there is no cure for heart failure due to damaged heart muscle – usually heart disease from poor diet and lack of exercise – many forms of treatment have been used to treat symptoms very effectively.

Treatment of heart failure may include controlling risk factors. Patients may be asked to: Quitting smoking, Lose weight (if overweight) and increasing moderate exercise; Restrict salt and fat from the diet; Avoiding alcohol; Get proper rest; Control blood sugar if diabetic; Control blood pressure; Limit fluid intake; and drug therapy.

For more information, contact the American Heart Association at www.heart.org

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The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

Frederick Douglass Wax Figure Unveiled

By Kyra O. Davenport Special to the AFRO A lifelike wax figure of Frederick Douglass was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. museum in Northwest on Feb. 5.

This is only the beginning of the homage being paid to Douglass. On Feb. 14, his wax figure will be moved

“This is an honor to have him in our collection…”

– Lauren Cotrell

to his former home, the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site at 1411 W St. SE. “This is an honor to have him in our collection, which features those who leave a lasting legacy,” said Lauren Cotrell, senior sales and marketing manager for Madame Tussauds.

“Frederick Douglass accepted his birth date as Feb. 14, he also died in February, and February is Black History Month. So this is the perfect time to honor him.”

According to Kenneth C. Davis’s book Don’t Know Much About History, Douglass made a vast contribution to society and

history. He was a man of integrity with a life devoted to the cause of freedom for women as well as Blacks.

Douglas became one of the most famous men in America, Black or White, the book said.

“There has been a lot of interest in the Frederick Douglass figure being moved to his former residence on Feb. 14,” Cotrell said. “We anticipate a lot of AfricanAmerican leaders making an appearance and sharing their thoughts with us.”

Douglass’ story is special because it is local. Born to a slave mother, Douglas was taught to read by the wife of one of his masters. Later,

madametussauds.com

A lifelike wax figure of Frederick Douglass was unveiled at Madame Tussauds Washington D.C. museum. he taught himself how to write while working in the shipyards in Baltimore, and became an extraordinary

public speaker. “He was a prominent abolitionist during his lifetime,” Cotrell said.

“His work and story have

been such an overwhelming inspiration. I am happy to be a part of something so special.”

Thank Ed Welburn for That GM Car

By Khari Arnold Howard University News Service If you love the sexy sleekness of the Chevrolet Corvette, the elegance of the Cadillac Escalade, or the pure brawn of the Hummer H2, you can thank Edward Welburn Jr. Welburn is not exactly a household name, but for more than 20 years the Howard University graduate has been overseeing the design of many of the world’s top cars and winning awards and accolades, including from President Barack Obama.

For that work Welburn, vice president for General Motors Global Design, was honored this past weekend as the Engineer of the Year by engineers from the automobile, space, science, and technology industries at the 29th annual BEYA STEM Conference in Washington.

The conference is dedicated to building diversity in the STEM (Science, Technology. Engineering and Mathematics) fields, an issue Welburn has led on during his 43-years in the automotive industry.

Welburn said that while he has received many honors, BEYA’s was truly special. “It’s still sinking in,” he said.

To honor his alma mater and to aid increased diversity and curriculum development in the STEM field, Welburn presented a $110,000 check to Howard University on behalf of General Motors. “In achieving my goals, one of the defining chapters in my life was the time I spent at Howard University,” Welburn said. “There is hardly a day that goes by that I don’t

“To be recognized for something you love to do, and have fun doing, it’s kind of cool. It’s real cool.”

– Edward Welburn Jr. think about the instructors and professors and the guidance that I received from them and what I learned.”

LaWanda Peace, the Edward Welburn, vice assistant dean of Howard’s president for General Motors College of Engineering, Global Design, presents a Architecture and Computer check to Howard University Sciences, said Welburn’s for development in the STEM contribution by example field. and his donation can point more Howard students to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “It’s really important to get our young Black people into the STEM area,” Peace said. “STEM is where it is now. It really is.

“Back in 1972, when we first started trying to get young Black people into engineering, it probably wasn’t even 3 percent of the workforce that was Black at that time.”

When Welburn was 11, he wrote General Motors asking

for information on how to become a car designer. Eleven years later, he joined General Motors as an associate designer in the Advanced Design Studios.

Welburn, who also interned at the company the summer before he graduated, became the first African-American designer at General Motors. In Weburn’s current position, every car that General Motors develops globally is created under his design direction.

Welburn, the highest-ranked African-American in the automotive industry, said he wants to see more AfricanAmericans and other people of color to follow in his path.

“I just want to see Black folks do well,” Welburn said. “I want to see them succeed. Car design was what I wanted, and I know there are people out there who have the same dreams, whether it’s car design or whatever it is that they’re interested in. We need to do everything we can to open doors and help them realize their dreams.”

“There are so many creative young people that are looking for an outlet, and I want to help them realize their dreams. I know from my many years designing automobiles for General Motors is that having a diverse workforce has huge benefits in developing a design for a car.”

Purple Line

Continued from A1 President Obama requested $100 million for the Purple Line in his FY 2016 budget, which is part of the $900 million in federal construction funds being sought for the construction of Purple Line. “The Purple Line is more than a transit line,” Franklin said. “It’s a jobs engine for our state

“The Purple Line is more than a transit line.”

– Mel Franklin and region. Construction of the Purple Line will spur regional business investment, relieve traffic congestion,

and improve our natural environment. We are bringing the world to Maryland and building the communities of

the 21st century economy by constructing the Purple Line.”

In his first budget, Gov. Larry Hogan retained $312.7 million for the Purple Line in the six-year Consolidated Transportation Program.

“Every dollar of public investment for the Purple Line multiplies itself many times over,” Leggett said. “And

– thanks to our innovative public/private partnership arrangement – up to 40 percent of the project’s cost could be picked up by the private sector. Our task is to make the case for the investment, not simply spending, but the investment in mass transit, and the returns it will generate to our communities and to our

state.”

“The continued economic prosperity of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties is inextricably linked to the Purple Line,” Leventhal said. “The Purple Line is the best investment Maryland can make to jump start our economy and attract new businesses to the state.”

Prince George’s Residents

Continued from A1

discussed how the numbers could stay the same or even increase in the future.

Director of the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development Eric C. Brown said he believes the solution to continue to build value in Prince George’s County is in expanding the commercial tax base. “Expanding our commercial tax base will do a number of things,” Brown said

in a news release. “It will increase job and employment opportunities within the county, which will strengthen the value of the housing market and drive demand. It will also increase tax revenues for the county and reduce our reliance on residential taxes. All this will make the county less vulnerable in the future.”

The county saw an economic down turn in March 2011 with housing values dropping to

$155,000, the lowest median sales price the county has ever seen. However, since then, the county’s median sales price has increased 47 percent from March 2011 through December 2014. “The longer your house stays on the market, the more it deteriorates,” Braveboy told the crowd. “We cannot afford to lose our communities, wealth or home owners.”

The median sold price for homes in the county from December 2013 to November 2014 was $227,000. For the other surrounding areas, the numbers were much higher.

The median sold prices for other counties during that same time period were: Anne Arundel County $309,000, Howard County

$378,700, Montgomery County $397,000 and Washington D.C. $513,250.

“While other people’s communities have been getting the respect they deserve, we have not received that here in Prince George’s County,” said Sandra Pruitt, executive director of People for Change Coalition, who hosted and helped plan discussion. “This whole crisis is devastating out county. Children in Prince George’s County are considering themselves homeless. We are losing our generational wealth.”

The housing and community development department is using counseling agencies to assist residents who are facing foreclosures.

Housing counselors are also working with families, banks and mortgage companies to get loan modifications and enter into short sale contracts.

“Prince George’s County by in large is going to rise and fall together,” Ivey said.

For more information on how to receive assistance with foreclosures or loan modifications, visit the department’s website http:// www.princegeorgescountymd. gov/sites/DHCD/Pages/default. aspx.

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

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Rape and the Myth of ‘The Strong Black Woman’

By Jazelle Hunt NNPA Washington Correspondent FIRST IN A SERIES A woman gets raped every 2 minutes in the United States. According to the U.S. Justice Department, nearly one of every five Black women – 19 percent – are raped each year. Many experts suspect those figures severely understate the problem. For example, research by the Black Women’s Blueprint, a New York City-based civil and human rights organization of women and men, reports that 60 percent of Black women have been sexually assaulted by the time they are 18 years old.

Whatever the actual number, too often, the victims – including a surprising number of males and young girls – suffer alone. Efforts to discuss the abuse are usually met with disbelief or a feeling that such behavior should be quietly swept under the rug, as though ignoring the problem will magically make it disappear.

As a matter of policy, news organizations generally withhold the names of rape victims. But Black women in particular are beginning to break this silence, bravely coming out of the shadows to publicly reveal their names and faces and share their painful stories in hopes of exposing and ending this alltoo-common violence. This series by NNPA Washington Correspondent Jazelle Hunt examines rape in the Black community and the long path toward healing.

For 20 years, Sharita J. Lee was numb. She did not cry. She did not love the men she dated. The only emotion she could muster was rage.

But that changed recently when she caught wind of the storm of sexual assault allegations involving Bill Cosby, America’s favorite TV dad. One by one, more than 30 women lodged charges against the comedian, some dating back 45 years. And one by one, their revelations were met with skepticism, personal attacks on the accusers, and even outright scorn.

“Until then, I had thought about [my assault], but I didn’t have any emotion about it,” Lee recalled. “I wouldn’t have felt anything until I read that article,” Lee said.

After reading the article about comedian Hannibal Buress’ jab at Bill Cosby, Lee scrolled to the comments section. She couldn’t believe how many people questioned why these women were coming forward decades later. Appalled, she opened her laptop, and penned all the gory details of her rape and its aftermath for the world to see.

Her account was published on a blog just before Christmas.

The topic of rape has not only been revived by the controversy surrounding Bill Cosby but also by misbehavior in other segments of society. For example, dozens of highranking military officers have been fired for rape or having inappropriate sexual affairs with women within and outside their command.

Rape on college campuses has received wider coverage following a series of highprofile campus rapes, including one at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The Department of Education announced last May that it is investigating 55 colleges for mishandling

complaints of sexual violence, a figure that has since risen to 90.

Last week, two Vanderbilt University football players were found guilty of raping an unconscious fellow co-ed and two more former football players are awaiting trial.

And Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, a former Heisman Trophy winner, has been dogged for more than a year amid allegations that he raped a FSU student in December 2012; an attorney for the student announced plans to sue the university.

Most Americans do not know as much about rape as they think.

According to the Department of Justice: • Somewhere in America,

• 70 percent of rape and sexual assault victims know their attacker prior to the assault and • Of college women questioned, about 90 percent of rape and sexual assault victims knew their attacker prior to the assault.

It took Sharita Lee close to two decades to truly break her silence.

Two decades ago, she was a 20-year-old New Orleans native serving her country as a member of the U.S. Navy.

She had joined the military to distance herself from home, where her stepfather physically abused her mother, who was battling alcoholism.

But she returned to New Orleans immediately when she learned her grandfather

years slipped by and hardship bubbled up. There was the birth of her first child and a young and unhappy marriage and then divorce at 25.

“I was 28 when I first sought therapy. I went for depression, because my brother was murdered. I was having anxiety attacks, but I couldn’t cry over it,” said Lee. “I realized I’d hit rock bottom in my emotions, or lack thereof. I knew I was to my limit with not dealing with anything.”

Black women are bravely coming out of the shadows.

condolences and small talk, he lunged at her. In a fluid flurry, he grabbed her legs and pulled her toward him. He pinned her knees to her chest.

She shoved him. Unmoved, he yanked the back of her pants up to her thighs. He was a foot taller and outweighed her by 100 pounds. She was stunned.

“I would’ve never thought, prior to that moment, that that was something he had done before, but it happened so fast,” she said. “I couldn’t even say ‘what happened,’ I just felt him go in. In my mind I’m thinking, ‘Wow,

should’ve, could’ves.”

Called a ‘Whore’

At the time, Lee told exactly one person: her thenboyfriend, when he came to visit her on the Navy base after her grandfather’s funeral.

“He responded by calling me a whore. He said I invited it, and cheated on him, purposely,” Lee recounted.

They argued all night and ended the relationship. The reaction pushed her into stoic silence. “I never told anyone else,” she said. “That was

The Path to Healing

Today, Lee is the only person in her immediate family who has sought professional help as part of dealing with her trauma.

“People are afraid to go to therapy – my mom is afraid, in my opinion, that she is going to hear the absolute truth. It’s facing your truth, I think, that’s hard for people. “… The biggest thing for me was allowing myself to deal with whatever hurts I had buried. I had to have healing in my own home. I told my husband and my sister things…I’m not a writer, but I wrote…dealing with my mother, stepfather, and my father, writing letters to

“The topic of rape has not only been revived by the controversy surrounding Bill Cosby but also by misbehavior in other segments of society.”

Photo courtesy of Sharita J. Lee

The Bill Cosby controversy forced Sharita J. Lee to revisit her rape 20 years ago.

a woman is raped every 2 minutes; • 22 percent of victims were younger than age 12 when they were first raped, and 32 percent were between the ages of 12 and 17; • 25 percent of girls and 17 percent of boys are sexually abused before the age of 18;

was on his deathbed. During her visit, she ran into a childhood friend at her uncle’s house, and the two caught up.

A few hours passed as they laughed and reminisced on the couch. Then, Lee got the call that her grandfather had died.

Abruptly, in the middle of

is this happening, are you serious?’”

Afterward he got up, apologized, kissed her, and left. She didn’t move. She couldn’t speak. When he was gone, she got up, cleaned up, and cried. Then she carried on as if nothing had happened.

“Every time I think of my grandfather, that comes to mind,” she says. “My grandfather died, but I was supposed to go and see him that night. And I didn’t go because I was dealing with my friend. And that friend raped me. It’s like, oh my God, if I had been where I was supposed to be – you know, all the would’ve,

the first time I actually went that far, and for his reaction to be the way it was…I felt humiliated but I also felt unworthy.”

Slowly, she lost her bearings.

“I became very promiscuous. I put myself in the mind of a man. However they thought that they could handle a woman, is how I began to handle them,” she says. “I know I was angry and bitter for some time. I was drinking a lot – try to couple that with being in the military – and I was having sex a lot.”

Her pain hardened to numbness, then curdled into a bad temper, worsening as

them…. As time went, I felt better,” Lee says.

“It’s like, OK, I was raped. But as I get older and realize it’s affecting my relationships…what are you going to do to change it? You have to go find help for that.

Because ultimately, you’re a prisoner in your own mind, and in your own heart.”

NEXT WEEK: Rape’s other victims (The project was made possible by a grant from the National Health Journalism Fellowship, a program of the University of Southern California Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.)

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The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Landover, Md. Diamonds & Denim 2015 Party The Prince George’s County Delta Alumnae Foundation will host “Diamonds & Denim,” an old school hand dance, line dance, and card party on Feb. 20 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Prince George’s Ballroom in Landover, Md. It’s that time again to Hand Dance to the music of yesterday, Line Dance to the music of today, and go uptown/ downtown with your card game. Tickets are only $30 each. There will be a cash bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and much more. Purchase your tickets online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/diamonds-denim-2015-tickets-15219326415, by email: info@PGDeltaFoundation.org, or by phone: 240-606-8515.

Washington, D.C. AME Black History Concert Hemingway Temple AME Church, located at 501 P St. N.W. D.C. will sponsor a Black History Concert in honor of Esther Thompson, a member of the church, on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. Guest choirs, soloists and groups from the area will be participating in this concert of praise, worship and song. The public is cordially invited to attend. For more information, email Hemingwayame@ gmail.com.

Edgewater, Md. Black History Breakfast The Ralph J. Bunche Community Center, located on 374 Mill Swamp Road,

Pick a state! , any state

College Park, Md. Kappa Bowling Night The College Park-Sandy Spring Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in conjunction with the Kappa Leaguers will host a fun-filled night of bowling on March 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at AMF College Park Lanes, located at 9021 Baltimore Ave. Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets, visit http://kappacommunity.ticketleap. com/. This is a family-friendly event that benefits everyone involved. Ticket purchases will go towards helping young men attend college.

afro.com

MDDC Press works with fellow press associations across the country to give you the best possible buys on advertising wherever you need it. We take care of scheduling and placement at no extra cost to you, and you save time and money. Call Wanda Smith at ext. 6 today.

Press Service 2000 Capital Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401

in Edgewater, Md. will hold its fourth annual Black History Breakfast on Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. The Rev. Jeffrey Smith, pastor at Calvert Christian Fellowship in Huntingtown, Md. will be the guest speaker. Tickets cost $15 per person and $7 for children (6-12). The event is free for children under five. For tickets contact: Richard Johnson at 443-852-3137, Debbie Lee at 410-507-8274, or Gladys Downs at 410-798-0437. All proceeds from the breakfast will go towards restoration of the Ralph J. Bunche Community Center. For more information, visit www.ralphjbunche. org.

1-855-721-6332 www.mddcpress.com

• Your History • Your Community • Your News

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

Business Profile Success Coach Navigates Workplace Diversity

By Christina Sturdivant Special to the AFRO While the route to a career as a psychologist can lead to assisting individuals through therapy sessions based on personal and social experiences, Dr. Nicole Cutts sought to take a different path in her work. “I was attracted to the idea of working with organizations, groups, and teams,” Cutts said Feb 4.

In 2002, she launched Cutts Consulting in Washington, D.C., where she focuses on making workplace environments flourish for organizations and their employees. “Because people

spend so much of their time at work, it should not just be a place where they go and park their bodies for 8 to 10 hours a day and they’re done, but a place where they can really experience joy and passion in their work,” says Cutts.

Cutts works with businesses of all sizes and types, from Fortune 500 companies and government agencies to non-profit organizations. If there are people in need, she can work with them.

On an organizational level, Cutts meets to assess trouble spots that might make the workplace a difficult environment for

productivity. Then, she facilitates training to promote healthy communication, leadership, and team building among employees.

Organizations walk away with a comprehensive plan for development that outlines goals for success for up to five years of business. She also does one-on-one coaching for individuals to help with selfimprovement and assurance in the workplace.

“I have found that there are some challenges peculiar to African Americans if they’re in an environment where they’re experiencing prejudice – which is a real thing. Then there’s a difference between

African-American men versus women also based on prejudice and perception,” she said. “I’m able to help on an organizational level when I do diversity consulting and training. And on an individual level, a lot of my coaches, who are African American, are comfortable [with me] to talk about those issues and be validated, supported, and given some tools as to how to deal with that.”

Even in organizations where managing diversity is not perceived as an issue, it often needs to be addressed.

In an online testimonial, Quinton Bowman, senior vice president of human resources at BET, spoke to Dr. Cutt’s effectiveness when the company needed assistance.

“She helped us to see diversity in a new light as not only a fairness and recruitment issue but also as an employee morale and retention issue,” said Bowman. “Exceptionally knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and intuitive, she brought to BET a new and fresh

Gentrification Good for Some BlackOwned Businesses

By Sarafina Wright Howard University News Service It is a busy time for Lee’s Flower and Card Shop, just days before Valentine’s Day, when Americans spend $1.9 billion on flowers and 64 percent of men and 36 percent of women give flowers to a significant other. The staff in the shop, located on U Street and 11th Avenue in northwest Washington, is swamped as workers rush to fill orders for weddings, Valentine’s Day, and other events.

Two blocks away on the corner of U Street and Georgia Avenue, workers at Johnnie’s Florist, another black-owned floral shop in the Shaw neighborhood, are just as hurried. Business is good.

This year, business is better than it has been in a long time as the flood of new residents into the neighborhood, most of them White, have the cash registers at both establishments ringing like never before.

“In the past five years, we have seen business grow tremendously,” said Stacy Lee Banks, a third generation owner of the store her grandparents started in 1945.

“People want fresh flowers for their home, for dinner parties, for dates.

“Because the people of the neighborhood are changing, you have those with eclectic interests. There are more and more people into plants, herbs, and flowers. They have a passion for these things. So they don’t mind spending.”

Johnnie Harris echoed those sentiments. “We have clients all over the D.C. metro area,” Harris said, “but the new boom in the neighborhood has definitely been a plus.”

In the past five years, U Street and Georgia Avenue have undergone tremendous change as new residents, most of them White, have moved in. Expensive condominiums, renovated homes and businesses, trendy bars, restaurants, and lounges have changed the landscape and demographics of the area.

Some long-time residents sold their homes at a profit and moved to the suburbs or to retirement communities.

Others, however, were forced out by climbing rents or newly constructed high-end

housing.

While gentrification has been bad for some, causing businesses to shrink and close, it has been good for Lee’s and Johnnie’s.

“Gentrification has had no

Lee’s has seen profits double in the past five years, said Lee Banks, a business graduate of nearby Howard University who began working in the store at age 12. “Business is booming,”

and business is better than ever before.”

Though profits are soaring and business is doing well, Lee Banks said she does have some regrets. “Although I love the new business and

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Photo courtesy of Dr. Nicole Cutts

Dr. Nicole Cutts, owner of Cutts Consulting approach to diversity.”

To learn more about the customized training and

development programs offered

by Cutts Consulting, visit www.cuttsconsulting.com.

CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC Invites you to submit for your scope of work for the following project:

SQUARE 50 - CBE Subcontracting Employment Opportunities Your bid is due to us on or before March 9th, 2015 @ 5:00 PM

Project Description: The new Square 50 development located on M Street, NW in the West End Neighborhood, includes demolition of the existing DC Fire Station (25,000 GSF) and the construction of a new 9 story apartment building (108,800 GSF). The project includes several components within the new 9 story; a new fire station (15,200 GSF) at the first and second floor, a new squash club (19,000 GSF) at the third and fourth floor, and 6 floors of rental apartment units (56,800 GSF). The project includes 61 rental apartment units. The project also includes related site and utility improvements, storm water management, landscaping, and hardscape work.

This project will be designed and constructed utilizing sustainable building concepts to obtain a minimum of a LEED Gold Certification.

Project specific requirements/ emphasis for the above referenced project: Subcontractors and suppliers will be asked to furnish labor and/or materials and equipment to accomplish work required by the contract documents for the various areas of work listed below.

DIVISION 2-- SITEWORK DIVISION 4-- MASONRY DIVISION 6-- WOOD & PLASTICS DIVISION 8-- DOORS AND WINDOWS DIVISION 10-- SPECIALTIES DIVISION 12-- FURNISHINGS DIVISION 14-- CONVEYING SYSTEMS DIVISION 16-- MECHANICAL

DIVISION 3-- CONCRETE DIVISION 5-- METALS DIVISION 7-- THERMAL & MOISTURE DIVISION 9-- FINISHES DIVISION 11-- EQUIPMENT DIVISION 13-- SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION DIVISION 15-- ELECTRICAL

Drawings and Specifications May Be Purchased From: Ideal Scanners - 301-468-0123 Bid Documents can be viewed at: The Clark Construction Plan Room, 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Address all correspondence to: Clark Construction Group, LLC, 7500 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Owners at Lee’s Flower Shop say business has grown tremendously in recent years. effect on my business in a negative way,” said Harris, who has been in business for 20 years. “We have profited for there being changes around the area.”

she said. “At one point, the majority of our customers were half and half, and now it’s mostly White. There is nothing wrong with it. We accommodate our customers

customers we receive, it has been bittersweet,” she said, “sweet for us and the business, but bitter for the people of the community who have lost their homes.”

Kiewit Clark Transit Partners invites interested DBE Suppliers and Subcontractors to submit a bid for:

The Purple Line Project Work includes: Demo, Clearing, Grading, Wet & Dry Utilities, Drainage, Pavement, Flatwork, Structural Concrete, Walls, Bridges, Rebar, Trackwork, Controls, Lighting, Signals, Landscaping, MOT, Material Supply, Environmental Controls, Office and Site Logistics and various others.

Interested DBE firms should visit our website: http://www.mtcpurpleline.com/business/ or call (202)-345-2442 For trade specific contact information and project details.

Contacts: Matt Villa

Phone: 301-272-8100 • Fax: 301-272-1922 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER We request bids from small, disadvantaged, minority and women owned subcontractors and suppliers.

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The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

Jesse Matthew Jr., Tied to Abduction of UVa Student Now Charged With Murder reporters to respect their privacy.

Craig Maniglia, Hannah Graham’s high school softball coach and a longtime friend of the family, said he is hopeful a conviction will bring closure.

“Once convicted, my hope is that Mr. Matthew will not go

Harrington’s mother, Gil Harrington, said she has no problem with the decision not to seek the death penalty in Graham’s case and would feel the same if he is ever charged in CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Nearly four months her daughter’s death. after his arrest in the disappearance of a missing University of “I don’t hate Jesse Matthew,” she said in a telephone Virginia student, Jesse Matthew Jr. has been indicted interview. “I just want him stopped. He’s not going on a murder count in the case — but he won’t face to be free to hurt anyone else. That’s all I need.” the death penalty and still has not been charged in the Matthew’s attorney, Jim Camblos, declined to death of another student. comment on the murder charge.

Matthew, 33, is charged with first-degree murder Graham vanished after a night out with friends and abduction with intent to defile, Albemarle Sept. 12. She was last seen in surveillance video County prosecutor Denise Lunsford said Feb. 10. leaving a Charlottesville restaurant with Matthew.

Hannah Graham, 18, disappeared in September and After a month long search involving thousands of was found dead in the county a few weeks later. volunteers and police, Graham’s remains were found Lunsford declined to explain why Matthew was Oct. 18 roughly six miles from the hayfield where not charged with capital murder, which would have Harrington’s body was found four years earlier. carried a possible death sentence. The abduction and Matthew’s arrest by Charlottesville police for first-degree murder charges are punishable by up to abduction with intent to defile empowered police to life in prison. swab his cheek for a DNA sample that connected “A great deal of serious thought went into this him to a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax County, determination, including the impact on the community, according to authorities. The DNA evidence in the the Grahams and the need to provide Mr. Matthew with Fairfax sexual assault, in turn, linked Matthew to the a fair trial,” Lunsford said.

Harrington case.

Darrel Puckett, the chief prosecutor in Charlottesville’s prosecutor filed a motion Feb. Appomattox County, said one of the many factors 10 to halt prosecution of the abduction charge there typically considered in weighing murder charges is in light of the same charge being filed in Albemarle Virginia’s automatic appeal in death penalty cases.

County.

In the 2010 case of a mentally deranged man who Matthew previously had been accused of raping killed eight people, Puckett declined to seek the students at Liberty University and Christopher AP Photo death penalty in part because of the likelihood that a In this Nov. 14, 2014 file photo Jesse Matthew Jr. looks toward the gallery Newport University in 2002 and 2003. The cases conviction would be reversed. were dropped after the women declined to press while appearing in court in Fairfax, Va. Puckett, who secured three life sentences in the charges. case, said a prosecutor also would be expected to Matthew’s first court appearance on the new seek advice from a broad spectrum of people before deciding free and be in a position to harm innocent young women ever charges in the Graham case, which also include two counts between first-degree and capital murder. The viewpoint of the again,” Maniglia said. of reckless driving, is scheduled for Feb. 18. Lunsford said victim’s family is just one of many considerations, he said.

Police have said forensic evidence also links Matthew to Matthew will appear by video link.

“You can’t allow emotion to rule,” Puckett said. “You have the 2009 disappearance and death of 20-year-old Virginia Tech Matthew’s trial in the sexual assault case in Fairfax County, to do what’s in the best interests of everyone involved.” student Morgan Harrington, whose body also was found in the originally set for March 9, was postponed last week after his Lunsford said Graham’s parents were told about the charge, county. Lunsford said “there are no pending charges” against public defender said she needed more time to analyze DNA but she did not describe their reaction and she implored Matthew in the Harrington case. She did not elaborate. evidence. A new trial date will be set at a hearing Feb. 13.

By Larry O’Dell The Associated Press

DC-CAP

Continued from A1 the chairman, majority owner and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns and operates the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, and the Verizon Center.

“I’m sure none of that could have been accomplished, had I not gone to college,” said Leonsis, who was elected as DCCap’s chair on Jan. 27, five years after joining the board in 2010 and serving in numerous other leadership positions. As

board chairman, Leonsis plans to create a culture in the District where students graduate from high school, attend college and return to the District to start careers and raise families.

“It just uplifts the whole community and we believe that there’s such an enabling power in education,” he said. “If you aspire to go to college there should be no impediment in your way – you should be given all of the tools, funding and support you need to go to college and graduate.”

Since 1999, DC-CAP has celebrated the success of more than 6,500 college graduates who otherwise never would have had the opportunity for

“The cost of college can be daunting and we put college counselors into high schools who help make that process a lot less daunting,” – Ted Leonsis higher education. In addition to assisting students in receiving federal and private funds, the organization has also awarded more than 15,660 students with “Last Dollar Scholarships,” which provide up to $2,070 per year for five years for students who need extra funding to close the financial gap between resources, financial aid, and actual college expenses.

BEYA STEM Conference

Continued from A1

administrators, and high-level corporate and government professionals together to broaden diversity in this country’s technical and scientific work forces.

Stephanie C. Hill, vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Solutions Civil said part of the conference’s purpose was to strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness.

“We are at a critical point, where more than one million STEM jobs in the nation are expected to go unfilled by 2018 because there won’t be enough qualified people,” Hill said. “And we know that figure is compounded by the growing gap in the number of minorities and women in the field. So, we need to light this path to the future with an emphasis on the excitement, the rewards, and the satisfaction that an engineering and technology career can yield.”

Student participation was high in the I Just Want to be Successful: Leadership, Lyrics and Life session, which examined basic “success” rules and ways to manage corporate politics. The success of the workshop, according the Morgan State engineering student Doug Poindexter, was the incorporation of hip hop culture and messages.

“I wore dreadlocks for several years but cut them off once I started doing

Photo by Rob Roberts

Army Gen.(Ret.) Johnnie Wilson, Stars and Stripes Coordinator and Lt. Gen. Ronald Bailey, USMC. professional internships.

Some days I regret my decision. It was good to talk it out with a couple of guys from Aerotek and Boeing and walk away affirmed that I have not sold out and can still love hip-hop culture, so long as I also invest in the culture of business success,” he said.

Karymn Norwood, systems engineer director for Lockheed Martin honored with a special BEYA recognition, said that because of the underrepresentation of African Americans in STEM careers, preparing a students to not only work in but lead in these fields requires strategic preparation.

“My participation is part of a desire to help build the pipeline of engineering and technical people throughout the United States that

companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and IBM can pull from and who can take on those critical jobs in the future. If we don’t invest; then we don’t have,” Norwood said. “BEYA gives me an opportunity to connect with many students from universities all over the world to reinforce the importance of science, engineering, and technology and encourage them to develop strong leadership skills that will help them transition confidently into corporate America.”

The 2015 BEYA STEM Conference was hosted

by U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine, the Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Lockheed Martin Corporation.

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015 The Afro-American

COMMENTARY

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A Lesson from Black History For most American families, it is extremely difficult to both earn a living and successfully raise our children.

This reality is certainly the truth for families who are poor, of whom minorities constitute a disproportionate share. Yet, it also is true for any of us who consider ourselves to be middle class.

Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of American families Elijah Cummings with children have either two working parents or a single parent — and a majority do not have a stay-at-home parent to provide child care. Balancing child care and work is a major challenge.

A key obstacle is financial. Far too many families simply do not have the financial resources to pay for the quality child care and early child education their children need.

President Obama has been making the case that affordable child care and education must be a national priority. Our families need help, our economy would benefit, and the next generation would be far better qualified to strengthen our middle class.

The President reminds us of some eye-opening facts. For example, the average annual cost of full-time care at an infant child-care center was about $10,000 per child in 2013.

That’s higher than the average cost of in-state tuition at a public 4-year college.

From the perspective of public policy, our current approach is inadequate, even where tax credits and Early Head Start are available. These shortcomings are preventing tens of millions of American families from raising themselves into the middle

class — and even more affluent families are being stressed.

In his recent remarks on “Middle-Class Economics” at the University of Kansas, the President recalled how his grandmother worked on an assembly line for bombers during WWII. Since women in the workforce were critical to the war effort - and a national priority - our country provided universal child care.

Many economists would agree that supporting families in the workforce must become a national economic priority once again — as do the President and I. The President is proposing that we increase the maximum child care tax credit to $3,000 per year per young child and expand access to child care assistance for all eligible families of moderate income (below 200 percent of the poverty line).

The President’s FY 2016 Budget would also expand access to high-quality early childhood education for low and moderate income families, long a top priority of my own.

If adopted by the Congress, these actions would be a substantial down payment on making parenting more affordable for all American families. They would help our current economy and make a critical investment in the next generation of Americans.

Some conservatives in the Congress may resist President Obama’s initiatives, despite the fact that reducing net taxes on working families is a cornerstone of any viable tax reform.

Those who are reluctant to confront the challenges of family and work should take a Black History lesson to heart.

Consider this: Some of the most compelling lessons of history for our own time are subtle — among them, the truth that our desire for freedom and our love of family have always been mutually reinforcing.

No American historical figure exemplifies this insight about our core humanity more fully than did Araminta Ross, better known to history as Harriet Tubman.

Last month, I was invited by Governor O’Malley to participate in the official unveiling of the Harriet Tubman

bust at a time when Ms. Tubman also is being honored with national parks in Maryland and New York. In preparation for that ceremony, I re-read her March 1913 obituary from the annals of the Auburn, NY Citizen.

Although seldom stressed by historians, it was thoughtprovoking to me that Harriet Tubman’s likely sale and separation from those she loved upon the death of her owner, one Edward Brodess, was a driving force in her decision to escape to freedom. Once liberated in the North, her initial forays in her 19 journeys as a conductor on the Underground Railroad were to rescue her own loved ones.

Enduring hardship and risking life and liberty in pursuit of her calling to reunite her family, she repeatedly traveled across the Mason-Dixon Line and into our history.

A century and a half later, Americans honor Harriet Tubman for her courage — and those of us who are Americans of Color revere her as “the Moses of our People.” Yet, to fully grasp her relevance for our own time, we should remember that Ms. Tubman’s driving motivation, at least initially, was love of family.

Those who are tempted to resist the President’s child care and education initiatives on economic grounds would do well to remember this historical truth.

In the 19th Century, the slave-based economy failed, in part, because it refused to recognize and support the critical importance of family to those upon whose labor that economy depended.

In our own time, we should take Harriet Tubman’s example to heart and not make a comparable error.

Making child care more affordable and supporting early childhood education must become national priorities.

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

Black History Is All Around Us As president of a regional affiliate of the National Urban League, I sometimes have to step back from daily business to reflect on the legacy of the organization and the courage, intelligence and creativity that lay the foundation that my staff and I stand upon. Black History Month is the perfect opportunity to share some moments and pearls of wisdom from the storied past of the National Urban League (NUL).

In the late nineteenth century, Ruth Standish Baldwin and Dr. George Edmund Haynes cofounded the Committee on Urban Conditions among Negroes, the first of three organizations that would merge to form the National Urban League. Ms. Baldwin, wife of the president of the Long Island Railroad, was White, but she worked tirelessly on behalf of African Americans, saying, “Let us work not as colored people George H. nor as white people for the narrow benefit of any group alone, Lambert Jr. but together, as American citizens, for the common good of our common city, our common country.”

Another visionary leader of the National Urban League was Lester Granger, who helmed the organization from 1941 to 1961. He fought discrimination and segregation while promoting opportunity and organizing. In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr., addressed an Urban League audience with these words: “Under the dedicated leadership of Lester B. Granger, your purposes have always been noble and your work has always been creatively meaningful,” praising his “dedicated and magnificent leadership.”

Granger’s successor, Whitney M. Young Jr., was known as a quiet but effective leader, campaigning tirelessly for African-American achievement and stating, “The truth is that there is nothing noble in being superior to somebody else. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self.” Under Young’s leadership, the League became a powerful force for desegregation and co-sponsored the historic 1963 March on Washington. The 43rd annual

Greater Washington Urban League gala, which is named in his honor, takes place on March 13. (Ticket information.) This celebration of our beloved institution is always a memorable occasion.

Since the days of Whitney Young, the Urban League has gone from strength to strength.

Vernon E. Jordan Jr., was president from 1972 to 1981, greatly expanded our social service programs and went on to become a cherished advisor to Bill Clinton and a respected thinker and influencer. John E. Jacob focused on youth development efforts and took bold, often controversial stances, for example, telling The New York Times, “America will become a second-rate power unless we undertake policies to insure that our neglected minority population gets the education, housing, health care and job skills they need to help America compete successfully in a global economy.” He served from 1982 to 1994. The next president, Hugh B. Price, a native Washingtonian, established the League’s Institute of Opportunity and Equality.

I well remember Price’s galvanizing 1991 column, “The Mosaic and the Melting Pot,” in which he succinctly captured a dilemma we still confront today: “How can we expect millions of Americans, a disproportionate number of them minority, to embrace, much less treasure, Western history and values when they’re under economic siege?” Hugh also initiated the Campaign for African American Achievement, which mobilized thousands across the nation to celebrate young Black achievers. His tenure was 1994 to 2003. Marc H. Morial, the current leader of the National Urban League, was previously the young and dynamic mayor of New Orleans. Morial’s ambitious five-point “Empowerment Agenda” zeroes in on the critical issues of education, economic empowerment, health and quality of life, civic engagement, and civil rights and racial justice. Under his leadership, the spotlight has been on jobs and economic parity.

While I was not on the scene during the heyday of Dr. George Edmund, I have had the good fortunate to personally know Vernon Jordan, John Jacob, Hugh Price and Marc Morial, and I encourage students of all ages to dig deeper into our organization’s history, which offers a banquet of inspiration as we contemplate the challenges and opportunities ahead.

George H. Lambert Jr. is president and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League.

A Political Look at Texas Black History Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Harvard trained historian who brilliantly birthed the idea that led to the celebration of Black History month, believed that all people regardless of their race, color or national origin should study and embrace the history of Black people in the United States. His belief led him to establish “Negro History Week” in 1926.

The history of Black elected officials in Texas, for instance, is an example of the wisdom of Dr. Woodson’s thinking. While representing primarily minority constituencies, many of the Black men and women who have served as elected officials in Texas have passed laws and established policies that have benefited people of all colors. Though it is not possible to shine a light on all of them because of space limitations, I would like to highlight the contribution of a few.

Representative Joseph Lockridge, elected in 1966, became the first African American to represent Dallas in the Texas Legislature since Reconstruction. After his death in a plane crash in 1968, he was succeeded by the legendary pastor/orator Rev. Zan Holmes. Dr. Emmett Conrad, a dentist, was the first African American elected to the Dallas Independent School Board in 1967. Ron Kirk, a lawyer, became the first African-American elected Mayor of Dallas in 1995.

In 1966 Barbara Jordan became the first African-American female elected to the Texas State Senate where her knowledge of the law, and her eloquence set new political standards for elected officials throughout the state.

Six years later she was elected to the United States Congress where as a member of the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate Hearings she articulated principles of American Democracy in a manner that captivated a national television audience.

Many credit Congresswoman Jordan, the first African-American woman to deliver a keynote address at the Democratic Party’s national political convention, with having helped to prevent President Richard M. Nixon from circumventing the U.S. Constitution and destroying the

Eddie Bernice Johnson

credibility of our nation.

One of the pivotal organizations in Texas state politics has been the Texas Legislative Black Caucus. It was born in 1972 when the largest number of African-American legislators in history was elected to the Texas Legislature.

The group’s founding members included Houston Representatives Anthony Hall, Mickey Leland, Senfronia Thompson and Craig Washington. Those elected from the Dallas area were Sam Hudson III, Paul Ragsdale and myself. The group’s first chairman was G.J. Sutton from San Antonio.

As a body, we identified our priorities. We decided that we would work closely with the state NAACP, and that our agenda would include fighting for increased funding for historically disadvantage colleges. We agreed that we would take a very hard look at the state’s penal system, and that we would address numerous problems that affected African Americans, Hispanics and poor whites wherever they were found in Texas. We supported and passed legislation that reflected our concerns.

Some of the individuals from that group have made notable contributions to our state, and to the world. Representative Mickey Leland, who later became a member of Congress, was a global leader in the effort to eradicate hunger and malnutrition. In fact, he was killed in an airplane crash while on a hunger mission to Ethiopia in 1989.

His seat in Congress was taken by our colleague Craig Washington, who was known for his knowledge of the U.S. Constitution. Representative Senfronia Thompson remains in the Texas Legislature. She is one of the most influential legislators in the state of Texas.

These and many others too numerous to mention in this editorial have made substantial contributions to our state. They have made Black history, and their service has enriched the lives of all Texans.

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson represents Texas’ 30th Congressional District.

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

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The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

Report Reveals Record-Level Number of Criminal Exonerations

By Freddie Allen NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent Black criminal defendants accounted for roughly 46 percent of the 125 known exonerations in 2014, the highest annual number of exonerations recorded since 1989, according to a national registry that tracks wrongful convictions.

According to a recent report by The National Registry of Exonerations, the next highest total for exonerations was 88 recorded in 2012 and 87 in 2013. Researchers said that prosecutors have increasingly taken a harder look at flawed cases, which contributed to jump in exonerations.

The powerful role that prosecutors play in the criminal justice system has increasingly drawn sharp public criticism

from the Port of Baltimore

Gateway to your Getaway!

“Researchers said that prosecutors have increasingly taken a harder look at flawed cases, which contributed to jump in exonerations.” following grand jury proceedings involving the highly publicized deaths of unarmed Black men at the hands of White police officers.

In the chokehold death of Eric Garner in Staten Island, N.Y. and shooting deaths of John Crawford in Beavercreek, Ohio and the teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., grand juries chose not to indict police officers.

Attorney General Eric Holder has called for reform in sentencing practices and urged federal prosecutors to exercise greater discretion in non-violent drug cases.

Researchers with the exonerations registry reported 716 exonerations of Black criminal defendants, compared to 624 Whites through February 6, 2015. That includes 330 exonerations for homicides, 167 for sexual assaults and another 179 for other crimes including drug crimes.

Blacks accounted for roughly 46 percent of the known exonerations in 2014. The number of Black criminal defendants exonerated in 2013 accounted for 47 percent of known cases, compared to 40 percent for Whites.

In a press release about the report, Samuel Gross, a law professor at the University of Michigan and the editor of the National Registry of Exonerations, said that the big story is that more prosecutors are working hard to identify and investigate claims of innocence.

The report credited the rise of conviction integrity units (CIU), “long-term operations that work to prevent, to identify and to remedy false convictions” for contributing to an increase in criminal exonerations.

“There were 49 CIU exonerations in 2014, including 10 murder exonerations in Brooklyn, and 29 of the 33 Harris County (Texas) drug-crime exonerations,” stated the report.

Gross said that many more innocent defendants were exonerated after pleading guilty to crimes they did not commit.

The report said that 47 of the 125 defendants (38 percent) who were exonerated in 2014 were cleared of criminal convictions to which they had pled guilty, also a record. In fact, in 58 of the 125 known exonerations from last year, no crime occurred, according to the report, and that number is likely to grow.

“The states with the most exonerations in 2014 are Texas (39), New York (17), Illinois (7), Michigan (7), Ohio (6), North Carolina (4), Louisiana (3), Maryland (3), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (3), and Tennessee (3),” stated the report. “The states with the most recorded exonerations are not necessarily those where most false convictions have occurred.”

In Harris County, Texas defendants often pled guilty to drug crimes before evidenced was tested. When lab tests revealed that the evidence was not an illegal substance, the convictions were overturned. More than 90 percent of the drug-crime exonerations in 2014 were no-crime cases, including all 33 drug-crime exonerations in Harris County, the report said.

“Judging from known exonerations in 2014,” said Gross.

“The legal system is increasingly willing to act on innocence claims that have often been ignored.”

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

B1

An Extraordinary Man Shaped

by Ordinary People

By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent Carter G. Woodson was in many ways a self-made man, a singular man whose greatness grew out of the ordinary. As such, there are but a few names—at least those recorded in the annals of formal history—one can point to as being the father of Black history’s heroes and sheroes.

“There is no record of him lionizing people [and] it’s not clear that he is patterning himself after anyone,” said Daryl Michael Scott, president of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Woodson’s brainchild.

“For Woodson, history would never be about presidents and leading great men but [about] the efforts of ordinary people to change the world,” Scott added.

And so, as Woodson chronicled himself, the people who shaped his path were really the everyday Joes and Janes who shared his life of poverty, hard work and survival despite the odds.

Chief among those were his parents, James and Anne Eliza—particularly his father.

In his writings, referenced by an ASALH biography, Woodson often mentioned the guiding principles provided by his father—a former slave, Civil War veteran and an illiterate—though intelligent—tradesman. The senior Woodson, for example, refused to hire out his children as laborers to supplement the family income, and when he had business at anyone’s house—no matter their skin color—he refused to go through their back doors, even though it meant hardship.

“What Woodson talked about all the time was the principles of dignity and self-respect that [he] was taught by his parents,” Scott said. “His parents taught him that you were not really free when you had to go to the back door of a White man’s house….; it was a sense of moral uprightness, of race pride and a stubborn insistence on living independently and not currying favor from people when it undermines your dignity.”

Outside of his parents—but also reflecting his admiration for his father who fought in the Civil War—Woodson idolized those who had fought in the war that helped dismantle American slavery.

“Woodson really thinks the Civil War veterans— that generation of African Americans who liberated themselves, who took up arms and fought—are everything,” Scott said.

One particular veteran Woodson respected and who influenced his life and left an indelible impression was Oliver Jones, who operated a tearoom out of his home, providing a gathering place for Black miners after work.

Woodson met Jones while he was working in the coal mines of Appalachia.

“In Jones, Woodson found the embodiment of a well-educated man, the antithesis of the collegeeducated people Woodson [later] described as miseducated,” according to the biography of the scholar’s early life on the ASALH website. “Jones was an illiterate who collected AFRO Archives Historian and educator William J. Simmons books and subscribed to many newspapers. Woodson said Jones learned as friends read to him, and he persuaded Woodson to read to the other illiterate miners, as he had been doing for his father. This arrangement allowed Woodson to learn much about the outside world that influenced his thinking and extended his appreciation for illiterates, whom he held in high regard the remainder of his life.”

Another Civil War veteran who may have influenced Woodson’s future scholarship was George T. Prosser, whom he met after returning home to Huntington, W. Va., after graduating from Berea College, according to A Life in Black History: Carter G. Woodson by Jacqueline Goggin. Prosser, who founded the first AME church in Huntington, had served in the Massachusetts 54th Regiment under Robert Gould Shaw.

Library of Congress

Booker T. Washington

According to Goggin, other early historians that Woodson is said to have venerated, include:

• Joseph Thomas Wilson (1836-1891) and his book about African-American soldiers in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the Civil War entitled Black Phalanx.The book was published in 1887, but not much information exists about J. T. Wilson.

• William J. Simmons (1849-1890) was an ex-slave who eventually became president of the State University in Louisville, Ky., (now named Simmons College of Kentucky).

Simmons published the book, Men of Mark, a book much like Woodson’s own research, which highlighted the lives of 172 prominent African-American men.

• George Washington Williams (1849-1891) was an American Civil War veteran, minister, politician, lawyer, journalist and historian. Woodson would find favor in his book, A History of Negro Troops in the War of Rebellion and The History of the Negro Race in America, 1619-1880.

Woodson is also said to have openly admired Booker T. Washington, the most famous Black man in America between 1895 and 1915 and one of the most influential Black educators of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Washington’s insistence on a mixture of formal and industrial education as the solution to Blacks social woes may have resonated with Woodson, who spent many years as a labourer and whose education at Berea College in Kentucky reinforced the weight of vocational training. In fact, many at Berea were urged to learn a trade, which could, in turn, help them pay for college.

Washington says about industrial training in a speech quoted in the Sept. 24, 1898 edition of the Baltimore AFRO: “The value and object of industrial education has been misunderstood by many. Many have had the thought that industrial training was meant to make the Negro work, much as he worked during the days of slavery. This is far from my idea of it. If this training has any value for the Negro, as it has for the white man, it consists in teaching the Negro how rather not to work, but how to make the forces of nature—air, water, horsepower, steam and electrical power— work for him, and how to lift labor up

“Woodson really thinks the Civil War veterans—that generation of African Americans who liberated themselves, who took up arms and fought— are everything.”

Historian George Washington Williams

AFRO Archives

Continued on B5

B2

The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

More than 50 people crammed into the Mansfield Room on the Senate side of the U.S Capitol on Feb. 2 to say farewell to Laura Murphy as she is stepping down as the leader of the ACLU’s Washington office. After 17 years of leadership and activism as a respected civil rights and civil liberties leader, some of the most powerful people on Capitol Hill came out to thank her for her service including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Minority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas). Murphy also received a letter from

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Laura Murphy and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.)

President Obama praising her years of service and statements by members of Congress were entered into the Congressional Record on her behalf. In her remarks, she had a word of encouragement to her staff, “Be strong and be vigilant.” Her future plans include reestablishing her business and returning to school as a student at Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (D-Ky.) commends Laura Murphy for her work on the Hill

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (D-Ky.), Laura Murphy and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.)

Hallie Schneir gives remarks on behalf of President Barack Obama

Rep. Maxine Waters offers well wishes Remarks

by Nicole Austin-Hillery

Houston Murphy and Laura Murphy

Claye Murphy, Alice Walker Duff, Angela Wheeler, Laura Murphy, P.J. Murphy and Joseph Duff

Remarks by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Rep. William Clay, Jr. (D-Mo.)

Rep. Maxine Waters with Laura Murphy

Carter Jones, Rebecca Murphy, Hannah Jones and Claye Murphy Photos by Rob Roberts

G

amma Pi Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity closed out its Annual Achievement Week activities that culminated with a communitywide Achievement Week Program at the Harmony Hall, Fort Washington, Md. The community and the brothers of Omega Psi Phi came together to salute outstanding members of the chapter and members of the community.

For the public, Achievement

William Reese, center, receives the Superior Service Award from Otis Fowler, left and Brian Long

Brian long, right, chapter basileus and William Reese present the Omega Man of the Year, Antony “Tony” Lee

Members of Gamma Pi Chapter

Brian Long presents the Superior Service Award to James Alexander, right

Photos by Rob Roberts

Week is about recognizing the uplift that Omega Psi Phi provides to the local community every day through individual and collective efforts, both seen and unseen. The theme for the week was, “Leveraging Our Collective Resources for Impact.”

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker helped close out the program with a ringing endorsement of Gamma Pi’s solid reputation and active commitment to the greater Prince George’s County.

Members of Sigma Gamma Rho Society: Adrienne Waite, Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, Sharifa McReynolds and Alicia Thomas

The Charles H. Flowers High School Jazz Ensemble, Don Myles, band director

The recipient of the Religious Leader of the Year, Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks Jr.

Master of ceremony Richard Allison, Brian Long, William Reese, Peter C. Harvey, keynote speaker and Otis Fowler Jr. Maurice Calhoun and Gordon Everett

Gerald Folsom and Thadeus Turner

The Campbell family: Marlon II, Marcus, Laverne and Marlon Sr.

The Surrattsville High School choir Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker with the Citizen of the Year recipient, Ronald Jones

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

ARTS & CULTURE

B3

Kara Walker Exhibition Opens at UMD’s Driskell Center Black lives matter, Walker’s work could not be more poignant.�

At age 27, Walker became the second youngest recipient of one of the most significant and coveted awards in the country, the MacArthur Foundation’s Genius Grant. Her works are included in permanent collections at The Baltimore Museum of Art and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, among others.

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO

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Graduate student Ursula Lecky has been an ardent supporter of conceptually-driven protest art – particularly that which documents African-American life and culture since she was a small girl.

While her tastes gravitate toward the styles of muralist Jose Clemente Orozco, Lecky grew increasingly fond of AfricanAmerican artist Kara Walker after touring her 2014 Domino’s Sugar plant exhibit A Subtlety: or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, in Brooklyn. The Marvelous Sugar Baby is a massive sculpture of sugar in the likeness of a Black female Sphinx. Along the path leading to the Sphinx, Walker cast sculptures of small children carrying basket loads of cane that spoke to the power, consumption, wealth inequity, and industrial might that impoverished bodies continue to endure. Considered among the most innovative, imaginative, and controversial artists this era, a sampling of Walker’s work is currently being housed at the David C. Driskell Center at the University of Maryland until May 29.

With Emancipating the Past: Kara Walker’s Tales of Slavery and Power, visitors are treated to 60 of Walker’s Photo by Shantella Y. Sherman works, as well as her signature black Kara Walker’s Domino Sugar Plant exhibit included a Sphinx in the likeness of paper cutout silhouettes, an array of a Black woman and several sculpted Black children to highlight the historical prints, and a wall installation. Calling dehumanization experienced by those working sugar plantations. it a magnificent examination of race, gender, and sexuality, Lecky, who Courtesy photo America,� said Professor Curlee R. Holton, executive director attended the opening reception at the of the David C. Driskell Center.

Driskell Center, said the exhibition is Kara Walker’s signature black silhouette cut-outs will “Kara Walker and The exhibition runs through May 29. In conjunction be on display at The Driskell Center on the University of emotional. her work represent a with the exhibit, the Driskell Center will host a panel “Walker works from an historical Maryland campus. seminal juncture in discussion “Emancipating the Past: Unchain the Future,� understanding of how violence and the discourse on race which will explore Walker’s imagery as a point of departure enslavement informed not only race, but gender, sexuality, and the representation of the Black body as art subject and for discussing issues of slavery, race, sexuality, violence, and power. Her use of cut-outs – something generally object. Her work, which has provoked passionate reactions and gender. Dr. Michele Wallace, professor at the Graduate associated with young children and innocence – to depict the in audiences around the world, has been described as brilliant Center, CUNY will moderate the panel which includes notable everyday horrors and dehumanization of African Americans is and original by the art establishment while some audiences speakers and scholars. For more information on the exhibition powerful,� Lecky said. “You are forced to take each piece in with a more personal investment in her re-imagination of and the upcoming panel discussion, visit www.driskellcenter. and digest both their obvious and underlying meanings. In an historical events claim her to be a constructed foil to displace umd.edu age where Black people are having to remind the world that a more honest and penetrating critique of the racial history of

B4

The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

Spike Lee Remakes Blaxploitation Era Horror Flick ‘Da Sweet Blood of Jesus’ Film Review

By Kam Williams Special to the AFRO The Kickstarter page where Spike Lee raised $1,418,910 from fans for his latest “Joint” expressly states that the money would not be used to shoot a remake of Blacula (1972). But it also failed to inform investors that the crowdfunded feature was ostensibly-inspired by another Blaxploitation era horror flick, namely, Ganja & Hess (1973). And after screening this disappointing indie, it’s obvious there was no reason to redo that picture either.

Spike’s sharp decline as a filmmaker in recent years is nothing short of shocking, with Oldboy (2013) and Red Hook Summer (2012) also submitted for your

disapproval. Claims to the contrary notwithstanding, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus is basically a boring vampire adventure that’s severely lacking in terms of tension, thrills, premise, storyline, special f/x, plausibility, production value, editing and

character development. Am I forgetting anything?

The tawdry tale revolves around Dr. Hess Greene (Stephen Tyrone Williams), a wealthy anthropologist specializing in African Art History. This unrepentant bon vivant divides his time

Stephen Tyrone Williams plays Dr. Hess Greene in ‘Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.’

between New York City and an oceanfront summer home up on Martha’s Vineyard, living in the lap of luxury with the help of a private jet, a chauffeured Rolls Royce, and a loyal manservant (Rami Malek).

The plot thickens soon after Dr. Greene is stabbed with an ancient Ashanti artifact, when he develops an insatiable addiction to blood. To satisfy the craving, he steals some from a hospital, and he also embarks on a killing spree. Besides gratuitous slaughter, the film indulges in frontal nudity and eroticized violence, including a sleazy, lesbian sex scene that looks like an outtake from a soft core snuff film.

What would Jesus do,

Spike? Repent!

Fair (1 star) Unrated Running time: 123 minutes Studio: 40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks Distributor: Gravitas Ventures

Colin Firth Shines as Suave Spy in Nostalgic Homage to 007 ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ Film Review

by Kam Williams Special to the AFRO

the freebies, oblivious of an apocalyptic app they’re about to simultaneously download into their cells.

Adapted from the comic book series The Secret Service, Kingsman is an adrenalinefueled satire of the espionage genre which, at every turn, will have you harking back to the early James Bond adventures starring Sean Connery. The picture was directed by Matthew Vaughn who co-wrote the script with Jane Goldman, the same collaborator on the Colin Firth plays Harry Hart in ‘Kingsman: The Secret equally-inspired Kick-Ass Service.’

(2010).

Colin Firth is delightfully Meanwhile, a matter of more pressing debonair, here, whether turning on the charm concern comes to Harry’s attention, namely, a or dispatching bad guys. Samuel L. Jackson is plot being hatched by a proverbial diabolical just as amusing cast against type as his worthy villain bent on world domination. That would adversary with a flamboyant persona complete be Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), with lisp. A nostalgic homage to 007 that’s a twisted tech mogul who’s in the midst also the most mesmerizing movie of the year of giving away billions of free SIM cards thus far. ensuring free phone calls and free internet access for everyone, forever. All over the Excellent (4 stars) planet, people are standing in long lines for Rated R for profanity, sexuality and graphic violence In English and Swedish with subtitles Running time: 129 minutes INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO Distributor: 20th Century Fox AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF

©2015 Disney

Harry Hart (Colin Firth) is such an unassuming, buttoned-downed bloke that no one in his right mind would suspect him to be a highly-skilled secret agent capable of killing at the drop of a derby. But as a Kingsman, he belongs to an exclusive fraternity of nattilyattired spies who abide by the motto “Manners Maketh Man.” Members of this covert organization consider themselves modern-day knights, and they see their suits as body armor.

Despite an otherwise distinguished service

record, Harry still regrets the mistake he made during a 1997 operation in the Middle East that cost a colleague his life. Today, Harry hopes to make it up to his dearly departed partner by taking on his orphaned son, Eggsy (Taron Egerton), as a protégé.

This will be easier said than done since, besides completing the requisite Navy SEALlike training program, the young apprentice has a lot of rough edges that need smoothing, including a grating cockney accent. For, the lad grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, so he could use a few lessons in etiquette, ala My Fair Lady’s Eliza Doolittle.

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B2

The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 14, 2015

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

B5

An Extraordinary Man Continued from B1

out of toil and drudgery into that which is dignified and beautiful.”

Washington was among several correspondents who generated a large number of letters in the collection of Woodson’s documents, which are housed at the Library of Congress.

The papers were assembled by Woodson with an eye to collecting and preserving primary sources on African-American history during his tenure as executive director of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASALH’s precursor) and as editor of the association’s principal organ, the Journal of Negro History.

Persons who were featured most prominently among those papers—and, perhaps, individuals who gained Woodson’s esteem—are:

• Whitefield McKinlay: A Washington, D.C. realtor, bureaucrat and collector of the Port of Washington • John Edward Bruce, also known as Bruce Grit or J. E. Bruce-Grit, who was born a slave in Maryland and became a journalist, historian, writer, orator, civil rights activist and Pan-African nationalist.

• William D. Crum: According to an article on Crum in the October 1968 edition of the Journal of Negro History, the Charleston, N.C., physician came to national prominence when President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him collector of the Port of Charleston.

According to the publication, Crum became a “cause celebre” among Black leaders who saw him as a symbol of opportunity for Blacks.

• George Washington Carver: a former slave-turned botanist and inventor.

• Frederick Douglass: former Maryland-born slave, famed orator and abolitionist.

• Christian A. Fleetwood: a noncommissioned officer in the United States Army, who received the Medal of Honor for his brave actions during the American Civil War.

• Timothy Thomas Fortune: a former slave from Florida, he became the foremost African-American journalist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries as owner/editor of the New York Age, once the nation’s leading Black newspaper. He was also a leading economist • Richard Theodore Greener: the son of a sailor and Philadelphia native was the first African-American

“For Woodson, history would never be about presidents and leading great men but [about] the efforts of ordinary people to change the world.”

AFRO Archives

Whitefield McKinlay Image Courtesy Library of Congress

Charles Young standing with other Cavalry members and horse. Young was commander of the 9th/10th Cavalry - Buffalo Soldiers, and was acting superintendent of Sequoia National Park. Young was also the third Black man ever to graduate from West Point.

graduate of Harvard College and later, dean of the Howard University School of Law.

• John Roy Lynch: In January 1872, Lynch became the first African-American speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives at the age of 24. Two years later, he joined the 43rd Congress (1873–1875) as its youngest member, representing the state of Mississippi.

• Charles Young: Young was only the third African-American to graduate from West Point when he earned his degree in 1889. In 1903 he became the first African American superintendent of a national park, overseeing Sequoia and General Grant (now Kings Canyon) National Parks while commanding a troop of Buffalo Soldiers in the years before the creation of the National Park Service. He was also the first African American to serve as a United States military attaché, first to Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and later to Liberia.

The

dream

is real.

Thanks to the AFRO American for more than 120 years of inspired reporting and for showing all of us the power and the promise of equality.

In recognition of Black History Month, Baltimore invites visitors to discover the city’s deep-rooted African-American story on the Legends & Legacies Heritage Bus Tour. Visit the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, and the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Museum. Enjoy a personal tour guide, appearances by period actors, a special “shoe box lunch,” giveaways and more.

To reserve your space on Baltimore’s Legends & Legacies Heritage Bus Tour call 410-244-8861 or visit baltimore.org.

BGE.COM FEBRUARY 21 & 28, 2015 | Tickets: $25/per person Reserve your space today, call 410-244-8861 or visit baltimore.org.

B6

The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015

SPORTS

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

Are the Atlanta Hawks Finals Favorites?

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Desk At 42-9, the Atlanta Hawks stand first in every standing from top overall record to best in the Eastern Conference. For a team missing a big-time name, the Hawks are legit as a big-time team. They move the ball, shoot it from deep and play sound defense— championship traits directly transmitted from second-year coach Mike Budenholzer.

A 19-6 record against teams with .500 or better records makes the Hawks believable in a conference where there isn’t much trust at the top.

Chicago, Washington and Toronto have each struggled lately, and while Cleveland has come on strong recently, they still struggled heavily to open the year. With uncertainty looming, Atlanta appears destined for a Finals finish, barring injury. But without a primetime star, do the Hawks really have what it takes to fly to Finals? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate the issue.

Green: The best team that I’ve seen so far this season has the record to show

Dhani Jones Sports Honoree (not shown)

for it. The Hawks have a different dynamic from the championship teams we’re used to but that doesn’t mean they’re not title-talented.

Atlanta doesn’t have that

advantage, should translate into a deep summer run.

Riley: The best team in the East right now is the Cleveland Cavaliers. I expected them to have some early season struggles as they were fitting in new pieces and now with their players healthy and seasoned, they’re 12-1 in their last few weeks. It may come down to a Cavaliers/ Hawks playoffs and I have to believe that the Cavs’ talent would be too much to counter.

Cleveland doesn’t have the same team chemistry that the Hawks have but they should by the time the postseason begins. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and LeBron James are just too tough of a trio for the undermanned Hawks to stop. Drizzle in guys like J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, Iman Shumpert and Timofey Mozgov and Cleveland is deep, young and athletic.

Budenholzer’s San Antonio ties give Atlanta an edge, but there isn’t a team, talentwise, that can match up with Cleveland in the East.

one “great player” but they have a bunch of really good ones that play solid ball as a unit. I’m not saying they’re going to win a championship, but their continuity as a unit could be the deciding factor against teams fitting in new pieces like Chicago and Cleveland. And they’re well-coached enough to give younger teams like Toronto and Washington fits. Atlanta is playing at a high level right now and that’ll come down as the season goes on. But, from a pure team standpoint Green: The great thing and major talent aside, no one about Atlanta’s show is that plays better team basketball it’s not about talent as much than the Hawks right now. A as it is team play. James No. 1 seed is in sight and their has been on talented teams T:8” type of game, plus home court before and lost to better

coached teams. You can’t overlook team concept and play when it comes to the NBA. Yes, the NBA dunk contest winners and all stars get all the attention but none of that matters when the playoffs start. The best-ofseven format means that the best team always wins. And, from what I have seen so far this season, the Atlanta Hawks are the best team in the league. Whoever they play in the postseason will have an identity crisis, something Atlanta doesn’t have to worry about. There won’t be a concern among the Hawks about who’s getting the last shot or who scores the most.

There aren’t any hidden agendas within Atlanta’s roster which has allowed for them to play fast and free throughout the year. Their roster makeup is incredibly balanced, and it’s one that will take them deep.

Riley: Barring injury, Cleveland should run through the Eastern playoffs with no problem. The other teams simply don’t match up and the lack of a go-to scorer will ultimately doom Atlanta. Games get tighter in the postseason, and that defined scorer simply just has to be there. In a head-

Iyanla Vanzant Inspirational Honoree

Kevin Liles Entertainment Honoree Henry Coaxum McDonald’s Owner/Operator Honoree

Al Sharpton Humanitarian Honoree

Gabrielle Williams Community Choice Youth Honoree

Will Packer Arts & Entertainment Honoree

to-head matchup, Cleveland has mismatches all over the roster when it comes to their players. While the coaching differential will be evident, it’s still the players who play the game. In terms of talent, this might be the best team James has been on since his first year in Miami when

‘Another Lost Hero’

Charlie Sifford was an African-American golfing pioneer.

LOVIN’ BY EXAMPLE. Here’s to the leaders that don’t talk about dedication, they show it.

To the people who constantly perform selfless acts as they reach out, reach back and bring others along. We show our gratitude during Black History Month, but we applaud you everyday. Let’s all be inspired to stay deeply rooted in spreading the love, 365 days a year.

Find your motivation at 365Black.com.

©2015 McDonald’s

AFRO Archives Photo

By Tim Lacy Special to the AFRO I hope you readers have been enjoying the stories on the life of Sam Lacy as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

However, today Sam has been relegated to the back burner so I can share some history with you.

African-American golfing pioneer Charlie Sifford has taken his last stroll down the 18th fairway and has gone off to enjoy the comforts of that clubhouse in the sky. Charlie was 92 and the number of lives he impacted is countless.

As the first of his race to compete against White golfers, Charlie held out hope for exemplary golfers such as Bill Spider and Teddy Rhodes. Spider and Rhodes had been knocking on that door guarded by Jim Crow and came away without entry for years. When Sifford got his foot in the door, a ray of light was visible to those on the darker side of segregation.

To America, this Black man dressed in golf clothes and wielding a club was an oddity on their TV set. It took more than a minute for the general public to realize that, “This guy can play!”

Charlie didn’t just appear on the golf course and decide he wanted to be a star, he had the seed planted in him when he was 13. He worked as a caddy making 60 cents a day, and pieced together found equipment to hone his game.

His mother appreciated the much-needed 60 cents and encouraged Charlie to keep doing what he was doing.

When he hit the segregation rough spots, he had the support of sports stars such as Don Newcombe (Dodger pitcher), Sugar Ray Robinson (boxing champion), Joe Louis (boxing champion) and Jackie Robinson who had already made history by kicking open that door guarded by Jim Crow.

These guys knew that Charlie would be a force on the PGA Tour, because he had already won the Negro National Open six times.

Charlie was encouraged when Spider and Rhodes finished with good enough scores at the Los Angeles Open to qualify for other PGA events. However, paranoid PGA officials blocked their entry and had sponsors change their events to “Open Invitationals.” Problem solved. If you ain’t invited, you can’t play.

Some say Charlie’s gruff exterior may have had something to do with his long wait to gain entry to the “Whites Only Club.” There may be something to that, because he did seem to have a chip on his shoulder.

Sam once commented, “You had me worried for a while, but I’m glad you won.”

Charlie responded around his ever present cigar, “What did you expect?”

From that moment, it took a while for Charlie to get off of Sam’s “S” list.

Despite his gruff exterior, Charlie made a point of setting an example for upcoming golfers such as Jim and Chuck Thorpe, Lee Elder and Calvin Peete. Chuck once commented that it was a lot easier to do when you see it has already been done.

During his career, Charlie amassed more than $1,200,000, and once commented, “It beats factory work.”

Charlie has taken his game to a golf course where it never rains, the grass is always green, and your putts run true. I only hope that heaven doesn’t run out of cigars.

T:10”

Skyler Grey Community Choice Youth Honoree

Dwyane Wade was a few years younger. If Cleveland can just fine tune things the rest of the way while finishing with a top record in the East, look out. When it’s all said and done, not even the NBAbest Hawks will be able to dethrone King James once all his men are in sync.

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

B7

Book Review

F.B. Eyes

How J. Edgar Hoover’s Ghostreaders Framed African American Literature

By Kam Williams Special to the AFRO “Drawing on nearly 14,000 pages of newly released FBI files, F.B. Eyes exposes the Bureau’s intimate policing of African American poems, plays, essays, and novels. Starting in 1919… secret FBI ghostreaders monitored the latest developments in African American letters…

These ghostreaders knew enough to simulate a sinister black literature of their own. The official aim… was to anticipate political unrest. Yet, FBI surveillance came to influence the creation and public reception of African American literature in the heart of the 20th Century...

Illuminating both the serious harms of state surveillance and the ways in which imaginative writing can withstand and exploit it, F.B. Eyes is a groundbreaking account of a long-hidden dimension of African American literature.”

-- Excerpted from the Bookjacket Allen Ginsberg’s epic poem “Howl” begins, “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn…” I couldn’t help but recall that iconic line while reading F.B. Eyes, a damning expose’ by William J. Maxwell illustrating the FBI’s long history of monitoring, policing and infiltrating the ranks of African-American writers.

For decades, from the Harlem Renaissance of the Twenties clear through to the Black Arts Movement of the Seventies, J. Edgar Hoover not only closely monitored the

movements and work of black authors but employed agents to create and promote content as a counterintelligence measure.

These revelations are rather disturbing to me, as a Black Literature major-turned-aspiring novelist who failed to get either of my books published after getting a masters degree from an Ivy League institution. It never occurred to me way back then that the reason for all the rejections from publishers might have had more to do with interference on the part of government spies than the quality of the work itself.

However, the degree of FBI interference chronicled here is nothing short of shocking, between the abuses of power and infringements of Constitutional rights. This meticulously-researched opus reveals the Bureau to be a diabolical outfit dedicated to the destruction of the AfricanAmerican intelligentsia by any means necessary.

For example, we learn that after Amiri Baraka founded the Black Arts Repertory Theater (BART) in Harlem in 1965, Hoover planted moles in the group to ensure the organization’s early demise. He even had the temerity to allow a white Assistant Director, William Sullivan, pose as black while ghostwriting everything from best-sellers to letters threatening the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A daunting discussion of the FBI’s chilling effect on the writing careers and private lives of members of the black literati.

To order a copy of F.B. Eyes, visit: http:// www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0691130205/ ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

MARCH 9-14, 2015

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Call 1-855-721-6332 x 6 or email wsmith@mddcpress. com or visit our website at TYPESET: Tue Jan 20 www.mddcpress.com Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM1182 George Martin III Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Nikita Petties, whose address is 419 Newton Pl, NW, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed personal representative of the estate of George Martin III, who died on October 18, 2012 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 23, 2015. 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 23, 2015, 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 23, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Nikita Petties Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/23, 01/30, 2/6/15

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM1387 Ernest Twyman Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Audrey Boyd, whose address is 1528 Heather Hollow Circle, Silver Spring, MD was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ernest Twyman, who died on November 16, 2014 without and without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 6, 2015. 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 6, 2015, 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 6, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Ernest Twyman Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM86 Estate of Ivan Minas-Bekov Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Patrick C. Horrell, Esq for standard probate, including the appoint-ment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

0 Admit to probate the will dated March 17, 1998 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise 0 Ordered any interested person to show cause why the provisions of the lost or destroyed will dated March 17, 1998 should not be admitted to probate as expressed in the petition In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decendent died intestate.

0 Appoint a supervised personal representative.

Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication February 6, 2015 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Patrick C. Horrell, Esq 1801 18th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 Signature of Petitioners/Attorney

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2015FEP4 Date of Death January 15, 1994 Margaret Mundell Townsend Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Paul J. Townsend, III whose address is 2818 Derek Road, Alexandria VA 22306 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Margaret Mundell Townsend, deceased, by the Orphan’s Court for Prince Georges C o u n t y, S t a t e o f Maryland. on October 28, 2014, Service of process may be made upon D. Greer 1350 Leegate Road, NW, Washington, DC 20012 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: 1809 6th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.

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 S t r e e t , N W, 3 r d F l .

Washington, DC 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Paul J. Townsend III Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: February 6, 2015 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American

TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:11:39 EST 2015 02/06, 02/13/15 02/06, 02/13, 02/20/15 TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:14:50 EST 2015 02/06, 02/13,Tue 02/20/15 TYPESET: Feb 03

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM1386 Elizabeth Valentine Decedent Gilda Sherrod-Ali, Attorney at Law 1425 K Street, NW Suite 350 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sudie Foy Robertson Cousin, whose address is 86 Trotter Clay Road, R o x b o r o , N C 27574-8139 was appointed personal representative of the estate of 15:54:41 2015 who ElizabethEST Valentine, died on October 2, 2014 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 July 30, 2015. 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 30, 2015, 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 30, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter January 30, 2015 Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM24 Leon H. Dickerson Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Nikki Dickerson, whose address is 12706 Center Park Way, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Leon H. Dickerson, who died on August 23, 2013 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 07/30/15. 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 07/30/15, 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: 01/30/15 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Leon H. Dickerson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/30, 02/06 & 02/13/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM29 Michelle Wakefield Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Scott Smith , whose address is 1511 Montana Ave. NE Washington, DC 20018 , was appointed personal representative of the estate of Michelle Wakefield, who died on February 23, 2014 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 6, 2015. 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 6, 2015, 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 6, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Scott Smith Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 02/06, 02/13, 2/20/15

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/30, 02/06, 02/13/15

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

INSERTION DATE:_________________ TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:14:13 EST 2015

Superior Court of WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER the District of

District Legal of Columbia Advertising Rates PROBATE DIVISION Effective Washington, D.C.October 1, 2008 20001-2131 Administration No. PROBATE DIVISION 2015ADM35 Stephen Matthew Boyd TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:12:35 EST 2015 (Estates) Decedent NOTICE OF 202-332-0080 APPOINTMENT, Superior Court of PROBATE NOTICES NOTICE TO the District of CREDITORS District of Columbia AND NOTICE TO PROBATE DIVISION a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion UNKNOWN HEIRS Washington, D.C. $180.00 per 3 weeks Tepublication r r i D e n i c e B$o 60 y d ,per insertion 20001-2131 b. Small Estates (single whose address is 3457 Administration No. c. Notice to Creditors 2 5 t h S t r e e t , S E , 2015ADM40 Washington, DC 20020 Pinkney 1. Domestic $ 60 ,perMerrill insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks was appointed personal Decedent 2. Foreign insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks representative of$ 60 theperKathy Brissette-Minus estate of Stephen$Matd. Escheated Estates 60 perLaw insertion Office of Kathy$360.00 per 6 weeks TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:15:12 thew Boyd, who died on Brissette-Minus,LLC e. Standard Probates October 21, 2012 without 9 7 0 1 A p o l l o D r i v e ,$125.00 a will, and will serve with- Suite 230 out Court supervision. All Largo, MD 20774 Superior Court of 14:26:16 EST 2015 NOTICES unknown heirsCIVIL and heirs the District of Attorney whose where-abouts are District of Columbia NOTICE OF a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 $ 80.00 unknown shall enter their PROBATE DIVISION APPOINTMENT, appearance in this b. Real Property $ 200.00 Washington, D.C. NOTICE TO proceeding. Objections 20001-2131 CREDITORS to such appointment (or Administration No. AND NOTICE TO to the probate of de- COURT 2015ADM57 UNKNOWN HEIRS FAMILY cedent´s will) shall be Merrill A Early, whose ad- Lucy I Weaver 202-879-1212 filed with the Register of dress is 106 Joyceton Decedent Wills, D.C., 515 5th NOTICE OF Way, Upper MArlboro, APPOINTMENT, Street, DOMESTIC N.W., 3rd Floor RELATIONS MD 20774 was apNOTICE TO W a s h i n g t o n , 202-879-0157 D.C. pointed personal repreCREDITORS 20001, on or before July sentative of the estate of AND NOTICE TO 30, 2015. Claims against Merrill Pinkney, who died UNKNOWN HEIRS the decedent shall be on October 16, 2014 a$ 150.00 a. Absent Defendant M. Janell Latture, whose presented to the under- will, and will serve withaddress is 119 Canyon signed with a copy to the out Court supervision. All$ 150.00 b. Absolute Divorce Register of Wills or filed unknown heirs and heirs Place, Capitol Heights, c. Custody Divorce MD 20743 appointed with the Register of Wills whose whereabouts are$150.00 with a copy to the under- unknown shall enter their personal representative of the estate of Lucy I signed, on or before July a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Weaver, died on To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, 262, Public Notices $50.00who & up proceeding.

Objections 30, 2015, or be forever ext.

May 27, 1992 without a to such appointment barred. Persons believed depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch. to be heirs or legatees of shall be filed with the will.All unknown heirs the decedent 1-800 who do (AFRO) not Register 892of Wills, D.C., and heirs whose wherereceive a copy of this no- 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd abouts are unknown For Proof of Publication, please call shall 244 enter their appearWashington, D.C. ext. tice by mail within 25 Floor 1-800-237-6892, days of its first publica- 20001, on or before July ance in this proceeding.

O b j e ctions to such 30, 2015.

Claims against tion shall so inform the Register of Wills, includ- the decedent shall be appointment shall be ing name, address and presented to the under- filed with the Register of signed with a copy to the Wills, D.C., 515 5th relationship.

Register of Wills or filed Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Date of Publication: with the Register of Wills W a s h i n g t o n , D . C .

January 30, 2015 with a copy to the under- 20001, on or before July Name ofEST newspaper: TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:14:13 2015 signed, on or before July 30, 2015 Claims against Afro-American LEGAL NOTICES 30, 2015, or be forever the decedent shall be Washington barred. Persons believed presented to the underLaw Reporter Superior Court of January 30, 2015 to be heirs or legatees of signed with a copy to the the District of the decedent who do not Register of Wills or filed Personal District of Columbia Representative receive a copy of this no- with the Register of Wills PROBATE DIVISION tice by mail within 25 with a copy to the underWashington, D.C. days of its first publica- signed, on or before July TRUE TEST COPY 20001-2131 tion shall so inform the 30, 2015 or be forever REGISTER OF WILLS Administration No. Register of Wills, includ- barred. Persons believed 2015ADM35 TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:12:35 ESTaddress 2015 and to be heirs or legatees of ing name, Stephen Matthew Boyd 01/30, 02/06, 02/13/15 the decedent who do not relationship.

Decedent receive a copy of this noDate of Publication: NOTICE OF Superior Court of tice by mail within 25 January 30, 2015 APPOINTMENT, the District of days of its first publicaName of newspaper: NOTICE TO District of Columbia tion shall so inform the Afro-American CREDITORS PROBATE DIVISION Register of Wills, includWashington AND NOTICE TO Washington, D.C. ing name, address and Law Reporter UNKNOWN HEIRS 20001-2131 Merrill A. Early relationship.

Te r r i D e n i c e B o y d , Administration No. Personal Date of Publication: whose address is 3457 2015ADM40 Representative January 30, 2015 25th Street, SE, Merrill Pinkney Name of newspaper: Washington, DC 20020 , Decedent Afro-American TRUE TEST COPY was appointed personal Kathy Brissette-Minus Washington REGISTER OF WILLS representative of the Law Office of Kathy Law Reporter TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:15:12 EST 2015 estate of Stephen Mat- Brissette-Minus,LLC M. Janell Latture 01/30, 02/06, 02/13/15 thew Boyd, who died on 9 7 0 1 A p o l l o D r i v e , Personal October 21, 2012 without Suite 230 Representative a will, and will serve with- Largo, MD 20774 Superior Court of out Court supervision. All Attorney the District of TRUE TEST COPY unknown heirs and heirs District of Columbia NOTICE OF REGISTER OF WILLS whose where-abouts are PROBATE DIVISION APPOINTMENT, unknown shall enter their Washington, D.C. NOTICE TO 01/30, 02/6, 02/13/15 appearance in this 20001-2131 CREDITORS proceeding. Objections Administration No. AND NOTICE TO to such appointment (or 2015ADM57 UNKNOWN HEIRS to the probate of de- Merrill A Early, whose ad- Lucy I Weaver cedent´s will) shall be dress is 106 Joyceton Decedent filed with the Register of Way, Upper MArlboro, NOTICE OF Wills, D.C., 515 5th APPOINTMENT, MD 20774 was apStreet, N.W., 3rd Floor pointed personal repreNOTICE TO Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

CREDITORS sentative of the estate of 20001, on or before July Merrill Pinkney, who died AND NOTICE TO 30, 2015. Claims against on October 16, 2014 a UNKNOWN HEIRS the decedent shall be will, and will serve with- M. Janell Latture, whose presented to the under- out Court supervision. All address is 119 Canyon signed with a copy to the unknown heirs and heirs Place, Capitol Heights, Register of Wills or filed whose whereabouts are MD 20743 appointed with the Register of Wills unknown shall enter their personal representative with a copy to the under- a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s of the estate of Lucy I signed, on or before July proceeding. Objections Weaver, who died on 30, 2015, or be forever to such appointment May 27, 1992 without a barred. Persons believed shall be filed with the will.All unknown heirs to be heirs or legatees of Register of Wills, D.C., and heirs whose wherethe decedent who do not 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd abouts are unknown receive a copy of this no- Floor Washington, D.C. shall enter their appeartice by mail within 25 20001, on or before July ance in this proceeding. days of its first publica- 30, 2015. Claims against O b j e c t i o n s t o s u c h tion shall so inform the the decedent shall be appointment shall be Register of Wills, includ- presented to the under- filed with the Register of ing name, address and signed with a copy to the Wills, D.C., 515 5th relationship.

Register of Wills or filed Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Date of Publication: with the Register of Wills W a s h i n g t o n , D . C .

January 30, 2015 with a copy to the under- 20001, on or before July Name of newspaper: signed, on or before July 30, 2015 Claims against Afro-American 30, 2015, or be forever the decedent shall be Washington barred. Persons believed presented to the underLaw Reporter to be heirs or legatees of signed with a copy to the January 30, 2015 the decedent who do not Register of Wills or filed Personal receive a copy of this no- with the Register of Wills Representative tice by mail within 25 with a copy to the under-

AFRO. COM

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM879 Victoria Rose Swilley Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kenneth Darnell Swilley & Roger Mark Reynolds, whose address are 4219 Chariot Way, Upper Marlboro MD, 20772 were appointed personal representative of the estate of Victoria Rose Swilley, who died on January 22, 2014 withouta will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 30, 2015. 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 30, 2015 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 30, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Kenneth D. Swilley Roger Reynolds Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 01/30, 02/6, 02/13/15 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM33 Tyler C. Melton Decedent Johnny M Riddick, Esq 505 Capitol Court, NE Suite 100 Washington, DC 20002 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Reginald C. Melton, whose address is 3416 Dix Street was appointed personal representative of the estate of Tyler C. Melton, who died on August 26, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 30, 2015. 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 30, 2015, 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 30, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Reginald C. Melton Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 01/30, 02/06, 02/13/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM1383 Dollie B. Barnhill Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kim B. Farley and Phillip B. Barnhill, whose addresses are 4208 Barker Lane, SE, Washington, DC 20019 and 1921 New Garden Road, #J202, Greensboro, NC 27410, were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Dollie B. Barnhill, who died on April 26, 2014 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 07/30/15. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the under-

TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 01/30, 02/06 & 02/13/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM15 Lera M. Penix A.K.A. Lera MaDell Penix Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alfonso Warren Small, whose address is 5124 N. Capital Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lera M. Penix A.K.A. Lera MaDell Penix, who died on October 21, 2014 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 17:13:52 EST 2015of deto the probate cedent´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 07/30/15. 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 07/30/15, 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: 01/30/15 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Alfonso Warren Small Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Feb 10

01/30, 02/06 & 02/13/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM77 Kenneth Jerome Somerville Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kenneth Jerome Somerville and Kennia Jermayne Somerville, whose addresses are 6712 Homestake Dr. Bowie MD, 20720 & 307A Delancey St. Philadelphia, PA 19106 were appointed personal representative of the estate of Kenneth Jerome Somerville Sr., who died on November 11, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are 17:13:11 unknownEST shall2015 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 August 13, 2015. 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 13, 2015, 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 13, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Kenneth J Somerville Kennia J Somerville Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 02/13, 02/20, 02/27/15

TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 17:12:54 ESTTue 2015Jan 27 17:11:56 EST 2015 TYPESET: Tue Jan 27 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES TYPESET: LEGAL NOTICES Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM1390 Samuel D. Wilkins Decedent Kimberly Fahrenholz, Esq 1304 Rhode Island Ave., NW Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS B e v e r l y A . B r a c e y, whose address is 608 Sheridan Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Samuel D. Wilkins, who died on 02/17/11 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision.

17:13:29 EST 2015All 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 07/30/15. 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 07/30/15, 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: 01/30/15 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Beverly A. Bracey Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM25 Naomi E Gittings Decedent Thomas H. Queen, Esq 7961 Eastern Avenue, suite 304 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kevin O Holtclaw, whose address is 6800 Walker Mill Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Naomi E Gittings, who died on November 18, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 30, 2015. 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 30, 2015, 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 30, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Kevin O Holtzclaw Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM44 Louis E. Stroud Decedent Robert E. Richards 11253-B Lockwood Drive Silver Spring, MD 20901 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Donna Stroud Baddy, whose address is 2813 Strauss Terrace, Silver Spring, MD 20904, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Louis E. Stroud, who died on December 2, 2014 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 07/30/15. 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 07/30/15, 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: 01/30/15 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Donna Stroud Baddy Personal Representative

TRUE TEST TYPESET: Jan 27 17:11:09 EST COPY 2015 01/30, 02/06,Tue 02/13/15 REGISTER OF WILLS

01/30, 02/06 Tue & 02/13/15 TYPESET: Jan 27 17:12:15 EST Court 2015 of Superior the District of District of Columbia Superior Court of PROBATE DIVISION the District of Washington, D.C. District of Columbia 20001-2131 PROBATE DIVISION Administration No. Washington, D.C. 2014ADM1386 20001-2131 Elizabeth Valentine Administration No. Decedent 2015ADM44 Gilda Sherrod-Ali Louis E Stroud 1425 K. Street, NW, Decedent Ste 350 Robert E Richards Washington, DC 20005 11 2 5 3 - B L o c k w o o d Attorney Drive NOTICE OF Silver Spring, MD APPOINTMENT, 20901 NOTICE TO Attorney CREDITORS NOTICE OF AND NOTICE TO APPOINTMENT, UNKNOWN HEIRS NOTICE TO Sudie Foy Robertson CREDITORS Cousin, whose address AND NOTICE TO is 86 Trotter Clay Road, UNKNOWN HEIRS R o x b o r o , N C Donna Stroud Baddy, 27574-8139 was apwhose address is 2813 pointed personal repreStrauss Terrace, Silver sentative of the estate of Spring, MD 20904, was Elizabeth Valentine, who appointed personal re- died on October 2, 2014 presentative of the estate with a will, and will serve of Louis E Stroud, who without Court supervidied on December 2, sion. All unknown heirs 15:06:56 EST 2015 2014 with, a will, and will a n d h e i r s w h o s e serve without Court su- whereabouts are unpervision. All unknown known shall enter their heirs and heirs whose a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s whereabouts are un- proceeding. Objections known shall enter their to such appointment (or appearance in this to the probate of deproceeding. Objections cedent´s will) shall be to such appointment (or filed with the Register of to the probate of deWills, D.C., 515 5th cedent´s will) shall be Street, N.W., 3rd Floor filed with the Register of Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 20001, on or before 07/30/15. Claims against Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before July the decedent shall be 30, 2015. Claims against presented to the underthe decedent shall be signed with a copy to the presented to the under- Register of Wills or filed signed with a copy to the with the Register of Wills Register of Wills or filed with a copy to the underwith the Register of Wills signed, on or before with a copy to the under- 07/30/15, or be forever signed, on or before July barred. Persons believed 30, 2015, or be forever to be heirs or legatees of barred. Persons believed the decedent who do not to be heirs or legatees of receive a copy of this nothe decedent who do not tice by mail within 25 receive a copy of this no- days of its first publicatice by mail within 25 tion shall so inform the days of its first publica- Register of Wills, includtion shall so inform the ing name, address and Register of Wills, includ- relationship. ing name, address and Date of Publication: 01/30/15 relationship.

Name of newspaper: Date of Publication: Afro-American January 30, 2015 Washington Law Name of newspaper: Reporter Afro-American Sudie Foy Washington Robertson Cousin Law Reporter Personal Donna Stroud Baddy Representative Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/30, 02/06 & 02/13/15 01/30, 02/06, 02/13/15

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TYPESET: Tue Jan 27

01/30, 02/06 & 02/13/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM07 Josephine A. Tyson Decedent Clinton L. Evans, Jr. Esq. 1629 K. Street, NW, Ste 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Tammi M. Miles and Lois Thompson Knight (also known as Hazel D. Knight), whose addresses are 8734 Grasmere Court, Ft. Washington, MD 20744 & 10825 Pam Drive, Waldorf, MD 20603, were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Josephine A. Tyson, who died on October 25, 2014 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 07/30/15. 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 07/30/15, 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: 01/30/15 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Tammi M. Miles Lois Thompson Knight (also known as Hazel D. Knight) Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Feb 10 01/30, 02/06 & 02/13/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM625 Grant B. Easterling Decedent Joseph L. Gibson, Jr Antoine Jones Suite 381 Largo, Maryland 20774 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alyce J Easterling, whose address is 414

Administration No. 2014ADM625 Grant B. Easterling Decedent Joseph L. Gibson, Jr Antoine Jones Suite 381 Largo, Maryland 20774 Attorney NOTICE OF 17:10:54 EST 2015 LEGAL NOTICES APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alyce J Easterling, whose address is 414 Rittenhouse Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Grant B Easterling , who died on January 24, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before August 13, 2015. 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 13, 2015, 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 13, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Alyce J. Easterling Personal Representative

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 LEGAL NOTICES Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before August 13, 2015. 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 13, 2015, 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 13, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter John B. Williams Personal Representative

February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015, The Afro-American

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Feb 03

02/13, 02/20, 02/27/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM729 Maudery Louise Stanley Decedent Lawrence N Cooper Esq 17:10:39 EST 2015 1029 Vermont Ave., NW, 3rd Fl Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gloria D. McFariane, whose address is 5413 7th Street, NW, Washington DC 20011 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Maudery Louise Stanley , who died on December 5, 2013 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 6, 2015. 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 6, 2015, 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 6, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Lawrene N Cooper Esq Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Feb 10

02/13, 02/20, 02/27/15

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM1164 Thorald A. Johns, Sr. Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Lydia W. Johns, whose address is 2416 17th Place, SE, Washington, DC 20020 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Thorald A. Johns, Sr, who died on 14:25:38 EST 2015 August 5, 2014 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 13, 2015. 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 13, 2015 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 13, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Lydia W. Johns Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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TYPESET: Tue Feb 03 14:25:57 EST 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM87 Richard Mundell Decedent D. Greer 1350 Leegate Road NW, Washington, DC 20012 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Paul J. Townsend III, whose address is 2818 Derek Road, Alexandria VA 22306, was, appointed personal representative of the estate of Richard Mundell, who died on June 4, 2011 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their a p p e a r EST a n c e2015 in this 15:07:58 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 August 6, 2015. 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 6, 2015, 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 6, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Paul J. Townsend, III Personal Representative

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TYPESET: Tue Jan 27

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 17:14:31 2015 filed withEST the Register of LEGAL NOTICES 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 07/30/15. 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 07/30/15, 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: 01/30/15 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Kim B. Farley Phillip B. Barnhill Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 02/06, 02/13, 02/20/15

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TYPESET: Feb 10 15:08:20 EST 2015 02/13, 02/20,Tue 02/27/15

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM117 Estate of Ethel Y. Ross Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Wesley L. Clarke for standard probate, including the appoint-ment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first pubTRUE TEST COPY lication of this notice, the REGISTER OF WILLS Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

TYPESET: Feb 10 15:07:35 EST 2015 0 02/06, 02/13,Tue 2/20/15 In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execuSuperior Court of tion, enter an order deterthe District of mining that the decenDistrict of Columbia dent died intestate 0 PROBATE DIVISION appoint an unsuWashington, D.C. pervised personal repre20001-2131 sentative Administration No. Register of Wills 2014ADM1046 Clerk of the Anne Dillingham WilProbate Division liams Decedent Date of First Publication Joseph D Gallagher February 13, 2015 98 Church Street Names of Newspapers: Rockville, MD 20850 Washington Attorney Law Reporter NOTICE OF Washington APPOINTMENT, AFRO-AMERICAN NOTICE TO Wesley L. Clarke CREDITORS 1629 K Street Ste 300 AND NOTICE TO Washington , DC 20006 UNKNOWN HEIRS Signature of John B. Williams, whose Petitioners/Attorney address is 8210 Osage 02/13, 02/20/15 Lane, Bethesda 15:07:16 EST 2015 MD 20817, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Anne Dillingham Williams, who died on September 14, 2014 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 13, 2015. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy

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The Afro-American, February 14, 2015 - February 20, 2015