Washington Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper February 6 2016

February 6, 2016 - February 6, 2016, The Afro-American

Volume Volume 124 123 No. No. 27 20–22

www.afro.com

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FEBRUARY 6, 2016 - FEBRUARY 12, 2016

The New Face of Football

Inside AFRO OpEd: Ben Carson Should Drop Out

Washington

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• Proposed Bill Set to Make Ex-Cons Entrepreneurs

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Baltimore AFRO Celebrates Black History Month

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AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) answers questions during a press conference on Feb. 3 in San Jose, Calif. Newton will be only the 4th Black Quarterback to start in a Super Bowl when Carolina plays the Denver Broncos in the NFL Super Bowl 50 football game on Feb. 7 in Santa Clara, Calif. See story on page C1.

• Morgan State Student Killed

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602k Jurors Award $23.1 Million to Florida

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Join last week’s 4,700 new fans and become part of the family.

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Unarmed Black Man Shot by Deputy

By The Associated Press A federal jury awarded $23.1 million on Feb. 3 to a 22-year-old Black man who was unarmed when he was shot and paralyzed by a sheriff’s deputy, but Florida lawmakers will have to approve any award above $200,000.

The six-woman, two-man jury ruled after 3½ hours of deliberation that Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Sgt. Adams Lin violated Dontrell Stephens’ civil rights when he shot him in September 2013.

Lin, who had stopped Stephens for riding his bicycle into traffic, testified that he shot him four times because he reached for his waistband with his left hand and then flashed a dark object that he thought was a small handgun. Stephens testified that he was raising his hands when Lin opened fire for no reason. Video from the dashboard camera in Lin’s patrol car showed Stephens’ left hand was empty and a cellphone was in his right hand.

An appeal is expected.

Angela Davis: Prison Report Finds Issues in State’s Reform Now Response to Baltimore Unrest

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• NAACP

By Akira Kyles Special to the AFRO

By The Associated Press

Angela Davis, noted activist and scholar, took the stage at Johns Hopkins University on Feb. 2 to deliver a lecture that touched on the war on drugs, race, gender and the prison population.

Davis, who currently teaches humanities at the University of California, Santa Cruz and has lectured across America and internationally, was a staunch advocate for the oppressed.

Junior and neuroscience major, Kinaya Hardie was excited

Weaknesses in Maryland’s response to last year’s civil unrest in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray included the inexperience of some emergency management staff and reliance on inaccurate information, according to a new state report.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency report said the rioting last spring

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14 Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins University

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“presented unique public safety challenges” and “many opportunities for improvement.”

The report also said it found that the State Emergency Operations Center was relying on inaccurate information from media coverage during the riots because it received few details from official channels.

It also discovered that there was a general “lack of understanding” about the various Continued on A3

Judge Refuses to Throw Out Sex Assault Case Against Cosby

By The Associated Press

Listen to Afro’s “First Edition”

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Continued on A3

Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP

Dontrell Stephens was left paralyzed after a Florida sheriff’s deputy shot him in 2013.

Angela Davis spoke at Johns Hopkins University on the war on drugs, race, gender and the prison population.

A judge refused to throw out the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby on Feb. 3, sweeping aside claims that a previous district attorney had granted the comedian immunity from prosecution a decade ago.

Common Pleas Judge Steven O’Neill issued the ruling after a hard-fought two-day hearing.

The case now moves Continued on A3

AP Photo/Mel Evans

Actor and comedian Bill Cosby, center right, is assisted as he arrives for a court appearance on Feb. 3 in Norristown, Pa.

Copyright © 2016 by the Afro-American Company

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The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

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Angelique Kerber of Germany holds the trophy, along with runner-up Serena Williams of the United States after the women’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 30.

For the second time in as many majors, nerves got to Williams as she tried to equal Steffi Graf’s Open-era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

No. 7-seeded Kerber had never played in a Grand Slam final and had lost five of her six career meetings with Williams, but she responded with a stunning 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 upset win over the six-time Australian Open champion.

Williams had won the title every previous time she’d reached the final at Melbourne Park, and was overwhelming favorite to continue that streak against Kerber, who joked she was “one leg in the plane to Germany” when she faced match point in her first-round win over Misaki Doi. “I mean, every time I walk in this room, everyone expects me to win every single match, every single day of my life,” Williams said in her post-match news conference. “As much as I would like to be a robot, I’m not. I try to.”

The 28-year-old Kerber used acute angles to keep Williams guessing, and continually passed the 21-time major winner or forced errors at the net.

And she had five service breaks — two in the first, and three in third set — against Williams, who hadn’t dropped a set in the previous six rounds.

She is the first German woman to win the Australian title since Graf in 1994, and is projected to rise to No. 2 in the rankings next week.

Williams admitted previously she became nervous and was stalled for a while trying to get to 18 major titles, to equal Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova’s career marks in second spot in the Open Era. For three majors, she didn’t reach the quarterfinals, but when she finally won her 18th, it triggered a roll of four straight major titles.

Now she’s been stuck on 21 since Wimbledon.

Study: Black Patients Treated With Less Compassion Than Whites

By Jonathan Hunter Special to the AFRO jhunter@afro.com

A new study published in the January issue of the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management suggests doctors treat dying Black and White patients differently, showing less compassion towards terminally-ill Black patients.

The study titled, “Differences in Physicians’ Verbal and Nonverbal Communication with Black and White Patients at the End of Life,” was conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Purdue University.

The researchers observed 33 hospital-based physicians in the Western Pennsylvania area in simulations where they had to interact with patients (played by actors) who were dying.

While the doctors knew they were being tested, however, they did not know what specific behaviors the researchers were examining.

The researchers had the doctors participate in two different recorded interactions with actors posing as patients—one Black, the other White. The patients were accompanied by family members and they all read from identical scripts. The researchers found there was no difference in the doctors’ verbal communication with Black and White patients, but there was a significant difference in the nonverbal communication with the two races.

“Although we found that physicians said the same things to their Black and White patients, communication is not just the spoken word. It also involves nonverbal cues, such as eye contact, body positioning and touch,” said senior author of the study, Dr. Amber Baranto, an associate professor of clinical and translational medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, in a statement. “Poor nonverbal communication – something the physician may not even be aware he or she is doing – could explain why many Black patients perceive discrimination in the health care setting.”

The doctors were scored on a point system for both their verbal and nonverbal communication skills when interacting with patients and family members. The physicians, who were mainly White males, averaged 7 percent lower scores for their nonverbal interactions with Black patients, compared to White patients.

The researchers found that when doctors were interacting with White patients, for example, they would stand at the patient’s bedside and were more likely to touch the invalid in a sympathetic way. When the doctors interacted with the Black patients, however, they would stand by the door holding their binder.

Such body language can give patients and their relatives the idea that the doctor is disengaged and defensive and could affect their medical decision-making, Baranto said.

Civil Rights Leader, Politician Georgia Davis Powers Dies at 92

By The Associated Press

Georgia Davis Powers, a giant in the fight for civil rights in Kentucky and the first African-American woman elected to the state Senate, has died. She was 92.

She died around 3:40 a.m. Saturday at her brother’s home in Louisville, said Louisville’s NAACP President Raoul Cunningham, a friend for five decades.

“When you think of civil rights in Kentucky, you have to

start with Georgia Davis Powers,” said Kentucky State Sen. Gerald Neal, a longtime friend and colleague who says Powers inspired him into public service.

She fought for fair housing and employment rights, became a close confidant of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and served 21 years in the state Senate. She was soft-spoken, gracious, quick with a joke, Neal said. But in her battle for civil rights, she did not blink.

“She walked into the Legislature, a man’s world, a White man’s world, and she did not waver,” Neal said. “She asked no quarter and gave no quarter.”

Powers was born in 1923 in Washington County, Kentucky, the only girl among her parent’s nine children. The family moved to Louisville when she was a young child. As a teenager, Powers quit a job at a five-and-dime store rather than tell Black customers they weren’t allowed to eat their food at the counter.

“I didn’t like it. I knew it was going on and I always wondered what could be done about it,” Powers said in an interview. “And in my young mind I couldn’t think of anything to do about it.”

That didn’t last for long.

During Kentucky’s civil rights movement, Powers was a founder of the Allied Organizations for Civil Rights. She also helped organize a 1964 march in Frankfort — an event that attracted King, baseball legend Jackie Robinson and folk singers Peter, Paul and Mary — to push for an end to racial segregation in public accommodations. Two years later in 1966, the General Assembly passed a civil rights law, making

(AP Photo/ Patti Longmire, File)

In a July 18, 2000 file photo, Georgia Davis Powers, right, a former Kentucky state senator and first black state senator, accepts a Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame 2000 Inaugural Inductee award from Beverly L. Watts, Executive Director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, in Louisville, Ky. Kentucky the first southern state to do so.

“She was a fighter, and she knew how to fight,” said Cunningham. “She was a champion of equal rights for women, for lesbians and gays, for the economically deprived.

Her voice will be missed.”

By 1967, Powers became the first African-American woman elected to the Kentucky Senate. She took office in 1968, and for next 21 years fought for African-Americans, women, the poor, the disabled and the disenfranchised.

She was close to the icons of the civil rights movement.

She gained national attention after she said in her autobiography she had a yearlong affair with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and was with him at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, the night before he was killed.

In “I Shared the Dream,” Powers said the affair started about three years after she first met King and ended when he was assassinated in 1968. Others close to King questioned her story and her motivations for telling it.

Over 1 Million Face Loss of Food Aid over Work Requirements

By The Associated Press

More than 1 million low-income residents in 21 states could soon lose their government food stamps if they fail to meet work requirements that began kicking in this month.

The rule change in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was triggered by the improving economy — specifically, falling unemployment. But it is raising concerns among the poor, social service providers and food pantry workers, who fear an influx of hungry people.

Recent experience in other states indicates that most of those affected will probably not meet the work requirements and will be cut off from food stamps.

For many people, “it means less food, less adequate nutrition. And over the span of time, that can certainly have an impact on health — and the health care system,” said Dave Krepcho, president and chief executive of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.

Advocates say some adults trying to find work face a host of obstacles, including criminal records, disabilities or lack of a driver’s license.

The work-for-food requirements were first enacted under the 1996 welfare reform law signed by President Bill Clinton and sponsored by then-Rep. John Kasich, who is now Ohio’s governor and a Republican candidate for president.

The provision applies to able-bodied adults ages 18 through 49 who have no children or other dependents in their home. It requires them to work, volunteer or attend education or job-training courses at least 80 hours a month to receive food aid. If they don’t, their benefits are cut off after three months.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture can waive those work rules, either for entire states or certain counties and communities, when unemployment is high and jobs are scarce.

Nearly every state was granted a waiver during the recession that began in 2008. But statewide waivers ended this month in at least 21 states, the largest group since the recession.

An Associated Press analysis of food aid figures shows that nearly 1.1 million adults stand to lose their benefits in those 21 states if they do not get a job or an exemption. That includes about 300,000 in Florida, 150,000 in Tennessee and 110,000 in North Carolina. The three states account for such a big share because they did not seek any further waivers for local communities.

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The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 6, 2016

February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

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Jurors Award Continued from A1

Stephens had been seeking more than $5 million to cover medical treatment and future care, but his attorney Darryl Lewis told a federal jury in his closing arguments Feb. 3 that the man should get at least $24 million. Lewis said Stephens will have more than $6 million in medical expenses during his lifetime, and that he deserves at least $18 million for his pain and suffering.

The jury apparently rejected Lin’s claim that he had made an “objectively reasonable mistake” when he shot Stephens.

The case is among several nationwide that have sparked debate about the deaths of unarmed Black males following encounters with law enforcement officers.

Federal Magistrate Judge Barry S. Seltzer had instructed jurors that they could consider only the

both men are now outside the camera’s view.

Attorneys for both men say Lin told Stephens to put up his hands, but a radio station is playing in Lin’s car and no verbal exchange can be heard. The shots are fired in rapid succession after Lin exits the car. Stephens comes back into the frame, makes two quick steps, turns and falls to the ground.

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Continued from A1 questions from the audience.

On Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan taking money from higher education institutions to rebuild a prison in Baltimore Davis said: “The millions of dollars that are being spent on the jail here in Baltimore could be better used by re-envisioning education. How much would it take to rebuild a new school? And not just a new school but a new school with teachers that are not schooled in the notion that discipline is the main activity that teachers should engage in. The board of supervisors in San Francisco California refused to agree to the construction of a new jail and in announcing

Racism is a factor from the beginning of the beginning to the end from what was called the justice process… the justice process that does appear to be criminal.”

–Angela Davis

killing of Freddie Gray and the protests that were unleashed by his death,” said Davis. “As well as the continuing efforts to achieve justice for Freddie Gray and to persuade the world that Black lives do indeed matter.”

The main focuses of Davis’ speech were both prison and race.

The main question she wanted to address was “how can individuals be held accountable without concealing the deep structural racism that is embedded in the very systems of policing and imprisonment?”

“There’s now a popular public discourse on the continuing connection between over incarceration and policing on the one hand and the persistence of racism on the other,” said Davis.

“Racism continues to play a determining role in who gets stopped by police and who doesn’t; who gets arrested and who goes free; who gets longer sentences, who gets shorter sentences. Racism is a factor from the beginning of the beginning to the end from what was called the justice process… the justice process that does appear to be criminal.”

Davis took time to answer

riding back to a friend’s house where he had been staying after a trip to a convenience store.

In the dashcam video, Lin speeds up his patrol car to catch Stephens as he pedals down a West Palm Beach residential street.

Stephens sees Lin and turns into the parking lot of a duplex, hops off his bike and puts it down, his right hand holding his cellphone.

Stephens moves behind a car and

Baltimore Unrest

Davis

to attend the event and hear Davis speak.

“I just believe that Angela Davis is such an impactful activist through Black history and I just love her,” said Hardie. “I believe strongly in very powerful activism and radicalism and her influence on women and Black women specifically.”

The second Davis walked on the stage a roar of applause filled the room and she was met with a standing ovation.

Davis opened with speaking about Baltimore’s influence on justice.

“Of course throughout the world today, the mere mention of the city of Baltimore evokes the police

specific circumstances of Stephens’ shooting and no other. Lin, an Asian-American, was cleared of criminal wrongdoing by sheriff’s investigators and local prosecutors and was later promoted to sergeant.

Lin, 38 and a 12-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, testified that he stopped Stephens for riding his bicycle into traffic and because he didn’t recognize him from the neighborhood. Stephens had been

their decision they made it very clear that they wanted those millions of dollars to be used in a way that would be more productive for the San Francisco community.”

The more Davis spoke, the more of an effect she had on her audience. Melissa “Queen Earth” Smith was clapping and cheering in agreement with Davis as she spoke.

“I liked when she said when a problem is so big and overwhelming you have to ask yourself ‘Where do you start?’ and she said ‘Everybody can start somewhere,’ that’s beautiful,” said Smith “People feel like ‘oh, what can I do?’ or you have to pick apart everything you do all day and [ask] what did I do to contribute to the revolution. You can start anywhere.”

If there is anything that Davis made clear speaking at JHU it’s that there needs to be a change and the answer to that change does not involve prison.

“We need new conceptions of security that do not reside on police and prisons as the anchors of a notion of security that includes more oppression and more violence,” said Davis at the end of her lecture.

functions of the state operations center, particularly who was in charge of decision-making in some areas.

Gray, a 25-year-old black man from west Baltimore, was arrested April 12.

Authorities have said he died a week afterward from a critical spinal injury he had suffered in a police van.

Clay Stamp, then MEMA’s executive director, said the state’s response wasn’t perfect but that the issues highlighted in the report were “sub-notes to a great story — one of success.” The MEMA report is the first to focus on the role of the state rather than the city or its police force. It also noted several strengths in the state’s response, including use of social media to deliver information and its use of a virtual “Business Operations Center” to keep Baltimore business leaders apprised of developments.

“The state of Maryland performed in a strategic manner by leaning forward and leveraging resources within Maryland and the five states around Maryland in 36

Baltimore Police Department via AP, File

These six Baltimore police officers, top row from left, Caesar R. Goodson Jr., Garrett E. Miller and Edward M. Nero, and bottom row from left, William G. Porter, Brian W. Rice and Alicia D. White, all face charges relating to the death of Freddie Gray in police custody last April. hours,” Stamp said.

MEMA Executive Director Russell Strickland said in a statement that the agency since April has “addressed

gaps by improving our resource management processes and implementing new and enhanced training.”

He also said the state is

“prepared to respond quickly and efficiently the next time” it needs to support a locality experiencing unrest.

Cosby

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to a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to try the 78-year-old Cosby on charges he drugged and violated former Temple University athletic department employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. The TV star could get up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

In 2005, then-District Attorney Bruce Castor decided the case was too flawed to prosecute. But Castor’s successors reopened the investigation last year after Cosby’s lurid, decade-old testimony from Constand’s civil suit was unsealed at the request of The Associated Press and after dozens of other women came forward with similar accusations that destroyed Cosby’s nice-guy image as America’s Dad. At the hearing this week, Cosby’s lawyers tried to get the case thrown out by putting Castor himself on the stand. Castor testified that in deciding not to charge Cosby, he intended to forever close the door on prosecuting the comedian. He said he considered his decision binding on his successors.

Similarly, Cosby’s lawyers said they never would have let the TV star testify in the civil case if they didn’t believe criminal charges were off the table.

“In this case, the prosecution should be stopped in its tracks,” Cosby lawyer Chris Tayback argued. “Really what we’re talking about here is honoring a commitment.”

But current District Attorney Kevin Steele questioned whether Castor ever made such an agreement, since it was never put in writing on a legal document and the Cosby attorney with whom Castor dealt is now dead. Steele argued that in any case, Castor had no legal authority to make such a deal.

“A secret agreement that allows a wealthy defendant to buy his way out of a criminal case isn’t right,” Steele told the judge.

On the stand, Castor defended his

decision not to bring charges, citing among other things Constand’s yearlong delay in reporting the allegations, her continued contact with Cosby, and suggestions that she and her mother might have tried to extort the comic.

The former DA said he made the no-prosecution commitment in hopes of prodding Cosby to testify in Constand’s lawsuit without invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. In the end, Cosby testified, denying he assaulted Constand but admitting among other things that he obtained quaaludes to give to women he wanted to seduce, and Constand eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.

As the case goes forward, Cosby’s lawyers are expected to fight mightily to keep the deposition from being introduced at trial.

Castor tried to make a comeback as DA last fall but lost to Steele in a hotly contested race, during which Steele ran ads criticizing Castor for not prosecuting Cosby when he had the chance. The

tension between the two men was on display Feb. 3 when Steele accused Castor and the Cosby camp of engaging in “revisionist history.”

Most of the back-and-forth in court hinged on the wording and interpretation of a 2005 press release in which Castor announced he would not prosecute Cosby. Castor found himself sparring with prosecutors over many seemingly inconsistent statements he made over the years on whether Cosby could still be charged.

The judge said he struggled to find similar cases where a suspect who was never charged received a promise that he would never be prosecuted. Normally, immunity is granted after a suspect is charged because he or she can provide testimony or information to prosecutors.

While more than 50 women have accused Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting them since the 1960s, the statute of limitations for prosecuting the comic has run out in nearly every instance. This is the only case in which he has been charged.

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The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

February 6, 2016 - February 6, 2016, The Afro-American

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Georgia Executes Brandon Astor Jones, age 72, Oldest Death Row Inmate Initially Sentenced to Death in 1979 execution chamber at 12:30 a.m., and records from past executions show the lethal drug generally begins to flow within a minute or two of the warden’s departure.

Jones was initially still with his eyes closed and then swallowed a couple of times and moved his head slightly. He opened his eyes at 12:36 a.m. and turned his head to his left, appearing to look toward a clock hanging on the wall. Then he closed his eyes again and took a few deep breaths before falling still.

The execution had initially been set for 7 p.m. and was delayed while the U.S. Supreme Court considered appeals from Jones’ attorneys. They asked the justices to block the execution for either of two reasons: because Jones was challenging Georgia’s lethal injection secrecy law or because he

By The Associated Press Georgia executed a 72-year-old man, its oldest death row inmate, early Feb. 3 for the killing of a convenience store manager during a robbery decades ago.

Brandon Astor Jones was pronounced dead at 12:46 a.m. Feb. 3 after an injection of the barbiturate pentobarbital at the state prison in Jackson. He was convicted in the 1979 shooting death of suburban Atlanta store manager Roger Tackett.

Jones declined to make a final statement in front of witnesses but agreed to have a prayer read.

Georgia doesn’t announce exactly when lethal injections begin, and the injection isn’t visible to observers. But the warden left the

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said his death sentence believes the secrecy law was disproportionate to his denies Georgia death row crime. inmates of their due process Around 11 p.m. Feb. rights and may deprive 2, the court denied the them of their right to access requests for a stay. to the courts.

The challenge to According to evidence Georgia’s strict execution at his trial, Jones and secrecy law sharply divided another man, Van Roosevelt the 11th U.S. Circuit Solomon, were arrested at Court of Appeals. The law a Cobb County store by a classifies the identifying policeman who had driven information of any person a stranded motorist there or entity who participates to use a pay phone about in an execution as a 1:45 a.m. on June 17, 1979.

Georgia Department of Corrections via AP “confidential state secret.”

The officer knew the store Brandon Astor Jones, a 72-year- usually closed at midnight Jones’ lawyers argued the state’s execution method old death row inmate, was and was suspicious when carries “a substantial risk of executed on Feb. 3. He was he saw a car out front with significant harm,” violating convicted in the 1979 killing of a the driver’s door open and convenience store manager. his constitutional right lights still on in the store. against cruel and unusual The officer saw Jones punishment. But because of the secrecy inside the store, prosecutors have said. He law, they argued, they don’t have enough entered and drew his weapon after hearing four information to make that claim, which violates shots. He found Jones and Solomon just inside his constitutional right to due process. a storeroom door and took them into custody.

Three-judge panels of the 11th Circuit had Tackett’s body was found inside the storeroom. already rejected similar arguments, setting Tests showed each man had recently a binding precedent. But because of divided fired a gun or handled a recently fired gun, opinions expressed by judges on those panels, prosecutors said. The cash drawer had been Jones’ lawyers asked the full 11-judge court removed and was found wrapped in a plastic to consider their arguments. The court on Feb. bag.

2 voted 6-5 to deny that review, but several Jones was convicted in October 1979 and judges offered strongly worded dissenting sentenced to death. A federal judge in 1989 opinions. ordered a new sentencing hearing because “Today Brandon Jones will be executed, jurors had improperly been allowed to bring possibly in violation of the Constitution. He a Bible into the deliberation room. He was may also be cruelly and unusually punished resentenced to death in 1997. in the process. But if he is, we will not know Solomon, who was also convicted and until it’s too late — if ever,” wrote Circuit sentenced to death, was executed in Georgia’s Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum, adding that she electric chair in February 1985.

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February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

AFRO Editorial

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COMMENTARY

Ben Carson Should Drop Out of the 2016 Presidential Race Ben Carson came in a distant fourth place in the Feb. 1 Iowa caucuses with 10 percent, behind Republicans Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Donald Trump and Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Carson, the brilliant neurosurgeon-turned-terriblepresidential candidate, has never offered a policy plan specifically for Blacks during the campaign. And although we didn’t expect much from Carson since he’s a staunch Republican, some Black folks were hoping that because Carson is from Detroit, he would draw on his Black experience while talking to voters on the campaign trail.

Well, it never happened.

And it got worse.

Last year, Carson criticized President Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black commander-in-chief, in a bizarre condemnation of Obama’s policies – and his mindset.

First, Carson called Obama a “psychopath.”

“Like most psychopaths. That’s why they’re successful.

That’s the way they look. They all look great,” Carson said.

Bizarre.

Then he likened Obama’s Affordable Care Act to slavery.

“Obamacare is really, I think, the worst thing that has happened in this nation since slavery,” Carson said. “It is slavery, in a way, because it is making all of us subservient to the government.”

Meanwhile, Carson has appeared on several Black radio programs to denounce the media for criticizing Black conservatives.

“Many people in the media have predetermined that if

you’re Black and you’re conservative that you’re bad,” Carson said, adding, “If I were a White conservative, they wouldn’t be concerned.”

Carson, who has not publicly supported many policies that benefit Blacks, plays the race card when it’s convenient for him. He recently blamed the media for what he considers a sacking of Black conservatives.

A highly successful neurosurgeon, Carson has disappointed some Blacks who thought, just maybe, that he would advocate for Black folks. He’s also a man of contradictions: He was raised by a single mother in public housing; his family used food stamps; he benefited from affirmative action to enter medical school and was supported by welfare.

But, “The disintegration of the family unit and the welfare state are enslaving African-Americans and ruining their futures,” he said.

Carson is a confused mess of a candidate. He didn’t win the

The Fight for Smart Justice In the Congress, at the White House, and the state governments of our nation, we are seriously considering the best approaches to reforming a criminal justice system that most Americans –Democrats, Republicans and Independents alike—would agree imprisons too many Americans for too long at too great a cost.

As I write, there are Elijah Cummings 2.2 million Americans (disproportionately Black and Latino) behind bars. Eventually, moreover, most of these individuals will be released—9,000 each year onto the streets of Baltimore and more than 600,000 nationally.

Increasingly, it is clear that we must shift toward more rational, evidence-based policies that work. In both Washington and Annapolis, Democrats and Republicans alike must refocus our thinking from a largely emotional “tough on crime” perspective to evidence-based policies that can better deter criminal activity.

As President Obama observed when he spoke to our public safety policies at Rutgers University in November: “The goal is to prevent crime. The goal is to make sure that folks are fairly punished when they break the law. But the ultimate goal is to make sure that folks are law-abiding, selfsufficient, good citizens. Everything we do should be designed

towards that goal—and if we’re doing a good job there, then crime will go down and it will stay down.”

Insightfully, the President stressed that each person’s ability to be self-sufficient in a law-abiding way is a core pillar of public safety. Expanded educational and economic opportunity will make us not only more prosperous but also safer as a society.

We also must rationalize what happens when someone is charged with a criminal offense. There should be a significant difference in the law’s response when someone is charged with a violent crime than there is when the offense, although serious, does not physically harm another human being.

Fortunately, the President’s emphasis upon “smart justice” reflects this distinction — a viewpoint that is shared by many Democrats and Republicans in the Congress.

For example, substantial legislative activity is being focused upon proposals to reform mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders that, increasingly, are perceived as being unfair, overly expensive and unproductive.

In addition to proposals to provide more oversight in the use of force by our police, we also are witnessing significant interest in reforming what happens when people are sentenced to the cell blocks of our nation.

We are asking hard questions about whether they actually are being rehabilitated, their mental health issues addressed, and their employment skills strengthened.

These reform proposals are essential elements of smarter justice.

Assuring successful “re-entry” into society by those who have completed their sentences is one of the most difficult

Iowa caucuses, he won’t win the New Hampshire primary, and he won’t be crowned as the Republican nominee for president.

We know it. He knows it. And there’s nowhere for Carson to go but down. That’s why Carson should quit the race now and spare us his warped views on, well, just about everything.

public safety — and economic — challenges that we face.

Yet, we also know that everyone benefits when those who have been incarcerated can achieve the skills that will encourage their employment in lawful and productive jobs.

This is where our employers have a critical role to play. All too often, a criminal record in this country can be like a life sentence. It can affect finding a job, securing housing, getting around town, and even casting a vote.

Last year, I wrote the President to urge him to bring fair chance hiring policies to the federal government, and he has since charged his administration with working to do just that.

I also took up the cause myself, and introduced legislation entitled the Fair Chance Act [H.R. 3470].

Our bipartisan, bicameral proposal would build on successful “ban-the-box” policies at the state and local levels by prohibiting the federal government from asking about criminal histories until the end of the hiring process.

I also am a proud original cosponsor of the SensenbrennerDavis Second Chance Reauthorization Act [H.R. 3406], important, bipartisan legislation that would continue federal support for local re-entry initiatives like the Center for Urban Families.

The political challenges remain, but I am optimistic.

From the perspective of both our safety and our prosperity, a reformed justice system that is smart, as well as fair, is the key.

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

Boko Haram is a Cancer on Africa Eliminating a cancer of Africa, the terrorist group of Boko Haram, is a global necessity and has been recognized as such by President Barack Obama. For the complete elimination of a cancer to be successful, it is not enough to simply remove it; but, the host body must be prepared such that it does not return. Such is the plight of John R. Africa and its cancer, Boko Hawkins III Haram.

After returning from The Republic of Cameroon a few days ago, where, among other matters, I have been asked to assist in the elimination of Boko Haram, it became clear to me that there are numerous important similarities between the existence of Boko Haram in Africa and the presence of a cancer in a human being.

Cancer is invasive and can be deadly, just like Boko

Haram. Cancer thrives by overtaking weaker cells, while Boko Haram thrives on people with little defenses and lack of hope.

A cancer must not only be removed but must be treated before removal and the body treated after it is removed to prevent its return.

Boko Haram must be removed in such a way that it does not continue to grow during the removal process. Equally important is that the people must be provided the security and hope of prosperity after Boko Haram is eliminated so that such a terrorist group does not have fertile ground to return and regenerate.

Currently the strength of Boko Haram is estimated at a mere 8,000 plus terrorists; not a large number considering the population of Nigeria and the central African countries of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon have a combined population of over 250 million.

The current situation then, describes a relatively small and early detected cancer that, if not immediately eliminated, will be deadly.

President Obama has positioned the United States as a big player in removing this cancer. Numerous military and civilian

support has been provided to the African region affected. Also in the works is money to facilitate enhanced investment in the providing of support to the central African countries to provide a better quality of life for the people such that there is a belief in a positive future; thereby making it more difficult for the terrorists of the world to recruit.

From my foxhole, it is not only humane and the right thing to do to help eradicate Boko Haram; but, it is in the best interest of the United States to lead the way. It is not only important from a perspective of our own national security here in the United States, but because after personally witnessing the vast investment of China in Africa, we must enhance our efforts to be a reliable and sizable contributor to the country or be left out of the development of the many countries in the largest and richest part of our globe.

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

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

A6

The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

D.C. Freedom Rider Remembers Battle Against Inequality

flames filled the bus, the mob, reportedly, barricaded the doors and began chanting: “Burn them alive,” and “Fry the godamned niggers.”

Before the fuel tank could explode, state troopers, who had been standing by watching, interceded and allowed the riders to safely flee the burning bus.

For Green, who had joined the Freedom Rides without telling his parents, the level of hatred proved shocking, and his mission, that much more urgent. Green continued the Ride into Mississippi, where he was arrested with the others.

“Well, a reporter from New York got the names of all of us on the bus and I’m not sure how, but he located my father and called him.

My father of course, thought I was in Richmond, and told the reporter, ‘I was working for the summer before going back to school.’ That’s when the reporter said, ‘No, Mr. Green, your son is in jail in

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

For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important local heroes. We start off this week with the Rev. Reginald Green, one of the original Freedom Riders.

Almost 50 years ago, the Rev. Reginald Green stood among violent racists in the American South and challenged segregation. Now he serves as the D.C. First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church’s interim pastor.

Though he was only 19 at the time of the Rides, Green said he felt compelled to contest racial injustice as a student of the ministry.

According to Green, justice functions as a spiritual directive and as a social one.

“My whole attitude was, here I am preparing for ministry, and my understanding of the Gospel was a social context to it. That Gospel is about liberation. It’s about being whole. And here was the moment of truth in which I could honor the Immanuel Kant postulates that you do what you do because you ought to do it,” Green told the AFRO. “There has always been a spiritual element to those who fight against injustice because at its core, faith is about believing in God’s ability to knock down powerful tyranny.”

Freedom Riders consisted of a small group of Black and White college students who boarded interstate buses in 1961 and traveled to Mississippi and Alabama to fight segregation in the transit system. Bracketed by newly signed federal laws that counted segregated buses unconstitutional, the Freedom Riders, set out to test the effectiveness and enforcement of those laws.

The group met with unimagined hostilities, which included pelting the vehicle with rocks and bricks, slashing tires, smashing windows with pipes and axes and, at one Anniston, Ala. bus station, tossing a firebomb through one of the broken windows, Green said. As smoke and

Photo by Shantella Y. Sherman

The Rev. Reginald Green travelled through the Deep South with the Freedom Riders in order to challenge the inequality of segregation.

Mississippi,’” Green said.

Green said his time in Mississippi was the first time he truly felt frightened by the wave of racism and violence being directed toward non-violent activism. “I was then on the way to Jackson (Miss.) and someone had a transistor radio, they turned it up with a mic and there were some words coming across – ‘there’s some more Freedom Riders, some more of them niggers and those nigger lovers coming and they don’t know what trouble they’re in for.’ And that’s the first time you really began to think about it,” Green told the AFRO. “I determined that with God on my side – on our sides – I would fight no matter the consequences to me personally. The Rides gave me an opportunity to understand that we’re so much more in common than the opposite of that. And the fact that you had White, Black, young, old, Jew, Catholic, Protestant in that episode in the ‘60s is a testament to the power of diversity and acceptance of that diversity. The Scripture says ‘put your hands to the plow and don’t look back.’”

WHEN FAITH IS SHAKEN, THE TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE.

KURT WEILL / MAXWELL ANDERSON

LOST IN THE STARS Starring Eric Owens

February 12–20 | Eisenhower Theater

KENNEDY-CENTER.ORG (202) 467-4600 Tickets also available at the Box Office.

Groups call (202) 416-8400.

Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars.

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of WNO. WNO acknowledges the longstanding generosity of Life Chairman Mrs. Eugene B. Casey.

General Dynamics is the Presenting Sponsor of WNO’s 2015-2016 Season.

WNO’s season is presented with the support of Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello.

Support for Lost in the Stars is provided by Anne Kline Pohanka and Geoffrey Pohanka.

Eric Owens’s performances as Stephen Kumalo on February 12 and 13 are underwritten by Mrs. Alexander J. Tachmindji.

This production is also funded in part by Joe and Judy Antonucci and The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music, Inc. New York, NY.

February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

A7

Local Heroes

Two Sisters Work to Empower Baltimore Families “It is important for us to give back in order to help others, especially these particular neighborhoods because their basic needs are overlooked. There’s talented and smart individuals within these communities, we hope to contribute to those who go unnoticed,” Morgan told the AFRO. “We want to be a sense of hope and safe haven to those who seek to achieve a better quality of life and family,” Matthews added.

Youth between the ages 11-17, within the 21215 zip code of Northwest Baltimore are the targets of CFYS’s youth development programs. CFYS provides year around access to programs varying from health education and wellness programs to afterschool programs.

CFYS was founded in March of 2015. The two sisters organized a community trash pickup, collecting over nine thousand tons of trash in the Park Heights and Belvedere community. Just before winter began, the organization donated hats and gloves to multiple elementary schools, and for the holidays provided toys and Christmas dinner for minority families in the Park Heights area.

The charity from CFYS doesn’t stop there.

Mathews and Morgan are advocates for real community changes that will empower and educate minority families.

They both recognize the many community problems and aim to be closely engaged with families and residents.

“We are noticing the boundaries of trust and the disconnect between the community officials and residents Shannon Morgan (left) and Valerie Matthews started a family run non-profit in Northwest Baltimore. of Park Heights. Residents don’t have a sense of hope and belongingness; they don’t even feel safe. We want to create

By Chanet Wallace relationships and make residents cognizant of our services. We must tackle simple concerns in Special to the AFRO order to create change and confront larger issues within the Northwest community,” Morgan said.

For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important Both Matthews and Morgan are present within the community. The two actively attend local heroes. We start off this week with Shannon Morgan and Valerie Matthews, two sisters community association meetings and team up with local organizations to help better the trying to make a difference in Northwest Baltimore.

Northwest communities.

Catherine’s Family and Youth Services is a family run non-point organization founded by “The residents are embracing our efforts, they know who we are and they know we are Valerie Matthews, 25, and Shannon Morgan, 34, in the memory of their late grandmother, trying to create change with positivity. We’ve been able to partner up and meet other nonCatherine Matthews. CFYS provides family assistance and youth outreach to low-income and profits; it has made this journey humbling,” said Matthews. minority families in impoverished neighborhoods within Northwest Baltimore.

Both sisters, along with other local organizations, intend to promote and improve unity Families receive help with basic needs, such as rent and utilities, clothing banks, and food between the Park Heights communities. With unity throughout Park Heights, advocacy pantry’s. In addition CFYS, accommodates families with job referrals and resume assistance to opportunities for bigger problems can be addressed. help families obtain employment.

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A8

The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

More Affordable Service for DC

“I support the merger because it will help people like Robin.”

Major Lewis Reckline

National Capital Area Commander The Salvation Army National Capital Area Command

“I’m always looking for ways to save money on my bills.”

Robin Young

Pepco Customer Congress Heights

The Pepco Holdings-Exelon Merger: Affordability, Reliability and Sustainability for DC. Monthly bills add up. It’s why as part of the Pepco Holdings-Exelon merger, the companies are providing over $25 million to offset distribution rate increases for residential customers through March 2019. The merger will also provide $14 million for a one-time direct bill credit – more than $50 per residential customer.

For years, Pepco Holdings has supported the Salvation Army’s work to help DC families in need. Now the merger will make electric service more affordable for those families – and for all Pepco customers. We signed the petition to show our support. You can, too, at PHITomorrow.com.

For more information or to show your support, visit PHITomorrow.com.

Paid for by Exelon Corporation.

Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

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WASHINGTON-AREA

D.C. Bill Would Help Returning Citizens Start Businesses

African-American Civil War Museum Hosts Black History Month Kickoff

Violent Youths Attack D.C. Metro Riders

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com D.C. Council member Vincent Orange (D-At-Large) held a hearing recently on a bill he introduced that would help returning citizens learn skills to start and operate businesses.

The hearing for the bill, which would create a $10

AP Photo

D.C. area metro riders have been subject to several unsafe conditions throughout the years. The most recent being gang attacks by youth.

By Linda Poulson Special to the AFRO

Courtesy Photo

D.C. Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-AtLarge) wants to help returning citizens start their own businesses. million operating fund, was held on Jan. 28. Called “The District of Columbia Incarceration to Incorporation Entreprenuership Program Act of 2015,” Orange’s bill calls for the Department of Employment Services and the Department of Small and Local Business Development to set up the program.

The legislation calls for the University of the District of Columbia and its community college to offer courses to returning citizens

“Stable employment is the key to keeping people out of prison and owning a business can be a part of that.”

– Vincent Orange on business subjects and GED attainment, and provide scholarships and grants to help pay for the classes.

Orange said keeping returning citizens positively engaged is the way to avoid criminal activity.

“Statistics have shown that within three years of coming home from prison, returning citizens will be re-arrested,” Orange said.

“Stable employment is the key to keeping people out of prison and owning a business can be a part of that.”

There are an estimated 60,000 District residents with criminal records. Studies and testimonies from returning citizens reveal that even though the city has tolerant laws and public policy towards them, it is difficult for returning citizens to find employment. Skeptical employers have cited possible criminal activity and not Continued on B2

Photo by Shantella Sherman

Chuck Hicks, director of the D.C. Black History Celebration Committee addressed participants Feb. 2 at a kickoff reception at the African American Civil War Museum to acknowledge Black History Month.

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com Because the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture won’t open on the National Mall until this September, the D.C. Black History Celebration Committee and the African American Civil War Museum kicked off a city-wide celebration of Black History Month with a reception Feb. 2 at the Civil War Museum on U Street in Northwest. The area is a showcase for the growth and prosperity of the city’s Black population.

“It is monumental to think that just a few years ago, many of the same people in this room today, were trying to convince the nation of the value in having an African-American history museum and now, it stands just minutes away,” Toya Harvey, a Howard University grad student told the AFRO. “Even as we celebrate the vibrant history of our ancestors, we are making history for generations to come.”

The event included political figures, historians and D.C. residents.

Tristan Breaux, district director for Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), offered remarks of encouragement for the museum on behalf of Norton, who was unable to attend in person. Breaux said Black history was a rich heritage, emphasizing that the celebration of Black History Month needed to reach all races, and all ages.

“As you can imagine, with the new African American History Museum opening down on the Mall, we are excited, but this (Civil War Museum) will always be our favorite,” Breaux said. “Congresswoman Norton is honored to acknowledge the rich history and the people who have made this city great.”

African-American Civil War Museum Director Frank Smith, served as the event’s keynote speaker, and echoed many of Harvey’s sentiments. Smith told the AFRO that too often the day-to-day struggles of Black life have been hidden behind the push to survive or get along, with memories of a painful past in plain view.

“This city is full of museums that celebrate the lives and accomplishments of people who do not look like us. In fact,

Continued on B2

The $80-A-Week Guard Who ‘Blew the Whistle’ On Watergate For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important local heroes from the paper’s archives. We start off this week with Frank Wills, the security guard who blew the whistle on the Watergate scandal.

June 17 started off like any other hot summer day for eagleeyed Frank Wills, the 25-year-old Watergate guard who blew the whistle on one of the nation’s nastiest political scandals.

The young, unarmed guard’s attention to duty reflected the kind of work ethic responsibility President Nixon might have offered him some kind of high civilian award for under different circumstances.

As one shock wave after another reverberate throughout the world and President Nixon finds himself suddenly in deep trouble over the bizarre bugging and spying operation his reelections hirelings were using against the Democrats, Frank Wills is a hero who is keeping cool in the face of his newfound popularity.

For the moment, Wills, who has left his Watergate job to take another that pays $5 more a week, bringing his weekly income to $85, isn’t giving out free interviews any more.

He’s moved from the apartment he lived in where he was working at the Watergate and is new telephone was unlisted.

Although Wills already has testified about how he first detected that something was going on wrong in the sixth floor headquarters of the Democratic headquarters before dawn the morning of June 17, he now has a lawyer helping him handle

“It’s embarrassing as a parent to see their young Black kids acting like that.”

– Lin Crawford

Local Heroes from the Archives

By AFRO Staff May 12, 1973

Is it safe to continue riding the Washington D.C. metro?

On Jan. 28, a group of teenagers punched and kicked a man at the Gallery Place/ Chinatown Metro Station in Northwest during morning rush hour. The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. when approximately 30 teens rushed at riders as they scrambled to get on a Red Line train. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the teens’ alleged target was a 35-yearold man, but their motive was unclear.

“There have been several

the many inquiries that come his way.

When the AFRO first started tracking Wills, it was through his mother down in the young guard’s native North Augusta, S.C. A maid at a white funeral parlor came up with the mother’s telephone number.

The mother apparently had got the word. Her son AFRO File Photo only wanted to be contacted by Frank Wills is the 25-yearold Watergate guard who certain people and after a few minutes sparring during which blew the whistle on one of the nation’s nastiest she never agreed to know a Frank Wills, Mrs. Wills agreed political scandals. that she’d take the AFRO telephone number and if she did have a relative by that name, maybe he’d hear from hear from her and call.

Wills got his lawyer to call.

A couple of days later he called to schedule an interview and talked for a while on the telephone.

It was lucky for the AFRO that Wills did talk during his telephone call because he later decided to cancel the interview.

What happened in the wee hours of the morning of June 17 is that while making his rounds in the massive Watergate Continued on B2

attacks on the Red Line, the one that I take every day,” said a witness, who saw the injured man on the platform and sought help. “I don’t think there’s been a proper response from Metro to protect the riders. I think there needs to be more of a police presence.”

Levert James from the Shaw neighborhood heard about the incident. “Yes, I was actually riding the subway that day, earlier that morning, but I missed it,” he told the AFRO. “Definitely, it doesn’t feel safe. I was surprised that anyone that was there would not help the person. The first thing I would have done was help the person.”

The attack adds to the rash of violent episodes on Metro subways over the last six months. In June 2015, a 54-year-old man brutally beat two teens for putting their feet on the back of his seat and a 46-year old man who stepped in to help the teens. In July 2015, Kevin Sutherland was fatally stabbed while bystanders watched; in November 2015, a gay couple was robbed and beaten and in December 2015, a man suffered a concussion and broken jaw Continued on B2

B2

The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

Black History Month

D.C. Bill

there are roads and streets, including Jefferson Davis Highway leading out of D.C. and into Virginia that some folks travel every day unaware that these spaces celebrate the lives of our oppressors,� Smith said. “With Black History Month this year, as we move towards opening the African-American History Museum, I am excited that as Black people, we will be able to honor those in their heritage that have helped build this nation and this city. We will soon have a space that publicly celebrates us.�

Marvin Wright, who joined the kickoff with his two-yearold son, said he came to support as many Black history-related programs as possible because he feared the nation was turning back its clock on racial tolerance – a move he believed would eventually push Black history from the nation’s consciousness. “There is so much passive aggressive bigotry and racial hostility in this country that it makes me take pause,� Wright, a former Arizona Razorback football player told the AFRO. “When I look at places like Arizona eliminating successful ethnic studies programs because they made White students feel bad, or refusing to acknowledge Dr. King’s birthday, you can only pray that whitewashing does not spread.�

wanting to deal with stigmatized employees as reasons for not hiring returning citizens.

Orange said returning citizens with stable jobs have a recidivism rate of only 7 percent as opposed to 51.8 percent according to U.S. Bureau of Justice statistics. The council member said that Oklahoma and Pennsylvania have programs similar to one he is proposing and they are considered national models of success.

Orange’s legislation has the support of D.C. Council member Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7). D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) likes the idea but is worried about program implementation. “The incarcerated population is the hardest to reach,� Allen said. “I don’t think DOES serves returning citizens well and I want to make sure that DOES works for everyone. There is no shortage of really good intentions in this city and I hope that it reaches individuals who can be set up for success.�

A number of witnesses testified on Orange’s bill.

No one voiced opposition – Charles Allen to Orange’s concept but some had concerns about implementation and focus. “The bill could be improved by emphasizing cooperative businesses and should provide co-op specific business training,� said Eugene Puryear, director of field operations for the advocacy organization Justice First. Puryear wants Orange’s bill to include provisions to appoint a returning citizen on a panel that would oversee the program, to require a review by the council after its fifth year, and provide “a hard cap [on funding the program] on the initial appropriation [to] encourage program effectiveness and community input.�

Debra Rowe, the executive director of Returning Citizens United, testified in support of Orange’s bill, but said more support is needed for those participating in the program. “To start a business in the District of Columbia, you have to pay a lot of fees,� Rowe said. “The people that the legislation is designed to help generally cannot pay the fees to the city agencies that are needed to get their businesses going.�

Rowe doesn’t want the program Orange proposes to become “another certification for returning citizens.� “We have every certification that you can think of but we can’t get the jobs,� she said. “I also think that businesses that are run by returning citizens that are successful certified business enterprises should mentor those who want to go into business.�

Continued from B1

Continued from B1

Photo by Shantella Sherman

An artifact from the Civil War that is displayed at the African American Civil War Museum.

Watergate Exposed Continued from B1

complex, Wills spotted a piece of tape on a door lock.

As it was positioned, it would have prevented the door from locking.

Wills removed the tape and went on about his rounds, taking time out for a sandwich before starting around again.

It was on this tour that he knew he had hit paydirt.

Another piece of tape had been placed on the door lock.

Frank Wills knew something was wrong. He

knew someone was inside the Watergate that had no business there.

Because he was armed with only a billy stick and mace, Wills called the police.

This began the saga of the unfolding of a spy drama whose impact and scope may never be known fully.

The police flushed out five spies, some of them former CIA agents.

At first the spying and bugging exposed through Wills’ detection, was played

down as just a silly caper by a few misguided and overzealous Nixon supporters.

But slowly, as the tale kept unfolding, the ties crept higher and higher into White House Circles, with the final chapter still to be written.

For Frank Wills, there have been mixed emotions.

He has been widely hailed by relatives and friends as a hero and crackerjack detective.

A few Democrats in Washington and elsewhere

have paid tribute to him for his disclosure.

And though he understands he hasn’t yet been accorded the status of a Paul Revere dashing through the night to warn his countrymen of great disaster, Frank Wills apparently is unhappy that his role has not been accorded a more significant place in the unfolding drama.

Still, he’s probably the best known 25-year-old native of North Augusta, S.C.

â€œâ€ŚI want to make sure that DOES works for everyone.â€?

Metro Riders Continued from B1

Bring your A game. WE WILL, TOO. MEAC 2016 TOURNAMENT

MARCH 7 – 12 SCOPE ARENA | NORFOLK, VA

visitnorfolktoday.com 1-800-368-3097

after a rowdy group of young people attacked him.

The teen suspects in the latest attack were found on another Red Line train and picked up by Metro police at the Woodley Park Station in Northwest D.C. According to police, five boys and one girl may be charged with felonies. Their ages range from 16 to 17 and all of the alleged attackers are students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Northwest.

Fox 5 reported that a second mob-oriented attack happened around 5 p.m. on the same day. A man was hit by a snowball knocking his glasses off. He could not identify the perpetrators. “First of all, it’s embarrassing. It’s embarrassing as a parent to see their young Black kids acting like that,� Lin Crawford from Southeast told the AFRO. “I feel anger, it makes me mad because they don’t have to do that, it’s senseless for real.� “I wish one of them would come up on me because I’m gonna get one of them. That’s how I feel,� he continued.

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February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

B3

Black Victim in D.C. Police Shooting Identified

By Associated Press Police in the District of Columbia are identifying a man they say had a weapon that turned out to be a BB gun when he was fatally shot by an officer.

Police identified the man in a news release Feb. 2 as 36-year-old Peter John. They say he had no fixed address. John was shot on Feb. 1.

The Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier said, at a news conference Feb. 1, that the officer tried to stop the man, who was acting suspiciously, but he fell and the handgun replica BB gun fell from his clothing. She says he didn’t comply with the officer’s commands.

Lanier says John was Black and the officer is White. Race hasn’t been raised as a factor in the shooting, but it comes amid a national debate about the deaths of Black men at the hands of police.

WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Alexandria, Va.

SHAKE LOOSE is a musical night of Blues, Moods, and Icons at the Metro Stage in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

The production is a musical revue featuring stories and music of some of the most acclaimed musicals produced at the Metro Stage. Music and lyrics are by Thomas Jones II, William Hubbard and William Knowles.

Carolyn Griffin is the producing artistic director. The show began on Jan. 30 and will run until March 6. Tickets cost $55.

For more information, call 703-548-9044 or visit metrostage.org/shake-loose.html#.

VrEudbIrLIU.

Arlington, Va.

Homicide Count

8

Data as of Feb. 3

86th Annual Red Dress Event The Links will hold its 86th annual Red Dress event Feb. 5 at the Army Navy Country Club, 2400 18th Street, from 6 p.m. -9 p.m. The event is broken into two segments, the segment from 6p.m.-7p.m. will include heart healthy buffet reception with refreshments and free health screenings. The segment from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. will have a panel discussion. Panelists include Dr. Patricia McNeil, Holy Cross Hospital; Dr. Cynthia Crawford-Green, Washington Hospital Center and Dr. Kelly Epps, INOVA. Allson Seymour from Fox 5 News will emcee the event. To RSVP for the event, email RSVP to dmvhearthealth@gmail.com.

Washington, D.C.

KidsSmiles Dental Center Offers Free Care Kids Smiles, a non-profit dental center, will provide free comprehensive dental care to uninsured children on Feb. 5 for Give Kids a Smile Day. Located at 4837 Benning Road, SE. Kids Smiles provides a dental home for children ages 0-18 in the Benning Ridge neighborhood of Ward 7 and surrounding areas, and accepts all children regardless of insurance or ability to pay.

Parents of uninsured children can schedule an appointment with Kids Smiles should call 202-650-5238. All patients will also enjoy free healthy snacks and giveaways that encourage positive oral and overall health during the event.

Pepco Edison Gallery Reception for Carnaval Exhibit The exhibit “Carnaval: Celebrations of the African Diaspora” is currently on display at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, 702 8th St NW, from Feb. 2 to March 11. The exhibit consists of art from the Third Annual Black History Month Art Competition sponsored by Black Artists D.C. and Art Impact USA. An opening reception is scheduled for Feb. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. The gallery is open with free admission from noon to 4 p.m. each Tuesday through Friday.

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Ricardo, with Dr. McDonald, Community Hospice medical director

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2/27/15 10:56 AM

B4

The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

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

Misty Copeland, principal dancer at American Ballet Theater, visited the Jones-Haywood Dance School in Washington D.C. on Jan. 27. The school was founded by two African American trailblazers, Claire Haywood and Doris Jones, 75 years ago.

Copeland was given an award to commemorate the school’s 75th anniversary.

Jones-Haywood Dance School develops dancers of color who go on to perform at dance companies in every genre in the U.S., Europe and on Broadway.

Sandra Fortune Green, Misty Copeland, Brandye Lee and Hinton Battle

Jones-Haywood Dancers

Misty Copeland, principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre Brandye Lee Jones, Haywood School of Ballet alum and rehearsal director, Collage Dance Collective (Memphis, Tenn.)

Noelle Mckoy and Nilah Pettus

D.C. Chief Judge Annice M. Wagner

Photos

by Rob Roberts

Jeanarta McEachron and Siena Leeedit Sydney and Maren Shaw

Jeanarta McEachron, Brandye Lee and Doris Chandler

Liana Harris, Sequoia Ragland, Lauren Harris, Sherri Evans Harris and Michael Steen Sandra Byrd, Donella Brockington, Lauren Mosley and Camille Riggs Mosley

Phyllis Reid and Hinton Battle

Lauri Fitz-Pegado, Lynne Breece and Terri Thompson Diane Williamson, Nicole Clifton and Nadine Kearns

Carol Foster, Sandra Fortune Green, Phyllis Reid and Joyce Mosso Stores

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

February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

Book Review

C1

ARTS & CULTURE

Edward Lewis and the Creation of ‘Essence’

By Herb Boyd Special to the AmNews

“I was the quiet one,” is repeated like a mantra throughout “The Man from Essence.” This is how Edward Lewis describes himself in a quartet of Black men who founded Essence magazine in the early 1970s.

But the quiet one, a man imbued with shyness, is the one to write the book on the history of a breakthrough magazine whose troubled birth pains are part of the public record.

If the financial and personnel turmoil at Essence was often grist for the news cycle, only the insiders knew the actual details of the disputes and differences.

Lewis illuminates these hiccups and perturbations as well as providing readers with his own biography, much of which is inseparable from the magazine’s rise and ultimate sale to Time in 2005.

In his acknowledgments, Lewis warns of the book’s subjectivity, writing, “None of the three men I went into business with consented to contribute to this book by agreeing to be interviewed.” Thus, he is the last man standing and left to impart his own version of how the magazine managed to overcome bickering, competition and internal contradictions.

One of the problems from the very outset of the publication was something Lewis relates again and again in the book: There were no Black women involved in the creation of a magazine designed for them. Nonetheless, Lewis, Clarence Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth and Jonathan Blount forged ahead with no collective awareness of what their dream entailed.

“We were popular with the ladies,” Lewis wrote of the four, “envied by working-class brothers and sometimes a little full of ourselves, fueled by a powerful sense of our new possibilities.”

In the beginning there were five of them, but Anthony Janniere departed even before the magazine was fully conceived, leaving the Hollingsworth Group—a name of the one partner with business experience—to fend for itself. Lewis was the executive vice president in charge of finance; Smith was the vice president in charge of advertising; Hollingsworth was vice president in charge of circulation; and Blount became president after Janniere left.

It is amazing the magazine ever gained any traction given the succession of mistakes and missteps. With no Black woman to advise them, they settled on Sapphire for the magazine’s title.

Not until they hired their second editor-in-chief, Ruth Ross,

Super Bowl 50

did they change the name to Essence at Ross’ suggestion.

But Ross’ tenure, like several that succeeded her, was brief, and she was barely around long enough to witness the struggle the four men had in raising funds for the venture.

The men of Essence had a number of angels in the early stages, including Shearson, Hammill & Company, Freedom National Bank and several major banks on Wall Street, none more significant than First National City Bank and Chase Manhattan. Later, to keep them afloat in waters far short of the $1.5 million needed to be fully capitalized, would be a $250,000 loan from Playboy Enterprises, which would be among the magazine’s future headaches.

Interwoven through his telling of the magazine’s story, Lewis has alternate chapters on his life that in many ways mirror the fits and starts Essence experienced. Born in 1940 and raised in the Bronx by his mother, Lewis earned a football scholarship to the University of New Mexico after graduation from the DeWitt Clinton High School. He never got a chance to show his brilliance on the

gridiron for the Lobos and was confused over why he was dropped from the squad. Many years went by before he learned why he was cut from the team. No spoilers here.

No longer in football gear, he became active in campus politics and student activism, so much so that he traveled representing the student’s chapter of the National Student Association. Soon, he had his undergraduate degree and a masters in political science when he was given an opportunity to study law at Georgetown University.

Being cut from the varsity football team was one unpleasant setback, flunking out of law school was even more traumatic, so much so that it took him a long time to tell his mother. But these were just momentary bumps in the road for a determined Lewis, and it wasn’t long before he found another chance to shine—this time on Wall Street in a job at First National City Bank.

Other than an occasional discussion about his personal difficulties, the failed first marriage and a series of angioplasty surgeries, the rest of the book is devoted to the good and bad deals of the company, to say nothing of the fast-changing personnel at the top of the magazine’s masthead. Editors and writers associated with the magazine over the years will certainly discover their names dropped here and there, though with only Marcia Gillespie and Susan Taylor given more than a line or two.

More than a line or two is expended on Ebony’s John Johnson’s attempt to take over the magazine, the interminable litigation by Blount and the magazine’s later successes, particularly with the Essence Musical Festival in New Orleans.

In 2008, Lewis ended his relationship with the magazine, and in 2014, among his many awards, he was inducted into Advertising Hall of Fame. Content in the warmth of his marriage to Carolyn Wright, the quiet man has spoken.

Edward Lewis will speak at the Booklover’s Breakfast on Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the Baltimore Marriot Waterfront Hotel.

Why Aren’t Kool & The Gang in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Band members react after recent sold-out Maryland Casino performance

By Timothy Cox Special to the AFRO More than 4,000 hardcore R&B fans filled the RamsHead Theater at the Maryland Live Casino in suburban Baltimore recently to witness the legendary sounds of Kool & The Gang.

With more than 80-million records sold world-wide, one would assume that this successful band that spans six decades would have already been thrust into rock royalty - as

members of the illustrious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.

Unfortunately, they are not. Bassist/bandleader Robert Earl “Kool” Bell told the AFRO that the 52-year-old band was disappointed with not yet being inducted. Of course, the group is in good company. Janet Jackson, Sade and Eric B. and Rakim, among many other artists of note, are also not in the Hall of Fame.

Last October, the band was honored with its very first Continued on C2

SPORTS

Cam Newton Polarizes A New Generation

By Mark F. Gray Special to the Afro

How did Cam Newton become the most polarizing figure of Super Bowl 50 before the Carolina Panthers left Charlotte?

Is it because he had an MVP season and plays with a swag that is hip hop’s answer to Brett Favre? Is it because his skill set –an accurate passer who makes every throw and a punishing runner who makes defenders pay for trying to tackle him – is something pro football has never seen before? Or is it because Newton is that transcendent quarterback who will finally change the perception about his position the way Barack Obama changed the complexion of the White House?

The truth is that it is all of the above.

Cam is everything you want in the face of a franchise quarterback. He just happens to be Black. He is unapologetic for his success but endearing to fans. He has done more than any player of his generation to connect with the NFL’s future paying customers by giving away souvenirs every time he scores. Those footballs he gives kids in the stands lead to lifetime memories for those who become lifelong season ticket holders of the Panthers fans which keeps the league flourishing in the Carolinas.

He has a Madison Avenue smile and championship talent. Those are the same qualities that have made Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers icons of sports and pop culture.

They are the ideal pitch men of impeccable character that corporate America loves to have as the face of its brands. Newton has the chance to join that A-list with a win on Sunday.

But will he?

If Newton wins after a brilliant performance will his narrative be that of a triumphant champion or an egregious self-promoter who comports himself unprofessionally? Will the hate mail continue to include those who brand him as an embarrassment for not being a stoic signal caller on pro football’s biggest stage?

Being a polarizing figure on the game’s biggest stage is nothing new to the Panthers quarterback though. He faced the backlash from his transgressions at the University of Florida where he broke into another student’s apartment and stole a laptop computer. There was the NCAA investigation into whether his father took bribes to try and lure him to another SEC school as he led Auburn, that other school who plays big time college football in Alabama, to a BCS national championship in 2011.

AP Photo/David J. Phillip

Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton prepares to address the media ahead of Super Bowl on Feb. 1 in San Jose, Calif.

In college there were legitimate reasons to question if there was something sinister behind the central casting grin. Was he just playing the role to make sure he got an NFL contract?

How long before his social implosion?

However, Newton has answered all the questions about his character and validated himself as an all-around quarterback. He has been a quality citizen and role model since turning pro. Newton quietly volunteers on Tuesdays throughout Charlotte during the season and is not above any player in his locker room. For all the bravado he plays with on the field he is passionate in his community and focused on getting better at his craft off it.

When Cam says that people are intimidated because they’ve never seen an Black quarterback with his skills set, he speaks not only about football but in a larger societal context. Newton is that unique combination of brilliant athlete and mesmerizing personality who will alienate those who don’t understand that he is not showing off but having fun playing a kid’s game.

Every Black Super Bowl winning quarterback can’t be soft spoken and understated like Doug Williams or Russell Wilson. Newton may dodge defenders but he can’t escape the polarizing perception of his race this week.

C2

The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

African Art

Howard County Museum Celebrates Over 30 Years of Service

By Lisa Snowden-McCray Special to the AFRO

Doris Ligon doesn’t know how she first developed a love for African art – but she is glad she did.

“It would be nice if I said one day I just woke up and there was a cloud shaped like Africa and I heard somebody saying ‘Doris, Doris’ but that would not be the truth. I was not positive at all about Africa.”

The 79-year-old Baltimore native founded the African Art Museum of Maryland along with her husband Claude, back in 1980.

Claude passed away in 2005, but Doris kept the doors of the museum open. Now she and the museum’s Board of Trustees are celebrating their 36th year.

Ligon said that when she was growing up, it was rare to find positive reflections of Africa in the media.

“Everything that I knew about Africa was a negative thing from the movies, and all of that. So I knew nothing positive about the African continent.”

“I don’t know anybody…who was running around talking about ‘Africa my home.’”

She said that her interest was piqued when she spotted a book about African art while out shopping one day, and bought it.

“Little by little, I remember thinking, if all this stuff I hear about Africa is true, all this negative stuff, how come people keep going and keep coming back unscathed? What is it about Africa?”

She grew even closer to the subject while taking an art class at Howard County Community College, where she lives. She said the teacher told the class that they could write about any aspect of art they wanted.

Ligon chose the subject of African art on a whim. After that, she volunteered to be a docent at the National Museum of African Art. She said the idea of starting a museum became a nagging thought that wouldn’t go away.

“Little by little, I developed this curiosity and I fought it the whole way because my children where grown and I was foot loose

Museum volunteer Jacqueline Kakembo and owner Doris Ligon in front of a large African mask at the African Art Museum of Maryland.

Photo by Lisa Snowden-McCray

and fancy free. I was having luncheons and going on luncheons and having lectures and all that. It was a lot more fun to talk about starting a museum.”

Today, the museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. They host jazz events, children’s activities, trips to different African countries and go into local schools to educate local children about African art. However, they are a very small establishment.

“Right now I am the director, I am the registrar, I am the education department, I am

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the human relations department and I’m also the maintenance,” Ligon said.

The museum was first in Columbia, then later moved to its current home in Fulton, Md. Inside, visitors can see all kinds of art and artifacts – from tiny, elaborately carved pieces of ivory jewelry to a woven mask that is as tall as the room it is housed in.

She said that the museum actually owns over 3,000 pieces of art and artifacts – but can only showcase a fraction of that inside the small space.

Ligon said it’s not always easy to tell what is an actual African piece, and what is a fake.

She relies on her years of experience and her Master’s in Art History from Morgan State University to tell her.

“You might want to be a medical doctor.

You might have an inspiration to be a medical doctor. But you know just by wanting to be a medical doctor you can’t operate on people.

You have to go to school. You’ve got to learn,” she said.

Longtime volunteer Jacqueline Kakembo said that she has been helping out with the museum for so long because of all the good work Ligon does – especially the way Ligon reaches out to both African Americans and Africans living in the area.

The museum always gets tons of phone calls from people looking to come visit in February for Black history month. The museum does not actually focus on African American art – just African – but Kakembo said that the connection is there because Africa is where African Americans began.

“This is a very integral part of our history,” said Kakembo. “I’m so proud of what she does.”

Learn more about the museum at africanartmuseum.org.

Kool & The Gang Continued from C1

Hollywood Walk of Fame - an achievement that “Kool”Bell says is a very welcomed and ironic honor. “Afterall, we wrote a song called “Hollywood Swingin’ - so, it’s sort of appropriate that we would achieve this honor,” he said. In 2015, the group was also honored with a Soul Train Legend Award, while being inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.

Along with his brother and tenor saxman, Ronald “Kahalis” Bell, a 10-yearold “Kool” Bell, along with their parents, Bobby and Mabel Bell, moved from their original hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, to Jersey City, N.J. “I was 10 when we moved from Ohio,” Kool said after the Maryland show. As native Ohioans, the Bell brothers are part of an esteemed Ohio R&B fraternity of which several funk bands, musicians and singers have hailed from the

Courtesy photo

Kool & the Gang make the case for why they should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Buckeye State --ultimately to become internationallyrenown performers - some who are even HOF inductees at the Ohio-based Rock museum.

Such groups include The Ohio Players, The Isley Brothers, The O’Jays, Lakeside, Zapp and Roger Troutman, Bootsy Collins, Phelps “Catfish” Collins, Howard Hewitt (Shalamar), Bobby Womack, the Ingram

brothers, James (Quincy Jones) and Philip (DeBarge); Ruby and the Romantics, Phillipe’ “Soul” Wynne (Spinners), MidnightStar, Heatwave, Faze-O, Dayton, and New Horizons featuring the Thomas brothers.

During their 90-minute Casino performance on Jan. 17, Kool & the Gang provided a non-stop, 18-song set-list that featured a diverse selection of the plethora of hits that have defined a generation. Especially significant was “Ladies Night,” “Celebration,” “Reggae Dancin,” “Jungle Boogie,” and the syncopated funk-retro tune from their early years, “N.T.” Cecil Willingham, a longtime road manager for the band, noted that the group is “the most sampled band in R&B history” - topping even the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Willingham also said the group is currently “in talks” with HOF officials, and that an induction could possibly occur within the upcoming year.

In an online video from 2013, group members visited the HOF facility, and following the tour, Kool Bell called the experience “beautiful” -- adding that “we got to get up in here. They’ve got to show us some love.”

Let’s hope Cleveland’s HOF officials soon realize how much of an injustice that they are serving up -- by refusing to admit Kool & the Gang into the Rock and Roll HOF. It’s well past time for this honor to occur.

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

1 Col. Inch Up to TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:52:00 EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:43:06 EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:45:18 EST 2016Jan 26 10:15:47 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES 20 Words Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM31 Mary H Bassett AKA Juliette Bassett Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Conrad C Bassett Jr, and Lenear E Bassett-King whose address is 3038 Silent Valley Dr.,Fairfax, VA 22031 & 5903 Harland St., New Carrollton, MD were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Mary H Bassett AKA Juliette Bassett, who died on November 16, 2015 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 29, 2016. 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 29, 2016, 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 29, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Conrad C Bassett Jr. Lenear E Bassett-King Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2016FEP3 Date of Death June 19, 2015 John Henry Palmer Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Gail Maurita Good and Alan Jay Palmer whose a d d r e s s i s 11 9 0 2 Castlegate Court, North Bethesda, MD 20852 was appointed personal representative of the estate of John Henry Palmer , deceased by the Orphans’ Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland, on December 8, 2015.

Service of process may be made upon Ferguson Evans, Esq., 601 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Suite 900, South Building, Washington, DC 20004 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: 5 0 0 1 5 t h S t . , N W, Washington, DC 20011 Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, NW., 3rd floor,Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

(Strike preceding sentence if no real estate.)

Gail M Goode Alan Jay Palmer Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: January 29, 2016 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM18 Lewis Maxwell Johnikin Decedent Julius P Terrell, Esq 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Maxwell Butler, whose address is 1476 Stonegate Lane East Lansing, MI 48823 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lewis Maxwell Johnikin, who died on September 12, 2015 without a will, and will serve withCourt 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 22, 2016 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 22, 2016, 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 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American TRUE TEST COPY Washington REGISTER OF WILLS Law Reporter Maxwell Butler Personal TYPESET: Jan 19 16:51:40 EST 2016 01/29, 02/5, Tue 02/12/16 Representative Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM13 Jack Birch Decedent Shraga Kawior, Esq 8630 Fenton Street Ste 822 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Timothy Alan Birch, whose address is 7233 Oliver Street, Lanham MD 20706 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Jack Birch , who died on May 31, 1989 with a will, 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 Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 29, 2016. 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 29, 2016, 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 29, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Timothy A Birch Personal Representative

TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:44:27 EST 2016 01/29, 02/05, 02/12/16 01/29, 02/05,Tue 02/12/16 Superior TYPESET: Jan 26 09:46:03 EST Court 2016 of the District of Superior Court of District of Columbia the District of Superior Court of PROBATE DIVISION District of Columbia the District of Washington, D.C. PROBATE DIVISION District of Columbia 20001-2131 Washington, D.C. PROBATE DIVISION Administration No. 20001-2131 Washington, D.C. 2016ADM8 Administration No. 20001-2131 2015ADM946 Mary Louise Roebuck Administration No. Jeannetta W Keitt Decedent 2016ADM0038 Decedent Marcia A McCree Esq Vivian A Daniel Wesley L Clarke 1828 L Street Nw Suite 1629 K Street, NW, Ste AKA 600 300, Washington, DC Annie V Daniel Decedent Washington, DC 20036 20006 NOTICE OF Attorney Attorney APPOINTMENT, NOTICE OF NOTICE OF NOTICE TO APPOINTMENT, APPOINTMENT, CREDITORS NOTICE TO NOTICE TO AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Chandra A Porchia, UNKNOWN HEIRS Wesley L Clarke, whose whose address(es) is address is 1629 K Street, 2718 Sweetwater Court, Linda Marie Roebuck, NW, Ste 300, Washing- District Heights, MD whose address is 940 ton, DC 20006, was ap- 20747, was appointed Newington Court, Capitol pointed personal repre- personal representative Heights, MD 20743, was sentative of the estate of of the estate of Vivian A Jeanetta W Keitt, who Daniel AKA Annie V Dan- appointed personal redied on August 19th 2011 iel, who died on Septem- presentative(s) of the estate of Mary Louise without a will, and will ber 5, 2014 without a will, Roebuck, who died on serve with Court superviand will serve without sion. All unknown heirs October 14, 2015 witha a n d h e i r s w h o s e Court supervision. All un- will, and will serve withwhereabouts are un- known heirs and heirs out Court supervision. All known shall enter their whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their unknown heirs and heirs appearance in this whose whereabouts are proceeding. Objections a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s to such appointment proceeding. Objections unknown shall enter their shall be filed with the to such appointment a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Register of Wills, D.C., shall be filed with the proceeding. Objections 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Register of Wills, D.C., to such appointment (or Floor Washington, D.C. 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd to the probate of de20001, on or before July Floor Washington, D.C. 29, 2016. Claims against 20001, on or before July cedent´s will) shall be the decedent shall be 29, 2016. Claims against filed with the Register of presented to the under- the decedent shall be Wills, D.C., 515 5th signed with a copy to the presented to the under- Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Register of Wills or filed signed with a copy to the Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . with the Register of Wills Register of Wills or filed 20001, on or before July with a copy to the under- with the Register of Wills 22, 2016. Claims against signed, on or before July with a copy to the under29, 2016, or be forever signed, on or before July the decedent shall be presented to the underbarred. Persons believed 29, 2016, or be forever signed with a copy to the to be heirs or legatees of barred.

Persons believed the decedent who do not Register of Wills or filed receive a copy of this no- to be heirs or legatees of with the Register of Wills tice by mail within 25 the decedent who do not with a copy to the underdays of its first publica- receive a copy of this no- signed, on or before July tion shall so inform the tice by mail within 25 Register of Wills, includ- days of its first publica- 22, 2016, or be forever ing name, address and tion shall so inform the barred. Persons believed Register of Wills, includ- to be heirs or legatees of relationship. ing name, address and the decedent who do not Date of Publication: relationship.

January 29, 2016 receive a copy of this noDate of Publication: Name of newspaper: tice by mail within 25 Afro-American January 29, 2016 days of its first publicaWashington Name of newspaper: tion shall so inform the Law Reporter Afro-American Register of Wills, includWashington ing name, address and Wesley L Clarke Law Reporter Personal relationship.

Representative Personal Date of Publication: Representative January 22, 2016 TRUE TEST COPY Name of newspaper: REGISTER OF WILLS TRUE TEST COPY Afro-American REGISTER OF WILLS Washington Law Reporter 01/29, 02/05, 02/12/16 01/29, 02/5, 02/12/16 Linda Marie Roebuck Personal Representative

SUBSCRIBE TODAY

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/22, 01/29, 2/5/16

TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM0003 Albert S Banks Decedent Rohulamin Quander, Esq 1703 Lawrence Street, NE Washington, DC 20018 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michael L. Banks, whose address is 16601 Medinah Court, Silver Spring, MD 20905 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Albert S Banks , who died on June 15, 2011 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 22, 2016. 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 22, 2016, 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 22, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Michael L Banks Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

01/22, 01/29, 02/5/16

01/22, 01/29, 02/05/16

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202-332-0080 410-554-8200 Buy it • Sell it Swap it • Lease it Rent it • Hire it

results AFRO Classified minimum ad rate is $26.54 per col. inch (an inch consists of up to 20 words).

Mail in your ad on form below along with CHECK or MONEY ORDER to: WASHINGTON AFRO-AMERICAN CO. 1917 Benning Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002-4723 Attn: Clsf. Adv. Dept.

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NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:52:15 EST 2016 PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ Court of CLASSIFICATION:Superior ______________________________________ the District of District of Columbia (Room, Apt., House, etc.) DIVISION TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:50:51 EST 2016 PROBATE Washington, D.C. INSERTION DATE:_________________ 20001-2131

Administration No. Superior Court of 2016ADM24 the District of Leighton Reid Berry District of Columbia Decedent PROBATE DIVISION NOTICE OF Washington, D.C. APPOINTMENT, Legal Advertising20001-2131 Rates NOTICE TO Administration No. Effective October 2016ADM12 1, 2008 CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO Kerima Y Mered UNKNOWN HEIRS Decedent Leighton Reid Berry, Jr., DIVISION Alan B Frankle Esq PROBATE whose address is 415 751 Rockville Pike, (Estates) DIx Lee On Drive, Suite 7 TYPESET: Tue Feb 02 14:16:24 Fayetteville, GA 30214, Rockville, MD 20852 202-332-0080 was appointed personal Attorney representative of the NOTICES NOTICE OF PROBATE Superior Court of estate of Leighton Reid APPOINTMENT, the District of B e r r y, w h o d i e d o n NOTICE TO District of3Columbia January 4, 2016 without CREDITORS a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per weeks PROBATE DIVISION a will, and will serve withAND NOTICE TO b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion Washington, D.C. out Court supervision. All UNKNOWN HEIRS 20001-2131 c. Notice to Creditors unknown heirs and heirs Nora Mered and Nadia Administration No. whose whereabouts are Mered, whose address is 1. Domestic 60 per insertion per 3 weeks 2015ADM000513 unknown shall enter$their 3942 Camino Calma, $180.00 Judy Mper Butler a p p e a r a n c e i n $t h60 i s per San Diego, CA, 92122// $180.00 2. Foreign insertion 3 weeks proceeding. Objections 1719 2nd Avenue N #2 AKA d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 per 6 weeks to such appointment Seattle, WA 98109 was Judy M Perrine Decedent shall be filed with the appointed personal re- $125.00 e. Standard Probates Register of Wills, D.C., presentative of the estate Bonita Jones- Moon, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd of Kerima Y Mered, who Esq Floor Washington, D.C.NOTICES died on February 25, 1100 Connecticut Ave., CIVIL 20001, on or before 2015 without a will, and NW Suite 340 a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 80.00 DC 20036 J a n u a r y 2 2 , 2 0 1 6 . will serve without Court $ Washington, Claims against the de- supervision. All unknown Attorney b. Real Property $ 200.00 NOTICE OF cedent shall be pre- heirs and heirs whose APPOINTMENT, sented to the under- whereabouts are unNOTICE TO signed with a copy to the known shall enter their FAMILY COURT CREDITORS Register of Wills or filed a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s AND NOTICE TO with the Register 202-879-1212 of Wills proceeding. Objections UNKNOWN HEIRS with a copy to the under- to such appointment (or signed,DOMESTIC on or before RELATIONS to the probate of de- Bonita Jones-Moon, EsJanuary 22, 2016, or be cedent´s will) shall be quire , whose address is 202-879-0157 forever barred. Persons filed with the Register of 1100 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 340, Washingbelieved to be heirs or Wills, D.C., 515 5th legatees of the decedent Street, N.W., 3rd Floor ton, DC 20036, was appointed personal reprewho do not receive a W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . $ 150.00 a. Absent Defendant copy of this notice by mail 20001, on or before July sentative(s) of the estate b. Absolute Divorce $ 150.00 within 25 days of its first 22, 2016. Claims against of August 2, 2016, who died on May 23, 2002 publication shall so in- the decedent shall be $150.00 c. Custody Divorce form the Register of presented to the under- without a will, and will 16:51:16 EST 2016 Wills, including name, signed with a copy to the serve with Court superviand relation- Register of Wills or filed sion. All unknown heirs To place your ad, address call 1-800-237-6892, ext.the 262, Public Notices up a n d$50.00 h e i r s& w hose ship. with Register of Wills Date of Publication: withNotices a copy to the depending on size, Baltimore Legal areunder$24.84whereabouts per inch. are unJanuary 22, 2016 signed, on or before July known shall enter their 1-800 (AFRO) 892 or be forever a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Name of newspaper: 22, 2016, Afro-American barred.

Persons believed proceeding.

For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 Objections Washington to be heirs or legatees of to such appointment (or Law Reporter the decedent who do not to the probate of deLeighton Reid Berry, Jr. receive a copy of this no- cedent´s will) shall be Personal tice by mail within 25 filed with the Register of TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:52:15 EST 2016 LEGAL NOTICES Representative days of its first publica- Wills, D.C., 515 5th tion shall so inform the Street, N.W., 3rd Floor TRUE TEST COPY Register of Wills, includ- W a s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Superior Court of REGISTER OF WILLS ing name, address and 20001, on or before Authe District of gust 2, 2016. Claims relationship.

District of Columbia TYPESET: Tue Jan 19 16:50:51 EST 2016 against the decedent 1/22, 1/29, 2/5/16 Date of Publication: PROBATE DIVISION shall be presented to the January 22, 2016 Washington, D.C. undersigned with a copy Name of newspaper: 20001-2131 Superior Court of to the Register of Wills or Afro-American Administration No. the District of filed with the Register of Washington 2016ADM24 District of Columbia Wills with a copy to the Law Reporter Leighton Reid Berry PROBATE DIVISION Nora Mered undersigned, on or beDecedent Washington, D.C. Nadia Mered fore August 2, 2016, or NOTICE OF 20001-2131 Personal be forever barred. PerAPPOINTMENT, Administration No. Representative sons believed to be heirs NOTICE TO 2016ADM12 or legatees of the deCREDITORS Kerima Y Mered cedent who do not reTRUE TEST COPY AND NOTICE TO Decedent ceive a copy of this notice REGISTER OF WILLS UNKNOWN HEIRS Alan B Frankle Esq by mail within 25 days of Leighton Reid Berry, Jr., 751 Rockville Pike, its first publication shall whose address is 415 Suite 7 so informEST the Register 01/22, 1/29, 2/5/16 DIx Lee On Drive, TYPESET: Tue Feb 02 14:16:24 2016 of Wills, including name, Fayetteville, GA 30214, Rockville, MD 20852 Attorney address and relationwas appointed personal NOTICE OF ship. representative of the Superior Court of APPOINTMENT, Date of Publication: estate of Leighton Reid the District of NOTICE TO February 5, 2016 B e r r y, w h o d i e d o n District of Columbia CREDITORS Name of newspaper: January 4, 2016 without PROBATE DIVISION AND NOTICE TO Afro-American a will, and will serve withWashington, D.C. UNKNOWN HEIRS Washington out Court supervision. All 20001-2131 Nora Mered and Nadia Law Reporter unknown heirs and heirs Administration No. Mered, whose address is Bonita Jones-Moon Esq whose whereabouts are 2015ADM000513 3942 Camino Calma, Personal unknown shall enter their Judy M Butler Representative a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s San Diego, CA, 92122// AKA 1719 2nd Avenue N #2 proceeding. Objections Judy M Perrine TRUE TEST COPY to such appointment Seattle, WA 98109 was Decedent shall be filed with the appointed personal re- Bonita Jones- Moon, REGISTER OF WILLS presentative of the estate Register of Wills, D.C., Esq 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd of Kerima Y Mered, who 1100 Connecticut Ave., 02/5, 02/12 , 02/19/16 Floor Washington, D.C. died on February 25, NW Suite 340 20001, on or before 2015 without a will, and Washington, DC 20036 will serve without Court January 22, 2016.

Attorney Claims against the de- supervision. All unknown NOTICE OF heirs and heirs whose cedent shall be preAPPOINTMENT, whereabouts are unsented to the underNOTICE TO signed with a copy to the known shall enter their CREDITORS Register of Wills or filed a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s AND NOTICE TO with the Register of Wills proceeding. Objections UNKNOWN HEIRS with a copy to the under- to such appointment (or Bonita Jones-Moon, Essigned, on or before to the probate of de- quire , whose address is January 22, 2016, or be cedent´s will) shall be 1100 Connecticut Ave., forever barred. Persons filed with the Register of NW, Suite 340, Washingbelieved to be heirs or Wills, D.C., 515 5th ton, DC 20036, was aplegatees of the decedent Street, N.W., 3rd Floor pointed personal reprewho do not receive a W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . sentative(s) of the estate copy of this notice by mail 20001, on or before July of August 2, 2016, who within 25 days of its first 22, 2016. Claims against died on May 23, 2002 publication shall so in- the decedent shall be without a will, and will form the Register of presented to the under- serve with Court superviWills, including name, signed with a copy to the sion. All unknown heirs address and relation- Register of Wills or filed a n d h e i r s w h o s e with the Register of Wills ship. with a copy to the under- whereabouts are unDate of Publication: signed, on or before July known shall enter their January 22, 2016 22, 2016, or be forever a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Name of newspaper: barred. Persons believed proceeding. Objections Afro-American to be heirs or legatees of to such appointment (or Washington the decedent who do not to the probate of deLaw Reporter cedent´s will) shall be Leighton Reid Berry, Jr. receive a copy of this no- filed with the Register of Personal tice by mail within 25 Wills, D.C., 515 5th Representative days of its first publica- Street, N.W., 3rd Floor tion shall so inform the Register of Wills, includ- W a s h i n g t o n , D . C .

TRUE TEST COPY ing name, address and 20001, on or before AuREGISTER OF WILLS gust 2, 2016. Claims relationship. against the decedent Date of Publication: 1/22, 1/29, 2/5/16 shall be presented to the January 22, 2016

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TYPESET: Tue Feb 02 14:16:49 ESTTue 2016 Feb 02 14:17:09 ESTWed 2016Feb 03 14:10:44 EST 2016 TYPESET: LEGAL NOTICES TYPESET: LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM51 Susie Olive Miles Decedent Cecilia R Jones 7910 Woodmont Ave Suite 1350 Bethesda, MD 20814 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Pernell R Coston, whose address is 2919 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20011 wasappointed personal representative(s) of the estate of Susie Olive Miles, who died on December 7, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 5,2016 . 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 5, 2016, 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 5, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Pernell R Boston Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2015FEP94 Date of Death July 29, 2015 James F Holder Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Juanita F Holder whose address is 7207 24th Place, Hyattsville, MD was appointed personal representative of the estate of James F Holder, deceased by the Orphans’ Court for Prince George’s County , on August 24, 2015, , State of Maryland.

Service of process may be made upon Sherrie D O’Savio 58 S Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20001 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Colombia real property: 5519 Illinois Ave., 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, 500 Indiana Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. (Strike preceding sentence if no real estate.)

2/5, 2/12, 2/19/16

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission Request for Proposals Engineering Services The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission is requesting proposals from professional engineering firms for the provision of on-call general engineering services. Services include but are not limited to professional engineering evaluation, design and inspection services including environmental, geotechnical, water and wastewater systems, project management, cost estimating, construction engineering and inspection, and bidding services.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (M/WBE) are encouraged to participate in this RFP. Some of the services required under this contract will be funded by the Maryland Department of the Environment and will be subject to DBE and M/WBE solicitation requirements.

One original and three copies of all proposals must be submitted in sealed envelopes bearing the company name, legal address, the project title for which the proposal is submitted and the date advertised for accepting proposals.

Submit the proposals in a sealed envelope marked, ”DO NOT OPEN PROPOSAL - ENGINEERING SERVICES, #16-07-E”. Proposals will be received at the administrative office at 23121 Camden Way, California, Maryland, 20619 until 3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, March 1, 2016.

Proposals will be publicly acknowledged at that time.

Inquiries and requests for Solicitation/Proposal Documents should be made via email to purchasing@metcom.org. Inquiries should be directed to Ralph Moore, Purchasing Assistant at 301-737-7400, extension 215 or Joy Potter, Procurement Agent at 301-737-7400 extension 222. Solicitation information is also available on our website www.metcom.org and at eMaryland MarketPlace https://emaryland.buyspeed.com/bso/external/ publicBids.sdo.

The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission does not discriminate on the basis of race, marital status, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or Wed mental handicap, political or other non-merit factors.

TYPESET: Feb 03 11:56:15 ESTaffiliation, 2016

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1211 Emma Walker Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO Juanita F Holder UNKNOWN HEIRS Personal Joel R Davidson, whose Representative(s) address is 611 PennTRUE TEST COPY sylvania Ave, SE, No, REGISTER OF WILLS 288, Washington, DC Date of first publication: 20003 was appointed personal representative February 5, 2016 Name of newspapers of the estate of Emma Walker, who died on and/or periodical: The Daily Washington September 17, 2011 without a will, and will Law Reporter serve with Court superviTRUE TEST COPY The Afro-American sion. All unknown heirs REGISTER OF WILLS a n d h eEST i r s 2016 whose TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 11:56:56 EST 2016 TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 11:55:32 02/5, 02/12, 02/19/16 whereabouts are un02/5, 02/12, 02/19/16 known shall enter their appearance in this Superior Court of Superior Court of proceeding. Objections the District of the District of to such appointment (or District of Columbia District of Columbia to the probate of dePROBATE DIVISION PROBATE DIVISION cedent´s will) shall be Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. filed with the Register of 20001-2131 20001-2131 Wills, D.C., 515 5th Administration No. Administration No. Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 2016ADM0047 2015ADM900 Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Helen W Franklin Robert Edwards Stew- 20001, on or before AuDecedent art gust 5, 2016. Claims NOTICE OF Decedent against the decedent APPOINTMENT, Anita Isicson, Esq shall be presented to the NOTICE TO 4616 Fessenden Street undersigned with a copy CREDITORS NW to the Register of Wills or AND NOTICE TO Washington, DC 20016 filed with the Register of UNKNOWN HEIRS Attorney Wills with a copy to the Beverly M Franklin and NOTICE OF undersigned, on or beBetty Franklin Swammy, APPOINTMENT, fore August 5, 2016, or whose addresses are NOTICE TO be forever barred. Per4518 Sargent Rd, NE, CREDITORS sons believed to be heirs DC, 20017; 5054 12th AND NOTICE TO or legatees of the deSt., NE, Washington, UNKNOWN HEIRS DC,20017 were ap- A n i t a I s i c s o n , E s q , cedent who do not repointed personal repre- whose address is 4616 ceive a copy of this notice sentatives of the estate Fessenden Street, NW, by mail within 25 days of of Helen W Franklin, who Washington, DC 20016, its first publication shall died on September 12, was appointed personal so inform the Register of 2015 with a will, and will representative of the Wills, including name, serve without Court su- estate of Robert Ed- address and relationpervision. All unknown wards Stewart, who died ship. heirs and heirs whose on August 21, 2013 (with, Date of Publication: whereabouts are un- without) a will, and will February 5, 2016 known shall enter their serve (with, without) Name of newspaper: a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Court supervision. All un- Afro-American proceeding. Objections known heirs and heirs Washington to such appointment (or whose whereabouts are Law Reporter Joel R. Davidson to the probate of de- unknown shall enter their Personal cedent´s will) shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Representative filed with the Register of proceeding. Objections Wills, D.C., 515 5th to such appointment (or Street, N.W., 3rd Floor to the probate of de- TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . cedent´s will) shall be 20001, on or before Au- filed with the Register of 02/5, 02/12, 02/19/16 gust 5, 2016. Claims Wills, D.C., 515 5th against the decedent Street, N.W., 3rd Floor shall be presented to the W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . undersigned with a copy 20001, on or before Auto the Register of Wills or gust 5, 2016. Claims filed with the Register of against the decedent Wills with a copy to the shall be presented to the undersigned, on or be- undersigned with a copy fore August 5, 2016, or to the Register of Wills or be forever barred. Per- filed with the Register of sons believed to be heirs Wills with a copy to the or legatees of the de- undersigned, on or becedent who do not re- fore August 5, 2016, or ceive a copy of this notice be forever barred. Perby mail within 25 days of sons believed to be heirs its first publication shall or legatees of the deso inform the Register of cedent who do not reWills, including name, ceive a copy of this notice address and relation- by mail within 25 days of ship. its first publication shall Date of Publication: so inform the Register of February 5, 2016 Wills, including name, Name of newspaper: address and relationAfro-American ship.

Washington Date of Publication: Law Reporter February 5, 2016 Beverly M Franklin Name of newspaper: Betty Franklin Swammy Afro-American Personal Washington Representative Law Reporter Anita Isicson, Esq TRUE TEST COPY Personal REGISTER OF WILLS Representative

February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

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TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 LEGAL NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY Case No.: 24D160000186 IN THE MATTER OF Shifra Gholian FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO Shifra Natiga ORDER FOR NOTICE BY PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to officially change the name of the petitioner from Shifra Gholia to Shifra Natiga It is this 28th day of January , 2016 by the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, ORDERED, that publication be given one time in a newspaper of general circulation in Baltimore City on or before the 28th day of February, 2016, which shall warn all interested persons to file an affidavit in opposition to the relief requested on or before the 15th day of March, 2016.

Lavinia Alexander, Clerk 2/5/16

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TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 14:14:53 2016 LEGALEST NOTICES CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for FAP NO. TAP-000B(167)E; SHA NO. AX2615225; DOWNTOWN BICYCLE NETWORK will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. March 2, 2016. Positively no bids will be received 14:14:33 ESTafter 201611:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of January 29, 2016 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $225.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prerequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at 3000 Druid Park Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is A02602 Bituminous Concrete Paving. Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $1,000,000.00 to $2,849,999.00. A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on February 24, 2016 at 417 E. Fayette Street, Charles L. Benton Building, Richard Baker Conference seventh floor. Principal Items of work for this project are 5 Inch White Lead Free Reflective Thermoplastic Pavement Markings - 110,730 LF and HMA Superpave 19.0MM for Base PG 64-22 Level 2 - 728 TON. The DBE goal is 10% APPROVED: Bernice H. 14:14:15 Taylor, Clerk TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 EST 2016 Board of Estimates CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS OFFICE OF ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for Sanitary Contract No. 918S-Advanced Site Preparation for Headworks Improvements at the Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon. No time extension will be allowed for bid submission.The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works in Room 6 located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Friday, February 5, 2016 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00.

Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package.

All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (”JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is B02552 Sewer Construction and E13003-Water and/or Sewer Treatment Plants & Pumping Stations.

Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $10,000,000.01 to $15,000,000.00 A ”Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at The Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant Administration Building, 8201 Eastern Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21214 on Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. The deadline for Bidder questions is at 4:30 P.M. on February 19, 2016. Any questions received after this date will not be reviewed and addressed.

1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words

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

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NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ PHONEWed NO.:____________________________________________ TYPESET: Feb 03 14:13:52 EST 2016 CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ All of the hearing rooms are acce UPDATING MARYLAND’S requiring a translator should req (Room, Apt., House,ANNUAL etc.) PLAN Under the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and hearing they plan to attend. Any q INSERTION DATE:_________________ Urban Development (HUD), notice is hereby given that the Maryland to me at the address, phone num Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a series of public hearings to develop its new draft Annual Plan update of the State´s Consolidated Plan.

Ms. J

Housin BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER Maryland Department of Ho

Advertising Rates by HUD The Consolidated Plan is a five-yearLegal planning document required 7800 that sets out overall Statewide goals and priorities for housing, community Lanham Effective October 1, 2008 development, and economic development activities. Special emphasis is (301) 429-7445 or Maryland R given under the Plan to provide assistance for extremely low-, low, and . ja’nai.ke moderate-income persons. In addition to being a planning document, the PROBATE DIVISION Consolidated Plan also serves as the State’s application to HUD for (Estates) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Housing Opportu202-332-0080 nity with AIDS (HOPWA) and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). These funds NOTICES are used primarily in the State’s ruralPROBATE areas, as many communities, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties, as well as the Cities of $Annapolis, Baltimore, Bowie, $180.00 per 3 weeks a. Order Nisi 60 per insertion Cumberland, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown and Salisbury receive b.

Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion their own funding directly from HUD. c. Notice to Creditors

DHCD estimates it will receive approximately $7 million in CDBG funds, 1. Domestic per insertion $3.8 million in HOME funds, and $1 million$ 60 in ESG funds, $370,000 in $180.00 per 3 weeks 2. Foreign $ Fund 60 per insertion HOPWA funds and $3 million in Housing Trust funds to allocate under $180.00 per 3 weeks thed.

Plan.

Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 per 6 weeks

e. Standard In addition to theProbates above, it should also be noted that the Consolidated Plan $125.00 also makes it possible for DHCD, public housing authorities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, community action agencies and others to CIVIL NOTICES apply for funding under HUD´s competitive grant programs. Local public a.

Name Changes 202-879-1133 housing authority Plans must be consistent with the State´s Consolidated $ 80.00 Plan, and USDA Farmer´s Home housing programs and Federal Low- $ 200.00 b. Real Property Income Housing Tax Credits are also coordinated with the Plan. Lastly, while not directly covered by the Consolidated Plan, HUD funding allocations for the Section 8 Certificate and Voucher programs may be made in a FAMILY COURT way that enables jurisdictions to carry out their Consolidated Plan.

202-879-1212

In developing its five-year Plan, DOMESTIC the State determined it would focus its RELATIONS resources on four main priorities: Revitalizing Communities, Expanding the 202-879-0157 Supply of Decent Affordable Housing, Providing Homeownership Opportunities and Reducing Homelessness. The Annual Plan update (which will be for the first year of the current Five Year Plan) will establish one-year goals Absent Defendant for a. these priorities.

It is to this purpose that we are holding public hearings to gain input regarding how to carry out these goals in the coming year. b. Absolute Divorce

$ 150.00

Principal Items of work for this project are: $ 150.00 *Demolition of Existing Museum Building *Demolition of Existing Old Administration Building c.

Custody Divorce At this point, nothing has been written for the draft Annual Plan update. $150.00 *Demolition/Abandonment and Relocation of Baltimore County Force These hearings are to gather initial input about what should be in the draft Mains Annual Plan. It should be noted that HUD has changed the Annual Plan *Placement, monitoring and maintenance of soil surcharge placedocument your ad,tocall 1-800-237-6892, 262, data.

Public Notices $50.00 & from To a written a largely online tool usingext. pre-filled DHCD will then write a draft Annual Plan,Baltimore using the new onlineNotices system are using$24.84 the depending on size, Legal per inch.

This project is a recipient of the State Revolving Loan data that HUD has provided, which will be released for 30 days of public 1-800 (AFRO) 892 comment (including written comment) at the beginning of April, 2016. After The MBE goal is 17% the public hasFor had Proof severalof weeks to review the draft Annual Plan, a second Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 The WBE goal is 16% set of hearings will be held beginning around the third week in April.

Additional comments, recommendations, and suggestions will be taken SANITARY CONTRACT NO. 918S during these hearings (and during the full public comment period), with the final version of the AnnualLEGAL Plan submitted to HUD on or around May 17, NOTICES APPROVED: 2016.

Bernice H. Taylor Clerk, Board of Estimates The first set of hearings on the development of the draft Annual Plan will be APPROVED: held at the following dates, times, and places: Rudolph S. Wed Chow, P.E. TYPESET: Feb 03 14:13:52 EST 2016 Director of Public Works Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.

All of theCounty hearingCentral rooms Library are accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons Caroline UPDATING MARYLAND’S ANNUAL PLAN requiring translator should request one at least three days prior to the 100 MarketaStreet Under the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Small hearing they plan to attend. Any questions or comments should be directed Meeting Room Urban Development (HUD), notice is hereby given that the Maryland Denton, to me atMaryland the address, phone numbers, or e-mail listed below: Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a series of public hearings to develop its new draft Annual Plan update of the Tuesday, February 23, 2016Ms. Ja’Nai C. Keith at 7:00 p.m.

State´s Consolidated Plan.

Housing Policy Analyst Maryland Department of Housing Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development And Community Development The Consolidated Plan is a five-year planning document required by HUD First Floor Conference Room7800 Harkins Road that sets out overall Statewide goals and priorities for housing, community 7800 Harkins Road Lanham, Maryland 20706 development, and economic development activities. Special emphasis is Lanham, (301)Maryland 429-7445 or Maryland Relay for the Deaf at 1 (800) 735-2258 given under the Plan to provide assistance for extremely low-, low, and . ja’nai.keith@maryland.gov moderate-income persons. In addition to being a planning document, the Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.

Consolidated Plan also serves as the State’s application to HUD for Fairview Branch Library Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Part- Small Meeting Room nerships (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Housing Opportu- Rt. 4 and Chaneyville Road nity with AIDS (HOPWA) and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). These funds Owings, Maryland 20736 are used primarily in the State’s rural areas, as many communities, including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince Friday, February 26, 2016 at 1:30 p.m.

George’s Counties, as well as the Cities of Annapolis, Baltimore, Bowie, Allegany County Office Complex Cumberland, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown and Salisbury receive 701 Kelly Road Commissioner’s Conference Room 212 TYPESET: WedFrederick, Feb 03 14:13:52 EST 2016 their own funding directly from HUD. Cumberland, Maryland All of the hearing rooms are accessible to persons with disabilities. Persons DHCD estimates it will receive approximately $7 million in CDBG funds, UPDATING MARYLAND’S ANNUAL PLAN requiring a translator should request one at least three days prior to the $3.8 million in HOME funds, and $1 million in ESG funds, $370,000 in Under the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and hearing they plan to attend. Any questions or comments should be directed HOPWA funds and $3 million in Housing Trust Fund funds to allocate under Urban Development (HUD), notice is hereby given that the Maryland to me at the address, phone numbers, or e-mail listed below: the Plan. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will hold a Department series of public hearings to develop its new draft Annual Plan update of the Ms. Ja’Nai C. Keith In addition to the above, it should also be noted that the Consolidated Plan State´s Consolidated Plan.

Housing Policy Analyst also makes it possible for DHCD, public housing authorities, local governMaryland Department of Housing and Community Development ments, nonprofit organizations, community agencies and by others The Consolidated Plan is a five-year planningaction document required HUDto 7800 Harkins Road apply for funding under HUD´s competitive grant programs.

Local public that sets out overall Statewide goals and priorities for housing, community Lanham, Maryland 20706 housing authority Plans must be consistent with the State´s Consolidated development, and economic development activities. Special emphasis is (301) 429-7445 or Maryland Relay for the Deaf at 1 (800) 735-2258 Plan, under and USDA Farmer´s Home housing for programs andlow-, Federal given the Plan to provide assistance extremely low, Lowand . ja’nai.keith@maryland.gov Income Housing Tax Credits are also coordinated with the Plan.

Lastly, moderate-income persons. In addition to being a planning document, the while not directly covered by the Consolidated Plan, HUD funding allocaConsolidated Plan also serves as the State’s application to HUD for tions for theDevelopment Section 8 Certificate and Voucher programs may be made in a Community Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partway that(HOME), enables jurisdictions to carry out their Consolidated Plan. nerships Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Housing Opportunity with AIDS (HOPWA) and the Housing Trust Fund (HTF). These funds In developing its in five-year Plan, theareas, Stateas determined it would focus its are used primarily the State’s rural many communities, includresources on four main priorities: Revitalizing Communities, Expanding the ing Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince Supply ofCounties, Decent Affordable Housing, Providing Homeownership George’s as well as the Cities of Annapolis, Baltimore,OpportuBowie, nities and Reducing Homelessness.

The Annual Plan update (which will be Cumberland, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown and Salisbury receive for the first year of the current Five Year Plan) will establish one-year goals their own funding directly from HUD. for these priorities. It is to this purpose that we are holding public hearings to gainestimates input regarding how to carry out these goals in theincoming DHCD it will receive approximately $7 million CDBG year. funds, $3.8 million in HOME funds, and $1 million in ESG funds, $370,000 in At this point, nothing has been written for the draft Annual Plan update.

HOPWA funds and $3 million in Housing Trust Fund funds to allocate under These the Plan.hearings are to gather initial input about what should be in the draft Annual Plan. It should be noted that HUD has changed the Annual Plan a written document a largely tool that using pre-filled data. DHCD Infrom addition to the above, itto should alsoonline be noted the Consolidated Plan will makes then write a draft Annual Plan, using the new online system the also it possible for DHCD, public housing authorities, local using governdata that HUD has provided, which will be released for 30 days of public ments, nonprofit organizations, community action agencies and others to comment (including written comment) at thegrant beginning of April, 2016.

After apply for funding under HUD´s competitive programs.

Local public the public has hadPlans several weeks to review the a second housing authority must be consistent withdraft the Annual State´s Plan, Consolidated set ofand hearings be held beginning around the third week in LowApril.

Plan, USDA will Farmer´s Home housing programs and Federal Additional comments, recommendations, and suggestions will beLastly, taken Income Housing Tax Credits are also coordinated with the Plan. during these hearings (and the full publicPlan, comment the while not directly covered byduring the Consolidated HUD period), funding with allocafinal for version of the 8Annual Planand submitted HUD on or around Mayin17, tions the Section Certificate Vouchertoprograms may be made a 2016. way that enables jurisdictions to carry out their Consolidated Plan.

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first set ofits hearings on Plan, the development of the draft Annual willits be InThe developing five-year the State determined it wouldPlan focus held at theonfollowing dates, times, and places: resources four main priorities: Revitalizing Communities, Expanding the Supply of Decent Affordable Housing, Providing Homeownership Opportu-

C6 The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016 APARTMENTS

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BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

New Political Faces

After Iowa, Tumultuous Race to the White House Rolls On

Fugett Looks to Connect Communities in Race for City Council

AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

President Barack Obama speaks to members of the Muslim-American community at the Islamic Society of Baltimore, on Feb. 3 in Baltimore, MD. Obama is making his first visit to a U.S. mosque at a time Muslim-Americans say they’re confronting increasing levels of bias in speech and deeds.

By Lisa Snowden-McCray Special to the AFRO Reginald “Reggie” Fugett, has access to money and power – and he says he wants to use those things to do good for the city of Baltimore.

Fugett’s father is former Washington NFL player Jean Fugett. His uncle was Baltimore businessman Reginald F. Lewis, who has a museum named after him in Baltimore. And Fugett’s sister is married to Baltimore Orioles player Adam Jones.

“I have the energy and the resources,” he told the AFRO in a phone interview last week. “I’m not a politician, but I do have these connections.”

Fugett announced at the end of January that he intended to run for City Council. He is running to represent District 8 in West Baltimore. The seat is open because current City Councilwoman Helen Holton is not seeking reelection.

At press time, eight people had registered with the State Continued on D2

D1

For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important local heroes from the paper’s archives. We start off this week with Lillian Nutter, an expert watch repairer.airer.

“The billionaire’s strategy of, ‘I know you are, but what am I,’ fell decidedly flat…”

Woman Watch Repairer Gets Hall of Fame Bid Mrs. Lillian Nutter One of Few Expert Jewelers of Her Sex

By Max Johnson Jan. 13, 1940 Because she is one of the few women in this country who AFRO File Photo are expert watch-repairers, Mrs. Lillian Nutter of 1719 Harlem Avenue is this week’s nominee for the AFRO’s Hall of Fame. In 1940, Lillian Nutter was nominated for the AFRO’s Hall For more than five years, Mrs. Nutter has worked daily of Fame. alongside of Colvin R. Nutter, her husband, helping to repair watches and clocks, at their store in the 1200 block of interest rarely go beyond her home.

Pennsylvania Avenue.

Bearing the maiden name of Gray, Mrs. Nutter is a native Has Charming Manner of Calvert County, Md., and is one of a family of seven Mrs. Nutter is not the type of woman you would expect children. Before her marriage, she supported herself by her to see sitting at a work bench in a jewelry store – that is, if work as a seamstress. you would expect to see any woman handling that type of ‘Twas Love at First Sight work. Small, pleasant-faced, and the possessor of a charming Approximately seven years ago, she met Mr. Nutter, one manner, she has the appearance, instead, of a woman whose Continued on D2

Margaret Armstrong, A Founder of Baltimore School, Turns 100

By Temprest Myers Special to the AFRO Margaret DeMan Armstrong, a founder of the Baltimore School for the Arts celebrated her 100th birthday Jan. 30 with loved ones honoring her and her accomplishments. The event took place at Brookdale Towson, a senior living center located in Baltimore, and in addition to words from her family Armstrong received letters and commendations from President Barack Obama, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Gov. Larry Hogan, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski.

Armstrong paved the way for what is now known to be one of the best art schools in the city. The Baltimore School for the Arts is a public high school that has produced opera singers, actors, designers and artists.

“There were children that were ready to be different and that’s how we began thinking about the school” said Armstrong in an interview posted on the Baltimore of the Arts website.

Courtesy photo

Margaret Armstong celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family.

Considered by many to be the mother of the Baltimore School for the Arts, Armstrong strove to bring the

performing arts to Baltimore schools and attract as many children possible.

With title one funding she, and others, were able to create a cultural enrichment program that would expose city students to professional artistic performance. In 1971 Armstrong was authorized by then school superintendent Rolland Paterson to form a committee that would work towards building a performing arts school.

Among the committee board were people from all different professional backgrounds, civic, business and artistic leaders came together to work on making sure that they would succeed in their goals.

Following several ups and downs the school opened first as part-time, afterschool program before later becoming a full-time school in 1979.

Through the years of thriving for success in the Baltimore School for the Arts Margaret, and all the other founders continue to strive for the students in helping them reach what they want to achieve and who they want to be.

It wasn’t quite like 2008 when the world witnessed a U.S. Senator from Illinois take his first Sean Yoes formal step to become Senior AFRO America’s Contributor first Black president. But, the 2016 Iowa caucuses were still historic; on the GOP side, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the most hated man in Congress handily beat the world’s most ubiquitous a-hole, Donald J. Trump.

On the other side, it was the closest Democratic caucus in history; former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton claimed a razor thin victory, while Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is casting doubt on the results and declaring the contest a

dead heat.

Cruz actually captured more votes (51,649) than any Republican in the history of the Iowa caucuses and Trump’s aura of invincibility was definitely dinged up as a result. The billionaire’s strategy of, “I know you are, but what am I,” fell decidedly flat as he barely escaped a third place finish ahead of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

In the last couple of weeks, virtually every poll had Trump ahead of Cruz by as much as five percentage Continued on D2

Morgan State Student Killed in Off Campus Brawl

By James Bentley AFRO Associate Editor jbentley@afro.com Gerald Williams, 20, was killed in an off-campus brawl on Feb. 1 following a basketball game between Morgan State University and Coppin State University.

According to Baltimore City Police, Williams was fatally stabbed in a melee outside of an off campus housing complex. He was a

Continued on D2

2

Past Seven Days

Courtesy Photo

Gerald Williams studied journalism at MSU.

15 2016 Total

Data as of Feb. 3

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The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

Fugett

Continued from D1 Board of Elections to run for Holton’s seat. Among them, He said he wants to connect communities to form a more Russell Neverdon, who ran unsuccessfully against Marilyn united front. He also wants to protect the people who have been Mosby for the job of City State’s Attorney. here for years as parts of the city become more gentrified.

Fugett said that he intends to win by connecting with as “Baltimore is changing in front of our eyes,” he said. “By many would-be constituents as he can. organizing, I can empower the communities.”

“By knocking on doors aggressively,” he said. “I could rest Fugett also said he is interested in creating a Westside on my family background, but I don’t think that’s going to get basketball tournament that would involve children in the me elected. community and police, to help improve Fugett grew up in West Hills, where relations between the two. he still lives. He is a graduate of the “I’m a big believer in community Gilman School. policing,” he said.

He said government accountability Fugett said that he looks favorably is one of his major concerns. on members of the city’s large and “The accountability – it’s almost a – Reginald “Reggie” Fugett growing protest community. national issue. Bringing accountability “I think that it’s great. I think that to the City Council is a matter of the reason that they are coming out is showing everyone the goods and the not great. It would be better to have bads and making sure that everyone is involved in the decision young people who are civically minded without somebody making,” he said. “My idea is to empower my people, to dying. We don’t want that to be the reason that people are organize them. What I’ve found so far is that neighborhood coming out. It’s important to remember that this energy is not communities are factions – it’s more about how do you help lost when a couple people get paid.” “my” community.”

So why did Fugett opt to enter the race for City Council and

“I have the energy and the resources…”

not for the Mayor’s office?

“I don’t have one of those 15-point plans,” he said. “I don’t have all the solutions. Starting locally is best. I know that running for mayor would be a long shot. By doing that I wouldn’t be able to focus on the community that I care about.”

He added that he could consider the mayor’s office one day.

Fugett has worked under New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. He has also worked as a consultant at Californiabased Pacific American Fish Company. However, he said he felt a strong call to help the city.

“You need to feed your soul. I was working and comfortable, but it wasn’t enough,” he said. “Something was missing.”

Fugett said he planned to run a clean campaign.

“I had dinner with Kristerfer [Burnett] who a lot of people are saying is a potential front runner. You won’t see me going negative.”

“When we knock on doors, or I show up to community organizations, the message is going to have to continue to be pushed. In terms of rising to the top, we’re going to knock on all the doors in the district. Leaving it up to them. Connecting the dots and working with the right people. It’s going to take a lot of hard work.”

Lillian Nutter Continued from D1

Sunday afternoon, when her sister invited him to her house for dinner. It was love at first sight, and, shortly afterwards, they were married.

Right away, Mrs. Nutter began to take an active interest in her husband’s jewelry

business. Beginning in his store as a clerk and secretary, later she began studying the art of repairing timepieces under his guidance, and, in a year’s time, she was far enough advanced to handle the simple repair work.

Student

Continued from D1 junior with a multi-media platform major who would have turned 21 on June 30.

The off campus gated housing community, known as Morgan View, is located at 1500 Pentridge Road, Baltimore, MD. It’s about a half mile from the Morgan State Campus and police said he was stabbed sometime around 9:46 p.m. that evening. While no information about the suspects has been released, police believe there were 15 to 20 people involved in the fight, including both students and non-students.

“This is a truly unnecessary act of violence and a tragic loss of life,” Lt. Jarron Jackson, a police spokesman, told reporters on Feb. 2 . “The bottom line is, we need information. We know people know what happened last night. We know there were a lot of people there. We need them to come forward.”

According to the student newspaper the MSU Spokesman, on Feb 2. Morgan State students, many still grieving, were allowed to address safety concerns at a Board of Regents meeting after the murder of Gerald Williams. Chinodu Chimodu, a senior communications major, who tried to save Williams’ life but was ultimately unsuccessful, was one of the students that showed up to voice their concerns about campus safety. Williams was pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins.

“Safety is a huge concern on this campus,” Chimodu told the

Now, she is fully capable of handling a watch repairing establishment by herself, and, according to Mr. Nutter, is an expert on both the theory and practice of watch repairing.

Aside from all of this, Mr. Nutter declares that

Mrs. Nutter is positively the best cook in the city, and is the only person he has ever known who could cook a turkey to suit his taste.

She’s a Bit Modest Along with her husband, she has been a member of

Metropolitan Methodist Church for a number of years.

There are no children.

Although she is a rather frank person, Mrs. Nutter is just a little modest when there is any mention of the fact that her advancement in her

chosen profession has made her an outstanding character.

Yet, her explanation of it all is that she thinks every woman should interest herself in her husband’s business, and help him as much as possible to make is successful.

Board of Regents. He continued “my can be safe together.” concern is for me and the remaining 6,000 Jonee Brown, Williams’ mother, other students is if our parents are sending described him as “the most amazing son, us to this institution, if we are taking out very giving, a shining star and a true loans, our safety must come first. This man of God.” She went on to say “he is our third stabbing in 11 months. That was loved by everybody and everybody should not be happening, students should is just so devastated by his passing. He be safe and police presence should be on was like the perfect son.” Brown said her all parts of this campus.” son had a passion for writing and was The Rev. Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, looking to explore the journalism side of pastor of Freedom Temple A.M.E. Zion his major more in the coming semesters.

Church, is vice chair of the Morgan State She also said Williams played four years University Board of Regents and a relative of football for the Duvall High School of Williams. “I share your pain,” she said Tigers in Prince George’s County and Courtesy Photo to Chimodu. “The family found out (Feb. was also a member of the Reid Temple 1) and we are devastated by the loss of any A candle light vigil will be held for A.M.E. Church located in Glenn Dale, Gerald Williams on Feb. 4. young life whether it’s our family or not, MD. In addition to his mother, Williams so we share your concerns.” Williams was is survived by his father, Gerald Williams, the great, great grandson of the late Carl Murphy, the long term and his brother, Brandon Coates. publisher of the AFRO American Newspaper.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized and the Rev. Draper went on to thank Chimodu not only for sharing his investigation into the murder is ongoing. There will be a candle concerns but also for trying to save her family member’s life. “We light vigil for Williams at Morgan View on Thurs. Feb. 4 at 7 also have a deep concern of every single student on this campus. p.m. A Go Fund Me page has been created at gofundme.com/ In fact, in our new board member orientation a couple weeks ago mrmy7h6s. Anyone with information about the homicide is asked we talked about the fact that we’re an open campus and we are to call the police. concerned about how to keep our students, our faculty, our staff and those like myself who live in this neighborhood, how we all Akira Kyles contributed additional reporting.

Race and Politics Continued from D1

points. Political pundits (particularly the motley crew at MSNBC’s, “Morning Joe”) openly gushed about Trump’s massive rallies, at how he was growing by leaps and bounds as a candidate right before their very eyes. They seemed to marvel at how Trump seemed impervious to the perils that would bury most “normal” candidates.

And Trump clearly believed his own hype. He arrogantly gloated during one of his rallies that he, “could stand in the middle of 5th

Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” He skipped the last GOP debate in Iowa, because he thought Fox commentator Megyn Kelly (who was one of the moderators) would be too mean to him. And he unleashed the mercurial lunacy of Sarah Palin when he publicly thanked her for her endorsement during a rally.

Now the GOP battle moves to New Hampshire, minus three, after former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former

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Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and current Kentucky Senator Rand Paul finally got out of the race.

In Iowa, the race seemed to be Clinton’s to lose and she almost did. Emerging from the Hawkeye State, Sanders seems to be the winner of the momentum race with a virtual tie against the overwhelming favorite to capture the Democratic nomination (where have I heard that phrase before?).

If you believe the polls, Sanders has a 30 plus point lead over Clinton in New Hampshire, which should be insurmountable.

After New Hampshire, you have to look forward to South Carolina (where the Black vote gives Clinton a distinct advantage, for now) and Nevada (where Sanders organizers have crafted a formidable campaign infrastructure). This could very well be a fight between Clinton and Sanders all the way to the Democratic convention in Philadelphia.

And the two way race for the Democratic nomination has officially become just that, now former Maryland governor and former Baltimore mayor Martin O’Malley, finally, mercifully quit. I believe O’Malley

spent more time in Iowa over the last two years than both Sanders and Clinton and I never saw a poll where he broke double digits. In the end, Iowans had, “zero tolerance,” for O’Malley, who suffered perhaps a historic rejection in a three way race, scoring a microscopic 0.6 percent.

A few predictions going forward. If former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie doesn’t break double digits in New Hampshire he’s probably done. Same thing goes for former Hopkins neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson. Former HewlettPackard executive Carly Fiorina’s days are numbered as well, look for her to make an exit after the New Hampshire Primary.

And finally, the sharks are probably circling the candidacy of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, the man who probably has spent more money than all the GOP candidates combined. But, despite how woefully Bush finishes in the Granite State, look for him to make one final stand in South Carolina.

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

February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016, The Afro-American

D3

Celebrate Black History and Valentine’s Day in Feb.

Eubie Blake Cultural Center celebrates Eubie Blake’s birthday, which is Feb. 7th, with a whole month of special events, hosted by Tony Burton, Executive Director, and Program Director Cheryl Goodman with an opening reception on Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m. featuring the works of three generations of photographers from one family; Irving Phillips, Sr., Irving Phillips, Jr. and Irving Phillips III. Shown here are Phillips Jr. and Phillips III.

Hello everyone, what an exciting month this is.

February is one of my favorite months of the year as a journalist. First of all, I get the opportunity to talk about our Black local entertainers and our local history just as I did in my first book “African American Entertainment in Baltimore” the book I wrote using original photographs I collected from the community and from my own archives about Baltimore’s Pennsylvania Avenue in its hey days. I followed up a few years later with my second book, “African American Community, History & Entertainment in Maryland” (Remembering the Yesteryears 1940-1980) and this book covers not only Pennsylvania Avenue but all of Baltimore. This month gives me the opportunity to do a lot of book signings and share my books about Black History with you in a keep sake masterpiece.

I will be at Lexington Market, every Thursday, Friday & Saturday from Feb. 4 and the Avenue Market on Pennsylvania Avenue starting Feb. 25. Come see me and get your book.

Don’t forget the “Holiday Shopping Expo” at the State Office Complex, 201 W. Preston Street, Baltimore, MD

The Quality Plus is hosting their Pre-Valentine’s Day Black and Gold Affair, BYOB Cabaret Style with buffet dinner. An evening of elegance, fun, dancing, networking and shopping with vendors on Feb. 6 from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Delta Center, 2501 Springhill Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. For ticket information, call Netting Johnson at 443-762-7926 or John Seymore at 410-660-7227.

21201 on Feb. 10 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. where there will be hundreds of vendors including “Yours Truly” for your ultimate shopping experience. You will find everything and anything at this event including Black History and Valentine’s gifts.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum is also jumping up and down doing the James Brown with their special events for Black History Month. They are kicking their month off with the Morgan State University Choir. They will perform traditional African American spirituals and gospel selections on Feb. 6, at 3 p.m. They will also present special programs, tours and exhibits to excite

and inspire people of all backgrounds. For more information, call 443-2631800.

This weekend is also special at the Blue Note in New York City. It is called, “Mardi Gras at the Blue Note” from Feb. 5 thru Feb. 7 featuring Shannon Powell “New Orleans Rhythm King”, Flute, clarinetist, Even Christopher; Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers; New Orleans Mardi Gras Brunch with “Hot Lips”; Joey Morant & Catfish Stew; McCoy Tyner Trio with Gary Bartz, Victor Wooten, and many others. The Blue Note is located at 131 W. 3rd Street, New York, New York. For more information, go to

bluenotejazz.com or email jk@bluenote.net.

Well, my dear friends, this will be a busy month with a lot to say and not enough run to talk about it. But you keep reading me and I will keep you informed the best I can, and remember if you need me, just call me at 410833-9474 or email me at rosapryor@aol.com. or you can go to afro.com and find my column. Please remember also, you cannot send me information via Facebook or the website. You have to email me with attachments only if you want me to know about your event.

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, I’M MUSICALLY YOURS.

BALTIMORE AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Send your events to tips@afro.com.

For more community events go to afro.com/baltimore-events.

Black History Month at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum

Black History Month at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum begins with a concert from the world-renowned Morgan State University Choir performing traditional African American spirituals and gospel selections. Entitled “Rejoicing in the Spirit,” the performance is Feb. 6 at 3:00 p.m. and is in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibition Ruth Starr Rose (1887-1965): Revelations of African American Life in Maryland and the World. A short discussion about the evolution of African American spirituals precedes the concert. The museum is located at 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202. For more information call 443-263-1875 or visit lewismuseum.org.

Morgan State University Women Performance

Morgan State University Women will celebrate Black History Month on Feb. 7 at 3:00 p.m. at the Morgan State University Memorial Chapel, located at 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251. Judge Robert M. Bell and other distinguished panelists will be featured guests. This special program will be highlighted by an exciting and motivational panel discussion with the theme: “I Know Who I Am.” For more information, contact Alice Downs at 410-323-8824, Flossie Windley at 410-655-2025, email Cynthia.clemmons@ morgan.edu or visit morgan.edu/morganwomen

Reading from ‘Everything I Seen’

The Heritage Museums and Gardens of Dorchester will celebrate Black History Month by encouraging the sharing of personal histories from the black perspective, unfiltered or censored. On Feb. 9 at noon in the Robbins Heritage Center passages from “Everything I Seen,” a manuscript by Barbara

Lockhart, will be read by Mrs. Nona Stanley. This work was developed from a years’ long relationship that Ms. Lockhart had with the subject, Mary Taylor. Ms. Taylor shared her thoughts, experiences and realities as a Black woman who lived in North Dorchester for decades. The Heritage Museums and Gardens of Dorchester is located at 1003 Greenway Dr, Cambridge, MD 21613. For more information go to dorchesterhistory.com.

Donate Blood

John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center is hosting an American Red Cross blood drive Feb. 9-11, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Francis X. Knott Conference Center located at 4940 Eastern Avenue Baltimore, MD 21224. Every participant will receive a meal coupon, parking pass and special gift from the Medical center. For more information or to schedule a life saving donation, call 410-550-0289.

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The Afro-American, February 6, 2016 - February 12, 2016

Sheila Brooks, SRB Communications Photos by Chanet Wallace

Sen. Nathaniel McFadden and Vice Chair, Del. Frank S. Turner

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

Delegates, local officials and small business owners attended the 2016 Presidents’ Roundtable Legislative Reception, Jan. 28 at the Miller Senate Office Building in Annapolis, MD. Sheila Brooks, President of The Presidents’ Roundtable, started the reception with opening remarks. Following opening remarks, members of the Maryland General Assembly briefly spoke on minority business and economic opportunities.

While attending delegates and senators discussed legislative initiatives; small business owners used the event as an opportunity to meet with elected officials to learn about various programs and opportunities that could possibly benefit their businesses.

Del. Keith Haynes

Stanley Tucker, Donna Stevenson, Tony Hill, Armentha Mike Cruise, Jeff Hargrave, Calvin Mims and John Walters Calvin Mims, Stanley Tucker, Del. Frank S. Turner and Jeff Hargrave

Tony Hill and Del. Elizabeth “Susie” Proctor

Chris Carroll and Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr., Special Advisor, Governor’s Legislative Office

Sen. Delores Kelley James E. Proctor III and Sheila Brooks

Janet Brown, Kappa Chapter President

Del. Frank Turner, Del. Antonio L. Hayes, Del. Keith Haynes, Del. Elizabeth “Susie” Proctor, Del. Dr. Terri Hill, Sen. Shirley NathanPulliam, Del. Charles Sydnor, Del. Will Smith and Del. Jay Jalisi

In recognition of American Education Week, the Kappa Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority honored six teachers from the Baltimore City Public School System at a luncheon held Nov. 21 at the Forum Caterers in Baltimore, MD. Guests/Educators included Each teacher was given an “Apple for the Rev. Cynthia Harvin, Pastor, St. James AME Church, Shirley Ann Teacher” plaque which highlighted their Cathorne and Rose Backus Hamm exemplary service to their specific school.

The keynote address was given by Senator Catherine Pugh.

Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Nona Diggs shares the history of Apple for the Teacher

Toni Patton‘s award was presented to her principal in her absence.

Apple for the Teacher Awards were presented to Jennifer Smith Scheerer, Miya Simpson-Savoy, Lucia Fraser, Harriett Inyangson and Marzell Chase

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., Kappa Chapter Supporters include Marilyn Goin, Linette Fitten, Ruby Lee, Robinette Banjo and Brenda Hanks

Joyce Tunstall-Dixon, chairperson, Janet Brown, Kappa Chapter President, Sen. Catherine Pugh and Sandra Ray, chairperson