Washington Baltimore Afro American Newspaper December 5 2015

Volume Volume 124 123 No. No. 18 20–22

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February 5, 2015 - February 5, 2015, The Afro-American A1 $1.00

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DECEMBER 5, 2015 - DECEMBER 11, 2015

Inside

Baltimore

AFRO Remembers the Montgomery Bus Boycott

• New Faces:

Joshua Harris Makes Play for Mayor’s Office

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Washington Review: Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’

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• D.C. Mayor, Council AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Mourners view the body of Freddie Gray before his funeral at New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore in April. With a city so deeply divided, the stakes for the police, the politicians and the public at William Porter’s trial are high.

568k First Trial in Death of Freddie Gray Begins

That’s how many people have liked the AFRO Facebook page. Join last week’s 3,100 new fans and become part of the family.

INSERT

• Walmart

Rob Carr/Pool Photo via AP

William Porter faces charges of manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office in the death of Freddie Gray.

Your History • Your Community • Your News

afro.com

Lee Delivers Truth about Chicago’s South Side in ‘Chi-Raq’

By LaTrina Antoine Washington D.C. Editor lantoine@afro.com Spike Lee’s film “Chi-Raq” displays the inadequacies of the American prison system, racist authority figures and Black on Black violence in

Join Host Sean Yoes Monday-Friday 5-7 p.m. on 88.9 WEAA FM, the Voice of the Community.

09

47105 21847

Seven months after Baltimore erupted in riots over the death of Freddie Gray, the first of six police officers charged in the case went on trial on Dec. 2, with a prosecutor saying the patrolman could have saved Gray’s life simply by pushing a button on his uniform to call for a medic.

Attorneys for Officer William Porter disputed that claim and others made by prosecutors, including exactly when Gray was critically injured in the back of a police van and whether the young Black man told Porter he couldn’t breathe.

Porter wasn’t involved in Gray’s initial arrest in April, but he was present at five of six stops that a police transport van made during a 45-minute ride after

Gray was taken into custody. At one point, prosecutors said Porter asked Gray if he needed a medic, and he replied that he could not breathe and could not move from the floor of the van, where he had been placed head-first, in plastic handcuffs and leg shackles.

Instead of calling a medic, prosecutors say Porter picked Gray up from the floor and placed him in an upright position on the bench, and did not secure him in a seatbelt, as required

by Baltimore Police Department policy.

Pointing to a poster-sized photo of the van with one of its rear doors open, prosecutor Michael Schatzow said: “The city paid extra to get those seat belts in that van, any one of which would have saved Mr. Gray’s life.”

Continued on A3

Spike Lee Interview

Listen to Afro’s “First Edition”

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By The Associated Press

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communities across the United States. However, the motion picture has drawn criticism from various individuals, including Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago, for highlighting the negative aspects of the city. “ Chi-Raq” opens

Chicago Mayor Fires Police Chief in Wake of Laquan McDonald Video Release

By The Associated Press Rahm Emanuel sought for months to keep the public from seeing a video that shows a white police officer shooting a black teenager 16 times.

Now, a week after the video’s release, the Chicago mayor has fired the police superintendent, created a task force for police accountability and expanded the use of body cameras.

But Emanuel’s effort to keep the video secret and long wait to take action at the police department have stirred deep skepticism among those protesting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald’s death. Many activists are especially incensed Continued on A3

Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Spike Lee attends the premiere of “Chi-Raq” at the Ziegfeld Theatre on Dec. 1, in New York.

nationwide on Dec. 4. The motion picture, based on the ancient Greek play “Lysistrata,” is a satire by Aristophanes, which uses feminine sexuality to solve the mounting homicide rate in Chicago’s south side.

“I understand people being leery of the homicides that continue to plague the south side Chicago,” Lee said during a roundtable discussion with reporters on Nov 20.

“People become numb to it, people can’t keep up and therefore, you have a defense mechanism where you’re not going to acknowledge what is happening.”

The director, accompanied by the film’s star actress Teyonah Parris, emphasized that the movie gives people Continued on A3

Continue to Look for Crime Solutions

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Pontiac, Mich.

Attackers Post Video of Assault on Victim’s Facebook Page

By The Associated Press Two men, called “cowards” by a sheriff, stole a cellphone from a suburban Detroit man with cerebral palsy, beat him, recorded the assault on his cellphone and posted it to his Facebook page, authorities said.

Nikey Dashone Walker and Shadeed Dontae Bey were arrested following the Nov. 29 attack in a stairwell at the 23-year-old victim’s apartment complex in Pontiac, the Oakland County sheriff’s department said.

“Preying on those in our community who suffer from disabilities will not be tolerated and furthermore, to have the audacity to post their actions on the victim’s page is beyond belief,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement. Police have released video of the attack.

Authorities have not released the name of the victim, but Frankie Santana, a resident at the complex, told WJBK-TV that he was the man who was assaulted.

“Why would they do that and put it on Facebook?

That’s how you are going to get caught real quickly,” Santana said.

Bouchard credited the Continued on A3

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Copyright © 2015 by the Afro-American Company

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

NATION & WORLD

Ex-Boxing Champion O’Neil Bell Fatally Shot

By The Associated Press

Police say a former boxing champion has been shot to death during a robbery in Atlanta.

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Baltimore Office • Corporate Headquarters 2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4602 410-554-8200 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297 www.afro.com Founded by John Henry Murphy Sr., August 13, 1892 Chairman of the Board/Publisher - John J. Oliver, Jr. President - Benjamin M. Phillips IV Executive Assistant - Sallie Brown - 410-554-8222 Receptionist - Wanda Pearson - 410-554-8200 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - 410-554-8271 - lhowze@afro.com Baltimore Advertising Manager Robert Blount - 410-554-8246 - rblount@afro.com Director of Finance - Jack Leister - 410-554-8242 Assistant Archivist - Shelia Scott - 410-554-8265 Director, Community & Public Relations Diane W. Hocker - 410-554-8243 Editorial Managing Editor - Kamau High Washington D.C. Editor - LaTrina Antoine Associate Editor - James Bentley Editorial Assistant - Takiea Hinton

Atlanta Police Sgt. Warren Pickard says 40-year-old O’Neil Bell was gunned down Wednesday morning. Pickard says Bell and another person were shot while getting off a bus before two suspects robbed them.

Bell was pronounced dead at the scene in southwest Atlanta.

Bell had held four different titles during his 13-year boxing career, including the (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere, File) WBA, WBC, and IBF This March 16, 2007 file photo cruiserweight titles. shows boxer O’Neil Bell during In his last match, Bell weigh-in in Paris. Police say the beat Rico Cason with former boxing champion has a technical knockout been shot to death during a in the first round in robbery in Atlanta on Nov. 25.

2011. Bell finished his boxing career with a 27-4-1 record.

Pickard says the second victim, who wasn’t identified, was shot in the hip and was taken to a hospital. Police say the investigation is still ongoing.

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders Wins $2M Defamation Lawsuit Against Ex-Wife

By AFRO Staff

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Former NFL player Deion Sanders walks onto the field before an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans Nov. 19 in Jacksonville, Fla.

NFL Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders won more than $2 million in a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife, according to media sources.

Online gossip website TMZ reported that Sanders won a $2.2 million judgement against his exwife, Pilar Sanders, for statements she made alleging that she was a victim of domestic violence.

The couple divorced in 2011 after 12 years of marriage and three children together, according to The Sporting News.

According to TMZ, the money Pilar Sanders owes under the judgment offsets the amount Deion Sanders owed under their divorce settlement. Her lawyers plan to appeal the judgment, the website reported.

At Minneapolis Funeral for Jamar Clark, Mourners Vow to Seek Justice

By The Associated Press

Hundreds of people filled a Minneapolis church on Nov. 25 for the funeral of a Black man whose death in a confrontation with police has sparked days of ongoing protests, while charges were pending against four men suspected in a shooting that wounded several of the protesters.

Impassioned speeches from pastors and Jamar Clark’s relatives were occasionally interrupted by shouts and applause inside the cavernous Shiloh Temple International Ministries.

Several relatives wore white T-shirts that read, “I matter,” with Clark’s picture on the back.

Programs also adorned with a photo of Clark described the 24-year-old as a man who “liked to swim, fish, listen to music, play basketball, be with family and take trips to Charlotte, North Carolina.”

“I’m still hurt,” his sister, Sharice Burns, told the packed

(Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP, File)

Family members of Jamar Clark get out of a limousine to show show support for the Black Lives Matter supporters as Clark’s the funeral procession passed by the Minneapolis Police Department’s 4th Precinct, in Minneapolis. church on the city’s north side. “I’m still suffering. We need justice sooner rather than later.”

Clark was shot on Nov. 15 in what police say was a scuffle with officers responding to an assault of a woman in which he was a suspect. Some community members who say they saw the incident allege Clark was handcuffed when he was shot, which police have disputed. State and federal investigations are underway.

Bishop Richard Howell praised protesters for pressure that he said helped get a federal criminal civil rights investigation and the names of the officers involved. Howell said what’s needed now is a special state legislative session to address the needs of Minnesota’s minority community.

“Jamar, your life did and does have purpose,” he said to a standing ovation. “Your death is not in vain.”

The funeral procession went past the 4th Precinct police station, where Black Lives Matters activists and others have been camped out for days. Vehicles in the procession honked their horns, and protesters shouted “Justice for Jamar”.

Police have arrested four men — ages 27, 26, 23 and 21 — on suspicion of shooting five protesters after some protesters told the men to leave the site Monday night. Police said three of the men are White and the fourth is Asian.

NBC’s ‘The Wiz Live!’ to Ease on Down that Tuneful Road

By The Associated Press

Ms. Santa Donation Form

The Afro-American Newspaper family is helping to grant a wish for the most vulnerable.

Would you like to help a child create memories that will last a lifetime?

For many disadvantaged families, you can turn dreams into reality by participating in the

Ms. Santa Holiday Charity Drive.

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(Virginia Sherwood/NBC via AP)

In this image released by NBC, Stephanie Mills portrays Auntie Em, left, and Shanice Williams portrays Dorothy in “The Wiz Live!” premiering on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Soon, a determined girl named Dorothy will ease on down that road in NBC’s “The Wiz Live!”

Hers is an odyssey that began in 1900 with the publication of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” then continued with the classic 1939 movie musical starring Judy Garland, followed by the 1975 Broadway production of “The Wiz” (which, billed as “the Super Soul Musical,” won seven Tonys, including best musical) and, in 1978, by the film starring Diana Ross.

To transform “The Wiz” yet again, this time into a live TV extravaganza, is anything but easy.

For weeks the star-studded cast (including Elijah Kelley, Ne-Yo, David Alan Grier, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Uzo Aduba, Common and newcomer Shanice Williams as Dorothy) has mustered at Long Island’s Grumman Studios (the onetime Grumman aeronautics complex where the Apollo lunar module was built that put man on the moon). In free moments, they and the executive producers of “The Wiz” look ahead to 8 p.m.

EST on Dec. 3, and their onenight-only trip to Oz.

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The Afro-American, February 5, 2015 - February 5, 2015

First Trial Continued from A1

Defense attorneys said when Gray began requesting aid, “he showed no signs of needing medical attention because he hadn’t suffered the injury yet.� While Gray’s death is tragic, “so is charging someone who did not precipitate it.�

Porter, who is also Black, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment.

The charges carry maximum prison terms totaling about 25 years.

Porter is expected to take the stand in his own defense.

Gray, 25, died April 19 of a severe spinal injury he suffered while riding in the back of police van without a seatbelt. Gray arrived at a police station unresponsive, was taken to a hospital and died a week later.

The prosecutor said Gray’s neck was broken between the second and fourth stops and that such an injury would have impacted his ability to breathe. He implied the injury occurred when the van slammed on its brakes. “If it slams on its brakes, he’s going to move at the speed it was going before it slams on its brakes,� the prosecutor said. “He’s completely at the mercy of whatever happens.�

The defense attorney told jurors that a man who shared the transport van with Gray from the fifth stop to the final stop at the Western District station house told investigators that Gray was

flailing in the van, attempting to injure himself.

Prosecutors said Gray didn’t change positions between the fifth stop and the final stop because he’d already suffered the injury.

A jury of eight women and four men was seated after two days, a process that was relatively brisk, given defense assertions in pretrial proceedings that it would be impossible to seat an impartial panel.

Gray’s death triggered protests and rioting in the city, and helped fuel the Black Lives Matter movement.

The troubles forced an incumbent mayor to abandon her re-election campaign, and toppled the career of a reform-minded police chief.

The Baltimore homicide rate skyrocketed at a pace unseen in decades.

A verdict will likely set the tone for the city. Many fear that an acquittal could prompt more protests and unrest or that a conviction could send shock waves through the city’s troubled police department.

Two other officers are Black and the three additional officers are White. They will be tried separately beginning in January and lasting through the spring.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was harshly criticized in the wake of the civil unrest and her decision to enact and maintain a citywide curfew aggravated protesters. In August, she announced that she would not

Lee

Continued from A1

a genuine dose of the reality that young urban Black men and women face in cities across the country. “By dealing with Chicago, which is the apex of this, you also talk about Bodymore Murderland (Baltimore, Maryland), killa-dephia (Philadelphia), D.C., Dodge City, New Orleans, Los Angeles south central, Brooklyn, Bronx -- boogie down -- but Chicago is the zenith for this,� Lee said.

He said his primary motivation for making a movie and not a documentary was because he felt the culture was best told through satire. Lee has done documentaries before. His 2006 release of “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts,� told the story of the devastation in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina through the residents’ experiences. “I saw some documentaries about Chicago, what was happening, and a lot of them were glorification of that, especially [the] one done by Vice [Media LLC], so that was not our approach, we didn’t want to glorify that, we didn’t want to make any more gang bangers, that’s the opposite of what we’re trying to do,� he said. Vice Media, which released a documentary called “Welcome to Chiraq� in 2014 did not respond to the AFRO’s request for comment before publication.

Lee’s depiction hits at a racial tension inbred in American society that switches the highly publicized conversation of White on Black violence to Black on Black violence. However, he said his purpose in creating a film on the murder culture in south side Chicago was meant to tell the truth. “I think that many times in this film, where you even talk about Black Lives Matter, you give the list of Black people who’ve been killed by private citizens and cops, but here is where I’d like to expand it,� he said. “I’m in support of Black Lives Matter, at the same time, I’m not going to be silent when a nine year old Tyshawn Lee gets executed after being lured into an ally way, so I don’t think I’m doing Black Lives Matter if I’m only going to talk about the cops and George Zimmerman and not talk about what we are doing to ourselves. It’s even handed.

It’s not one or the other.�

Instead, the racy movie, often showing massive spans of nudity, uses feminine sexuality and abstinence as a way to help women fight for the lives of their sons and men. “It goes global because it is something that is a basic human desire and I think Spike does a great job in giving you [sex] and at the same time he is masterful in the way in which he does it,�

Parris, the female lead, said. “It is class. The women are using their power by withholding the sex.�

See review of “Chi-Raq� on C1

seek re-election.

But no reputations hinge on the trial’s outcome as much as that of state’s attorney Marilyn Mosby and her husband, Nick Mosby, a councilman for Baltimore’s west side who announced his mayoral candidacy shortly after Rawlings-Blake pulled

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American out.

Marilyn Mosby, who took office in January, announced charges against the officers in May, using language so forceful that defense attorneys argued she should recuse herself from the case. She listened from the third row of the gallery, which was

about half full. Gray’s mother, stepdad and other family members were in attendance as well.

The state’s first witness, Officer Alice Carson Johnson, taught Porter at the Baltimore police academy in 2013, and told jurors he was trained in how to respond to medical

A3

emergencies in the field.

But she said when a member of the public asks for a medic, officers should call 911. “In the blink of an eye a situation could be out of control, and at least then you know EMS is on the way,� she said.

Chicago Police Chief Continued from A1

by the fact that the video of the October 2014 shooting first surfaced during a re-election campaign, when the mayor was seeking Black votes.

The mayor’s quest for a second term sustained a setback after he failed to win the February election.

He desperately needed black support to prevail in an April runoff.

But Emanuel had angered Black voters with his decision to close dozens of schools. And many Blacks complained that the city was not doing enough to police the predominantly Black West and South Sides.

The mayor defended the decision to withhold the video from the public until the investigation was finished and the officer charged with murder. He said the move had nothing to do with his 2015 campaign.

Asked by a reporter if Emanuel thought he would become a distraction and would consider resigning, the mayor responded: “You’ll make that judgment. I think I’m doing my job.�

Also Dec. 1, Emanuel announced the dismissal of Superintendent Garry McCarthy, praising McCarthy’s leadership but calling it an “undeniable fact� that the public’s trust in the police had eroded. “Now is the time for fresh eyes and new leadership,�

Emanuel said.

Chief of Detectives John Escalante will oversee the department until a permanent replacement is named, Emanuel said.

Protesters had been calling for McCarthy’s dismissal in response to the handling of McDonald’s death. Some city aldermen, particularly members of the city council’s black caucus, had also been seeking McCarthy’s resignation, citing the city’s crime rate and questions about the department’s transparency.

The city released video of the shooting only after a judge ordered it to be made public.

On the same day, officer Jason Van Dyke was charged.

The mayor also announced the creation of a task force on police accountability that will help develop an early warning system allowing the department to intervene with problem officers racking up complaints from the public.

Van Dyke was the subject of 18 civilian complaints over 14 years, including allegations that he used racial epithets and excessive force.

Complaints against police are not uncommon, but the number filed against Van Dyke was high compared with other officers.

Earlier in the week, Emanuel’s office announced that the police department would expand its use of officer body cameras from a single district to roughly a third of Chicago.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Dec. 1 requested that the U.S. Department of Justice investigate whether the Chicago Police Department’s practices violate federal and constitutional law. Madigan in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch asked

with many rank-and-file officers.

In particular, McCarthy was a constant preacher on the need for tougher punishments for gun offenses. But the police chief came under pressure because of homicides that included high-profile cases such as the slaying of Hadiya Pendleton.

Pendleton, an honor student, became a national symbol of gun violence when she was gunned down in 2013

as she talked with friends just a mile from President Barack Obama’s South Side home. She died just days after returning from the president’s inauguration.

Through a spokesman, McCarthy declined to comment on Dec. 1 to The Associated Press.

The silent Chicago video shows McDonald walking down the middle of a fourlane street. He appears to veer away from two officers as they emerge from a vehicle, drawing their guns. Van Dyke opens fire from close range and continues firing after McDonald crumples to the ground.

Police have said McDonald was carrying a knife, and an autopsy revealed that he had the hallucinogenic drug PCP in his system. Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez has said the 3-inch blade recovered from the scene had been folded into the handle.

Defense attorney Dan Herbert has said the officer feared for his life, acted lawfully and that the video does not tell the whole story.

Van Dyke was released from jail Nov. 30 after paying the required $150,000 of his $1.5 million bail.

how I got help,� Santana told the TV station.

Investigators responding to a report of the assault said they were told the suspects also posted the video to their own Facebook pages. The victim’s phone, which was

taken while he was inside his apartment, was found at the home of one of the suspects, the department said.

Cerebral palsy is a brain disorder that can affect movement, posture and muscle coordination.

AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy, right, speaks about first-degree murder charges against police officer Jason Van Dyke in the death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, as Mayor Rahm Emanuel looks on at left.

Emanuel announced at a news conference that McCarthy has been fired after a public outcry over the handling of the case. that the investigation weigh, among other things, the department’s use of deadly force and whether a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing exists.

An investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chicago into the shooting is ongoing.

Emanuel introduced McCarthy as his pick to lead the department in May 2011, replacing former FBI agent Jody Weis, who was unpopular

Facebook Video Continued from A1

work of his investigators for bringing “these two cowards to justice.�

The 20-year-old suspects were arraigned Dec. 1 on charges including assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, and ordered held on $25,000 bond ahead of a Dec. 8 court date. If convicted, they could be sent to prison for 10 years.

The men didn’t yet have lawyers on record to comment on the case, according to a check of 50th District Court records on Dec. 2.

Santana said the men spit and stomped on him, injuring an eye, but that “nothing is broke.� Investigators believe they followed someone to get inside the building and then walked into the victim’s unlocked apartment. “I crawled through the hallway and knocked on someone’s door and that’s

Oakland County Sheriff’s Office via AP

Authorities say Shadeed Dontae Bey (left) and Nickey Dashone Walker (right) stole a cellphone from a suburban Detroit man with cerebral palsy, beat him, recorded the assault on his cellphone and posted it to his Facebook page.

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

On Dec. 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, then 38 years old, refused give up her seat to a White passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama public transportation bus. Her refusal led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott on Dec. 5, enlisting support from several prominent Civil Rights figures and groups, including Dr. Martin Luther King, the NAACP and millions of Americans. The boycott lasted for 381 days. Below are exerts from previous AFRO editions that document the demonstration.

Dec. 13, 1955 February 11, 1956 February 11, 1956

Ala. bus boycott costs $3,000 daily Baltimore AFRO-American

April 21, 1956

April 21, 1956

June 30, 1956

December 22, 1956

Montgomery, Ala. —-“We are tired of being humiliated by bus drivers!”

So said the Rev. J.R. King, a leader of the Montgomery Improvement Association, sponsors of a city-wide boycott against the city business.

“Those drivers talk to us like we are dogs, ordering us to get up out of our seats and give them to white passengers. Even other white passengers are not above saying: “N…..r get up out of your seat.” * * * The Rev. Mr. King told the AFRO Saturday that the passenger strike has been 85 percent effective.

“About 75 percent of the bus patronage comes from colored riders,” estimated the Rev. Mr. King. “We have figured that the bus company has been losing about $3,000 a day,” he added. * * * The Boycott, which ended its first week Sunday, stemmed from the arrest and subsequent fine of Mrs. Rosa Parks, a department store seamstress.

“She was arrested after a bus driver stopped the bus and ordered her to get up to give a white person a seat,” the Rev. Mr. King explained.

“The bus company got a witness who said that there were other seats available in the bus for her to sit.

“However, many other witnesses said that the bus was so crowded that colored persons were standing.” * * * The Minister explained that 10 seats in every bus are Rosa Parks refusing to give reserved for white persons. Under the city ordinance, he said the drivers have the right to extend the number of up her seat in 1955, led to a white seats, provided the seats are available. year long bus boycott.

Mrs. Parks was arrested on Dec. 1. She was fined on Dec. 5. Her case has been appealed by her attorney, Fred Gray, who signed a $100 bond. * * * The Rev. Mr. King told the AFRO that on Thursday the citizens met with officials of the bus lines to negotiate the boycott.

The citizens made three demands: That the drivers display more courtesy toward the colored rider; That the seating be arranged on a first-come-first served basis; That the company hire colored bus drivers. * * * Each of the demands was rejected by the company, the minister said.

On the first point, the Rev. Mr. King revealed, the company insisted that the drivers were “always courteous.”

On the second point J.H. Bagley, manager of the company, said that it would require a change of law. “We pointed out to them that we were not asking them to violate the law requiring segregation.

“We merely wanted them to follow a policy of having the colored passengers fill the bus from the rear and the whites fill the bus from the front.

“It didn’t make sense to us to have buses operating that had colored persons standing, while so-called seats for white persons remained vacant.”

On the third point, the Rev. Mr. King quoted the bus management as stating: “We have no intention of ever hiring colored bus drivers.” * * * The Rev. Mr. King said that the colored citizens are equally as emphatic.

“We have no intention of riding their buses until our demands are met, we are not going to give them our dimes to be insulted and humiliated.”

In order to make the boycott effective, the minister explained, the group has the cooperation of automobile owners, taxicab drivers and gasoline station proprietors. * * * Combining their efforts to transport citizens he revealed, are 108 cab owners, a private car pool of 200 and eight filing station proprietors who are giving special discounts to auto owners transporting persons participating in the boycott.

The group, which sprang up spontaneously after the arrest of Mrs. Parks, has had two mass meetings, which were attended by more than 3,000 persons.

“We have no rules, officials or permanent structure, however, we have collected enough money to compensate the private car owners for the purchase of gas and we feel that we can continue this fight indefinitely.” * * * Among the leaders of the demonstration are: E.D. Nixon, former state president of the NAACP and the man whose denial of admission at a State Democratic banquet caused Gov. G. Mennen Williams to cancel a recent speaking engagement at Birmingham; The Rev. D. Abernathy, pastor of the First Baptist Church; the Rev, Elroy Bennett, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church, Fred B. Gray, attorney; and Charles Lankford, attorney. * * * There have been five reports of shots being fired at buses, since the strike began.

“Nobody has been arrested and we feel that they might have been done by a white person trying to stir up trouble.” The minister said, adding: “About the only incident in which a colored person has been arrested involved Fred Daniel, 19, who was charged with disorderly conduct.

“It was brought out in court that he was attempting to assist a woman across the street, when a policeman arrested him stating that he was attempting to keep her from boarding a bus. “The judge threw the case out of court.” * * * The population of the city of Montgomery, Ala. is 103,525. About 45 percent of the Parks attends population is colored. a Baltimore Alabama State Teachers College is located there. For the most part, the principal branch NAACP occupation for the colored citizens is domestic service.

“The colored citizens in this town have united like they have never been before. I membership have never seen anything like it,” the Rev. Mr. King said. rally.

February 2015 - February11, 5, 2015, The December 5, 5, 2015 - December The Afro-American

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Trump-Black Pastors Meeting Draws Fire from Baltimore Black Clergy

By James Bentley Associate Editor jbentley@afro.com On Nov. 30 at Trump Towers in New York, Donald Trump met with a group of Black pastors from around the country. The meeting between Trump and the clergy was organized by the Rev. Darrell Scott, senior pastor of the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

The meeting was originally billed as an endorsement for Trump and was to include a press conference where the Pastors would announce said endorsement. After several pastors vocally complained that they were there simply to meet with Trump and not endorse him, a scheduled press conference was cancelled and the meeting was closed to the press.

Trump appeared in the lobby of his hotel after the meeting surrounded by several Black pastors, including Scott and the Rev. Omarosa Manigault, stating that he had gained the support of an undisclosed number of Black preachers from the productive meeting.

Many Black pastors around the country were vehemently against this sit down with the polarizing republican presidential candidate. Over 100 Black religious leaders, including the Rev. Lawrence W. Rodgers, pastor of the Westside Church of Christ in Baltimore, wrote an open letter in Ebony magazine objecting to the meeting.

“Mr. Trump routinely uses overtly divisive and racist language on the campaign trail,” the letter stated. “Most recently, he [said] his supporters were justified for punching and kicking a Black protester who had attended a Trump rally with the intent to remind the crowd that ‘Black Lives Matter.’ Trump followed this action by tweeting inaccurate statistics about crime prevalence rates in

The Rev. Jamal BryantHe objected!

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump, center, joins a group of Black religious leaders, including Rev. Omarosa Manigault and Pastor Darrell Scott, at Trump Tower in New York.

Black communities — insinuating that Black people are more violent than other groups.”

The Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr., of Union Baptist Church in Central Baltimore, said in an interview with the AFRO, “My first reaction is for Black pastors to single out one candidate to meet with and interview is somewhat suspicious and could be construed that they’re being used by the candidate. I also think to recognize the kind of vile, bitter and polarizing campaign that Donald Trump has

conducted says to me that he should almost be a pariah and not one you should entertain in a conversation unless he, in biblical terms, repents on his ways that are not wholesome and redeeming. When I first heard about this meeting my first reaction was much ado about nothing, these are not politically or socially active ministers that you would know of, there were some that had name recognition or were noteworthy but it almost appeared that when questioned everyone backed away from the

fact that they were meeting with Trump to endorse him to then just wanting to hear him.”

The Rev. Jamal H. Bryant, pastor of The Empowerment Temple in West Baltimore, said he was invited to the meeting but instead declined to meet with Trump and took to social media to speak out against the meeting.

Bryant accused the preachers of “selling out” to Trump, called them “pawns” and on Twitter compared them to prostitutes writing “Prostitutes for Trump … don’t let Black pulpit become a pole.”

Bryant went on later to write about the event, “They initially boasted 100 endorsements, and then they had just three.

They shifted it from a press conference to a meeting. En masse, they were backpedaling. It shows the power of social media.”

Scott fired back at Bryant on Twitter by writing, “For respectable Preachers to be called ‘Prostitutes on a pole’ is very insulting, demeaning and misogynistic to say the least.

If Trump called Black Preachers ‘Prostitutes on a Pole’ the entire nation would be in an uproar! #BlackPreachersMatter.”

Bryant stood by his statements in an interview on CNN that evening and went on to say “I want to apologize because prostitutes get money and the 100 that went in there walked away with nothing. They did it for free, so there’s another word for that and I would not use that language on a family channel.”

Pastor Heber M. Brown III, pastor of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, said in an interview with the AFRO, “I’m not surprised that there were a group of pastor’s willing to meet with him.” He added, “It seems that many in our community can be excited, especially around election time, about access to what they perceive as power, but when that access has this type of track record it has to raise questions and concerns.”

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

COMMENTARY

Breaking the Silence on the High Cost of Our Medicines Last year, U.S. prescription drug prices jumped 13 percent, the biggest increase since 2001 – and we already were paying the highest prescription drug prices in the world. As a result, nearly 35 million of our countrymen and women were unable to fill at least one prescription because she or he could not afford the cost.

That hardship is unacceptable at a time when the top three pharmaceutical companies made a combined Elijah Cummings $45 billion profit in 2014.

On the main streets of America, far from the hallowed halls of Congress, people know that there is something dramatically wrong with this picture — and they are calling upon their elected representatives to enact reforms.

Recent public opinion polling conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation expresses this public outcry: 60 percent of Americans (including 51 percent of Republicans) say government action to lower prescription drug prices should be a top priority for the President and Congress.

The rapidly rising — and, all too often, unaffordable — cost of prescription medicines is an issue for all of us. Yet, even when price gouging by prescription drug manufacturers is obvious, the response by House Republican leaders has been silence.

We have received only resistance and delays in response to our demands for hearings and corrective legislation.

For example, an overwhelming majority of Americans (83 percent, including 74 percent of Republicans) favor allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies to lower drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries. Yet, our initiatives to end the ban on Health and Human Services negotiations to lower Medicare Part D prescription drug prices have evoked no support from the Republican congressional leadership.

In the context of the millions of Americans in their congressional districts who are suffering and, all too often,

dying because they cannot afford their medicine, this Republican silence and obstruction is both inexplicable and unconscionable.

If I were more cynical, I would attribute their silence to the massive campaign contributions and lobbying efforts by major pharmaceutical interests, most of which benefit Republican candidates.

Yet, restraining the unsupportable cost increases for health care is as essential to a sustainable U.S. pharmaceutical industry as it is to more balanced government and family budgets.

At times, during the years in which I have been engaged in this ongoing struggle to bring down the cost of essential medicines, I have felt that we in the Congress are trapped in a bad dream.

No more. Republicans as well as Democrats are suffering, and even dying, from profiteering by the prescription drug industry. We are not permitted to remain silent.

The American People are engaged in a massive public outcry for reforms that will restrain the unsupportable spike in the cost of their life-saving medicines. Withdrawing from reality into a dreamlike, ideological stupor divorced from the realities of the people whom we are elected to serve is unacceptable.

We must continue to call upon our Republican colleagues to join us in standing up to a prescription drug industry that spent more than $250 million in campaign contributions and lobbying expenses last year.

Despite the forces amassed against reform, I remain confident in the vision and the political influence of an informed and engaged American public.

In recent weeks, the House and Senate have come together to enact Bipartisan Budget legislation that includes key provisions of “The Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act,” that Senator Bernie Sanders and I sponsored to restrain the cost of generic drugs in our Medicaid program [H.R. 2391 / S. 1364].

The Senate’s Special Committee on Aging, led by Senator

Why We Should Support the French A few days before Thanksgiving this year, a well-meaning friend asked me, “Why does President Obama think all Americans should be concerned about the plight of the French?” At first glance such a statement makes sense given the colonization of Africa by the French; however, a closer look reveals why President Obama asked for support from Blacks for the French.

First, the French really didn’t practice slavery as a nationality like many other Europeans and the “new Colonies” in what would become the United States of America. Research reveals that as many as 50,000 Blacks escaped American slavery and immigrated to France from Louisiana in the years after the Louisiana Purchase by the United States in 1803. The march to France by Blacks seeking relief from discrimination and to garner recognition for their talents continued to grow exponentially through the early 1900s.

Many Blacks of note journeyed to France for the “… egalitarian” way of life defined by William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, better known as W, E. B. Du Bois. Black greats such as the authors James Baldwin and Richard Wright enjoyed great success in France that was not possible in the United States. Baldwin and Wright often used the term “egalitarian” (meaning beliefs or believers of equality and freedom) in

John R. Hawkins III

their writings about the French people. Great performers such as Josephine Baker and Washington D.C.’s Armstrong HS and Howard U. graduate Lillian Evans Tibbs (an opera star in France), both flourished and became world renowned and appreciated in France when they were not accepted by their White peers in the U.S. in the early 1900s.

While these are all reasons that may cause us to have an affinity for France a part of Black history not often brought to light is the treatment and heroism of Black soldiers in World War I in France. Notable was the remarkable bravery and the surrounding story of the “All Black” 369th Infantry Regiment, the “Harlem Hell Fighters.” They were recognized by the French in 1918, while the U.S. military would not give such recognition to Black soldiers. Early on, the 369th trained in New York City in Morningside Park and Central Park; however, they were only allowed to train with broom sticks due to fears that after acting so heroically in past wars Black soldiers might turn real fire arms on Whites.

They were victorious in spite of being forced to fight under French command because many White Americans refused to fight beside them. While the U.S. did not choose to recognize their valor at first, they were awarded the highest medal of valor in the French inventory, the “Croix de Guerre,” the cross of war.

More importantly is the way they were received and treated

Susan Collins [R-Maine] and Senator Claire McCaskill [DMo], is launching an investigation into the pharmaceutical industry – hearings that are comparable to those that we Democrats have been seeking in the House (and that Oversight Committee Chairman Chaffetz has now agreed to hold in January) .

The leading Democratic presidential candidates have set forth concrete, workable plans to restrain the rising cost of prescription medicines — and, in the House of Representatives, determined Democratic leaders have joined with me to launch the Affordable Drug Pricing Task Force.

We are engaged in a concerted effort to break the silence about the pharmaceutical industry’s abuses, and we will not relent until we succeed.

The American People have spoken clearly and decisively about the crushing cost of their medicines. Continued silence in the face of so much hardship and suffering is unacceptable.

It is our duty to break that silence and act.

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

by the French. As chronicled by Jennifer D. Keene, in her historical work “French and American Racial Stereotypes During the First World War,” she relates a passage from W.E.B. Du Bois’ unpublished manuscript “The Wounded World” where Du Bois notes that (according to a French investigator after examining a drunken brawl of White American Soldiers), the mayor of the affected French village said “…take back these Soldiers and send us some real Americans, Black Americans.”

The Islamic State is ‘…a group performing ethnic cleansing on a historic rate,’ according to Amnesty International, and ‘… responsible for human rights abuses and war crimes,’ according to the United Nations. The Islamic State readily takes credit for such atrocities, including recent killings in France; the country that historically has represented the egalitarian belief of equal freedom, most important to Black Americans. Maybe we should thank the French for giving and maybe we should have their back.

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.

Trump’s Racism Fuels His Popularity It appears that every time Donald Trump unleashes another vile, racist or hateful diatribe, the more his support grows among his Republican base.

“Just in the past few days, Mr. Trump has repeated the lie that President Obama intends to admit 200,000 Syrian refugees; the correct number is 10,000. He spreads the lie that thousands of American Muslims openly celebrated the 2001 attacks Geroge E. Curry on the World Trade Center; in fact, there were no such celebrations. He tweeted a false statistic that Blacks are responsible for 81 percent of murders of White victims; in fact, 82 percent of whites are killed by whites,” the Washington Post noted.

“These are not random errors. All of them appeal to the basest instincts in supporters; they reinforce fears and prejudices. All of them, Mr. Trump knows by now even if he did not know when he first stated them, are false, but he does not care.”

On the phony crime stat, “The graphic cited the Crime Statistics Bureau – San Francisco – which does not exist – as its source,”said MediaMatters, the watchdog group. Even if the bureau existed, the number is wildly off-target.

For 2014, the FBI provided the following figures: * Blacks killed by whites: 7.6 percent. * Whites killed by whites: 82.4

percent. * Whites killed by blacks: 14.8 percent. * Blacks killed by blacks: 90 percent.

As a Washington Post blogger observed: “And just to be clear, it is race-baiting, and nothing else. In neither case is there even a remote connection to some kind of legitimate policy question. When Trump says falsely that thousands of people in Jersey City (which has a large Muslim population) were celebrating the destruction of the World Trade Center, he isn’t making an argument about Syrian refugees. He’s simply saying that you should hate and fear Muslim Americans. When he tries to convince people that most white murder victims are killed by Black thugs (again, false), he isn’t arguing for some policy approach. He’s just trying to foment racism and convince racists that he’s their guy.”

Trump even praised supporters for beating a Black protester and struck a new low by mocking a reporter with a physical disability. When New York Times reporter Serge F. Kovaleski, who covered the attacks, denied Trump’s account, the candidate mocked Kovaleski’s arthrogryposis, a condition that limits his arm movement.

Jerking his arms, Trump said, “Now, the poor guy – you’ve got to see this guy, ‘Ah, I don’t know what I said! I don’t remember!‘“ Instead of owning up to his obnoxious remarks, Trump denied mocking Kovaleski.

Instead of slumping, Trump’s poll numbers have remained steady. Quinnipiac University regularly asks Republican voters to identify the candidate they refuse to support. Trump has always had the largest number, but the latest Quinnipiac poll in November found only slightly more people willing to say they would not vote for Trump than those who will not vote for Jeb Bush.

How does Trump get away with such outlandish and

demonstrably false assertions and not pay for it in the polls? First, he is tapping into raw racism. A recent poll conducted by CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation found that approximately half – 49 percent – say racism is a “big problem” in society today.

“The figure marks a significant shift from four years ago, when over a quarter described racism that way,” CNN observed. “The percentage is also higher now than it was two decades ago. In 1995, on the heels of the O.J. Simpson trial and just a few years after the Rodney King case surged into the spotlight, 41% of Americans described racism as ‘a big problem.’”

Second, Trump’s competitors are timid about criticizing him. Either, they fear his scorching counterattacks and/or do not want to alienate his followers, whom they may need to court in the event Trump fizzles.

Only Ohio Gov. John Kasich, and to a lesser extent, Jeb Bush, have demonstrated any courage by taking on Trump.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz, the likely benefactor of a Trump withdrawal, has said virtually nothing critical of Trump. And New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, in all his bluster, has wimped out in the face of Trump’s egregious lies.

Asked about the non-existent cheering crowds of Muslims in his state, Christie said, “I think if it had happened, I would remember it, but, you know, there could be things I forget, too.” That’s not something the former federal prosecutor would likely forget.

George E. Curry is President and CEO of George Curry Media. He is the former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA). For more information go to georgecurry.com.

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

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December 5, 2015 - December 11, 015, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

The Trial of Officer Porter: The Canary in the Coalmine

Sean Yoes Senior AFRO Contributor

New Faces

Joshua Harris, Candidate for Mayor, Wants City’s Focus on People over Structures

My friend A. Dwight Pettit is one of the top defense attorneys in Maryland and during his decades long career he’s seen

a lot.

I remember him telling me about being called to the Sutton Place apartment of James “Turk” Scott shortly after his murder on July 13, 1973. Scott was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, a bail bondsmen and allegedly a heroin kingpin. His bullet riddled body was found in the parking garage of the swanky hi-rise building, lying near his Cadillac. He had allegedly been gunned down by members of, “Black October,” a vigilante group formed to rid Baltimore’s Black community of “treasonous” drug dealers.

He told NPR this week, “(William)Porter is going to be the key to everything.

What he negotiates or doesn’t negotiate, whether he’s acquitted or whether he’s convicted, he is going to be the determiner of how the other five proceed,” Pettit said. I believe him.

When newly elected Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced her decision in May, to indict the six officers connected to the death of Freddie Gray less than a month earlier, the city, still reeling from the uprising exhaled collectively. The Continued on B2

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YouTube screenshot

Image from a commercial Maryland Health Benefits Exchange ran online.

Maryland Minorities Lag in Signing Up for Obamacare

By Zenitha Prince Senior AFRO Correspondent zprince@afro.com

Joshua Harris is one of 13 candidates, so far, running for the Democratic nomination to be mayor of Baltimore.

By Roberto Alejandro Special to the AFRO ralejandro@afro.com Community development must focus on people first, not structures, and the city must begin to incorporate more feedback from residents if it is to avoid the disconnect between government and citizens that helped feed last April’s unrest, said Joshua Harris, a recent entrant into the race for the Democratic nomination for mayor of Baltimore.

Harris, a Chicago native, came to Baltimore almost four years ago, having worked in various communications capacities since graduating from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2008, with a degree in communications. Harris was the first in his family to graduate from college, and since arriving in Baltimore, Harris has co-founded a nonprofit, Hollins Creative Placemaking, that seeks to use art as a catalyst for urban renewal while limiting displacement of existing residents. In addition, he worked on the campaign of Del. Charles Sydnor (D-Baltimore County), for whom he also served as a legislative aide in 2015, and joined the board of directors of the Southwest Partnership, an organization of various community associations that works on community development and urban renewal issues in southwest Baltimore.

Harris, who currently works in communications for the international headquarters of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, serving as their Capital Hill liaison since 2012 and as the

Starbucks Aims to Hire Young People in West Baltimore

managing editor of the organization’s magazine, Sphinx, announced his candidacy for mayor on Nov. 15, and recently sat down with the AFRO to discuss his ideas for Baltimore City.

In his announcement speech, Harris spoke of last April’s unrest, and asked whether it could have been prevented had the city been listening to communities like Sandtown-Winchester before rioting broke out. “[In communications], the traditional and older model is send a message-receiver, and I also believe that that is the common mode that the city operates under . . . we are the sender, we want to get [the message] out, and you receive it.

We also now have to incorporate the feedback,” said Harris.

This incorporation of feedback, said Harris, is key if city programs aimed at strengthening communities are to be effective, since programming developed without community feedback often suffers from a lack of community participation, guaranteeing the failure of such efforts.

But the lack of feedback from the persons such programming is intended to reach is tied to another concern, one seemingly at the core of Harris’s governing philosophy, that development in Baltimore City tends to focus on structures and infrastructure, rather than people. “[Structure and infrastructure] are actually a small part, and should be the last component. We should first focus on developing the people in our city, and then infrastructure will

The window for Marylanders to enroll in health insurance plans for 2016 has been opened, and officials say they are making special efforts to get more Black and Hispanic residents signed up by the Jan. 31 deadline.

“We have, from the beginning, made special effort to reach the African-American and Hispanic communities,” said Carolyn Quattrocki, executive director, Maryland Health Benefits Exchange, the quasi-governmental organization that runs the state health insurance marketplace, called the Maryland Health Connection.

“We estimate African Americans make up about 25 percent of the uninsured in the state so we’re redoubling our efforts to get them enrolled.”

Maryland was one of the first states to adopt the health insurance marketplace envisioned by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare. The Maryland Health Connection

Continued on B2

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Photo by Roberto Alejandro

Marjorie Green, Creator of Baltimore’s King Memorial Breakfast, Dies at 88

By AFRO Staff

By Deborah Bailey Special to the AFRO Starbucks executive Blair Taylor promised to aid in the recovery of Baltimore by hiring young people most in need of employment.

Starbucks will do so through Courtesy photo the 100,000 Opportunities Blair Taylor, chief Initiative, a nationwide community officer for coalition of companies that Starbucks, says the aims to hire 100,000 young people between the ages of 16- company will open a store in Baltimore that will offer 24 who are not employed and training to young people. not in school by 2018.

Taylor, chief community officer for Starbucks, made his remarks at the Aspen Institute’s Income Inequality Summit in Washington, D.C. in Nov. Starbucks will open more stores in Baltimore as part of its new initiative to develop 15 stores in diverse under-represented communities across the U.S. “We haven’t found a location in Baltimore yet. But we ‘ve made a commitment to open urban stores in locations across America that will establish jobs, access to Starbucks products and locally sourced supplies . Each of these stores will have 400 feet of training space to provide the soft skills and other employment skills that urban youth need. We very much want to bring one of those stores to Baltimore,” Taylor said.

The news was welcomed by local leaders who have been Continued on B2

Marjorie “Marge” Green, who created Baltimore’s annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast died on Sept. 2 at the age of 88. Her funeral was held on Sept. 15 at Concorde Baptist Church in West Baltimore. The cause of death was not released.

Green was born on Sept.

22, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the third of four children, to William and Rowena Johnson.

She received her formal education in the Pittsburgh public school system.

Shortly after graduating from Allegheny Senior High School, she took a job with the federal government in Baltimore, Maryland where she worked until her retirement in 1985.

In her lifetime she had many organizational affiliations including the Top Ladies of Distinction, the National Congress of Black Women and the National

Council of Negro Women.

She was also a diamond life member of the NAACP and served for 6 years as an elected member of the NAACP National Board of Directors.

In 1965 Marge cofounded the King’s Landing Women’s Service Club (KLW) to broaden community support for the then segregated YMCA’s Camp Mohawk which would later Marjorie “Marge” Green was an be renamed asset to her community. as King’s Landing Camp in Huntingtown, Maryland.

In 1976 KLW, under Green’s direction, organized and sponsored the 1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast.

The event was co-sponsored with the YMCA of Central Maryland.

Linda Hursey, acting president, vowed to preserve KLW and Green’s legacy

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past seven days

going forward. The 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast will be held on Dr. King’s holiday, Jan. 18, 2016 at Martin’s West in Baltimore.

Rev. P.M. Smith will receive the “Man of the Year” award. The Legacy Award Recipients are: Marcus D. Smith, Musician; Janet Arce, Fundacion Arce; Larinda Fields, It Takes A Village; Peggy Murphy, Women In Transition; Catherine Orange, Arena Players Youtheatre; and Barbara A. Knox, Educator, Community Activist.

312 this year

Data as of Dec. 2

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

Obamacare Continued from B1

launched on Oct. 1, 2013 to a rocky start. Despite the problems, however, the state almost doubled its enrollment goal of 260,000, signing up 458,000 people: 81,553 in private health plans and another 376,850 in Medicaid, according to its annual report. After a new system was installed, enrollment further skyrocketed and more than 700,000 Marylanders signed up for coverage through the exchange in 2015, Quattrocki said.

In fact, according to a Gallup-Healthways poll, the rate of the uninsured in Maryland went from 12.9 percent in 2013 to about 7 percent in mid-2015.

According to a study by The Commonwealth Fund, in 2013, the year before the ACA’s major coverage expansions took effect, more than one of five Blacks ages 18 to 64 (22 percent) and one of three Hispanics (33 percent) did not have health insurance, compared with one of seven Whites (14 percent).

Those abysmal rates have been decreased, particularly in states like Maryland that have expanded Medicaid. However, much still needs to be done. For example, last year, only 23,000 out of a possible 120,000 self-identified African-American

Marylanders (18 percent) enrolled into private insurance plans, Quattrocki said.

That’s why the MHBE is putting much more emphasis on information sharing in their 2016 enrollment campaign.

“We have definitely put more emphasis on outreach in the community. [And] we’ve doubled our social media this year,” said Andrew Ratner, director of Marketing and Strategic Initiatives, MHBE. As such, the agency’s print advertising buy has been decreased from $1.7 million to $1 million. And their advertising will be much more targeted, including the use of media outlets with large Black and Hispanic audiences, Ratner said.

“Our TV and radio advertising is highly structured around the areas that have the most remaining uninsured in Maryland,” he said, mentioning Prince George’s County and the Eastern Shore, specifically. “And we’ll also supplement with radio and print advertising statewide.”

But, much of their efforts will be in making direct connections with the community, through involvement in

local events, partnerships with local organizations—such as the NAACP, the Maryland Citizens’ Health Initiative, Black Greek organizations, etc.; and partnerships with colleges and community influencers to help motivate people to enroll, Quattrocki said.

Perhaps, the most important effort, however—particularly in the Black community—will be the agency’s engagement with churches. The MHBE is organizing a “Super Health Sunday” scheduled for Jan. 24 with several predominantly Black churches, where navigators will be on site to assist consumers just prior to the end of open enrollment season. Also, United Baptist Church on Eager Street in Baltimore is hosting a navigator to enroll members on Dec. 6 and also plans to host “Super Health Sunday.”

Maryland residents interested in enrolling in a health insurance plan for 2016 can do so by getting free in-person help, by attending an enrollment event, by calling 855-6428572 or by visiting the Maryland Health Connection website.

For more details, visit: www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/ how-to-enroll/

weighted heavily against it, clung to a glimmer of hope perhaps for the first time in decades.

It seems like an incalculable burden for one case to bear.

But, this is where we are.

“I have my doubts about whether or not we’re going to see any convictions at all in any of these cases. I don’t know,” said Leigh Maddox during the Nov. 30 broadcast of, “First Edition.” Maddox, an attorney, is a former captain in the Maryland State Police and an executive board member for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).

“We are basing so much on this trial. Even the police commissioner (Kevin Davis) said something to the effect of, `Everything’s at stake, the future of our city is at stake.’

And I really think we need to change that narrative because

I don’t think we should base the future of our city on these trials,” said Sheryl Wood, a legal analyst and principal attorney at the Wood Law Firm.

“We need to change the narrative because this gives the opportunity for public officials and those in charge to throw up their hands, if this doesn’t go well. What does it mean for this to go well? Does it mean a conviction? Does it mean an acquittal,?” Wood added.

Further, what happens if there are acquittals in the case of all or any of the six officers?

“The fear is palpable in many circles that I’ve walked in and many that I have spoken to on this issue,” Maddox said.

“What I think is the community and the leadership in Baltimore City right now has a very narrow window, when they can do some big outreach to the community, outside of the courtroom, outside of these verdicts, outside of all this stuff and use this as a moment to heal,” Maddox added.

“There has to be a plan outside of the courtroom and somebody’s got to lead that charge,” Wood said.

“We cannot have everything at stake based upon this imperfect trial...in this imperfect criminal justice system.”

Race and Politics Continued from B1

Black community in particular, beaten down and shot up by oppressive policing policies and a criminal justice system

There’s a new way to protect ourselves from HIV.

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.

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Continued from B1

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when gas is leaking.

Joshua Harris Continued from B1

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active in Baltimore’s recovery including BCCC President and CEO Gordon F. May and Michael Cryor, Chair of the City’s One Baltimore Committee.

“Our students and the community we serve, which was severely impacted by last spring’s uprising, would benefit greatly by having the opportunity to care for their families, while gaining practical business knowledge and entrepreneurship skills from Starbucks,” said May. “Starbucks will make an excellent partner in proactively helping to heal the West Baltimore community, particularly the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood, which is just a few miles from the College.”

Starbucks originally announced plans to open the 15 stores in under-represented neighborhoods in July, to reach its goal of hiring 10,000 youth in the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative led by Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz and other leading US-based companies including CVS Health, Hilton Worldwide, JC Penney, Walgreens, Target, Walmart , Macy’s and others.

Each company is sponsoring its own initiative to train and hire youth to reach the goal of employing 100,000 by 2018.

Starbucks plans to develop the 15 stores in low to medium income urban communities across the US with the goal of opening at least 5 stores in 2016. Communities selected for the project include Englewood in Chicago’s South Side, the Florissant neighborhood of Ferguson Missouri, Jamaica Queens, NY, Milwaukee Wisconsin and the Camelback neighborhood of Phoenix Arizona.

Starbucks seeks to hire 20-25 youth per store. The company will work with local government, civic and non-profit groups to develop the project to ensure the Baltimore store leverages local institutions that can provide support for continued development of the youth and involvement and dialogue with the community.

come along,” said Harris.

That requires fostering a sense of pride and belonging for all city residents, said Harris, which then allows for the

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To Report a Gas Leak:

800.685.0123

TTY/TDD users:

800.735.2258 (Maryland Relay Service)

ENERGY WORKS SMARTER

together

persons living in Baltimore’s was central to a number of various communities to be Harris’s proposals, such the catalyst for the city’s as implementing cultural development themselves. competency training for One idea Harris proposed police officers that would in this vein was to create local involve residents in the food distribution centers in training process itself. areas of Baltimore’s without Another arena in which this easy access to fresh fruits and approach came to bear was in vegetables, and to hire local the realm of education. residents to run the centers While Harris believes while paying them a living that per pupil spending ought wage. This would address to increase in Baltimore, he the problem of healthy food also notes that education access while also creating issues are also often issues BGE jobs,Advertiser: which, if targeted at of poverty, with student test those who are chronically scores closely related to their Publication: Afro American unemployed due to criminal parents’ income levels. Our histories, could have an public schools, said Harris, Insertion Date: 10/31/2015should incorporate aspects impact on crime.

“We know that an of the community schools Ad Size: 7.28” x 4” individual’s employment model, such as providing drastically reduces their wrap-around services for Title: Gas is leaking propensity to return to crime. parents so that they are AndIfwith living wage jobs we empowered to play their you have received this publication material can have an immediate impact roleabout adequately in their in error, or have any questions it please on crime reduction in our children’s educations, to help contact the traffic dept. at Weber Shandwick city,”atsaid Harris. address the city’s education (410) 558 2100.

Community participation disparities.

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

“A friend who is far away is sometimes much nearer than one who is at hand. Is not the mountain far more awe-inspiring and more clearly visible to one passing through the valley than to those who inhabit the mountain?” -Khalil Gibran “I’d love to do a show in Vegas with drag queens. The tackier the better.” -Catherine Zeta-Jones “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” unless you are promoter Marvelous Marva’ and bring Vegas to Baltimore with The Legends of Illusions production. The Hippodrome transformed into a Vegas Club with the appearance of Anita Baker, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Adele, Celine Dion, Gladys Night, Reba McIntyre, Billie Holiday, Tina Turner Revue and so many starlets impersonating legendary performers. The full house was bursting with excitement as each performer received a standing ovation. The performances were reminiscent of the old traveling show of female impersonators known as the Jewel Box Revue. Guests in the audience

were Paula Johnson Branch, Jacqueline Richardson, Tarsha Fitzgerald, Freddie Vaughn, Dr. Charlene Cooper- Boston, Michele Brown, Donnie Greene, Albert and Elsie Maddox, Erica Maddox and many more. Special thanks to Marvelous Marva’ for her support to the seniors of Baltimore who thoroughly enjoyed the performances.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.” -Oprah Winfrey It was a who’s who in Maryland politics as current and former elected officials joined the Radio One family in celebrating one of Maryland’s favorite radio personalities, former Senator Larry Young’s birthday party, at Mo’s Seafood Harbor East.

Among the guests were Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Senators Joan Carter Conway, Catherine Pugh, Delegates Nathaniel Oaks, Antonio Hayes, Adrienne Jones, Tony Randall, Wayne Frazier, Councilman Nick Mosby, States attorney Marilyn Mosby, Doni

Glover, Konan, Dwight Pettit, City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young, former Mayor Sheila Dixon, Glenn Middleton, Lucinda Ware, Pamela “Ms. Maybelle” Hill and Carlton and Darlene Douglass. Guests dined on a smorgasbord of shucked oysters, mussels, spaghetti, seafood pasta and more while enjoying a fashion show featuring the Travis Winkey models.

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

-Christopher Reeve Lemuel Lewie’s 95th birthday will be remembered as the day strangers and friends dining at Colin’s Restaurant couldn’t decide who would pick up his dinner check. Lewie and his wife Reva are regular diners at this popular Randallstown restaurant. This Tuskegee Airman was honored at Epworth United Methodist Church. After worshipping he walked into Colin’s Restaurant for his normal Sunday dinner. Many of the diners had been in attendance at church earlier and gave him a

hero’s welcome and that’s when the fun began.

“If it’s your birthday make, some noise” and that’s what we did at Mildred Harper’s birthday party hosted by her daughter Tanya, granddaughter Crystal, great granddaughter Selena and Manny at Crystal’s exquisite hair salon XO located on Liberty Road. The salon was fashioned into a luxurious oasis of black, crystal and silver had many in amazement at the transformation.

Guests dined on a delicious catered buffet prepared by Chef Dante of Colin’s Restaurant featuring fried and baked chicken, smothered pork chops, crab balls and more.

Happy 50th birthday to John “Zenith Hospitality”, Brenda Lee, Dr. Charlene Cooper Boston, Franklin James and my amazing daughter Lisa Lee Packer “I am woman, hear me roar in numbers too big to ignore and I know too much to go back an’ pretend” -Helen Reddy “All in the family” Way to go founder and CEO Nykidra “Nyki” Robinson on the

Emory University Forum on Racial Inequities

BALTIMORE AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Send your upcoming events to tips@afro.com. For more community events go to afro.com/Baltimore-events.

Alpha Phi Alpha’s 109th observance of Founders’ Day Delta Lambda Chapter will be celebrating Alpha Phi Alpha’s 109th observance of Founders’ Day on Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at The Forum Caterers, 4210 Primrose Ave, Baltimore, Maryland 21215. Visit deltalambda.org for more information.

On Dec. 4 Dr. Larry P. Jackson, Professor at Emory University, will visit Baltimore with his students to share the research they conducted in his newly designed course “African American Studies 100: Baltimore Up Rising.”

The topics studied include Mass Incarceration, Educational Inequality, Residential Segregation, and Healthcare Disparities in Baltimore City, Maryland. The weekend long event will begin with a forum from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Branch of the Enoch Pratt Library. Contact Allison Robinson at (443) 250-4250 or Marilyn Harris Davis at (410) 299-1996 for more information.

‘How to Keep a Man’

The Wright Decision Production Company presents “How B:11” to Keep a Man,” a stage play at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Old East Baltimore T:11” on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The play is

successful launch of “Black Girls Vote” established to educate and register voters. “You know if you belong.” Visit blackgirlsvote. com.

Congratulations to Ericka McClammy on the opening of her law practice McClammy & Associates, LLC located at 5 E. 27th Street.

Kudos to Shelonda Stokes, president and CEO of greiBO media on her selection to Morgan State University’s Board of Regents. Shelonda’s involvement in the community includes creating a childhood obesity and awareness program and working chairing the African American Heritage Festival.

“The leaves in the valley they neither toll nor spin and flowers bloom in spring and birds sing.

Up from dawn till sunset man work hard all the day. Come Sunday, oh come Sunday, that’s the day.” -Mahalia Jackson Join world-renowned artists Larry “Poncho” Brown and Charlie Bibbs at Poncho’s open house 1100 Wicomico Street Dec. 5-6 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Join John Lampkin and the Straight Ahead Jazz Workshop at their Toy Drive Jam Session Dec. 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Phaze

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10. Bring a new toy and enjoy one of the best jazz groups in town. Musicians are welcomed.

“When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.”

-Tecumseh We are sending condolences to Dr. Nancy McKnight and family on the death of her daughter and granddaughter Charlene and Sage James; to Angela Adams and family on the death of her father Frank Kelly; to Cleve and Nancy Brister on the death of his brother Eugene Brister; to Linda Hollis and family on the death of her sister Mary Bethea; to Roslyn Hawthorne on the death of her dad Ulysses G. Hawthorne; to Alice Greene and family on the death of her daughter Renee Stancil; to Valerie Murphy on the death of her brother Clarence Young and to Dora Harris on the death of her husband Claude Tyrone Harris.

“I’ll be seeing you” Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch

about three women who go to great lengths to keep the men they love. Contact Aaron at thewrightdecision@gmail.com for more information.

Congressional App Challenge For 8th Congressional District High School Students

The Congressional App Challenge is open for submissions from high school students in Maryland’s 8th Congressional District. Students can create and submit their own original apps for mobile phone, tablet, or computer platforms. Apps will be judged by a panel of local community leaders engaged in STEM fields, and winners will have their apps featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol building.

The submission period is open until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 15 and winners will be announced on Feb. 22. For more information go to congressionalappchallenge.us.

T:10”

WHEN YOU HELP SOMEONE GROW, YOU GROW TOGETHER.

Using the skills you already have, you can help change a life. AARP in Maryland and the Associated Black Charities want to connect low-wage workers of color with mentors like you to help them succeed. Your guidance can help someone chart a career path and discover their Real Possibilities.

Get involved by calling Bernard K. Sims, Associated Black Charities, at 410-659-0000 x1712 or e-mailing BSims@abc-md.org

And see everything else we ’re doing in your community at aarp.org/md

Maryland

B:10”

Real Possibilities is a trademark of AARP.

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

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

Volunteers serve dinner

Photos by Chanet Wallace

For the past 33 years, Bea Gaddy’s Thanksgiving dinner provided food and clothing to hundreds of families and residents, at the Virginia S. Baker Recreation Center, in Baltimore, Maryland. Despite early worries that the event would not take place, families were fed.

The lines moved quickly throughout the day as families entered, some receiving dinner and dessert to go, and others enjoying the dining area. There was also a clothing drive where residents could receive clothes and toys for the children. Volunteers assisted with serving food and desserts, providing beverages, and waiting the tables. Volunteers varied from senators and police officers to students from Hampton University, Clark Atlanta University, Bowie State University, and Morgan State University.

Volunteer Danielle Veney, student at Clark University

Allison Manswell, representing BGE (sponsor)

Clothing drive volunteer Romera Ferguson

AKA’s giving back: Tija Paris, Doniqua Keith and Kayla Hubbard

Melani Douglass, Everyman Theatre community engagement manager, Jimmy Britton, Robert Blount, account executive, The AFRO-American Newspapers

Guests with the cast of August Wilson’s Fences, (L-R), back row: Landa McLaurin, Alan Bomar Jones, Joy Jones, Jason B. McIntosh, Gary-Kayi Fletcher and Dr. Tosin Richard.

Front row: Cash Hester, Brayden Simpson, Indigo Bleu Turner, Bryant Bentley and Robyn Myers

Photos by Da’Rrell Privott

Everyman Theatre staffers: Michele Alexander, director of marketing, Melani Douglass, community engagement manager and Jonathan K. Waller, managing director

On Nov.19th the August Wilson play, “Fences” was brought to the stage at Baltimore’s prestigious Everyman Theatre. This award-winning play, directed by Clinton T. Davis, Diane Hocker, Community & Public Relations director, The AFRO American Newspapers

Guests enjoy the reception before the play

Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden

Bea Gaddy’s Thanksgiving Dinner also provided clothing

Sen. Catherine Pugh helps to serve

Volunteer Kenny Weaver (far right), helping with dinner services

A praying and grateful family

is a classic tale of a father and son’s culturally changing environment and their struggle with the dreams of how America was, and how it should be.

The Afro American News Papers, along with BGE, were the major sponsors in support of this great theatre event. The two entities worked in conjunction with the AFRO’s annual Ms. Santa Toy Drive.

Donald Stokes Sr.

Lenora Howze, advertising director, The AFRO-American Newspapers

Landa McLaurin, president, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, BMC, and Cash Hester, business etiquette and image consultant

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

Film Review

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ARTS & CULTURE

Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’ is a Timely Morality Play Besides borrowing Aristophanes basic plotline, I must point out that the film’s dialogue is almost entirely in verse. When was Just when we were ready to give up the last time you saw a movie that rhymed? on Spike Lee, wouldn’t you know he’s The novel screenplay was co-authored by reasserted his relevance with a decent innerSpike with film professor Kevin Willmott, city drama decrying the gang violence the brains behind “Confederate States of in Chicago? Ironically, this timely tale is America,” a brilliant social satire speculating based on Lysistrata, an ancient play staged about what the U.S. would be like today, if the

by Aristophanes way back in 411 BC. Set South had prevailed in the Civil War. in Athens during the Peloponnesian War, Watching “Chi-Raq,” the pair’s experiment that farcical adventure revolved around a in iambic pentameter gets tiring after about headstrong female who brought an end to the 15 minutes or so. You feel like yelling, hostilities by persuading the women of Greece “Okay, you made your point. Now just let the to withhold sexual favors from their mates thespians act without the burden of until peace was declared. having to sound poetic, too.”

Spike’s version unfolds in present-day Credit Spike for assembling Chicago where we find a gun moll named an A-list cast featuring Teyonah Lysistrata (Teyonah Parris) growing Parris as Lysistrata and Nick frustrated by the escalating body count Cannon in the title role. in the Windy City war between a The dramatis personae also couple of rival street gangs. includes Academy Award-winner Her boyfriend, Chi-Raq Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”), (Nick Cannon), is the Oscar-nominees Angela Bassett leader of the purple(“What’s Love Got to Do with sporting Spartans, It?”) and Samuel L. Jackson the sworn (“Pulp Fiction”), as well as adversaries of Dave Chappelle, John Cusack, the orange-clad Felicia “Snoop” Pearson and Trojans. real-life, grassroots activist She gets Father Michael Pfleger. fed up when “Chi-Raq” may never a neighbor’s be confused with “She’s (Jennifer Gotta Have It” (1986) or “Do Hudson) the Right Thing” (1989), young but it nevertheless daughter is caught represents the in the crossfire best adaptation during a driveof a classic Courtesy photo by shooting into ghetto Nick Cannon is one of the stars of Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq.’ and none of the fabulous fare gangbangers is since the willing to finger the culprit for the cops. After inspired reinterpretation of Romeo and Juliet the funeral, she enlists the assistance of sisters as “Romeo Must Die” (2000). all over the hood in implementing a “No peace, no p*ssy,” policy.

See interview with Spike Lee on A1.

By Kam Williams Special to the AFRO

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

Interview

Michael B. Jordan Gets His Weight Up for ‘Creed’

By Kam Williams Special to the AFRO

KW: Is it important to you to pick your projects in order to have a positive influence on the world?

MBJ: Yes, 110%! You can’t just grasp at straws, once you achieve a certain stature in your career. I’ve been super selective since “Fruitvale.” You have to make smart choices to have a progressive career. You have to pick projects that you really care about.

Michael Bakari Jordan is considered one of Hollywood’s brightest young actors.

He garnered critical acclaim for his sterling portrayal of Oscar Grant in Ryan Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station,” a searing account of a slaying by police officers on a San Francisco train platform.

He also played a supporting role in George Lucas’ film “Red Tails,” which tells the story of KW: Did you ever imagine that the Black the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering Lives Matter movement would become as big Black squadron which flew numerous, heroic as it has when you were making “Fruitvale combat missions during World War II. Station?”

Hailing from Newark, New Jersey, Michael MBJ: Oscar Grant wasn’t the first, and he made the most of an opportunity to begin acting won’t be the last. It’s always been happening, professionally at an early age. After but the fact that everybody has being spotted by a talent scout, he a camera phone means that was cast in a recurring role on the these stories are being seen now.

CBS sitcom, “Cosby.”

Everything’s exposed, but there’s Here, he talks about reuniting still a lot of work to be done. From with Coogler to collaborate on a creative and impact standpoint, “Creed,” the seventh installment in Ryan and I really tried to get the Rocky series starring Sylvester people to think about how we all Stallone which is in theaters now. treat one another, regardless of He handles the title role as Adonis skin color. But it’s a problem that Creed, son of Apollo Creed, Rocky Michael B. Jordan unarmed black men are dying in Balboa’s ring foe in “Rocky” 1 and stars as Adonis the streets, and that film definitely Creed in ‘Creed.’

2. tried to speak out to that fact.

Courtesy photo

KW: I loved “Creed.” What a brilliant way to reboot the franchise: introducing you while paying homage to Rocky.

MBJ: Yeah, man. It’s a very well-rounded, character-driven origins story. Ryan really came up with a fresh take on a familiar franchise.

KW: Did you feel any responsibility playing the son of such an iconic character?

MBJ: I really didn’t feel any pressure in this process because I was fortunate enough to be working with the creator of “Rocky.” Sly assured me that I didn’t have to worry about competing with anything. He told me that I wasn’t Rocky. He’d say, “You’re Creed, and I’m here to support you.” When you have the man himself reminding you of that day-in and day-out, there is no pressure, and that freed me to focus on just doing the work.

KW: How did you prepare for the role? Did you train and talk to

boxers?

MBJ: I had the element of time on my side, because I knew about the project so early on. I changed my diet a little. I started to get into shape. And, about a year out, I went hardcore, completely stripping down my diet and working out several times a day, boxing and weightlifting. I wanted to be treated like a fighter. I didn’t want any special treatment.

I wanted to be surrounded by the best boxing minds available to us, so I could soak up as much information as possible. I trained and sparred with Andre Ward, Amir Khan and Gabe Rosado. We had all professional fighters in our film. I believe that helped me a lot, because they were quick to point out anything that was inauthentic. So, we had a great environment to do a boxing project the right way.

SPORTS

Was Sean Taylor the Best Safety of the Modern NFL?

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley Special to the AFRO The end of November marks the eight-year anniversary of the tragic death of Washington safety Sean Taylor on Nov. 27, 2007.

At age 24, Taylor was shot to death in a home invasion.

Before his death, Taylor was Washington’s ultimate weapon; standing 6 feet, 2 inches and weighing nearly 220 pounds, Taylor’s size and speed set the benchmark for incoming safeties.

Taylor could cover ground with his 4.51 40-yard dash time, but his linebacker size allowed him to pummel receivers and unsuspecting running backs across the middle of the field.

Taylor’s emergence during the late 2000s as a blue-chip safety placed him alongside elite secondary defenders including Baltimore’s Ed Reed and Pittsburgh’s Troy Polamalu.

Taylor died so early in his career, but possessed the potential to surpass them as the top safety in the NFL, a title that both Polamalu and Reed often shared during their careers. Some could argue that Taylor was already the NFL’s top safety at the time of his death.

Does the AFRO Sports Desk agree? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate this question.

Riley: Reed was best known for his coverage and Polamalu was best known for his toughness and ability to operate as a linebacker around Pittsburgh’s front seven. All things considered, I believe Taylor was a direct combination of the two with more size.

He could play the passing lanes as well as Reed and help control the action up front similar to Polamalu. If not for his sudden death, he would have easily surpassed both players for the title of the league’s top safety.

Among the great safeties to play in the NFL, from Brian Dawkins to Ronnie Lott, none had Taylor’s measurables or his abilities as a playmaker. Whether it was an interception,

a sack or a big hit, Taylor was one of the few players in NFL history that could play across a defensive setup from his safety position. He could shift between free and strong safety and not miss a beat, or help a teammate with his assignment—Taylor was that good.

In the eight years since his passing, Washington has tried to fill that role with nearly 10 players and none have panned out.

Taylor was special even before he was able to realize his potential.

Green: Taylor was a fantastic player but Reed should go down in history as the best safety of all time. The NFL record holder for most interception return yards, longest interception return and tied with three players with the most postseason interceptions, Reed Courtesy photo had a major impact on Washington safety Sean Taylor. the Ravens’ success.

Reed patrolled the secondary like a hawk for nearly a decade; he was the measuring stick to which all safeties were graded, including Polamalu and Taylor. I do believe that Taylor had a chance to be great but he also played with an aggressive style which he wouldn’t have been able to get away with in today’s NFL. The rules have changed to protect offensive players—you

can’t even breathe on receivers nowadays without being penalized. Reed realized that and adjusted his playing style accordingly. I’m not certain Taylor, the rebel, could have done the same.

Riley: We didn’t get a chance to see him make the adjustment because he was taken from us far too soon.

Remember, Washington fumbled away the first few years of Taylor’s career trying to figure out where to play him, while the Ravens settled quickly on Reed’s position after his first year.

By the time both Taylor and Washington settled in, ST was off to his best season ever, recording five interceptions in nine games during the 2007 season before his life was cut short.

Taylor’s early career numbers will never measure up to Reed’s, but Taylor’s presence and dominance on the field at such an early age was just a preview of what could have been.

At age 24, Reed was just a rookie in the NFL. Taylor entered the league at only 20 years old so the potential to evolve into something excellent was already there; he just needed some more time.

Green: The age factor does make a unique difference, but age aside, Reed was simply more productive. The numbers are staggering when you consider that, at the conclusion of Reed’s third year, he had already collected 20 interceptions and a whopping 657 interception return yards. He had also already become the first player in NFL history to score touchdowns on an interception, a forced fumble and recovery, and a blocked punt.

Riley, you argue that Taylor was too young to amass those type of stats or fill his potential. But how many more interceptions and big plays would Reed have had if he entered the NFL at only 20 years old? Both safeties were great, but when comparing the two, we’re simply talking about unrealized potential compared to record numbers that will probably never be matched or beaten. Ed Reed was the undisputed top safety of his era and has a case for the best player at his position in NFL history.

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

Activist-Writer Sister Souljah Pens New Book, Talks Love

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com It’s been nearly 25 years since rapper Sister Souljah gained national attention by publicly challenging then-Presidential hopeful Bill Clinton’s racially marginalizing campaign rhetoric. The Rutgers-educated activist, recently released her memoir “No Disrespect” – a graphic autobiography that attempts to shift the discourse on Black feminism to acknowledge its existence in hostile, violent, and misogynistic spaces.

Souljah’s stardom though, came most abruptly with the release of her 1999 urban family novel, “The Coldest Winter Ever.” “’The Coldest Winter Ever,’ and more specifically, the character Winter Santiaga resonated with women and young girls all around the country – not just because she was coming of age while living in an urban space and surrounded by staples of that environment, but also because Black and Latina women recognized Winter,” said B. Lovely Branch, a D.C. culture critic at a recent Souljah book signing, hosted by the National Press Club and Politics and Prose on Nov. 17.

It was at this book event, where she signed copies of the fifth installment in the Winter series – “A Moment of Silence (Midnight III),” that Sister Souljah’s true reach became evident. In a line snaking from her table to the foyer and composed of as many older White men, as young Black girls, most asked about the possibility of her writing a new memoir Sista Souljah talks about love at a D.C. book signing of her recently released memoir “No Disrespect”. to update “No Respect.”

“I’ve been married now for 23 years and that could probably make up at least one book – with several volumes,” Souljah told community and law enforcement, Souljah said a new digital society has made it impossible to the AFRO. “I think I have a lot more to say, especially about love and marriage – keeping a choose the police over the citizen when the evidence is being recorded on cellphones. marriage together, not honey-coating it, but offering some things that I think would be helpful in “Our lives certainly matter. At the same time, in order for us to win in any real way, we will looking at the whole concept of love, of marriage, of family. I think of writing “No Disrespect have to straighten ourselves. I believe we are not receiving spiritual protection because we II” a lot of times.” are not straight. We have not humbled ourselves before our maker,” Souljah said. “Our people Souljah’s insights on love, marriage, and men are often found in her work, whether fiction today want to win without God, without aim, precision, study, unity and Lord have mercy or non-fiction. According to Souljah, it is that genuine respect that offers a counterweight without love or truth. That’s not going to happen.” to negative depictions of young Black men in her work. It is a template many urban girls wholeheartedly seek and embrace.

“I love and listen to the sound of a man’s voice, the intent of his words, the feelings from his heart. At the same time I love the stance of a man, the posture, the demeanor, the way he walks and definitely the way he thinks and works,” said Souljah. “I love men who are capable of love, who help instead of hurt, who heal instead of destroying. I have known many great men in my lifetime. I tend to see the goodness more than the flaws, as long as the flaws are not toxic or abusive.”

As for her thoughts on the new presidential hopefuls, Souljah remains silent. Her commitment, now, as in the 1990s, is set on a love for Black people and their ability to maneuver an often uneven playing field. Noting a return to some of the same conflicts between (Courtesy photo)

W. Baltimore Ducks Aim for Little League National Football Championship

The West Baltimore Ducks are headed to the national championship game in Florida.

By Kendall Hilton Special to the AFRO

LEGENDARY PICTURES AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENT A LEGENDARY PICTURES/ZAM PICTURES PRODUCTION ‘ KRAMPUS’’ A FILM BY MICHAEL DOUGHERTY ADAM SCOTT TONI COLLETTE DAVID KOECHNER ALLISON TOLMAN CONCHATA FERRELL PRODUCED EMJAY ANTHONY STEFANIA LAVIE OWEN WIWRITTEN TH KRISTA STADLER EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DANIEL M. STILLMAN BY THOMAS TULL p.g.a. JON JASHNI p.g.a.

ALEX GARCIA p.g.a. MICHAEL DOUGHERTY p.g.a. BY TODD CASEY & MICHAEL DOUGHERTY & ZACH SHIELDS DIRECTEDBY MICHAEL DOUGHERTY A UNIVERSAL RELEASE VISUAL EFFECTS BY WETA DIGITAL LTD.

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Youth football coach Curtis Covington hopes the West Baltimore Ducks, a youth football team which recently captured the state and regional football championship, can provide relief for a city going through its share of problems.

The Ducks, who range in age from 9 to 11, are preparing to travel to Kissimmee, Florida on Dec. 5 in hopes of claiming the American Youth Football Title in the cadet division. West Baltimore will perform in a week-long tournament that will ultimately determine the best youth football in the country.

Like any good coach, Covington gave his boys a strong speech before their trip, letting them know that they are representing Baltimore City, and how the outside world will look at them.

“When you get down there, everyone is going to say ‘Ya’ll from Baltimore, thats ‘The Wire,’ and that will mostly come from other teams’ parents and coaches,” Covington told the team.

“We’re going to show them that Baltimore is more than just ‘The Wire.’”

Covington is a long-time successful little league coach. Before coming to the Ducks he won a national title with the Forest Park Black Hawks little league program; now he’s looking to build a winner with the up-andcoming West Baltimore Ducks, but it wasn’t an easy road.

In 2013, the Ducks made it as far as to the area championship but lost to another Baltimore powerhouse program, the Parkside Warriors. The Ducks would go on to defeat Parkside this year to advance to the state championship.

Covington uses a no-huddle style offense that is very similar to what most colleges, high schools and even pro teams are running.

West Baltimore’s offense includes hand signals, and signage similar to what the

Oregon Ducks used to reach the NCAA National Champion game last year.

The Ducks finished the season without a loss.

This isn’t the first time the West Baltimore program has had one of their teams advance to the National tournament in Florida. The founder of the program, Henry Sherod, said the age 10-12 team made it down to Florida two years ago.

“It’s hard being a kid these days in Baltimore City because it’s so much against them,” Covington said about keeping his kids focused and away from the ills of the turbulent west Baltimore neighborhoods.

“We just want them to be leaders. So for us to get out of Baltimore for a few [days], and compete for a national championship, hopefully it will change their life.”

Eleven-year old quarterback Hakeem Wright is one of the kids who has the potential to be a great prospect. Only in his second year playing quarterback, Hakeem has led the Ducks to an undefeated record while commanding the fast-pace Oregon style offense.

“My five-year plan is to make it to college and finish school, just in case I don’t make it to the [NFL], so I can be a lawyer or a doctor,” Wright said.

Besides having a strong arm with some accuracy, Hakeem also has a 3.5 GPA in school.

Sherod lives in Prince George’s County, Md. and works in Washington D.C. but continues to come to his old Baltimore City neighborhoods to teach kids how to play football and how to be great men.

For the Ducks, it’s not just about winning a football game - to them, it’s about helping change the perception while creating great memories for the future of Baltimore City.

So the next time someone says “Baltimore” they don’t want you to think of The Wire, the riots, or the murders; instead, you should think of the West Baltimore Ducks.

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1 Col. Inch Up to TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:07:26 EST TYPESET: Tue2015 Nov 17 14:01:25 ESTTue 2015 TYPESET: Dec 01 17:18:04 EST 2015 LEGAL NOTICES 20 Words

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1370 Marjorie R. Buchanan Decedent WANTED TO NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, BUY NOTICE TO WANTED: Old MerCREDITORS AND NOTICE TO cedes 190SL, 280SL. UNKNOWN HEIRS Jaguar XKE, ANY John M. Buchanan, Jr., Porsche or pre-1972 whose, address is 4635 49th Street, NW, Sportscar/Convertible!

Washington, DC 20016ANY CONDITION! 4320, was appointed Collector picks-up & personal representative pays cash. FAIR OFof the estate of Marjorie R. Buchanan, who died FERS! Mike call/text on October 28, 2015 with 520-977-1110. a will, and will serve without CourtEST supervision.

TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:05:54 2015 All unknown heirs and heirs LEGAL NOTICES whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their Superior Court of appearance in this the District of proceeding. Objections District of Columbia to such appointment (or PROBATE DIVISION to the probate of deWashington, D.C. cedent´s will) shall be 20001-2131 filed with the Register of Administration No. Wills, D.C., 515 5th 2015ADM1346 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor MaryElla Walker Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Banner 20001, on or before May Decedent 27, 2016. Claims against John F. Mowery the decedent shall be 1629 K. Street, NW, Ste presented to the under300 signed with a copy to the Washington, DC 20006 Register of Wills or filed NOTICE OF with the Register of Wills APPOINTMENT, with a copy to the underNOTICE TO signed, on or before May CREDITORS 27, 2016, or be forever AND NOTICE TO barred. Persons believed UNKNOWN HEIRS to be heirs or legatees of Alma L. Banner the decedent who do not McPherson, whose receive a copy of this noaddress is 1906 C Street, tice by mail within 25 NE, Washington, DC days of its first publica20002, was appointed tion shall so inform the personal representative Register of Wills, includof the estate of MaryElla ing name, address and Walker Banner, who died relationship. on April 17, 1995 without Date of Publication: a will, and will serve with November 27, 2015 Court supervision. All unName of newspaper: known heirs and heirs Afro-American whose whereabouts are Washington unknown shall enter their Law Reporter appearance in this John M. Buchanan, Jr proceeding. Objections Personal to such appointment (or Representative to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be TRUE TEST COPY filed with the Register of REGISTER OF WILLS Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 11/27, 12/4, Tue 12/11/15 TYPESET: Nov 17 Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before May 27, 2016. Claims against Superior Court of the decedent shall be the District of presented to the underDistrict of Columbia signed with a copy to the PROBATE DIVISION Register of Wills or filed Washington, D.C. with the Register of Wills 20001-2131 with a copy to the underAdministration No. signed, on or before May 2009ADM96 27, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed Ollie Mae Alston to be heirs or legatees of Decedent the decedent who do not Jamison B Taylor receive a copy of this no- 1218 11th St NW tice by mail within 25 Washington, DC 20001 days of its first publica- Attorney NOTICE OF tion shall so inform the APPOINTMENT, Register of Wills, includNOTICE TO ing name, address and CREDITORS relationship.

AND NOTICE TO Date of Publication: UNKNOWN HEIRS November 27, 2015 Ve r o n i c a Wa l l a c e , Name of newspaper: whose address is 2330 Afro-American Good Hope Rd., SE, Washington Washington, DC 20020, Law Reporter Alma L. Banner wasappointed personal McPherson representative of the Personal estate of Ollie Mae AlRepresentative s t o n , w h o d i e d o n September 28, 2008 without a will, and will TRUE TEST COPY serve with Court superviREGISTER OF WILLS sion. All unknown heirs and heirs whose 11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15 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 May 20, 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 May 20, 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: November 20, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Veronica Wallace Personal Representative

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TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 11/20, 11/27, 12/4/15

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1332 Patsy Coates Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Andre Coates, whose address is 14 53d Street, SE, Washington, DC, 20019, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Patsy Coates , who died on October 30, 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 May 20, 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 May 20, 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: November 20, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Andre Coates Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1422 David Proctor Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Theresa Joyner , whose address is 646 1/2 I Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003, was appointed personal representative of the estate of David Proctor , who died on October 9, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 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 June 6, 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: December 4, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter David Proctor Personal Representative

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December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

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

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NAME: ________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 PHONE NO.:____________________________________________ CLASSIFICATION: ______________________________________ SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF (Room, Apt., House, etc.)

COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION INSERTION DATE:_________________

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2015FEP130 Date of Death July 19, 2010 Legal Advertising Rates Ina Osberga Mullings Decedent Effective October 1, 2008 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PROBATE DIVISION PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE (Estates) AND NOTICE TO 202-332-0080 CREDITORS PROBATE NOTICES Peter George Mullings whose address is 6325 Cornfield Rd., Matteson, a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks IL 60443 was appointed personal representative b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion of the estate of Ina c. Notice to Creditors Osberga Mullings , deceased per by the Clerk of 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion $180.00 3 weeks the Curcuit Court for 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks Flagler County, State of Florida.,per on6 November d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 weeks 22, 2013. e. Standard Probates $125.00 Service of process may be made upon Fannie Barksdale, 4519 7th St., CIVIL NOTICES NE, Washington, DC a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 $ 20017 80.00whose designation as District of ColumTRUE TEST COPY bia agent has been filed b.

Real Property $ 200.00 TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS with the Register of Wills, REGISTER OF WILLS D.C. 12/4, 12/11, 12/18 The decedent owned the FAMILY COURT 11/20, 11/27, 12/4/15 following District of 14:01:05 TYPESET: ESTTue 2015 Nov 17 13:59:28 ESTTue 2015 TYPESET: Nov 17 13:59:49 EST 2015 202-879-1212 Colombia real property: 1223 18th Place, NE, DOMESTIC RELATIONS Washington, 20001 Superior Court of Superior Court of Claims against the de202-879-0157 the District of the District of cedent may be preDistrict of Columbia District of Columbia sented to the underPROBATE DIVISION PROBATE DIVISION signed and filed with the a. Absent Defendant $ 150.00 Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Register of Wills for the 20001-2131 20001-2131 District of Columbia, b. Absolute Divorce $ 150.00 Administration No. Administration No. Building A, 515 5th 2015ADM1328 c.

Custody Divorce $150.00 2015ADM1329 Street, NW., 3Rd FloorLillian Leah Cardash Carlton D Poston Washington, D.C. 20001 Decedent TYPESET: Tue Dec 01 17:17:43 EST 2015 AKA within 6 months from the Philip N Margolius Calrton Davis Poston date$50.00 of first publication To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext.

262, Public Notices & up of 4201 Connecticut Ave- Decedent this notice. (Strike nue, NW depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch.

Rhonda R Brown preceding sentence if no Superior Court of Suite 600 9900 Greenbelt Road, real estate.) the District of (AFRO) 892 1-800 Washington, DC 20008 Ste E173 Lanham, MD District of Columbia Attorney 20706 Peter George Mullings For Proof of Publication, please call 1-800-237-6892, ext.

244 PROBATE DIVISION NOTICE OF Attorney Personal Washington, D.C. APPOINTMENT, NOTICE OF Representative(s) 20001-2131 NOTICE TO APPOINTMENT, TRUE TEST COPY Administration No. CREDITORS TYPESET: Tue Dec 01 17:18:22 EST LEGAL 2015 NOTICES NOTICE TO REGISTER WILLS TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:08:01 EST OF 2015 2015ADM1365 AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Date of first publication: Oscar Chalman UNKNOWN HEIRS AND NOTICE TO November 27, 2015 Holmes Bessie C Lewis and UNKNOWN HEIRS SUPERIOR COURT OF Decedent SUPERIOR COURT OF Name of newspapers Myron Bruce Lewis, L o u i s e S t e v e n s o n , THE DISTRICT OF and/or periodical: THE DISTRICT OF NOTICE OF whose address are 1528 whose address is 4744 COLUMBIA The Daily Washington COLUMBIA APPOINTMENT, R o x a n n a R d , N W , Benning Rd, #204, NE, PROBATE DIVISION Law Reporter PROBATE DIVISION NOTICE TO Washington, DC and Washington, DC 20019 Washington, D.C. The Afro-American Washington, D.C. CREDITORS 6060 California Circle, was appointed personal 20001-2131 20001-2131 AND NOTICE TO Rockville, MD 20852, representative of the Administration No. 11/27, 12/4, 12/1115 Foreign No. TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 UNKNOWN HEIRS were appointed personal estate of Carlton D 2015ADM1428 2015FEP130 Wanda Leigh Holmes , representatives of the Poston AKA Carlton DaEstate of Date of Death whose address is 6182 estate of Lillian Leah vis Poston, who died on Joan Perry July 19, 2010 Cardash, who died on October 1, 2015 with a Willd Valley Court, SUPERIOR COURT OF Deceased Ina Osberga Mullings October 3, 2015 witha will, and will serve withAlexandria, VA 22310, Decedent THE DISTRICT OF NOTICE OF will, and will serve with- out Court supervision. All was appointed personal STANDARD COLUMBIA NOTICE OF out Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs representative of the PROBATE PROBATE DIVISION APPOINTMENT unknown heirs and heirs whose where-abouts are Notice is hereby given estate of Oscar Chalman OF FOREIGN Washington, D.C. whose where-abouts are unknown shall enter their that a petition has been Holmes, who died on PERSONAL 20001-2131 unknown shall enter their a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s filed in this Court by Da- September 24, 2015 with REPRESENTATIVE Administration No. appearance in this proceeding. Objections vid Shelton for standard a will, and will serve withAND 2013ADM964 proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or probate, including the out Court supervision. All NOTICE TO Estate of to such appointment (or to the probate of deappointment of one or unknown heirs and heirs CREDITORS to the probate of de- cedent´s will) shall be more personal repre- whose whereabouts are Peter George Mullings John W. Beach cedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of sentative. Unless a com- unknown shall enter their whose address is 6325 Deceased filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th NOTICE OF plaint or an objection in a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Cornfield Rd., Matteson, Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor accordance with Super- proceeding. Objections STANDARD IL 60443 was appointed Street, N.W., 3rd Floor W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . ior Court Probate Di- to such appointment (or PROBATE personal representative Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before May vision Rule 407 is filed in to the probate of deof the estate of Ina Notice is hereby given 20001, on or before May 20, 2016. Claims against this Court within 30 days cedent´s will) shall be Osberga Mullings , de- that a petition has been 20, 2015. Claims against the decedent shall be from the date of first pub- filed with the Register of ceased by the Clerk of filed in this Court by the decedent shall be presented to the underlication of this notice, the Wills, D.C., 515 5th the Curcuit Court for Linda J. Beach for stanpresented to the under- signed with a copy to the Court may take the acStreet, N.W., 3rd Floor Flagler County, State of dard probate, including signed with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed tion hereinafter set forth.

Florida., on November 0 Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills the appointment of one In the absence of a will Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

22, 2013. with the Register of Wills with a copy to the underor more personal repreor proof satisfactory to 20001, on or before June Service of process may with a copy to the under- signed, on or before May the Court of due execu- 4, 2016. Claims against be made upon Fannie sentative. Unless a comthe decedent shall be signed, on or before May 20, 2016, or be forever tion , enter an order Barksdale, 4519 7th St., plaint or an objection in 20, 2015, or be forever barred. Persons believed determining that de- presented to the underNE, Washington, DC accordance with Supersigned with a copy to the barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of cedent died intestate 20017 whose designa- ior Court Probate Di0 to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not Register of Wills or filed appoint an unsution as District of Colum- vision Rule 407 is filed in the decedent who do not receive a copy of this nopervised personal rep- with the Register of Wills bia agent has been filed receive a copy of this no- tice by mail within 25 with a copy to the under- with the Register of Wills, this Court within 30 days resentive from the date of first pubtice by mail within 25 days of its first publicaRegister of Wills signed, on or before June D.C. days of its first publica- tion shall so inform the lication of this notice, the Clerk of the 4, 2016, or be forever The decedent owned the tion shall so inform the Register of Wills, includProbate Division barred. Persons believed f o l l o w i n g D i s t r i c t o f Court may take the acRegister of Wills, includ- ing name, address and to be heirs or legatees of Colombia real property: tion hereinafter set forth.

Date of First Publication ing name, address and relationship. the decedent who do not 1223 18th Place, NE, 0 Admit to probate the will relationship.

Date of Publication: Names of Newspapers: receive a copy of this no- Washington, 20001 copy dated August 23, Date of Publication: November 20, 2015 Washington tice by mail within 25 Claims against the de- 2003 exhibited with the November 20, 2015 Name of newspaper: Law Reporter days of its first publica- cedent may be pre- petition upon proof satName of newspaper: Afro-American Washington tion shall so inform the sented to the under- isfactory to the Court of Afro-American Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Register of Wills, includ- signed and filed with the due execution by affidaWashington Law Reporter David Shelton ing name, address and Register of Wills for the vit of witnesses Law Reporter Louise Stevenson 4405 East West High- relationship.

District of Columbia, Bessie C Lewis Clerk of the Personal way, Suite 201 Building A, 515 5th Date of Publication: Myron Bruce Lewis Probate Division Representative Bethesda, MD 20814 Street, NW., 3Rd FloorDecember 4, 2015 Personal Signature of Washington, D.C. 20001 Date of First Publication Name of newspaper: Representative TRUE TEST COPY Petitioners/Attorney within 6 months from the November 27, 2015 Afro-American REGISTER OF WILLS TYPESET: Tue Dec 01 17:17:43 EST 2015 date of first publication of Names of Newspapers: Washington TRUE TEST COPY 12/4, 12/11 this notice. (Strike Washington Law Law Reporter REGISTER OF WILLS 11/20, 11/27, 12/4/15 Wanda Leigh Holmes preceding sentence if no Reporter real estate.)

Superior Court of Washington Personal 11/20, 11/27, 12/4/15 the District of AFRO-AMERICAN Representative Peter George Mullings District of Columbia Linda J. Beach Personal PROBATE DIVISION TRUE TEST COPY Representative(s) Signature of Washington, D.C. REGISTER OF WILLS TRUE TEST COPY Petitioners/Attorney 20001-2131 REGISTER OF WILLS Administration No. 11/27 & 12/04/15 Date of first publication: 2015ADM1365 12/4, 12/11, 12/1815 November 27, 2015 Oscar Chalman Name of newspapers Holmes and/or periodical: Decedent The Daily Washington NOTICE OF Law Reporter APPOINTMENT, The Afro-American NOTICE TO

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TYPESET: Tue Dec 01 12/4, 12/11, 12/18 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1353 Pearle Elizabeth Thompson Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Rita S ThompsonJoyner, whose address is 3812 Alta Vista Drive, Mitchellville, MD 20721, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Pearle Elizabeth Thompson, who died on September 16, 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 June 4, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be

filed in this Court by Raynetta James for standard probate, including the appointment of one or 17:17:02 EST 2015 more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

0 Admit to probate the will dated August 31, 2011 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses otherwise 0 Appoint an unsupervised personal representative.

Register of Wills Clerk of the Probate Division Date of First Publication November 27, 2015 Names of Newspapers: Washington Law Reporter Washington AFRO-AMERICAN Raynetta James Signature of Petitioners/Attorney 11/27 & 12/04/15

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: November 27, 2015 Name of newspaper: LEGAL NOTICES Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Gloria Joseph Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1384 Emily Hambrick Decedent Christopher M. Guest, Esq 888 16th Street, NW, Ste 800 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sharlette Hambrick, whose address is 916 Masselin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Emily Hambrick, who died on September 21, 2015 without a will, and will serveEST without 11:05:33 2015Court 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 May 27, 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 May 27, 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: November 27, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Sharlette Hambrick Personal Representative

TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:15:27 2015 LEGALEST NOTICES The Washington, DC Joint Steamfitting Apprentice Committee (Steamfitters Local 602) will accept applications for the 2016 first year class as follows: Applications must be made in person. There will be a $50.00 nonrefundable application processing fee at the time of application which is payable in cash or money order only made payable to HPRTF. Applicants must apply in person at the UA Mechanical Trade School (8509 11:28:31 EST 2015 Ardwick Ardmore Road, Landover, MD 20785) on the following dates from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: Monday, January 4, 2016 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Friday, January 8, 2016 OR Applicants must apply in person at the UAM Steamfitters Local Union 602 (7552 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA 22150) on the following dates from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: Monday, January 11, 2016 Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Friday, January 15, 2016 Requirements for Steamfitter Program: Minimum Age 18 by August 15, 2016 High School Graduate by June 30, 2016 Or GED (we do not accept online diplomas) Presentation of the Following Original Documents must be made at Time of Application (no photocopies accepted): 1.Valid driver’s license or state issued Picture Identification Card 2.Social Security Card 3.County or State issued Birth Certificate, United States Passport or Naturalization Certificate 4.DD214 (for veterans of military service only) 5.Official Transcript of High School Grades (must be in a sealed envelope from the school and have a raised seal affixed) OR High school seniors must present a letter on school letterhead from a high school official verifying graduation before June 30, 2016 with an Official Transcript of Grades (Sealed and Certified by School).

OR GED Scores and certificate (only GEDs that are American Council of Education accredited will be accepted. Visit www.acenet.edu for further information) Upon completion of your application, you will be eligible to take a math and/or aptitude test the same day starting at 12:00 p.m.

Any and all foreign documents must be accompanied by a translation of that document and a letter from your embassy stating its authenticity. If the document is a diploma and/or transcript, the letter must also document the equivalency of said diploma and/or transcript.

Please visit our website for more details at www.steamfitters-602.org The Apprentice Committee selects students of any race, color, sex, age, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Apprenticeship Committees are actively recruiting applicants including minorities and females.

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15

TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:07:07 EST 2015

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1347 Selvyn Banner Decedent John F. Mowery 1629 K. Street, NW, Ste 300 Washington, DC 20006 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michael T. Banner, Sr., whose address is 11720 Capstan Dr., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Selvyn Banner, who died on April 27, 2002 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts 11:34:59 EST 2015 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 May 27, 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 May 27, 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: November 27, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Michael T. Banner, Sr. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15

To advertise in the AFRO Call 202-332-0080

whose, address is 5078 10th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Erma P Gross, who died on April 21, 2015 witha will, and will serve without Court supervision.EST All 2015 unknown TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:06:49 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL heirs and NOTICES heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their Superior Court of appearance in this the District of proceeding. Objections District of Columbia to such appointment (or PROBATE DIVISION to the probate of deWashington, D.C. cedent´s will) shall be 20001-2131 filed with the Register of Administration No. Wills, D.C., 515 5th 2015ADM1351 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Leon S. Wingo Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Decedent 20001, on or before May Randy McRae, Esq 27, 2016. Claims against 10640 Campus Way the decedent shall be So., #110 presented to the underLargo, MD 20774 signed with a copy to the NOTICE OF Register of Wills or filed APPOINTMENT, with the Register of Wills NOTICE TO with a copy to the underCREDITORS signed, on or before May AND NOTICE TO 27, 2016, or be forever UNKNOWN HEIRS barred. Persons believed Mary Studevant, whose, to be heirs or legatees of address is 3515 Jay the decedent who do not S t r e e t , N E , # 2 0 3 , receive a copy of this noWashington, DC 20019, tice by mail within 25 was appointed personal days of its first publicarepresentative of the tion shall so inform the estate of Leon S. Wingo, Register of Wills, includwho died on May 10, ing name, address and 2014 without a will, and relationship. will serve without Court Date of Publication: supervision. All unknown November 27, 2015 heirs and heirs whose Name of newspaper: whereabouts are un- Afro-American known shall enter their Washington appearance in this Law Reporter proceeding. Objections Edwin A Williams 17:16:23 EST 2015 (or to such appointment Personal to the probate of deRepresentative cedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of TRUE TEST COPY Wills, D.C., 515 5th REGISTER OF WILLS Street, N.W., 3rd Floor TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15 20001, on or before May 27, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be Superior Court of presented to the underthe District of signed with a copy to the District of Columbia Register of Wills or filed PROBATE DIVISION with the Register of Wills Washington, D.C. with a copy to the under20001-2131 signed, on or before May Administration No. 27, 2016, or be forever 2012ADM215 barred. Persons believed Matthew Mark Nesmith to be heirs or legatees of Sr. the decedent who do not Decedent receive a copy of this no- Kathy Brissette-Minus, tice by mail within 25 Esquire days of its first publica- Law Office Of Kathy tion shall so inform the Brissette-Minus, LLC Register of Wills, includ- 9701 Apollo Drive ing name, address and Largo, MD 20770 relationship.

Attorney Date of Publication: NOTICE OF November 27, 2015 APPOINTMENT, Name of newspaper: NOTICE TO Afro-American CREDITORS Washington AND NOTICE TO Law Reporter UNKNOWN HEIRS Mary Studevant Ross Edward Ford, III Personal whose address is 3216 Representative A l a b a m a A v e S E , Washington, DC 20020, TRUE TEST COPY was appointed personal REGISTER OF WILLS representative of the estate ofEST Matthew TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:06:12 2015Mark 11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15 Nesmith, Sr., who died on April 1, 1989 without a will, All unknown heirs Superior Court of and heirs whose the District of whereabouts are unDistrict of Columbia known shall enter their PROBATE DIVISION appearance in this Washington, D.C. proceeding. Objections 20001-2131 to such appointment (or Administration No. to the probate of de2015ADM1311 cedent´s will) shall be Lancelot A Holder, Sr filed with the Register of Decedent Wills, D.C., 515 5th Tina Smith Nelson Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 601 E Street NW Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Washington, DC 20049 20001, on or before May Attorney 27, 2016. Claims against NOTICE OF the decedent shall be APPOINTMENT, presented to the underNOTICE TO signed with a copy to the CREDITORS Register of Wills or filed AND NOTICE TO with the Register of Wills UNKNOWN HEIRS with a copy to the underLancelot Holder Jr., signed, on or before May whose address is 429 27, 2016, or be forever Quackenbos Street, NW, barred. Persons believed Washington, DC 20011, to be heirs or legatees of was appointed personal the decedent who do not representative of the receive a copy of this noestate of Lancelot A tice by mail within 25 Holder Sr., who died on days of its first publicaApril 18, 1994 without a tion shall so inform the will, and will serve with Register of Wills, includCourt supervision. All un- ing name, address and known heirs and heirs relationship. whose whereabouts are Date of Publication: unknown shall enter their November 27, 2015 appearance in this Name of newspaper: proceeding. Objections Afro-American to such appointment (or Washington to the probate of de- Law Reporter cedent´s will) shall be Ross Edward Ford III filed with the Register of Personal Wills, D.C., 515 5th Representative Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 11:44:42 EST Wa s h i n g t o n ,2015 D.C. TRUE TEST COPY 20001, on or before May REGISTER OF WILLS 27, 2016. Claims against TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 the decedent shall be 11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15 presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Superior Court of Register of Wills or filed the District of with the Register of Wills District of Columbia with a copy to the underPROBATE DIVISION signed, on or before May Washington, D.C. 27, 2016, or be forever 20001-2131 barred. Persons believed Administration No. to be heirs or legatees of 2015ADM1312 the decedent who do not receive a copy of this no- Beatrice C. Jackson tice by mail within 25 Decedent NOTICE OF days of its first publicaAPPOINTMENT, tion shall so inform the NOTICE TO Register of Wills, includCREDITORS ing name, address and AND NOTICE TO relationship.

UNKNOWN HEIRS Date of Publication: Gloria Joseph, whose November 27, 2015 address is 11301 PeaName of newspaper: cock Hill Way, Great Afro-American Falls, VA 22066, was apWashington pointed personal repreLaw Reporter Lancelot Holder, Jr. sentative of the estate of Personal Beatrice C. Jackson, Representative who died on June 15, 2015 with a will, and will serve without Court suTRUE TEST COPY pervision. All unknown REGISTER OF WILLS heirs and heirs whose TYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:06:28 EST are 2015unwhereabouts 11/27, 12/4, 12/11/15 known shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections Superior Court of to such appointment (or the District of District of Columbia to the probate of dePROBATE DIVISION cedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Washington, D.C. Wills, D.C., 515 5th 20001-2131 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Administration No. Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

2015ADM1214 20001, on or before May Erma P Gross 27, 2016. Claims against Decedent the decedent shall be Joshua D Headley 1401 H Street, Suite 500 presented to the underWashington, DC 20005 signed with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed Attorney with the Register of Wills NOTICE OF with a copy to the underAPPOINTMENT, signed, on or before May NOTICE TO 27, 2016, or be forever CREDITORS barred. Persons believed AND NOTICE TO to be heirs or legatees of UNKNOWN HEIRS E d w i n A W i l l i a m s , the decedent who do not whose, address is 5078 receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 10th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, days of its first publicawas appointed personal tion shall so inform the representative of the Register of Wills, includestate of Erma P Gross, ing name, address and who died on April 21, relationship.

2015 witha will, and will Date of Publication: serve without Court su- November 27, 2015 pervision. All unknown Name of newspaper: heirs and heirs whose Afro-American whereabouts are un- Washington known shall enter their Law Reporter Gloria Joseph appearance in this Personal proceeding. Objections Representative to such appointment (or

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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 deTYPESET: Tue Nov 24 11:07:42 2015 cedent´s will) shall be LEGAL NOTICES LEGALEST NOTICES filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Superior Court of Street, N.W., 3rd Floor the District of Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

District of Columbia 20001, on or before June PROBATE DIVISION 4, 2016. Claims against Washington, D.C. the decedent shall be 20001-2131 presented to the underAdministration No. signed with a copy to the 2015ADM1322 Register of Wills or filed Virginia L. Young with the Register of Wills Decedent with a copy to the underNOTICE OF signed, on or before June APPOINTMENT, 4, 2016, or be forever NOTICE TO barred. Persons believed CREDITORS to be heirs or legatees of AND NOTICE TO the decedent who do not UNKNOWN HEIRS receive a copy of this noDarrell A Young Sr., tice by mail within 25 whose address is 2513 days of its first publicaGaither St., Temple Hills, tion shall so inform the MD 20748, was ap- Register of Wills, includpointed personal repre- ing name, address and sentative of the estate of relationship.

Virginia L Young, who Date of Publication: died on July 16, 2015 December 4, 2015 without a will, and will Name of newspaper: serve without Court su- Afro-American pervision. All unknown Washington heirs and heirs whose Law Reporter where-abouts are unRita S. Thompson known shall enter their Joyner appearance in this Personal proceeding. Objections Representative to such appointment (or to the probate of deTRUE TEST COPY cedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of REGISTER OF WILLS Wills, D.C., 515 5th TYPESET: Tue Dec 01 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor 12/4, 12/11, 12/18/15 Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before May Superior Court of 27, 2016. Claims against the District of the decedent shall be District of Columbia presented to the underPROBATE DIVISION signed with a copy to the Washington, D.C. Register of Wills or filed 20001-2131 with the Register of Wills Administration No. with a copy to the under2015ADM1390 signed, on or before May Ethel M White 27, 2016, or be forever AKA barred. Persons believed Ethel Mae White to be heirs or legatees of Decedent the decedent who do not Michael S Rosier receive a copy of this no- 4550 Forbes tice by mail within 25 Boulevard, Suite 140 days of its first publica- Lanham, MD 20706 tion shall so inform the Attorney Register of Wills, includNOTICE OF ing name, address and APPOINTMENT, relationship.

NOTICE TO Date of Publication: CREDITORS November 27, 2015 AND NOTICE TO Name of newspaper: UNKNOWN HEIRS Afro-American William E White. Jr., Washington whose address is 1501 Law Reporter Hamlin St., NE, Darrell A Young Sr. Washington, DC 20017, Personal was appointed personal Representative representative of the estate of Ethel M White TRUE TEST COPY AKA Ethel Mae White , TYPESET: OF TueWILLS Dec 01 17:17:23 2015 15, REGISTER who diedEST on March 2015 with a will, and will serve without Court suSuperior Court of pervision. All unknown the District of heirs and heirs whose District of Columbia whereabouts are unPROBATE DIVISION known shall enter their Washington, D.C. appearance in this 20001-2131 proceeding. Objections Administration No. to such appointment (or 2015ADM1407 to the probate of deEB King cedent´s will) shall be AKA filed with the Register of Esteen B King Wills, D.C., 515 5th Decedent Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Attorney Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

NOTICE OF 20001, on or before June APPOINTMENT, 4, 2016. Claims against NOTICE TO the decedent shall be CREDITORS presented to the underAND NOTICE TO signed with a copy to the UNKNOWN HEIRS Register of Wills or filed M a r c u s S B o y e t t e , with the Register of Wills whose address is 74 R St with a copy to the underNW Washington, 20001, signed, on or before June was appointed personal 4, 2016, or be forever representative of the barred. Persons believed estate of EB King AKA to be heirs or legatees of Esteen B King, who died the decedent who do not on September 13, 2014 receive a copy of this nowith a will, and will serve tice by mail within 25 without Court supervi- days of its first publicasion. All unknown heirs tion shall so inform the a n d h e i r s w h o s e Register of Wills, includwhereabouts are un- ing name, address and known shall enter their relationship. appearance in this Date of Publication: proceeding. Objections December 4, 2015 to such appointment (or Name of newspaper: to the probate of de- Afro-American cedent´s will) shall be Washington filed with the Register of Law Reporter Wills, D.C., 515 5th William E White, Jr Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Personal Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Representative 20001, on or before June 4, 2016. Claims against TRUE TEST COPY the decedent shall be REGISTER OF WILLS presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed TYPESET: 12/4, 12/11, 12/18 Tue Nov 24 with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 4, 2016 , or be forever SUPERIOR COURT OF barred. Persons believed THE DISTRICT OF to be heirs or legatees of COLUMBIA the decedent who do not PROBATE DIVISION receive a copy of this noWashington, D.C. tice by mail within 25 20001-2131 days of its first publicaAdministration No. tion shall so inform the Register of Wills, includ2015ADM1392 ing name, address and Estate of relationship.

Rene Zufle aka Date of Publication: Rene Zuefle December 4, 2015 Deceased Name of newspaper: NOTICE OF Afro-American Washington STANDARD Law Reporter PROBATE Marcus S Boyette Notice is hereby given Personal that a petition has been Representative

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

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TYPESET: Wed Dec 02 LEGAL NOTICES Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM921 Earl Toles Decedent Darrel S. Parker, Esq 1822 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Tia Staton aka Tia TolesStaton and Venus Buggie aka Venus Franklin, whose address is 6907 Pine Valley Drive., Glenn Dale, MD 20769; 3352 6 St. SE. Apt 103, Washington, DC, was appointed personal representatives of the estate of Earl Toles, who died on April 24, 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 June 4, 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 June 4, 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: December 4, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Tia Staton AKA Tia Staton-Toles Venus Buggie AKA Venus Franklin Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/4, 12/11, 12/18/15

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 checks, 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.

TYPESET: Wed Dec 02 13:45:10 EST 2015

LEGAL NOTICES

City of Baltimore Department of Finance Bureau of Purchases Sealed proposals addressed to the Board of Estimates of Baltimore will be received until, but not later than 11:00a.m. local time on the following date(s) for the stated requirements: December 23, 2015 *VISIONAIRE LIGHTING FIXTURES B50004404 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitibuy.org

TYPESET: Wed Dec 02 13:44:53 EST 2015 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR BALTIMORE CITY Case No.: 24D15002424 IN THE MATTER OF TAAH PHYNATHA TAYLOR FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO TAAH PHYNATHA CETASAAN ORDER FOR NOTICE BY PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to officially change the name of the 17:02:56 ESTpetitioner 2015 from TA A H P H Y N AT H A TAYLOR to TAAH PHYNATHA CETASAAN It is this 3th day of November , 2015 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 3th day of , 2015, which shall warn all interested persons to file an affidavit in opposition to the relief requested on or before the 21th day of December , 2015.

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Frank M. Conaway Clerk 12/4/15 TYPESET: Wed Dec 02 16:08:22 EST 2015

1 Col. Inch Up to 20 Words TYPESET: Wed Dec 02 17:11:24 EST 2015 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1368 John A Robinson Decedent D Greer 1350 Leegate Road, NW Washington, DC 20012 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Dorothy Robinson, whose address is 420 Farragut Street, NW; Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of John A Robinson, who died on March 15, 2013 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 4, 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 June 4, 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: December 4, 2015 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Dorothy Robinson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/4, 12/11, 12/18/15

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC NOTICE APPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM PROJECT BASED WAITING LIST The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (”HABC”) is accepting applications from persons who are interested in leasing the following size units: *One-bedroom (seniors only) *Two-bedroom *Three-bedroom Listed below are the requirements for each bedroom size: *One-bedroom - must be SIXTY-TWO (62) years of age or older and qualify for a one bedroom unit. *Two- and three-bedroom- accepting families and individuals who are eligible for the appropriate size unit.

Applicants will be placed on HABC’s project based waiting list and must be determined eligible for the program before being referred for leasing.

HABC is accepting applications for these units until May 31, 2016. If you are interested you must obtain, complete, and return an HCVP application to the address below no later than Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

Housing Authority of Baltimore City Housing Choice Voucher Program Attention: Application/Waiting List 1225 West Pratt Street Baltimore, Maryland 21223 You may visit the office Monday thru Friday between 8:30am and 4:00pm to request an application for the HCVP Project-Based Waiting List.

If you are unable to come to this office, please write to the address above, or call (443) 984-2222 to request an application be mailed to you. Applications returned by mail must be postmarked with a date no later than Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

What is Project Based Program?

The Project Based Program, a part of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, provides rental housing assistance that is attached to specific rental units. In this Program, HABC has contracts with specific landlords to offer units to applicants from the HABC waiting list. The participating landlord selects an applicant from the waiting list, and requests that HABC begin the applicant eligibility process, which is conducted by the HABC. If the applicant is found eligible by HABC and the landlord, the applicant can then be housed in the landlord’s Project Based unit. The eligible applicant pays a percentage of his or her income to rent the unit as long as he or she remains eligible for the program.

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TYPESET: Wed Nov 11 13:45:02 EST 2015

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

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C6 The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

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Blacks in Wax Museum Expands and Fights for Community

Wax figures of Black soldiers.

By Erin-Melisa Jackson Special to the AFRO When you hear the phrase ‘wax figurines’, your mind probably jumps to either Madame Tussauds or The Great Blacks In Wax Museum right here in Baltimore. If you were born and raised here, chances are you have already been to it as a child. There’s also a chance that you too have probably been frightened to near tears by the jarring realness of the slave ship exhibit. Its okay if you have, because of the three times I’ve visited, I’ve only had to leave once due to uncontrollable tears.

The owner and co-founder, Dr. Joanne M. Martin, is used to that. She actually expects and doesn’t treat it as some weird uncomfortable thing. “When I have young people that come in and cry because of the slave ship, I’m not as upset as a parent might be,” she says. “That, for me, is part of what I want to happen. It means that we have some empathy and we won’t be so quick to kill one of our own”.

Recently, our city’s beloved museum has announced plans for a massive renovation and expansion. The expansion will take over the entire 1600 block of North Ave, stretching between Broadway and Bond Street with plans for a garden, a theater and educational programs.

In an exclusive interview with The Afro, we caught up with Dr. Martin for more details about this piece of Baltimore history.

The idea of expansion for Blacks in Wax was always in the works for Joann and her late husband, Dr. Elmer Martin, but did not officially get underway until his passing in 2001.

“One day, I found myself on a ship on the Nile river dealing with his sudden death. I made a vow to God and him that I would spend my life carrying out his dream,” she said. “When you walk around the museum, it’s like walking around the head of Elmer.”

“My husband always said that we had to be a museum with a message, not just black figures standing around. They had to be a part of a bigger story,” she said.

Dr. Martin hopes that the expansion will not Wax figure of W.E.B. DuBois only fulfill her husband’s wishes, but bring some much needed tourism to the economically deprived area.

“I don’t think that we should think our neighborhoods aren’t worthwhile and that you have to leave them to find something good,” she said. “My husband and I wanted to show that tourism can thrive in that area. Visitors come from all over to this fragile community for the Blacks in Wax.” So far, the expansion boasts ideas for a sculpture garden, an improvement upon their standing educational programs and even a small marketplace for budding entrepreneurs.The rear of the museum will house a beautiful entryway as well as a

cultural and community hub for guests to experience.

“The rear of the museum will be a major entrance, so that area will be a garden space. Phase 1 of the idea of a sculpture garden is planting trees native to the city.”

The massive plans are an effort to shine a positive light back onto the city and help educate the youth.

“We are making it the education institution that it should be and expanding on programs that we have for children,” she said. “We are talking to other venues in Baltimore and showing them how to become a curator, designing your own studio and etc.”

Wax figure of Bessie Coleman.

“There will be film screenings and panel discussions afterwards,” she said. “We’re having a place for art exhibition, places to sell fashion designs and [building] economic opportunity”.

Since the opening of the museum in 1983, its main mission has always involved what it can do for the community.

“We are trying in every way to be a force for change, create job opportunities and have a cultural hub on that block,” she said. “The 1500 block would be an Uhure Village, which is Swahili for ‘let us come together”.

It is not only a mission of Dr. Martin for the community to come together, but for the city itself to see the combined efforts of everyone to rebuild and take a step back.

She feels that the city could ‘do better’ in terms of seeing the extended vision of this expansion.

“I’d like to see [Baltimore city government] do better but I think we need to do a better job of helping them to see the vision,” she said. “I feel that maybe we have tried and missed the mark but we will try again.”

“We will sit down with them and talk about what this project means in terms of jobs, community building and tourism development.”

She feels that after that is done, there is ‘no reason’ that the Blacks in Wax and other museums should not ‘be funded to the level they feel they deserve’. As the museum continues to look to the local and state government for more federal dollars, they also appreciate the efforts of their everyday supporters and donors.

“The ways in which we have to come together to build the African American community and get back to that commitment of family is what we will try to do”.

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

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

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Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

WASHINGTON-AREA D.C. Mayor Signs Declaration to End AIDS Epidemic

Violent crimes continue to rise in D.C. as legislators continue to look for solutions to solve them.

D.C. Struggles to Combat Violent Crime

By Briana Thomas Special to the AFRO With the continued rise in violent crimes in the District of Columbia, despite the shift in temperature, D.C. legislatures are instituting a mini grant program to support area youth and families in areas with high levels of crime.

The grants will be used to award community nonprofit organizations and individuals who serve D.C. youth and families in specific areas that have been hard hit by crime. The D.C. Council approved the Fiscal Year 2016 supplemental budget on May 27, which included $1.25 million funding for the initiative.

“The ultimate goal is to provide resources for young people and to keep them engaged,” Chanda Washington, a spokeswoman for Kevin Donahue, deputy mayor for public safety and justice, told the {AFRO}Dec. 1. She said the “mini-grants,” which will service Langston/ Carver, Lincoln Heights, Benning Terrace, Woodland Terrace and Congress Park, will allow nonprofit groups to address violence prevention and mediation, mentoring,

Continued on D2

A red ribbon is displayed on the North Portico of the White House to recognize World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, in Washington.

AP Photo

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined leaders from around the world on Dec.1 in acknowledging World AIDS Day by signing the HIV Fast-Track Cities Declaration. The Declaration, based on The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), will attempt to end the HIV epidemic by 2030, by streamlining prevention, diagnoses, and treatment.

In a ceremony at the Wilson Building, Bowser, along with a contingency of health professionals – including president of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care Dr. José Zuniga, – made steps to prioritize testing, and subsequent eradication of the disease. “I join Mayors from across the world to end this epidemic and usher in an HIV-free generation in D.C.,” Bowser said. “Today we reaffirm our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic.”

The new UNAIDS report “Fast-Track: Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030” guidelines suggest that with Fast-Track measures, which include a more personal approach to awareness and streamlining care through multi-agency intervention, nearly 28 million new HIV infections and 21 million AIDS-related deaths would be averted by 2030.

“We have bent the trajectory of the epidemic,” said Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS. “Now we have five

“If we invest just $3 a day for each person living with HIV for the next five years we would break the epidemic for good.”

Rough Handling of Jason Goolsby Not Rare, D.C. Activists Say

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com The District’s aggressive attitude toward Blacks, as in the Jason Goolsby case earlier this year, is more common than residents think, says anti-police violence and civil rights activists.

On Oct. 12, two White police officers patrolling the Capitol Hill area of the District, chased and harshly handled Goolsby, a Black University of the District of Columbia student, because he fled a scene where a robbery allegedly took place.

The Goolsby incident was videotaped by a friend of his and went viral on social media.

On Nov. 25, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said that the two officers who apprehended Goolsby, haven’t been charged with a crime and were cleared of any wrongdoing. “We feel that the officers’ actions, given the entirety of the circumstances, were appropriate and within department policy,” Lanier said. Goolsby was not

years to break it for good or risk the epidemic rebounding out of control.”

Among Fast-Track targets is the 90-90-90 Plan, in which 90 percent of people living with HIV know their HIV status; 90 percent of people who know their HIV-positive status are receiving necessary and relevant treatment; and 90 percent of people on treatment are receiving support and have suppressed viral loads.

Phill Wilson, president of the Black AIDS Institute said that shifting models is necessary to reaching those populations that are currently unserved or are being underserved. “The GIPA principle (greater involvement of people living with HIV/ AIDS) is not about charity. It is about effectiveness. We can end AIDS, but not without the meaningful participation of people living with and most at risk of HIV,” Wilson said.

While researchers, physicians, and organizations tasked with responding to the HIV and AIDS epidemic have noted massive and widespread progress in –Michel Sidibé awareness, testing, and treatment, health educators believe that millions have been overlooked in prevention campaigns, causing best-results – zero new cases – to remain elusive.

Low-income countries, as well as impoverished communities continue to see new cases, which according to USAIDS speaks to the disparity in investments in prevention Continued on D2

charged either.

Johnny Barnes, the retired director of the Nation’s Capital chapter of the ACLU and a practicing civil rights attorney, said Lanier’s decision wasn’t a surprise to him. “When I was the director of the city’s ACLU, we were constantly locking horns with the police,” Barnes said. “What makes the Jason

“When I was the director of the city’s ACLU, we were constantly locking horns with the police.”

–Johnny Barnes Goolsby case so unusual is the level of attention that it is getting.”

The District’s police department, along with other

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D.C. Public Schools Fail to Meet Benchmarks

By Jamaal Abdul-Alim and Shantella Sherman Special to the AFRO Kaya Henderson, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools (DCPS), along with Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) announced Nov. 30 that assessments from standardized testing showed District’s students largely failing to meet benchmarks for college preparedness.

According to the data supplied by OSSE, only one out of every four District of Columbia students in grades 3 to 8 is are actually receiving the skills they need to be prepared

“It means the District is not teaching our kids how to be critical thinkers.”

–Charlotte Chambliss for college or a career. “The PARCC scores show that D.C. Public Schools still have a lot of work to do to prepare every student for a successful future in college and a career.

This year’s test serves as an important baseline from which we will work to help prepare all students,” Henderson said in a written statement. “DCPS is committed to having difficult, but honest, conversations with families about how their children are doing.”

Continued on D2

KIPP D.C.’s High Suspension Rates Raise Alarms – a decrease from 11 percent in the prior year.

Yet, the data shows, at several KIPP schools, the suspension rates are higher than the D.C. While the KIPP DC charter school receives Public Schools (DCPS) average. praise for raising achievement scores for At KIPP DC AIM Academy – a middle Black students, the network’s higher-thanschool in Ward 8 – special education students average suspension rates is a cause of for were suspended at a rate of 48.2 percent, concern, a D.C. charter school board leader significantly higher than the 28.2 percent said. “This isn’t just a KIPP issue but across average for DCPS. Woodruff expressed the country a number of highly successful concern that suspended students would end up charter operators, if you look at the discipline in what has come to be known as the “schooldata, they are higher than the average on what to-prison” pipeline. “We are not in business to one might expect them to be,” D.C. Public do that,” Allison Fansler, president and chief Charter School Board operating officer at Chairman Darren KIPP DC, said.

Woodruff said at a When Woodruff Nov. 16 board meeting asked KIPP DC where the school was leaders how they under consideration for might maintain high renewal of a 15-year achievement and, at the charter, which enables same time, decrease charter schools to suspension rates, operate in the district.

Fansler said school “What we’re grappling myschooldc.org leaders had done some with, and even here “soul-searching.”

KIPP DC AIM Academy PCS special in D.C., we’ve seen a KIPP DC also education students were suspended at a downward trend of the rate of 48.2 percent. launched a new percent of students that learning center for are given out of school “very challenged suspension or expulsion,” he said. students who have learning disabilities and Woodruff’s remarks echo concerns that challenges,” Fansler said, noting that KIPP DC Democratic presidential candidate and former has gotten significantly more such students Secretary of State Hillary Clinton raised with in recent years. The Learning Center – meant journalist Roland Martin earlier this month, to give students a chance to “get back on stating that most charter schools “don’t take track” – is located at the same campus as KIPP the hardest-to-teach kids, or, if they do, they DC AIM Academy and serves 70 students in don’t keep them.” grades pre-K4 through 8th grade from any of According to new data from the Office KIPP DC’s 15 early childhood, elementary or of the State Superintendent of Education, middle schools. only about 10 percent of all district students The school board voted unanimously to received an out-of-school suspension for one renew KIPP DC’s 15-year charter because the day or more during the 2014-2015 school year Continued on D2

By Jamaal Abdul-Alim Special to the AFRO

Jason Goolsby is a University of the District of Columbia student who was tackled by police because they suspected him of an alleged robbery on Capitol Hill in Southeast D.C. law enforcement agencies that deal with residents such as the D.C. housing authority’s force, haven’t generated the level of controversy regarding the shooting and killing of Blacks that others around the country have. Observers of law enforcement in the District have credited this relatively low level of policecommunity confrontations to three reasons.

First, the District’s community policing programs are strongly supported by Lanier. Second, the police force is 57 percent Black and third, Lanier has placed a great deal of emphasis on police officer training and continuing education.

However, despite the positives, Barnes said many times police officers don’t

Continued on D2

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The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

Jason Goolsby Continued from D1

perform their duties in a legal and ethical manner. He cited a case where the police wanted to come into a Black woman’s residence without a warrant and when they were in, they harassed her.

Barnes said incidents such as the blockade of the Trinidad neighborhood in Northeast D.C. in 2008, that enabled warrantless searches of suspects to reduce crime, and the District housing police’s program of barring visiting friends and relatives in city-owned public housing complexes have created a perception among many Black residents that the police aren’t their ally.

“The most famous barring notice case was the one of Trayon White, who was then a member of the D.C. Board of Education representing Ward 8,” Barnes said. “White was visiting some of his constituents in a public housing complex when the housing police arrested him in 2011 for trespassing because they said that he should not have been on their grounds. He didn’t even know about the notice but we fought that charge and beat it.”

In general, Barnes said the police can get out of control sometimes when it comes to the civil rights of Black people in

the District. “Outrageous stuff takes place all the time,” he said.

“The police cannot police themselves. They cut corners and watch each other’s backs.”

Goolsby was not taken into custody. He is seeking legal redress against the District police department. “[Lanier] was right,” Delroy Burton, chairman of the D.C.

Police Union and a critic of the police chief said. “The officers acted reasonably and performed their duties the way they were trained.”

Burton put the onus on Goolsby. “He should not have run from the scene when the officers arrived,” he said. “If Goolsby didn’t do anything wrong, why did he run?”

Sean Blackmon, an organizer for Stop Police Terror Project DC, said the real issue in the case was the police’s immediate suspicion of him doing something wrong. “What happened to Jason Goolsby is more common than people think,” Blackmon said. “As a matter of fact, in this country, every 28 hours a Black person is subject to police terror.”

Blackmon has heard arguments that District police officers are more reasonable in their use of force because it is majority Black and well-trained but he doesn’t buy it. “What people have to understand is that we are dealing with the nature of an institution instead of the individual character or integrity of an officer,” he said. “Police officers in D.C., regardless of their color, are here to control Black people not protect them. You don’t have to be White to be in service to White supremacy.”

Burton disagrees with Blackmon and Barnes, saying that District’s department is a professional outfit. “There are some bad apples in all police departments but the vast majority of officers in D.C., as well as nationwide, are professional,” he said. “The District’s department is light years away from such departments as Ferguson, Mo’s and even New York City’s.”

• The percentage of “at-risk” students – that is, those on welfare, homeless or in foster care – as well as economically disadvantaged, and English Language Learner students who met the math and English standards were also low, ranging from 10 to 17 percent.

With the District’s poor results, there is room for vast improvement. “These results set a new baseline and reflect the higher standards the District adopted to ensure students achieve 21st century college and career readiness,” said State Superintendent Hanseul Kang in a statement. “Just as scores improved on the DC CAS over time, the District expects scores to improve on the PARCC assessment.”

But others are not so assured that scores can rise in the current system. “What is most troubling about these results is that the test charts how students apply knowledge, not just what they know. It means the District is not teaching our kids how to be critical thinkers,” said Charlotte Chambliss, a parent of a DCPS student enrolled at Jefferson Middle School, in Southwest. “These measurements suggest our kids are dim – because they are not ready for college or a job – and that is simply not the case.”

Public charter schools outperformed DCPS in most areas,

said Scott Pearson, executive director of the D.C. Public Charter School Board. “I point that out not to thump our chest, and I also do so with the full knowledge that public charter schools are not strictly comparable to public schools,” he said. “But it’s important to highlight this performance because it shows that charter schools are fulfilling their promise of delivering results for DC’s families.”

According to the data, 21 percent of Black public charter school students in grades 3-8 met the English language arts standard, versus 13 percent of Black students in the same grades in DCPS. It also shows 22 percent of Black public charter school students in grades 3-8 met the math standard, versus 12 percent of Black students in the same grades in DCPS. The higher performance of public charter schools was particularly beneficial for Black students, who met the new college and career readiness standards at nearly twice the rate of Black students in DCPS. “One of the things that we’re really proud about with our charter schools is that when we look at our very best charters, they’re not just concentrated in more affluent areas,” Pearson said. “Many of what we call our Tier One charter schools are in Ward 7, in Ward 8, in high poverty areas around the city.”

youth with positive support and activities to help them cope with the violence within their environment.

According to the metropolitan police website, the latest violent crime

with five people being shot in three separate shootings within a 90 minute span.

“The police cannot police themselves. They cut corners and watch each other’s backs.”

–Johnny Barnes

D.C. Public Schools Continued from D1

The situation is much worse for many Black students in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, where the percentage of elementary and middle schoolers, who are “on track” for college and careers, often dip into the teens or single digits, the data shows. In fact, at some schools, no students met the new college and career readiness benchmarks set through the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, a newly adopted testing system that replaces the old District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessment System (DC-CAS).

“Some of our lowest performing schools continue to be low performing because they face tremendous challenges,” said Kaya Henderson, citing high concentrations of poverty as one of several obstacles that such schools must overcome. “It’s not okay if some of our schools are doing okay and some are not.”

According to data from the office: • Only 17 percent of Black students in grades 3-8 met the math expectation under the new assessment, versus 70 percent of White students.

• Similarly, only 17 percent of Black students in grades 3-8 met the English language arts expectation, versus 79 percent of White students.

Violent Crime Continued from D1

youth enrichment programs and family support.

According to the police department, 150 homicides have occurred in the city as of Dec. 1, almost a 58 percent jump from last year’s total of 95.

“Some of these young people have been witnesses to violent crimes and to things that other young people have not witnessed or seen,” Washington said, emphasizing the importance of surrounding

GET READY,

‘CAUSE HERE WE COME.

occurred on Nov. 29. A Black male suspect allegedly forcibly attempting to

“Some of these young people have been witnesses to violent crimes and to things that other young people have not witnessed or seen.”

–Chanda Washington

sexually assault a victim in his vehicle in Northeast D.C. A press release stated the woman sustained minor injuries. Police are currently looking for the suspect.

Another incident occurred on Nov. 27 in Southeast D.C.

According to The Washington Post, the shootings began a little after 8 p.m. when a man was seriously injured after being shot in the back twice in the 2200 block of Savannah Street.

Another man was hit in the leg by gunfire about 45

minutes later in the 4000 block of Third Street.

The third shooting, at 9:10 p.m. that evening, involved two men and one woman who were struck by gunfire in the 2100 block of Alabama Avenue. According to the Post, the woman was shot in the chest, one of the men was shot in the leg and the third victim was shot in the arm.

NBC reported one of the two men involved in the third incident is now in critical condition.

Police do not have any suspects in custody and it is unclear what led to the shootings.

“The violence in Southeast has to be stopped. We need more resources for the young people in Ward 8,”Ward 8 Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Anthony Muhammed told NBC.

AIDS

Continued from D1

RAYMOND LUKE, JR. AND BRYAN TERRELL CLARK PHOTOS BY JOAN MARCUS. ALL OTHER PHOTOS BY ANDREW ECCLES.

in those areas. “If we invest just $3 a day for each person living with HIV for the next five years we would break the epidemic for good,” said Sidibé. “And we know that each dollar invested will produce a $15 return.”

National Institutes of Health Director of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony S. Fauci, said in a statement, that World AIDS Day reinvigorates the fight to reach these new goals. “On this World AIDS Day, there is

considerable optimism that an end to the HIV/ AIDS pandemic is achievable; however, to do this, we must have the will to apply established scientific findings and continue to follow the science,” Fauci said. “We must build on the promising achievements made through the dedication of researchers, health care professionals and clinical trial participants, and continue to work together to fill the gaps that remain.”

KIPP

Continued from D1

Dec. 1 - Jan. 3

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charter school network met all of the academic standards except for school discipline.

Woodruff said KIPP DC “has an opportunity to be a leader” in school discipline.

December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015, The Afro-American

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WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Send your upcoming events to tips@afro.com. For more community events go to afro.com/DC Events.

Woodbridge, Va.

Prince William County Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority hosts Red Carpet Showcase The Prince William County Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is hosting its sixth annual Red Carpet Showcase on Dec. 5 from 1 p. m.–4 p. m. at 4545 Daisy Reid Avenue. The showcase will feature April Ryan, author of “The Presidency In Black and White”, which details her 18 years as a veteran White House correspondent.

The event augments local, talented writers, photographers, tap dancers, and singers.

Woodbridge High School’s Young Poet Laureate Circle and members of the PWCAC DST mentoring program will also be featured.

The Red Carpet Showcase, which serves as a platform to promote education and arts, will be free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Deborah Campbell at 703-4088944.

Brown & Group Therapy and others. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 301249-9400 or visit evangelchristmascelebration. com.

Washington, D.C.

Peoples Congregational United Church Christmas Bazaar The Peoples Congregational United Church is sponsoring its annual Christmas Bazaar on Dec. 6 at 4704 13th Street N.W. from 9:30 a. m.–3 p. m. The bazaar is sponsored by Peoples’ Fellowship Committee, and will feature vendors selling jewelry, clothing, greeting cards, decorations and many more items. Chicken and fish dinners will be also available amongst other, homemade baked goods. For more information, contact Sheryl Ellison-Blue at 301-352-3562.

Nelson Mandela New Wax Figure at Madme Tussauds Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. celebrates the life of Nelson Mandela with a wax figure of the social and political icon. To remember his Christmas Celebration 2015 life and recognize the two years Evangel Multi-Media & Arts since his tragic passing, his wax figure Center, 13901 Central Ave, will will be placed next to the historic “Free host its, “Christmas Mandela” Sidewalk Slab located Celebration 2015” on the George Washington from Dec. 5–Dec. 20.

University’s campus, H The extravaganza Street, Between 22nd will include gospel and 21st Streets NW, music’s recording on Dec. 6 from artists Kirk Franklin, noon–2 p.m. For Yolanda Adams, more information, Marvin Sapp, Tamela visit madame Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. Mann, Mary Mary, tussaudsdc.com celebrates the life of Nelson Mandela Avery Sunshine, or call 202-942with a wax figure.

Ledisi, Anthony 7300.

Courtesy Image

Upper Marlboro, Md.

Homicide Count

150

Data as of Dec. 2

We Can Help You Stay Connected.

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Call 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) to report outages and

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Go online to pepco.com, click “Outage Center” and enter your

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

The Afro-American, December 5, 2015 - December 11, 2015

The Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority held its fifth annual “Sisters called to Serve” Prayer Brunch, one of their signature events, on Nov. 14 at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. The brunch helps support community service and scholarship programs. The theme for the program was, “Honoring Those Who Serve Through the Ministry of Music and Worship Arts.”

Rev. Dr. Susie Owens, co-pastor, Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in D.C., was the guest speaker.

Rev. Ronald Wilson, Jr., Allen Chapel AME Church, Washington, D.C.

Sandy Stamps, Cheron Burns, Michelle Robinson, Michele Robinson, Aundrea McClure Armour, Kellie Lee, Antoinette Mann and Shana Broussard

Rev. Kevin D. Thompson, minister of music, Second Baptist Church, Falls Church, Va.

Tameka Tunsil, Chapter president and Anna Carter, chair, Fundraising Committee

Nardos King NoVAC DST Liturgical Dancers

Mutual Agreement gospel group

Rev. Dr. Susie C. Owens, co-pastor, Greater Mt. Calvary Church, Washington, D.C.

Michele Simon(standing), Mildred Lee Lglton, Lula Gaskin, Linda Hitchens, Carolyn Tate and Susan Norwood; Synthia Jones (seated), Clara Gipson, Eleanor Hammons and Franees Bell Anointed Voices

Shanon Washington, Emily Bryant, Michele Sim, Dr. Sharron Credle, Dawn Delandro-Bickham, Donna Nelson, Gladys Ftizhugh-Pemberton and Dr. Cynthia Brown Cheron Burns with Jimmi and Barney Barnwell Photos by Rob Roberts

Tracy Gaither, Lula Gaskin, Edgar Brookins, Barbara Neely and Rhonda Ellis

T

Photos by Rob Roberts

Dr. Alice H. Howard, president/organizer, NCBW, PWC and Connie Andrews

he National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Prince William County Chapter hosted its third annual gala, “A Winter’s Night in Paradise” on Nov 14 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. The gala was an elegant evening of socializing, dinner, dancing and shopping. Families, friends and supporters gathered to mix and mingle and provide financial support for the chapter to continue its mission to mentor young women and educate the community on Shirley Deyo and voting and Bernice Vaughn health issues.

Elise May Keys

Ray and Jacqueline Williams; Aaron and Connie Andrews; James and Maxine Andrews; Andre Woods; Doris Shropshire; Sharon and Cecil Sherry Stone, gala chair Andrews Emcee, gospel comedic artist, Marcus D. Wiley, Yolanda Adams Morning Show

Mary Lively with husband, Keith Lively

Willie and Cynthia Brown

Rev. Luke E. Torian and Mrs. Clarice Torian

Irick and Marjmie Burris, Reggie and Georgina Burris, Roxie Curtis, Vicky and John Harrison, Bernice Coleman and Shelia Coleman Andrea Bailey, Lillie Jessie, Felecia Harrison and Edgar Brookins

Members of the Prince William County Chapter, Coalition of 100 Black Women

Aeron and Ashley Spencer; Hazel and Rodney Edwards; Ed and Charmaine Hicks.

Raven Thompson, Sophia McKensie, Yvette Garel, Connie Andrews, Persephone Jones, Idna Symmons and Natishia Bishops

James Howard, with wife, Dr. Alice Howard

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