Washington-Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper February 13 2016

February 13, 2016 - February 13, 2016, The Afro-American

Volume Volume 124 123 No. No. 28 20–22

www.afro.com

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FEBRUARY 13, 2016 - FEBRUARY 19, 2016

Inside

Baltimore

AFRO OpEd: Have They Lost Their Judicial Minds?

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• Couple Donates

$5 Million to Morgan State University

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Washington AFRO Celebrates Black History Month

• Congress Heights

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Photo by Cheriss May, Howard University News Service

On Feb. 8, in the East Room of the White House, Washington, D.C. youth dancers perform for First Lady Michelle Obama and others for Black History Month.

First Lady Says Black History Should Be 607k Celebrated ‘Every Single Day’

That’s how many people have liked the AFRO Facebook page.

Join last week’s 5,200 new fans and become part of the family.

By Leanna Commins Howard University News Service

WHITE HOUSE -- First lady Michelle Obama said Monday the contributions of African-Americans to the United States are far too many and important to be celebrated for only a month, and instead should be studied and commemorated by the nation throughout the year.

Your History • Your Community • Your News

The Maryland General Assembly on Feb. 9 overrode Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of a bill with the help of a lawmaker who was allowed to vote twice: once as a member of the House and again as a senator.

The vote on the bill to restore voting rights to felons before they finish parole or

AP Photo/Gail Burton

Democrats in Maryland’s General Assembly have overridden all six of Gov. Larry Hogan’s vetoes from 2015.

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

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probation happened with the tightest of margins amid debate about whether it was proper for one lawmaker to vote twice.

The vote, which became snagged in some confusion on Feb. 9 before it was finally passed, already had been delayed for weeks because the Senate was one vote short of the three-fifths majority needed to pass it

after a vacancy was created by a retiring senator. Hogan appointed Del. Craig Zucker, a Democrat first chosen

by Democratic officials, to fill the Senate seat. As a

Listen to Afro’s “First Edition”

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to soar.”

Obama’s comments were made after 51 young Washington students performed at a day-long dance workshop held in the White House in honor of Black History Month.

The students performed special dances signifying the history of black dance after being trained and choreographed for three hours by four of

Md. Legislature Overrides Veto on Felon Voting

By The Associated Press

afro.com

“Let’s celebrate it for every single day of every single year--forever and ever,” Obama told spectators during a special Black History Month program at the White House. “We have contributed so much to this nation and this planet.

“We have to make sure our young people understand where they come from and how valuable they are and how valuable that history is so that they know they have a solid foundation upon which

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member of the House, Zucker already had voted in favor of overriding the veto.

The Senate voted 29-18 on two similar bills: One Continued on A3

Residents Slam ‘Slum Lord’

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Officers Seek to Block State’s Appeal in Freddie Gray Case

By The Associated Press Three Baltimore police officers charged in the Freddie Gray case are asking Maryland’s second-highest court to block the state from appealing a lower-court ruling barring another officer from testifying against them.

Lawyers for Lt. Brian Rice and officers Garrett Miller and Edward Nero attached the motions to Baltimore Circuit Court filings made public Feb. 9. The motions are directed to the Court of Special Appeals.

Prosecutors have told the appellate court they intend to appeal Circuit Judge Barry Williams’ Jan. 20 ruling barring them from forcing William Porter to testify against the others. Porter’s manslaughter trial in the Gray case ended in a hung jury in December.

Defense attorneys say Williams’ decision is not appealable. They say the state is just trying to postpone their clients’ trials until after Porter’s retrial.

Black Caucus Takes on Boko Haram Photo by Rob Roberts

Lt. Gen. Nadja West was promoted Feb. 9 from major general to three-star general in the United States Army.

She is the first Black woman to achieve the rank. In December, the U.S. Senate also confirmed West as the 44th surgeon general of the Army and commanding general of the Army’s medical command (MEDCOM).

The oath of office was administered by Gen. Mark A. Milley, chief of staff of the Army as her husband, Don (middle) held the bible.

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

U.S. Rep. Karen Bass (D-California), along with three of colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus, convened a forum on the most dangerous terrorist group in the world and it is not ISIS. Bass and Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) and

Copyright © 2016 by the Afro-American Company

Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), co-sponsored the event, “Africa Breakfast Policy: Boko Haram and its Regional Impact” on Feb. 9 at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center. Bass said Boko Haram hasn’t gotten the media attention that ISIS has but is more dangerous and ruthless.

“Girls have been raped, mistreated, tortured, and families have been killed because of Boko Haram,” Bass, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Relations’ subcommittee

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The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

Your History • Your Community • Your News

The Afro-American Newspapers

Baltimore Office • Corporate Headquarters 2519 N. Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4602 410-554-8200 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297 www.afro.com

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will be a very difficult and life changing transition in our lives.

Thank you for your prayers and well wishes.”

Earth, Wind & Fire, a nine-piece band centered featuring the two White brothers, singer Philip Bailey and the distinctive horn section, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. The band’s most successful period started with the 1975 album “That’s The Way of The World” and continued through the rest of the decade. Other hits included “Serpentine Fire,” ”That’s the Way of the World” and a cover of the Beatles’ “Got to Get You Into My Life.”

White publicly revealed he had Parkinson’s at the time of the band’s Hall of Fame induction, but he had shown symptoms of the neurological disease back in the 1980s. He stopped touring with the band in 1995 because of weariness from the road combined with his health problems.

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 - Ronald W. Harrison - 410-554-8242 Assistant Archivist - Shelia Scott - 410-554-8265

Chicago Officer Claims Trauma After he Sues Estate of Black Teen He Killed

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By The Associated Press

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Washington Office 1917 Benning Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002-4723 202-332-0080 • Fax: 1-877-570-9297 (Washington Publisher Emerita - Frances L. Murphy II) General Manager Washington Circulation/Distribution Manager Edgar Brookins - 202-332-0080, ext. 106 Director of Advertising Lenora Howze - ext. 119 - lhowze@afro.com Advertising Account Executive Vetta Ridgeway - ext. 1104 - vridgeway@afro.com Office Administrator - Mia Hayes-Hawkins - ext. 100

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In this Sept. 14, 1995 file photo, Ralph Johnson, from left, Phillip Bailey, Maurice White and Verdine White, of Earth, Wind & Fire in Los Angeles.

Earth, Wind & Fire Founder Maurice White Dead at 74

By The Associated Press

Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, whose horndriven band sold more than 90 million albums and made hits like “September,” ”Shining Star” and “Boogie Wonderland,” died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles, his brother Verdine said.

White, who was 74, suffered from Parkinson’s disease and had retreated from the public even as the band he founded kept performing.

“My brother, hero and best friend Maurice White passed away peacefully last night in his sleep,” Verdine White, also a member of the band, told The Associated Press on Thursday.

“While the world has lost another great musician and legend, our family asks that our privacy is respected as we start what

A White Chicago police officer who fatally shot a Black 19-year-old college student and accidently killed a neighbor has filed a lawsuit against the teenager’s estate, arguing the shooting left him traumatized.

The unusual lawsuit was filed Friday amid city leaders’ efforts to win back the public’s trust after several (GoFundMe) cases of alleged police Quintonio LeGrier, 19, was misconduct. killed by a White Chicago Robert Rialmo’s lawsuit police officer. provides the officer’s first public account of how he says the Dec. 26 shooting happened. It says Rialmo opened fire after Quintonio LeGrier swung a bat at his head at close range.

LeGrier’s father, Antonio LeGrier, filed a wrongful death lawsuit saying his son wasn’t a threat.

His attorney, Basileios Foutris, was incredulous at what he called the officer’s “temerity” in suing the grieving family of the person he shot.

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The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 13, 2016

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

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First Lady the nation’s top dancers--Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Judith Jamison, dancer, choreographer and “Different World” television director Debbie Allen, the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Virginia Johnson and hip-hop choreographer Fatima Robinson.

The girls performed a variety of genres, including African tribal, modern, classical ballet and hip-hop.

Obama called the students the “living legacy” of the choreographers who trained them.

“Your presence here today is very much the result of the risks they took, because of the sacrifices they made and the grinding hard work they put in hour after hour, year after year, rehearsing until their body ached and their lungs burned and they never wanted to put on that leotard again,” she said.

“For nearly 50 years, the women who are gracing us with their presence here today have been a driving force in the cultural life of

Photo by Cheriss May, Howard University News Service

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On Feb. 8, in the East Room of the White House, First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during her Black History Month program.

this nation. From tribal dance, to freedom songs, to modern dance, to hip-hop, their work has stirred our souls and ignited our imagination.”

Obama also discussed the hardships black dancers have faced in the past.

“It wasn’t that long ago that many major dance companies wouldn’t hire black dancers,” she said. “The few dancers who were hired were sometimes asked to wear white pancake makeup to hide their face from the audience. Some of the women who are with us today felt the sting of that discrimination first hand.”

As she wrapped up the event, Obama congratulated the young dancers on their performances.

“What you all just did today-showing up at the White House, learning from dancing legends, and then coming out in front of the media and performing like that,” she said. “There is absolutely nothing you all cannot do.”

Veto

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includes Zucker’s vote as both a member of the Senate and the House, and is the one that makes the veto override official because it had already been approved by the other chamber. The second bill contains Zucker’s vote only as a senator. This bill still needs to be approved by the House for the override to be official.

Republicans say the distinction between the two bills matters, because they have questioned the constitutionality of one lawmaker voting twice on the same veto override.

Sandra Brantley, counsel to the Democratic-led General Assembly, wrote last week that she believes the vote is fine, because each chamber can judge the qualifications of its members. She did note a potential counterargument in her letter of advice: that allowing a legislator to vote twice violates a requirement for the two houses to be “distinct.”

The “more reasonable and persuasive view,” however, is that a senator appointed to fill a vacancy may vote as the qualified senator, Brantley wrote. “I can find no authority in Maryland law or elsewhere that precludes the senator from voting under these circumstances.”

But Sen. J.B. Jennings, the Senate minority leader who asked for the opinion, said the matter could end up being challenged in court. Jennings

said the confusion and trouble that swirled around Feb. 9’s vote only underscored his belief that the override of the measure shouldn’t have passed.

“It just showed that this was the wrong thing to do,” Jennings said.

All 29 votes in favor of the bill came from Democrats, while four Democrats opposed it. All 14 Republicans voted against overriding the bill.

Opponents say felons haven’t yet paid their debt to society.

“Today, 29 people in the Maryland Senate decided to ignore reason and common sense and support an action that the vast majority of Marylanders vehemently oppose,” said Doug Mayer, a spokesman for the governor.

“For too long, voters have been completely ignored by their elected representatives in Annapolis. It happened again today and our citizens deserve better.”

But supporters say it’s an important measure to help reintegrate felons into society at a time when lawmakers hope to reduce recidivism and control corrections spending.

“Just because you have the right to vote does not eliminate your responsibility to pay your debt to society,” said Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, D-Baltimore.

“You still have to fulfill all of that, so I just don’t understand that portion of the argument.”

Courtesy Photo

Boko Haram is a militant Islamist terrorist group that is against Western education. The group is based in Northeastern Nigeria and has launched attacks in Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Boko Haram Continued from A1

on Africa, said. “The United States should come up with a strategy to eliminate this group of terrorists.”

Last November, the Institute for Economics & Peace published its 2015 Global Terrorism Index, which found that Boko Haram was the most deadly terrorist group in the world in 2014.

That year it was responsible for 6,644 deaths, compared with 6,073 deaths caused by ISIS. Boko Haram was founded in 2002 as an Islamist movement against Western education and values, and since then has expanded geographically and in scope. In 2014, it achieved international notoriety when militant members of the group kidnapped more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls and there was a worldwide outcry as a result of that. In March of 2015 the group pledged its allegiance to ISIS, which accepted it.

The group is based in northeastern Nigeria and has launched attacks in neighboring countries Cameroon, Chad and Niger. “It’s pure and simple, they are murderers,” said keynote speaker Linda Thomas-Greenfield, assistant secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs for the U.S. Department of State. “A few weeks ago, they killed 65 people in a Nigerian village, men, women and children.”

She said that Boko Haram has created as a humanitarian crisis in the region that it terrorizes, pointing out that 2.4 million people have been displaced from their homes and 80,000 Nigerians are refugees in neighboring countries. Thomas-Greenfield

also said that Boko Haram is considered an ally of ISIS and uses children as “purveyors of deadly violence.”

Thomas-Greenfield said the Obama administration

world and we need thinktanks to analyze it and business leaders to invest in the affected countries to create jobs and economic opportunities for people.”

Dr. Raymond Gilpin,

“It’s pure and simple, these are murderers.”

– Linda Thomas Greenfield will commit $195 million in aid to the Boko Haramaffected countries as well as a small number of troops and technical advisors and assistance. “We need academics to study Boko Haram and its impact on its immediate region and the

dean of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University, said that there has been progress in controlling Boko Haram’s growth. Two years ago, the group controlled 65 political districts in Nigeria and now, Gilpin said, it

controls only five.

Still, he warns that Boko Haram’s influence hasn’t waned. “There are terrorist groups that identify with Boko Haram that are committing atrocities and they are the new Boko Haram,” he said.

Reuben E. Brigety II, dean of The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, said that political and economic engagement is the key to containing Boko Haram. “In the U.S. we must press our government leaders to support those groups who oppose Boko Haram and in Africa, citizens must demand good governance and the end of corruption to stop the group,” he said.

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The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

LEADERSHIP can happen anywhere From all across Virginia and all walks of life, these African-American leaders made a difference wherever they found themselves. Wherever their lives took them — into law offices, schools, the halls of government, football stadiums,

even the mailrooms of the U.S. Postal Service — each honoree has helped make the world a better place for the next generation. Dominion and the Library of Virginia are proud to honor the 2016 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History.

Norfolk, 2009

LEROY ROUNTREE HA SSELL, SR.* CHIEF JUS TICE Hampton, 2000

MAMIE EVELYN LOCKE LEGISL ATOR The first African-American woman elected mayor of her adopted hometown and the third elected to the Senate of Virginia, she works to improve the lives of her constituents.

Richmond, 2009

He mentors future lawyers at Regent University after serving as the Virginia Supreme Court’s first African-American chief justice and advocating for greater access to legal services for all Virginians.

MELODY C. BARNES AT TORNE Y

Richmond, 2010

She is tapped by President Barack Obama to direct national domestic policy, overseeing reforms in education and healthcare that benefit all Americans.

MICHAEL ROBINSON FOOTBALL PL AYER, MENTOR He establishes the Excel to Excellence Foundation in his hometown to help disadvantaged children, after excelling himself in professional sports and media.

Roanoke, 1942

CL ARENCE M. DUNNAVILLE, JR. AT TORNE Y Richmond, 2009

CL AUDE GR ANDFORD PERKINS EDUC ATOR The first African-American superintendent of schools in Clark County, Nevada, Perkins is a longtime educator in Virginia. As president of Virginia Union University, he oversaw $30 million in campus improvements and a nearly 50 percent increase in the school’s endowment.

Lynchburg, 1913

He dedicates himself to the fight for civil rights after the Ku Klux Klan burns a cross at his family’s home when he’s only 9; he goes on to help oppressed populations throughout the South.

The Strong Men & Women in Virginia History program is sponsored by Dominion and the Library of Virginia to honor the contributions of influential African-American leaders. The program also helps prepare future leaders by providing student scholarships and grants, as well as resource materials for schools. To learn more about the program, its honorees, and available resource materials, visit lva.virginia.gov/smw.

ANNE BETHEL SPENCER * POE T She helps establish the local branch of the NAACP in Lynchburg and as a poet of the Harlem Renaissance assists fellow artists in finding their voices.

Richmond, 1972

THOMA S C ANNON, SR.* PHIL ANTHROPIS T Living simply on a postal worker’s salary, he sets an amazing example during his lifetime by giving away more than $156,000 to fellow Virginians experiencing hardship or who demonstrated heroism or generosity.

* honored posthumously

SM&W 2016 AfroAmerican_bw_FINAL.indd 1

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February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

AFRO Editorial

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COMMENTARY

Have They Lost Their Judicial Minds?

A federal court recently ruled that assault weapons -dangerous semi-automatic firearms -- are in such “common use” that owning them is a “fundamental right.”

It’s absolute lunacy.

Based on data compiled by Bloomberg, firearm fatalities could soon exceed traffic fatalities for the first time in history.

So in a bizarre ruling, a three-judge federal panel feels that Maryland residents should be allowed to carry around assault rifles like backpacks.

We can’t imagine, in what state, how this ruling makes sense.

A panel of judges on the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in its recent ruling said, “In our view, Maryland law implicates the core protection of the Second Amendment, the right of law-abiding responsible citizens to use arms in defense of hearth and home.”

It’s an incomprehensible decision that could force the Supreme Court to rule on whether the firearms are legal under Maryland gun reform law.

Do these Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals judges have a collective conscious? And do they remember Sandy Hook?

The legislation was passed following the Sandy Hook massacre which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults. The shooter, Adam Lanza, used an AR-15-style semiautomatic assault rifle.

Perhaps the lives of more young Black men in Baltimore could be saved if assault-semi-automatic- weapons were not so accessible. Homicide is far and away the leading cause of death for young Black men, more than car accidents, suicide and diseases combined, according to studies.

In 2013, then-Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley signed the Firearm’s Safety Act, which banned assault weapons and required all gun buyers to submit digital fingerprints to the police.

The law, according to news reports, was signed in conjunction with similar gun reform laws in Connecticut and New York, following the Newtown shooting--federal appellate courts upheld those laws.

In a 2-1 decision, the federal circuit court upheld the portion of the law which would require fingerprinting in states like New York, but sent back pieces of the law that would ban assault weapons.

“Assault weapons are not included under the right to bear arms,” Vincent DeMarco, president of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence, told the New York Daily News. “Are bazookas?

Are tanks? Are machine guns? Of course not.”

We’re pleased that saner minds will prevail.

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said he may take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“We’re confident that ultimately our law will be held constitutional,” Frosh told reporters. “They’ve been the weapon of choice for mass murderers. “They’re not useful for self-defense. They just don’t need to be in every household in the United States.”

We agree with Mr. Frosh and we’re pleased that someone of Mr. Frosh’s stature will indeed challenge this absurd and hazardous ruling.

Why I’m Becoming a Teacher in D.C. I love this time of year.

As things start fresh, I have the chance to think about the exciting things coming in the New Year, as well as reflect on the ways the people here in D.C. have shaped my path.

As a D.C. native, I grew in the communities that I will be working in this fall. I was lucky enough to receive an athletic scholarship to attend Dematha Catholic Troye Bullock High School. There I was able to play ball under a great coach, Elijah Brooks. Coach Brooks influenced and pushed me to always do my best, which ultimately helped me get in Georgetown.

When I got to campus, I decided to be a computer science major with plans to make big money after graduation. But my first class proved harder than I expected, so I dropped the class and my ambition along with it. That attitude quickly landed

me on academic probation. When I got the news, I questioned whether Georgetown was the place for me. As reality set in, I knew I had to change if I wanted to stay, and I worked to do better in the classroom. By sophomore year, I had decided to major in sociology because I liked studying people. I had no idea that my major would change my life.

In my sociology classes, I was forced to think about my own background. I looked around at my classmates, friends, professors, and realized none of them had the same experiences as me. None of them had shared a one-bedroom in a low-income community like mine. None of them made weekly visits to their mom in the hospital, trapped there by sickle cell anemia. None of them cared for their younger brothers while their dad was locked up at the federal prison in D.C. None of them grew up like I did, and the people who did were nowhere to be found on O Street.

Around the time I was making these realizations, I got a job at the After School Kids program, working with high school kids who were on house arrest for various reasons.

Spending time with them I realized just how much we had in common, with just a few strokes of luck separating us. Those little discrepancies were the difference between me and my

students, who never dreamed a school like Georgetown could be in their futures.

Thinking again of my own story, the path forward seemed clear. All students need is support. I almost didn’t make it, but I had support at the school and mentors like Coach Brooks that helped me make it through. I owed them my success, and I’ll never be able to pay them back. But I can absolutely pay it forward.

The way to do that became clear when I ran into a Teach For America recruiter last spring. The more I learned, the more excited I got. This was my chance to dedicate myself full-time to empowering kids and work for a more equitable education system. I applied, got admitted and will now get the chance to continue my work with D.C. students this fall. Wherever I go, I know that as I empower my students to break the cycle, we’ll together become part of a better one. I cannot wait for school to start this fall.

Troye Bullock is a current senior studying sociology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He is also a leader on the football team and head of a community based learning class.

Black Quarterbacks are Still Held to a Different Standard Despite Cam Newton leading the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 record during the regular reason and two playoff victories en route to his being selected the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and six Black QBs starting in the Super Bowl, Black quarterbacks are still routinely subjected to a double-standard by fans and the media.

In an error-filled game George E. Curry in which neither star quarterback played particularly well, Newton’s team lost Feb. 7 to the Denver Broncos 24-10. Even so, he had a stellar season by all accounts: throwing for 3,837 yards, including a league-high of 35 touchdowns, and running 636 yards, accounting for 10 more TDs. He was selected as a first-team All-Pro and received 48 of the 50 votes cast for league MVP. The undisputed leader of his team was clearly having fun on the field all year —at least until Sunday — and wasn’t shy about showing it. And that’s a breath of fresh air in the NFL – which some say stands for No

Fun League.

Not only does Newton have at least five different dances, he races to end zone stands after scoring and flips the ball to a smiling, grateful kid. Similar criticism is never leveled at quarterback Aaron Rodgers who performs the Lambeau Leap in the end zone stands after scoring a touchdown. While other teams are penalized for excessive celebrating, the NFL exempts Green Bay players from being disciplined for jumping in the stands after scoring. But officials are quick to penalize Black players.

Although Blacks comprise 65 percent of the NFL, they receive 91 percent of the unsportsmanlike conduct penalties assessed after touchdowns, according to a 2012 study.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a case in point. Rodger’s patented post-touchdown championship belt celebration is not only tolerated, it has allowed him to laugh all the way to the bank when he films commercials for State Farm Insurance featuring the Discount Double Check. Whites’ implicit bias may also account for Black quarterbacks being roughly twice as likely as White QBs to be benched, according to a recent study.”

Because the effervescent Newton seems to be having so much fun on the field, many underestimate how hard he has worked to reach the top of his profession. The off-field behavior of Newton and other Black quarterbacks is, like

so many other things, is viewed through different lenses.

According to a story on ESPN.com, “On Dec. 30, Cam announced the birth of his first child, the boy he named Chosen. The mother, Kia Proctor, was described by Newton as his ‘longtime girlfriend.’ The announcement, made six days after the boy was born, hit the front page of the local papers (of course) and occasioned another finger-wagging letter to The Charlotte Observer (of course.) Patricia Broderick of Mooresville expressed her disappointment in Newton and suggested he marry the mother of his child. “Congratulations would be in order,” she wrote, “if he had been man enough to marry the mother of his child and make a home.” Well, of course she said that.

Tom Brady can have a child out of wedlock – and leave the actress/mother for a supermodel before the baby was born – and not be blamed for the systemic deterioration of the American family and the scourge of fatherless households.

For Newton, it was yet another lens through which to view him, as if maturity, greed and race weren’t enough.”

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.

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

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The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

Local Heroes

Haynes Champions the Need for HBCUs For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important local heroes from the community. This week we sit with Leonard Haynes III, a man who has devoted his life to fighting for the survival of HBCUs.

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Leonard Haynes III, senior director of Institutional Service at the U.S. Department of Education, is set to retire on Feb. 26.

Even though he said he will step away from full-time work, he said he will still fight for the survival of Black higher education institutions. “I grew up in a family where Black colleges were embraced and celebrated,” Haynes said, noting that his father, the Rev. Leonard Haynes Jr., attended what is now Huston-Tillotson College in Austin and the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, and served as dean of instruction at Claflin University in South Carolina in the 1950s.

Haynes told the AFRO that he will take some time off for rest and relaxation and then he will decide what he will do next, which will likely be in some volunteer capacity to HBCUs. He said he is also considering other options such as part-time teaching.

Haynes holds a bachelor’s degree in

history from Southern secretary for University in Baton postsecondary education Rouge, Louisiana; in 1989 and in 1991 he a master’s degree in was transferred to the history from Carnegiedirector of academic Mellon University programs for the United in Pittsburgh, States Information Pennsylvania and a Agency until 1993. doctorate from The Haynes worked Ohio State University. in the Education “It is the Black church Department under and the Black college that has benefitted our people since slavery ended,” he said. “One must understand that after slavery we didn’t get reparations and we didn’t have a reconciliation Secretary Rodney Photo Courtesy of Dept. of Education commission where we Paige and was a Leonard Haynes is the senior sat down with White member of the senior director for Institutional Service people and asked how executive service and at the Department of Education. we were going to the director of the fund make living together for the improvement of peaceably work.” postsecondary education as well. Eventually, Haynes served as acting president of Haynes served as the executive director of the Grambling State University in Louisiana White House Initiative on Historically Black from 1997-1998 and served as the executive Colleges and Universities in 2007. vice president of the Southern University He left the Initiative to take on the job he system in the 1980s and has worked as the will be retiring from later this month. senior assistant to the president of American There are 107 HBCUs and according to University in D.C. from 1994-1995. a recent study commissioned by the United He was appointed by President George Negro College Fund, they produce 70 percent H.W. Bush as the first Black assistant of all Black doctors and dentists, 50 percent

of Black engineers and public school teachers, and 35 percent of Black lawyers. Haynes said that Black institutions instill a sense of purpose and a nurturing environment for its students.

“At a Black college, you don’t need to figure out who you are,” Haynes said. “If Black colleges didn’t exist, they would have to be created. Black colleges do great things but think of what they could do if they had the resources.”

“If Black colleges didn’t exist, they would have to be created.”

– Leonard Haynes Haynes said Howard University, alone among all HBCUs, has received a federal appropriation for almost 100 years in the federal budget. “That’s great for Howard, but all Black colleges should receive a similar level of support,” he said, emphasizing that the colleges have not made the type of progress he would have hoped.

Haynes has received 13 honorary degrees from universities around the country, said that he will continue to work to support Black colleges during his retirement. “I may be retiring from working but not from the battlefield,” he said. “I can do my part on the outside because I know how the inside works.”

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

KURT WEILL / MAXWELL ANDERSON

LOST IN THE STARS Starring Eric Owens

February 12–20 | Eisenhower Theater KENNEDY-CENTER.ORG (202) 467-4600

Major support for WNO is provided by Jacqueline Badger Mars.

Tickets also available at the Box Office.

Groups call (202) 416-8400.

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

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

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

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

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

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

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

CELEBRATING

BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH SHARED PRIDE MGM National Harbor is proud to honor the legacy and achievements of the African-American men and women who strengthen our communities and the nation. We recognize and celebrate their contributions to U.S. history and ongoing efforts to build an even better world for the next generation.

Building a world-class resort requires a partnership with a strong community. MGM National Harbor is working together with people who represent the very best of the Capital Region’s talented business leaders and skilled workforce. People like Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas, principal/interior designer at Interiors by Design, a creative and thriving Prince George's County-based business. MGM National Harbor is committed to ensuring that the development and operations of the new resort reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the local community.

Building Excitement.

MGMNationalHarbor.com

Dennese Guadeloupe Rojas

Principal/Interior Designer at Interiors by Design

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The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

Local Heroes

Delores Green Takes Care of Others in Annapolis For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important local heroes from the community. This week we sit with Delores Green, an Annapolis native who has been helping others since she was a teenager.

By Charise Wallace Special to the AFRO Delores Green, a native Annapolis, has been running things when it comes to helping out in her community far longer than she can remember.

Ever since the 75-year-old’s high school years, she’s always found a way to help out in her hometown of Skidmore Annapolis.

Green’s love for the community began with caring for the elderly.

During her teenage years she put her beautician skills to the test by styling seniors hair in their homes. She was known as “the beautician on wheels.”

“We need to be sitting back and letting our younger generation do the stuff that we’re doing.”

– Delores Green Green has been involved with numerous organizations including; Department of Recreation Parks; Mixed Community Club; The Maryland Classified Employees Action; and many more.

She has always wanted to be a part of making Annapolis a place of engagement. She’s touched lives of children and families at her church, Asbury Broadneck United Methodist as well as individuals in dire need for help. She is even the one doing

Courtesy photo

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M O V I N G S M A R T E N E R G Y F O R WA R D S I N C E 18 16

most of the cooking when it comes to family and church events.

“Sometimes people would say they’ll want something done but they don’t want to do it and so you know…you’ll think, well god we need a new road, we need this we need that,” Green said. “I just started it when my kids were younger, just doing stuff. I just wanted to help people.”

Green has been married for 58 years to Thomas Green. She has three children: Kim, Rosalyn, and Rodney.

Now that Green is retired, she spends her downtime caring for the needs of others. While doing this, the idea for S.P.A.R.S (Seventy Plus Active Responsive Seniors) was born in 2006.

Green, and her friend Terry Morris, took a proposal to their church that would create a way for seniors to still be involved while not attending church services.

“We just wanted to get them out of the house,” Green said. “Get them going, and keep them going.”

There are over 20 members who all range between the ages 70 and up. Green felt it was necessary to cater to older seniors who have more difficult times than other seniors who are younger than them because they are the ones who need it most. “S.P.A.R.S. is something that was real important to us because it singled out the younger people that 55 and older is you know, like seniors,” Green said.

Green references her mother’s (who passed in 2011) outgoing Delores Green spends her time helping others. personality, even as she got older. Her mom never was a person who would just want to sit in the house. “She was never satisfied with sitting still,” Green said. “She was always trying to go somewhere all the time. That’s how I wanted to do S.P.A.R.S.” These 70 and older seniors are involved in monthly activities that are done mainly outside of the church like shopping trips, eating out at restaurants, even doctors appointments. Green even helps them with their social security paper-work. The activities held within their church are Christmas parties, and mini gala’s where they give away small gifts to all of the seniors to make them feel special.

“With this S.P.A.R.S committee, if they just need something, like we tell them if you need us to go to the store, you need us to clean up, whatever you need us to do,” Green said.

Green may have the power and strength to do “whatever” she can for the seniors, but she still has to take care of her own needs and knows that she is beginning to slow down with all that she’s done for over 60 years.

“We need to be sitting back and letting our younger generation do the stuff that we’re doing,” Green said. “I don’t know if they’ll do it. Most of the children are still working so they can’t really do the stuff that we do.”

Green also said: “Only thing I can do is just start asking. We’re just going to have to ask.”

This year will mark the S.P.A.R.S 10th year anniversary. Green and Morris hope to continue gaining more members in 2016 and beyond as they continue to put up flyers in their community of Annapolis.

When Green can finally get some time to herself and away from her hometown near Sandy Point, she sees herself traveling.

“I really want to do some traveling.” Green said.

Send your news tips to tips@afro.com.

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

BALTIMORE-AREA

Race and Politics

Confronting Police with Mediation, Not Conflict Last week it was announced that Baltimore residents would get the chance Sean Yoes to confront police Senior AFRO officers face Contributor to face that they’ve had beef with, in a formal, controlled context.

Many who see the Baltimore City Police Department as an occupying force in poor communities of color, have waited for this opportunity for a long time.

“Most of these mediations that are going to happen... are going to be perceived breaches of ethics, perceived breaches of policy...and for a misuse of their discretionary power,” said Ako “Changa” Onyango, executive director of Community Mediation in Baltimore.

The organization Onyango leads will play a significant role in facilitating the Police Complaint Mediation

“Most of these mediations that are going to happen... are going to be perceived breaches of ethics, perceived breaches of policy...”

– Ako “Changa” Onyango program, which is ultimately aimed at narrowing the chasm between police and some communities. The current process for citizens to file complaints against police, consists of people making a complaint against an officer, which is then investigated by the Police Department’s division of internal affairs and there is never any face to face interaction between the officer and citizen alleging the misconduct.

Many complain the process is cumbersome and inherently a conflict of interest. With mediation the emphasis is dialogue and the sessions are private and kept confidential by law.

Mediation has been an alternative to conflict in communities across the state for several years and in certain scenarios has had a dramatic impact.

According to Community Mediation Maryland, when individuals engage in mediation before they are released from prison, the probability for future conviction is reduced by 15 percent (after just one session) Continued on B2

$5 Million

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Flossie Johnson, Noted Educator, Dies at 84

Courtesy photo

Flossie Johnson was known for her love of hats and education.

By Maliik Obee Special to the AFRO

Calvin E. Tyler Jr. and wife, Tina Tyler, are donating $5 million dollars to Morgan State University. On the right is Dr. David Wilson, president of the university. Calvin E. Tyler Jr. is a West Baltimore native who was the first person in his family to attend college when he entered Morgan State University in 1961. Tyler dropped out due to financial difficulties in 1963 and went on to climb the ladder at UPS, becoming senior vice president of operations before retiring in 1998.

Courtesy of Morgan State University

For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important local heroes from the paper’s archives. This week, the obituary of the Rev. Mrs. Nannie Gibbs, a community leader from the Cherry Hill neighborhood of Baltimore.

Local Heroes from the Archives

Rev. Mrs. Nannie Gibbs, Leader in Cherry Hill Community, Buried

By AFRO Staff Sept. 17, 1960 Funeral services were held Thursday at Enon Baptist Church for the Rev. Mrs. Nannie Wiley Gibbs, 80, 2649 Round Rd., Cherry Hill.

She died Saturday at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

The Rev. Mrs. Gibbs was prominent in Cherry Hill political circles for 15 years. She was also widely known as a civic, community and church leader.

A baptist minister since 1943, she was a member of the Enon Baptist Church for more than half a century.

She came to Baltimore from Philadelphia under the watch-care of the Enon Church in 1905, and shortly afterwards became a full member. * * * In a 1958 interview with the AFRO, Mrs. Gibbs said: “I’ll keep on going as long as I can. I’ll retire when the grave does it for me.”

Speaking about her church work she noted, “I’m mostly a prayerman, not too much of a preacher. I usually offer the opening prayer for many meetings out here (in Cherry Hill).”

Born in June, 1880, the Rev. Mrs. Gibbs was the daughter of the late Phil and Laura Wiley. Her occupation was that of a chef cook and she was known for her dishes from Canada to Florida.

On Dec. 7, 1907, she was married to the late Edward Gibbs, –Nannie Gibbs a musician. Her daughter, Ruth Gretchen Gibbs, died in infancy.

Her son, Wilbur Edward Gibbs, a Merchant Marine, died when the Mormackite sunk off the coast of Cape Hataras in Oct., 1954. * * * Although tragedy seemed to stalk her life, the Rev. Mrs. Gibbs found time to aid others. She became

“I’ll retire when the grave does it for me.”

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AFRO Archive Photo

Mayhem in Fells Point Leaves Woman Broken

By James Bentley AFRO Associate Editor jbentley@afro.com

On Feb. 6 an altercation and subsequent violent crash

YouTube

The crash that left a woman with many broken bones in Fells Point, Baltimore.

took place in Baltimore’s Fells Point neighborhood around 2:15 a.m. Video of the crash, which went viral, has been seen over 470,000 times by press time.

The video begins with a grey Honda Odyssey minivan waiting in line at the light on Broadway just south of Aliceanna. The back door of the minivan is open and there are several pedestrians near the vehicle.

A male in a white jacket begins to beat on the driver’s side of the minivan as two other men approach the open passenger door. The minivan

suddenly plows forward and rear ends a white Toyota Solara.

The minivan then rams Continued on B2

5

Past Seven Days

Flossie Pulliam Johnson donned many hats in her lifetime, educator, humanitarian and counselor to name a few. Not to mention the extravagant head pieces Johnson sported on the daily.

Born on August 25, 1931 in Chase City, Virginia, Johnson was the oldest of three girls to John and Mary Sue Ridley.

Johnson only bore one child, but she was a mother to many, going far beyond her requirements as a teacher to educate and enlighten students.

After relocating to Lawrenceville, Virginia, she earned a degree in Business Education at St. Paul’s College in 1954. Johnson taught in the Petersburg City Public Schools for several years, but it was in Baltimore where she would make her biggest impact.

Upon moving to Baltimore in 1966, Johnson received her Master’s in Education from the then Coppin State College. Upon becoming a teacher in Baltimore City Schools, Johnson won the hearts of many by pushing students to exceed beyond the classroom. Teaching students how to dress, and carry themselves like adults was not in Johnson’s job qualifications but she was preparing them for the real world.

Johnson’s work inside the classrooms and communities of Baltimore was noticed and received awards from several groups and organizations including the United Negro College Fund and the State of Maryland.

As busy as Johnson was, she always found time for the Lord, serving as a celebrated member of Epworth United Methodist Chapel in Baltimore County.

Upon retiring from Baltimore City Schools, Johnson spent her time with family and fed her hobby of Continued on B2

20 2016 Total

Data as of Feb. 10

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The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

Mayhem

Local Heroes from the Archives

the coupe a second time, almost pushing the Solara into the intersection of Broadway and Aliceanna. The male in the white jacket then rushes to the driver’s door and one of the people seen by the passenger door appears to smash a bottle into the passenger window.

After the man in the white jacket pries the driver’s side door open, an attacker on the passenger side appears to jump through the now broken window. The driver slams the car into reverse and speeds backwards again while the man on the passenger side falls back out the window.

After smashing into Dogwatch Tavern it reverses down the sidewalk leaving more damage in its wake. At that point it appears that Jillian Vaccaro, 27, of Baltimore suffered multiple skull fractures, a broken hip, a broken leg and broken teeth among other injuries after being struck by the mini van.

Orlando Redd, 37, of Parkville, MD was identified by police as the driver. Police say they arrested Redd a few blocks away from the scene of the accident and that Redd was under the influence of alcohol when he was taken into custody.

Redd has been charged with 1st and 2nd degree assault, malicious destruction of property and several charges of endangerment tied to driving while intoxicated. On Feb. 8 a Baltimore City judge denied Orlando Redd bail.

Redd has eight prior convictions which include assault and gun charges and he served 12 years in prison after pleading guilty in 2004 to violating his probation on an assault charge. The probation arose from a guilty plea in 1998 to assault with intent to murder.

the first president of the Domestic Workers Union, CIO, the first union of its kind in America.

She was a life member of the National Council of Colored Women, she was instrumental in establishing a metropolitan chapter of the Council in Cherry Hill. Mrs. Verda Welcome, at that time regional director, was associated with her in this endeavor.

Under the sponsorship of Mrs. Victorine Adams, the Rev. Mrs. Gibbs, organized the Cherry Hill Women’s Democratic Club.

She was also a member of the Cherry Hill Protective Association, the Coordinating Council of Cherry Hill and chairman of the Women’s Auxiliary of Cherry Hill.

This latter group sent boxes of clothing to the war – torn areas during World War II. She also sponsored the organization’s collection of clothing for destitute Koreans in Dec., 1951.

Her group of women is also affiliated with the Maryland League of Women’s Clubs. * * * Always prepared to arouse neighbors to a sense of civic duty, the Rev. Mrs. Gibbs was active in urging them to go to church, beautify their homes and become registered voters.

She was active in the AFRO Clean Block Campaign.

Although she had been ill since July and bedridden two weeks before her death, she continued to work by writing letters to political leaders, workers and presidential candidates.

As the result of her persistent work, three Cherry Hill precincts have colored officials. Through her efforts, two congressmen provided scholarships for Cherry Hill students.

At the Enon Church, the Rev. Mrs. Gibbs was a member of the Missionary Society.

Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Mandy Cousins, a nephew, Johnny Cousins, and other relatives of Burksville, Va.

Continued from B1

Continued from B1

Race and Politics Continued from B1

and the probability decreases further (by nine percent) with each additional mediation session. The organization also claims mediated cases are more likely to show a decrease in police and court involvement after mediation compared to cases that aren’t mediated.

Erricka Bridgeford is director of training for Community Mediation Maryland and her faith in the process is rooted in a deeply personal reality. When her younger brother, David Thomas, (her family called him “Cornbread� or “Corny�) was attending Carver high school years ago, he was confronted with a surreal blood curdling scenario.

One day while he was at school, a rented moving van pulled up in front of Carver and young, armed men leaped from the vehicle in search of Thomas. Once they located him they chased him around the school with the intent of gunning him down. They were unsuccessful.

Years later, Thomas (who at this time was in his early 20’s) was incarcerated and in what would seem an incredibly perilous twist of fate, his cellmate was none other than the lead assailant who years earlier chased Thomas around his high school with the intent to kill him. But, while the two

were confined together what seemed implausible took place and it would eventually become an epiphany for Bridgeford. “They were forced to talk it out,� Bridgeford reveals. She says her brother told her essentially, `There’s something about sitting down and looking in somebody’s face, eye to eye...I trust him.’ The two men were forced to come clean in that jail cell and what they discovered was the initial beef was all based on a misunderstanding.

The two remained close friends after they left prison and until the day Thomas died (in an unrelated incident). It’s the essence of what mediation is all about and why it can be successful and at its highest efficacy, prevent violence and/or murder. “If you actually read the police blotter...about how people get killed, a lot of things were things we end up mediating all the time. It’s miscommunication, it’s misunderstanding. It starts from something small and then it’s built up to something big and then one tragic day somebody couldn’t take it anymore,�

Bridgeford said. “In a confidential space people are able to have conversations about whatever it is and clear up those misunderstandings.�

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.

Flossie Johnson Continued from B1

fashion by shopping for hats and shoes.

On January 27, Johnson died from complications she suffered in a fall last year.

Johnson is survived by her daughter Cheryl Grayson; grandchildren Camille, Alexandra, Autumn and Kennedy Grayson; sisters Doris Holmes and Delores Chamblee; niece Denise Chamblee and nephews John and Dean Holmes.

Johnson’s funeral was held Feb. 4 at Epworth United Methodist Chapel in Baltimore.

BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THE BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO ITS ELECTRIC AND GAS BASE RATES CASE NO. 9406 NOTICE OF EVENING HEARINGS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Evening hearings for the purpose of receiving public comment in connection with Baltimore Gas and Electric Company’s application for an increase in its electric and gas base rates and other rate adjustments are hereby scheduled as follows: Thursday, March 3, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

–

Joint Committee Hearing Room Legislative Services Building 90 State Circle Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Monday, March 7, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

–

Towson University Marriott Conference Hotel 10 Burke Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204

Wednesday, March 9, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

–

Banneker Room George Howard Building 3430 Court House Drive Ellicott City, Maryland 21043

Wednesday, March 16, 2016, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

–

Town Hall, Rotunda Town of Bel Air 39 Hickory Avenue Bel Air, Maryland 21014

Thursday, March 17, 2016, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

–

16th Floor Hearing Room Maryland Public Service Commission William Donald Schafer Tower 6 St. Paul Street Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Written public comments may also be filed by Friday, April 15, 2016.

The comments shall be addressed to David J. Collins, Executive Secretary, Maryland Public Service Commission, William Donald Schaefer Tower, 6 St. Paul Street, 16th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, and should reference “Case No. 9406.�

Advertiser:

BGE

Publication:

Afro American

Insertion Date:

2/13/2016 2/27/2016

Ad Size:

5.42� x 8�

Title:

Notice of Hearings - 3/3, 3/7, 3/9, 3/16 & 3/17/16

If you have received this publication material in error, or have any questions about it please contact the traffic dept. at Weber Shandwick at (410) 558 2100.

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

“As we mark National African American History Month, we celebrate giants of the civil rights movement and countless other men and women whose names are etched in the hearts of their loved ones and the cornerstones of the country they helped to change.

We pause to reflect on our progress and our history – not only to remember, but also to acknowledge our unfinished work. We reject the false notion that our challenges lie only in the past, and we recommit to advancing what has been left undone. . . .”-President Barack Obama “In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”-Khalil Gibran If you ask Paula Johnson Branch and I how we met, we both respond with the old Richard Pryor joke “we were walking down the street…” and our steps fell in place and since 1964 we have been best friends. Paula introduced me to Dr. Marie Washington and the rest is history. As we enter our autumn years, we each have become conscious of our health and the reality that our friendship becomes more precious with each passing year. “Signed sealed and delivered” We met for dinner at the end of 2015 and signed a pact committing to support our friendship by obtaining optimal health. We pledged to encourage each other and face any challenges together. Don’t just say “you are my friend” commit to obtaining optimal health with your friends, your family and yourself. This is not a dress rehearsal remember, “the best is yet to come.”

“When you wish upon a star your dreams will take you very far…You’re a shining star no matter who you are shining bright to see what you could truly be.”-Earth Wind and Fire The office was abuzz when Maryland Department of Human Resources Secretary Sam Malhotra and Human Resource Development and Training Director Terry Chrapaty joined coworkers to personally congratulate

“shining star” Dr. Marian Davis-Foster in celebration of her 50 years of continuous, dedicated service to the State of Maryland.

“They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway”Ben E King Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripka rolled out the red carpet and Michael flirted and danced with our friend Sara Gray when she celebrated her birthday in New York on the morning show.

Happy 58th birthday to my niece Sherri Fraling who celebrated her birthday on the 58 yard line at the Forum Caterers at a surprise birthday party hosted by her children Nykidra, Nakia and Lorenzo, who surprised his mom flying in from the west coast. The tailgate themed party asked guests to wear their favorite team paraphernalia; Ravens ruled until the guest of honor arrived in Black and Yellow, that’s right Sherri is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Guests enjoyed a delicious tailgate menu with all the trimmings including a 4-tier birthday cake decorated in the image of a football stadium.

Happy birthday Sheila Sinkler, Art Peterson, Courtney Finney, Reginald “Reggie” Thomas, Beverly Carter, Carolyn Stepney, Lydia McCargo Redd, Judge Yvonne Holt-Stone, Samuel Redd, Dr. Heywood Burrell, Sharon Lewis, Marshall Booze, Monica Naesea and happy 65th to Charles “Roc” Dutton.

“A penny for your thought” has a new meaning for Fells Point artist Loring Cornish who covered his floor with thousands of pennies. When asked why, to paraphrase his response “everywhere you go there are floors of wood why not make a floor a work of art” “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and all the friends I want to see.”-John Burroughs Thinking of you Darrin Henson, Leah Goldsborough Hasty, Napoleon Sykes, Yvonne Frye, Bernice McDaniels, Darrin Henson and Karl and Laura Knight.

HopkinsLocal is a commitment by Johns Hopkins University and Health System to leverage our role as the largest private anchor institution in Baltimore to create lasting economic opportunities in the city. With this initiative, we are expanding our outreach to local businesses and residents, including women and minorities, when we build, hire, and buy.

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“Do you know what today is? It’s our anniversary.”Tony Toni and Tone Happy anniversary Dana and Ralph Moore “Like the countless, quiet heroes who worked and bled far from the public eye, we know that with enough effort, empathy, and perseverance, people who love their country can change it. Together, we can help our Nation live up to its immense promise. This month, let us continue that unending journey toward a more just, more equal, and more perfect Union.” -President Barack Obama The Black Student Union of Johns Hopkins University is hosting the 2016 Black History Month Documentary Series on Thursdays during the month of February. Cosponsors of the series include JHU’s Society of Black Alumni, the Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation of Metropolitan Baltimore, Inc. and 100 Black Men of Maryland. For more information: wesley@jhu.edu or (240)401-9534.

“Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.”Albert Einstein Condolences to Josephine Alston and family on the death of her husband Lloyd Alston; to Dr. Donna Mason and family on the death of her husband Harold Mason; to Connie Hankins and family on the death of her husband William Hankins; to Frances Jean Hamilton on the death of her mother Betsy Mae Hawkins; to the Causion family on the death of brother, Chef Gary Causion and to Jazzy Calhoun and family on the death of her father radio personality DJ Reginald “Reggie Reg” Calhoun.

Remembering Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire at Coppin State College in the 70s when they performed on campus with a local group Chocolate Rain introducing us to a new sound. May they rest peacefully in paradise.

I’ll be seeing you.

Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch

B4

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

The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

Dr. Gordon F. May, president, Baltimore City Community College

Rho Xi Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority celebrated their Founders’ Day with their annual prayer breakfast at the Martin’s Valley Mansion in Cockeysville, MD. The inspirational message for the prayer

Cynthia Bruce, the recipient of the Top Fundraiser Award is congratulated by Tasha Edmonds

breakfast was provided by Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, International First VicePresident of AKA Sorority, who is currently serving as President of Tennessee State University.

Unsung Award was given to Tonya Johnson and was congratulated by Mary Langston Mason

New Golden Sorors recognized are Helen G. Anderson, Cynthia Porter and Juanita Tillery

Lambda Beta Chapter, Towson University sorors pose with Grad advisor Joanna Langston (4th from left) and Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, International First Vice President

Tribute and awards were presented to members of the Chapter who celebrated 25 and 50 years of sisterhood in the sorority.

Dr. Gina McKnight-Smith acknowledges special guests

Autumn Anderson, recipient of the Leadership Award

Golden Sorors are Carol Carter, Dr. Norma Jones and Celia Carr

Towson University Undergrad - Lambda Beta Chapter of Alpha Kppa Alpha Sorority Sheila Rolack received the Cultural Pearl Award, the highest award from the chapter

Deleanor Harris-Boone and the Hon. Joan Pratt, Baltimore City Comptroller "Great is Thy Faithfulness" was performed by Rochelle M. Archelus

Loretta Byers, Tenne Throwen, Linay Reed, Gladys Rice and Reada Nelson

Vincent Whitmore congratulates Edith AydlettWhitmore on receiving the highest recognition, the Cultured Pearl Award

The 28th Annual Booklovers’ Breakfast, sponsored by the Enoch Pratt Library, was held on Feb. 6 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

More than 500 lovers of learning were in attendance as Kai Jackson, FOX 45 News Anchor, led the conversation with Edward Lewis, co-founder of

Golden Sorors (50 years) Judge Yvonne Holt Stone, Vivian Braxton, Jo Ann Jolivet and Helen G. Anderson

Keynote Speaker Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, International First Vice President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Essence, the most popular Black Women’s magazine in history.

Mr. Lewis sold the magazine to Time, Inc. in 2005, and several questions were asked of the author regarding the sale. In his book, “The Man From Essence,” Mr. Lewis tells the inspirational story of his humble beginnings in South Bronx to a media giant.

Edward Lewis, author of The Man from Essence with moderator Kai Jackson, FOX 45 news anchor

Antionette McAllister, Pamela Ramsey, Dr. Everett Garnett, Arnette Brock and Deborah Jones

Marion Murphy, Rosalind Williams, Maya Holland Knight and Kimberly Miller

Dr. Carla Hayden with her mother, Colllen Hayden

Joy Pinder Savage, Laura Phillips Byrd and Sherry Massey

Bernadette Green, Diane Wilson, Gloria Bell and Angela Faltz Stacia Mobley, Octavia Smith, Andrea Billips, Kim Baker, Carole Green are members of Friends that Read, Eat Drink and Be Literate, Books, Etc. Book Clubs

Dionne Hudgins, Beverly Woolford, Lily McElveen, Laverne Artis, Irma Johnson and Helen Shelton

(L-R) Sean Armstrong (grandson); Roderick Armstrong(son); Mario Armstrong (grandson) reading a proclamation from President Obama

The Baltimore Society, Inc. Book Club members include Veronica Blackwell, Brenda Bakder, Deborah Hawkins, Deborah Courtney, LaVerne Naesea Sandra Estes, Donna Wilson Johnson, Aldonna Wylie, Deborah Taylor and Jackie Brown

Reading By The Dozen book club members are Sarah Jerkins, Monzella Goodwin, Barbara Johnson, Beatrice Grant, Jacqueline Golden, Ernestine Jolicvet, JoAnn Jolivet, Russell Jolivet, Marion Starks and Jean Chaney

Peggy Jackson, Mary Radcliffe, Celestine Knight and Delores Small Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine

Margaret Armstrong, one of the founders of the Baltimore School for the Arts, turned 100 on Jan. 30. Celebrating with her at Brookdale Towson, a senior living center in Baltimore, were her friends and family.

The Armstrong Family

Clara Adams, Special Assistant, Office of the President of Morgan State University and long time friend congratulates Margaret on reaching 100 years

Margaret’s sister, Frances Ashby

Friends of Margaret Armstrong’s sons who attended to wish her a ‘Happy 100th’ birthday

Courtesy Photos

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

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

Exclusive

C1

ARTS & CULTURE

Kirk Franklin Talks About Losing Your Religion

By Akira Kyles Special to the AFRO There are many things that Kirk Fanklin, the 46 -year-old, award winning gospel singer is known for, but a solo tour has never made the list – until now.

After a nearly five year break, Franklin released the single “Wanna Be Happy?” which soon led to the release of his “Losing My Religion” album and now his first solo tour.

According to Franklin, his favorite song on his album isn’t the first single he released, but it’s another track called “Intercession.”

“I think its “Intercession” that really speaks to what I am. It came at a very dark time and that’s why I think that song will always have a special place for me.”

The goal for any album is to have a tour, according to Franklin. And that is exactly what he has set out to do.

Franklin has been known for his message of “lose your religion” but that’s not what this tour is about. “[The tour] is really about the whole 20 year career of music, that’s why we call it ‘20 Years in One Night,’ because it’s really about the body of work that God blessed me to have and I was to be able to show that to people,” said Franklin.

Even though his tour isn’t about his “lose your religion” message, he believes that the message can still be expressed.

“Hopefully what I’m saying and what I believe will be the driving force [for] people to want to pursue a relationship with Christ that will be greater than what denomination they are, how they should act – let’s let the music be transformative about the trinity to get people started to begin to see God different.”

Franklin first came to prominence in 1993 with the release of “Kirk Franklin and the Family,” a platinum record of Franklin and his vocal ensemble, known as the Family. What followed was a string of chart topping gospel music, a series of lawsuits over ownership of the music and eventually Franklin going solo in 2001.

Along with the excitement of Franklin’s first solo tour there is also some nervousness, but his nerves aren’t slowing down his busy schedule in preparation for his tour.

“I’m scared. Because this is my first time ever doing that and I want to be excellent at it, so I’m hoping and praying that that will happen.”

“I’m just letting the music be the driving force for what I’m doing. I’m trying to make sure that I’m hearing all the music, that I’ve got all the music in my heart and mind – I’m seeing what looks good and feels good.”

Franklin’s general goal for his tour is to “make God famous,” but that’s not the only goal he has set.

“My general goal is to make God famous; to make God known in the culture; to make his

(Courtesy photo)

Kirk Franklin will be performing in Washington D.C. on March 19. name, his popularity, and the person of God known,” said Franklin. “That’s always my goal, along with showing people that gospel music as an art form can still be entertaining, while at the same time, inspiring. One doesn’t have to suffer because of the other.”

When asked if he had any last remarks about his tour Franklin simply said “I’m very excited about it.”

With the large fan base that follows Franklin, he surely can’t be the only one anticipating his upcoming tour.

Kirk Franklin will be at the Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. on March 19. Check ticketmaster.com for other dates throughout the country.

Interview

Homestory Deutschland

Exhibit Showcases Black Germans Throughout History

By Shantella Y. Sherman Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com The photo exhibition “Homestory Deutschland – Black Biographies in Historical and Present Times,” created by the Initiative of Black people in Germany was unveiled at The Gallery Lounge in the Armour J. Blackburn University Center at Howard University, Feb. 3, at a reception that brought Photo by Shantella Y. Sherman together students and a host Howard University student Jacob Maldonado examines of Black Germans to share the photos at the Homestory Deutschland exhibit, their experiences. Funded detailing the lives of Black Germans in both recent by the Federal Agency history and antiquity. for Civic Education, the collection of self-portraits gives voice to the complex and varied biographies of Black German women and men over the past three centuries of German history.

“It is important that as we acknowledge Black history month that we understand it from a perspective that Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Neely Fuller did by examining the aspects of human activity and how Black and brown people inhabited the whole planet and have, in some cases, experienced the same things,” Oduno Abdul Tarik, a local resident who attended the exhibition, told the AFRO. “These types of exhibits document how the war against Blackness has never stopped and it has been global in perspective.”

The exhibit features 27 black and white photographs of Black men and women.

“Lots of people, when they talk about the history of Germany and the history of people who were persecuted, they usually confine it to the Jewish people and homosexuals, but I had never heard about how Black cultural identity was perceived in German history,” Jacob Maldonado, a Howard student, said. “It is so interesting to come here and get firsthand narratives from these peoples’ lives about how it was like to grow up there and how it shaped them into the people they are now. It is amazing that so many ended up rising up against racial adversity and many became activists.”

The biographies of Black men and women who found themselves characterized by stereotypical racist perceptions and struggled to be acknowledged and respected in German society bought to light the ways in which systemic conditions and structures are imprinted upon individual life stories.

“Homestory Deutschland” offers insight into the identity formation of Black and brown people in a space that was at once inviting and welcoming, with periods of extreme hostility and racial violence. And while those on display seemed able to define both their German spaces as their own, they did so while questioning their nationality, their race, and the ambiguity of both.

“Homestory Deutschland – Black Biographies in Historical and Present Times “runs through March 10. For more information go to howard.edu.

Isaiah Washington on ‘Sin Seer’

By Kam Williams Isaiah Washington was born on Aug. 3, 1963 in Houston, Texas. After a stint in the U.S. Air Force, he attended Howard University as a Theater Arts major, then joined the City Kids Repertory, a troupe which performed at schools for at-risk children.

Isaiah has appeared in such Spike Lee films as “Crooklyn,” “Clockers,” (Courtesy photo) “Girl 6” and “Get on the Isaiah Washington plays an ex-con-turned-private-eye Bus.” Other movies on his in ‘Sin Seer.’ resume include “Romeo Must Die,” “Out of Sight,” “Bulworth” and “Love Jones.”

His first regular gig on TV was as a regular cast member on “Grey’s Anatomy,” a show he left in a cloud of controversy. In his spare time, Isaiah enjoys building model airplanes, and he also wrote a memoir, “A Man From Another Land: How Finding My Roots Changed My Life.”

Here, he talks about his latest offering, “The Sin Seer,” a thriller where he plays an ex-conturned-private eye who solves cases with the help of a clairvoyant [Lisa Arrindell Anderson].

KW: What interested you in “Sin Seer”?

IW: I thought that the story was very unique for an African-American woman to star in, and I saw yet another opportunity to be a producer on a movie.

KW: How would you describe the film in 25 words or less?

IW: It’s a shocker in the end.

KW: Do you believe that some people have extra sensory powers in real life?

IW: Absolutely.

KW: How would you describe your character, Grant Summit?

IW: As mysterious, loyal and a protector.

KW: What message do you think people will take away from the film?

IW: Watch your friends and family members closely.

KW: What was the last book you read?

IW: “The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey.”

KW:: What is your favorite dish to cook?

IW: Grilled shrimp, mussels and rice.

Continued on C7

C2

The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

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

1 Col. Inch Up to TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:43:06 EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 14:12:34 EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:45:18 EST 2016Jan 26 10:15:47 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES 20 Words Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM31 Mary H Bassett AKA Juliette Bassett Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Conrad C Bassett Jr, and Lenear E Bassett-King whose address is 3038 Silent Valley Dr.,Fairfax, VA 22031 & 5903 Harland St., New Carrollton, MD were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Mary H Bassett AKA Juliette Bassett, who died on November 16, 2015 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before July 29, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 29, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: January 29, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Conrad C Bassett Jr. Lenear E Bassett-King Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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

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

(Strike preceding sentence if no real estate.)

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

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM13 Jack Birch Decedent Shraga Kawior, Esq 8630 Fenton Street Ste 822 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Timothy Alan Birch, whose address is 7233 Oliver Street, Lanham MD 20706 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Jack Birch , who died on May 31, 1989 with a will, All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.

Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 29, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 29, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: January 29, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Timothy A Birch Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM62 Doris J. Carmon Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sean Carmon, whose address is 7127 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20012 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Doris J Carmon, who died on October 31, 2001 withouta will, and will serve with Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.

Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 12, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 12, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: February 12, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Sean Carmon Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Feb 09

Wesley L Clarke Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 01/29, 02/05, 02/12/16

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM0038 Vivian A Daniel AKA Annie V Daniel Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Chandra A Porchia, whose address(es) is 2718 Sweetwater Court, District Heights, MD 20747, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Vivian A Daniel AKA Annie V Daniel, who died on September 5, 2014 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 29, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 29, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

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

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

02/12, 02/19, 02/26/16 Superior Court of

01/29, 02/5, Tue 02/12/16 TYPESET: Feb 02 14:16:24 2016 the EST District of

TYPESET: Tue Jan 26 09:44:27 EST 2016 01/29, 02/05, 02/12/16 01/29, 02/05,Tue 02/12/16 TYPESET: Jan 26 09:46:03 EST Court 2016 of Superior Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM946 Jeannetta W Keitt Decedent Wesley L Clarke 1629 K Street, NW, Ste 300, Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Wesley L Clarke, whose address is 1629 K Street, NW, Ste 300, Washington, DC 20006, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Jeanetta W Keitt, who died on August 19th 2011 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 29, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before July 29, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: January 29, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM000513 Judy M Butler AKA Judy M Perrine Decedent Bonita Jones- Moon, Esq 1100 Connecticut Ave., NW Suite 340 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Bonita Jones-Moon, Esquire , whose address is 1100 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 340, Washington, DC 20036, was appointed personal representative(s) of the estate of August 2, 2016, who died on May 23, 2002 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before August 2, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 2, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: February 5, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Bonita Jones-Moon Esq Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 02/5, 02/12 , 02/19/16

District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM1376 Willie A Linthicum Decedent Howard C Boyd Esq 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 100-482 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Brenda Linthicum Craft , whose address is 9045 Bluffview Trace , Roswell , GA, 30076, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Willie A Linthicum , who died on May 3rd 2013 with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before August 12, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 12, 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: Brenda Linthicum Craft Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Brenda Linthicum Craft Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 02/12, 02/19, 02/26/16

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20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM59 Lillie Brown Curry TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 14:11:01 Decedent Legal Advertising Rates Marialice Williams, Esq 1922 First Street NW Effective October 1, 2008 Superior Court of Washington DC 20001 the District of Attorney District of Columbia NOTICE OF PROBATE DIVISION PROBATE DIVISION APPOINTMENT, Washington, D.C. NOTICE TO (Estates) CREDITORS 20001-2131 Administration No. AND NOTICE TO 202-332-0080 2014ADM1326 UNKNOWN HEIRS PROBATE NOTICES Eugenia A Robinson , Carter McKinley Smith whose address(es) is Jr 4008 Blaine Street, NE, Decedent a. Order Nisi $ 60 perWashington, insertion DC 20009, $180.00 3 Gordon weeks Marilynper Cain b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 perappointed insertionpersonal re- 7603 Georgia Avenue, presentative of the estate NW, Ste 304 c. Notice to Creditors of Lillie Brown Curry, who Washington, DC 20012 Attorney on June 13, 2015 $180.00 1. Domestic $ 60 perdied insertion per 3 weeks NOTICE OF with a will, and will serve 2. Foreign $ 60 perwithout insertion $180.00 per 3 weeks APPOINTMENT, Court superviTO All unknown heirs $360.00NOTICE d. Escheated Estates $ 60 persion. insertion per 6 weeks CREDITORS and heirs whose e. Standard Probates AND NOTICE TO whereabouts are un- $125.00 UNKNOWN HEIRS known shall enter their Marilyn Cain Gordon, appearance in this CIVIL NOTICES proceeding. Objections whose address is 7603 to such appointment (or Georgia Avenue, NW, a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 $ 80.00 to the probate of de- Ste 304, Washington, DC 20012, was, apcedent´s will) shall be $ 200.00 b. Real Property filed with the Register of pointed personal representative of the estate of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Carter McKinley Smith, FAMILY COURT Jr. , who died on August Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

14:11:39 EST 2016 20001, on or before Au- 6, 2010 without a will, 202-879-1212 gust 12, 2016. Claims and will serve without DOMESTIC RELATIONS against the decedent Court supervision. All unshall be presented to the known heirs and heirs 202-879-0157 undersigned with a copy whose whereabouts are to the Register of Wills or unknown shall enter their filed with the Register of a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s a. Absent Defendant proceeding. Objections Wills with a copy to the $ 150.00 to such appointment (or undersigned, on or be- $ 150.00 b. Absolute Divorce fore August 12, 2016, or to the probate of dec. Custody Divorce $150.00 be forever barred. Per- cedent´s will) shall be sons believed to be heirs filed with the Register of or legatees of the de- Wills, D.C., 515 5th N.W.,&3rd cedent whoPublic do not Notices re- Street, To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, ext.

262, $50.00 upFloor ceive a copy of this notice W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . depending on size, Baltimore Legal Notices are $24.84 per inch. by mail within 25 days of 20001, on or before Auits first publication shall gust 12, 2016. Claims 1-800 (AFRO) 892 so inform the Register of against the decedent presented to the including name, shall For Proof of Publication, pleaseWills, call 1-800-237-6892, ext.be 244 address and relation- undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or ship. filed with the Register of Date of Publication: Wills with a copy to the TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 14:11:19 EST 2016 February 12, 2016 TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 14:12:04 EST LEGAL 2016 NOTICES undersigned, on or beName of newspaper: fore August 12, 2016, or Afro-American be forever barred. PerWashington Superior Court of Superior Court of sons believed to be heirs Law Reporter the District of the District of Eugenia A Robinson or legatees of the deDistrict of Columbia District of Columbia cedent who do not rePROBATE DIVISION Personal PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. Representative ceive a copy of this notice Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 by mail within 25 days of 20001-2131 Administration No. its first publication shall TRUE TEST COPY Administration No. 2015ADM855 so inform the Register of REGISTER OF WILLS 2016ADM59 Samuel Lorenzo Mil- Lillie Brown Curry Wills, including name, ligan TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 14:11:01 addressEST and 2016 relation02/12, 02/19, 02/26/16 Decedent Decedent ship.

Marialice Williams, Esq NOTICE OF Date of Publication: 1922 First Street NW APPOINTMENT, Superior Court of February 12, 2016 Washington DC 20001 NOTICE TO the District of Name of newspaper: Attorney CREDITORS District of Columbia Afro-American NOTICE OF AND NOTICE TO PROBATE DIVISION Washington APPOINTMENT, UNKNOWN HEIRS Washington, D.C. Law Reporter NOTICE TO Nikki Mitchell, whose ad20001-2131 Marilyn Cain Gordon, dress is 12107 Beltsville CREDITORS Administration No. Esq Drive, Beltsville, MD , AND NOTICE TO 2014ADM1326 Personal 20705 was appointed UNKNOWN HEIRS Representative personal representative Eugenia A Robinson , Carter McKinley Smith of the estate of Samuel whose address(es) is Jr Lorenzo Milligan, who 4008 Blaine Street, NE, Decedent TRUE TEST COPY died on June 9, 2015 Washington, DC 20009, Marilyn Cain Gordon REGISTER OF WILLS without a will, and will appointed personal re- 7603 Georgia Avenue, serve without court suNW, Ste 304 02/12, 02/19, 02/26/16 presentative of the estate pervision. All unknown Washington, DC 20012 heirs and heirs whose of Lillie Brown Curry, who Attorney whereabouts are un- died on June 13, 2015 NOTICE OF known shall enter their with a will, and will serve APPOINTMENT, without Court superviappearance in this NOTICE TO proceeding. Objections sion. All unknown heirs CREDITORS to such appointment (or a n d h e i r s w h o s e AND NOTICE TO to the probate of de- whereabouts are unUNKNOWN HEIRS cedent´s will) shall be known shall enter their Marilyn Cain Gordon, filed with the Register of a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Wills, D.C., 515 5th proceeding. Objections whose address is 7603 Street, N.W., 3rd Floor to such appointment (or Georgia Avenue, NW, Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . to the probate of de- Ste 304, Washington, 20001, on or before June cedent´s will) shall be DC 20012, was, ap4, 2016. Claims against filed with the Register of pointed personal reprethe decedent shall be Wills, D.C., 515 5th sentative of the estate of presented to the under- Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Carter McKinley Smith, signed with a copy to the Jr. , who died on August Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

Register of Wills or filed 6, 2010 without a will, with the Register of Wills 20001, on or before Au- and will serve without with a copy to the under- gust 12, 2016. Claims Court supervision. All unsigned, on or before June against the decedent known heirs and heirs 4, 2016, or be forever shall be presented to the barred. Persons believed undersigned with a copy whose whereabouts are to be heirs or legatees of to the Register of Wills or unknown shall enter their the decedent who do not filed with the Register of a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s receive a copy of this no- Wills with a copy to the proceeding. Objections tice by mail within 25 undersigned, on or be- to such appointment (or days of its first publica- fore August 12, 2016, or to the probate of detion shall so inform the be forever barred. Per- cedent´s will) shall be Register of Wills, includ- sons believed to be heirs filed with the Register of ing name, address and or legatees of the de- Wills, D.C., 515 5th relationship. cedent who do not re- Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Date of Publication: ceive a copy of this notice W a s h i n g t o n , D . C .

December 4, 2015 by mail within 25 days of 20001, on or before AuName of newspaper: its first publication shall gust 12, 2016. Claims Afro-American against the decedent Nikki Mitchell so inform the Register of shall be presented to the Personal Wills, including name, undersigned with a copy Representative address and relationto the Register of Wills or ship. filed with the Register of Date of Publication: TRUE TEST COPY Wills with a copy to the February 12, 2016 REGISTER OF WILLS undersigned, on or beName of newspaper: fore August 12, 2016, or 12/4, 12/11, 12/18/15 Afro-American be forever barred. PerWashington sons believed to be heirs Law Reporter Eugenia A Robinson or legatees of the dePersonal cedent who do not reRepresentative ceive a copy of this notice

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February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

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TYPESET: Tue Feb 02 14:16:49 ESTTue 2016 Feb 02 14:17:09 ESTTue 2016 TYPESET: Feb 09 14:09:40 EST 2016 LEGAL NOTICES TYPESET: LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 15:38:37 EST 2016

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM51 Susie Olive Miles Decedent Cecilia R Jones 7910 Woodmont Ave Suite 1350 Bethesda, MD 20814 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Pernell R Coston, whose address is 2919 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20011 wasappointed personal representative(s) of the estate of Susie Olive Miles, who died on December 7, 2015 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before August 5,2016 . Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 5, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: February 5, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Pernell R Boston Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2016FEP6 Date of Death November 10, 2015 Maxie B Holmes Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Jinai Holmes whose address is 2813 64th Avenue Cheverly MD 20785 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Maxie B Holmes , deceased by the Orphan’s Court for Prince George’s County, State of Maryland. on December 29, 2015.

Service of process may be made upon Deborah Holmes 3905 24th Street N E Wa s h i n g t o n D C 20018 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 218 Rittenhouse Street NW Washington, DC 20011 Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills for the District of Columbia, Building A, 515 5th Street, NW, 3rd floorWashington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

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

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

Juanita F Holder Personal Representative(s) TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: February 5, 2016 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION´S 2016 CONSTRAINED LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN AMENDMENT AND DRAFT SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY ANALYSIS On Thursday, February 11, 2016 the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) will release for public comment the draft project submissions for the Air Quality Conformity Analysis of the 2016 Financially Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan (CLRP) Amendment. The TPB will also release the draft Scope of Work for the Air Quality Conformity Analysis. The 30-day public comment period will close at midnight on Saturday, March 12, 2016. The TPB will be asked to approve the project inputs and the scope of work for the Air Quality Conformity Analysis at their meeting on March 16, 2016.

These materials are available for review online at www.mwcog.org/clrp2016 and at the offices of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), 777 N. Capitol St. NE, Washington, DC 20002.

The CLRP shows the road, bridge, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV), transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects funded through the year 2040. The air quality conformity analysis assesses the CLRP with respect to the air quality requirements under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments.

Comments may be submitted by any of the following means: Write: National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board 777 North Capitol Street NE Suite 300 Washington, DC 20002-4239 Online: www.mwcog.org/TPBcomment Email: TPBComment@mwcog.org In Person: Interested citizens may make a statement during the public comment period at the beginning of each TPB meeting, at 12 noon on the third Wednesday of every month, except August. To participate, call (202) 962-3315.

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations prohibiting discrimination in all programs and activities. For more information, or to file a Title VI related complaint, see www.mwcog. org/publications/nondiscrimination.asp or call (202) 962-3200. If information is needed in another language, then contact (202) 962-3200.

El Consejo Metropolitano de Gobiernos de Washington (COG) cumple con el Título VI de la Ley sobre los Derechos Civiles de 1964 y otras leyes y reglamentos en todos sus programas y actividades. Para obtener información en español, o para someter una demanda relacionado al Título VI, Jinai Holmes visite nuestra pági-na web www.mwcog.org/publications/ Personal nondiscrimination.asp o llame al (202) 962-3300. Para obtener información Representative(s) TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 14:10:41 EST 2016 TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 11:56:15 EST 2016 TYPESET: Tue Feb 09 14:10:16 ESTTEST 2016COPY TRUE en otra idioma, llame al (202) 962-3200.

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2014ADM126 Charles A Stinger Jr. Decedent Clarissa T Edwards TRUE TEST COPY Law Office C Thomas REGISTER OF WILLS 2402 Lenfant Square TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 11:56:56 EST 2016 TYPESET: Wed Feb 03 11:55:32 EST 2016 02/5, 02/12, 02/19/16 SE Washington, DC 02/5, 02/12, 02/19/16 20020 Attorney Superior Court of Superior Court of NOTICE OF the District of the District of APPOINTMENT, District of Columbia District of Columbia NOTICE TO PROBATE DIVISION PROBATE DIVISION CREDITORS Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. AND NOTICE TO 20001-2131 20001-2131 UNKNOWN HEIRS Administration No. Administration No. Sara E Stinger, whose 2016ADM0047 2015ADM900 address is 2145 Suitland Helen W Franklin Robert Edwards Stew- Terrace, SE, Unit B , Decedent art Washington, DC NOTICE OF Decedent 20020was appointed APPOINTMENT, Anita Isicson, Esq personal representative NOTICE TO 4616 Fessenden Street of the estate of Charles A CREDITORS NW Stinger, who died on AND NOTICE TO Washington, DC 20016 January 10, 2014 without UNKNOWN HEIRS Attorney a will, and will serve withBeverly M Franklin and NOTICE OF out Court supervision. All Betty Franklin Swammy, APPOINTMENT, unknown heirs and heirs whose addresses are NOTICE TO whose whereabouts are 4518 Sargent Rd, NE, CREDITORS unknown shall enter their DC, 20017; 5054 12th AND NOTICE TO appearance in this St., NE, Washington, UNKNOWN HEIRS DC,20017 were ap- A n i t a I s i c s o n , E s q , proceeding. Objections pointed personal repre- whose address is 4616 to such appointment (or sentatives of the estate Fessenden Street, NW, to the probate of deof Helen W Franklin, who Washington, DC 20016, cedent´s will) shall be died on September 12, was appointed personal filed with the Register of 2015 with a will, and will representative of the Wills, D.C., 515 5th serve without Court su- estate of Robert Ed- Street, N.W., 3rd Floor pervision. All unknown wards Stewart, who died W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . heirs and heirs whose on August 21, 2013 (with, 20001, on or before Auwhereabouts are un- without) a will, and will gust 12, 2016. Claims known shall enter their serve (with, without) against the decedent a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Court supervision. All un- shall be presented to the proceeding. Objections known heirs and heirs undersigned with a copy to such appointment (or whose whereabouts are to the Register of Wills or to the probate of de- unknown shall enter their filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the cedent´s will) shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s filed with the Register of proceeding. Objections undersigned, on or before August 12, 2016, or Wills, D.C., 515 5th to such appointment (or Street, N.W., 3rd Floor to the probate of de- be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . cedent´s will) shall be 20001, on or before Au- filed with the Register of or legatees of the decedent who do not regust 5, 2016. Claims Wills, D.C., 515 5th against the decedent Street, N.W., 3rd Floor ceive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of shall be presented to the W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . undersigned with a copy 20001, on or before Au- its first publication shall to the Register of Wills or gust 5, 2016. Claims so inform the Register of filed with the Register of against the decedent Wills, including name, Wills with a copy to the shall be presented to the address and relationundersigned, on or be- undersigned with a copy ship. fore August 5, 2016, or to the Register of Wills or Date of Publication: be forever barred. Per- filed with the Register of February 12, 2016 sons believed to be heirs Wills with a copy to the Name of newspaper: or legatees of the de- undersigned, on or be- Afro-American cedent who do not re- fore August 5, 2016, or Washington ceive a copy of this notice be forever barred. Per- Law Reporter Charles A Stinger Jr. by mail within 25 days of sons believed to be heirs Personal its first publication shall or legatees of the deRepresentative so inform the Register of cedent who do not reWills, including name, ceive a copy of this notice address and relation- by mail within 25 days of TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS ship. its first publication shall Date of Publication: so inform the Register of 02/12, 02/19, 02/26/16 February 5, 2016 Wills, including name, Name of newspaper: address and relationAfro-American ship.

Washington Date of Publication: Law Reporter February 5, 2016 Beverly M Franklin Name of newspaper: Betty Franklin Swammy Afro-American Personal Washington Representative Law Reporter Anita Isicson, Esq TRUE TEST COPY Personal REGISTER OF WILLS Representative 2/5, 2/12, 2/19/16

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LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2015ADM1211 Emma Walker Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Joel R Davidson, whose address is 611 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, No, 288, Washington, DC 20003 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Emma Walker, who died on September 17, 2011 without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent´s will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C .

20001, on or before August 5, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 5, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: February 5, 2016 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Joel R. Davidson Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016ADM53 Wilson E Brown Decedent Ferguson Evans Esq 601 Pennsylvania Ave NW Suite 900 South Building Washington, DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Carol Brown-King, whose addressis 802 St. Aubin St., Detroit, MI 48207 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Wilson E Brown, who died on October 10, 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 August 12, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 12, 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:

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

02/5, 02/12, 02/19/16

Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Carol Brown-King Personal Representative

02/12, 02/19, 02/26/16

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REGISTER OF WILLS Date of first publication: February 12, 2016 Name of newspapers and/or periodical: The Daily Washington Law Reporter The Afro-American 02/12, 02/19, 02/26/16

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

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Payment Policy for legal notice advertisements. Effective immediately, The Afro American Newspapers will require prepayment for publication of all legal notices. Payment will be accepted in the form of 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.

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LEGAL NOTICES YOUR CITY, YOUR BUDGET April 12, 2016; 6 to 8PM War Memorial Building (101 N Gay St) Join the Bureau of the Budget and Management Research for the City’s annual Budget Pop-Up. Engage with staff to learn how the budget for each of the City’s priority outcomes invests in a better Baltimore in Fiscal 2017. This event will be followed by the Taxpayer Night Hearing, where citizens are encouraged to share their views on the budget with the Baltimore City Board of Estimates.

Visit Budget.BaltimoreCity.gov for more information.

CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS BUREAU OF WATER AND WASTEWATER NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for Storm Drain Contract No. 7771-Drainage Repairs and Improvements at Various Locations will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204, City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon.

The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, in Room 6 located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of Friday, February 12, 2016 and copies may be purchased for a nonrefundable cost of $50.00.

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

All contractors bidding on this Contract must first be prequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee.

Interested parties should call 410-396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is B02554 Drainage Structure Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $4,000,000.01 to $5,000,000.00 A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at the 300 Abel Wolman Municipal Building, Large Conference Room on February 23, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. Principal Item of work for this project are: •Closed Circuit Television Inspection including videotaping before and after improvements •Construction of Storm Drains of Various lengths, diameters, and depths •Construction of Storm Drains Manholes and Inlets; brick and/or precast concrete, and any other storm drain appurtenance •Clean Storm Drain Pipes •Repair and Clean Damaged Storm Drain Structures •Construction of Sidewalks, Curb, and Gutter, and Asphalt and Concrete Paving associated with the Storm Drain and Structure Construction •Installation of Cured in Place Concrete Pipe Lining The MBE goal is 12% The WBE goal is 2% STORM DRAIN CONTRACT 7771 APPROVED:

Bernice H. Taylor

Clerk, Board of Estimates

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BALTIMORE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER Legal Advertising Rates Effective October 1, 2008 PROBATE DIVISION (Estates) 202-332-0080 PROBATE NOTICES a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion c. Notice to Creditors 1. Domestic $ 60 per insertion 2. Foreign $ 60 per insertion d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion e. Standard Probates

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

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

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March 23, 2016 • LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE B50004495 THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION DOCUMENT CAN BE VIEWED AND DOWN LOADED BY VISITING THE CITY’S WEB SITE: www.baltimorecitibuy.org

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C6 The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Detention Officer Engineer I, II & III Information & Assistance Specialist Geospatial Database Administrator Maintenance Worker I Mechanical Technician I, II & Senior Utilities Support Worker I Visit our website at www.aacounty.org for additional information and to apply online. You may use the Internet at any Anne Arundel County library, or visit our office at 2660 Riva Road in Annapolis. Deadlines to apply posted on website.

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CITY OF BALTIMORE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NOTICE OF LETTING Sealed Bids or Proposals, in duplicate addressed to the Board of Estimates of the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and marked for F.AP. No. HP-1571(3)E; S.H.A. No. BC440004; CONTRACT NO. TRO8313; REHABILITATION OF ROADWAYS AROUND EAST BALTIMORE LIFE SCIENCE PARK, PHASE 1D will be received at the Office of the Comptroller, Room 204 City Hall, Baltimore, Maryland until 11:00 A.M. MARCH 16, 2016. Positively no bids will be received after 11:00 A.M. Bids will be publicly opened by the Board of Estimates in Room 215, City Hall at Noon.

The Contract Documents may be examined, without charge, at the Department of Public Works Service Center located on the first floor of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 as of February 12, 2016 and copies may be purchased for a non-refundable cost of $100.00. Conditions and requirements of the Bid are found in the bid package. All contractors bidding on this Contract must be first prerequalified by the City of Baltimore Contractors Qualification Committee. Interested parties should call (410) 396-6883 or contact the Committee at 4 South Frederick Street, 4th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. If a bid is submitted by a joint venture (“JV”), then in that event, the document that established the JV shall be submitted with the bid for verification purposes. The Prequalification Category required for bidding on this project is A02602 Bituminous Concrete Paving: & D02620 Curbs, Gutters and Sidewalk. Cost Qualification Range for this work shall be $1,000,000.00 to $2,000,000.00 A “Pre-Bidding Information” session will be conducted at 10:00 A.M. on February 19, 2016 at the Charles L. Benton Building, 417 E. Fayette Street, Richard K. Chen Conference Room, Baltimore, MD 21202. Principal Items of work for this project are: 7” Plain Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Mix 9 - 2,000 SY; and Type D-1 Duct Section: 3-3”, 6-4” and 8-5” Conduit Concrete Encased - 315 LF. The DBE goal is 20%.

APPROVED: Bernice H. Taylor, Clerk Board of Estimates

TYPESET: Wed Jan 06 15:28:50 EST 2016

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Infinite Transformations, LLC is seeking to hire IEP-Aides to work within the Baltimore City Vicinity. Individuals must have experience working with school-age students, education requirement, High School Diploma/College Credits (48), pass a criminal background check, and love working with students.

Experience include working with special need children (Autistic, ADHD, Emotional Dis.) Respond by submitting your resume to: edcoordinatoritllc@gmail.com. or Fax Resume to 443-660-9347.

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Stephan James Speaks On Jesse Owens ‘Race’ Dilemma

Actor Stephan James portrays Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens in the upcoming biopic ‘Race.’

By Shantella Y. Sherman

Special to the AFRO ssherman@afro.com

The motion picture Race, detailing Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens’ historic 1936 run in Berlin amid the rise of the Third Reich and Nazism, opens in U.S. theaters Feb. 19.

According to Stephan James, who plays Owens, the movie challenged him with maintaining the authenticity of both Owens’ athleticism, as well as the global magnitude of his win.

Known for his work in Ava Duvernay’s “Selma” and Clement Virgo’s “The Book of Negroes”, Canadian-born James said he knew little about Owens’ life before accepting the role.

“I almost had to step back and scratch my head a little because there was so much more to this story of this man’s life – especially just in those few years leading up to the Berlin Olympics that are not common knowledge,” he told the “AFRO”. “Just the fact that he was a grown man with a child and family to support while he was in college and prepping for the Olympics is something a lot of people overlook.”

At the Berlin 1936 Olympics, Hitler planned to show the world that the Aryan people were the dominant race, but Owens proved him wrong, making Olympic history by becoming the most successful athlete of the 1936 games. Owens also became the first American to win four track and field gold medals at a single Olympics (100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and long jump), a record that stood unbroken for 48 years.

With Owens’ three daughters Beverly, Gloria, and Marlene offering him necessary insight, James said he came to care about them and how he embodied and portrayed their father. In addition to adding nuance to a very private man’s public image, the daughters also made James aware of pressure from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to have Owens boycott the Olympics as a matter of racial solidarity with Hitler’s

(Courtesy photo)

victims.

“This was not a man that just got up and decided to win gold medals, there was a lot, racially and as a man, he had to face that,” James said. “There was a lot he had to go through in America before he ever encountered the racism and bigotry of another country. In addition to all of the personal pressure he was under, Jesse Owens also had the weight of Black America and the NAACP on him as well as a global, scientific system that believed it was impossible for him to win.”

Nazism purported the racial superiority of the White (Aryan) race in all aspects of life, including having superior bodies and temperaments to sweep athletic competitions. On German soil and in Hitler’s “house,” Owens’ wins disrupted that mentality. “A lot of people were blown away by Jesse’s athleticism and what he was able to do. There were scientists who were trying to theorize and justify how he was able to run with such speed or jump to such heights,” James said. “The reality was that Owens’ success was really down to his dedication and how hard he worked.”

However, Owens’ success in disproving Hitler’s belief in Black inferiority did not improve the runner’s life when he returned home. “When I came back to my native country, after all the stories about Hitler, I couldn’t ride in the front of the bus,” Owens told Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Jim Murray for his ESPN Classic Sports segment. “I had to go to the back door. I couldn’t live where I wanted. I wasn’t invited to shake hands with Hitler, but I wasn’t invited to the White House to shake hands with the president, either.”

James said it was precisely this level of storytelling – with unpleasant details and constant contradiction – that make films like “Race,” vital. “When you think that there are people today who will be able to see Jesse’s story in a way they could not 80 years ago, we have to continue to be the vessels that bring these stories to life,” James said. “It also becomes critical that we use these films to inspire young people who can look at Jesse’s life and say, if he could do it, there is no reason why I should accept second best.”

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

C7

Interview INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF

Continued from C1 KW: What is your earliest childhood memory?

IW: Being kissed late at night by my mother before she left for her night shift at work.

KW: What is the most important life lesson you’ve learned so far?

IW: Seek the truth. Tell the truth. Live in truth.

KW: Who loved you unconditionally during your formative years?

IW: My grandmother, my grandfather and my mother.

KW: What was your very first job?

IW: I was a dishwasher at a Steak and Ale restaurant.

KW: Was there a meaningful spiritual component to your childhood?

IW: Becoming a junior usher at a Black church was my entry into the wonder of worship.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

IW: Change.

KW: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

IW: Become an actor.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

IW: To provide world travel for each and every human being on Earth.

KW: Do you have a favorite movie monster?

IW: Godzilla, of course.

KW: THow do you want to be remembered?

IW: He was passionate and a man of his word.

KW: Finally, what’s in your wallet?

IW: Canadian money.

Isaiah Washington stars in and is a producer of “Sin Seer,” which is available on amazon.com.

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The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

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February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

D1

WASHINGTON-AREA

D.C. Labor Council President Set to Step Down

Congress Heights Residents Slam ‘Slum Lord’

By LaTrina Antoine Washington D.C. Editor lantoine@afro.com Courtesy photo

After 34 years of fighting employment inequalities in the D.C. area, the first Black president of the Metropolitan Washington Council, AFLCIO said he decided to step down to fight employment challenges on a global level.

“I felt it was time for me to try other things [such as] spend more time thinking and trying to solve problems

Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray is seeking re-election to his Ward 7 council seat.

Howard University News Service

Congress Heights’ residents and community representatives told D.C. Council members Feb. 4 that Sanford Capital LLC, the property management company, had intentionally and criminally failed to provide basic services in their apartment buildings.

By Leanna Commins Howard University News Service

Courtesy photo

Joslyn Williams instead of just reacting,” Joslyn Williams told the AFRO Feb. 2. “[I will] focus on areas that I have spent years working in but did not have time to really devout to those areas like the challenge in the global economy and impact that has on workers.”

He said the American middle class has to broaden its view of the economy beyond the country’s borders if it wants to become stable.

The council is an organization that fights for economic justice that benefits all workers by uniting the labor movement and mobilizing the local community. Williams is Continued on D2

Angry Congress Heights’ residents and community representatives told D.C. Council members that the property management company responsible for four affordable housing units in Southeast Washington is negligent. They report the company is purposefully not repairing the property in an attempt to force out residents so it can develop the units into a more lucrative property.

Residents and Will Merrifield, an attorney with the Affordable Housing Initiative for the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, on Feb. 4, told council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) and members Anita Bonds (D-At-large), LaRuby May (D- Ward 8) and Elissa Silverman (D-At-large) that Sanford Capital LLC had intentionally and criminally failed to provide basic services.

Residents said the company intentionally failed to prevent or fix sewage backups in the basement of the buildings, provide heat and hot water in the apartments during winter months, and sufficiently address rodent and bug infestation.

“I firmly believe that Sanford’s neglect in these properties is absolutely intentional,” Merrifield said. “Over the course of my representation, there has been a clear pattern engaged by Sanford Capital whereby once pressure is applied to them, they make very modest repairs in order to seem like issues have been addressed, only to intentionally allow things to fall apart a few months later.”

Nearly 20 residents and community representatives testified during a public hearing at City Hall. The hearings follow the District attorney general’s decision to file a lawsuit against Sanford Capital for engaging in “repeated neglect, delayed response, or total inaction.”

Even before the testimony, Silverman told the audience

African American Civil War Memorial Seeks Upgrade

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com Two members of U.S. Congress are among the supporters of a museum director’s campaign to upgrade a District of Columbia memorialmuseum complex that highlights the contributions of Black soldiers.

The director of the African American Civil War Museum, former D.C. Council member Frank Smith, wants to set up a visitor’s center and a park ranger post for the memorial that is located in the U Street corridor and across the street from the museum.

He solicited the The Africanassistance of D.C. American Civil War Memorial Library of Congress Continued on D2

that the residents’ issues and Sanford’s management style was cause for concern. “It should be concerning to all of us – to the council and to the city – about what’s happening to these residents around the Congress Heights Metro station,” the councilwoman said. “It’s outrageous, it’s unconscionable, and, if our attorney general is correct, it’s criminal. We, as a government, should not stand for it.”

Representatives from Sanford Capital, based in Bethesda, Maryland, did not speak at the hearing. The management company owns the four buildings in Congress Heights and is looking to utilize a fifth for redevelopment. Its plans require demolition of all of the existing buildings to make way for a 442,000-square-foot, multi-use project that would include apartment buildings and retail.

Congress Heights resident Robert Green, one of the few tenants left in the buildings, testified that a good landlord could easily fix the ailments at his property. “The real problem is that Sanford doesn’t fix up the building, because they are trying to get us out of our homes anyway they can,” Green said. “If the housing authorities make me move, Sanford will get exactly what they want; empty buildings to tear down and then luxury apartments for rich White people.”

Green said he wanted to stay in – Will Merrifield the area because it allows him access to grocery stores, a library and other amenities. “I have neighbors who check in on me,” he said. “The list goes on and on, and I and other tenants like me should have the right to enjoy these benefits.”

According to the city’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA), the owner of a multi-unit apartment building must send a written offer to tenants to purchase a unit in the building.

The owner must also send a letter to the mayor prior to selling or demolishing the building. Sanford Capital is required to give TOPA notice to remaining residents, but only if they give notice Continued on D2

“I firmly believe that Sanford’s neglect in these properties is absolutely intentional…”

Ward 7 Residents Split on Vincent Gray Run for City Council

By James Wright Special to the AFRO jwright@afro.com On Feb. 3, former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray announced he is seeking reelection to the council seat he held from 2005-2007. Gray said he can help Ward 7 reach its potential. “When people ask why I am returning to the

“Vincent Gray shouldn’t be running because he wants to use Ward 7 to run for mayor in 2018.”

– Gary Butler campaign trail, I tell them ‘Because we have work to do’,” he said. “If we don’t do it, who will?”

Gray added, “The hope and promise of Ward 7 cannot slip away.Every day I see our Continued on D2

For Black History Month, the AFRO presents a series of articles highlighting important local heroes from the paper’s archives. This week’s hero is Robert DeKine, a young man who started a horse taxi service during a gas shortage in the country. The article appeared in the AFRO in 1974.

Local Heroes from the Archives

Horse Taxi Beats the Gas Shortage

By AFRO Staff Jan. 26, 1974 A unique taxi service has been instituted in this city by a young entrepreneur.

For $30-an-hour Robert DeKine will take passengers all over the city in a horse and carriage.

Operating only one of four carriages and two horses, his is the only taxi service of its kind in the city.

“Right now I’m Hertz. I’m number one and would like to maintain my number one status here,” he affirms. “I broke my back to set up this business.” * * * Upon moving to Washington DeKine says he was amazed that in an interesting town as D.C., there were no horses Continued on D2

Afro Archives Photo

D2

The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

Memorial

Continued from D1 Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and got it.

On Dec. 18, 2015, in a letter jointly written by Norton and Lewis, they encouraged the director of the National Park Service (NPS), Jonathan B. Jarvis, to consider Smith’s proposal. “We write to respectfully request that the Department of Interior and the National Park Service investigate the feasibility of establishing a visitor’s center and assigning a park ranger permanently to the African American Civil War Memorial in the District of Columbia,” the letter said. “. . .

While we understand that NPS has suffered some budgetary cutbacks in recent years, we believe this memorial needs a permanent ranger – or a student ranger or seasonal employees for high visitation months – who can share the site’s rich history with guests.”

The letter points out that the museum will be expanding this year with an additional 14,000 square feet of space and a full-time

ranger would be key to the site’s viability. The letter also noted that the nation “is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 13th Amendment this year and the National Museum of African American History and Culture will open [later] this year.”

The African American Civil War Memorial Freedom

Foundation was incorporated in 1992 to tell the story about the United States Colored Troops that fought on the side of the Union during the Civil War. The memorial was dedicated in July 1998 under Smith’s leadership and included former Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Colin Powell at the ceremony.

The sculpture portrays uniformed soldiers and a sailor at a height of 10 feet with a family depicted on the back of the sculpture, and is situated in the center of a granite-paved plaza, encircled on three sides by the Wall of Honor. The wall lists the names of 209,145 Black soldiers from the Bureau of United States Colored Troops at the National Archive on 166 burnished stainless steel plaques arranged by regiment. The leaders of the museum estimate that more than 200,000 people visit the site yearly.

Smith is encouraging friends and supporters of the museum to communicate with President Obama regarding the matter. “The year 2016 will mark the 8th and final year of your presidency and the Department of Interior/National Park Service hasn’t still opened a visitor’s center or stationed a National Park ranger at the African American Civil War Memorial,” Smith said in a letter to Obama. “Please correct this great wrong before you leave office.”

Theatre-goers find travelling via horse and buggy a chic way to make an appearance.

DeKine has even had a man hire his service to propose to his girlfriend.

Even nostalgia nuts have borne the steep price for an oldfashioned ride around town.

But the demand outweighs the supply, and DeKine neither has the man power nor capital to put more horses on the streets. Food and shelter for the horses, he says, are extremely expensive. * * * Asked if he thought it might become vogue to revert to the days of horses and buggies now that the energy crisis is prominent, DeKine replied, “No.”

“Once you get used to cars, unless you are an outdoor person or have a lot of nostalgic feelings, cars are much easier.

Horses are too expensive to keep up. But when you can’t get gas, horses will have to suffice.” * * * DeKine carries his passengers in elegant carriages.

Most often he uses his 1870 German Brougham Carriage, but he also has a 100-year-old Phaeton, an open carriage with an umbrella, wealthy Parisian ladies used to travel in, and an old American surrey.

DeKine has been productive in the business world.

He has owned restaurants and nightclubs in Puerto Rico and a martial arts club and nightclub in New York.

Ronald Machen negotiated guilty plea deals during Gray’s term, where several members of his campaign team pled guilty to corruption charges. Gray maintained that he knew nothing of the illicit operation. He was defeated by current mayor Muriel Bowser in 2014.

In December 2015, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips decided to close the investigation into Gray, saying that there was not enough compelling evidence to indict Gray of a crime.

From that time to Feb. 3, there was wide spread speculation about whether Gray would

not concerned about what her former benefactor is doing and credited a late Ward 7 political activist for her rise in politics. “I am the council member for Ward 7 and am working for the people of Ward 7,” she said. “I have a legislative track record of achievements and contrary to what some believe, he was not my political mentor. It was Lorraine Whitlock who got me interested in politics when I was 14; Vincent Gray didn’t start me.”

The race includes Ward 7 Democrats Chairman Ed Potillo and a few lesser known candidates. A recent

“It’s a win-win for the memorial and for the Park Service.”

– Louis Hicks

Horse Taxi Continued from D1

and buggies as those that travel through New York City. He immediately decided to establish Colony Carriage Company.

“…when you can’t get gas, horses will have to suffice.”

– Robert DeKine Being unique, the demand for his service is great.

Restaurants and clothing stores seek his services as an advertising display. Mothers want to rent the carriages for birthday parties.

Vincent Gray Continued from D1

accomplishments slowed or stalled.” The people we’ve helped here in Ward 7 and across the District deserve better. If we work together as a community our voices will not be ignored.”

Some residents aren’t happy to see Gray running for the Ward 7 seat. “Vincent Gray shouldn’t be running because he wants to use Ward 7 to run for mayor in 2018,” Gary Butler, a Ward 7 advisory neighborhood commissioner said. “I hope Ward 7 moves past Vincent

Gray. He should have stayed retired.”

Gray was elected as the chairman of the D.C. Council in 2006 after his short term as the Ward 7 representative.

In 2010, Gray defeated Mayor Adrian Fenty in the Democratic primary and went on to win the general election in November.

Shortly after becoming mayor in 2011, an illegal shadow campaign taking place during the 2010 campaign season was revealed and the U.S. Attorney for D.C.

INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF

get back into politics and if he did, whether he would run as a the Ward 7 council representative or run for the Democratic at-large seat held

by D.C. Council member Vincent Orange (D).

Carrie Thornhill will serve as Gray’s campaign manager and Chuck Thies will be his treasurer and communications director.

Gray will try to unseat D.C. Council member Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7), who he endorsed for his seat in a special election in 2007.

He also supported her reelection bids in 2008 and 2012. Alexander said she is

poll conducted by the Higher Ground PAC, led by Gray allies, shows the former mayor leading Alexander by 16 points for the June 14 Democratic nomination.

Constance Woody, a longtime Ward 7 activist known for her work in advocating for seniors, embraces Gray’s bid. “He has done much for the city and for Ward 7,” Woody said. “That campaign finance scandal was a political ploy to get him out of politics. We need him as a council member because the present council member doesn’t follow-up on what she says she will do.”

D.C. Labor Council Continued from D1

tentatively scheduled to officially resign from his position when the new president is elected in March.

Describing the devastating impact global commerce has on the American middle class, Williams said that trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) challenges livelihoods because it transfers jobs to other countries and depresses wages.

“Black and Latino workers still occupy the bottom rung of

“Just as African Americans are losing their jobs here, so are Black people elsewhere in the globe.”

– Joslyn Williams

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PASS (ADMITS 2) TO THE ADVANCE SCREENING, VISIT LIONSGATESCREENINGS.COM/AADC AND ENTER THE CODE: AADC This film is rated PG-13 for fantasy violence and action and some sexuality. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Supplies are limited. One pass per winner. Each pass admits two. Seating is not guaranteed and is on a first-come, firstserved basis. Employees of all promotional partners and The Afro American are not eligible. All decisions are final.

IN THEATERS FEBRUARY 26 GODSOFEGYPT.MOVIE

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the economic ladder,” Williams told the AFRO in an email Feb. 9. “The jobless rate for Black workers in 2015 was double (9.6 percent) that of White workers (4.7 percent). So job losses have a disproportionate impact on Black and Latino workers. Racial and ethnic minorities suffer from economic discrimination around the globe.”

He said that several of the worker rights, wages, and environmental protections under U.S. laws are not binding under trade agreements. “Just as African Americans are losing their jobs here, so are Black people elsewhere in the globe,” Williams said, emphasizing that he wants to “help people realize that foreign workers are not the enemy. The enemy is corporate Giants seeking to exploit labor no matter where it is.”

Over the next few months, Williams will transition out of his role as head of the council and move towards helping to solve the American middle class’ employment problem through, what he calls, a social transformative movement that includes addressing struggles for labor rights, human rights and civil rights issues through a number of different ways, such as campaigning to help the people elect a “worker, family friendly

president.”

“I don’t have a magic bullet,” he said. “There isn’t a magic bullet. It’s a matter of people putting their heads together and coming up with solutions.”

“My dream is that there should be many more Americans who are and have been able to achieve what I have been able to achieve, Williams said, focusing on a goal to expand the global 1 percent to 50 percent. “Those who have been lucky enough to achieve something owe a responsibility to keep on fighting and struggling to achieve that just society.”

Congress Heights Residents

Continued from D1

of demolition.

Residents told the council members that they want to exercise their TOPA rights so they’ll be able to afford to rent their Congress Heights apartments, even with redevelopment.

“Sanford is very intentionally trying to wait people out before they have to give TOPA notices,” Merrifield said. “They’re trying to empty the building so they don’t have to give TOPA notices.

Council member May, who represents the Congress Heights community, along with economist William Michael Cunningham, said they felt that Congress Heights was another example of systematic efforts to remove certain populations from the District, and the city council is doing little stop it.

“The Black residents in all of the properties where we have slum lords know, very real, that this council would have never let White people in any other part of the city live in conditions like this for as long as poor Black people have been living in this building,” May said, “and it is unacceptable for that to happen.”

February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016, The Afro-American

D3

WASHINGTON AREA

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Washington D.C.

UDC Law School Fellowship Fair The University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law is hosting its Annual Public Interest/Public Sector Fellowship Fair on Feb. 11 from 4:45 p. m. – 7 p. m. at 4340 Connecticut Ave NW in room 214. The event will host local organizations such as D.C. Department of Health, D.C. Dept. of Energy and the Environment, and D.C. Office of Human Rights for an evening that connects UDC Law students to D.C.area groups for summer fellowships. UDC is encouraging any non-profit or government organizations to attend if they have any other opportunities for students. The event is open to UDC Law students only. For more information, contact Adrienne Jones at Adrienne.Jones3@udc.edu.

Cartoonist Panel Talk ‘Political Correctness’ The Iconoclash program is sponsoring a panel at New York University’s Washington D.C. campus on Feb. 11 from 6:30 p. m. – 8 p. m. The panel will feature caricature cartoonists Steven Degryse, Kevin Kallaugher, Ann Telnaes, and Matt Wuerker who will discuss the acceptability of cartoons as they merge with political, religious, and other personal beliefs. The conversation will take place one year after the tragic attacks on the French Satirical Magazine Charlie Hebdo. Ppanelists will discuss political correctness as it pertains to comedic art. The event is free and open to the public, and it will take place at 1307 L street N.W. For more information, visit events. nyu.edu/#event_id/92121/view/event.

PEPCO STEM Contest for D.C. Students Pepco Holdings, Discovery Education and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington will sponsor a Pepco STEM Club contest for over 100 science, technology, engineering, and math students. The contest will judge students on how well they design an energy transference device that transports water from a pint bottle into a cup. Dave Velazquez,

executive vice president for Pepco will judge the event. The event will be at the ARC Town Hall Recreation Campus, 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE on Feb. 12 from 5 p. m. – 7 p. m.

It is open to the public. For more information, visit thearcdc.org or call 202-889-5901.

Kennedy Center Presents ‘Lost in the Stars’ Musical The Washington National Opera is premiering “Lost in the Stars,” the musical drama by Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson at the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts Eisenhower Theater, 2700 F Street, NW, on Feb. 12 at 7:30 p. m. The musical is based on Alan Paton’s classic novel “Cry, the Beloved Country” and is set during the apartheid era in South Africa. The production stars bass-baritone Eric Owens and features a cast of more than 40 singers and actors, including three who have just been nominated for the Helen Hayes Awards.

Tickets start at $69. For more information, visit kennedy-center.org or call 202-467-4600.

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Data as of Feb. 10

District Launches Reading Program For Kids

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

Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) joined D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Public Library executive director Richard Reyes-Gavilan Feb. 4 to announce the official launch of the city’s “Books From Birth” early childhood literacy program.

The program was unveiled at the Children’s National Medical Center in Northeast D.C. “Books from Birth” is designed to foster early language skills and a love for literacy that follows children into adulthood. Calling books the direct building blocks for learning, Allen, who spearheaded the bill for the program, more than a year ago, said the District is trying to close the shortcomings of literacy among school age children.

“This marks an important step forward for early childhood literacy in the District,” Allen said. “Our support for ‘Books from Birth’ shows we are serious about confronting the District’s literacy and achievement gaps at their starting point, well before those gaps show up in the classroom.”

The Books from Birth program will mail a book to each child in the District every month from birth through age five, while also working to connect families with the full range of D.C. Public Library resources and educational information, including adult literacy assistance and the library’s Sing, Talk, & Read early literacy program.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

SOLICITATION NO.: 0011-2016 REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE SERVICES The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires qualified Real Estate Brokerage firms to provide complete Real Estate Brokerage Services for its Scattered Sites Portfolio located in various neighborhoods throughout the District of Columbia in accordance with the Scope of Services outlined in the solicitation.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available at the Issuing Office at 1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300, Office of Administrative Services/ Contracts and Procurement, Washington, DC 20002-7599, between the hours of 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday, beginning on Monday, February 8, 2016; and on DCHA’s web site at www.dchousing.org.

SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES are due to the Issuing Office by 11:00am on Wednesday, March 9, 2016.

Contact the Issuing Office, LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod on (202) 535-1212 or by email at lmmcleod@dchousing.org for additional information.

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

MARCH 7 – 12 SCOPE ARENA | NORFOLK, VA

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Two parents on hand for the kickoff, Aisha Melvin and Serita Govan were excited to find the city taking an active role in the literacy of its youngest residents. For Melvin, who works two full-time jobs, finding time to go to the library with twin toddlers to pick up books is near to impossible, she said. “My husband works nights and weekends and even though the children love books, we are often too exhausted to make reading all that it should be,” Melvin told the AFRO. “Having the books come directly to the house was a stroke of genius because this one small gesture will ensure they have what they need.”

Mayor Bowser said the initiative helps to support her “Pathways to the Middle Class” agenda by encouraging early literacy and engagement.

“Parents that use books and who sing, talk and read with infants play a crucial role in giving their children a strong education foundation,” she said at the event. “I encourage parents and caregivers to sign their children up for the ‘Books from Birth’ program and jumpstart the development process for their children.”

Books from Birth” works with famed country singer Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to close achievement gaps caused poor literacy.

“So many of the successful people in the world talk about the one book that changed their lives, gave them perspective, or encouraged them to do better,” Govan told the AFRO. “If you can imagine how powerful the written word is and life-altering it can be, not having access to books is like cutting off access to the world from your children.”

Families may sign up online by visiting dclibrary.org/booksfrombirth.

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

The Afro-American, February 13, 2016 - February 19, 2016

MLK DC Support Group President Beverly Griggs and Ferline Buie, 2016 Humanitarian Award Recipient

Wyonette Brown, 1st vice president

The Martin Luther King DC Support Group hosted its 44 Annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show Jan. 18 at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Maryland. The group holds the event each year to pay homage to Dr. King’s legacy. Ferline Buie was presented with the 2016 Humanitarian Award Recipient. Fashions were provided by Lovely Lady Boutique.

Thomas Blanton , Ron Magnus and Rev. Lewis Anthony

Photos by Robert Bennett

Yvonne Harris and Phyllis Ballenger MLK DC Support Group

MLK DC Support Group members and supporters

Helen V Tate, founder of MLK DC Support Group

Excellence by an Academic Leadership Team, HD Cooke Elementary School. Principal Katie Larkin at podium

Ginuwine

Burrville Elementary School Principal Tui Roper (at podium), Award for Excellence in School Innovation

Principal of the Year, Kim B. Jackson

Phallon Lattimore D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser

D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson

Nova Y. Payton

David M. Rubenstein, The Carlyle Group

Tim Gunn, actor and television personality

Teacher of the Year, James Cunningham and GWUL Chair Michael Akin

On Feb. 1, the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) celebrated the 6th annual Standing Ovation for D.C. Public Schools, which celebrates the best teachers, administrators, and staff.

DCPS faculty and staff along with city officials and the business, education, arts, and philanthropic communities gathered at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to hold the ceremony.

Maximilian L. Mixon and Cami Maxard

Fik-Shun

Photos by Rob Roberts

Constance JM Thayer (at podium) presents the Award for Excellence in Service