Washington Afro-American Newspaper August 17 2013

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Volume 122 No. 2

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AUGUST 17, 2013 - AUGUST 23, 2013

Holder Rejects Mandatory Minimum Sentences By Zenitha Prince Special to the AFRO Eric Holder

INSIDE A3

Steve Jobs’ Widow Reportedly Romancing Former D.C. Mayor Fenty

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Book Review The Speech by Gary Younge INSERTS • Walmart • Africana

By Ruben Castaneda Special to the AFRO

Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement on Aug. 12 of a set of prosecutorial reforms, including ways of avoiding mandatory sentences for lowlevel drug offenses, is being praised by people on both sides of the ideological aisle. “I think this will be pretty well received whether you look at it from a social justice perspective or a fiscal perspective,” said Chris Deutsch, spokesman, National Association of Drug Court Professionals. “It appeals to people over a broad spectrum. Everyone is ready for a change.” In his speech to the American Bar Association in San Francisco, Holder said Justice Department officials have worked for months on proposals to begin fixing a “broken” criminal justice system that is rife with disparities. Continued on A4

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Continued on A3

Donnie McClurkin Ousted From MLK Memorial Concert Supporters Attribute Removal to Singer’s Stance on Homosexuality

would spark “controversy,” according to Robert Marus, a spokesman for the mayor Rev. McClurkin, 53, pastor of Perfecting Faith Church in Freeport, N.Y., told a journalist in 2002 that he struggled with homosexuality. He later made headlines when he said he had been delivered “from the sin of homosexuality.” Marus told the AFRO that Gray asked the event’s sponsor, the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, to remove McClurkin from the lineup. The D.C. government sponsored concert, entitled “Reflections on Peace: Ghandi to King,” took place with other artists contracted to Continued on A5

By Krishana Davis AFRO Staff Writer When a crowd of gospel music enthusiasts gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on August 10 to hear selections from Grammy Award winning gospel artist Donnie McClurkin, many were disappointed to discover the singer was a no show. After being contracted to headline the pre-March on Washington 50th Anniversary concert, Rev. McClurkin, an ordained minister, was uninvited by Mayor Vincent C. Gray, who said the singer’s comments about his sexuality

Donnie McClurkin

Resources for HIV Patients Coming to D.C.

RGIII Debuts New Do

By Alexis Taylor AFRO Staff Writer

By Alexis Taylor AFRO Staff Writer

Black residents of the nation’s capital will soon have an entire network of resources catering specifically to the needs of African Americans with HIV and AIDS. With a focus on education initiatives led by the Community Education Group (CEG), the Black AIDS Institute has partnered with Merck, a leading U.S. drug maker, to create the

Tweets and Instagram photos poured in from around the nation as Washington Redskin Robert Griffin III debuted a fresh head of cornrows for fans Aug. 11. The quarterback is known for wearing his hair in a natural style of single braids that could usually be seen hanging free at the edge of his helmet. The new zig-zag pattern is braided tightly to the scalp in rows that resemble crops in a field and was completed on Aug. 11 around 11 a.m. at The Beauty Bar in Richmond by beautician Candace Hargrove. “I just did something that was quick and easy,” she told the AFRO. “I received a text message from another customer and she just said she had a gentleman who wanted some cornrows.” The hair expert also told the AFRO that Griffin was “a down-to-earth gentleman” who was “very nice.” “He introduced himself and said his name was ‘Robert’ and I said my name is ‘Candace.’” Hargrove, a Richmond

Continued on A4

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A member of D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray’s 2010 election team pleaded guilty in federal court Aug. 13 to lying to the FBI about an alleged $635,000 “shadow campaign” that is under federal investigation. Vernon E. Hawkins, a former highranking city official, also admitted he tried to derail the federal investigation by giving $8,000 to a potential witness so he would leave town and not be available for questioning by FBI agents. Hawkins, 74, was a volunteer in Gray’s campaign. He pleaded

Vincent Gray

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Gray Adviser Pleads Guilty in Campaign Scandal

Michael Karfen (far left), the newly appointed director of The HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration for the D.C. Department of Health (DOH), is joined by Chirfi Guindo, vice president and general manager of Merck, Toni Young, founder and executive director of the Community Education Group, and Phill Wilson, president and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute.

Career Preparation and Job Training

Continued on A3

Prince George’s Community College prepares students for professional certification and licensure in high demand fields that lead to rewarding careers. Students benefit from flexible and convenient learning options, as well as short- or long-term training programs. We are transforming lives.

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• Career planning and guidance • Retraining • Skills building

Apply online at www.pgcc.edu or call 301-336-6000

Transforming Lives

Copyright © 2013 by the Afro-American Company


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