Washington Afro-American Newspaper December 21 2013

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Volume 122 No. 20

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Happy Holidays

DECEMBER 21, 2013 - DECEMBER 27, 2013

Sgt. Charnice Waters greets family on her return from a 10-month deployment.

First Lady Brings Holiday Cheer to Sick Kids

D.C. National Guard Unit Returns Home for the Holidays

By Maria Adebola AFRO Staff Writer

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Three Blacks Receive Rhodes Scholarships

Approximately 50 soldiers of the D.C. National Guard’s 372nd Military Police Battalion returned home, on Dec. 17. After a 10-month deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba the citizen-soldiers will get to spend the holidays

with family.

Inside the D.C. Armory, families, friends, and fellow National Guardsmen swarmed, “Welcome Home” signs at the ready, in anticipation for the big arrival.

The soldiers did not arrive together but arrived from Joint Base Andrews in

small groups, duffle bags and luggage in hand, and streamed into the Armory where they were surrounded by family and friends in the visiting room that throughout the afternoon erupted periodically with squeals of joy, tears, hugs and handshakes—all over the safe return home.

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Dressed as Santa, Gavin Lindberg, left, and Isaiah Horst, 15, right, listen as First Lady Michelle Obama reads a holiday story.

AP Photo

Past and Present Converge at Mandela’s Burial

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D.C.’s Fashionable Turn Out for White Elephant Charity Event

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U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Howard

Navy Vice Adm. Michelle Howard Tapped for Fourth Star

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Your History • Your Community • Your News

Ministers Take Concerns About Development, Gentrification to Mayor Gray

By LaTrina Antoine Special to the AFRO

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Guests attending the funeral service for Nelson Mandela take cell phone photos as Mandela’s casket is taken to its burial place in Qunu, South Africa, Sun. Dec. 15, 2013.

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D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray had one message for a group of ministers representing churches from around the metropolitan area when he met with them Dec. 16: He hears them and other residents like them when they talk about how the city’s gentrification and burgeoning economy leave them fearful that many Blacks will be locked out of their city.

In a meeting at Trinidad Baptist Church in Northeast, ministers from the Missionary Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Washington, D.C. and newmorningstarbaptist.org Vicinity aired their concerns about the District’s economy, Rev. Donald K. Sadler, transportation services, president of the conference education and skyrocketing and pastor housing prices and the effect of each on the area’s Black citizens with Gray.

He told them he wants to ensure that the District remains affordable for all of its residents.

AP Photo

Trailblazer Would Become First Woman Admiral

By George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief

By Zachary Lester AFRO Staff Writer

QUNU, South Africa (NNPA)—With a rich mixture of ceremonial military pomp and ancient tribal customs, Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first democratically elected president, was buried here Dec. 15 in the village of his youth, culminating 10 days of national mourning. Mandela died on Dec. 5 at age 95.

The Nobel Prize-winner, in accordance with his wishes, was buried in a family graveyard high in rolling green hills where other close relatives are buried, including his father, Makgatho Mandela, who died in 2005; his eldest son, Madiba Thembekile, who died in an automobile accident in 1969; and Makaziwe Mandela, his first daughter, who died as an infant in 1948.

In his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela described Qunu as a place where “I spent the happiest years of my boyhood and whence I trace my earliest memories.”

Leaders and celebrities from around the world made their way to this bucolic community in the eastern section of the country to share their memories of the global icon. Among those attending were Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu; media mogul Oprah Winfrey, who was escorted by longtime beau Stedman Graham; civil rights leader Jesse Jackson; Britain’s Prince Charles; and British actor Idris Elba, who plays Mandela in the movie, Long Walk to Freedom.

Because seating was restricted to 4,500 accredited guests, many local residents complained that they were forced to watch the funeral of their most celebrated son on television. To ease complaints about exclusion, the government set up 16 broadcast viewing areas across the country for viewing and collective mourning. The state funeral and parts of the burial were broadcast live in South Africa and around the world.

U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michelle J. Howard was recently nominated by President Obama to be elevated to the rank of admiral. Howard would become the first woman— Black or White—to receive the fourth star. Her nomination requires Senate confirmation.

Howard, 53, currently serves as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy. If confirmed, she would become vice chief of naval operations at the Pentagon, the Navy’s second highest position.

The latest honor is not the first instance in which Howard was tapped to become a first.

In March 1999, she was named commanding officer of the USS Rushmore, the first time an African-American woman had been selected to command a U.S. Navy ship.

Howard told Time magazine that being named

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The Afro-American, December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013

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NATION & WORLD Florida A&M, Fisk Universities Removed From Probationary Status Two historical Black universities saw their collegiate accreditations recently removed from probationary status.

Florida A&M University was placed on probationary status one year ago in the wake of the hazing death of a member of its marching band. But the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) removed that designation Dec. 10, saying the school had fixed a number of problems.

Interim President Larry Robinson said a “dark cloud” had been lifted off the school.

“It’s the best possible outcome that could have happened for this university,” Robinson said, according to the Associated Press.

Florida A&M was cited for several issues, including the safety of its students after the November 2011 death of marching band member Robert Champion, as well as financial oversight and auditing integrity, according to the AP. Students attending unaccredited universities are not eligible for financial aid.

Mrs. Santa Donation Form The Afro-American Newspaper family is helping to grant a wish for the area’s most vulnerable. Would you like to help a child or family and create memories that will last a lifetime? For many disadvantaged families, you can turn dreams into reality by participating in the Mrs. Santa Campaign. o I want to join the AFRO’s spirit of giving.

Please accept my contribution of $___________ to benefit a less fortunate family.

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A similar cloud was lifted from Nashville-based Fisk University when the SACS reaffirmed the institution’s accreditation and removed its probationary status on the same day.

In a December 2011 decision to place Fisk on two years of probation, the accrediting body cited five problem areas—four concerning poor financial controls and the fifth related to the school’s governance, saying the trustees had failed to manage the school’s budgetary affairs, according to The (Nashville) Tennessean.

Calif. Man Burns to Death Attempting to Steal Gas A California man resorted to stealing gas for his vehicle in order to save money, but his attempt to save an extra buck in a tough economy ended with him burning to death.

The Los Angeles Police Department found the body of Richard Glover in his van on Dec. 10, and determined that he burned to death when his van exploded moments after he stole gas from a local gas station, according to Los Angeles CBS affiliate KCBS. “It was like boop…and it blew the window out,” Hervia Robertson, the gas station security guard who witnessed the fire, told the television station. She said the explosion caused a nearly 10-foot-high fireball.

According to officials, Glover entered a 76 Station in South Los Angeles to pay for gas, and then got into his van and drove to the rear of the gas station.

LAPD spokesman Officer Manuel Gomez told CBS LA, “it appears there’s some type of pump coming from the vehicle to the port of the tank.”

Police found two 55-fuel gallons, a pump and an inch-wide water hose inside the van. Officials said they believed Glover was trying to steal gas from the station’s underground tank when his van exploded.

The attempt wasn’t the first time Glover stole gas; his family said he would steal gas when things got financially tough and had been injured before.

“He got burned one time. That should’ve been enough,” Ivan Jackson, Glover’s brother-in-law, told KCBS.

Jay-Z Heads List of Grammy Nominees Veteran performer Jay-Z led all Grammy Awards nominees with nine nods ranging from Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for his work with Justin Timberlake on the song “Suit and Tie” to best Rap Album.

The nominations were announced by the Recording Academy of Arts and Sciences late last week.

“This year’s nominations reflect the talented community of music makers who represent some of the highest levels of excellence and artistry of the year in their respective fields,” Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “Once again, The Academy’s awards process and its voting membership have produced an impressive list of nominations across various genres promising music fans a spectacular show filled with stellar performances and unique ‘Grammy Moments.’”

Tied for seven nominations each are Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore, Justin Timberlake, and Pharrell Williams.

Cee Lo Green could take home the Grammy award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album if he can beat out fellow nominees Gloria Jay-Z Estefan with “The Standards,” Michael Buble’s “To Be Loved,” Dionne Warwick with “Now,” and the various artists that appeared with Tony Bennet on “Viva Duets.”

Though she was pleased overall with the list of nominees, Michelle Shellers, a member of the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Recording Academy, said there was room for improvement.

“I hope to see more musically awesome, lyrically responsible, currently underground acts breaking into mainstream in the near future,” she told the AFRO. “There used to be more diversity in what was considered mainstream and it would be great to experience that again.”

Shellers said she was looking forward to the competition for Best R&B Album, a category featuring the likes of John Legend’s “Love in the Future,” Alicia Key’s “Girl on Fire,” Chrisette Michelle’s “Better,” and “R&B Divas” by Faith Evans.

The group TGT, made up of crooners Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank, also got a nod for Best R&B Album for their work on “Three Kings.”

Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” will go against Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience” in the Best Pop Vocal Album category, in which Lorde’s “Pure Heroine,” Lana Del Rey’s “Paradise” and Bruno Mars’ “Unorthodox Jukebox” are also contending.

The 56th Grammy Awards will air live on CBS on Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Black Journalists React to Mandela Coverage

By AFRO Staff

Black journalists who covered South Africa’s antiapartheid movement had both praise and censure for the mainstream media’s coverage of Nelson Mandela since his death on Dec. 5, according to a survey conducted by Richard Prince’s “Journal-isms.”

For American journalists of color who covered the African nation’s liberation struggle, Mandela’s release from prison and his historic election as president, it was a challenge to maintain objectivity.

“For black journalists, covering South Africa and Mandela was always a tricky balancing act, because for many—like me—he was an icon before I was ever a journalist, and the antiapartheid struggle in South Africa was the first political cause I cared about while in college,” said Keith B. Richburg, a former Washington Post foreign editor who was in South Africa before and after Mandela’s election. “How do you ‘objectively’ cover the end of apartheid when you—like me—had gone to divestment rallies in college and played ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ at house parties?”

Perhaps, because of that inherent racial connection, some of the six journalists who responded—all AfricanAmerican men—were particularly sensitive about mainstream media’s coverage of Mandela’s death. For example, some criticized the media for not painting a full picture of “Madiba,” as Mandela was known among his people, and the African National Congress’ struggle for freedom.

Sunni Khalid, a freelance broadcast journalist, covered stories in 1989, just before Mandela was released from prison after three decades; in November 1992; and in 1994, when Mandela was elected president.

His criticism of the mainstream media’s coverage of Mandela and the Black South African freedom struggle began back then.

“I got sick and damned tired of hearing white commentators talk about their fears that Mandela would emerge from prison and call for a racial bloodbath,” he told Prince via e-mail.

“That was never Madiba’s option, nor the ANC’s. They consistently preached full equality, which scared both white Americans and white South Africans.”

This time around, he said, several news reports made some “egregious errors.”

“The CNN stuff was the worst, describing Madiba in [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] terms as a ‘man of peace!’”

Khalid said. “For chrissakes, he was imprisoned because he took up arms against the government! And he refused his release several times because he would not renounce the armed struggle.

When he was released, it was because [South African President F.W.] De Klerk agreed to HIS terms, elections, freeing political prisoners and unbanning of the ANC [African National

Congress], PAC [Pan Africanist Congress] and others.”

Jon Jeter, author of Flat Broke in the Free Market: How Globalization Fleeced Working People, and a Post correspondent in South Africa from 1999 to 2002, said he

“I hold Mandela in high esteem but there is no doubt that many people believe that Mandela and the ANC betrayed South Africa’s black and brown people, leaving them materially worse off than they were during apartheid. What mainstream outlet explored that very real tension….?

“What corporate news outlets have explored Mandela’s enthusiastic support of the B. Richburg Palestinian liberation movement, or his public contempt for the Israeli occupation?” Jeter continued.

Still, some Black journalists were pleased with both the breadth and depth of the news media’s coverage of the iconic leader’s death.

Sam Fulwood III, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress who covered South Africa for the Baltimore Sun, said the coverage mirrored the “celebratory” nature of the funerals of slain activists which he witnessed during his reporting. “…I think our understanding of South Africa was heightened during the period that Mandela was president and the coverage of the country tracked toward the hope and optimism. I sensed some of that in the coverage of the funeral,” he told Prince.

“How do you ‘objectively’ cover the end of apartheid when you—like me—had gone to divestment rallies in college and played ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ at house parties?”

– Keith has paid little attention to mainstream American news coverage since it was told from a “white supremacist view,” which makes the stories “neither true nor interesting.”

“Because white supremacy is nothing more than a form of self-adoration, news stories of Mandela’s passing… emphasize his ‘forgiveness’ of white people, at the expense of what he—and the ANC—meant to the struggle of people worldwide to emancipate themselves from racist, colonial oppression,” Jeter said. “[Mandela] has far more in common with Malcolm X and Fidel Castro than he does Barack Obama.”

Jeter added that most news organizations ignored some of the more controversial aspects of Mandela’s philosophy and history.

December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013, The Afro-American

Mandela’s Burial

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The funeral followed a memorial service Dec. 8 and three days of Mandela lying in state in Pretoria. His body was viewed by more than 100,000 people. Because of long lines and hours too short for the occasion, at least twice as many people might have viewed the body if they had been given the opportunity.

After a final ceremony Dec. 14 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Mandela’s coffin was flown to Mthatha, where it was met by a military escort and greeted by locals with three shouts of “Aaah! Dalibhung,” a reference to Dalibhunga, the name given to Mandela at 16 upon being initiated into adulthood.

His remains were transported to Quna, 37 miles away. There, military officials handed them over to village elders. The South African flag that draped his coffin was replaced with a lion skin, a traditional symbol of the Xhosa people. Tribal leaders and men in his family held a private vigil at dusk in keeping with traditions The casket of Mandela’s Thembu procession clan. His remains stayed in his bedroom throughout the night, overlooking his future grave site.

The Dec. 15 event was an all Africa affair.

“As your journey ends today, ours must continue in earnest,” said President Zuma, who delivered the eulogy with Mandela’s flagdraped casket resting in front of him. “One thing we can assure you today, Tata, as you take your final steps, is that South Africa will continue to rise. We pledge to take your vision forward.”

As the first president elected with the participation of Black voters, Mandela is considered the father of the country, hence the

numerous references to “Tata,” which means father. He is also referred to as Madiba, his clan name.

Malawian President Joyce Banda praised Mandela at the funeral as an ideal leader.

“Leadership is about falling in love with the people you serve and about people falling in love with you. It is about serving the people selflessly with sacrifice and a need to put good ahead of personal interest.”

Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first postcolonial president, praised Mandela as “South Africa’s greatest son.”

When African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Cryil Ramaphosa tried to shorten Kaunda’s speech by slipping him a note, the former president told the audience, “This boy is trying to control me. He doesn’t know that I fought the Boers.”

Uncontrolled, Kaunda continued, “As we go on without Madiba, he’s no more in terms of his life, but he is still with our leaders. His lessons Photo by NNPA remain with us, to guide us.

Remember, Madiba also told us to love our neighbors as you love yourself.”

Only 450 people, most of them international leaders and high-ranking ANC officials, were allowed to attend the – President Zuma burial.

Helicopters adorned with South African flags hovered above. About a dozen Pilatus PC-7 aircrafts streaked across the clear skies in formation.

South African National Defense Force Chaplain Rev. Monwabisi Jamangile prayed, saying: “Yours was truly a long walk to freedom and now you have achieved the ultimate freedom in the bosom of your leader, God Almighty.”

See more at afro.com.

“One thing we can assure you today, Tata, as you take your final steps, is that South Africa will continue to rise. We pledge to take your vision forward.”

D.C. Council Sends Minimum Wage Hike to Mayor

By Ben Nuckols Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The D.C. Council has given final approval to raising the city’s minimum wage to $11.50 an hour by 2016.

Tuesday’s vote was a formality, with the council already having approved the minimum wage hike unanimously.

The bill now goes to Democratic Mayor Vincent Gray for his signature. Gray has advocated for a more modest minimum wage increase, but he’s not expected to veto it given the council’s unanimous support.

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker signed a similar bill on Tuesday, and the Montgomery County Council has also approved a minimum wage hike.

The legislation is part of a national trend of states and municipalities addressing the minimum wage in the wake of federal inaction.

The District of Columbia’s current minimum wage is $8.25.

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D.C. residents should call 1-855-532-5465 for assistance.

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Navigators are available at the Consumer Support Center 1-855-642-8572, with services for the deaf or hard of hearing at 1-855-642-8573.

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The Afro-American, December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013

Three Blacks Among 32 American Recipients of Rhodes Scholarships The Black scholars are, according to JBHE: Jessica Wamala: A graduate of Three of the 32 Americans named Rhodes Villanova University who majored jbhe.com Scholars this year are African American, in political science, Arab and Islamic Wamala, Aiken and Brown according to the Journal of Blacks in Higher studies and global interdisciplinary Education. The scholarships provide funds for two or three studies, Wamala is working on her master’s in political science years of graduate study at Oxford University in Britain. Rhodes at Villanova and is captain of the university’s basketball team.

Scholars from the United States join students from 14 other She is a chess enthusiast who will work on a master’s in Middle jurisdictions including Australia, southern Africa, Kenya, India, Eastern studies in England. and Canada. All told, about 80 Rhodes Scholars worldwide are Joshua Aiken: A published poet and senior at Washington selected each year for study at Oxford, the JBHE said.

University in St. Louis, Aiken is majoring in American culture There were 1,750 Americans seeking the scholarships studies and political science. A resident of Eugene, Ore., he was this year. Of the 32 selected, six attended Harvard and three the undergraduate student representative on the university’s attended Yale, the publication said. board of trustees. He has been abroad before, studying in

By Zenitha Prince AFRO Senior Correspondent

Northern Ireland and in Germany. He will pursue a master’s in sociology.

Donald Mayfield Brown: An English and philosophy major at Mississippi State University, Brown previously studied English literature at Christ Church College at Oxford.

At Mississippi State, he founded the creative arts journal and serves as vice president of the philosophy and religion club. He will work on a master’s degree in modern English literature at Oxford.

The first Black person believed to have won a Rhodes scholarship was Alain LeRoy Locke, who went on to become a philosopher and literary figure of the Harlem Renaissance, was selected in 1907. “It is generally believed that at the time of the award the Rhodes committee did not know that Locke was Black until after he had been chosen,” the JBHE website said.

Credit Card Debt Threatens Black Middle Class

By Jazelle Hunt NNPA Washington Correspondent

Middle-class Blacks are using credit to help cover their basic living expenses, according to a report from the NAACP and public policy research organization, Demos.

In the recession’s aftermath, 79 percent of middle-class African-American households carry credit card debt.

“Everybody needs credit but it should be a tool to help your economic life” said study co-author Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, senior director of the NAACP Economic Department. “Now we see it as a drain on African Americans trying to gain a middleclass life.”

Released earlier this month, the report, “The Challenge of Credit Card Debt for the African-American Middle Class,” found that 42 percent of households are relying on their cards for basic living expenses when income and savings fall short.

“Use of credit in long term investments

for the future is a specific African American problem, largely because of the historical impact of racism in wealth building, and current racial bias in lending,” said study coauthor and Demos policy analyst Catherine Ruethschlin.

The seeds for economic disparities seen today were sown over 50 years of redlining, blockbusting and predatory lending. Today, Black Americans have $1 in assets for every $20 owned by White Americans, and, according to the study, more than half of it is tied to home ownership.

Only 55 percent of the study’s Black respondents own their home, compared to 72 percent of White respondents.

According to the report, 80 percent of Black college grads took out some amount of loans for their education, compared to 65 percent of Whites. Credit debt as a result of student loans can then affect career outcomes, as credit checks are sometimes part of the hiring process. Those with poor credit are often relegated to low-paying jobs due to this

dubious but legal practice.

In the study, an overwhelming 99 percent of indebted moderate-income African American households who had expenses related to starting or running a business in the past three years still carry that expense on their credit card bill.

Interestingly, Black and White households reported different reasons for poor credit: 44 percent of White respondents cited late mortgage payments and using all or nearly all of their credit lines while 40 percent of Black households cited late student loan payments and credit report errors.

However varied the causes, middle class credit use and debt levels are similar across race—it’s the consequences that raise eyebrows.

The report found that African Americans and Whites had similar rates of card default, late payments, bankruptcy, eviction, and repossession. However, 71 percent of African American households had been called by bill collectors, compared to 50 percent of

White households. African Americans in the report were also more likely to report card cancellations, limit reductions, or credit rejections in the last three years (53 percent of Black respondents compared to 36 percent of Whites).

Even if credit score isn’t a problem, indebted African American households face higher interest rates, reporting an average APR of 17.7 percent on the card where they carry the greatest balance compared to 15.8 percent for White households.

Despite this, African American respondents were less likely to moderate their card use as a result of higher rates, which suggested to the authors that Black households have less of a choice in staying afloat. “…If you look at the report, you see that they’re using credit for basic living expenses,” Asante-Muhammad points out. “The problem isn’t around spending, the problem is income inequality, wealth inequality and a decline in opportunity for middle class African Americans as a whole.”

D.C. National Guard Unit Continued from A1

“It’s a true blessing to be back home, plus we sacrifice a lot but it’s for the greater good,” Sgt. Charnice Waters told the AFRO. Charnice is a D.C. native who has been in the army for over 17 years and this is not her first deployment.

“I know it sounds political but it’s the truth because what we do help our family it also helps our nation, so it’s worth it.”

Floyd Smith, Waters’ grandfather, Lennita Johnson, her sister who brought her toddler along and her 13-year-old son Nashon Waters all met her with hugs and kisses.

For Nashon, the coming holiday season is now complete.

“I just want to stay close to my mom,” he says, “I haven’t seen her in a while so I plan to buy her a present like I used to, and hopefully I can get me a job during the holidays.”

Waters said while she was in Guantanamo Bay, she communicated with her family through emails and phone calls.

Lt. Miranda Summers, the unit’s deputy public affairs officer, said after the troopers’ reunion with loved ones, they

will return to their unit for reintegration training.

“We will make sure they get

“It’s a true blessing to be back home, plus we sacrifice a lot but it’s for the greater good.”

–Sgt. Charnice Waters

Two guardsmen embrace

counseling, some resources, and some of these they get at their demobilization station.”

“Most of the people in this group have outside jobs,” she continues “We had nine out of this group that are D.C. Metro police, P.G. county police or Metro transit.”

Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Juan Mitchel who was among the group of 16 soldiers to arrive that afternoon was greeted by his wife Sherry Mitchel and nephew Caleb.

Sherry said she’s been waiting a long time for her husband to return home. She missed him deeply, she said.

The non-commissioned officer has been in the Army for 30 years and said he is looking forward to being home with his family. His wife, still surrounded in a big bear hug from her husband, said they don’t really have any holiday plans but “we are just going to stay home with the kids, maybe go see a couple of family members.”

High School in Aurora, Colo. Four years later, she graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.

She earned a master’s degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1998.

Howard served on several ships in the early years of her career. After commanding the USS Rushmore, she commanded Amphibious Squadron Seven and deployed with the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 5, whose operations included tsunami

Baltic Operations, under the 6th Fleet.

On shore, her assignments have included serving as senior military assistant to the secretary of the Navy and deputy commander of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, her bio said.

According to Newsone.

Michelle Howard Continued from A1

to command the Rushmore “surprised people more because of her race” than being a woman.

“For some of the sailors, it was a big deal—not because of the woman thing, but because of the AfricanAmerican thing,” she told the magazine. “I literally had people coming up, wanting to have their picture taken with me…”

Howard won the Chairman Award earlier this year at the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The Chairman’s Award winner is selected

by organization Chairman Roslyn M. Brock to recognize someone who has served with distinction in the public arena.

“Vice Admiral Howard is an inspiration for me and women of color across our country,” Brock said at the time. “Her service and achievements as a top-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy have paved the way for girls and young women to know their dreams can become their reality.”

According to her official U.S. Navy bio, Howard is a 1978 graduate of Gateway

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relief efforts in Indonesia and maritime security operations in the North Arabian Gulf.

According to the bio, Howard served as commander of the Expeditionary Strike Group Two from April 2009 to July 2010. In 2010, she was the Maritime Task Force commander for BALTOPS, or

com, Howard is married to Wayne Cowles, a U.S. Marine Corps retiree. Her father was a master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and by the time she was 12, she knew she wanted to follow him into military service. She attended only the third class in Annapolis to admit women.

Ministers

Continued from A1 “As we grow, as we develop, we also become a more expensive city,” Gray (D) said. “The last thing we want to have happen is people who have helped to pay their dues, helped to develop the city to where it is today, get to a point where they feel like they cannot live here anymore.”

Gray was invited by the ministers to provide a snapshot of the state of the District and to share his vision for the city for the upcoming year, according to the Rev. Donald K. Sadler, president of the conference and pastor of New Morning Star Baptist Church in Northeast Washington. The conference invites various people from religious, civil and political arenas to speak, Sadler said.

Gray talked about affordable housing, jobs, education and increasing the minimum wage— issues of concern to the city’s Black residents.

The ministers told Gray that many of their members worry that rising housing costs will lock them and their children out of home

ownership; that rising property taxes will leave elderly residents unable to stay in the homes they have owned for decades. They worry that development and the changing demographic will squeeze them out of their hometown.

Gray said the changing demographics are not excluding African-Americans from attaining top-paying jobs. He said his plan to pump $187 million into affordable housing will ensure the city remains diverse. In his weekly radio address on Nov. 24, Gray discussed “the District’s unprecedented investment of more than $187 million in affordable housing.”

Gray offered to work with a group of the ministers and the District Department of Transportation to look into the impact the street cars, which will roll next year, will have on Black communities.

“I know that our religious community has been one of those that have made those investments to try to keep people in the city,” he said.

Happy Holidays from the

December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013, The Afro-American

The Week Before Christmas at the AFRO (Read to the rhythm of ‘The Night Before Christmas’)

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all around the AFRO, All the editors were scurrying to get the paper ready to go.

The stories had been edited and sent to Production with care, With hopes that fresh printed copies soon would be there.

The reporters were working their next stories with care, In hopes that if they finished quickly, some days off would be there.

When all of a sudden there came such a ruckus, Everybody in the newsroom wondered what was among us!

Through the door came a source with late breaking news,

The kind that was likely to draw mad Afro. com page views.

Seems children walking on Charles Street had spied A Black Santa and eight reindeer and when they waved, St. Nick skied!

“On, Dasher! On, Dancer! On, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the building! To the end of the street!

You dash away quickly while these pictures I tweet!”

Avis Thomas-Lester, Circa 12/17/2013

The Best Gift You Ever Received

By Avis Thomas-Lester AFRO Executive Editor The best gift you ever received: I wanted to be a newspaper woman since I was a little girl. For Christmas when I was 11, Santa brought me my own typewriter. It was beautiful—baby blue with a hard case. My parents got me all the accessories. I started my own little newspaper typing on it that summer— The Thomas Tattler.

The gift that you most want: I just want my family to continue to be blessed. If I were to think materially, though I don’t need it, I’d like a Chanel bag. Black. Or Botox on the 11s between my eyes that came from squinting over a computer all these years. I don’t really need that either.

Your favorite Christmas memory: The year that my son, Zack, was 3, he wanted a real tree. We put up seven trees, all faux, but that year he wanted a real one. We went

By Gregory Dale AFRO News Editor The best gift you ever received: When I was a kid, I was a really big fan of the Home Alone franchise, so I had to have the Tiger Talkboy when it came out. It was a voice recorder and cassette player and it allowed you to manipulate the sounds you recorded. At 5 years old, I was pretty mischievous and I really enjoyed taping conversations that I wasn’t supposed to hear!

The gift that you most want: Oddly enough, I need a new voice recorder for work.

The one that I’ve used since college stopped working and I’ve been using my iPhone to record certain things.

However, it’s really starting to

to the lot and he fell in love with the oddest shaped three there. It was full on the front, but the back was completely flat. He called it a “triangle tree.” We brought it home and decorated it, but it was front heavy and he knocked it

down three times playing with the ornaments. My husband ended up bolting it to the wall somehow. Zack’s 20 now.

Your favorite Christmas song: “This Christmas” by Donnie Hathaway. I have DH’s greatest hits CD in my car all the time and play the song frequently. I love it!

Your favorite family holiday tradition: We go to a Christmas Eve service at another church.

Even though we love our collections of Most of the angels and Black Nativity scenes, each service is year the highpoint of decorating the caroling and house is the unwrapping and placement it ends with of “The Crackhead Santas.” Why are they a beautiful called that? Notice the expressions on candletheir faces! And their leans. lighting

ceremony. The pastor’s wife, bless her heart, has a very high-pitched voice. She sings a favorite song each year and we can’t help but giggle.

We’ve all almost choked trying. Afterwards, we come home, have hot chocolate and Christmas cookies and read the story of the birth of Jesus together. I love it even more than Christmas Day. What kind of year was 2013 for you: 2013 was a tough year for our family. Zack had some health challenges.

My husband, James, changed jobs after many years and we lost our beloved Freda, my husband’s sister. But we survived. Our faith and strength as a family had never been tested before, but this year proved that we are blessed and strong and we came out of it.

As the gospel song says, the Lesters are still “Standing,” thanks to God’s grace. Zack is healthy, James is working and Freda’s with God. We’re looking forward to 2014.

drain my battery and take up a Do at Christmas?” by the Emotions. It’s a somber song, lot of space. but I love the beat and I think Your favorite Christmas it really shows another side of memory: One year, when I Christmas that is a reality for was a kid, my mother wanted some people. In a way, I think to teach me and my sister the it opens your eyes and helps true meaning of Christmas. you remember those who According to her, that year don’t have anyone to spend we were acting like brats. To the holidays with. teach us a lesson, she took us to a homeless shelter where we gave out gifts to the less fortunate.

It was a significant moment for me because it truly made me grateful for the things that I already had.

Tiger Talkboy Subsequently, we made it an annual Christmas Eve ritual.

Your favorite family Your favorite Christmas holiday tradition: After song: “What Do the Lonely Christmas, most people are

finished celebrating, at least until New Year’s. Not my family. We go to each and every person’s house in the immediate family in the days after Christmas to eat, drink and have a good time. It was a tradition that was started long before I was born and I intend to keep it going when I have a family of my own.

What kind of year was 2013 for you: 2013 was definitely a year of change for me. A lot of changes happened to me in my personal life— both good and bad. However, I do think that every single experience that I’ve had this year has groomed me into a stronger and wiser person.

With these experiences under my belt, I’m now ready to take on 2014 with a new set of goals and aspirations.

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware AFRO Editor The best gift you ever received: One of the best gifts I ever received was a personal tea set with a pot for brewing that rested in a sizeable mug.

It wasn’t expensive. It wasn’t even my favorite color. But it was so special to me because I had only worked with my

Unique Gifts

The editors were sitting around the other day contemplating holiday gifts we’d been given, things we’d purchased for loved ones and the state of the current economy. In keeping with that, we came up with a list of gifts that we believe will show the recipient lots of love without breaking the giver’s bank account. We hope you like these as much as we do!

1. A star. There are companies out there that allow you to purchase a star and name it for a loved one. Can you imagine a better gift? What a thrill to locate the star and brag to friends that it bears your name!

2. Genetic testing kit. With so much interest in finding our roots, a kit that allows a loved one to determine their racial genetic makeup and to match the components to African nations would be a perfect gift!

3. Lay-away payoff. Can you imagine the thrill you would give someone if you paid off their layaway before Christmas? If not that, how about asking them to let you pay the cable bill or drop a Benjamin on the gas or electric?

4. Babysitting. Three of the four of us are parents and we remember the hazy days of our children’s young years.

AFRO Editors: Greg Dale, news editor; Avis ThomasLester, executive editor; Rev. Dorothy Boulware, managing editor; Ronald Taylor, copy editor.

Treat parent friends to a free day, afternoon or evening of babysitting so they can get out for a while.

5. Car detailing. How many times do we look down and think, ‘I should do something about the stains on my car carpet!’ How about paying a mobile detailer to take care of that and much more for a loved one?

6. Mom’s Day Off. Treat Mom to a gift of a day and night at a hotel, where she can sleep in, order room service, keep the remote control all to herself and not have to hear “MOMMMMMMMMM!!! once all day. Add a spa treatment or mani/pedi if you can afford it. Tell Dad he cannot go.

7. Dad’s Couch Potato Day. Load the fridge with food and beer then take a powder on a good football Sunday.

Let him have the house and the remote control all to himself, too.

8. Gas card. Fill the tank for somebody. We can all use that.

9. Grocery gift card. We can all use this, too.

10. Donation to an African cause. How about donating to a program to provide malaria medications to children or to fund efforts to help women establish businesses? Or a donation of farm animals that provide food and income from sales of eggs, chicks, etc.

The best gift you ever received: A CD of Charlie Parker’s Yardbird Suite.

The gift that you most want: A copy of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s A Team of Rivals Your favorite Christmas memory: Snow falling as

I finished my paper route Christmas morning in 1962.

Your favorite Christmas song: “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Your favorite family holiday tradition: A family outing to a first-run movie on Christmas Day. What kind of year was 2013 for you: Most of the

year was spent in slackjawed amazement that no one has held Obama critics and opponents accountable for the mess they have made of the country, all in the name of denying –strictly along racial lines-- a brilliant orator, solid thinker, dazzling husband and father and basketball devotee a graceful entrance

editor, Talibah Chikwendu, for a couple of months and she’d become acquainted with me enough to know how much I love tea and tea time. Loved it!

The gift that you most want: Since I’ve become an Apple techie, I’d like a MacBook Air. Your favorite Christmas memory: Almost 12 years ago,

my middle daughter handed out Christmas presents to each of us, and as we unwrapped them to curiously discover rattles and other tiny things, she and her husband announced their first pregnancy.

My favorite Christmas song: “Oh What a Wonderful Child!” Since I’ve become a woman of a certain age, I’ve taken on my grandmother’s

mantle and love to call Jesus’ name many MacBook Air times a day. In this song, I get to sing his name.

My favorite family getting to know myself better. holiday tradition: We started a It’s been interesting to weed tradition about 37 years ago of out longstanding habits, to having a birthday cake for Jesus. consider more carefully before What kind of year was making choices and to look 2013 for you: This year has for new challenges. Like the been one of introspection and sand particle wedged into the

By Ron Taylor AFRO Copy Editor

A5

Merry Christmas and Happy Kwanzaa!

–Avis, Dorothy, Greg and Ron into his rightful place in history as the first African

American to win the U.S. Presidency. Twice.

oyster shell, the agitation of 2013 is working out the “pearling” process in my life. Along with my five granddaughters and now my great grandson who bring a new zest for life and push me toward the next thing, whatever that might be.

A6

The Afro-American, December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013

COMMUNITY CONNECTION Covenant House Washington Appoints Dr. Madye Henson as President and CEO

Covenant House International and Covenant House Washington Board of Directors recently appointed Dr. Madye G. Henson as the new President and CEO of Covenant House Washington and the Greater D.C. Region.

“Madye has dedicated her professional life to improving educational opportunities for our children and promoting effective volunteerism and community service in the Washington D.C. area,” Covenant House President Kevin Ryan said in a statement. “She brings passion, expertise, and compassion that will help us Dr. Madye G. Henson better serve more homeless youth.

As President and CEO of Covenant House Washington and the Greater D.C. Region, Dr. Henson will work to heighten regional and national awareness; create strategic partnerships; strengthen and expand services and programming; and continue to make Covenant House Washington a lifeline to quality resources for more than 30,000 young people within the Greater Washington Region.

“I am thrilled to be a part of an incredible organization like Covenant House that provides needed educational, housing, and support services to our most fragile young people, those that are homeless, runaways, and disconnected in our region,” Dr. Henson said in a statement.

Most recently, Dr. Henson served as the Deputy Superintendent for Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) where she was instrumental in the district’s success in launching an innovative satellite high school, community engagement, and vital student support services. Prior to this, Dr. Henson served as the President and CEO of HandsOn Greater DC Cares (HGDCC), leading the way in the mobilization of volunteerism and community service impact

across the Greater DC Region. Dr. Henson also served as the Vice President of Community Impact Development with United Way Worldwide.

Dr. Henson earned a doctorate of management and a masters of business administration from Webster University.

Her undergraduate bachelor of science in business is from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Tom Joyner Foundation Announces Applications for 2014 ‘Full Ride’ Scholarship

The Tom Joyner Foundation announced the “Full Ride” scholarship program that will cover all the expenses of one student planning to attend a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the fall of 2014.

“The cost of a college education isn’t getting any cheaper,” said Tom Joyner, chairman of his Foundation and host of the top-ranked nationally syndicated radio show. “So, I want to help a graduating high school senior with a chance to attend a black college to pursue their dreams.”

Past Full Ride Scholars have impressive backgrounds, including the first winner, Britney Wilson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., who graduated from Howard University, last year. She is now in her first year of law school at the University of Pennsylvania. She impressed the Foundation’s scholarship committee with her solid academic record and her knowledge of local, national and international politics. Cheyenne Boyce of Detroit is now a senior at Spelman College, where she is an international relations major who is fluent in Japanese.

Students will receive full tuition and stipends for up to 10 semesters to cover on-campus room and board and books.

Students must meet the required academic standards each semester to renew the funds each year. Graduating high school seniors can apply for the scholarship by going to the Tom Joyner Foundation website at www.tomjoynerfoundation.org to download an application.

The applications must be postmarked no later than January 17th, 2014. Interviews will occur in April 2014.

Coolidge High School Alum Graduates from Basic Military Training

Air Force Airman and D.C. native Marques Edwards graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of Airman Marques Edwards the Air Force.

He is a 2004 graduate of Coolidge High School in the District.

Red Cross Teams Up with the Washington Wizards

The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region has partnered with the Washington Wizards to promote disaster preparedness and awareness through a special Red Cross night on Jan. 22 when the Wizards face off against the Boston Celtics. $10 of every $50 club level ticket and $5 of every $25 upper level ticket will be donated to the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region.

Tickets must be purchased through: www.msesales.com/ wiz/redcross using the special offer code: wizards Red Cross representatives will be at tables on the 100 and 400 levels distributing information about disaster preparedness and collecting monetary donations.

Companies interested in corporate packages, which include premium seating with all-inclusive food and beverage, as well as employee block tickets, and other exclusive benefits can contact Robert Minnitte at 202-292-1947 or via rminnitte@ monumentalsports.com.

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12/9/13 2:15 PM

December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013, The Afro-American

A7

OPINION

Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Last week, I was privileged to be included in a U.S. congressional delegation that attended President Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa. The experience was an inspiring one, just as Nelson Mandela’s life uplifted so many of us in decades past.

I readily acknowledge that I was in need of the inspiration I received in South Africa. President Mandela’s passing marked Elijah Cummings the end of a difficult year for our world, and, especially, for those of us whose lives are troubled by poverty, conflict, violence or personal loss.

Nelson Mandela’s life offered guidance and hope to us all.

The Power of Forgiveness On the long flight from Washington to Africa, I kept recalling a meeting with Nelson Mandela that I was privileged to attend back in 2005. Of all the wisdom that he shared with me at that time, what moved me the most was his reflections about how he felt when leaving prison after 27 years behind bars.

It was a lesson in the liberating power of forgiveness.

“I knew I was free,” President Mandela observed, “but I couldn’t be completely free unless I forgave those who oppressed me.”

Nelson Mandela’s compelling insight into the forgiving power of the human spirit is expressed in virtually every religious tradition – the calling to love our enemies and those who have oppressed or spited us.

As we pause to reflect during this holiday season, each of us knows that this spiritual wisdom about the power of forgiveness is the truth. Yet, at times, we find it extraordinarily difficult to follow this guiding principle when we, ourselves, are being attacked or harmed.

Nelson Mandela’s example reminds us that our own struggles to free our hearts from bitterness and rancor are worth our engagement. He succeeded in harnessing our God given power of forgiveness – and that success allowed him to unite his country and serve as an example for the world.

The Power of Humility

Forgiving those who have harmed us allows us the clarity of mind to realize another essential truth.

Powerful and effective as a leader, Nelson Mandela touched the king and the janitor in the same way.

In the process of triumphing on the South African stage, he became a positive example for our entire world.

At the core of this continuing impact was his humility. His example reminds us that we all are ordinary people who are called to the extraordinary mission of forging a better and more humane world.

The Power of a Positive Vision Nelson Mandela’s life teaches us that personal humility expands, not limits, our ability to engage the world in a positive way. Humility allowed his strong sense of mission to become a force for good, rather than an end or obstacle in itself.

He gained the ability to free his nation from the bondage of servitude by first freeing his own spirit.

President Mandela’s long years of struggle taught him that, all too often, we allow our fears, anger or insecurities to forge internal chains that limit the power of our hearts and minds.

“Do not be pushed by your fears and problems,” he often observed. “Be led by your hopes and dreams.”

Nelson Mandela’s Legacy His vision of the path to lasting freedom may well be Nelson Mandela’s most empowering lesson and legacy.

Life can often be difficult, both for us as individuals and for the societies in which we live. This we know all too well.

Yet, the shining teaching of a single, enlightened human being from South Africa rekindled hope in our troubled world.

If we free ourselves from bitterness and anger, if we live in humility and dedication to the welfare of others, if we stand on our highest principles and have faith, we, too, can create a better day for our families and for the generations yet to be

Blackonomics–The Tax Man Cometh

When the tax man cometh, Black dollars “goeth.” Where will they goeth? Down a myriad of paths in pursuit of new items such as furniture, cars, clothing, and other niceties.

But first, unless you do your own tax return or get it done for free by someone, Black dollars goeth to tax preparation firms, the vast majority of which are not owned by Black people. I can hear the two excuses James Clingman right now: “I don’t know where to find a Black tax firm;” and “I don’t want ‘them’ to know my business.” The first one I can deal with, but the second excuse just blows my mind.

Nonetheless, let’s see if we can get the conscious ones out there to give a Black-owned company some business.

There are many independent Black-owned and operated tax preparation firms, but there is one I have written about for years now that I strongly encourage you to support. With more than 200 offices in various cities, Compro Tax is the oldest and largest Black-owned tax/financial assistance firm in the country.

Go to the website, comprotax.net, and find the office closest to you.

In keeping with my theme of economic empowerment, this is about Black business in general, not just one individual business. This is about doing what every other group in this country does in a “competently unconscious” way. They support one another and grow their businesses to the point of being able to provide jobs for their own children. What many of us do is simply get mad and complain about them instead of doing what they are doing.

The more we pass our dollars around to one another, the more empowered we become and the stronger we will be, even to the point of building and maintaining a solid unshakeable

born.

These are not new lessons. They date back to the recorded beginnings of humanity and live at the core of every religious tradition.

In my own life, I have been lifted up by Nelson Mandela’s personal example of the kind of human being we each should aspire to become – selfless, loving, and dedicated to justice for every man, woman and child in our world.

During this holiday season, it is my hope and prayer that Nelson Mandela will continue to enlighten our community.

Were he still with us in this life, I believe that he would remind us that our winter prayers express our highest aspirations.

From our differing faith traditions, we receive the Hope central to Christmas, the Light of Hanukkah, the peace of Islam and the unity of Kwanza.

“We are children of the same God,” our prayers proclaim.

“We belong to the same human family - and we need not be alone in the darkness.”

We can be confident that President Mandela would agree.

Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s Seventh Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

economic foundation for our young people. We will also provide them with the proper examples of what they, in turn, should do.

So, while this is not entirely about Compro Tax, I do encourage you to seek them out, as well as other Blackowned tax preparation firms in your city. You will develop relationships with some great people, and you will be exposed to an opportunity to open your own tax preparation business.

Taxes comprise a recession-proof industry, as you well know, because no matter what the economy does, the tax man will cometh; and your tax dollars, preparation fees and refunds, will goeth to someone. Make every effort to make them goeth to a Black business.

Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s most prolific writer on economic empowerment for Black people. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and can be reached through his Web site, blackonomics.com.

The RNC Twitter “Mistake” Wasn’t a Mistake

The Republican Party’s inability to prevent some of its elected officials and party operatives from making racist and sexist remarks and tamp down others’ penchant for cringe-worthy gaffes along those lines necessitates a slight revising of that old saying: It’s always like déjà vu all over again.

Last week, it was – actually for just a moment – the Republican National Lee A. Daniels Committee’s sole turn in the spotlight.

On Dec. 1, it sought via a tweet to mark the anniversary of the 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks, the legendary incident that provoked the famous Montgomery (Ala.) Bus Boycott and the start of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s: “Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in ending racism,” it said.

The blogosphere and {Twitter}universe immediately exploded with derisive reminders that racism and racial segregation continued long after the victory of the bus boycott movement in overturning segregation on the Montgomery buses.

Not until the next day did the RNC issue a corrective tweet – implicitly acknowledging it’s worthwhile getting the facts and consequences of history exactly right: “Previous tweet, should

have read ‘Today we remember Rosa Parks’ bold stand and her role in fighting to end racism.’”

Unfortunately, Rep. Duncan Hunter (D-Calif.) soon added to the GOP’s reputation for offensiveness when, in a Dec. 2 interview on CSPAN, he declared that lying “is part of Middle Eastern culture.” Hunter added for good measure that “In the Middle Eastern culture it is looked upon with very high regard to get the best deal possible, no matter what it takes, and that includes lying.”

Later, Hunter’s spokesman made a weak stab at damage control, claiming he was only referring to the leaders of Middle Eastern countries, not their entire populations.

Has there been a week in the last five years – since Barack Obama took the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States – in which some Republican politico in a low or high position has not been exposed as the author of a racist, sexist and/or homophobic e-mail, video, tweet, or remark?

There must be some kind of mechanism virtually implanted in the minds of Republicans these days that goes ringgggggg— your turn!compelling someone somewhere in its elective-office or operational structure to make particularly outlandish remarks or claims that underscore the breadth of the backward attitudes that rule the Party.

If it’s not Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) who earlier this year wrongly lecturing students at predominantly Black Howard University on some elementary facts of Black American history, it’s Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) weirdly asserting last July that many undocumented immigrants who had come to the U.S. as children had actually been ferrying drugs – in “calves the size of cantaloupes because they’ve been hauling 75 pounds

of marijuana across the desert.”

There are many, many more examples one could cite, ranging from the picayune to the deeply disgusting. And they are just a portion of the voluminous evidence that bigotry itself has become a more and more powerful congenital virus within the GOP. These “gaffes” and “mistakes” GOP officials keep making aren’t gaffes or mistakes. They are at this stage of its existence markers of what the GOP is: the party where bigotry thrives.

Indeed, earlier this year the Republican National Committee itself was victimized by that sickness. In the wake of the November 2012 shellacking in the presidential election, the party announced it would develop a “Growth and Opportunity” agenda to win back the White House in 2016. Making concerted efforts to appeal to voters of color and other key groups of the winning Democratic coalition was high on the report’s list of recommendations.

The response of the Republican Party leadership? They, in effect, looked the other way as conservative think-tankers and the GOP-allied pundits savaged the document – and immediately began suggesting the GOP could win the White House in 2016 just by doubling down on its appeal to White voters only.

No doubt the large majority of copies of the RNC report are resting comfortably at the bottom of the Potomac River.

And by the time this column will be read, there’ll be one, or two, or three or more similar Republican Party “mistakes” and “gaffes” to add to the list.

Lee A. Daniels is a veteran journalist based in New York City.

A8 The Afro-American, December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013

Photo by Travis Riddick

A holiday scene at the Capitol.

First Lady Brings Holiday Cheer to Sick Kids

By Darlene Superville Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama loved Barbie dolls as a girl. She now prefers Christmas without snow, after living most of her life in Chicago. She isn’t sure how she’ll celebrate her 50th birthday in about a month but says “it might involve some dancing.”

Revelations from a news interview with a glossy magazine? Guess again.

The first lady disclosed

these tidbits and a few more, including what’s on the Christmas gift lists for her husband and two dogs, during an annual holiday visit Monday with patients at Washington’s leading children’s hospital.

It included a questionand-answer session with the pint-sized patients, 14 questions in all.

“I don’t take questions from the press. They will tell you that,” Mrs. Obama replied to one questioner as she sat in front of a towering

Christmas tree in the atrium of Children’s National Health System. “I only take questions from you guys once a year here.”

Her appearance continued a first lady tradition that dates back more than 60 years to Bess Truman, who first brought holiday cheer to children not well enough to leave the hospital in time for Christmas.

Mrs. Obama first visited privately with patients and staff before coming to the atrium to read the Christmas

classic, “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” to another group of children and their adult companions or nurses.

She brought along family dogs Bo and Sunny for added cheer.

Asked to name her favorite holiday song, the first lady instead broke into song: “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ....,” she sang before dryly noting: “I forgot the press was here.”

Her best Christmas gift? “I’m sure it was some Barbie-related thing. When I was little, I loved Barbie dolls and I had everything

Barbie,” Mrs. Obama said. “I had the town house and the car and all the little outfits, and the shoes that never stayed on their feet.”

She’s no longer a fan of white Christmases.

“The truth is, now that I’m older, I prefer a Christmas without snow,” Mrs. Obama said. “When you’re older, you know, old people, snow is a hassle.

You’ve got to shovel it. And then when the ice forms on your car window shield there’s nothing worse than scraping that off.”

She turns 50 on Jan. 17, but hasn’t finalized her

birthday party plans.

“I’m going to be 50.

Fifty and fabulous,” the first lady said, pumping a fist high above her head. “I’m not exactly sure yet what I’m going to do but it might involve some dancing.”

As for family Christmas gifts, President Barack Obama most likely will get workout clothes. “He said that’s what he wanted,” she said. The dogs are getting chew toys. Eldest daughter Malia, 15, wanted a cellphone, but Mrs. Obama said her father spoiled that plan by getting one for her early.

Embattled Chief of Miami Gardens, Fla. Police Dept. Resigns as NAACP Presses for Justice Dept.Review Drivers. Bikers. Walkers.

From the NAACP

• Safely share the road.

Do not run in front of an approaching streetcar.

(Miami Gardens, FL) – One day after the Florida State Conference of NAACP branches and its Miami-Dade County Branch asked Attorney General Eric Holder to direct the Justice Department to review the practice of intimidation by officers of the Miami Gardens Police Department against African American residents, Miami Gardens Police Chief Matthew Boyd resigned amid allegations that officers in his department have systematically committed civil rights violations against residents of city.

“The Miami Gardens community deserves a police department that is committed to stopping crime and preserving justice,” stated Adora Obi Nweze, President of the NAACP Florida State Conference. “This is a good

• Streetcars cannot go around cars parked on the tracks. Park within the white lines and do not double park.

Testing on H Street Begins in December

• Streetcars travel at or below the posted speed limit and must obey all traffic signals.

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first step toward that goal, but hardly the last step. The systematic allegations of police intimidation did not happen because of just one person; they were the result of a sustained lack of oversight. We hope that the Miami Gardens Police Department will continue to work with the community on a fairer and more just system.”

Many Miami Gardens residents have faced harassment and misconduct carried out by the Miami Gardens Police Department, related to a program called the Zero Tolerance Zone Initiative. Public records contain 27 video recordings from one store owner, Alex Saleh, who also filed a complaint with internal affairs. The recordings show police regularly questioning, frisking, and arresting people who not only have permission to be on the property, but also have not committed any crimes.

December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013, The Afro-American

B1

Snazzy black pant ensemble

Co-chairs, Saundra McCullough-Cobey and Lula Hicks Nina Guns, Raven Phillips, Nache’ Brown, Veronica Sanford and Nadine Cid

The fashions of Ida’s Idea Boutique capped the 55th Annual Cooley-Moore Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Zeta Chi Omega Chapter Nov. 13. The chapter’s Ivy Foundation awarded three college scholarships at the event at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner. Event co-chairs Lula Hicks and Saundra McCullough-Cobey were the architects of an afternoon of fine dining, door prizes and an up-tempo New York-style fashion show.

The Luncheon Fashion Show Committee with the foundation and chapter Back row: Sade Demery, Nicole Clark, and Melonie leadership Barrington. Front row: Marcy Jessup, Erica Shannon, Mia Barnes, Demaris Thompson, Carolyn Rowe, Breanna Gray, Jessica Nickens and Lydia McLeod

AKA Pink and Green suit on the sister with the brother in a jean two-piece suit with matching hat.

Alverta Addison, Linda Newman and Felicia Greenfield (Golden Member)

Vendors row...Deborah Bowens and Theresa Proctor with Traci Lynn Jewelry

“The chill of winter has arrived,” says chapter member Yvette Darnaby Yvette Darnaby, VaShawn Guice Veal, Michelle Jones, Hazel Cameron and Irma Bogan

Cooley-Moore Scholarship graduate, Brittany Nash, Ester Stubbs-Varnado, Scholarship Committee Chair, and 2013 scholarship recipients, Aisha Farooq and Miranda Jones

Dot Wigglesworth, Rozena-Killen John, Alverta Addison, Starr Garrett, Diann Burns, Virginia Graves, Martha Coleman, and Katherine Coleman

Yvonne Witter, Deborah Jackson, Joyce Hinton and Valerie Jones

Dr. Charlene Dukes, president, Prince George’s Community College and Edgar Brookins

Photos by Rob Roberts Back row: Grace Alberton, Gloria Payne, Deebie Wesley, Dorothy Clarck, Beverly malby, Francine Jackson and Marily Clatman. Front row: Diane Welburn, Juliette McNeil, Roslyn Hoover, Irma Bogan and Marion Chance-Roberts

Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Luke E. Torian (far right), pastor, First Mount Zion Baptist Church and member, Virginia House of Delegates, 52nd District and guests.

Dr. Howard (at microphone) introduces family members of the late Jerline “Jeri” Simpson-Sanders; the Gala and Souvenir Journal was dedicated to her.

Guests in the Silent Auction room

The Raffle and Logistics Committee with Andrea Bailey (far right), chapter first vice president

Guests who attended the Evening of Enchantment

An “Evening of Enchantment” was the theme for the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Prince William County Chapter‘s first annual gala Nov. 9. An estimated 700 guests graced the Renaissance Capitol View’s grand ballroom and were treated to an evening of fine dining, a silent auction, raffles and door prizes.

The evening orchestrated by chapter President Alice H. Howard and event co-chairs Andrea Bailey and Courtney Holman was highlighted by Rev. Dr. Luke E. Torian, pastor, First Mount Zion Baptist Church, who delivered a speech entitled “Transforming Lives in Our Community.”

Aaron and Connie Andrews (center) with family, friends and guests

Friends and guests of the NCBW, PWC Chapter

Photos by Rob Roberts

Guests who attended the gala

Julie Billingsley, Dr. Phyllis Morgan, Ann Alexis-Hamilton and Robin Adams

Corey Holeman, Cozy Bailey, Victor Hinton, Conrado Morgan, Trevor Hamilton, and Alfredo E. Gibbs Van Horn

Members of the executive board Charlotte Van Horn, the Mistress of Ceremonies

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The Afro-American, December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013

The Young and Restless Angell Conwell “The Young and the Restless” Interview

KW: How did you prepare to play a lawyer?

AC: As far as the legal lingo, I Googled most of the terminology and started to try to use it on a daily basis so that it would begin to sound normal coming out of my mouth. It’s not everyday talk for me, so I had to get used to that. Once I learn the material, it’s mainly all about helping to give Leslie some spice and life. The writers put it all on the paper. My job is to bring it.

KW: Are there any upcoming developments you can share about Leslie and her love interest, Neil?

AC: Plenty of Neil and Leslie’s relationship has revolved around Gus, Rose, a mysterious blogger, and figuring out the different connections. So, I’m hoping that we may get to see another dynamic to their relationship soon. Maybe more romance and passion, but honestly, I have no idea.

with Kam Williams Angell Conwell was born in Orangeburg, S.C., Aug. 2, 1983, but raised in nearby Columbia. At 17, she made her big screen debut in the gritty, John Singleton drama Baby Boy opposite Tyrese, Taraji P. Henson and Snoop Dogg.

She followed that outing with well-received supporting roles in such feature films as The Wash, Soul Plane and 24 Hour Love. More recently, Angell enjoyed a starring role on the TVOne hit series “Family Time” with Omar Gooding, as well as a recurring role as Kevin Hart’s ex-wife on the hit BET series “Real Husbands of Hollywood.”

Her TV credits include guest starring roles on such shows as “NYPD Blue,” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch,” “Moesha,” “That’s So Raven” and “3rd Rock from the Sun.” She has also appeared in the music videos “Batter Up” and “Ride Wit Me” and Usher’s “Confessions.”

In her spare time she enjoys reading inspirational books, days at the beach, walks with her dog Xeena and giving back by serving at MyFriendsHouseLA.Com. Here, she talks about her upcoming independent movie 4Play with Wesley Jonathan, and about playing Leslie Michaelson on the daytime drama, “The Young & the Restless” which just celebrated its 40th anniversary on the air.

KW: “The Young and the Restless” has been on TV for 40 years. Do you feel any pressure to live up to that record of success and to honor the show’s long legacy?

AC: I used to feel pressure, but as time goes on, I realize that all you can do is do your best at any given moment.

KW: You’re also on another hit show, the Real Husbands of Hollywood, where you play Kevin Hart’s wife. How is acting on a fake reality show different from appearing on a soap opera?

AC: Two words: one take! For the most part, we shoot everything in one take on The Young & the Restless, which makes it unlike anything I’ve ever worked on. It’s a great adrenaline rush!

KW: What interested you in doing a soap opera?

AC: Being on a daytime drama never crossed my mind until the breakdown for the character “Leslie” was released.

She was described as a strong, spitfire legal shark. It’s rare that an opportunity comes to play such a character, and being that The Young & The Restless is not only the #1 daytime drama overall, it’s also the #1 daytime drama within my family.

They’ve all been watching since before I was born. After considering all these things, it made complete sense.

KW: Tell me a little about your character, Leslie.

AC: Leslie Michaelson is an attorney. She has a passion for what she does. She’s a stand-up woman who has been through many terrifying situations in life, but has turned them to her advantage. She loves her younger brother, Tyler [played

by Redaric Williams], with all her heart, and she stands by her man, Neil [played by Kristoff St. John], without being smothering. She’s quite a lady!

KW: In your upcoming movie, 4Play, you share the screen with a couple of former child stars in Jaleel White and Wesley Jonathan. How was it working with them?

AC: Jaleel has fantastic comedic timing. He is clearly such a pro. Wesley and I worked together on the NBC morning show, City Guys. We’ve been friends since, but haven’t worked together in over 10 years. It’s great being able to be on set again with him.

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

AC: It’s a great movie about maturing in life. We all come to a point where we realize we need to change in order to become better. This movie highlights that we either remain stagnant in life and love or face our fears and grow.

Courtesy Photo

December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013, The Afro-American

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ARTS & CULTURE

D.C.’s Fashionable Turn Out for White Elephant Charity Event

By Ashley D. Diggs AFRO Style and Trends Reporter Tis’ the season for giving, but sometimes the gift you receive is not what you want. Lobbyist and philanthropist Nicole Venable figured out a solution for this ages-old problem.

She threw a White Elephant Gift Exchange party Dec. 15 at

Host Nicole Venable educates attendees on the The Lady Von Fund scholarship the Source restaurant in Northwest Washington where castoff gifts were matched with women who wanted them and money was raised for an HBCU at the same time.

The theme of the event was “Gifts for the Glam Jetsetter.”

About 75 women attended the party, including 50 who brought an item to re-gift in a white elephant gift exchange. Items up for

wanted to do this for other young women.” exchange included a Black metallic cylindrical makeup bag, a Over hors d’oeuvres and specialty drinks, the women made purple silk cover up, a Black quilted leather iPad case and goldpurchases from three local pop-up shops and bid in a silent colored link necklace. Each of the castoffs was wrapped. At the auction on items such as a $200 LaRoche-Posay skin care conclusion of the party, everyone who had brought a gift was gift set; a pair of 24-karat gold-filled cubic zirconia and white given the opportunity to choose a wrapped gift from the table. enamel drop earrings by Christina Sabatini valued at $320; a While the gift exchange was a highlight of the party, Jimmy Choo fragrance and lotion set valued at $150; and a pair participants said they came for the opportunity to help raise money for charity. Nicole Venable holds several charitable events each year.

“I loooove these kinds of events—lots of good things and because it’s [held] for such a good cause!” said Dr. Yolanda Holmes, a dermatologist and faithful Nicole Venable event supporter.

In an interview, Nicole Venable said more than $11,000 was raised for the Lady Von Scholarship Fund, which was named after her mother, the late Yvonne Venable, and developed Fashionable women eagerly wait to choose their White to endow a $50,000 annual scholarship at Elephant Christmas gift.

Spelman College in Atlanta to allow students Photos by Kevin Smoot to study abroad. Yvonne Venable was a of lower level seat Wizards tickets with a value of $300. Higher supporter of Black colleges and the charity allows her to follow in the footsteps of her socially-engaged mother’s legacy priced auctioned items included two orchestra seat tickets for the BET Honors Awards and two airline tickets. of philanthropic work and fundraising in the Washington In the past, the Lady Von Scholarship Fund organization has metropolitan area, Nicole Venable said. helped Spelman girls to study in South Africa, China, Senegal “My mom loved that I went to Spelman and she loved that I studied abroad when I was at Spelman,” she said. “I really and Spain, Nicole Venable said.

22nd Annual Golden Scissors Competition a Snowy-Day Hit

By AFRO Staff Despite icy roads and snowy weather, hundreds of hair enthusiasts converged on the Silver Spring Civic Building for the 22nd Annual Golden Scissors Awards on Dec. 8. This year’s event was entitled HairAfrica—The Great Hair Expedition.

The event included three shows, each of which was presented to a filled-toModels display their capacity audience in the Montgomery innovative hair designs County facility’s auditorium.

“It moved me to tears to see people come from every corner of the country to be a part of the show,” said Glynn Jackson, the creator and founder of the Golden Scissors Awards. “We even had people come from overseas to attend the show. I am honored that people respect the work we have done in this community, as well as internationally, enough to come and show their love for the Golden Scissors Awards.”

The Golden Scissors Awards was created in 1991 as a local, national, and international platform for hairstylists to showcase their work and push the envelope of creativity, Jackson said.

This year’s competition included the Golden Scissors Kids, is a showcase and competition featuring children aged 3-17. The Golden Scissors Awards, the second show, featured the hottest hair professionals in the world, officials said. The third show, the Golden Scissors Consumer event, featured four consumer-driven competitions where winners walked away with $1,000 each.

“This year we [paid] homage to the African community for the massive contributions it has made to the hair and beauty industry,” said Jackson, owner of Glynn Jackson the Agency.

“African culture has influenced so much of what we consider today to be ‘popular culture’ that we felt compelled to acknowledge this in a grand and over-the-top, historical way.”

Hair, he said, is a universal issue.

“Hair is the very fabric that weaves our communities together, and even though we may be different, our similarities are evident through hair,” Jackson said.

The 2013 winners included:

The BOBBI BOSS™ America’s Next Top Stylist Winners: 1st Place: Travis Douglas, Columbia, S.C. 2nd Place: Doris Carr, Richmond, Va. 3rd Place: Casmeras Reavis, Philadelphia, Pa. 4th Place: Derick Watson, Atlanta, Ga. Salon Presentation Winners: 1st place: Spice of New York— Marquitta Graham, Augusta, Ga. 2nd Place: FIFI Braids—The Ethiopian Master Hair Braider, Silver Spring, Md. 3rd Place: Tanesha Hines for Posh Hair Salon, District of Columbia HairGAGA Avante Gaarde Fantasy Category Winner: Marie Gardner-Newport News, Va. Weave Diva Winner: LaShonda Green (model)—Travis Douglas (stylist), Columbia, S.C. Loc Star Winner: Albertine African & American Hair Braiding, Gaitherburg, Md. and Shanti Walker-Madame Walker Photos by Dina Dee and John Scott Braidery, District Heights, Md. Barber Total Look Winner: Christian Tillery, Baltimore, Md. Stage Competition Winner: Kidz Division: Donja Long of Traffic Salon, Baltimore, Md. For more information or to get updates on next year’s event, HairGames: Winter 2014, go to www.goldenscissorsawards.com.

B4

The Afro-American, December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013

Meet The Pastor

FAITH The most exciting thing about my ministry is preaching and teaching. I love to proclaim the word of God from a practical urban perspective.

Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness (57) Pastor, Christ Our Redeemer AME, Washington, D.C., five years Hometown: Columbia, S.C., the youngest of 10 children born to J.R. Anderson Sr. and Beatrice J. Jacobs Anderson Education: Clark College, Clark Atlanta University - Bachelor of Arts Howard University School of Law - Juris Doctorate St. Mary’s Seminary and University Master of Theology Howard University School of Divinity – Doctor of Ministry 1. How did you hear your call to ministry?

I think I had a call on my life from birth. I was from the South and that had serious implications for women; we were first ladies Men's Day with Kenneth Ellerbe D.C. Fire Chief not pastors. Women were not accepted in ministry when I was growing up. My grandfather, brother and uncles were pastors. I am the first woman in my immediate family to enter ministry.

In 1992 while serving as a steward at Payne Memorial AME Church in Baltimore, under the pastorate of now Bishop Vashti McKenzie, I felt an urging to preach and teach God’s word, but I kept ignoring the feeling. I was restless and it felt as if some supernatural force was edging me on. I spoke to my pastor several times, however because I thought God had a sense of humor I continued to ignore the call. I was already a lawyer in a male dominated profession and ministry was overwhelmingly male dominated – no way, not me. Then on Palm Sunday it was as if something picked me up from my seat and took me to the front with crocodile tears coming down my face and I just yielded to His will and His way and have not looked back since.

2. What was the biggest surprise when you started ministry?

My biggest surprise was the “good ole boys’” network - how women were treated like second class Christians; how women were rarely if ever asked to pray at church events yet relegated to organizing programs and culinary events. It was startling how the women were getting ministry degrees just to get their foot in the door and many men who watched the door had only a high school diploma– they were men who were called and that was good enough.

I must admit that I had internal help from my brother, Rev. Dr. John Lewis Anderson, a Baptist pastor who helped me navigate the process. In the midst of my calling he was killed in a car accident that transformed my life.

3. Of what aspect are you most proud?

My life’s witness and the fact that my daughter, Ali Holness, accepted her call to ministry. I am proud of the global ecumenical work of which I have been engaged.

4. What’s the most exciting thing about your ministry?

AFRO Sports Desk Faceoff

5. How does social media enhance your ministry, or not?

Tremendously. When we had the blizzard in Washington, DC somewhere around 2005, we were the first church in D.C. to have online service. When the Washington Post picked up the story other churches began to follow the concept. We have an online prayer ministry every Monday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m., a Facebook page, an email and Twitter account. Social media keeps us globally connected.

Daughter Ali, mother Beatrice Jacobs Anderson 6. Who inspires you?

I am most inspired by the life of my mother, Beatrice Jacobs Anderson and Winnie Mandela

7. What’s your favorite form of recreation? Self care?

Swimming, golf, tennis, downhill skiing and running/ jogging. I started swimming competitively at age five at Drew Park swimming pool in Columbia, S.C. We were called the Drew Park Sharks.

If African Americans had been allowed to be in the The pastor’s family.

Olympics, it is my belief we would have been there. My mother would drop my brothers and sisters off at the swimming pool early in the morning during the summer and she had to pry us away in the evening. Back in the day we did not have access to an indoor pool in the winter. I love the water even now.

I have been playing golf for over 35 years and love the camaraderie that comes with the game. I played first seed on the tennis team while at Clark College. I don’t play tennis as much as I played years ago. My sister, Dr. Charlene Anderson Johnson, was my doubles partner before the Williams Sisters. We were in college together, so academics was our first priority, not sports.

My self care entails running 3-5 miles daily, inclusive of yoga and other exercise workouts. I try to stay physically fit because of this stressful and complicated world in which we live.

SPORTS

What’s Next for RGIII?

By Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley AFRO Sports Desk Though three games remain on their 2013 schedule, the Washington NFL team’s season is officially over. With the team free-falling into the offseason at 3-10, the only place for Washington to go is even further down.

Head coach Mike Shanahan elected this week to bench Robert Griffin III for the rest of the season in favor of Kirk Cousins. Shanahan, citing injury protection as the basis for the decision, has officially given up on the season and apparently Griffin as well. Shanahan believes strong play by Cousins would improve his trade value and could help recoup some draft picks that were traded away to secure RGIII. “If he lights it up, hey, maybe we can bring a first-round draft choice back to this organization,” Shanahan told ESPN Robert Griffin III 980 this past week. The maneuver is definitely a dicey one, but where does this leave Robert Griffin III? Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley of the AFRO Sports Desk debate the question.

Riley: RGIII is still the quarterback of this team, although it doesn’t really look like it at the moment. Yes, Griffin has played poorly during several stretches this year but so has the defense, the offensive line and his receivers. It was a bad season for everyone across the board in the Washington NFL organization, but only one of those players was coming off of major knee reconstruction. I’m willing to chalk up the 2013-2014 season as a mulligan for Griffin considering the obstacles he faced in trying to return to form. Going into next season, there’s no doubt that he’s still the starter. If Shanahan is removed this summer, which is more than likely to happen, the new coach will restate Griffin’s claim as the man going forward.

Green: I’m sorry, but I told everybody that this was going to happen going into the 2012 season. In an AFRO Faceoff published in January 2012 (http://www.afro.com/sections/sports/ story.htm?storyid=73837), I wrote that Shanahan should have been fired then, based on his poor

mismanagement of the team. We all knew Washington was going to have a chance to take Robert Griffin III in the draft, and I didn’t think Shanahan was the right person to develop a talent like Griffin. Shanahan was the same coach that traded away franchise quarterback Jason Campbell to acquire an aging Donovan McNabb. He then benched McNabb for longtime screw-up Rex Grossman, and then benched Grossman for backup John Beck. Fast forward to now and he’s benching one of the most dynamic players in the history of the league. But we all saw this coming, didn’t we? I hate to say it, but he ruined Griffin, and honestly I don’t think Griffin will ever fully recover from what has happened to him during the past 12 months.

You’re right, Riley: a new coach will come in and instantly start Griffin. But I’m not sure he will ever be the same player after what he went through under Shanahan’s administration.

It’s in Washington best interest to see what Cousins can do because that may be their only bet in the future.

Riley: A healthy Griffin changed the outlook for the Washington franchise last year. While it’s been a train wreck this year, fans and the franchise will never forget his magical rookie season. It’s obvious this year that Griffin alone won’t do enough to keep the team competitive in the NFC, so do you trade RGIII away or try to get some help around him? If you’re smart, you do the latter rather than trying to trade a quarterback who has accomplished things for this organization that hadn’t been done in nearly 20 years.

Green: It’s all about “what have you done for me lately?” As cold as it seems, that’s the reality facing Griffin and the Washington team at this moment. Everything is predicated off of Cousins’ play going forward. If he plays well, like Philadelphia’s Nick Foles did in relief of Michael Vick, then there absolutely has to be some type of equal opportunity for both signal callers this summer. If he flops, then yes, that makes the decision easier to go back to Griffin.

Just keep in mind that we may never see the Griffin of 2012 again.

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LEGAL NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1159 Annie Mae Epps Decedent Rosalind Ray, Esq 6856 Eastern Ave, NW, #208 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS John William Epps and James H. Epps, whose address is 1320 Kingsbury Dr., Mitchellville, MD 20721 & Othman Drive, Ft. Washington, MD 20774, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Annie Mae Epps, who died on April 29, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter John William Epps James H. Epps Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1117 Evelyn F. King AKA Evelyn D. Foote-King Decedent Thomas L. Campbell, Esq 3807 Minnesota Ave, NE Washington, DC 20019 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Va s h o n e D . F o o t Wimbush, whose address is 3603 Apple Cross Place, Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Evelyn F. King AKA Evelyn D. Foote-King, who died on January 31, 1998, without a will, and will serve with Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and h e i r s w h o s e whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, 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 EST its first publica15:14:47 2013 tion shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Vashone D. FooteWimbush Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1194 Carlene Ferguson Decedent Kimberly Fahrenholz, Esq 1304 Rhode Island Ave, NW Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Cecil Ferguson, whose address is 2021 High Timber Rd, Ft. Washington, MD 20744, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Carlene Ferguson, who died on September 28, 2011, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Cecil Ferguson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1178 Michael DeFonzo Decedent Dennis A. Baird, Esq 1323 Fenwick Lane Silver Spring, MD 20910 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michael Anthony DiFonzo, whose address is 4014 8th Street, North Beach, MD 20714, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Michael Defonzo, who died on February 27, 2008, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Michael Anthony DiFonzo Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1222 Esther V. Latta Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Belinda L. McKenzie & Kelvin Latta, whose addresses are 10630 Horseshoe Place, La Plata, MD, 20646 & 1532 A Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Esther V. Latta, who died on January 10, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 13, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Belinda L. McKenzie Kelvin Latta Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Dec 10 TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 15:15:47 ESTTue 12/13, 12/20 & 2013 12/27/13

12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

Superior Court of the District of 15:15:14 EST 2013 District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM372 Annie Lee King Decedent Robert M. McCarthy 4405 East West Hwy. Suite 201 Bethesda, MD 20814 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Linda Crockett, whose address is 3707 Aynor Drive, Mitchellville, MD 20721, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Annie Lee King, who died on January 31, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Linda Crockett Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No 2013ADM1232 C’Artis D. Bernal AKA C’Artis Deloris Bernal Decedent James E. McCollum, Esq 7309 Baltimore Avenue, Suite 117 College Park, MD 20740 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O CREDITORS Winston Bernal II, whose address is 3433 Oakw o o d Te r r a c e , N W, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed personal representative of the estate of C’Artis D. Bernal AKA C’Artis Deloris Bernal, who died on August 5, 2013, with a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 13, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Winston Bernal II Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

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TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 15:14:27 EST TYPESET: Tue2013 Dec 03 15:15:31 ESTTue 2013 TYPESET: Dec 10 13:28:08 EST 2013 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

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the District Legal of Advertising Rates District of Columbia Effective October 1, 2008 PROBATE DIVISION TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 14:02:46 EST 2013 Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No PROBATE DIVISION Superior Court of 2013ADM1173 (Estates) the District of Lawrence W. Reels District of Columbia Decedent 202-332-0080 PROBATE DIVISION NOTICE OF Washington, D.C. PROBATE NOTICES APPOINTMENT, 20001-2131 N O T I C E T O Administration No CREDITORS 2013ADM1228 a. Order Nisi $ 60 per insertion $180.00 per 3 Ruth A. Bryant, whose TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 15:18:39 address is 301 37th John H. Brown weeks AKA Street, SE, Apt 101, John Herbert Brown b. Small Estates (single publication $ 60 per insertion Washington, DC 20019, Superior Court of c. Notice to Creditorswas appointed personal Decedent NOTICE OF the District of representative of the 1. Domestic $180.00 per APPOINTMENT, District of 3 Columbia estate of Lawrence$ 60 W. per insertion PROBATE DIVISION Reels, who died on Feb- N O T I C E T O weeks Washington, D.C. CREDITORS ruary 21, 1987, without a 2. Foreign 60 per insertion per 3 Clifton Lamont Posey, $180.0020001-2131 will, and will serve$with Administration No. whose address is 944 Court supervision. All unweeks 2013ADM1172 Westminster Street, NW, known heirs and heirs d. Escheated Estates $ 60 per insertion $360.00 per 6 whose whereabouts are Washington, DC 20001, Mary E. Jones weeksEST 2013 unknown shall enter their was appointed personal Decedent 13:41:45 Kim Y. Jones a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s representative of the $125.00 e. Standard Probates proceeding. Objections estate of John H. Brown 1 0 1 2 P e n n s y l v a n i a to such appointment A K A J o h n H e r b e r t Avenue, SE Brown, who died on Washington, DC shall be filedCIVIL with the NOTICES Register of Wills, D.C., November 2, 2013, with Attorney NOTICE OF 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd a will, and will serve with- $ 80.00 a. Name Changes 202-879-1133 APPOINTMENT, Floor Washington, D.C. out Court supervision. All NOTICE TO b. Real Property 20001, on or before June unknown heirs and heirs $ 200.00 CREDITORS 13, 2014. Claims against whose whereabouts are AND NOTICE TO the decedent shall be unknown shall enter their UNKNOWN HEIRS appearance in this presented to FAMILY the under- COURT Ernest C. Jones, whose signed with a copy to the proceeding. Objections address is 98 Ervin Over202-879-1212 Register of Wills or filed to such appointment look, Sterling, VA 22556, shall be filed with the with theDOMESTIC Register of Wills RELATIONS was appointed personal with a copy to the under- Register of Wills, D.C., representative of the 202-879-0157 signed, on or before June 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd estate of Mary E. Jones, 13, 2014, or be forever Floor Washington, D.C. who died on August 31, barred. Persons believed 20001, on or before June 2011, without a will, and a. Absent Defendant 150.00 to be heirs or legatees of 13, 2014. Claims against $ will serve without Court the decedent who do not the decedent shall be $ supervision.

All unknown b. Absolute Divorce 150.00 presented to the underreceive a copy of this noheirs and heirs whose signed with a copy to the tice by mail within 25 c. Custody Divorce $150.00 whereabouts are undays of its first publica- Register of Wills or filed known shall enter their tion shall so inform the with the Register of Wills a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s with a copy to the under- proceeding. Objections Register of Wills, includ- ext.

To place your ad, call 1-800-237-6892, 262, Public Notices $50.00 & up ing name, address and signed, on or before June to such appointment 13, Notices 2014, or are be forever depending onrelationship. size, Baltimore Legal $24.84 shall per inch. be filed with the barred. Persons believed Register of Wills, D.C., Date of Publication: 1-800 (AFRO) 892 to be heirs or legatees of 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd December 13, 2013 decedent who do not Floor Washington, D.C. Name of newspaper: For Proof of Publication, pleasethe call 1-800-237-6892, ext. 244 receive a copy of this no- 20001, on or before June Afro-American tice by mail within 25 6, 2014. Claims against Washington Law days of its first publica- the decedent shall be Reporter tion shall so inform the presented to the underTYPESET: Tue Dec 10 16:02:07 EST 2013 Ruth A. ReelsNOTICES LEGAL Representative Register of Wills, includ- signed with a copy to the ing name, address and Register of Wills or filed relationship. with the Register of Wills Superior Court of TRUE TEST COPY Date of Publication: with a copy to the underthe District of REGISTER OF WILLS December 13, 2013 signed, on or before June District of Columbia TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 14:02:46 EST 2013 6, 2014, or be forever PROBATE DIVISION 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 Name of newspaper: barred. Persons believed Afro-American Washington, D.C. to be heirs or legatees of Washington Law 20001-2131 the decedent who do not Superior Court of Reporter Administration No the District of Clifton Lamont Posey receive a copy of this no2013ADM1173 District of Columbia Personal tice by mail within 25 Lawrence W. Reels PROBATE DIVISION Representative days of its first publicaDecedent tion shall so inform the Washington, D.C. NOTICE OF Register of Wills, includ20001-2131 TRUE TEST COPY APPOINTMENT, ing name, address and Administration No N O T I C E T O REGISTER OF WILLS relationship.

2013ADM1228 CREDITORS TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 15:18:39 EST 2013 Date of Publication: Ruth A. Bryant, whose John H. Brown 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 December 6, 2013 address is 301 37th AKA Name of newspaper: Street, SE, Apt 101, John Herbert Brown Superior Court of Afro-American Washington, DC 20019, Decedent the District of Washington Law was appointed personal NOTICE OF District of Columbia Reporter representative of the APPOINTMENT, PROBATE DIVISION Ernest C. Jones estate of Lawrence W. N O T I C E T O Washington, D.C. Personal Reels, who died on FebCREDITORS 20001-2131 Representative ruary 21, 1987, without a Clifton Lamont Posey, Administration No. will, and will serve with whose address is 944 2013ADM1172 TRUE TEST COPY Court supervision. All un- Westminster Street, NW, REGISTER OF WILLS known heirs and heirs Washington, DC 20001, Mary E. Jones Decedent whose whereabouts are was appointed personal Kim Y. Jones 12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13 unknown shall enter their representative of the 1012 Pennsylvania appearance in this estate of John H. Brown proceeding. Objections A K A J o h n H e r b e r t Avenue, SE to such appointment Brown, who died on Washington, DC shall be filed with the November 2, 2013, with Attorney NOTICE OF Register of Wills, D.C., a will, and will serve withAPPOINTMENT, 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd out Court supervision. All NOTICE TO Floor Washington, D.C. unknown heirs and heirs CREDITORS 20001, on or before June whose whereabouts are AND NOTICE TO 13, 2014. Claims against unknown shall enter their UNKNOWN HEIRS the decedent shall be a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Ernest C. Jones, whose presented to the under- proceeding. Objections signed with a copy to the to such appointment address is 98 Ervin OverRegister of Wills or filed shall be filed with the look, Sterling, VA 22556, with the Register of Wills Register of Wills, D.C., was appointed personal with a copy to the under- 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd representative of the signed, on or before June Floor Washington, D.C. estate of Mary E. Jones, who died on August 31, 13, 2014, or be forever 20001, on or before June 2011, without a will, and barred. Persons believed 13, 2014. Claims against will serve without Court to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not the decedent shall be supervision. All unknown receive a copy of this no- presented to the under- heirs and heirs whose tice by mail within 25 signed with a copy to the whereabouts are undays of its first publica- Register of Wills or filed known shall enter their tion shall so inform the with the Register of Wills a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Register of Wills, includ- with a copy to the under- proceeding. Objections ing name, address and signed, on or before June to such appointment 13, 2014, or be forever shall be filed with the relationship. barred. Persons believed Register of Wills, D.C., Date of Publication: to be heirs or legatees of 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd December 13, 2013 the decedent who do not Floor Washington, D.C. Name of newspaper: receive a copy of this no- 20001, on or before June Afro-American tice by mail within 25 6, 2014. Claims against Washington Law days of its first publica- the decedent shall be Reporter Ruth A. Reels tion shall so inform the presented to the underRepresentative Register of Wills, includ- signed with a copy to the ing name, address and Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills relationship.

TRUE TEST COPY with a copy to the underDate of Publication: REGISTER OF WILLS signed, on or before June December 13, 2013 6, 2014, or be forever Name of newspaper: 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 barred. Persons believed Afro-American

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December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013, The Afro-American

TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 15:19:39 TYPESET: Tue 2013 Dec 03 LEGAL NOTICES LEGALEST NOTICES

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1177 Olethia O. Reels Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS DeVoanna R, Reels, whose address is 2502 Ramblewood Drive, District Heights, MD, 20747, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Olethia O. Reels, who died on May 16, 2008, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Devoanna R. Reels Personal Representative

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1083 Ella Louise Cooper Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Te r r i L y n n C o o p e r, whose address is 5819 Lawton Court, Lanham, MD 20706, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ella Louise Cooper, who died on October 11, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Terri Lynn Cooper Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 15:19:03 EST 2013 TYPESET: Dec 03 12/06, 12/13 Tue & 12/20/13

12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1166 Robert W. McNair Decedent Bernard C. Coleman 6444 Bock Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Aungela McNair Feazell, whose address is 331 Ellerton South, Laurel, Maryland 20724 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Robert W. McNair, who died on June 7, 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 shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Aungela McNair Feazell Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1182 Michael J. Jackson AKA Michael Jerome Jackson Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Paula L. Adams, whose address is 748 Wineberry Way, Aberdeen, MD 21001, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Michael J. Jackson AKA Michael Jerome Jackson, who died on July 4, 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 shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Paula L. Adams Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Dec 03

12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1176 Lillian F. James Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Robert N. James, whose address is 7916 Legation Rd., New Carrollton, MD 20784, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Lillian F. James, who died on March 31, 2001 without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Dec 03 12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1106 Ramona Osborne Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Joanne Osborne, whose address is 4018 Meade Street, NW, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ramona Osborne, who died on September 4, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be 15:16:04 EST 2013 presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Ramona Osborne Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Dec 03

12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1175 Helena M. Reels Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Evelyn D. Grimes, whose address is 721 Nova Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD, 20743, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Helena M. Reels, who died on November 4, 1997, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. 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 15:20:12 EST 2013 with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Evelyn D. Grimes Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS 12/06, 12/13 & 12/20/13

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TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 13:52:14 EST 2013 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No 2013ADM1250 Carrie Ring Decedent Barbara J. Hargrove, Esq 1816 Powder Mill Road Silver Spring, MD 20903 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O CREDITORS Lynn Ring, whose address is 10208 Farrar Avenue, Cheltenham, MD, 20623, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Carrie Ring, who died on May 19, 2013, without a 15:20:29 EST 2013 will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 13, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Lynn Ring Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No 2013ADM1213 Romes Thomas Calhoun, Jr Decedent Bradley A. Thomas, Esq 1639 K. Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O CREDITORS Deborah L. Guy, whose address is 1165 St. Matthew Drive, Florissant, MO, 63031 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Romes Thomas Calhoun, Jr., who died on August 7, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 13, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Deborah L. Guy Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

REGISTER OF2013 WILLS TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 14:11:13 EST 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No 2013ADM1227 Mary B. Hunt Decedent Julius P. Terrell, Esq 1455 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O CREDITORS Denise Lockley, whose address is 2632 Martin Luther King, Jr., SE, #402, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Mary B. 15:19:22 2013 H u n t , wEST ho d ied on January 12, 2013, without a will, and will serve with Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and h e i r s w h o s e whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 13, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Denise Lockley Personal Representative

12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No 2013ADM1223 Rita E. Yates AKA Rita Eunice Yates Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O CREDITORS Rita L. Yates, whose address is 1528 A Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Rita E. Yates AKA Rita Eunice Yates, who died on August 24, 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 shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 13, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Rita L. Yates Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TRUE TEST COPY REGISTER OF WILLS

TYPESET: Tue Dec 10

12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13

Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No 2013ADM1201 James Worthy, Sr. Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O CREDITORS Frankie J. Worthy, whose address is 77 V Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed personal representative of the estate of James Worthy, Sr., who died on October 25, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed

12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13

to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 13, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the under14:54:48 EST 2013to the signed with a copy LEGAL Register ofNOTICES Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 13, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Frankie J. Worthy Personal Representative

Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O CREDITORS Bernadette P. Ford, whose address is 1327 Ridge Place, SE, Washington, DC 20020 , LEGAL NOTICES was appointed personal representative of the estate of Joseph Louis Williams, Sr, who died on April 14, 2000, 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 June 13, 2014. 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 underTRUE TEST COPY signed, on or before June REGISTER OF WILLS 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 15:23:57 EST 2013 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this noSuperior Court of tice by mail within 25 the District of days of its first publicaDistrict of Columbia tion shall so inform the PROBATE DIVISION Register of Wills, includWashington, D.C. ing name, address and 20001-2131 relationship.

Administration No Date of Publication: 2013ADM1199 December 13, 2013 Roberta C. Corbett Name of newspaper: Decedent Afro-American NOTICE OF Washington Law APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O Reporter Bernadette P. Ford CREDITORS Representative Tawanda James, whose address is 7242 MahogTRUE TEST COPY any Drive, Hyattsville, REGISTER OF WILLS MD 20785, was apTYPESET: Tue Dec 10 pointed personal representative of the estate of 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 Roberta C. Corbett, who Superior Court of died on October 16, the District of 2013, with a will, and will District of Columbia serve without Court suPROBATE DIVISION pervision. All unknown Washington, D.C. heirs and heirs whose 20001-2131 whereabouts are unAdministration No known shall enter their 2013ADM1198 appearance in this proceeding. Objections Charlie Mae Williams to such appointment Decedent shall be filed with the James C. Beadles, Esq Register of Wills, D.C., P.O. Box 6368 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Silver Spring, MD Floor Washington, D.C. 20916 NOTICE OF 20001, on or before June APPOINTMENT, 13, 2014. Claims against N O T I C E T O the decedent shall be CREDITORS presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Earl P. Williams, Jr., Register of Wills or filed whose address is 2323 with the Register of Wills 40th Place, NW, #201, with a copy to the under- Washington, DC 20007, signed, on or before June was appointed personal 13, 2014, or be forever representative of the 14:25:55 EST 2013 barred. Persons believed estate of Charlie Mae to be heirs or legatees of Wiliams, who died on the decedent who do not March 9, 2013, with a receive a copy of this no- will, and will serve without Court supervision. All tice by mail within 25 days of its first publica- unknown heirs and heirs tion shall so inform the whose whereabouts are Register of Wills, includ- unknown shall enter their ing name, address and a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s proceeding. Objections relationship. to such appointment Date of Publication: shall be filed with the December 13, 2013 Register of Wills, D.C., Name of newspaper: 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Afro-American Floor Washington, D.C. Washington Law 20001, on or before June Reporter Tawanda James 13, 2014. Claims against Personal the decedent shall be Representative presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed TRUE TEST COPY with the Register of Wills REGISTER OF WILLS with a copy to the underTYPESET: Tue Dec 10 15:04:44 EST 2013June signed, on or before 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 13, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of Superior Court of the decedent who do not the District of receive a copy of this noDistrict of Columbia tice by mail within 25 PROBATE DIVISION days of its first publicaWashington, D.C. tion shall so inform the 20001-2131 Register of Wills, includAdministration No ing name, address and 2013ADM1185 relationship.

Thelma Mae Fields Date of Publication: Decedent December 13, 2013 NOTICE OF Name of newspaper: APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O Afro-American Washington Law CREDITORS Adrienne Fields, whose Reporter Earl P. Williams, Jr address is 39008 WatRepresentative son Place, NW, #1D, Calverton, VA 22016, was appointed personal re- TRUE TEST COPY presentative of the estate REGISTER OF WILLS of Thelma Mae Fields, TYPESET: Tue Dec 10 who died on October 4, 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 2013, with a will, and will serve without Court suSuperior Court of pervision. All unknown the District of heirs and heirs whose District of Columbia whereabouts are unPROBATE DIVISION known shall enter their Washington, D.C. appearance in this 20001-2131 proceeding. Objections Administration No to such appointment 2013ADM1005 shall be filed with the William F. Twombley Register of Wills, D.C., Decedent 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd NOTICE OF Floor Washington, D.C. APPOINTMENT, 20001, on or before June N O T I C E T O 13, 2014. Claims against CREDITORS the decedent shall be Rodger N. Goodcare, presented to the under- whose address is 105 E. signed with a copy to the Broadway, Gettysburg, Register of Wills or filed PA 17325, was apwith the Register of Wills pointed personal reprewith a copy to the under- sentative of the estate of signed, on or before June William F. Twombley, 13, 2014, or be forever who died on July 28, barred. Persons believed 2012, with a will, and will to be heirs or legatees of serve without Court su15:14:01 EST who 2013do not the decedent pervision. All unknown receive a copy of this no- heirs and heirs whose tice by mail within 25 whereabouts are undays of its first publica- known shall enter their tion shall so inform the a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s Register of Wills, includ- proceeding. Objections ing name, address and to such appointment relationship. shall be filed with the Date of Publication: Register of Wills, D.C., December 13, 2013 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Name of newspaper: Floor Washington, D.C. Afro-American 20001, on or before June Washington Law 13, 2014. Claims against Reporter the decedent shall be Adrienne Fields presented to the underPersonal signed with a copy to the Representative Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills TRUE TEST COPY with a copy to the underREGISTER OF WILLS signed, on or before June 13, 2014, or be forever TYPESET: Dec 10 15:31:33 EST 2013 12/13, 12/20Tue & 12/27/13 barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not Superior Court of receive a copy of this nothe District of tice by mail within 25 District of Columbia days of its first publicaPROBATE DIVISION tion shall so inform the Washington, D.C. Register of Wills, includ20001-2131 ing name, address and Administration No relationship.

2013ADM816 Date of Publication: Joseph Louis December 13, 2013 Williams, Sr Name of newspaper: Decedent Afro-American NOTICE OF Washington Law APPOINTMENT, N O T I C E T O Reporter Rodger N. Goodcare CREDITORS Representative Bernadette P. Ford, whose address is 1327 R i d g e P l a c e , S E , TRUE TEST COPY Washington, DC 20020 , REGISTER OF WILLS was appointed personal representative of the 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 estate of Joseph Louis Williams, Sr, who died on April 14, 2000, without a will, and will serve with Court supervision. All un-

signed, on or before June 20, 2014, 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 shallEST inform TYPESET: Tue Dec 17 16:32:37 2013 the LEGAL NOTICES LEGALofso NOTICES Register Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Superior Court of Date of Publication: the District of December 20, 2013 District of Columbia Name of newspaper: PROBATE DIVISION Afro-American Washington, D.C. Washington Law 20001-2131 Reporter Administration No Paula B. Fisher 2013ADM1235 Personal Jean Barbat Representative Decedent Ross, Marsh and RosTRUE TEST COPY ter REGISTER OF WILLS 2001 L. Street, NW, TYPESET: Tue Dec 17 12:35:51 Suite 400 12/20, 12/27 & 01/03/14 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney NOTICE OF Superior Court of APPOINTMENT, the District of NOTICE TO District of Columbia CREDITORS PROBATE DIVISION Catherine Barbat Washington, D.C. Toregas, whose address 20001-2131 is 4325 Leland Street, Administration No. Chevy Chase, MD 2013ADM1239 20815, was appointed Ida M. Young personal representative Decedent of the estate of Jean BarNOTICE OF bat, who died on NovemAPPOINTMENT, ber 15, 2013, with a will, NOTICE TO and will serve without CREDITORS Court supervision. All unAND NOTICE TO known heirs and heirs UNKNOWN HEIRS whose whereabouts are Marilyn R. Young, whose unknown shall enter their address is 1676 40th appearance in this Street, SE, Washington, proceeding. Objections DC 20020, was apto such appointment pointed personal represhall be filed with the sentative of the estate of Register of Wills, D.C., Ida M. Young, who died 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd on June 24, 2013, withFloor Washington, D.C. out a will, and will serve 20001, on or before June without Court supervi13, 2014. Claims against sion. All unknown heirs the decedent shall be a n d h e i r s w h o s e presented to the under- whereabouts are unsigned with a copy to the known shall enter their 15:51:50 EST 2013 Register of Wills or filed a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s with the Register of Wills proceeding. Objections with a copy to the under- to such appointment signed, on or before June shall be filed with the 13, 2014, or be forever Register of Wills, D.C., barred. Persons believed 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd to be heirs or legatees of Floor Washington, D.C. the decedent who do not 20001, on or before June receive a copy of this no- 20, 2014. Claims against tice by mail within 25 the decedent shall be days of its first publica- presented to the undertion shall so inform the signed with a copy to the Register of Wills, includ- Register of Wills or filed ing name, address and with the Register of Wills relationship. with a copy to the underDate of Publication: signed, on or before June December 13, 2013 20, 2014, or be forever Name of newspaper: barred. Persons believed Afro-American to be heirs or legatees of Washington Law the decedent who do not Reporter receive a copy of this noC a t h e r i n e B a r b a t tice by mail within 25 Toregas days of its first publicaPersonal tion shall so inform the Representative Register of Wills, including name, address and TRUE TEST COPY relationship.

REGISTER OF WILLS Date of Publication: December 20, 2013 2013 TYPESET: Tue Dec 17 12:34:21 EST 12/13, 12/20 & 12/27/13 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law SUPERIOR COURT OF Reporter THE DISTRICT OF Marilyn R. Young COLUMBIA Personal PROBATE DIVISION Representative Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 TRUE TEST COPY Administration No. REGISTER OF WILLS 2013ADM1283 Estate of TYPESET: Tue Dec 17 12:40:53 12/20, 12/27 & 01/03/14 Eureka C. Grey Deceased NOTICE OF Superior Court of STANDARD PROBATE the District of Notice is hereby given District of Columbia that a petition has been PROBATE DIVISION filed in this Court by SinWashington, D.C. clair N. Grey, Jr. for stan20001-2131 dard probate, includ Administration No. -ing the appointment of 2013ADM1086 one or more personal re- Moses Nelson presentative. Unless a Decedent complaint or an objection NOTICE OF in accordance with APPOINTMENT, Superior Court Probate NOTICE TO Division Rule 407 is filed CREDITORS in this Court within 30 AND NOTICE TO days from the date of first UNKNOWN HEIRS publication of this notice, Annie Louise Bennett, the Court may take the whose address is 1336 action hereinafter set Conway Rd, Decatur, forth.

GA, 30030, was ap0 Ordered any interested pointed personal repreperson to show cause sentative of the estate why the provisions of the Moses Nelson , who died lost or destroyed will on November 21, 2012, dated October 22, 1998 with a will, and will serve should not be admitted to without Court superviprobate as expressed in sion. All unknown heirs the petition and heirs whose Register of Wills whereabouts are unClerk of the known shall enter their Probate Division a p p e a r a n c e i n t h i s 15:40:12 EST 2013 proceeding. Objections Date of First Publication to such appointment December 20, 2013 shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Names of Newspapers: 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Washington Law ReFloor Washington, D.C. porter 20001, on or before June Wa s h i n g t o n A F R O 20, 2014. Claims against AMERICAN the decedent shall be Sinclair N. Grey, Jr. presented to the underSignature of signed with a copy to the Petitioners/Attorney Register EST of Wills or filed TYPESET: Tue Dec 17 12:34:56 2013 12/20 & 12/27/13 with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June Superior Court of 20, 2014, or be forever the District of barred. Persons believed District of Columbia to be heirs or legatees of PROBATE DIVISION the decedent who do not Washington, D.C. receive a copy of this no20001-2131 tice by mail within 25 Administration No. days of its first publica2013ADM1255 tion shall so inform the George F. Butler Register of Wills, includDecedent ing name, address and NOTICE OF relationship.

APPOINTMENT, Date of Publication: NOTICE TO December 20, 2013 CREDITORS Name of newspaper: AND NOTICE TO Afro-American UNKNOWN HEIRS Paula B. Fisher, whose Washington Law address is 2489 Sandy Reporter Annie Louise Bennett Ridge Run, Rock hill, SC, Personal 29732, was appointed Representative personal representative of the estate George F. Butler, who died on TRUE TEST COPY November 21, 2013, REGISTER OF WILLS without a will, and will serve without Court su- 12/20, 12/27 & 01/03/14 pervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 20, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 20, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 20, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American

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appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 6, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be 15:19:54 2013 LEGALEST NOTICES presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 6, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Robert N. James Personal Representative

December 21, 2013 - December 27, 2013, The Afro-American

TYPESET: Tue Dec 17 15:07:56 EST 2013 TYPESET: Tue Dec 17 12:42:53 EST 2013 LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Civil Division 2013 CA 006555 R(RP) Judge Michael O´Keefe TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH, Plaintiff, v. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, and All unknown owners of the property described below, their heirs, devisees, personal representatives, executors, administrators, grantees, assigns, or successors in right, title, interest and any and all persons having or claiming to have any leasehold or fee simple interest in the in the property and premises situate, lying, and being in the District of Columbia described as: Lot 800 in Square 4044, fronting on Central Place, N.E., Washington, DC, et al.

Defendants.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this civil action is to quiet title to the real property located in the District of Columbia described for purposes of assessment and taxation as Square 4044, Lot 0800 and currently assessed to Trinity Baptist Church, fronting on Central Place, N.E., Washington, DC. While assessed in the name of Helen B. Perry, the property was sold for delinquent taxes, special assessments, penalties and costs on January 13, 1961 by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to William Sturner. Subsequently, the said Commissioners executed a deed conveying the property to William Sturner, dated April 13, 1965, which was recorded May 4, 1965, as Instrument No. 14795, in the Office of the District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds. William Sturner and his wife, Esther L. Sturner, executed a deed conveying the property to Trinity Baptist Church, dated November 3, 1980, which was recorded November 4, 1980 as Instrument No. 35441 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia.

The Complaint to Quiet TiTRUE TEST COPY tle and For Declaratory REGISTER OF WILLS Relief in this case states that Plaintiff Trinity Baptist TYPESET: Dec 17 12:43:53 EST 2013 12/20, 12/27 Tue & 01/03/14 Church seeks to quiet title to the property against all claims, legal or equitable, Superior Court of of Helen B. Perry and/or the District of William Sturner, and their District of Columbia respective heirs, PROBATE DIVISION legatees, devisees, Washington, D.C. executors, administrators, 20001-2131 successors or assigns.

Administration No. It is, therefore, this 11th 2013ADM1224 day of December, 2013, Yvonne Epps ORDERED, by the SuperDecedent ior Court of the District of NOTICE OF Columbia, that notice be given by the insertion of a APPOINTMENT, copy of this Order in the NOTICE TO Daily Washington Law CREDITORS Reporter and the AfroAND NOTICE TO TYPESET: TueHEIRS Dec 17 15:07:56 ESTNewspaper, 2013 American UNKNOWN Christopher L. Epps, once per week for three s u c c e s s i v e weeks, whose address is 3556 commencing on as soon 11SUPERIOR t h S t r e e tCOURT , N W, OF THE DISTRICT Washington, DC 20010, as practicable, notifying COLUMBIA wasOF appointed personal all unknown persons ownCivil Divisionof the ing or claiming an interest representative 2013 CAYvonne 006555 R(RP) estate Epps, in the Property described above to appear in this Judge Michael who died on O´Keefe May 31, Court (510 4th Street, NW, TRINITY BAPTIST 2013, without a will, and court room B-52 at) at CHURCH, will serve without Court 9:30 a.m. on January 10, Plaintiff, supervision. All unknown 2014, or answer the Comv. DISTRICT OF heirs and heirs whose plaint by the 6th day of COLUMBIA, whereabouts un- January 2014, and show and All unknown are owners shall enter their cause why title should not ofknown the property described a p p e atheir r a n cheirs, e i n devithis be quieted, as prayed by below, proceeding.

Objections Plaintiff, or thereafter, a fisees, personal repreto such appointment nal judgment may be ensentatives, executors, shall be filed with the tered quieting title, as administrators, grantees, Registerorof Wills, D.C., prayed by Plaintiff. assigns, successors in 515 title, 5th Street, 3rd right, interestN.W., and any Judge Michael O´Keefe Floor Washington, and all persons havingD.C. or Judge of the Superior 20001, onto or before claiming have June any Courtfor the District of leasehold fee simple in20, 2014.orClaims against terest in the in the property the decedent shall be Columbia and premises lypresented to situate, the undering, and with being thetoDissigned a in copy the 12/20, 12/27 & 01/03/14 trict of Columbia deRegister of Wills or filed scribed Lot 800 in with theas: Register of Wills Square 4044,tofronting on with a copy the underCsigned, e n t r a l on Por l a cbefore e , N .June E., Washington, DC, 20, 2014, or be forever etbarred. al.

Persons believed Defendants. to be heirs or legatees of ORDER who OF do not the decedent PUBLICATION receive a copy thisacnoThe object of thisofcivil ticeis by mail title within 25 tion to quiet to the daysproperty of its first publicareal located in tionDistrict shall so the the of inform Columbia Register for of Wills, includdescribed purposes of ing name, address and assessment and taxation relationship. as Square 4044, Lot 0800 Date of Publication: and currently assessed to December 20, 2013 Trinity Baptist Church, Name of fronting onnewspaper: Central Place, Afro-American N.E., Washington, DC. Washington Law in the While assessed name of Helen B. Perry, Reporter the property was sold for Christpher L. Epps delinquent taxes,Personal special assessments, penalties Representative and costs on January 13, 1961 the COPY CommisTRUEby TEST sioners of theOF District REGISTER WILLSof Columbia to William Sturner.

Subsequently, 12/20, 12/27 & 01/03/14 the said Commissioners executed a deed conveying the property to William Sturner, dated April 13, 1965, which was recorded May 4, 1965, as Instrument No. 14795, in the Office of the District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds. William Sturner and his wife, Esther L. Sturner, executed a deed conveying the property to Trinity Baptist Church, dated November 3, 1980, which was recorded November 4, 1980 as Instrument No. 35441 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia.

The Complaint to Quiet Title and For Declaratory Relief in this case states that Plaintiff Trinity Baptist Church seeks to quiet title to the property against all claims, legal or equitable, of Helen B. Perry and/or William Sturner, and their respective heirs, legatees, devisees, executors, administrators, successors or assigns.

It is, therefore, this 11th day of December, 2013, ORDERED, by the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in the Daily Washington Law Reporter and the AfroAmerican Newspaper, once per week for three

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Superior Court of the District of District of Columbia PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2013ADM1226 Terence O’Neil Billingsley Decedent Larry H. Kirsch, Esq 402 Long Trail Terrace Rockville, MD 20850 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Brenda J. Billingsley, whose address is 240 J e f f e r s o n S t , N W, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed personal representative of the estate of Terence O’Neil Billingsley, who died on September 03, 2013, without a will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 20, 2014. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 20, 2014, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of Publication: December 20, 2013 Name of newspaper: Afro-American Washington Law Reporter Brenda J. Billingsley Personal Representative

successive weeks, commencing on as soon as practicable, notifying all unknown persons owning or claiming an interest in the Property described above to appear in this Court (510 4th Street, NW, court room B-52 at) at 9:30 a.m. on January 10, 2014, or answer the Complaint by the 6th day of January 2014, and show cause why title should not be quieted, as prayed by Plaintiff, or thereafter, a final judgment may be entered quieting title, as The AFRO-AMERICAN prayed by Plaintiff.

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