4 Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau, Trayon White, Matt Frumin, Wendell Felder and Doni Crawford deliberate on the D.C. Fiscal Year 2027 of 2026. (Ja’Mon Jackson/ The Washington Informer)
The Collins D.C. Council Report:
In First Reading, D.C. Council’s FY27 Budget Partially Restores Key Programs
By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Writer
On its first reading, the D.C. Council approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Act of 2026, a document aimed at reversing many of the proposed cuts
made by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
At such a precarious time for the District, D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) said more could've been done in direct benefit to residents living east of the Anacostia River.
“Ward 8 has different priorities than
The Human Cost of U.S. Sanctions: Cuba
Confronts Mounting Economic Pressure
By D.R. Barmes WI Publisher
A young pregnant woman walking down the street in Havana, Cuba, tried to stop a group of easily identifiable Black American tourists to ask— using the best English she knows— for a small amount of money to buy food for her children. It’s been days since they’ve eaten, she explained, and there is no money for milk, eggs, or bread.
other wards, and as a result, if other members are not voting in the ranking of their top things in that category, then we may not get the things we need,” White told The Informer. “We have a different set of needs that are
Ron Daniels of the Institute of the Black World and the Pan African Unity Dialogue. (Courtesy Photo) CUBA Page 18
In Ward 1 Council Race, Ranked-Choice Collaboration and Questions of Voter Representation
By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr.
WI Senior Reporter
For various segments of the Ward 1 voter population, the Democratic primary has called into question whether D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau’s successor will represent the whole ward, or just certain groups. Such is the case for Lynn C. French, a sixth-generation Washingtonian and longtime Democrat. Since the Ward 1 Democrats’ candidates forum in March, she's criticized what she calls WARD 1 Page 35
Summer
River
of Governments Issues a Regional Drought
By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer
tan Council of Governments (COG) to issue a regional drought watch on June 3.
As the swelter of warmer weather hits Washington and its neighboring areas, the Potomac River basin is experiencing record-breaking low flow, which caused the Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropoli- POTOMAC Page 24
According to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), the section of the river upstream of the District received 2
5(L-R) Aparna Raj, Miguel Trindade Deramo, Rashida Brown, Terry Lynch, and Jackie Reyes Yanes are vying for the Ward 1 D.C. Council seat. (Graphic made by The Washington Informer)
5 A delegation of Black Americans in Cuba, including Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes (second row, third from right), as a part of a trip led by Dr.
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Artists Flee Trump-Linked Freedom 250 Concert Series as Organizers Scramble to Salvage Lineup
A concert series tied to President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative has been thrown into turmoil after most of its announced performers withdrew within days of being unveiled, with several artists saying they were not told about the event’s political connections when they agreed to participate.
The concerts are part of the Great American State Fair, a planned celebration on Washington’s National Mall tied to preparations for the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
Within 48 hours of the lineup announcement, artists including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Young MC, Morris Day, the Commodores, and others publicly backed away from the event. Several said they believed they had been invited to perform at a nonpartisan patriotic celebration and learned later of its association with Trump and the Freedom 250 organization.
“I was presented with an opportunity to perform at a nonpartisan event but that turned out to be misleading,” McBride wrote in a public statement announcing her withdrawal.
The Commodores also issued a statement.
“Our music has always been our voice, and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party,” the group known for songs such as the 1977 hits “Easy” and “Brick House.”
Young MC said artists “were never told about any political involvement with the event.”
Bret Michaels, who had initially agreed to participate, said he believed the concert would honor veterans, first responders, teachers and other Americans. He later withdrew after concerns grew about the political contro-
Peabo Bryson Dies at 75, Leaving Behind a Songbook of Love and Soul
5 Artists, politicians and fans alike are remembering Peabo Bryson, the silkyvoiced balladeer whose career bridged Black radio, adult contemporary music, and Hollywood soundtracks. (Courtesy Photo)
Peabo Bryson, the silky-voiced balladeer whose songs became the soundtrack for countless romances and whose career bridged Black radio, adult contemporary music, and Hollywood soundtracks, has died at age 75.
For generations of listeners, Bryson— who, according to a statement made from his family, died June 2 after suffering a stroke— represented a rare kind of vocalist.
At a time when R&B often shifted with changing trends, his rich tenor remained instantly recognizable. Whether singing solo or alongside some of music’s most celebrated women, Bryson built a catalog that helped define modern love songs while earning the respect of audiences across racial, cultural, and generational lines.
“For decades, Peabo’s extraordinary talent, timeless artistry and unmistakable voice provided the soundtrack to some of life’s most cherished moments,” Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement.
In a statement, relatives described him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend whose music touched millions around the globe.
Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 13, 1951, he developed an interest in music at an early age. According to The HistoryMakers, Bryson grew up singing in church and listening to artists whose styles would later influence his own approach to music. Long before Grammy Awards and platinum records, he was a young performer with an unmistakable voice and an ambition to build a career around it.
Following inaugural success and $10 million in economic impact, the world's largest Afro-Caribbean hiphop festival is back by popular demand –– and this year is bigger than before.
Afro Plus Fest makes its sophomore return to the DMV this Labor Day weekend, promising an immersive experience of music and culture, with Black excellence at center stage.
As for what’s new in 2026: more days, more artists, and a new home at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
"This partnership represents more than entertainment; it is about economic growth, cultural pride, tourism, and creating opportunities for local businesses, artists, and residents to benefit from an international-scale event hosted right here in our county,” said Prince George’s County
Executive Aisha Braveboy in a press release.
Founded by DMV-area creatives and community leaders, the multiday festival features immersive cultural activities and cuisines, high-fashion activations, and a marketplace spotlighting Black-owned brands and local creators.
Plus, fans can dance to the likes of Afrobeats, dancehall, hip-hop, R&B, amapiano, soca, and other global sounds.
In addition to 16 new festival-week events, the fiery lineup topping the stage in September includes: rappers Lil Baby, Latto, Sexyy Red, and Chief Keef; global icons like Adekunle Gold, Spice, Odeal, and more; as well as this year’s headliners, Davido, Alkaline, and returning for the second time, Wizkid. Meanwhile, DMV pride is set to take over with performances from Mannywellz, Foggie Raw, New Impressionz Band, Yung Manny, and Flow & Friends. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com
BRYSON Page 5
Kennedy Center Removes Trump’s Name After Court Orders Reversal
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has removed President Donald Trump’s name from its website and official materials, complying with a federal court order that found the institution lacked the authority to rename the congressionally established memorial without approval from Congress.
The move follows a ruling by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper, who determined that the Kennedy Center’s board exceeded its authority when it voted in December 2025 to rename the institution. The decision required the center to restore its original name and remove references to Trump from signage, websites and promotional materials.
“We are complying with the court’s order while evaluating all legal options,” Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi said after the ruling.
The renaming effort kicked off a legal battle over who has the power to alter the identity of one of the nation’s most prominent cultural institutions. Opponents argued that the board, whose members included
His professional journey began in earnest after moving into Atlanta’s music scene, where he worked with local groups and musicians before finding opportunities as a songwriter, arranger, producer, and performer. Those experiences helped shape an artist who would become known not only for his vocal abilities but also for his understanding of song structure and musical arrangement.
“From Grammy-winning classics to unforgettable duets that transcended generations, his music brought joy, comfort and inspiration to millions around the world,” Dickens continued.
An ‘Incredible Voice and Kind Spirit’
Bryson’s recording career took off during the 1970s. Songs such as “Feel the Fire,” “I’m So into You,” “Reaching for the Sky,” “Crosswinds,” and “Let the Feeling Flow” established him as one of the most distinctive voices in
Trump appointees, lacked the authority to change the name of a national memorial established by Congress to honor President John F. Kennedy. The dispute widened in February when Trump announced plans to close the center for renovations, prompting additional legal challenges from critics who said the move threatened the future of the institution.
Cooper rejected both actions, ruling that federal law did not permit the board to rename the Kennedy Center and that the proposed closure also lacked legal justification. The decision was welcomed by arts advocates, former Kennedy Center officials and others who argued that major changes to the institution required congressional approval.
Meanwhile, several artists publicly criticized the renaming effort, some performers distanced themselves from the institution and questions emerged about the center’s direction after reports of declining ticket sales and uncertainty about its future programming.
Former Kennedy Center curator Josef Palermo, who spent more than 20 years at the institution before being laid off in March, said the center faces
R&B. While disco dominated much of popular music during the decade, Bryson carved out a lane built on emotional storytelling, sophisticated production, and powerful vocal performances.
By the early 1980s, he had become one of the industry’s premier interpreters of romantic music. His recordings resonated with audiences seeking songs about love, heartbreak, commitment, and hope. Albums released during this period helped transform him from an R&B favorite into a national star.
One of the defining moments of his career came with “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” a song that became one of the decade’s most enduring ballads. The recording remains a staple on adult R&B playlists and helped cement Bryson’s reputation as a singer capable of delivering vulnerability and strength within the same performance. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
a difficult path forward. Palermo said many employees initially hoped the leadership transition would be manageable but instead witnessed what he described as “cronyism, incompetence, and a series of bizarre moves that would lead to the Kennedy Center going dark.” Palermo argued that restoring confidence among artists, patrons and audiences will be essential if the institution is to regain its footing. The legal battle also produced a separate victory for jazz musician Chuck Redd, who withdrew from a scheduled Kennedy Center performance after objecting to the effort to rename the institution and was subsequently sued by the center for allegedly violating a performance agreement. A judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding there was no enforceable contract between the parties, ending one of the most closely watched side disputes connected to the broader fight over the Kennedy Center’s future.
5 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is back to its original title after a federal court ordered the removal of President Donald Trump’s name from its official materials and website. (Courtesy Photo)
U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an official member of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees by virtue of her position in Congress, filed suit after the Trump-appointed board voted to rename the institution in December 2025. She later amended the lawsuit after Trump announced plans to close the center for renovations.
“Today’s ruling rightly affirms that
this administration’s efforts to rename and close the Center have no basis in law,” Beatty said. “The Kennedy Center is an institution that belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump. He has desecrated this sacred memorial for his own vanity. I am proud to have fought for the rule of law and to protect this sacred institution.” WI
BRYSON from Page 4
AROUND THE REGION
black
June 11
1920 – Hazel Scott, Trinidadian-born jazz and classical pianist/singer who in 1950 became the first woman of color to have her own TV show, is born.
1963 – Vivian Malone and James Hood are the first two African American students to enroll at the all-white University of Alabama, over the objections of segregationist Gov. George Wallace, who stood in a doorway in an attempt to block the two students from enrolling.
1964 – South African anti-apartheid activist and human rights icon Nelson Mandela is convicted of conspiracy to overthrow the government. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and remained jailed until his release in 1990.
June 12
1930 – Barbara Clementine Harris, the first woman ordained a bishop in the Anglican Communion, is born.
1963 – Medgar Evers, civil rights leader and NAACP field secretary, is assassinated by a white segregationist in front of his Jackson, Mississippi, home. In the wake of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling, Evers had fought to help overturn segregation at the University of Mississippi and gain social justice and voting rights.
June 13
1967 – Thurgood Marshall is nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Lyndon Johnson, becoming the first-ever Supreme Court justice upon Senate confirmation two months later.
June 14
1864 – Congress rules that African American soldiers must receive equal pay. Earlier that month, Pvt. Sylvester Ray of the 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry was recommended for trial because he refused to accept pay inferior to that of white soldiers.
June 15
1877 – Homy Ossian Flipper, U.S. soldier and former
slave, becomes the first African American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a commission as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army. 1913 – Effie O'Neal, the first Black woman to hold an executive position in the American Medical Association, is born.
1921 – Aviator Bessie Coleman becomes the first African American woman to earn a pilot's license and an international aviation license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.
1969 – Rapper, actor and filmmaker Ice Cube, member of seminal hip-hop group N.W.A., is born in Los Angeles. 1996 – Iconic jazz chanteuse Ella Fitzgerald, also known as the "First Lady of Song," "Queen of Jazz" and "Lady Ella," dies in Beverly Hills.
June 16
1942 – Eddie Levert, lead singer of the R&B group The O'Jays and father of Gerald and Sean Levert, is born in Bessemer, Alabama.
1970 – Kenneth A. Gibson is elected mayor of Newark, New Jersey, the first African American mayor of a major eastern U.S. city.
1971 – Iconic rapper and actor Tupac Shakur is born in the East Harlem section of Manhattan, New York.
1975 – Singer and actor Adam Wade becomes the first African American game show host, helming CBS's "Musical Chairs."
June 17
1871 – Author, lyricist, poet and educator James Weldon Johnson — who wrote the lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the "Negro national anthem" — is born in Jacksonville, Florida.
1937 – Journalist Robert Maynard, who became the first African American owner of a major metropolitan daily newspaper in 1983 when he and his wife purchased The Oakland Tribune, is born.
1980 – Tennis great Venus Williams, the first Black American woman to be ranked No. 1 in the world during the Open era, is born. WI
Ice Cube (left)
Ella Fitzgerald (center) Bessie Coleman (right)
view P INT
BY RICHARD ELLIOTT
What is your opinion regarding the artists pulling out
of Trump’s 250th anniversary concert?
ALEXIS SOLIS GLENARDEN / MARYLAND
“As an Afro-Latina who deeply values both the diversity and unity of our nation, I believe America’s 250th anniversary should be a celebration that brings people together. The artists who withdrew have explained that they did so because they felt the event no longer reflected the nonpartisan spirit they expected. I respect their decision to act according to their convictions. Our democracy is strongest when people are free to express themselves, and our national celebrations should reflect the broad range of voices and experiences that make America exceptional.”
DR. JENNIFER RIOS / UPPER MARLBORO, MARYLAND
“America’s 250th anniversary should be about unity, not division. Art and culture have always reflected the voice of the American people, diverse, passionate, and free. Whether artists choose to participate or not, we must respect the freedom of expression that defines this nation.The strength of America has never been in thinking alike, but in our ability to come together despite our differences and continue moving this country forward for future generations.”
DR. JOY SWAIN / GLENN DALE, MARYLAND
“It is remarkable and uplifting that artists and the people have a voice and choice in expressing themselves. As we celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary we honor the freedom for all. Great to know Americans are exercising their First Amendment.”
JOCELYN ROUTE / BLADENSBURG, MARYLAND
“Whether artists choose to participate or not is ultimately their personal decision. What I hope we don’t lose sight of is the importance of preserving our nation’s history, honoring the lives and contributions of those who came before us, and supporting families as they create their own legacies. As someone focused on helping families navigate life’s most difficult transitions, I believe our energy is best spent ensuring people have access to the resources, information, and support they need to protect their loved ones and plan for the future. While public debates will come and go, family, legacy, and preparedness remain timeless priorities.”
AROUND THE REGION
AROUND THE REGION
NOMA’s Union Market District Hosts 7th Annual LightReel Film
Event Invites Films that ‘Incorporates All Natives and All Walks of Life’
By Jordan Armstead WI Editorial Intern
Filmmakers, directors, actors and partners gathered in Union Market’s Ron David Studio and Café on June 4 for the opening reception of the LightReel Film Festival, a multicultural celebration held June 3-6 featuring a series of independent films, documentaries, director panels and animations all with the goal of highlighting D.C. culture, directors and business.
Tim Gordon, the executive director of the LightReel Festival, and a film critic of 30 plus years, has always wanted a film festival of his own. The opportunity for Gordon to create a new festival in Washington, D.C. arose less than 10 years ago and since then the LightReel Film Festival has hosted more than 35 filmmakers and worked with 20 sponsors and partners.
The festival was presented by the Foundation for the Augmentation of African Americans in Film (FAAAF), a nonprofit organization focused on educating, sponsoring and celebrating BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) filmmakers.
“I have a vision for what I can bring to Washington, D.C., and I think not just about having a world-class festival but having a world class festival that spotlights the many contributions of filmmakers here in D.C.,” Gordon told The Washington Informer. “Our matrix this year, District to the Diaspora,
speaks to the idea that even though we have people coming in from over 20 countries at this year’s festival, our focus is still about our home-grown filmmakers and the work they are producing to amplify our city.”
Sponsors and partners of LightReel included the Union Market District, Angelika Pop Up Shop Theatre, DC Commission of Arts & Humanities, Lionsgate and DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD).
Rosemary Suggs Evans, director of DSLBD gave a speech at LightReel’s opening reception, praising the contributions of the festival to local businesses.
“It’s so important for festivals like this to be hosted here in the District and for us to support those artists, creatives and organizations that want to highlight what D.C. is, who we are and what we are truly about,” Suggs Evans said.
Afro Past, Present and Future
The festival cultivated a range of documentaries, thrillers, and Afro-futuristic films that showed the future of filmmaking as more BIPOC people are entering the field, while also giving audiences a chance to learn stories across the African diaspora..
The film “Memory of Princess Mumbi” produced by Damien Hauser, utilized AI tools, paintings and ancient African kingdoms as source material to create a story focusing on the importance of human creativity outside
of current technologic advancements. The film follows an African princess and actress-in-training on her journey of filmmaking, love, mental health and finding the beauty in smaller things.
“With ‘Memory of Princess Mumbi,’ Swiss-Kenyan filmmaker Damien Hauser delivers a dazzling film set in the future but pertinent to today,” Amber Love wrote in a description for the film for SF Film Festival in May. “Against an Afrofuturistic backdrop, this visually esoteric, luscious, and layered sci-fi mockumentary both celebrates and critiques AI while adding a dollop of romance in its depiction of the love triangle between two artists and a prince.”
District native Thomas Walter Booker contributes his own film “Absent” which follows a D.C. teen looking for a new normal with the help of his English teacher after falling into depression due to his father’s long-distance move. Booker, who writes, produces and plays one of the leads in “Absent,” told TheInformer that the story is based on his own relationship with his father.
“This is one of the most authentic film festivals in D.C. in the sense of how it brings, regardless of status, it incorporates all natives and all walks of life,” he said. “ It feels more grassroot level in how it connects with filmmakers and I really appreciate that.”
Dr. Ivan Walks, the chairman of the board for FAAAF, who attended LightReel’s opening reception , was especially excited for the award-winning documentary “The Eyes of Ghana’”on Thursday evening. It featured Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah’s personal cinematographer, Chris Hesse and acclaimed filmmaker Anita Afonu. The documentary dives into the 93-year-old Hesse’ legacy, Nkrumah contributions to Ghana’s film industry and the renovation of Accra’s oldest movie theater.
“[‘The Eyes of Ghana’ is doing] this whole connecting of people that look like me and us in America to people that look like me and us in Africa and other parts of the world… through a love of storytelling,” Walks told The Informer about the film, which won the Audience Award during the festival’s Black Butterfly Awards on June 5. “I think this is one of the things LightReel can really bring to D.C. in a way that has not ordinarily been brought here before.” WI
5 Tim Gordon, executive director of the LightReel Festival, speaks at the Black Butterfly Awards on June 5. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)
AROUND THE REGION
Community Opposes Safe Injection Sites, Despite Leading Candidate’s Support
Lewis George Champions Harm Reduction Centers, Gilbert Pushes Back on ‘Drug Houses’
By Tatiana Allen WI Reporting Intern
Amid a heated campaign season leading to the June 16 D.C. Primary, District residents and faith leaders alike are speaking out about safe injection sites, a proposal they believe will cause more harm than good for Washingtonians.
On the morning of June 3, the Rev. George C. Gilbert Jr. of Holy Trinity United Baptist Church organized a press conference in Ward 7 with other clergy members and residents to denounce safe injection sites, or what he and some other concerned citizens call “drug houses.”
“Our faith tells us that people are not disposable,” Gilbert said in a statement sent to The Informer. “People are not just statistics. People are not problems to be managed. Our work is not only to reduce death. Our work is to transform people—by helping them recover, heal, and rebuild their lives.”
For community member LaTeasha Lofties, safe injection sites send a bad signal.
“Cultivating a space where people can go to use drugs is not a good idea. What does it say to our children? We want our people cured of their addiction, not to help them with the addiction," said Lofties.
Safe injection sites, also referred to as harm reduction centers, are sterilized
environments where people can use illegal or prescription drugs under the supervision of trained staff, who can administer naloxone in case of an overdose or clean syringes to prevent the spread of HIV or Hepatitis C.
Sites have been opened in places like Canada, Australia, Europe, New York City, and Rhode Island. The centers have been shown to reduce the number of fatalities while providing integrated services for mental health, housing, health care, and rehab programs.
District Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), a front-runner in the mayoral election, is a strong proponent of safe injection sites. According to her responses to the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) Candidate Questionnaire, she believes safe injection sites and harm reduction centers are needed, seeing how opioid overdoses are one of the most urgent public health crises in D.C.
“We need to confront this crisis head-on with effective interventions aimed at increasing awareness, treatment, recovery, stable housing, and wrap-around support for those struggling with substance abuse. We need safe injection sites and harm reduction centers,” Lewis George wrote.
In 2025, D.C. had 232 fatal overdoses and 6,117 non-fatal overdoses. Records show last year’s numbers were the highest since 2023, with 516 fatal overdoses and
BUDGET VOTE from Page 1 power, White pushed for his budget priorities in other ways.
similar to Ward 7, but are very vast, different [from] other parts of the city.”
The council voted on a budget that, among other things: funded the early childhood educator pay equity fund and child subsidy program; maintained adequate funding for existing housing vouchers; partially restored paid family leave; increased health care investments; and delayed D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s TANF decrease in benefits.
White, who’ll soon go to trial for his alleged acceptance of money to influence the awarding of violence interruption contracts, represented Ward 8 this budget cycle without chairmanship of any council committee. Without that
“It’s about relationships and figuring out how to get things done, because I still have the power to vote,” White said. “We have a total of six council members in Ward 8: one chairman, four at large, and myself. We have to make sure I create those priority lists and get those buy-in from other members.”
With the second budget reading scheduled for June 23, White and his council colleagues can still make some tweaks. We've got some wins,” White told The Informer, “but we still have a lot more to go, and I'm not totally satisfied with where we are now.”
Looking Back: Council Delays
5,108 non-fatal overdoses.
Further, 84% of opioid related deaths took place outside of medical facilities in Wards 5, 7, and 8, commonly as a result of fentanyl or cocaine. The demographic of users is Black males between the ages of 40 and 49, and 60-69 years old.
Local community leaders like Gilbert are asking that wrap-around services and accessible treatment be the solution to addiction.
“We ask you—every member of this city— to remember this: people deserve a future,” he said. “People deserve more than temporary harm reduction. People deserve the chance to become whole.” WI
Move on Revenue Generation
During a five-hour Committee of the Whole meeting that preceded the council’s June 9 legislative meeting, council members tackled the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act and Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act.
As D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson explained, the council had at its disposal an additional $420 million, $270 million of which was decoupling revenue recognized by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO). The other $150 million came from the fiscal stabilization reserve.
During the council’s Committee of the Whole meeting, Mendelson addressed the OCFO’s concerns about BUDGET VOTE Page 11
5 District residents and faith leaders like the Rev. George Gilbert Sr. are speaking out about safe injection sites. (Courtesy Photo)
AROUND THE REGION
CAPTURE THE MOMENt
Who’s Reading the Informer
Northern Virginia resident Connor O'Brien reads The Washington Informer during the Miles Davis Centennial Celebration at Blues Alley. (Brenda Siler/The Washington Informer)
Russell Williams II, Terilyn Shropshire, Tia Smith, Sharifa Daniels, Stephanie Filo, Tim Gordon, Angel Livas, and Willie Burton at the LightReel Film Festival Black Butterfly Awards on June 5. The seventh annual festival took place at the Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market from June 3-6, featuring films that span D.C. and the African diaspora and social events. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)
BUDGET from Page 9
the council’s use of the contingency funds in advance of what Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee predicts will be a “fiscal cliff.”
“It is not whether we are overspending our budget. It's purely a matter of cash flow,” Mendelson said. “As I said, we believe that there are steps that can be taken to manage cash. I don't mean that as a criticism. I mean that there are some practices that need to be looked at and changed so that we can better manage cash. But that's not a reason for us to…to bank more dollars…in our reserves.”
The Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act, as approved by the council, included an amendment that D.C. Council members Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) and Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) introduced to launch a curbside management program.
Other Budget Support Act amendments included one that D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7) introduced to establish an Art All Night Fund. An amendment by D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) requires D.C. Office of Planning to submit a comprehensive plan with policies and maps aimed at addressing what he described as inequitable industrial land use.
“We're hoping that this language sends that message so that they can include [that information] when they come back to us,” Parker said. “I think it's clear. I think it offers flexibility….I don't think this…ties the hand [of] Office of Planning or the council. And again, we are empowered to change anything we don't like that they sent to us.”
Nadeau, who will soon leave the council, found difficulty in getting her colleagues to immediately accept most of her propositions. On Tues-
day, she withdrew her amendment to strike Subtitle DD from the Fiscal Year Budget Support Act. The subtitle in question allowed the council to divert revenue generated from a yet-to-mature internet gaming industry in any way they deem fit.
With the internet gaming legislation not yet passed, Nadeau deferred to her colleagues who wanted to have further discussion in the fall.
In anticipation of, yet another, council work meeting about contingency fund priorities, Nadeau withdrew another amendment that would’ve, in the event of future revenue growth as determined by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, allocated recurrent funding to: teacher pay equity, the credible messengers program, schoolbased behavioral health, the Housing Production Trust Fund, TANF cost of living increases, and housing vouchers.
For Nadeau, that amendment served as a means of preparing an ideal four-year financial plan for the District’s new crop of elected officials.
“The fiscal cliff can only be resolved by generating new revenue which this body is not apparently prepared to do today or maybe this year at all,” Nadeau said. “That's okay there's 13 of us. We can't all get on the same page on that. There'll be a new body next year but this is something we can do today and it's something we've done before and it's honestly not that controversial frankly.”
Nadeau also didn't introduce an amendment promoting a tax increase on top earners’ passive income, as she had hinted weeks prior. She however remains adamant that the District needs a new revenue source for the entirety of the four-year financial plan.
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AROUND THE REGION
“You've got a one-time here and a
5Health advocates listen in to the D.C. Council’s reading of the D.C. Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Act of 2026 on June 9 at the John A. Wilson Building in Northwest, D.C. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
23 Candidates Vie For Southern Maryland Congressional District
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
For the first time in 45 years, voters in Maryland’s 5th congressional district will have an open race to determine their next voice on Capitol Hill.
The rural/suburban district, stretching from northern Anne Arundel County to Point Lookout in St. Mary’s County, has been represented by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-District 5) since 1981, who announced he is not seeking re-election in January.
“Rep. Steny Hoyer has always been a trusted partner and a tireless advocate for Maryland. As a longtime Prince George’s County resident, I’ve seen firsthand how his leadership has helped strengthen our communities, create opportunities, and deliver results for families across our state,” Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) told The Informer. “His commitment to working together and building a stronger Maryland has made our entire federal delegation more effective and our state better positioned for the future.”
Now, there are more than 20 candidates vying for the District 5 seat in the on June 23 Maryland Primary, with early voting from June 11-18.
Among the 23 candidates are current and former Maryland legislators, including: Del. Adrian Boafo (D-District 23), Prince George’s Councilmember Wala Blegay (D- At Large) and former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker. Also in the race are community leaders such as Alexis
Solis and Harry Dunn, the former U.S. Capitol officer who defended the nation’s seat of government during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.
“The next member of Congress from MD-5 will have huge shoes to fill,” Ivey continued. “I look forward to working with them.”
Candidates Garner Support from Top Legislators
As the race enters the home stretch, new endorsements are being debuted and some of the leading candidates have had opportunities to shake hands and talk with voters. With Early Vote only days away, each campaign is looking to secure the relatively large number of undecided voters.
Boafo, who ran Hoyer’s re-election campaign in past years, has been endorsed by political leaders including Gov. Wes Moore (D), Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D), and the congressman who he hopes to succeed.
“With deep respect for his character, admiration for his experience, and faith in his ability as a leader, I am proud to endorse Adrian Boafo for Representative of Maryland’s Fifth District,” Hoyer said in a January statement. “I have known Adrian for years. He is as warm as he is smart, as principled as he is pragmatic. He genuinely loves our community and our people. Public service defines Adrian.”
Dunn, a Capitol police offi-
CANDIDATES Page 13
5 Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, Rep. Steny Hoyer and Gov. Wes Moore are endorsing Del. Adrian Boafo (center) for the District 5 congressional seat. (Courtesy Photo/Boafo for Congress)
CANDIDATES from Page 12
cer who was attacked by rioters on Jan. 6, is one of the leading fundraisers in the race and was endorsed by Rep. Nancy Pelosi (DCa.) in March.
“My friend Harry Dunn is a true American hero and exactly the right person to represent Maryland in Congress,” said Pelosi. “On January 6, 2021, Harry Dunn bravely defended our democracy from Donald Trump’s violent MAGA mob. Since then, Harry’s been called to do everything he can to protect Marylanders and all Americans from extremists like Donald Trump. I’m proud to endorse Harry Dunn for Congress.”
Solis, who works in federal contracting, argues her experience fighting for economic opportunities will benefit her future constituents. She has been endorsed by Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor and Reproductive Justice Maryland.
“Partnerships matter — both locally and internationally,” said Solis. “As someone who continues to work while campaigning, I understand the importance of creating real opportunities for working families, businesses, and communities. My goal is to bridge relationships that strengthen economic growth, cultural understanding, and global cooperation.”
Baker has decades of name recognition from his past service in the Maryland General Assembly and as County Executive, along
with his unsuccessful 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial runs. He was endorsed by Gov. Martin O’Malley, the former chair of the Social Security Administration, following an early poll that showed Baker leading.
“We need leaders in Congress who will stand up to Donald Trump and protect and strengthen Social Security, not chip away at it,” O’Malley said in an April endorsement. “That’s why I’m supporting Rushern Baker.”
Blegay has run a campaign centered on progressive policy while touting endorsements from County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D), Rep. Ro Khanna (D- Ca.), and County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (D- District 7). She was also recently endorsed by two organizations working to uplift progressive leaders.
“I am honored to receive the endorsements of CASA in Action and Higher Heights PAC — two organizations that have spent years fighting for working people, expanding opportunity, and uplifting the voices of Black and Latino communities,” said Blegay in a press statement. “These endorsements are about the coalition we are building across Maryland’s Fifth District: one rooted in justice, dignity, and the belief that every family deserves congressional leadership that will fight for them. Together, we are building a movement that reflects the strength, diversity, and future of our district.”
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
5 Former County Executive Rushern Baker shakes hands at P.J.’s Coffee. (Courtesy Photo/Baker for Congress)
From Ownership to Legacy: The Estate Planning Conversation Every Business Owner Needs to Have
By Aimee D. Griffin, Esq
Black-owned businesses have long served as anchors in our communities. They create jobs, provide services, sponsor youth programs, support churches and nonprofits, and often become symbols of economic empowerment and self-determination. Yet despite the critical role these businesses play, many owners spend years building their companies without creating a plan for what happens if they are no longer able to lead.
Estate planning is not simply about distributing assets after death. For business owners, it is about creating continuity, protecting employees, preserving wealth, and ensuring that a business can continue serving the community regardless of life's uncertainties.
At Life & Legacy Counselors, we often discuss business succession planning through the lens of the "5 D's": Death, Disability, Divorce, Departure, and Dissolution. Every business owner should have a strategy to address each of these risks.
Death
The most obvious risk is the death of an owner. Without a plan, surviving family members may be left navigating complex legal and financial issues while grieving. Ownership disputes can arise, operations may stall, and valuable business relationships can be jeopardized.
A well-designed estate plan identifies who will own the business, who will manage it, and how ownership interests will transfer. Whether through a trust, buy-sell agreement, or succession plan, business owners should ensure that their life's work does not become a burden to those they love.
Disability
Statistics show that a disability is often more likely than death during a business owner's working years. An illness, injury, or cognitive impairment can leave a business without leadership overnight.
Business owners should establish powers of attorney, designate decision-makers, and create operational plans that allow trusted individuals to manage the company during periods of incapacity. The goal is to ensure that the business continues to operate, employees continue to receive paychecks, and customers continue to receive services.
Divorce
For many entrepreneurs, the business represents one of their largest assets. Without proper planning, a divorce can threaten ownership, management control, and long-term stability.
Business owners should work with legal counsel to evaluate ownership structures, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, and prenuptial or postnuptial agreements when appropriate. Proactive planning can help preserve both family relationships and business continuity.
Departure
Not every transition involves death or disability. Business partners retire. Key executives resign. Family members choose different career paths. Owners may decide to pursue new opportunities.
A succession plan should address what happens when a key leader leaves. Who steps into leadership? How is ownership valued? How are interests transferred? Businesses that proactively answer these questions are far more likely to survive leadership transitions successfully.
Dissolution
Sometimes the best decision is to close or sell a business. Even then, planning matters.
Business owners should consider how debts will be resolved, how assets will be distributed, how employees will be treated, and how intellectual property, customer relationships, and community commitments will be managed. A thoughtful dissolution plan can preserve dignity, minimize conflict, and maximize value.
Building Legacy Beyond the Business
Former Amtrak Chief Joins $20 Billion Push to Transform Northeast Rail
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
A former president of Amtrak has joined forces with Wall Street financiers, aerospace executives, freight rail leaders, and private investors behind an effort to steer more than $20 billion into America’s busiest passenger rail corridor. This proposal, supporters say, could finally push U.S. passenger trains past 200 mph while replacing railcars that have carried Northeast Corridor passengers since the 1970s.
AmeriStarRail this week announced that former Amtrak President Paul Reistrup will chair the company’s newly formed advisory board as it advances a sweeping plan to modernize Northeast Corridor service between Washington, New York, and Boston through a public-private partnership structure backed by private capital instead of new congressional appropriations.
Reistrup, who led Amtrak from 1975 to 1978, joins a board that includes former NASA Chief Astronaut Charlie Precourt, former Carlyle Group Managing Director Robert Dove, former Norfolk Southern Triple Crown Intermodal President James Newton, retired IndyCar driver Marco Andretti, former Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, disabled Navy veteran George “Mack” McIntyre, Tower K Group CEO Phil Bell, and CBIZ Rail Insurance risk adviser Tripp Salisbury. The company’s proposal centers on replacing Amtrak’s aging Amfleet railcars with what AmeriStarRail calls the “Libertyliner 250,” a rebranded version of Amtrak’s NextGen Acela trainsets designed to expand high-speed rail access beyond premium Acela passengers. AmeriStarRail previously outlined plans that would increase Northeast Corridor service by 35%, expand seating capacity by more than 21%, and provide coach, business, and first-class seating on every train. The company has argued that current Acela service remains financially and physically out of reach for many travelers while millions continue riding in railcars first introduced during the Nixon administration.
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of keeping our community informed!
For Black business owners, succession planning is about more than protecting a company. It is about protecting community institutions that often took generations to build. Every successful Black-owned business contributes to economic mobility, creates opportunities for future entrepreneurs, and helps narrow the racial wealth gap.
www. washingtoninformer .com
Too often, wealth leaves our communities because there is no plan for its transfer. A comprehensive estate plan allows business owners to preserve what they have built, provide for their families, support charitable causes, and create opportunities for future generations.
The question is not whether one of the 5 D's will occur. The question is whether your business will be prepared when it does.
The greatest legacy is not simply building a successful business. It is creating a structure that allows that success to continue long after the founder is gone.
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“With a single-digit market share Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor has not come close to realizing its potential — not for lack of infrastructure, and not for lack of public investment, but for lack of the private-sector innovation and operational discipline that transforms good assets into great ones,” Reistrup said. “I have seen this railroad from the inside. I know what it is capable of and I know what has held it back.”
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5 Former Amtrak President Paul Reistrup will chair AmeriStarRail’s newly formed advisory board as it advances a sweeping plan to modernize Northeast Corridor service between Washington, New York, and Boston. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)
NATIONAL
from Page 4
versy surrounding the event.
“Unfortunately, what was presented to us as a celebration of our country has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of,” Michaels wrote in a statement announcing his withdrawal. “Concerns have also been raised regarding the safety of my fans, band, crew, family and myself, including threats that are completely unfounded and unforgivable.”
The departures left organizers facing a major setback. Reports indicate that at least seven of the nine originally announced acts either canceled, distanced themselves from the event, or publicly objected to being associated with it.
Trump responded by attacking the artists on social media, referring to them as “third-rate artists” and suggesting he could replace the concert series with a political rally featuring himself as the main attraction. He later proposed a rally instead of a concert, and indicated he may personally headline portions of the celebration.
“We should have a giant Make America Great Again rally for 250, instead of having overpriced singers,
who nobody wants to hear, whose music is boring, and yet who do nothing but complain,” Trump wrote. “Cancel it.”
The controversy has expanded beyond the performer withdrawals. Questions have also surfaced about donor transparency and the event’s description as nonpartisan. During a CNN appearance, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the celebration but acknowledged that it had taken on political overtones after the withdrawals and Trump’s public comments.
Despite the growing controversy and now even Trump reportedly requesting canceling the event, organizers say the Great American State Fair will continue as planned from June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall. Remaining performers include Vanilla Ice and several other acts that have not withdrawn.
“The only reason the artists [are bailing] out is because Donald Trump is making it political rather than about a 250 anniversary of America,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “If he had nothing to do with it and was not president, you would get some of the best performers in America performing.” WI
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The U.S. Air Force Band performs at a July 4 celebration in 2024. The lineup for President Donald Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative is much smaller than originally slated after performers withdrew due to the event’s political connections. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
ARTISTS
HEALTH
Study Finds Ultra-Processed Foods Driving Rising Rates of Illness Across the U.S.
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Americans are consuming ultra-processed foods at staggering levels, and a newly released report warns the products are fueling rising rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and other chronic illnesses across the country, including in the District of Columbia.
The report, “Ultraprocessed Foods in the U.S.: Recommended Definitions and Policies,” was released by Healthy Eating Research and developed by a 14-member panel of nu-
trition, food science, epidemiology, food law, and public policy experts. Researchers found that ultra processed foods account for between 53% and 58% of calories consumed by U.S. adults and 62% of calories consumed by children and teenagers.
Separate findings have noted that District residents have continued to confront major disparities in obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and food access, particularly in Black communities and lower-income neighborhoods. A Healthy Eating Research study centered on the Washington metropolitan area found that local leaders and stake-
holders identified aggressive sugary drink marketing, unequal access to safe and appealing drinking water, and inconsistent public health investment as major forces influencing unhealthy beverage consumption throughout the region.
“UPFs have become a large portion of the American diet largely because they are widely available, heavily marketed, inexpensive, convenient, and highly appealing,” the report stated.
The new report defines ultra-processed foods, commonly known as UPFs, as industrially manufactured products containing few or no whole-food ingredients and produced through intense physical and chemical processing methods designed to maximize shelf life, convenience, and taste appeal. Examples listed by researchers include sweetened and diet beverages, packaged chips, candy, flavored dairy products, processed meats, breakfast
cereals, commercial breads, baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals.
Researchers said evidence linking ultra-processed foods to serious health problems continues to grow. The report cited studies connecting heavy UPF consumption to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, poor sleep, and increased mortality.
The panel also pointed to randomized controlled trials showing that people consuming diets dominated by ultraprocessed foods consumed more calories and experienced worse weight outcomes than those eating minimally processed diets, even when meals contained similar amounts of sugar, sodium, fiber, and calories.
The panel of experts argued that the health dangers tied to ultra processed foods extend beyond fat, sodium, and sugar content alone. Researchers described several possible mechanisms contributing to harm, including what they called hyperpalatability, addictive characteristics, food matrix degradation, and exposure to additives and industrial contaminants.
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Read more on washingtoninformer.com
5 A new report reveals people in D.C. and nationwide are eating a lot of ultra-processed foods, leading to health challenges. (WI File Photo/Jacques Benovil)
In this year’s District Primary Elections, Voters 50-plus can Make A Difference
By Louis Davis, Jr., AARP DC State Directorn
In this year’s wide-open races for Mayor, D.C. Council, U.S. House Delegate, and other key offices, critical issues are on the line—from housing and transportation to the affordability of health care and protecting Social Security. And once again, voters age 50 and older have the power to shape the outcome.
Older voters remain one of the most reliable and influential voting blocs. Nationally, voters 50-plus made up more than half of the electorate in 2024, underscoring their outsized impact on who wins and who leads. Here in the District, that influence is just as important, especially in a year marked by major leadership changes and competitive races.
This election also brings a significant shift for District voters: the introduction of ranked choice voting (RCV). For the first time, voters will be able to rank candidates in order of preference—first, second, third, and beyond—in races with three or more candidates. Rather than choosing just one candidate, voters can select backup options, ensuring their vote continues to count even if their top choice is eliminated. This process continues until a candidate earns a majority of support.
While new, RCV is designed to give voters a stronger voice and ensure election winners reflect broader support across the community. Importantly, voters can rank as many, or as few, candidates as they wish, and ranking additional candidates does not hurt their first choice.
To help voters navigate this change, AARP DC has launched a robust voter education effort, including guides, community events, and partnerships across
all eight wards. Our goal is simple: ensure every voter, especially those who have been casting ballots for decades, feels confident and prepared when they head to the polls.
At the same time, AARP DC is making sure candidates understand the issues that matter most to older residents. Through our 2026 Candidate Guide, we asked candidates across major races to share where they stand on key priorities affecting older adults and their families. These are not abstract concerns. They are everyday challenges that shape the quality of life. AARP research consistently shows that financial pressures, caregiving responsibilities, and health care costs weigh heavily on voters 50-plus, making these issues central to how they evaluate candidates.
AARP DC has also engaged directly with candidates to elevate these priorities and encourage thoughtful solutions. By providing a platform for candidate responses and expanding voter education, we are helping ensure that voters can make informed decisions based on the issues that matter most to them.
As always, AARP is strictly nonpartisan. We don’t tell people who to vote for, but we do make sure voters have access to accurate, upto-date information about when, where, and how to vote, along with clear insights into where candidates stand.
Here in the District, voters 50plus have long been a driving force in our elections. Candidates who want to win should pay close attention: these voters decide elections, and they are focused on issues like caregiving, housing, and economic security.
With early voting underway and Primary Election Day on June 16 quickly approaching, now is the time to get informed and make a plan to vote. To learn more about ranked choice voting and explore AARP DC’s 2026 Candidate Guide, visit aarp.org/DCVotes.
INTERNATIONAL
“Please,” she begged. “I am six months pregnant, and I need money to buy food for my children. There is no work here, and I have to beg for money to feed my children.”
Experiencing such interactions is all too familiar for anyone privileged or courageous enough to visit Cuba today. President Donald Trump’s embargo, which was initiated on Jan. 23 and intensified on May 1, is strangling the Cuban economy to the extent that government and health leaders, and the Cuban people, are calling it a “genocide.”
Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World (IBW) and the Pan African Unity Dialogue (PAUD), led a delegation of 23 Black Americans to Cuba May 26-30, to “see first-hand the devastating impact of policies of the U.S. government on the masses of the Cuban people.”
The group not only saw but they also experienced the blackouts Cubans are experiencing daily. They also heard about food shortages, the lack of medicines and medical equipment needed to help sick Cuban patients and the lack of water and electricity, causing refrigerated food to go bad, and the impact that is having on children whose school days have grown shorter and meals less healthy and frequent.
The “Emergency Fact-Finding Delegation for Mutual Solidarity and Engagement” included participants from U.S. civil and human rights organizations, faith and business professionals, civic leaders, and journalists. They met over three days with Cuban legislators, health care providers, women and Afro-descendant leaders, and an unexpected visit with Cuba President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
The meeting with Diaz-Canal came nearly a week before the U.S. imposed sanctions on him, his wife and three other individuals, on June 6, in the latest threat by the Trump administration to intervene or impose military action on Cuba to change the island country’s political system.
The goal, Daniels told the group upon landing on the island just 90 miles off the coast of Florida, is to return to the U.S. with a commitment to advocate for an end to the Trump administration’s “intolerable acts” and to broaden the Cuba solidarity movement in the U.S.
“This small island nation of 8 to 10 million people has contributed so much despite its struggles, by going
WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com. CUBA from Page 1
out to the world with its doctors, engineers, and even its soldiers when necessary,” Daniels said. “Because of this, we owe a debt to Cuba.” Daniels said.
The Long Strain Between the U.S. and Cuba
On Jan. 29, Trump signed an executive order, which was expanded in May, that essentially transformed U.S. policy toward Cuba from a longstanding embargo into a more aggressive "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at restricting Cuba's access to fuel, foreign investment, and international commerce.
Also in May, the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment charging Raul Castro Ruz, the brother of former President Fidel Castro who just turned 95, and five other members of his regime for the 1996 deaths of four Brothers to the Rescue members. The charges were: conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, destruction of aircraft, and murder, to which Cuban officials quickly pushed back.
“This is a political maneuver, devoid of any legal foundation, aimed solely at padding the fabricated dossier they use to justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba,” Diaz-Canel wrote in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on May 20.
“The U.S. lies and distorts the events surrounding the downing of the planes belonging to the narco-terrorist organization Brothers to the Rescue in 1996.”
The protracted tensions between the U.S. and Cuba have extended for more than 90 years. When Cuba gained its independence from Spain following the Spanish-American War, the U.S. gained significant influence in the island country about 90 miles from Key West, as well as control of the naval base in Guantanamo Bay.
With U.S. influence came increased corporate investment in commodities, including sugar, tobacco and the country’s infrastructure.
Many Cubans grew increasingly uncomfortable with their country's economic dependence on the United States, leading Cuba to undergo a dramatic political transformation when Fidel Castro launched the Cuban Revolution and overthrew the Batista government in 1959.
As Castro consolidated power, Cuba aligned itself with the Soviet Union, prompting the United States to impose a trade embargo and economic sanctions that remain a defining feature of the relationship.
5 The once-vibrant streets of Cuba, filled with music, food, and dancing, are waning due to the impact of the U.S. embargo on businesses and families. (D.R. Barnes/The Washington Informer)
The President is Seeking Monuments to Ego, Not Solutions
Washington Has Become an Embarrassing Canvas for Trump’s Personal Legacy
As millions of Americans continue to struggle with the cost of groceries, housing, health care, and child care, President Donald Trump appears increasingly focused on a different priority: reshaping the nation’s capital in his own image. Rather than addressing the affordability challenges facing working families— including many of his own supporters— the president has devoted significant political capital to projects seemingly intended to burnish his personal legacy.
The most visible example was his takeover of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Trump’s efforts to brand the institution and imprint his personal stamp on it drew widespread criticism and ultimately led to a ruling requiring the removal of his name from the center. The episode underscored what many critics see as a pattern: the transformation of public institutions into extensions of a personal brand.
The White House has not escaped this impulse. Trump’s plans for a lavish new ballroom on the East Wing site have raised questions about priorities at a time
when Americans are seeking leadership on economic issues. While families worry about paying bills and saving for retirement, the administration has focused on architectural projects that do little to improve their daily lives.
Likewise, changes to the iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have raised concerns among preservationists who believe that national landmarks should be protected, not reinvented to satisfy a sitting president's preferences.
Perhaps the most controversial element is the proposed “Trump Arch,” a massive structure planned near Arlington Memorial Bridge. Critics argue that the project would obstruct one of America’s most majestic and symbolic vistas—the direct line of sight between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
For generations, that view has served as a solemn reminder of the relationship between the nation’s ideals and the sacrifices made to defend them. Turning it into a monument dedicated to one president diminishes that symbolism.
Presidents are remembered for solving problems, not for build-
ing monuments to themselves. At a moment when Americans are demanding relief from economic pressures and greater financial security, Washington does not need more monuments to presidential vanity. It needs leadership focused on improving the lives of the people who sent their leaders there to serve.
Trump’s efforts to brand the institution and imprint his personal stamp on it drew widespread criticism and ultimately led to a ruling requiring the removal of his name from the center.
The 2026 Tony Awards Celebrate Excellence and Embrace Diversity over Bigotry, White Supremacy
Since the changing of the guard at the White House on Jan. 20, 2025, America has witnessed a steady and aggressive attack on the premise that the endorsement of the “melting pot” concept has been instrumental in our nation’s evolution and ascendancy on the world stage.
Policies supported by the Trump administration have since been initiated to erase Black voices and history while also castigating the lives and limiting the freedoms of those Americans who bravely represent the LGBTQ+ community.
But during the recent 79th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the nation and the world witnessed what could be described as a paradigmatic shift in how excellence should be both determined and honored.
African American and LGBTQ+ artists achieved an historic break-
through at the awards, shattering decades-old ceilings of oppression with significant victories for Black queer and African American representation in multiple categories.
It should be noted that these victories have occurred during LGBTQ+ Pride Month, which was first recognized federally in 1999 by former President Bill Clinton.
As for the current president, he has chosen to ignore all celebrations connected to Pride Month. In fact, he has declined from issuing a proclamation, unlike previous presidents, or to formally recognize the month and the concepts for which its advocates stand.
But that didn’t stop Qween Jean, the first openly transgender person to win a Tony Award (Best Costume Design of a Musical), from sashaying to the podium last Sunday night to receive her well-deserved honor.
Nor did America’s centuries-old
obsession with white supremacy keep Joshua Henry, a Black man, from being recognized by his peers and snagging a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for his breakout performance in “Ragtime.”
Further, the production “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” which focused on queer, Black, and ballroom culture, earned multiple nominations this year and won Best Direction (Zhailon Levingston – a Black gay man), as well as the award earned by Jean for the costumes she designed for “Cats.”
But here’s the clincher. Instead of being set in a junkyard with literal cats, this award-winning reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical “Cats” was transposed in the underground LGBTQ+ ballroom culture of New York City. It’s a story that gives credence to old queer folk, reminding them that what they did out of pride and belief in themselves
TO THE EDITOR
“I am not of the opinion we should vote out of fear. If a person supports McDuffie for policy reasons, that is fair and valid. I support Lewis George because of her commitment to health care and nurses.”
- Ed Smith (In response to the article: The Collins D.C. Council Report: Amid Opponent’s Attacks, Mayoral Candidate Janeese Lewis George Stands Firm in Her Convictions)
“We need the curfew here in Chinatown; that's why I'm supporting McDuffie.”
- Howard Marks (In response to the article: The Collins D.C. Council Report: Amid Opponent’s Attacks, Mayoral Candidate Janeese Lewis George Stands Firm in Her Convictions)
has finally been embraced by the wider society.
As she accepted her award, Jean said her greatest challenge and joy as a proud queer woman is “showing up every day on stage and in the streets for the liberation of all people.”
Consider her challenge.
What would America look like if you removed every person, place, or thing – every breakthrough in music, medicine, literature, economics, architecture, politics, and civil rights – that
only occurred because of white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant, men?
Undoubtedly, our nation will be little more than a tragic assortment of towns and villages replete with tumbleweeds, dust bowls, and broken-down shacks.
Excellence comes in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, genders and packages.
So, America, you’d better recognize! WI
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
Guest Columnist
The Slush Fund Presidency
day produces another ethical breach, another fundraising scheme, another spectacle competing for attention. People are struggling with rent, groceries, healthcare, caregiving, and retirement.
America once worried about an imperial presidency. Now we have an imperial presidency merged with a family business.
And somehow, too many Americans are shrugging.
Perhaps that shrug is less agreement than exhaustion. Americans are tired — tired of the scandals, the outrage cycles, the endless circus where every
Corruption fatigue has become part of our political culture, and that exhaustion is dangerous because corruption flourishes when people become too weary to resist it.
Donald Trump did not invent corruption. He simply removed the curtains. Previous presidents at least understood that public office required the appearance of restraint. Trump has
Guest Columnist
Julianne Malveaux
transformed the presidency into something between a branding opportunity, a grievance machine, and a family business.
Campaign fundraising, cryptocurrency ventures, donor cultivation, luxury branding, political memorabilia, legal defense funds, and influence-peddling now swirl together into one giant transactional enterprise where political power and private wealth are increasingly difficult to separate. The presidency is no longer merely an office; it is becoming a monetization platform.
Trump's defenders often say, "Well,
he was rich before politics." That misses the point entirely. The issue is not whether Trump entered office wealthy. The issue is whether political power is now being openly leveraged for personal financial gain while ethical guardrails collapse around us.
Reports estimate Trump-linked crypto ventures alone have generated staggering sums for Trump-affiliated entities while the administration influences the regulatory environment surrounding those same markets. In another era, such conflicts would have triggered bipartisan outrage. Today,
Using Art, Healing and Community to Transform Mental Health Dialogue
At the center of the event stood a simple but powerful reminder: "You Matter."
dressing barriers that have historically prevented many Black Americans from accessing mental health support.
ities, mental health resources, wellness spaces, and opportunities for open conversations about mental health.
many Americans barely react before the next scandal arrives.
Corruption survives when exhaustion sets in and citizens begin believing that everybody is dirty anyway, although everybody is clearly not dirty in the same way.
Poor people are investigated for survival. Working people are lectured about personal responsibility. Black families are criminalized for minor infractions. Yet wealthy elites convert influence into wealth and are celebrated
MALVEAUX Page 37
with culturally competent care.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Music filled the air as families danced through the crowd, children gathered around activity stations, and community members explored wellness resources from local organizations. Black-owned businesses lined the streets while people stopped for chair massages, conversations, and moments of connection inside the wellness suite.
For Darkness RISING, those words represent far more than a slogan. They reflect the organization's mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Black community while creating spaces centered on healing, honesty, and hope.
Operating at the intersection of the arts and mental health, Darkness RISING uses music, storytelling, wellness programming, and community engagement to inspire healing while ad-
The organization hosts a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including block parties, wellness workshops, mixers, kickoff events, community classes, and Darkness RISING: Live — a free annual arts and wellness festival now celebrating its ninth year.
The festival combines entertainment with healing-centered resources, featuring live music, dancing, singing, food trucks, Black vendors, children's activ-
When Politics Intersects With Professional Sports
It appears that every week, there is a news story or event that leaves us even more tired and weary of the political climate we live in. At a time when we should be paying increased attention to evolving events, we also face the personal need for emotional and mental breaks from the chaos.
Taking that mental off-ramp to
recharge and receive the temporary relief we need is critical. Sports can often be used as that emotional and mental off-ramp. While the same can be said of music and other forms of entertainment, sports have a unique way of uniting people of various backgrounds. This is particularly true when attending live sporting events where sports arenas and stadiums become safe spaces for passionate sports fans to escape the polarizing cultural wars between conservatives and liberals.
At the beginning of every professional sporting event, it has become
an American tradition to stand during the playing of the national anthem. By doing so, it represents a moment of unified respect for our nation that goes beyond race, class, gender, age, political affiliation, and religion. It represents a time before the game when players, coaches, and fans of opposing teams are Americans first, joined together as one American team.
The national anthem is a few precious minutes where patriotism and unity are established. It establishes an atmosphere of fan camaraderie where MAGA conservatives and die-hard
While the events may feel celebratory on the surface, organizers say the deeper purpose is creating safe spaces where people can feel comfortable discussing mental health without fear of judgment.
Darkness RISING also provides free nationwide resources, including a Black Mental Health Resource Packet, a Black Mental Health Provider Database, and its "Find Me a Therapist" initiative, which helps connect individuals
The organization's work is rooted in addressing longstanding inequities that continue impacting mental health access within Black communities. Historically, segregation, redlining, racial discrimination, incarceration, poverty, and unequal healthcare access have contributed to higher rates of behavioral health challenges while simultaneously limiting access to proper treatment and support. Darkness RISING approaches those issues through
liberals can cheer together for their favorite home team while being free of the political divisions from the outside world. Fans sitting in the stands can be totally unaware of the political persuasions of those around them because political differences are put aside, and support for the home team on the court or field becomes the unifying shared interest of those in attendance. It is a part of the game day experience that can easily be overlooked and taken for granted.
As the San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback in 2016, Colin Kaeper-
nick received backlash on multiple fronts when he used kneeling during the national anthem as a means of silently protesting racial injustice and police brutality. At the time, Joe Lockhart was the executive vice president in charge of communications and government affairs for the NFL. He later became a political analyst for CNN. In a column written in 2020, Lockhart stated, "No teams wanted to sign a player — even one as talented as Kaepernick — whom they saw as
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Judaea Ingram
MARSHALL
David W. Marshall
Guest Columnist
As much of the nation continues to grapple with rising costs that are outpacing wage gains, new research affirms that younger, more diverse generations are caught in a financial marketplace built for yesteryear, not today.
"Ambition Without Access," a recently released study by the Julian Bond Institute (JBI), an initiative of the Center for Responsible Lending
Guest Columnist
Young Blacks and Latinos Lack Access to Wealth-Building Tools
(CRL), is the first nationally representative look at how wealth and financial aspirations differ across race and generations, particularly for Blacks and Latinos.
"Young Blacks and Hispanics want to own homes, want to start businesses, want to retire comfortably, and want to leave something for their children — at rates that either match or exceed their white peers," states the study. "They are optimistic. They are financially motivated. And they are determined."
The JBI 2050 Survey, conducted in
cooperation with NORC at the University of Chicago, surveyed white, Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans across Gen Z (age 18-28), millennial (29-44), Gen X (45-60), and Boomer (61-79) age groups.
Among its findings:
86% of Americans across every race and generation say homeownership was a financial goal when they became financially independent — yet only 23% of Black millennials who aspired to homeownership have achieved it, compared to 51% of white millennials.
67% of Black Gen Z and 55% of Hispanic Gen Z aspire to own a business — a rate significantly higher than the 34% of white Gen Z who share that goal.
77% of Black Gen Z and 70% of Hispanic Gen Z aspire to build an inheritance to pass on, even though only 18% and 20% respectively expect to receive one themselves —compared to 33% of white and 38% of Asian Gen Z who anticipate getting one.
46% of Black millennials are optimistic about their household's financial future — higher than the 31% of
Professors Reflect on Black Progress, and What the Next Decade Demands
and at times hopeful.
Dr. Walter Greason, a professor of history at Macalester College, cautioned against an overly optimistic view.
Where do Black communities in Minnesota and across the country stand today, and where are they headed? The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder reached out to prominent Black academics to get their assessment. Looking back across the last several decades and forward to the next 10 years, their responses were sobering, nuanced,
LOS ANGELES — First Corinthians 12:14 says "For the body does not consist of one member, but of many." In other words, our physical health is connected to one another. That principle should guide public policy as much as personal principle. A society reveals its character by how it treats the sick, the elderly, the poor, and the vulnerable. Health care is not merely an individual
"There is a temptation to see the last 50 years through rose-tinted lenses due to the increasing levels of political participation and elected leadership for Black communities," Dr. Greason said. "However, the realities that the core of Black middle class has been decimated and the increasing levels of carceral policy have reduced the opportunities for success in Black com-
munities, especially since 2017."
Dr. Artika Tyner, an author and educator who takes a data-based approach to sociology, arrived at a similar conclusion.
"In the past 50 years, technological advancement, broader access to higher education, and increased visibility of Black leadership across sectors have reshaped opportunity in meaningful ways," Dr. Tyner said. "At the same time, structural barriers have proven remarkably durable. Racial wealth gaps persist with a projection of over two centuries to bridge. According to
Goldman Sachs, 'The median Black household owns nearly 90% less wealth than the median white household.'"
When asked about the last 25 years, Dr. Greason pointed to the impact of international politics on Black communities within the United States.
"The rise of the United States as the world's lone superpower has been disastrous for Black people," Dr. Greason said. "Most of the leverage that the Civil Rights Movement had was based on the foreign policy of the U.S. to appear superior to the Soviet Union.
white millennials — despite having fewer financial resources, lower savings, and significantly less family financial support.
"The gap between financial aspiration and achievement for young and minority consumers is not a matter of motivation. It is a matter of structural access — to family financial resources, affordable credit, adequate income, and the knowledge to navigate a system not designed with these communities in mind. As the United States
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In the wake of September 11, the foreign policy of the War on Terrorism combined with the expansion of the prison-industrial complex to destroy Black communities, especially in the Midwest. While educational gains were remarkable, the resistance of the private sector to invest equitably in Black communities places hard limits on the possibilities of equal opportunity nationwide."
Dr. Tyner also emphasized how disparities in the justice and education
RICCARDI Page 38
concern; it is a collective responsibility. Every day, we are all called to answer a moral question: will we turn away from our neighbors in their hour of need, or will we stand together and carry one another through hard times?
This June, Los Angeles County voters face one of those scenarios. Measure ER offers us an opportunity to affirm health care as a human right in Los Angeles County. It gives us the chance to ensure working families, seniors, children, and vulnerable residents can still access emergency rooms, trauma care, mental health services, and neigh-
borhood clinics when they need them most.
I have prayed with families sitting in emergency rooms long into the night. I have watched church members delay treatment because they feared the cost. I have watched my very own children experience medical emergencies, and I understand the fear families feel when services may not be available in their time of need. I have counseled parents carrying the burden of choosing between rent, groceries, and medicine. These are everyday realities in our congregations.
Measure ER arrives at a time when LA County's healthcare safety net is under extraordinary strain. Federal healthcare cuts threaten billions in funding losses over the next several years, placing public hospitals, community clinics, and emergency care systems at risk. Without local action, the county could face healthcare worker layoffs, reduced services, and even clinic closures that would disproportionately impact Black communities and other communities of color.
Black people know what happens when healthcare disappears — or
doesn't exist at all. We have lived through generations of inequity in which access too often depended on ZIP code, income, or insurance status. We know that when hospitals close in underserved neighborhoods, the consequences are felt throughout the community — in lives lost, chronic illnesses untreated, and crises made worse because help came too late.
Measure ER proposes a temporary half-cent sales tax increase for five years to stabilize healthcare and essen-
TULLOSS Page 38
Noah Riccardi
CROWELL
Faith Calls Us to Vote Our Values on Healthcare
Guest Columnist
Charlene Crowell
Pastor K.W. Tulloss
Guest Columnist
EARTH OUR
from Page 1
inches of rain in April, 1.4 inches below normal. As of May 1, it received 37.4 inches of overall precipitation, which is 2.6 inches. The U.S. Drought Monitor Map reports that 40% of the Potomac watershed is suffering from severe drought conditions– a circumstance that puts the region’s sole water source at risk.
“Earlier this spring... we became concerned because for those dates when the river should be very high from spring rains, we actually hit historic lows,” ICPRB Executive Director Michael Nardolilli told The Informer.
“We were really low, at record-setting 131-year lows.”
“Drought Watch” is the second phase in the COG’s Water Supply and
Drought Awareness Response Plan. This stage is classified as D1 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), meaning moderate drought conditions have transpired, which results in some damage to crops, streams, reservoirs and the encouragement of voluntary restricted water usage.
The next two stages– Warning and Emergency– are characterized by extremely low levels in the Jennings Randolph and Little Seneca reservoirs and increased encouragement, or even requirement, for usage restrictions.
“In terms of looking down the road, we don’t foresee it going into a warning status or emergency status,” Narodlilli told The Informer.
While the basin experienced low
rainfall, that isn’t the only factor contributing to a drought like this one. Above-average temperatures combined with low precipitation levels can induce a hot drought, which causes intense dry conditions that exacerbate evaporation. Since the last 11 years have been some of the hottest on record, with April 2026 being nationally ranked the third-hottest April in 132 years, a hot drought is almost inevitable.
Even warmer winter seasons can trigger a snowball effect, with decreased snowfall leading to increased risk of drought.
“With the warmer temperatures, especially in late spring and early summer, we’ve seen less snow pack overall and earlier snow melt, meaning that we can actually get a rush of water during the spring, but then less overall water availability for energy production, for drinking water, for agriculture later on in the summer,” said Illinois State Climatologist Dr. Trent Ford during a June 2 press briefing.
Next Steps: Secondary Water Sources
Since dry conditions throughout the Potomac watershed could put water access at risk in the Washington Metropolitan Area, experts are exploring various options for a secondary water source in the region. Currently, the reservoirs closest to the nation’s capital, like the 140-million-gallon Georgetown Reservoir on MacArthur Boulevard, only provide enough water to sustain one day of backup.
While resources miles upstream would offer more backup supply, like the 4.5-billion-gallon Little Seneca Lake or the 31-billion-gallon Jennings Randolph Lake, the water would take multiple days to reach Washington.
“Pure Water DC is not just one project,” Sherri Lewis, spokesperson for DC Water, wrote to The Informer. “It is a coordinated set of initiatives designed to strengthen the resilience of the District’s water system— including how advanced water recycling could help create a second, reliable source of water.”
The research facility, located at the Blue Plains Water Resource Recovery Facility, will use advanced purification technologies to analyze water cleaning, refinement and reuse to address the city’s water demand. The new development will also serve the public as an education space, geared toward teaching residents how water recycling is a viable solution.
In the meantime, experts are urging residents to be intentional about their water use– from not watering their lawns to taking shorter showers to using low-flow showerheads– to mitigate the consequences of the drought and ensure the Potomac’s supply isn’t being wasted.
“When you develop good habits, then it's much easier than when you have a restriction come in place, then you're already doing those things, and it's not such a great shock to the system to change what you're doing,” Nardolilli told The Informer. “So, hopefully people will use water wisely and develop these good habits now, and we'll see how the rest of the year pans out.” WI
To tackle this issue, the United States Army Corps of Engineers is exploring different solutions– such as ways to expand the Delecarlia Reservoir to provide one and a half days of backup, and converting the Armize Mid Atlantic Travilah Quarry to a water storage facility. D.C. Water’s June 10 launch of the Pure Water D.C. facility is also a step toward expanding resources for the region.
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
POTOMAC
5The Potomac River basin is experiencing record-breaking low flow, leading the Drought Coordination Committee of the Metropolitan Council of Governments to issue a regional drought watch on June 3. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
EDUCATION
Van Hollen, Gillibrand Lead New Push for Wraparound Services in Public Schools
Community School Bill Advocates for Student Wraparound Services
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and a coalition of Democratic lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would pour $3.65 billion into expanding full-service community schools nationwide.
The legislators argue that students struggling with poverty, housing instability, hunger, mental health challenges, and chronic absenteeism need far more than classroom instruction to succeed.
“A quality education is a cornerstone of our children’s success, but for many students, the challenges they face outside of the classroom impact their success inside the classroom,” Van Hollen said.
The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 would create new planning, implementation, and expansion grants aimed at helping schools provide wraparound services ranging from health care and counseling to tutoring, transportation assistance, legal aid, after-school programming, and workforce development opportunities.
“Community schools offer a solution – empowering local education and community leaders to connect families with vital services they need while providing a top-notch education. As we’ve seen across Maryland, this innovative approach has been proven to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and their families,” Van Hollen continued. “This bill will further invest in and create a pathway for more community schools, ensuring all of our students have the support they need to succeed.”
The legislation is being led in the Senate by Van Hollen, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), alongside Rep. Susie
Lee (D-Nev.) in the House. Additional Senate cosponsors include Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
“Factors affecting student success extend well beyond the classroom. Unfortunately, many students in southern Nevada cannot meet their basic needs off school grounds, then struggle to keep up their mental and physical health and academics,” Lee said. “That’s exactly why we need a fully resourced Full-Service Community Schools Program to help schools meet students where they are and bridge these gaps in education.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5 Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen and a coalition of Democratic lawmakers are advocating for the Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
LIFESTYLE
Things To Do, DMV!
By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor
Celebrate Black Music Month and Caribbean American Heritage Month with a weekend of the DMV’s top cultural events! And remember, to keep up with all the fun, check out the Washington Informer Calendar.
Thursday, June 11
20th Anniversary Beat Ya Feet Kings
6 p.m. | Free Go-Go Museum & Cafe, 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, D.C., 20020
Take part in a special night honoring a particularly part of go-go culture at the 20th Anniversary Beat Ya Feet Kings celebration!
Experience the energy, history, and influence of one of the DMV’s most iconic dance movements, bringing together legends, supporters, and the community for an unforgettable evening.
Friday, June 12
Living History: How We Fought 7:30 - 9 p.m. | $24.57
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, 1827 Wiltberger Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Check out the final event of a four-part LGBTQ+ storytelling series featuring local elders, activists, artists, icons and pioneers on lessons learned.
In a curated, immersive event, the African Luxe Showcase is highlighting African fashion, craftsmanship, art, and culture. It serves as a platform to bridge the gap between African creatives and the global market, redefining the narrative around luxury and connecting diaspora talent with international audiences.
Sunday, June 14
Carnival in de Capital: A Celebration of Caribbean Music, Culture and Community 1:30 - 4 p.m. | Free with registration Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Join a family celebration for the month celebrating Black music and Caribbean American heritage!
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is hosting the National Caribbean Festival on the Rooftop, an unforgettable celebration that transforms into a vibrant Caribbean experience –– filled with music, movement, flavor, and island energy in the heart of downtown D.C.
Event features include live performances, DJs, steel pan music, carnival dancers, and cultural experiences representing the rich traditions and influence of Caribbean culture across the diaspora. WI
3 The Go-Go Museum & Cafe is celebrating 20 years of Beat Ya Feet culture with a night of dancing, history, and DMV pride on Thursday, June 11. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)
review wi book
Books for Father's Day for Kids by Various Authors and Illustrators
c.2026, Various publishers
$9.99-$18.99
Various page counts
Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer
Good old Dad.
He's there for you every day, playing with you, tucking you into bed, teaching you to do fun things, helping you. He and Grandpa, they're the greatest - and this month, it's time to read books about the dads and father figures in your life …
Who's your best buddy? You'd probably say that your Papa is, and in "Dear Dad," illustrated by Natalie Lundeen (Flamingo Books, $9.99), you'll read a love letter to one youngster's father, a gator who is the little guy's "favorite dude."
This is a quick, colorful, adorable, fast-to-read story that's full of love and appreciation for fathers, and it's not just for preschool kiddos, ages 3-to-5. If you're an adult, it would be a heartfelt, tear-jerker of a gift for your dad or grandpa, too.
For the child who loves doing things with Pop, then "Haircut Day with Dad" by Monica Mikai (Crown, $18.99) is a book they'll want.
Yep, it's time: his hair has grown a little shaggy and a little boy needs a haircut. He and Dad want to look good, so they head to the barber shop to make sure they do. It's a day well spent, too, and breakfast is first, because you can't have a haircut on an empty stomach.
At the barber shop, the usual barbers are working and Dad sees some of his friends. They "settle in and wait" for their turn. Barbers are like magicians, and the boy and his dad feel like kings with capes around their necks. Pretty soon, they're looking "fly," which is what you should do: fly out and find this adorable book just for boys ages 5-to-8.
OK, but what if you don't have a dad? Or he's not the dad you want? Then "Just Right" by Torrey Maldonado, illustrated by Teresa Martinez (Nancy Paulsen Books, $18.99) is exactly the book you want.
Toby is sad. He picked out a special pair of socks for his dad as a gift, but his father kind of ignored him. The socks were just another pair of socks to him, and Ma said that wasn't right. Neither was a nearby playground that was forever under construction, or the broken glass on his neighborhood's sidewalks, or the dirt or the noise outside his door.
None of that is right, not at all.
But you know what was right? His mother's brother, his uncle, who loves Toby so very obviously, and makes him feel special and exactly, a hundred percent right.
And that's what you'll think about this moving book: it's what you want for your 4-to-9-year old, especially if there's no dad or grandfather in the picture this Father's Day.
If your child wants more books about Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, or any other special man in their life, then head to your favorite library or bookstore and ask for help. The staff there will steer you toward the exact books you want for kids of any age and any situation, for birthday, Father's Day, or every day of the year. WI
horoscopes
LIFESTYLE
JUNE 11 - 17, 2026
ARIES The clarity you've been waiting on isn't coming from the outside — you already have enough to move. A relationship that felt strained last week has more give in it than the tension suggested; test it. Something you dismissed as a distraction is carrying a real idea inside it worth pulling out. The version of the plan you keep refining is better than you're admitting. Lucky Numbers: 7, 33, 61
TAURUS The comfort you've been guarding has started to function as a ceiling — decide what you want more. A conversation you've been circling finally has the right entry point this week; use it before the window closes. Someone who seemed like an obstacle is actually moving in the same direction you are. What's been sitting on your back burner is ready to come forward. Lucky Numbers: 3, 44, 78
GEMINI The idea you floated without fully committing to it is getting traction whether you're ready or not — get ready. A pattern you broke earlier this year is trying to reassert itself; you'll recognize it faster this time. Something you've been explaining too much doesn't need that much explanation — say it plainly. Lucky Numbers: 12, 38, 67
CANCER The thing you keep framing as a sacrifice has become part of your identity in ways worth examining. A slow build you've been frustrated with is closer to its payoff than the pace has made it feel. Someone you underestimated in a professional context is about to show you exactly why you shouldn't have. What you call overthinking sometimes is called thoroughness by everyone watching. Lucky Numbers: 9, 41, 73
LEO The praise you've been shaping your efforts around is the wrong metric — the work is better than the applause has been. A plan you shelved out of practicality deserves a second look with fresh eyes; the obstacle that stopped it may have cleared. Someone in your orbit is carrying a resentment they haven't voiced and you already know what it's about. Lucky Numbers: 18, 52, 84
VIRGO The efficiency you've built into your process has a blind spot in it and this week is a good time to find it yourself before someone else does. A yes you gave too quickly is worth revisiting before it becomes a commitment you can't walk back. Something you've been drafting in your head is ready for a real draft. The help being offered isn't charity — it's practical and it's available. Lucky Numbers: 6, 27, 71
LIBRA The thing you've been calling impossible is actually just inconvenient — and inconvenient you can work with. A dynamic in a close relationship that's been slightly off is ready to be named and adjusted. Something you accomplished quietly last month is about to get a more public accounting. The instinct you keep overriding with logic is not wrong; it's early. Lucky Numbers: 14, 46, 80
SCORPIO The discomfort you've been sitting with isn't a sign that something's wrong — it's a sign that something is changing, and that's what you actually wanted. A project that lost momentum over the past few weeks has a natural re-entry point this week; take it. Someone who held a position against yours is softening without announcing it. What you're protecting by staying quiet is worth less than what you'd gain by speaking. Lucky Numbers: 22, 50, 77
SAGITTARIUS The version of the future you keep returning to in your head is a direction, not a destination — start treating it that way. An uncomfortable truth you've been circling with humor is worth meeting directly this week; you're equipped for it. Something you let go of last season is no longer available to go back to, which is more clarifying than it is a loss. The energy you've been spending managing an impression would return more invested elsewhere. Lucky Numbers: 16, 39, 69
CAPRICORN The progress you've been making without announcing it is real, measurable, and about to stop being invisible. A decision you made under pressure several months ago is producing results that vindicate the instinct even if the process was uncomfortable. Someone who hasn't been pulling their weight in a shared effort is aware of it; the situation is closer to self-correcting than it looks. What you've been postponing as a form of self-protection is the next step. Lucky Numbers: 10, 56, 83
AQUARIUS The idea you almost didn't bring up was the one most worth bringing up — file that lesson for the next time the impulse to stay quiet rises. A collaboration that started as an experiment is ready to be formalized. Something you said plainly was received better than you expected; you've been underestimating your directness as a strength. The freedom you've been imagining as a future reward is partially available right now. Lucky Numbers: 25, 45, 76
PISCES The emotional weight you've been carrying as a default setting is not structural — it can be put down. A creative project that's been stalled at the outline stage is ready to move past it; the outline is good enough. Something you've been giving the benefit of the doubt for too long finally shows its shape this week, and it's not the shape you were hoping for. The care you extend so readily to others has an inward direction available too. Lucky Numbers: 4, 34, 64
SPORTS
DC Defenders Head Back To UFL Championship as Host, Championship Welcomes Former Howard Standout Back To The DMV
By Skylar Nelson WI Contributing Writer
The DC Defenders are headed back to the UFL Championship and this time, they’ll play for a title on their home field.
After finishing the regular season with a 5-5 record, the Defenders pulled off a postseason upset on June 7, defeating the top-seeded Orlando Storm 28-22 and securing a spot in the league’s championship game.
“God is beyond amazing… these guys showed a lot of grit, a lot of resiliency,” said Defenders Head Coach Shannon Harris. “These last few weeks that we’ve played have been tough, grinded out games. But we just knew that if we just [had to eliminate] our mistakes and give ourselves a chance to get to the end of the game. We felt really good about winning the game.”
Orlando entered the postseason with an 8-2 record as the No. 1 seed, having swept the Defenders in the regular season, 27-19 in Orlando in week
nine and 29-23 in D.C. in week 10. Those victories came for the Storm against a Defenders team that was without starting quarterback Jordan Ta'amu, who was ruled out with a season-ending injury after week eight. But with a championship berth on the line, the Defenders managed to flip the script when it mattered most. “In D.C. it’s a winning tradition and two games doesn’t disrupt that. So we knew our culture,” said Defenders’ defensive tackle Casey Rogers. “We knew that with Coach Blake Williams our goal is to physically assault, mentally assault the quarterback within the rules of the game… Once that whistle blew it was a brand new game, those two games didn’t matter it was playoffs, this is game seven mentality. It was fun, it was cool to see things [go our way] but that’s a test for us. I mean we dropped four but like I said [it’s a winning tradition].”
WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5 Defenders’ quarterback Jason Bean makes a pass in the team’s 29-23 week 10 loss to the Orlando Storm at Audi Field on May 31. The Defenders defeated the Storm 28-22 on June 7. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)
CAPTURE the moment
District of Columbia Public Schools hosted the third annual Graduation on Wheels on May 29, celebrating 300 second graders across the nation’s capital. A partnership between DC Bike Ride, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Events DC, and JK Moving, the ceremony honored the young graduates of the District’s “Biking in the Park” curriculum, where students learn rider safety and enhance skill sets as part of physical education programming. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
RELIGION
Survey: One in Three Americans Trust AI as Much as a Pastor
The Rise of AI is Creating A New Challenge for Churches, Especially Black Congregations Built on Relationships, Community and Pastoral
By Rev. Dorothy Boulware Word in Black
This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation's leading Black news publishers (of which The Informer is a member) and slightly edited for clarity.
When Black Americans wrestle with hard questions or crises — grief, addiction, loneliness, illness, broken marriages, racial violence, or simple uncertainty about what comes next — they often look to a pastor for the answers.
Care Challenge for the Black Church
Now, research indicates a growing number of Americans are more willing to consult an AI chatbot instead.
According to a new survey from Gloo, a faith-tech company, and Barna Group, a Christian research firm, nearly one-third of American adults say spiritual advice from artificial intelligence is as trustworthy as guidance from a pastor. That figure rises to roughly 40% among Millennials and Gen Z adults, suggesting that younger Americans increasingly see AI as a source of spiritual counsel — not just a tool for writing emails and conducting research.
Daniel Copeland, vice president of research at Barna Group, said the survey indicates a tension within the church as artificial intelligence sweeps into nearly every facet of daily life. Though most practicing Christians are wary of AI as a spiritual tool, “their views are shifting and remain largely uninformed by their pastor.” And, he says, there’s evidence that many pastors are struggling to keep pace.
While four in 10 practicing Christians report using AI for prayer, Bible study, or spiritual growth, only a small share of pastors say they feel comfortable teaching about the technology, according to the study. That gap between congregational use and pastoral understanding may become one of the defining challenges of ministry in the next decade.
Experts say the shift presents a unique challenge for Black Christians.
Historically, the Black church has been more than a place of worship. It has served as a political headquarters, counseling center, social service agency, and foundation for civil rights organizing and community gathering.
At the same time, Black churches have often been early adopters of digital ministry, from livestreamed worship services to online Bible studies and virtual prayer circles. Researchers studying Black churches say congregations have increasingly embraced technology to maintain community and spiritual connection, particularly since the pandemic.
But unlike livestreaming or social media, artificial intelligence replicates parts of the ministry. That raises concerns for many Black Christians, whose faith traditions emphasize testimony, personal relationships, discernment, and community accountability.
3 A new survey reveals nearly one-third of American adults say spiritual advice from artificial intelligence is as trustworthy as guidance from a pastor. (WI File Photo/Robert
son sees something deeper at work.
“We’re looking for quick answers to solve complex problems,” Dawson wrote. “AI is a great tool when used ethically, but you can never replace the value in human interaction, especially in regard to crucial advice.”
‘Use AI for Good’
For Dawson, the concern is theological as much as technological.
Deep Divisions
Researchers have also found that AI systems often struggle with religion itself, frequently omitting faith perspectives in situations where believers expect them and exhibiting measurable bias when discussing religious traditions. Yet nearly half of practicing Christians say they would trust AI to help with spiritual growth, even as large majorities of the faithful also worry about AI misinterpreting scripture, replacing pastors, or even undermining faith itself.
Put simply, Christians increasingly use the technology while simultaneously fearing its consequences.
Earlier research from Gloo found church leaders remain deeply divided about AI’s role in ministry. More than half expressed serious ethical concerns about artificial intelligence, and nearly half said they were uncomfortable with its use in church settings.
“The data reveals that church leaders are quite split in their opinions on the role of AI in the Church and how they are reading the terrain,” said Savannah Kimberlin, associate vice president at Barna Group.
The debate became especially vivid in responses to a Facebook post about the research.
Quick Answers, Complex Problems
“I think it depends on what you are looking for,” said the Rev. Ronald Covington, executive pastor of The Hill in Jessup, Maryland. “If you just want information, sometimes AI may be more informed than some pastors.”
But Covington draws a clear line between information and wisdom.
“If you are looking for personal guidance, nothing can take the place of a godly man or woman who hears from God and knows you as a person.”
Minister-in-training Meisha Daw-
“The Holy Spirit is supposed to guide us into all truth,” she wrote. “AI is still a machine that can be trained to give advice, but it’s not a vehicle used by the Holy Spirit.”
Others see less contradiction between faith and technology.
Erricka Bridgeford, executive director of the Baltimore Community Mediation Center, argues that God has long worked through human-created tools.
“God uses prayer and doctors’ hands to heal us,” Bridgeford wrote. “God uses journaling, therapists, and medications to heal us. So it follows that if humans use AI for good, it will deliver good.”
Still, the Rev. Thomas Rich remains skeptical of AI as a substitute for spiritual counsel.
Human pastors, he argues, listen for far more than words. They read body language, tone, emotion and silence.
“Words typed into a computer communicate what you want AI to spit out to you,” Rich said.
High Stakes
Those concerns mirror what researchers increasingly find. While AI can generate impressive answers, studies suggest it often misses religious nuance and struggles to understand how faith communities approach moral questions, grief and spiritual formation.
For Black Christians, the stakes may be especially high.
The Black church has survived slavery, segregation, Jim Crow, and political backlash by creating relationships and a shared community. A chatbot may answer a question about scripture in seconds, but it can’t visit a hospital bedside, organize a voter-registration drive, comfort a grieving family or stand beside a congregant during life’s darkest moments.
That reality may ultimately determine how far AI can go in the sanctuary. WI
R. Roberts)
We often look at the world around us and wonder if our daily labor truly matters. When you pour your heart into your career, your family or your community, it is easy to feel unappreciated. However, spiritual law and human achievement both agree on a single, powerful truth: You must give the best of your service, no matter who is watching.
This timeless principle is beautifully captured in the classic hymn written by the legendary Lucie Eddie Campbell. This song was composed in 1933 for the annual gathering of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., and quickly became one of the all-time Convention favorites.
Her songs became gospel standards, sung by all races and creeds. Campbell had the distinction of having composed the second-most popular song in all of Black Christendom after Thomas A. Dorsey's "Precious Lord" — which is, of course, "He'll Understand and Say Well Done." It begins with:
"If when you give the best of your service, telling the world that the Savior is come; be not dismayed when they do not believe you; He understands, He'll say, 'Well done.'"
This song reminds us that our ultimate accountability is not to public applause, but to God. When we reach the end of our journey, weary from the battles of life, the ultimate reward is hearing the Creator say, "Well done."
The master key is this: "We must always give more than we are paid for."
To understand how to give this level of service in our daily lives, we can look to Napoleon Hill, the pioneer of personal success philosophy who wrote "Think and Grow Rich." One of Hill's foundational steps to success is the habit of "going the extra mile." Hill discovered that the most success-
WITH LYNDIA GRANT
Giving the Best of Your Service the religion corner
ful people intentionally render more service, and better quality service, than they are ever paid to do.
When you make it a habit to give your absolute best, you set a mental and spiritual law into motion. Hill noted that this habit develops an unstoppable initiative, builds a powerful reputation and ultimately makes you indispensable. You do not wait for a raise or recognition to work hard; you work hard first, and the rewards naturally follow.
God has given us the divine promise that once we have done our part, just watch what God does with your work. While Napoleon Hill explained the psychological and practical rewards of excellent service, Holy Scripture reveals the divine promises attached to our labor. God does not leave our hard work unrewarded. When you do the work assigned to your hand with excellence, Scripture shows exactly what God will do for you:
God multiplies your effort. When you give your best, God increases your capacity and your territory.
Scripture: "Do you see a man excel in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men." — Proverbs 22:29
God promises a financial and spiritual harvest. Your service is a seed. When you plant excellent seeds, God guarantees a bountiful return.
Scripture: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." — Galatians 6:9
God personally repays your labor.
Even if an employer, clubs, sororities, a friend or a critic ignores your dedication, God keeps the books. Your ultimate paycheck comes from Heaven. Scripture: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward." — Colossians 3:23-24
Therefore, we must all carry our crosses with confidence. If you are feeling drained or discouraged today because your efforts seem unnoticed, take comfort in Lucie Eddie Campbell's moving refrain:
"Oh, when I come to the end of my journey, weary of life and the battle is won, carrying the staff and the cross of redemption, He'll understand and say, 'Well done.'"
Human beings may misunderstand your motives. Critics may downplay your achievements. But God understands the weight of the cross you are carrying. Keep going the extra mile. Keep putting your highest signature of excellence on everything you touch. Do the work assigned to your hand with joy and integrity, knowing that your labor in the Lord is never in vain.
My testimony behind this message is that this column is not just a collection of inspiring words; it is a blueprint lived out by me, the author of this weekly column. Many of you know me as a voice of encouragement, but my faith was forged in the fires of tremendous struggle. WI
Read more on washiungoninformer.com.
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All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Jeffrey Gordon, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed
Personal Representative of the estate of Bruce Barth who died on July 29, 2024 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/28/2026. 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 11/28/2026, 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 first publication: 5/28/2026
Jeffrey Gordon, Esq. Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000530
Gwendolyn E. Bonnick aka Gwendolyn Elizabeth Bonnick aka Gwendolyn Elizabeth Allen Bonnick Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Cecil H. Allen, whose address is 14631 Deerhurst Terrace, #215-B, Silver Spring, MD 20906, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gwendolyn E. Bonnick aka Gwendolyn Elizabeth Bonnick aka Gwendolyn Elizabeth Allen Bonnick who died on 8/26/2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Cecil H. Allen
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000551
James V. Janifer
Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Cheryl LaRoche, whose address is 5333 Strathmore Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James V. Janifer who died on May 8, 2011 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/28/2026. 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 11/28/2026, 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 first publication: 5/28/2026
Cheryl LaRoche
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000563
Jacqueline D. Thompson Decedent
Murray D. Scheel
DC Bar Pro Bono Center 901 4th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Deborah Bethel-Patterson, whose address is 1418 Allison Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jacqueline D. Thompson who died on March 4, 2021 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Deborah Bethel-Patterson Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000577
Joan Martin
Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Mathew Martin, whose address is 539 LeBaum Street SE, Washington DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joan Martin who died on 4/15/2026 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Mathew Martin
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000515
Lillie Mae Wright aka Lillie M. Wright Decedent
Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Ethel Dean, whose address is 3108 Lyndale Place, SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lillie Mae Wright aka Lillie M. Wright who died on May 30, 2018 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Ethel Dean Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens
Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000558
Avena R. Tavlarides aka Avena Tavlarides Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Adriane Lattimore, whose address is 16012 Wallingford Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20906, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Avena R. Tavlarides aka Avena Tavlarides who died on 8/17/2024 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Adriane Lattimore
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000492
Nejdeh Aslanian aka Nejdeh Aslanian Avanesians aka Nejdeh H. Aslanian aka Nejdeh A. Aslanian Decedent
Adam S. Abramowitz, Esq. 9711 Washingtonian Blvd., Ste 550 Gaithersburg, MD 20878 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Fred I. Sahakian, whose address is 121 Aspen Drive, State College, PA 16827, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nejdeh Aslanian aka Nejdeh Aslanian Avanesians aka Nejdeh H. Aslanian aka Nejdeh A. Aslanian who died on 3/1/2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Fred I. Sahakian Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000523
Geraldine W. Drake aka Geraldine Drake Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Donna Drake-Clark, whose address is 8113 Ellen Way, Savage MD 20763, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Geraldine W. Drake aka Geraldine Drake who died on December 9, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Donna Drake-Clark Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000575
Paul James Lomax Decedent
Sharon Legall, Esq. 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Gladys Lomax Thompson, whose address is 803 Maggie Walker Ave., Richmond VA 23222, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Paul James Lomax who died on July 2, 2019 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/4/2026. 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 12/4/2026, 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 first publication: 6/4/2026
Gladys Lomax Thompson Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000560
Connie Lawrence Relacion Decedent
David A. Lucas, Esq.
Landsman Law Group
200-A Monroe Street, Suite 110 Rockville, MD 20850
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Iluminada Relacion Williams, whose address is 3542 Hertford Place, NW, Washington DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Connie Lawrence Relacion who died on 1/14/2026 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., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/11/2026. 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 12/11/2026, 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 first publication: 6/11/2026
Iluminada Relacion Williams Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2026 ADM 000610
Estate of Louise Elizabeth Stewart aka Louise E. Stewart
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Jeffrey Louis Stewart Sr. for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.
In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative
Date of first publication: 6/11/2026
Jeffrey Louis Stewart Sr. 1812 Billings Ave. Capital Heights, MD 20743
Petitioner/Attorney:
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
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the organization’s lackluster attempt at voter engagement.
“I’m saying that as somebody who went to Atlantic City in 1964, when the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party confronted the Democratic Party,” French told The Informer. “In 1968, I was at the Democratic Convention in Chicago, where everybody got beaten up and arrested. The commitment of the Democratic Party, as a result of those two conventions, has been to be the Big Tent Party, and that’s what the Democratic Party is supposed to stand for.”
Soon after the candidates forum, the Ward 1 Democrats conducted its endorsement meeting in April and its convention in May. In speaking about outreach efforts, Ward 1 Democrats chair Alex Baca told The Informer that the organization provides advanced notice about events on its website and via an email list and social media.
Baca, however, did acknowledge that any methods beyond that, including flyers, mailers, text and phone banking, and “research and correspondence” with other groups, often requires funding and manpower that the Ward 1 Democrats cannot leverage.
“Our [outreach efforts] are no more or less extensive than any other ward Democrats clubs' efforts to ensure diverse representation at any event,” Baca wrote in an email, “whether it is a regular meeting, forum, or convention, and is in some instances more extensive than the D.C. Democrats' outreach, which veers from light to nonexistent.”
As the Ward 1 Democrats navigate an unprecedented and consequential election season, French and other affiliates are speaking out against Aparna Raj, a democratic socialist who’s running for the Ward 1 D.C. Council seat. During the latter part of May, French and more than a dozen other Ward 1 community members released an open letter warning constituents against voting for Raj, calling her commitment to the party questionable at best.
“I'm just not an expert on the democratic socialists,” French said, “but I think that there's a contradiction on holding yourself out there as in calling yourself a democratic socialist but saying you're running as a Democrat and never having even participated in the Democratic Party.”
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MALVEAUX from Page 22
as savvy businessmen.
A poor woman receiving excess food stamps is treated like a criminal mastermind. Billionaires gaming the tax code are called "smart."
America still punishes poverty more aggressively than it punishes corruption.
That is why the debate over IRS enforcement matters so much. Efforts to strengthen tax enforcement against wealthy tax evasion provoke immediate political backlash. Politicians rage about "government overreach" when auditors examine millionaires, but remain silent while ordinary taxpayers face penalties and garnishments over comparatively tiny sums.
There are effectively two tax systems in America — one for people with lawyers and one for people without them.
Trump did not create that system. He understands it instinctively because he has benefited from it for decades. But his presidency has accelerated something even more corrosive: the collapse of ethical expectations altogether.
INGRAM from Page 22
what organizers describe as a transformative justice lens, focusing on healing rather than punishment and creating equitable wellness opportunities for marginalized communities.
Its REBUILD program specifically supports justice-involved and formerly incarcerated people of color through free therapy and wellness support, while the REBUILD Youth program focuses on young people impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs.
For Rudolph, therapy became life-changing after decades of incarceration and years of rejection after returning home.
"Came home in 2015, started my
from Page 22
controversial, and therefore, bad for business."
Kaepernick was not blackballed from the league because of his lack of skills, injuries, or salary demands. He was ostracized because he became a financial liability.
"For many owners, it always came back to the same thing," Lockhart wrote. "Signing Kaepernick, they thought, was bad for business. An executive from one team that considered signing Kaepernick told me the team projected losing 20% of their season ticket holders if they did. That was a
Conflicts of interest barely register anymore. Foreign money moves through luxury properties and investment vehicles. Campaign funds circulate through politically connected businesses. Political branding and family enrichment now operate side by side with governance itself, and Americans are increasingly expected to accept all this as normal.
This is neither normal nor harmless; it is dangerous.
A democracy cannot function when citizens conclude that public office is simply another avenue for private enrichment. Once people stop believing government serves any public purpose, cynicism replaces citizenship. Voters disengage. Institutions weaken. Democracy itself becomes transactional, and transactions always favor the wealthy.
What worries me most is not merely Trump himself, but the national adjustment surrounding him. Americans are not embracing the circus so much as surrendering to it. The daily chaos creates a numbing effect. Every scandal competes with five others. Every out-
own computer company, investing in real estate, did the normal thing and got some jobs here and there and was met with rejection after rejection and people telling me I am not a good person," Rudolph shared. "Even had a rejection in church."
He said one of the hardest battles became overcoming the mental barriers created during incarceration.
"I got in touch with a couple of friends, and they explained to me how I had to get over the mental hurdles and get rid of the way my prison mindset was in order to survive and become successful," he said.
Rudolph later moved to North Carolina hoping for a fresh start, but the struggle continued.
"Things were looking bad," he said.
business risk no team was willing to take, whether the owner was a Trump supporter or a bleeding-heart liberal. As bad of an image problem it presented for the league and the game, no owner was willing to put the business at risk over this issue."
Looking back, I personally believe he should have strategically used his platform as an NFL player in speaking out against racial injustice and police brutality, but his method underestimated the fan reaction when he invaded the political safe zone on game day with controversial social issues. It arguably led to Kaepernick losing his promising NFL career and not being
rage is replaced before citizens can fully absorb its implications.
Exhaustion itself becomes a political strategy, because if the public remains overwhelmed long enough, accountability begins to erode. People stop asking, "Is this acceptable?" and begin asking only, "What happened today?"
That shift in public consciousness is profoundly dangerous.
History teaches us that republics rarely collapse in one dramatic moment. More often, they are hollowed out gradually — one indulgence, one rationalization, one ethical compromise at a time.
The presidency is not supposed to be a family inheritance project, a licensing operation, or a speculative investment vehicle. Public office is supposed to involve public trust.
Yet public trust is eroding rapidly. The grift matters. But the greater danger is the national numbness surrounding it.
History will not judge us solely by the corruption we tolerated. It will judge us by how quickly we became accustomed to it. WI
"Could not get a job. The struggle was real."
Eventually, therapy and support through organizations like Darkness RISING helped begin his healing process. He said working alongside other justice-involved men through therapy gave him the ability to rebuild mentally while finding community with people who understood his experiences.
Stories like Rudolph's reflect the foundation behind Darkness RISING's mission: ensuring people feel seen, supported, and worthy of healing regardless of their background or circumstances.
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re-signed by any other team in the league.
Recently, the New York Giants' starting quarterback was another NFL player who misjudged a politically sensitive situation by introducing President Trump at a MAGA rally. Jaxson Dart's decision will not cost him his job and career, but it did result in backlash from a different perspective: The public backlash came from those defending the Black cause, including one of his New York Giants teammates.
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MARSHALL
CROWELL from Page 23
moves toward a majority-minority future, closing these gaps is not just a moral imperative — it is an economic one," said Sara Weiss, executive director of JBI and a report co-author.
But homeownership, long considered the foundation for building family wealth, remains out of reach for many younger consumers.
According to the National Association of Realtors, the nation's average price to purchase an existing home this past April was $417,700. Regionally, the lowest-priced home purchases were found either in the Midwest at $324,500 or in the South at $366,600. The nation's highest-priced homes at $619,600 were in the West and $510,800 in the Northeast.
Home affordability was also the focus of a recent New York Times editorial citing the vast differences in the ratio between home prices and median household income. In 1950, the median home price in the United States was $7,400 — only 2.5 times the median annual household income.
"But that ratio began surging in the 2000s. Today the median home costs almost five times the median house-
RICCARDI from Page 23 systems continue to impede progress.
"Educational disparities remain entrenched with over five million Black children struggling to read," Dr. Tyner said. "The criminal justice system continues to disproportionately impact the Black community. … Black youth are nearly five times as likely as their white peers to be held in a juvenile facility."
While some progress has been made, change has been slow and has yet to dismantle the major systemic
TULLOSS from Page 23
tial public health services across Los Angeles County. Essential items like groceries and prescription medications would remain exempt, and the measure includes independent audits and public oversight provisions. The measure is expected to generate roughly $1 billion annually to help sustain hospitals, clinics, emergency preparedness, and public health infrastructure.
hold income," states the editorial.
Conventional mortgages, the most affordable and sustainable over the 30-year length of most loans, have the advantage of fixed interest rates, but they require a 20% down payment to access the lowest rates available. Few young consumers can independently afford down payments ranging from $64,900 to $123,920. Smaller down payments may be available but come with higher monthly payments that include mortgage insurance.
For JBI and CRL, timely and decisive actions geared towards practical solutions are essential to overcome today's financial roadblocks.
"The Gen Z and Millennial respondents in this survey are in the formative years when the foundation for wealth is either built or destroyed," states the study. "The consequences of homeownership decisions, saving habits, and credit trajectories being established right now will compound themselves for decades. … Thus, the time for structural reform is not after the demographic transition occurs. It is both before and during it."
Secondly, according to the JBI study, solutions to today's homeownership challenges must incorporate
barriers facing Black communities, particularly in education and the criminal justice system.
Minnesota is far from free of those barriers.
"For many, Minnesota represents the land of milk and honey, as evidenced by high quality-of-life rankings, strong educational outcomes, and economic prosperity," Dr. Tyner said. "Yet for Black Minnesotans, the data tells a completely different story. The state consistently ranks among the worst nationally for racial disparities. Black communities face some
these cuts would cost us far more.
When clinics disappear, people wait until illnesses become emergencies. When preventive care vanishes, suffering increases — and sometimes people who were working can no longer do so. When emergency rooms are overwhelmed, everybody waits longer for lifesaving care. The burden eventually falls hardest on working people who already have the fewest resources and the least margin for crisis.
initiatives for consumers at every stage of life:
"Solutions lie in enacting initiatives to fund downpayment assistance at scale for first generation homebuyers, reforming mortgage policy to expand access, increased funding of small business support and capital access programs in communities of color, uniform adoption of state-sponsored retirement programs that allow individuals access to retirement plans when their employers do not provide them, and a commitment to modernize consumer protections so that they align with the present fintech era. Doing so will prepare us for the America that is coming; failing to do so will leave us stuck in the America that has been."
JBI designs community-informed research that elevates the financial needs, challenges, and opportunities of our increasingly diverse nation to help financial institutions, policymakers and academia effectively design an inclusive financial market for the future.
Just as intentional policies and practices left out communities of color from wealth-building, now is the time to correct course by forging intentional inclusion.
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of the widest gaps in educational achievement, household income, and criminal justice involvement. Minnesota's narrative is not unique from the nation at large, but the disparities here are often more pronounced, creating what many describe as a tale of two Minnesotas."
Dr. Greason also noted significant disparities in Minnesota while pointing out that the state fares somewhat better than its Midwestern peers.
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our rights requires collective action. Today, that same calling remains before us. Measure ER will not solve every healthcare challenge facing Los Angeles County. But it is a necessary step to protect care for millions of residents and preserve a healthcare system that so many families depend on every day. It says that in Los Angeles County, we will not abandon our neighbors when the pressure mounts.
Now, I understand why some people might be skeptical. Many families are already stretched thin by the rising cost of living. But affordability concerns are the exact reason to support Measure ER, because allowing our healthcare system to collapse under the weight of
The Black church has always stood at the intersection of faith and justice. We have never separated our spirituality from community responsibility. Churches were the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement because we have always understood that defending
This June, I urge voters across our churches and communities to vote YES on Measure ER — because dignity matters, because healthcare matters, and because we are called to care for one another by our faith.
