The Washington Informer - March 10, 2016 by The Washington Informer

I N S I D E

Two New Bills Seek to Protect Residents Page 5

VOL. 51, NO. 22 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

MARCH 2016ESS & WELLN HEALTH SUPPLEMENT NUTRITION

EASE KIDNEY DIS AND Y U

PRESENTED

Metro GM Confident Agency Will Improve Page 12

Don’t Miss the WI Health Supplement This Week - Center Section

‘For Colored Girls’ Returns Dad/Daughter Duo Use Art to Enhance Congress Heights Page 15 to District Page 25

Flint Crisis Nearly Lost in Dem Debate

SPONSO

Clinton, Trump Close in on Nomination

Clinton, Sanders Spar Like Republicans

Dem, GOP Frontrunners Score Key Wins

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer If Super Tuesday didn’t clarify both the Democratic and Republican presidential field, the encore on March 8 certainly went a long way in sealing the deal on both sides. Despite an unexpected strong showing from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Michigan, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton inched closer to securing the Democratic nomination for president. Clinton entered the night with 1,160 delegates, a total that includes super delegates, to Sanders’ 503. There are 2,383 delegates needed to clinch the nomination on the Democratic side. Clinton easily beat Sanders in Mississippi where African-American voters were largely credited with supporting the former secretary. Meanwhile, GOP Controversial frontrunner Donald Trump won both the Mississippi and Michigan primaries, easily outdistancing opponents Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

CLINTON Page 11

5 Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-North Carolina), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, addresses the audience

at a press conference Thursday, March 3 at the U.S. Capitol with Senate Democrats and members of the CBC to urge Senate Republicans to meet with the President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee. / Photo by Patricia Little

The Democratic debate between Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Flint, Michigan on Sunday, March 6 took a Republican-like turn as the two candidates spent much of the time hurling unsavory accusations, speaking over one another and otherwise sounding like GOP candidates Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Ru-

FLINT Page 8

Pepco/Exelon Present Alternative Proposal

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Despite growing – if not insurmountable – odds against a merger, Pepco and Exelon on Monday proposed three approaches, any one of which, if approved, would prevent the loss of more than $78 million in direct benefits for the District and Pepco customers. The companies are hoping that their latest proposal, which they claim offers the Public Service Commission considerable flexibility in determining how the funds are allocated to ensure the merger is in the public interest, will allow the companies to finally complete the controversial deal.

“We’re prepared to deliver the benefits of our original merger settlement or to accept all of the terms the Commission concluded would place the merger in the public interest,” Exelon President and CEO Chris Crane said in a news release. “We have also offered a third option that aims to balance the alternate terms the Commission offered in its Feb. 26 order with the views of some of the settling parties on the issue of rate credits to residential customers.” The merger settlement Pepco Holdings and Exelon reached with the District and others in October 2015 set aside $25.6 million to offset residential customer rate increases through March 2019.

PEPCO Page 9

5 Those opposed to the proposed Pepco/Exelon Merger have continued

to voice their position, now the companies have produced an alternative proposal. / Courtesy photo

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WI H O T the T OCycle P I Cof S Women Break Domestic Violence Senate Democrats, CBC Critical of GOP Leaders COMPILED BY D. KEVIN MCNEIR / WI EDITOR

the words of the Senate Democrats and memlaw Citing enforcement. She saidU.S. theyConstitution, threat,” she said. bers of the Congressional Black Caucus held pressprograms conference on ThursWI Staff Writer had come together to bring a Amonga the Marlow day, March 3 urging Senate Republicans to do their job, to stop sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented ignoring are the laws ofviolence the land victims and to commit meeting with the President’s Supreme When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic and tostricter restraining order policies, Court nominee and hold hearings and vote. old daughter told her the father survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families of her daughter threatened her Withusing comments made by Senators E. on Schumer, Horo“She's her own personal to Charles intervene behalf Mazie of a viclife, and the life of their child, story, herTom ownUdall, personal pain to tim, domestic violence no and and Congressmen anda Congresswomen thatassessincluded she knew something had to be push mentJackson, unit coupled with further John forward,” Lewis, G.K.Davis-Nickens Butterfield and Sheila among others, the group done. Out of her frustration said about Marlow. training law enforcement reminded Republicans and the nation that theforConstitution clearly states with enforcement's Davis-Nickens saidtheanyone agencies, a Child's Protecthat law the presidents’ termhandling is four years. They also emphasized Senate’s advice and consent dutyLife on nominations ofshould the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counselbe exercised for that full term. start the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. “Members of the Senate have taken an oath to follow the Constitution – they should not politicize the nomipaign. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradination process,” message we want to leave with the GOP is simple and clear – do your job.” “It seems to beButterfield a vicious said. cycle“Theperson can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must he believes more voters out atthe the book polls because of theatimportance securing a ninth thatSchumer won't said turn my family end will of turn the day, will look both sidesofof the coin. justice in a timely fashion. loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vic“Theher Republican Party suffer greatly in November’s election tim if they trythe to hold up thisMarlow process,” he shared story with thewill audilogue about domesticgeneral violence. and batterer,” said. “Americans will see Heights this for what itAlso is – obstructionism.” ence at the District present at the event was said. Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would also like to see on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise Municipal Center. The sympo- who was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children in F. Kennedy Performing Arts recently announced sium was sponsored by the utiveThe lifeJohn terms withoutCenter parolefor the public and private schools. She expansive, yearlong list of activities marking and honoring the 100th Family and Youth Services byan a Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educatthe birth of its namesake, the latedomestic Presidentviolence. John F. Kennedy. Center of the city of District theanniversary Beltway ofSniper attacks in ed about Heights and the National Hook- 2002. During a press conference on Center’s Mildred Muhammad is Tuesday, “WeMarch have 8,tothe stop beingpresident, pasUp of Black Women. theDeborah founderF.ofRutter, After the Trauma, shared highlights that will continue illustrate sive-aggressive with to poor chil- the Marlow has written a book, anCenter’s organization helps that the explores, dren about domestic violence,” goal to that be a place challenges and truly reflects the “Color Me Butterfly,” which is a survivors of domestic violence Marlow said. contemporary spirit of America. story about four generations of and The theirCentennial children. celebration honoringMarlow hasKennedy workedwill to kick break President off on domestic violence. The ceremony book is and “I livedMillennium in fear for six years. Six the Activities cycle of abuse in her throughout family, May 29 with an evening special State performance. will continue inspired by her own experiences, years in fear is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she the year and culminate with an open house and street festival on May 29, 2017. and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that other dramatic Rutter said three new artistic partners have been pegged to lead Center-wide her Inmother and herannouncements, daughter. of,” she said. process. artistic community initiatives: Ma, ReneeMuhammad Fleming and Q-Tip. She saidandevery time she reads Yo-YoMildred said “I plan to take these policies to Q-Tip, a renowned hip-hop and former group Tribe Called willthem serve to as the excerpts from her book, she stillartistpeople whomember want of to the help a “ACongress andQuest,” implore Center’s first Artistic Director for Hip Hop Culture. can not believe the words came domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. “With constantly changing evolving, it isthey easygo to into forget the history precede from her. hip-hop “Color Me Butterfly” be and careful of how “I will notand stoplegacy untilthat these poli- it,” Q-Tip said. “I want to begin“Best at the beginning of thelife, culture help people seecies its roots, better understand its present won the 2007 National the victim's and to understand are passed.” Books” Award. create its future.” that she may be in “survival and responsibly Tia Carol Jones can be reached “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm going lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI The Davis-Nickens, National Newspaper Elaine presi- Publishers Association [NNPA] and the dent of theAssociation National Hook-Up National of Hispanic Publications [NAHP] have teamed ofup Black said there is noBlack Press Week and legislative summit, for Women, the NNPA’s annual consistency in at thethe way taking place Wdomestic Hotel in Northwest and other local venues March violence 9 – 11. issues are dealt with by Scheduled activities include: an enshrinement ceremony of distinguished Black publishers; an awards dinner honoring Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Thomas A. Morehead, Melanie Campbell and Major General Charles F. Bolden, Jr.; a visit to the White House; and a panel discussing the best practices in STEM. Denise Rolark Barnes, Washington Informer publisher and NNPA chairwoman, repeated the words of Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm, publishers of the nation’s first Black newspaper, “Freedom’s Journal,” on March 16, 1827:“We wish to plead our own case,” the editors wrote. “Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentation in things which concern us dearly.” Rolark Barnes wrote: “We realize that as publishers and business owners of the Black Press of America that we have all come here by faith. Our journey of faith began with two free men, Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm, who laid the first stone on the path we follow by publishing the nation’s first African-American newspaper. Their articles, editorials, cartoons, sermons, bios and advertisements included arguments for the abolishment of slavery and the expressed pride in the accomplishment of the African-American community. Our faith also rests in the mission of John H. Marlow Sengstacke, publisher of the Chicago Defender, who led the effort to bring togetherL.Y. a group of African-American newspaper publishers for a meeting in 1940 designed for “harmonizing our energies in the common purpose for the benefit of Negro journalism.” Out of that meeting grew the NNPA which celebrated 75 years last year . . . Lastly, but most importantly, our faith endures in our readers. They continue to grow in numbers because they trust the Black Press, and they know that we are determined to disseminate credible, thorough and effectual coverage and opinions concerning the issues / www.washingtoninformer.com that impact them the most. Thus we are gathered together this week under the theme: ‘Publishing Industry: Equity, Sustainability and Service’ which only means through faith, we will continue our work as the Black Press of America.” By Tia Carol Jones

Q-Tip Appointed to Direct Kennedy Center Hip-Hop Initiative

Wilhelmina J. Rolark In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. PUBLISHER Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Denise Rolark Barnes NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is NEWSPAPER THE WASHINGTON INFORMER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published published weekly on each Thursday. weekly on Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional Periodicals WashingSTAFF mailingpostage offices. paid Newsat and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. ton, Announcements D.C. and additional of- two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The must mailing be received D. Kevin McNeir, Editor fices.Washington News and Informer. advertising Alldeadline rights reserved. POST MASTER: Send change of addressRon Burke, Advertising/ Marketing Director is Monday to publication. Anes to Theprior Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, nouncements mustNobepart received two Shevry Photowithout Editorwritten permisD.C. 20032. of this publication may Lassiter, be reproduced weeks prior to the event. Copyright sion from publisher. The2016 Informer Newspaper cannotIV, guarantee return of Lafayette Barnes, Assistantthe Photo Editor by photographs. The Washington Informer. Subscription ratesAll are $30 per year, two years $45. Papers will be received John E. De Freitas, Sports Photo Editor rights POSTMASTER: Send notreserved. more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther THE WASHINGTON INFORMERDesign & Layout ZebraDesigns.net, King, Jr. Ave., S.E.Martin Washington, D.C. Jr. Ave., S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20032 3117 Luther King, Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Phone: 202 20032. No part of this publication may561-4100 • Fax: 202 574-3785 Mickey Thompson, E-mail: news@washingtoninformer.comSocial Sightings columnist be reproduced without written permiswww.washingtoninformer.com sion from the publisher. The Informer Stacey Palmer, Social Media Specialist Newspaper cannot guarantee the return Angie Johnson, Circulation of photographs. Subscription rates are PUBLISHER $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will Denise Rolark Barnes be received not more than a week after REPORTERS STAFF REPORTERS publication. Make checks payable to: Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K.

Brooke N. Garner Managing Editor Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell, Ferguson, (Prince Peay Assistant Managing Collins, Editor Eve Odell B. Ruffin,Will LarryFord Saxton, THECarla WASHINGTON INFORMER Burke and Marketing Mary Wells, JosephElton Young Hayes, D. George’s County Writer), 3117Ron Martin Luther King,Advertising Jr. Ave., S.E Mable Whittaker Bookkeeper Washington, D.C. 20032 Kevin McNeir, Dorothy Rowley, Kia Croom, LaNita Wrenn Administration PHOTOGRAPHERS Phone: 202 561-4100 John E. De Freitas Sports Joya EditorPatel,Lafayette IV, Sarafina Wright Rachel Barnes, Sudduth, Fax:Victor 202 Holt 574-3785 Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, (General Assignment Writer) news@washingtoninformer.com Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic Design Joanne Jackson, Roy Lewis, Robert www.washingtoninformer.com Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster Ridley, Victor Holt

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Black, Hispanic Publishers and Writers Convene in District

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our laws. I will not stop until these policies are passed.

“

In Memoriam

The Washington Informer Dr. Calvin Newspaper W. Rolark, Sr.

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AROUND THE REGION

Two New Bills Seek to Protect Residents By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer

which have laws limiting late fees to 5 percent or less.

At-Large Councilmembers Anita Bonds and Elissa Silverman recently introduced legislation that have the potential to greatly impact the lives of District residents in a positive way. Bonds, chairperson of the Committee on Housing and Community Development, sponsored the Rental Housing Late Fee Fairness Amendment Act of 2016 which would limit late fee charges to no more than five percent of a tenant’s monthly rent. “This needed bill will provide over 125,000 rental units with new protections against unscrupulous landlords and outrageous late fees when they fall behind on their monthly rental payments,” Bonds said. The bill would guarantee fair and uniform standards on all housing providers. It would also specifically define a late payment as any amount of rent that is not paid within 10 days from the time a rent payment is due. Currently, landlords in the District have no limits on the late fee which they can charge. Bonds said she wants to take the “extraordinary burden” off of low-income residents that late fees can cause. Currently, some housing providers charge a late fee not only for the month that a payment is missed, but each month thereafter until the tenant becomes current on all late fees. The bill would prohibit such practices. Bonds said that passage of the bill would put the District in line with other states such as Maryland, Maine and North Carolina

WHO SHOULD PAY COST OVERRUNS?

Silverman introduced Wizards Practice Facility Cost Containment Act of 2016 that would establish a cap on District taxpayer dollars for the proposed Wizards practice facility at St. Elizabeths in Southeast. Co-introduced by Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau [Ward 1], Mary Cheh [Ward 3], Kenyan McDuffie [Ward 5], David Grosso [At-Large] and Bonds, the legislation proposes that only Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the company that owns the Wizards, or another private entity, should pay any additional expenses that exceed the $50 million cap. “District tax dollars don’t grow on trees,” Silverman said. “If we have to pay cost overruns in the millions of dollars, that is less money for school modernization, new ambulances and fire trucks, new recreation centers, and other needed infrastructure – especially in Ward 8.” Silverman said in a printed statement that the current contract between the District, Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Events DC – the city’s sports and convention center authority – does not currently provide protection for District taxpayers from cost overruns. “We have an obligation to District residents and businesses to use their funds as responsibly and efficiently as possible,” she said. “This will hold both ourselves and our construction partners accountable and it will make the costs of the project transparent.” WI

5Councilmembers Silverman and Bonds have introduced important new legislation. / Courtesy photo

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Sports Photos by John De Freitas

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AROUND THE REGION WEEK OF MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

Black Facts MARCH 3

BUILD YOUR IMAGE, ONE SIGN AT A TIME 8930 Brookville Rd Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-273-3462 signarama-silverspring.com

Building & Office Signs Banners/Flags Vehicle & Window Graphics Trade Show Displays Graphic Design, Logos & More MBE/DBE Certified Woman-Owned Business

1913 – The “greatest conductor of the Underground Railroad,” Harriet Tubman, dies on this day in Auburn, New York. Born in slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland, in 1819 or 1820, Harriet was raised in harsh conditions, including being whipped as a small child. But even as a child she was a person of strong will and principle. 1972 – The first modern National Black Political Convention began on this day in Gary, Indiana. It drew over 3,000 delegates and 500 observers as well as participation from just about every major Black political and civil rights organization in the nation. However, some moderate civil rights groups, like the NAACP, withdrew after the convention adopted resolutions critical of busing and Israeli racism against the Palestinians. 2010 – Researchers at the University of New Hampshire declare 2010 the “tipping point” year when, for the first time in history, the number of babies born to minority women outnumbered the number born to White women. They project that the nation’s population will be majority Hispanic, Black and Asian in 40 years.

MARCH 11

1959 – Lorraine Hansberry’s play “A Raisin in the Sun” opens on Broadway at the Barrymore Theatre with Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in the starring roles. With 530 performances, the play became the longest-running African-American written play in Broadway history. It was also the first Broadway hit written by an African-American woman. It became a movie in 1961. Hansberry’s promising career was cut short by cancer in 1965. She was only 34.

Stacey Brown

“Chief Image Builder”

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BUYING RECORDS

MARCH 12

1791 – Benjamin Banneker and Pierre Charles L’Enfant are commissioned to lay out the District of Columbia. 1945 – New York was the first state to establish a Fair Employment Practices Commission. 1964 - Malcolm X resigned from the Nation of Islam.

MARCH 13

1773 – African-American merchant Jean Baptiste Point du Sable established the first permanent settlement at ‘Skikai-o,’ meaning “the place of wild onions,’ and is now known as Chicago, Illinois. 1932 – The Atlanta Daily World, the first Black daily newspaper, established by William A. Scott, III, begins publishing. 1957 – John Lee, first Black commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy is assigned to duty Dec. 1944-Jan. 1945.

MARCH 14

1794 – Eli Whitney patented cotton gin, which made cotton king and increased demand for slave labor. 1838 – Blacks held a mass meeting in Philadelphia to protest the action of the Pennsylvania Reform Convention of 1837, which denied them the right to vote. 1933 – Quincy Jones, music impresario, is born in Chicago’s South Side.

MARCH 13

1862 – Congress forbade Union officers and soldiers to aid in the capture and return of fugitive slaves, ending what one historian called the “Military Slave Hunt.” 1869 – Arkansas legislature passed anti-Klan law. 1979 – In the island Republic of Grenada, the New Jewel Movement, headed by U.S. educated Maurice Bishop, ousted the government of Prime Minister Gairy.

MARCH 15

1911 – Fifty-fifth Congress (1897-99) convened. One Black congressman: George H. White, North Carolina. 1933 – NAACP began a coordinated attack on segregation and discrimination, filing a suit against the University of North Carolina on behalf of Thomas Hocutt. Case was lost on a technicality after the president of a Black college refused to certify the records of the plaintiff.

MARCH 16 Buying Vinyl Records from 1950 to 1986, Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, R&B, Disco, Soul, Reggae, Blues, Gospel, and record format 33 1/3, 45s, and some of the older 78s. Prefer larger collections of at least 100.

CALL JOHN @ 301-596-6201 6 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

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1827 – First Black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, published in New York City. 1869 – Hiram R. Revels made his first speech in the Senate, opposing the readmission of Georgia without adequate safeguards for Black citizens. This was the first official speech by a Black in Congress. 1997 – Rebel troops Notorious in Zaire take the major city of B.I.G. Kisangani in an effort to overthrow President Mobutu Sese Seko. WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

AROUND THE REGION

Interviews and Photos by Rachel Sudduth

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has stirred up a lot of controversy over the past several weeks, ranting and raving via social media while continuing to dominate the field of GOP White House hopefuls. What are the implications of a Trump presidency? JASMINE MORGAN WASHINGTON, D.C.

“Since this is the land of opportunity, I do believe that everybody should have the opportunity if they were born in America of course and they meet all the other guidelines to become president. I believe that they should have that opportunity. As far as Donald Trump is concerned, he’s a billionaire, he’s a businessman. I do believe you do need a set of leadership skills that may come from business, however it’s more than just being business savvy. It’s also learning how to work with people and get along with people. If you can’t influence people or persuade people you are not an efficient leader.”

TERRANCE NEWMAN HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND

“I honestly don’t think that he will get elected. I don’t think he really wants to be to be elected. I think he’s using it to show the power that he can have. I feel like I don’t know what he would do, I can’t see him over the military. I couldn’t see a guy like him with that kind of power and I’m nervous to see what would happen if he were elected.”

FINAL PITCH

The Reality PITCH Competition By Inez Kelley CEO; Kelley Media Marketing, Inc. www.finalpitchtv.com

Why Hillary..? A few years back, as owner of an investment property company, I am reminded of an investor client who during the time of our rebuilding, thought to give my business partner and I some words on the importance of alliances in building a strong business. Mr. Jackson, a multimillionaire was a ‘hard money’ lender. In the investment property business this means he lent short term money at a high rate and return. In addition he owned a successful new home construction business. There are not too many neighborhoods in Chesapeake VA that you can ride through and not come upon property constructed by his corporation. He comes to mind during this time of the intense battle for the black vote. Mr. Sanders appeal to the younger voter with a platform of issue that certainly appeals to the youth. Insight to why are we voting for Hillary Clinton? He trusted me’ he said. ‘At a time when I had nothing he trusted and extended to me all of the necessary supplies to construct several new homes.’ Mr. Jackson remembering the time he lost everything and what it took to come back from the brink… ‘It was from the sale of these properties I was able to rebuild my business. Because of this, even though today his prices are higher than the big retailer, I would not buy from anywhere else.’ Hillary gets black folk business (vote). Taking the punch of must have seemed like a revolt. A constituency that backed the Clinton name has jumped ship and is now voting for this unknown senator from Chicago. She not only accepted the loss but graciously served. That move spoke volumes to the masses of Blacks who celebrated the win! In that moment, the hope of a nation he stood as the birth of ‘the’ dream. Hillary lent her support to that dream. It is for that reason; Hillary has gained the unwavering support of the black vote. What we are witnessing today is the collective head nod of a reciprocating commitment. Reflecting on a principle learned in kindergarten in the form of a jingle; ‘make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the other is gold’. I’ve heard that everything you ever need to know about relationships, you learn in kindergarten. The older I get the more I realize it’s true. Learn more @ FINAL PITCH Inter Active Workshop Coming March 2016 SUCCESS TRAJECTORY 2016! For More Information Email: vaumediagroup@gmail.com

JOHNNY CARTER WASHINGTON, D.C.

“I think a war will happen. He is not a negotiator for peace. He is a businessman, like Mitt Romney was when he ran against Obama, years ago. I think Hillary will be the best choice. He talks too much against Hispanics. America is a diverse nation and it has to stay that way.”

JAMES A. BROWN WASHINGTON, D.C.

“Chaos! Everything will be confused; he will get us into another war. I can’t say much because I don’t know a lot about his business but there will be chaos. I don’t think the economy will do too well either. He’s stuck on the immigrants, building the wall and stopping Syrians from coming in.”

JAMAL CARMACK

HYATTSVILLE, MARYLAND.

“I think he will throw stuff out of order. Some of his ideas are out of the ordinary and I don’t really trust him that much. Trump has his money and thinks he can buy his way out of everything. He might qualify as a businessman. That said, I’d like for him to create more revenue legally to create more jobs so people have a way to get out of poverty.” WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 7

AROUND THE REGION

You Can Say It Like A Pro!

FLINT from Page 1

/w Dennis : Sade

Photo

bio. “In 2009, President-elect Obama asked everybody Let us help you develop in the Congress to vote for the communication skills the bailout. The money was to compete and win! there and had to be released ■ Executive Presentation Coaching in order to save the auto in■ Media Training dustry and 4 million jobs and to begin the restructuring,” ■ Image Branding Clinton charged at one point ■ On-Camera Coaching during the debate televised on Doris McMillon CNN. President “I voted to save the auto industry. [Sanders] voted against the money to save the auto industry. I think that was a pretty big difference,” she said, igniting a terse response from her opponent. C O M M U N I C AT I O N S “If you are talking about 5Hilary Rodham Clinton and Bernie Sanders square off in Flint on Sunday, March 6. / 301.292.9141/FAX 301.292.9142/Mobile 703.819.0920 the Wall Street bailout where Photo courtesy CNN doris@mcmilloncommunications.com/www.mcmilloncommunications.com some of your friends dewhy the residents of Flint should a sharper tone on the debate stage stroyed this economy,” Sandwith Clinton didn’t really materialtrust the government at all. ers said. “I suppose they can trust the cor- ize tonight. He interrupted her on a ‘Tell Your Story’ “You know —,” Clinton began porations who have destroyed Flint few occasions, but demurred when . . . We could trust them, I’m sure,” presented with the opportunity to to interject. “Excuse me, I’m talking,” Sand- Sanders said, with more than a hint go for the jugular a few different times,” Kall said. of sarcasm. ers shot back. “Unfortunately, he likely did lit“Or maybe, maybe we should let “If you’re going to talk, tell the tle to alter the trajectory of the race Wall Street come in and run the city whole story,” Clinton said. “Let me tell my story; you tell of Flint because we know their hon- in Michigan or nationally. Sandesty and integrity has done so much ers made his best attempt to date yours,” Sanders said. to connect with African-American for the American people.” “Alright,” Clinton retorted. audience members and viewers, Apparently recognizing the RepubThe barbs over the bailout proved that but his deficit may be insurmountlican-like tone the debate had taken, the candidates were just warming up. able at this late date,” Kall added. Clinton sought to settle the moment. But, the Vermont senator ap“Clinton was strongest when the “I just want to make one point,” peared to lose substantial ground subject shifted to gun control and she said. “We have our differences when, in his furor, he remarked that Denise Rolark Barnes and we get into vigorous debate the auto industry bailout, which his party isn’t always correct. Independent Beauty Consultant “Democrats are not always right. about issues but compare the sub- further aligned herself to the agenwww.marykay/drolark-barnes.com Democrats have often supported stance of this debate with what you da of President Obama. She sim202-236-8831 corporate welfare,” Sanders said. saw on the Republican stage last ilarly used the subject of religion “Democrats have supported disas- week,” Clinton said to applause to personally connect with the debate crowd and those watching at trous trade agreements. On this from the audience. home,” he said. Sanders also chimed in. issue, I do not believe in corporate Young said he had a tougher time “Let me pick up on the last point welfare,” Sanders said. declaring a winner. the secretary made. We are, if elect“In fact, Secretary Clinton may “I found Clinton to be better on ed president, going to invest a lot know or not, as a member of the more specific policy proposals but of money into mental health and Financial Services Committee, I Sanders’ big-picture plan to rein in when you watch these Republican worked hard and successfully to make sure that at least 20 percent of debates you know why we need to tax breaks and overseas tax havens to raise revenue to fund major national the money went to small business- invest,” Sanders said. projects is consistently and powerThe Winner es, which is where it should go and fully presented. Neither candidate After the debate the candidates’ not to profitable corporations and (301) 864-6070 downsizing in our country,” he said. campaign managers called out their was effective in answering how their agendas would get through Conadversary. Water Crisis gress however,” Young said. “Sanders said he didn’t’ want to With the vicious back and forth, “Stylistically, Sanders comes off it was nearly lost that the backdrop resort to dirty politics,” Clinton MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC of the debate was Flint, Michigan, Campaign Manager John Podesta aggressive at times, but he was humorous at several times later in the where a water crisis has created a said. ADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, debate and he was rather direct. “They don’t want to talk about deadly public health situation that’s COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, Clinton consistently ran over time Clinton’s bad record,” Sanders’ been ongoing since April, 2014 in answers but came off more emDiscipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, Campaign Manager Jeff Weaver when that city changed its water pathetic earlier in the debate, but said. source from treated Detroit Water Family Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, Kelly Young, director of forensics not as well on race issues,” he said. and Sewerage Department water to National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, “From a debate strategy and tacthe Flint River where officials failed (speech and debate) at Wayne State n upper and lowercase,Race flush left as indicated on artwork at these point sizes:Act, Consultant name in 11-point Helvetica Neue Bold; Independent Discrimination, Rehabilitation Retaliation, tic, I call it a draw, but I thought University and Aaron Kall, director applyNeue corrosion control treatn 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; Web site or e-mail address in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; phone number in 9-pointto Helvetica Light. ® Personal Web Site program may be utilized. t Beauty Consultant: Only Company-approved Web sites obtained through the Mary Kay Clinton had a stronger first half of of debate at the University of MichSeverance Agreements, Sexual Harassment, Torts, ment that’s led to high-levels of lead the debate and Sanders a stronger igan, offered their commentary in the water. Whistleblowing, Wage-and-Hour, Wrongful Discharge second half. If pressed, I’d call it for on the candidates for the Detroit Debate moderator Anderson SERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA Sanders for a much stronger second Cooper asked about Clinton’s pol- Free Press. “The potential of Sanders taking half, but not by much overall.” WI icies on expanding government and www.jmlaw.net (301) 864-6070 jmccollum@jmlaw.net nis.com

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8 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

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AROUND THE REGION PEPCO from Page 1 However, in its Feb. 26 order, the PSC removed that set-aside amount and concluded that the Commission should determine how those funds will be allocated across customer classes in the next Pepco rate case. “The Commission and the settling parties are in agreement that the value of the overall benefits we have committed to the District is appropriate – it’s essentially a question of how those benefits are allocated for the District,” Joe Rigby, chairman, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings, said in a statement. “To safeguard these benefits for the District and its residents, we are putting before the Commission several options that will allow the merger to move forward.”

OPPOSITION

Meanwhile, opposition to any settlement that would allow Pepco and Exelon to merge continues to increase with the District of Columbia’s water and sewer authority the latest to come out against the proposed $6.8 billion deal. “The revised settlement terms won’t benefit ratepayers,” said George Hawkins, general manager of D.C. Water, one of several city officials who would have to sign off on a settlement agreement that was revised earlier by the Public Service Commission. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who last year hammered out a settlement with the utility companies, has now said she will not support the terms of the deal that was altered on Feb. 26. Attorney General Karl Racine and several District councilmembers have also come out against the proposal. Also, D.C. At-Large Councilmember David Grosso said after careful review and consideration of the Public Service Commission’s revisions to the proposed PEPCO-Exelon merger agreement, he cannot support the Commission’s order. The conditions proposed by the PSC are problematic because, among other things, they remove the rate freeze through 2019, a protection so critical that its removal fundamentally alters the purpose of the revised agreement,” Grosso said in a statement. “Now, with our ratepayers potentially facing imminent rate increases, it is clear that the PSC’s revisions are no better than the initial proposal nor the settlement agreement as amended and leave our residents far more vulnerable,” he said. Alternative Proposal Exelon and Pepco’s latest alternative proposal addresses the settling

parties’ concerns by reallocating a portion of the total customer benefits for a $45.6 million fund – $25.6 million would preserve the original merger settlement’s rate credits for residential customers, including low-income households, to offset rate increases through March 2019; $20 million would be used at the Commission’s discretion for purposes including rate credits for customers, including commercial customers, additional low-income customer assistance or grid modernization, the companies said. “This alternative proposal provides flexibility in determining a path forward for the merger, addressing the guidance the Commission provided in its order and the desire to protect District residents, including those most in need, from rate increases,” Crane said. “And it maintains the full $78 million in benefits for the District and Pepco customers agreed to in the original settlement,” he said. Like the revised settlement the Commission has proposed, this alternative proposal preserves most of the benefits of the original settlement that will make electricity more affordable, reliable and sustainable for customers and support local jobs and the local economy, including: · An immediate credit of more than $50 on the electric bill of every household in the District, · Forgiveness of all residential customer accounts over two years old, · Fewer and shorter power outages for Pepco customers, · Significant financial penalties to Exelon and Pepco if they do not meet higher reliability goals, · Seven megawatts of new solar energy in the District, · Practices that will make it easier for customers to install solar panels, · A commitment to purchase 100 megawatts of wind energy in PJM, · More than $5 million for workforce development programs in the District, · A commitment to hire more than 100 union workers and other job commitments in the District, · A commitment to move the headquarters of several key Exelon functions to the District, · Enhancement of workforce and supplier-diversity programs, and · A guaranteed $19 million in contributions over 10 years to nonprofits that serve the District’s most vulnerable residents.

pass the money it saves on to consumers through rates lower than they would be if the merger does not occur – an estimated $51 million in savings over the first decade alone, the companies said. The companies requested the Commission reach a decision on the filing by April 7 so as not to delay the delivery of the merger’s significant benefits to District residents.

“While I applaud the Mayor, the Attorney General and the Office of the People’s Counsel for opposing the PSC’s new conditions, I am deeply disappointed that the PSC has wavered,” Grosso said. There is no deal that could be put forward to address the primary reasons the PSC rejected this proposed merger last August, he said. Exelon has failed to demonstrate

a commitment to renewable energy and there is an inherent conflict of interest in their existing business model. These realities will not change, he said. “The PSC’s initial determination that this acquisition is not in the public interest was correct at the time when made and remains the only correct and appropriate outcome today,” Grosso said. WI

IMMINENT RATE INCREASES

Merging with Exelon will also lower Pepco’s costs, and Pepco will

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 9

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Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray has officially kicked off his campaign for a seat on the D.C. Council. Gray, 73, confirmed his plans during a rally on Saturday, March 5 at the United House of Prayer in Northeast. He was recently exonerated of wrongdoing aligned with a federal probe over illegal campaign financing that ensued soon after he was elected mayor in 2010. Gray, who represented Ward 7 on the Council prior to becoming mayor, lost his mayoral re-election bid in 2014 to current-Mayor Muriel Bowser. However, Gray’s intent has been met with mixed emotions. While his supporters feel he will be the right choice for the Ward 7 Council post held by Gray protégé Yvette Alexander, her supporters don’t feel that it’s a good idea. If elected, Gray becomes the second D.C. mayor, following the late Marion Barry, to assume a leadership post following a federal investigation. WI

Who’s Reading the Informer? 4Longtime reader and Ward

8 resident Phinis Jones, reads an article about the historical DC Streetcar Launch ceremony in this weeks’ edition of the Washington Informer. / Photo by Travis Riddick

WORDS TO LIVE BY John Hope Franklin

“A color-blind society eludes us. For one reason, we have not sought diligently and contentiously to pursue it. It is one thing to mouth the words, but it is quite another to perform the deeds.”

10 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

“The Color Line” [1993]

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AROUND THE REGION

GIST FAMILY CATERING GOOD FRIDAY SPECIAL

5Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were locked in a tight battle in the Michigan primary on Tuesday, but Clinton has the upper hand in the race for the White House. / Courtesy Photo.

CLINTON from Page 1 Trump entered Tuesday with 428 delegates while Cruz had 315, Rubio 151 and Kasich 52. The New York businessman, who’s been labeled a clown by the New York Daily News and other media outlets, gained several more delegates and currently has a seemingly smooth path to the needed 1,237 to become the Republican nominee for the White House. Still, buoyed by her easy victory in Mississippi, Clinton focused her attention on making sure her party remains unified and dignified – unlike Republicans who have taken out attack ads and positions like those not previously seen. “Running for president shouldn’t be about delivering insults, it should be about delivering results,” Clinton told supporters at a rally late Tuesday in Cleveland, stomping for votes there ahead of the upcoming Ohio primary. “This has been so far a campaign focused on the issue and I’m proud of the campaign that Sen. Sanders and I are running,” she said. Although Sanders’ performance in Michigan kept his campaign alive, Clinton’s victory in Mississippi continued her dominance of Southern primary states with high numbers of African-American voters, a constituency with which Bernie Sanders, who has performed better in less diverse states, struggles. Trump’s victory, meanwhile, is a sign that despite a blitz of attacks on the front-runner by rival candidates and the Republican establishment, his capacity to win states seems undiminished, according to the local Fox news station. More than 100 delegates were available for Republican presidential candidates while approx-

imately 166 were at stake for Democrats during “Super Tuesday 2.” Clinton, whose delegate count ballooned after the first “Super Tuesday,” went into the Michigan contest with a 13-point advantage over Sanders. A Monmouth University poll of 302 likely Democratic primary voters between March 3 and March 6 had the former secretary of state beating Sanders by 55 percent to 42 percent. “Clinton had Michigan all to herself eight years ago after her opponents pulled out when the state violated party rules in scheduling its primary too early. This time she appears to be holding on in the face of a tough challenge from Sanders,” Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute, told the Latin Post. But, that poll proved a bit optimistic. In the Republican field, the same Monmouth poll had Trump in the lead. With a 13-percentage point advantage, Trump received 36 percent, ahead of Cruz’s 23 percent, Kasich’s 21 percent and Rubio’s 13 percent. Ultimately, that poll wasn’t far off from the results that trickled in late Tuesday with Trump scoring 37 percent, Kasich 26 percent and Cruz 24 percent. Cruz, Kasich and Trump should share Michigan’s 59 delegates since each passed the 15 percent threshold. The primary put into focus Latino voters, whose population is the 20th largest in the country with 231,000 eligible Latino voters. Almost half of the state’s Latino population, at 49 percent, were eligible to vote. Meanwhile, Mississippi had 40 GOP and 41 Democratic proportional delegates at stake, the Post reported. With almost 1,000 Republican likely voters polled, a survey

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by Magellan Strategies and Y’all Politics found Trump with a large lead just before the primary. The poll, conducted on Feb. 29, saw Trump with 41 percent, while Cruz and Rubio jousted for second place. Cruz, by 1 percentage point, placed second with 17 percent to Rubio’s 16 percent. Kasich received 8 percent. In the end, Trump garnered about 50 percent of the vote to Cruz’s 35 percent and Kasich’s 8 percent. In the Democratic field, Clinton won convincingly in Mississippi, another heavily populated African-American voter base, defeating Sanders 83 percent to 16 percent. While the Democrats only had two primaries on March 8, Republicans contests were held in Idaho and in Hawaii. Neither states were expected to provide results at press time. Idaho is home to 32 delegates and more than double the Latino population of Mississippi. Latinos, who comprise 12 percent of Idaho’s population, represented 80,000 eligible voters. Polling data in Idaho had been scarce, but Trump once again held a lead in a survey by Idaho Politics and Dan Jones and Associates with 30 percent. Cruz and Rubio received 19 percent and 16 percent, respectively, while Kasich attracted 5 percent. The poll’s margin of error, however, was 6.5 percent, meaning second place could go for either Cruz and Rubio. Hawaii, with 19 delegates, did not have polling data available or averages from Real Clear Politics. Statistics are available on the island’s Latino population, which stood as the 39th largest in the U.S. Nearly 142,000 Latinos reside in Hawaii, including 85,000 Latino eligible voters. WI

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Metro GM Confident Agency Will Improve By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

One day after publishing a list of priorities to improve Metro, General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld expressed optimism about the agency Monday, March 7, during a luncheon at the National Press Club in Northwest D.C. Wiedefeld spoke for about 50 minutes on topics such as ways to enhance safety on the trains and at Metro stations, work on a $350 million project to replace radio system and assessing whether the agency has a customer service problem. “I have seen fantastic customer service … and by in large do very well. Do they have issues? Yes,” Wiedefeld said about employees and managers doing a better job interacting with customers. “We

should be, at a minimum, the best transit system in the U.S.” Metro, also known as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, remains the second-busiest transit system in the country with 91 Metrorail stations and more than 1,500 Metro buses serving commuters in the District, Prince George’s and Montgomery counties in Maryland and Northern Virginia. Since Wiedefeld took over Nov. 30, the system has been affected by a major snowstorm in January, late arrivals of trains and assaults on passengers. Wiedefeld said he would like to see Metro’s transit officers more visible at the stations and along bus routes. One of the plans highlighted in a letter he posted Sunday, March 6 on the agency’s website – www. wmata.com/about_metro/general_

5Metro General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld responds to a question Monday, March 7, during a National Press Club Luncheon in Northwest. / Photo by Nancy Shia

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manager/gm_plan.cfm – would be to recruit a new chief safety officer to lead a day-to-day safety culture change. He said Monday the agency communicated with several schools for officers, station operators and mangers to visit and discuss with students the importance of safety. “We can make the connection with these students that it’s not a power issue. This is your mother. This is your grandmom. [Whoever] it is so they can relate and take it in [when seeing others on the train and bus],” he said. Besides thanking some of Metro’s board of directors in attendance March 7, Wiedefeld complimented the first Metro employee he met, Montenette Odom, a station manager at Judiciary Square in Northwest. Odom declined to comment after the discussion, except to thank Wiedefeld for inviting her to the National Press Club. Several officials from Prince George’s County attended Wiedefeld’s discussion and are impressed with his leadership. “He has a good vision in look-

ing at what are the small problems in preventing Metro from being a world-class system. I think that’s the right approach. It’s going to take time though,” said David S. Harrington, president of the county’s Chamber of Commerce. “For the county what I would like to see is an emphasis on transit-oriented development at 16 Metro [stations] that are underdeveloped. That could increase ridership just by developing those … and it would be a win-win for the system and Prince George’s County.” In the meantime, Wiedefeld wants the agency to look at some “hard truths” such as the rail ontime performance decreased from 92 percent to 85 percent last year and a quicker response in handling customer complaints. Some of the proposed changes outlined in his letter are examining ways to simply fares, partnering with regional and state transportation departments to introduce traffic signal prioritization in key bus corridors to reduce travel times, and publishing major capital projects online and routinely provide status updates. WI

“For the county what I would like to see is an emphasis on transit-oriented development at 16 Metro [stations] that are underdeveloped.” David S. Harrington / President, Chamber of Commerce

12 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

New Middle Schools Slated for Northern Prince George’s By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

A proposal to build two new middle schools in northern Prince George’s County, Maryland, would help relieve overcrowding at four current buildings, but it remains a mystery as to who would attend the new schools. School officials presented a site feasibility analysis during public hearings March 7-8 with recommendations on where to build a new $83 million building to reduce the student population at Nicholas Orem and Buck Lodge middle schools. The top choice would be on a 40-acre tract next to Mary Harris Mother Jones Elementary in Adelphi. The other $83 million building slated to decrease an overcapacity at Charles Carroll and William Wirt middle schools would be constructed on land owned by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission near Glenridge Elementary in Landover Hills. “I’m very happy this is rolling. These schools are bursting at the seams, and I don’t want to see any more kids compacted in these classrooms,” said school board member Dinora Hernandez (District 3), whose area includes Nicholas Orem in Hyattsville and Buck Lodge in Adelphi. “District three is the smallest geographically, but has the highest (student) population. We need this.” Because Nicholas Orem and Buck Lodge will remain open, Hernandez also wants to discuss about the possibly of neighborhood boundary changes. She said the school system’s Pupil Accounting and School Boundaries office handles those inquiries. However, no one from that office attended the March 7 hearing at Nicholas Orem, which has 950 students in grades six through eight at the school built in 1962. In comparison, Buck Lodge has nearly 1,200 students in the same grades enrolled at the school constructed in 1958. Two parents from Hyattsville wanted to know whether their children would remain at Nicholas Orem, or the new middle school. They do agree a new building would help decrease overcrowding. Francine DeLeon said parents may have to apply online and go through a lottery system to attend the new school. “That’s bad if that happens. A lot of our kids want to go to a better

middle school,” she said. Rupert McCave, the school system’s Capital Improvement Program officer, explained some of the provisions to why the chosen sites best fit at the respective locations. Some of them included: • Water, sewer and utility lines on the properties; • Sidewalks in surrounding ar-

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eas; • Share football/soccer/baseball fields and basketball courts. About 1,200 students would be at each new middle school encompassing nearly 174,000 square feet. A few of the amenities and programs available include a media center, performing and visual arts, science labs and a gymnasium.

Waldon Studio Architects of Columbia, Maryland, conducted the site analysis for the middle school projects. The money to build each school would come from the school system’s fiscal year 2017 capital improvement program budget. If approved by the board March 22, the new schools would open in

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2019. For more information on the analysis, go to www.boarddocs. com, click on the “agenda” tab and scroll down to “Site Feasibility Analysis – New Northern Area Middle School 1 and 2.” “We want everyone to present their comments,” McCave said. “These are just recommendations.” WI

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 13

BUSINESS

Business Exchange

Increase Black Media Ownership

with William Reed

Instead of urging your youth to “get a job,” just help them to form a media company. The richest Blacks in America are in the media industry. Blacks in the media provide mediums, communication channels through

which news, entertainment, education data, or promotional messages are disseminated. The media include the main means of mass communication, such as broadcasting, newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct

Estate Planning 101 Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. As an Estate Planning and Administration attorney I am committed to providing education to encourage as many folks as possible to create a movement to increase their net wealth through strategic estate planning. My firm’s goal is to reach increasing numbers of people to empower this movement. With that being said, my work has demonstrated that there is a lack of understanding on basic issues that will help strengthen this movement. In the past I have taken for granted the level of understanding in the community on these matters. As a result we have created a glossary for adults to help shape the thinking that can fuel this movement. As a start I encourage all adults, once they turn eighteen years old, to have an estate plan. Advanced Directive aka Living Will – a document that gives direction about the specific actions that should be taken for their health when they are no longer able to communicate personal desires. • Asset Protection Planning- the strategic consideration of reviewing assets and holding vehicles that protect resources from creditors, mismanagement of descendants or family disputes. • Estate- the net worth of a person at any point in time alive or dead. The sum of a person’s assets less liabilities at the time. • Estate Planning- the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate during a person’s life. Goals• Reduction of Taxes • Eliminate uncertainties over the administration of probate • Guardian – a person who has the legal authority (and the corresponding duty) to care for the person and property interests of another person - Guardianship for incapacity senior – Arises when someone legally determines that a senior has become unable to care for their own person or property. Committed to providing services and - Guardianship for minor- The designation from a parent or legal entity to supports exercise the authority of to a legal increase guardian. - Guardianship for adult with developmental disability – The appointment of a guardian (and the corresponding duty) to care for property the capacity of individuals, businesses, and communities. and interests of another person. • HIPPA -Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act- Legislation which creates the standard of maintaining the privacy of a person’s medical care and information. This goes beyond the death. • Incapacity-The inability of a natural person to determine whether they may make binding amendments to their rights, duties and obligations. • Intestate – The description of a person who dies without making a valid will. • Last Will and Testament – The declaration by which a person (testator) names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the distribution of his/her property at death. • Medicaid Planning- The asset management strategy that creates eligibility for Medicaid for institutionalized care that takes into consideration community spousal needs as well as transfer penalties. • Power of Attorney – A document that gives someone you choose the power to act in your place regarding financial and business matters. - Spring Authority – Gives Authority when the principal is unable to act on his/her own behalf - Durable Power of Authority- becomes effective upon execution - Power of Attorney for health care • Probate – A legal process where the decedent’s purported will if any, is entered into court, after hearing evidence from the representative of the estate, a personal representative is appointed by the court as a fiduciary to close out the estate, known and unknown creditors are notified (through notice or publication in the media) to file any claims against the estate, claims are paid out (if funds remain in the order or priority governed by state statute, remaining funds are distributed to beneficiaries named in the will or heirs if there is no will and the probate judge closes out the estate • Pour Over Will- A testamentary device that upon death any assets in the estate at the time of his or her death shall be distributed to the 5335Trustee Wisconsin Ave NW of the Trust. • Probate Avoidance – Due to the time and expenses associated with the traditional probate process. Includes strategies like 1) Revocable SuiteLiving440 Trusts 2) joint ownership of assets and naming beneficiaries 3) making lifetime gifts, and 4) purchasing life insurance. • Tax Considerations – Income,20015 gift and estate tax planning that impacts the estate planning process. Washington DC

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Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC www.thegriffinfirm-PLLC.com There are quite a few concepts that may be new. This is a language that is not

familiar to many people. Yet it’s a conversation that is vital to understand as we build the legacies for our families.

202-379-4738 Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., • The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 440 • Washington DC 20015 www.thegriffinfirm-PLLC.com • 202-379-4738

14 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

mail, telephone, fax and the Internet. America’s wealthiest Black woman is actress, director and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey, who is worth $3.5 billion. Its wealthiest Black man is Robert Johnson, who became the nation’s first Black billionaire in 2000 after he sold BET to Viacom for $3 billion in stock. Though Oprah is successful in the “mainstream,” most Blacks in the media are like Bob Johnson and own or operate mediums that target African-American audiences. The head of this group is Catherine L. Hughes and family, who have a combined worth of $460 million. Hughes’ son Alfred Liggins III has an estimated net worth of $168 million. Hughes grew from manager of Howard University’s WHUR station to media mogul, with her son always by her side. With Hughes as chair and Liggins as president & CEO, the family owns and operates Radio and TV One properties and exemplifies second- and-third generation Black wealth and race identification lineage. When their media company went public in 1998, it made Hughes the first African-American woman to head a publicly traded corporation. A protégé of Hughes, Armstrong Williams is an American political commentator, entrepreneur, column author and radio host who has an estimated net worth of $50 million. Williams is a man of entrepreneurial leanings. In his rise through the ranks, Williams was once a program host at a Hughes station. Today Williams hosts “The Right Side With Armstrong Williams.” One of 10 children, Williams was reared on the family’s 200-acre tobacco and swine farm. Williams was formerly vice president for B&C Associations, a Republican-oriented governmental and international affairs public relations firm. He is also the founder and CEO of the Graham Williams Group public relations firm. Williams owns Stirk Real Estate, with a portfolio of holdings in the nation’s capital and Howard Stirk Holdings LLC, which owns NBC affiliate WEYITV in Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, Michigan and CW affiliate WWMB in Myrtle Beach-Florence, South Carolina. Too often Blacks send their

time and talents protesting over trivial things and pursuits. The discussion over expanding diversity in Hollywood should include the massive racial disparity in media company ownership. Minority owners are burdened by the legacy of racism. In 2013, minorities owned just 6 percent of commercial television stations in the country, 6 percent of FM stations and 11 percent of AM stations. The general population of Blacks should know that African-American ownership is particularly low and represents less than 1 percent of all television properties and less than 2 percent of radio. Between Williams and Pluria Marshall Jr., the two are the “big boys” in African-Americans’ 10 television station ownership. Marshall, president of Marshall Media, was involved in three television station $58.5 million deal that doubled the number of full-powered African American-owned commercial television stations. Marshall has owned radio stations and newspaper properties and is the son of Pluria Marshall, photographer, co-founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and activist who habitually challenged broadcast licenses as chairman of the National Black Media Coalition in the 1970s. The stations involved, all FOX-affiliated, are KMSS-TV in Shreveport, Louisiana.; KPEJ-TV in Odessa, Texas; and KLJB-TV in Davenport, Iowa. On the print side, Marshall bought a chain of 13 California-based newspapers, Wave Community Newspapers, in 2000 and now sits on the National Newspaper Publishers Association trade association’s board of directors. The obvious point here is the necessity for Black people to own more communications outlets in order to control and disseminate pertinent information to and about Black people. Blacks can cut the cord of dependence on mainstream media by establishing syndicates that could purchase more outlets, forming alliances of affluent and conscious Blacks to purchase communications outlets and producing of programs to empower rather than dumb-down Blacks. WI

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BUSINESS

Dad/Daughter Duo Use Art to Enhance Congress Heights A Look at Small Businesses Along MLK Avenue

5Phinis Jones and Keyonna Jones-Lindsay, father and daughter, owner and executive director of the Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center in Southeast, celebrate the opening night of “A Taste of Ethiopia” on Friday, March 4. / Photo by Travis Riddick

By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer When local businessman Phinis Jones moved out of his office space in Congress Heights, his daughter Keyona Jones-Lindsay took over the building to use it as a space for creativity and culture and bring the first art gallery of its kind to the neighborhood. The Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center in Southeast held their opening reception for the “A Taste of Ethiopia” exhibit featuring the work of Ethiopian Artist Nahosenay Negussie on Friday, March 4. “My art considers the object as a social indicator, a “sign bearer”,” Negussie said as reported by East City Art. “It’s considered as instruments of political power, ideological vehicles, demonstrations of ostentatious luxury and economic power, but also as incarnations of emotions and experiences.” “The historical archetypes of decorative arts consummately provide me with useful material,” he

said. Negussie, a 28 year-old from Ethiopia works as a full-time artist in multidisciplinary fields dealing with social issues. His work, contemporary in style and often abstract and semi-abstract in design, emphasizes color, texture, contrast and value relationships. Jones-Lindsay came across Negussie’s work through a friend of the center. Moved by it so much, she coordinated to have some of his pieces flown from Ethiopia to the District. “We do cater to our local artist, but this one in particular caters to a specific heritage,” Jones - Lindsay said. It was only natural for her to turn her father’s former office space into an art gallery. Back in August, they opened their doors, and as the executive director she has big plans for the center to boost the community. “My husband’s an artist. My dad is an avid art collector, so it only made sense that we brought something like this to the neigh-

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borhood,” she said. “First and foremost, we are an art gallery, but we offer many services,” Jones - Lindsay said. “We sell natural soaps, jewelry, we have sewing workshops, paint and sips and yoga every Saturday that is donation based.” The art in the gallery consists of donations and house pieces much of which comes from Mr. Jones’ collection. Guest can also find straw-woven baskets from Ghana, 100 percent hand-made vegan soaps out of New Orleans and stones from Zimbabwe. “We also do stained glass workshops and advanced sewing classes, and we’ve done programming outside of the center,” Jones-Lindsay said. “We’ve done mural projects at Malcolm X Elementary and collaborated with nonprofits.” Jones-Lindsay believes that the center will have a positive effect on the community, especially the children. “Art is very important and a way to express yourself without words,” she said. “It means everything to

me that we cater to the youth and always welcome children.” Jones, originally from Macon, Mississippi, moved to the District in 1968 looking for better opportunity. He found his way into politics for some years, but then decided to leave to pursue business ventures. “I looked around and saw that most Black politicians die poor, and I didn’t want to die poor,” he said. He then got involved in job placement for residents east of the river, then he transitioned into a construction company and finally a development company. “I started in construction. Then I realized all of the money was in the front end in development,” he said. “I won the bid for the old Congress Heights school with a lot of support, and I’ve leased it for 25 years.” Jones bought the home where he operated his businesses for 20 years some 40 years ago. It is now serving as the center. He purchased

it for $130,000 with $5 down. Jones wants residents to know that collecting and investing in art remains a great way to build wealth for generations. “Buy a piece, and pass it on to your children and grandchildren,” he said. “I bought a piece years ago from Lois Mailou Jones for $10,000. I recently had it appraised, and now it’s worth $54,000.” He insists the key to being a great art buyer is to buy the work of young artist like Negussie because it has the potential to be worth a lot down the road. Jones takes pride in the fact that he can help his daughter bring the first art gallery to Congress Heights. “I think the programming she’s doing is tremendous,” he said. “The development at St. Elizabeths is proposing art space, and we are already ahead of them.” This article is the first of a twopart series. WI

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 15

NATIONAL

Ta-Nehisi Coates: A View from the Literary Top By Leanna Commins Howard University News Service WASHINGTON – The man who has taken the literary and journalism worlds by storm, authored a New York Times bestseller and has received a lucrative fellowship in recognition of his literary achievements, found himself sitting down doing the one thing he says makes him the most uncomfortable – talking to the media. “One of the unfortunate things about the past year is that I’ve spent it answering other people’s questions,” said Ta-Nehisi Coates, 40, national correspondent for “The Atlantic,” winner of the National Book Award in non-fiction (2015) for “Between the World and Me” and one of 24 recipients of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship (2015). Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, the president of Howard, said he considered it an honor to welcome the celebrated author back to “the Mecca” for the 149th Charter Day Convocation. “Ta-Nehisi Coates continues to use his talents to inspire others as well as elevate racial, political and social consciousness and discourse in this country and around the world,” Frederick said during his introduction of the speaker. Always the journalist, Coates emphasized the importance of having several sources to whom to refer, adding that he feels somewhat out of place when asked to answer questions about the African-American community as if he were the

16 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

“spokesperson” for Black America. “Who that is truly interested in African Americans and African-American history and culture would want to go to just one person?” he asked. “At my base, I’m a writer and a journalist and I go and try to find things out and then I write them down.” “There is nothing spooky happening in my bones,” he added. “There is nothing mystical happening. I don’t have answers that other people lack.” While he did not receive his degree, Coates praised the University for its contributing to his success and that of so many others. “There is no geographic quadrant, no place on the globe, nowhere in this world, that I’ve felt is more beautiful than Howard University,” Coates said during his speech. “I knew that when I was here that I was not just experiencing a present beauty of an institution. I was experiencing the beauty of a heritage, going way, way back. That put a pressure on me – a sense of responsibility. Beauty is not free.”

HISTORY BEHIND CHARTER DAY

The Charter Day Convocation at Howard University, an annual event commemorating the Charter enacted by the U.S. Congress, and subsequently approved by U.S. President Andrew Johnson, celebrates the establishment of Howard University on March 2, 1867. During this year’s festivities, in addition to welcoming Coates back to the Capstone, the University honored four noted alumni: Gina F.

Adams, Esq.; The Honorable Ras J. Baraka; Michelle D. Bernard, Esq.; and Paulette Brown, Esq. Artis G. Hampshire-Cowan, Esq., former senior vice president and secretary to the Howard University Board of Trustees, received the distinguished service award. The recipients received their honors during the 92nd Howard University Charter Day dinner and gala reception on Saturday, March 5. Several of Coates’s siblings, extended family members and close friends also attended Howard. His father, William Paul Coates, worked for the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center on the Howard University campus. As for Coates, who focused on history while matriculating at the University, he said receiving accolades still causes him a bit of discomfort. “I have been lucky enough to receive a few accolades over the past year,” he said. “Undoubtedly the chance to return home in this fashion outranks them all. I’m always been uncomfortable with the term ‘intellectual.’ I got into writing to be a student – the best part of it was declaring what you wanted to know and following your own path. I get very nervous about dictating paths to others.”

ADVICE FOR HOPEFUL WRITERS

Still, Coates offered words of wisdom for aspiring writers, including getting rid of the notion of “writer’s block.” “An essential task in writing is to put something on the page, no

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5Ta-Nehisi Paul Coates, gives the 2016 Convocation Address to a full house

at Howard University Cramton Auditorium on Friday March 5 in Northwest. / Photo by Justin Knight, Howard University

matter how horrible it is,” he said. “It’s just pushing one word in front of the other and then getting up the next morning and editing those words and reediting and editing until you get something that is hopefully good.” He also suggested that those who see writing in their future should listen to hip-hop – a genre he frequently mentions in his most recent book, “Between the World and Me,” as one of his inspirations. “When I was young, I wanted to be a rapper but I was terrible at it,” he said. “But the idea that your sentences and the way you write should be musical and have some sort of rhythm to it – I think I write out of that tradition.” Coates said he continues to be impressed by rappers and MCs who can summon emotion with so few words, citing Kendrick Lamar’s song “Art of Peer Pressure” as one of many examples. “I was just blown away,” he said. “Even though we’re different generationally, the way he describes his relationship with his peers feels fa-

miliar. Writers who are not listening to hip-hop are losing. They’re missing something.” So what is Coates listening to right now? Besides the usual suspects for a self-proclaimed oldschool hip-hop fan, including Jay-Z, Outkast, Nas and Wu-Tang Clan, Coates said he’s a huge fan of Rihanna’s new album, “ANTi.” “I’m not playing nothing but that Rihanna album,” he said. “It’s incredible because I think so often [artists] have this commercial path and to see her just completely flip it – I love when artists do that.” Coates said he discourages writing simply to gain popularity, preferring instead to write for himself. “There are plenty of good books that are not popular and have no impact,” he said. “There’s plenty of great journalism that is not popular and has no impact. You start judging yourself by those standards and you’re playing someone else’s game. You’re not even in control then.” D. Kevin McNeir, Washington Informer editor, contributed to this article. WI

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NATIONAL

Teens Honor President Obama with Celebrity Artist By Tatyana Hopkins WI Youth Reporter

D.C. teens recently tested their arts skills with celebrity artist Demont Pinder at the Trinidad Recreation Center in Northeast. Black Sheep’s “The Choice is Yours” blared through a portable speaker stacked atop clutter. “You can get with this or you can get with that,” craft houses and student art work left without a space on the crowded walls supported the pillshaped speaker as it played on the center’s art room sink. The students stayed late into the evening crowded around the canvas to fill in the faces of President Barack Obama and first lady, Michelle Obama. Using a picture of the couple on his phone, Pinder provided the students with an outline. The students filled in the lines with vibrant yellow, green, pink and blue paints from a cardboard box palette. They also signed their names at the top of the painting. “We have to pay homage to them while they’re here,” Pinder said to the teens. Though the event was scheduled during Black History Month, Pinder

said he would have done it anytime. “It’s going to be sad to see them leave,” he said, emphasizing the importance of honoring the Obamas because their time in the White House would be coming to an end soon. Pinder has painted the Obamas many times. Last year, he painted a similar picture with adult students of Michelle Obama alone. The selftaught artist, who is known for his live painting demonstrations, got his start tagging graffiti as a young boy with his cousin in New York. Today, a mural Pinder painted is on display at the Fox 5 DC station and he is working on an ongoing project documenting musicians who perform at the historic Howard Theatre on the backstage walls. The students did not expect to be joined by the celebrity artist. “We see mostly the same kids every day,” said Jason Lewis, a recreation specialist at the center and organizer of the event. He said the recreation center has not had a regular art program since the art teacher went to another facility two years ago. “We come here when we’re bored,” said Keya Hardy, 16, a sophomore at Washington Mathematics

Nancy Reagan Dead at 94

mances that are then auctioned off for charity at the end of each show. His Instagram shows him alongside countless celebrities and his paintings of them. Myesha Turner, 16, a junior at Washington Mathematics Science Technology High School, said she was excited about her name being centered above the first lady’s head. “Don’t cover my name,” warned

Hardy twin, Kiya, jokingly. Luke C. Moore High School senior Donnell Clark’s, 19, who had previously signed the work with his nickname, “Don Don,” decided it best to use his birth name. Meanwhile, Omari Hardwick, actor on the Starz hit show “Power,” wrote a poem with excerpts to be later added to the painting. WI

‘Just Say No’ Leads Legacy Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, best-remembered for her “Just Say No” drug prevention campaign, died of congestive heart failure on Sunday, March 6, in Los Angeles at the age of 94. A spokesperson for Reagan said that she will be buried next to her late husband at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Born Anne Frances Robbins on July 6, 1921, in New York City, she took on the name Nancy Davis when she began work as an actress in the 1940s and 1950s. She would later meet her husband, Ronald Reagan, a fellow actor, and they married in 1952. Mrs. Reagan served as the first lady of California from 1967-1975 and first lady of the United States from 1981-1989. While in the White House in 1987, Mrs. Reagan received a breast cancer diagnosis, eventually overcoming the disease.

Science Technology High School. Hardy, who lives across the street said she and her twin sister, Kiya Hardy, have been coming to the recreation center since it was built in 2007. As Pinder added the details to the Obamas’ faces, students discussed the possibility of getting the painting to the White House. Though recent high school graduate Richard Williams, 20, thought it would be difficult to get the painting to the president, Ammary McCray, 17, a junior at Dunbar High School said he would be excited to present President Obama with the painting. “That’s something I’d be prepared to get dressed up for,” he said. Pinder would like to use social media and his celebrity connections to get the painting to the White House. He tours regularly with R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn and creates live paintings on stage during the perfor-

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After leaving the White House, the Reagans returned to California, where Mrs. Reagan started the Nancy Reagan Foundation, continuing her advocacy against drug use. In 1994, former President Reagan announced he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Much of Mrs. Reagan’s attention went to her husband and his condition up until his death on June 5, 2004, at the age of 93. In July of 2002, Mrs. Reagan was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush. At the time of her death Mrs. Reagan was the second-oldest first lady to live, following Bess Truman. She leaves her son, Ronald Prescott Reagan, and daughter, Patti Davis, behind. WI

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 17

HEALTH

Fight Against Diabetes Far From Being Over By Patricia Maryland NNPA News Wire Guest Columnist

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the rate of new cases of diabetes in the U.S. declined by about 20 percent from 2008 to 2014. This represents the first sustained decrease in diagnosis since the disease emerged as a major threat to public health over the course of the past two decades. But the fight is far from over, especially for communities of color. While the CDC report is good news regarding an overall decline in diabetes rates, it did not ac-

knowledge a significant change in prevalence among the African-American community, which continues to be far more vulnerable to the disease than other racial and ethnic groups. Consider the data: Black adults are twice as likely to have diagnosed diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults. They are also twice as likely to die from the disease. What’s more, African Americans are more than three times as likely to suffer from health complications related to diabetes, such as lower-limb amputation and kidney failure. It’s clear that the African-American community is shouldering an unequal burden when it comes to

diabetes treatment, prevention, research and education. And so the CDC’s announcement – while welcome news – does not signal that the fight against the disease is over. There is more work to do to not only overcome the diabetes epidemic but also eliminate the healthcare disparities that disproportionately plague our community. To do that, we must redouble our efforts to create a culture of health in African-American communities – one that removes the stigma of seeking care and helps our neighbors and family members access the opportunities provided under the Affordable Care Act. But coverage alone isn’t enough to guarantee better health outcomes for African Americans. Healthcare providers have a responsibility to deliver inclusive, quality care that considers the needs of the whole patient. That means providing patients with relevant, reliable information that empowers and engages them to make choices for a healthier life. The truth is that all healthcare providers should strive to provide an environment where no one is excluded and where everyone has access to compassionate, personalized care and the opportunity for better health regardless of their struggles or station in life. And that’s the right model for all providers. Because they must get to know their patients on an individual, holistic level – not prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach – if they intend to truly improve health outcomes. Finally, policymakers, civic leaders and all who have a stake in the health of our community must address the social determinants that influence and widen the diabetes equity gap.

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For years, it’s been known that diabetes can be prevented and managed with healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise and good nutrition. But it’s difficult to go for a run around the block when you live in a high-crime neighborhood. It’s challenging to find fresh fruits and vegetables when you live in a food desert. Leaders must marshal communities around the policies that affect their environment’s ability to support a culture of health and wellness. Diabetes has been, and will continue to be, a major public health issue in the U.S. Progress has been made in the fight against the disease but more needs to be done to address the disparities felt by the African-American population. With a focused effort from members of the Black community, policymakers, civic leaders and healthcare providers to create a culture of health, deliver compassionate, personalized care and advance the policies that make healthy lifestyles viable, the diabetes epidemic can be cured for good, for everyone. WI

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HEALTH

Physician Opens Stand-Alone ER By Jeffrey L. Boney Special to the NNPA News Wire from the Houston Forward Times

In a time where, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges [AAMC], the U.S. faces a shortage of as many as 90,000 physicians by 2025, including a critical need for specialists to treat an aging population that will increasingly live with chronic disease, a diamond in the rough has done something phenomenal in the city of Houston. Dr. Foyekemi Ikyaator, a 31-year-old Black woman, who has opened up a stand-alone, full-service emergency room in northwest Houston along with her husband, is doing something very few people have done. According to a report published on AAMC’s website, the number of minority applicants to medical schools increased in 2014, which is encouraging news for the future of Black people in the medical field, when you consider what she has done. Dr. Foye (pronounced Foyyay), as she likes to be referred to, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to introduce the entire northwest Houston community to her new business venture that she opened in December 2015 – Life Savers Emergency room located 17685 Tomball Parkway. Since opening in December, the ER service has been met with rave reviews with five stars given on Google and other social media platforms. Life Savers Emergency Room comes from the heart of Foye, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, who was practically raised in the U.S. and was groomed to care for the physical well-being of people. No doubt coming from a structured support system that purported academic superiority, Foye received her education on a full academic scholarship. After completing her residency in Emergency Medicine from the Emory School of Medicine and Public Health in 2012, she moved to Houston from Atlanta

in order to further her practice. She gained extensive experience working within the St. Luke’s Health System. Within a few short years, she decided it was time to do what she wanted to do. She now successfully directs the free-standing Life Savers Emergency Room where she can take more time with her patients and counsel them on specific needs as well as promote the kind of medicine that she believes is necessary in today’s community. “In the emergency room you can see between 20 and 30 patients within a shift, and there is just enough time to treat them and get them to their next point of care,” Foye said. “The whole idea in a free-standing ER is that you can provide the care in a more relaxed environment.” The swift response is attractive to Dr. Foye. Ultimately patients get a lot of primary care, which can be a very good thing if the patient has limited access to care. As an ER doctor, she treats and provides life-saving acute care. She also manages blood pressure, diabetes, depression and a host of other chronic ailments. It’s fast medicine, which is not always a bad thing in dealing with patients who want swift and direct care. Foye understands that she represents, not only the minority, but the change that comes from of her generation. Fifty years ago, the average medical director did not look like her. Even today there aren’t many 31-year-old Black women thriving in the kind of lane she’s created for herself. Foye, a young Black female, mother and leader in medicine, has pushed the bar higher. Dr. Foye is in tune with her colleagues who wish to practice medicine under a non-restrictive bureaucracy, so board certified doctors, nurses and practitioners can be flexible with the time and resources needed to care for people in need. A self-proclaimed human rights proponent, the silver lining of Dr. Foye is simply helping people. WI

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5Dr. Foyekemi Ikyaator, a 31-year-old Black woman, has opened up a stand-alone, full-service emergency room in northwest Houston. / Photo courtesy Houston Forward Times

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 19

EDUCATION

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5Student of the Week” athlete Savion Davis attends Drew Elementary School in Northeast. / Photo courtesy DCPS

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learning, as well for alternative schools, new schools and programs. “With a growing number of families choosing DC Public Schools and our continued investment in teachers, I’m thrilled that we can, once again, provide schools with more funding, as well as continue our investments at the elementary, middle, and high school levels,” said Chancellor Kaya Henderson. In the last seven years, DCPS has made historic investments by annually providing its buildings with more money, which culminated in an increase of 22 percent for school budgets. The schools’ continued investments over the last several years include: • $17.5 million in music, art, world language, and physical education, among other courses, in elementary schools; • $12.7 million in elective courses, more core curriculum offerings, excursions and enrichment opportunities, and social and emotional services in middle schools; and • $14.5 million in expanding AP courses, extracurricular activities, athletics, and career academies in high-wage, high-growth fields such as engineering, hospitality, and technology.

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DCPS students and educators in DCPS schools participate in the nationwide annual “Read Across America Day” on March 2, during which they also celebrated Dr. Seuss’ 112th birthday. The celebration included cute costumes, cute kids, special guests, and of course, many books.

STUDYING ABROAD

Some of DCPS’ middle schoolers are learning abroad in Italy about its rich culture and history through Latin, Italian and independent presentations prepared. The group from the School Without Walls in Northwest visited places like the Temple of Neptune/ Hera at Paestum in Sorrento, Italy, where got plenty of first-hand experience discovering the country.

BUDGET PRIORITIES

School officials recently released their budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2017, continuing five years of direct investments to schools and creating new investments for extended-year

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5During the March 5 “Aspen Challenge” in D.C., local charter school teams brainstormed with each other and engaged in a design-thinking workshop and activities. / Photo courtesy DC PCS Facebook Several schools in the public charter system participated on March 5 in the “Aspen Challenge” competition. The by invitation only event kicked off its second season in D.C. with a power-packed day of inspiration. Seventeen high school teams (eight students and two adult staff members from each school) learned from leaders who shared their experiences and issued a challenge asking teams to create innovative solutions. Throughout the event, the teams had the opportunity to brainstorm with each other, engage in a de-

sign-thinking workshop and activities, reflect on presentations and to think about the challenge they selected. Participating schools included Capital City Public Charter School, Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools for Public Policy, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School, Thurgood Marshall Academy, Richard Wright Public Charter School for Journalism and Media Arts, and The SEED School of Washington, D.C.

STEM FAIR

Friendship Collegiate Academy in Ward Seven recently hosted a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fair, which showcased some of the school’s scholars. While Friendship Academy generally hosts a number of STEMbased competitions, the presentations are “unusual, because most such events in the area are not in an urban environment, but rather in suburban public and private schools,” spokesman Barnaby Towns said in a statement.

SPECIAL EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS

Darren Woodruff, Public Charter School Board chair, testified March 3 at an oversight hearing that the schools are improving their efforts to serve students with disabilities. “Washington Global Public Charter School, a brand new school in Ward 6, offers a project-based, student-centered curriculum with an international focus,” said Woodruff. “Students who receive special education services make up nearly a quarter of their student population. Through small learning communities that meet [regularly], students with disabilities receive one-to-one instruction while all other students work on research-based projects.” Woodruff added that a partnership with George Washington University offers all students free unlimited academic support four days a week, which further enhances school officials’ ability to educate all students. “It is our priority to ensure that all public charter schools serve students equitably, especially those with disabilities,” Woodruff said. “One way we do that is through our ‘Mystery Caller Program,’ which was developed to guarantee that schools follow open-enrollment policies. We call schools posing as parents and guardians of students with disabilities to ensure that schools are providing correct information and not pushing families away.” WI

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS EDITORIAL

Celebrating the Women of Our Lives and Our World Measuring the importance of women can be likened to walking across the Atlantic or, for that matter, any ocean. It can’t be done, at least not sufficiently. However, understanding women’s history and why it’s so vitally necessary can absolutely be accomplished. And it should be, particularly when it comes to African Americans. The rich history of Black women is educational, encouraging, inspiring and, for those who really understand, it’s even more. Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in Maryland in 1820. She successfully escaped to the free state of Pennsylvania in 1849, but was forced to leave many family members behind. Over time, she returned back to the South to deliver her parents, siblings and over 60 others to the freedom of the North. Tubman became known to history as the conductor of the Underground Railroad – a series of hideouts and houses leading slaves to safety. Actress Hattie McDaniel was born in 1895 in Kansas and was the youngest of 13 children. By 1925, she became the very first African-American woman on the radio. In 1934 she appeared on-screen for the first time in Judge Priest. In 1939, McDaniel landed the role that she would become known for throughout history: Mammy in “Gone with the Wind.” Though many critics will criticize the film and McDaniel’s character as insulting to African Americans, the role opened doors for McDaniel and she later became the first Black woman to win an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress. Born in Chicago, Michelle Obama is the First Lady of the United States. Prior to her marriage Michelle LaVaughn Robinson studied law at Princeton and Harvard before working at the law firm Sidley Austin. While working there as the only African-American woman, she met the man who would later become her husband and change the lives of millions: Barack Obama. In 2009, when her husband was sworn in as president, Michelle Obama became the first Black First Lady in the history of the United States. Whether or not your aspiration is to blaze a memorable trail like Tubman, star in an Oscar-winning film like McDaniel or become a successful attorney or the First Lady like Michelle Obama, it’s vital that women – Black women in particular – know their worth. Your worth should never be underestimated and as we observe Women’s History Month, we salute you. WI

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Black History Reminds A Streetcar – Not My Us of Sacrifices Made Desire Your story “One Man’s Life Journey through Black History,” by Avis Thomas-Lester, in the March 3, 2016 issue, about the life of Frank Smith, is both informative and inspiring. I remember Mr. Smith as a councilman when he represented what was then Ward One, and I know of his work now with the African-American Civil War Museum, but I had no idea of his early work on behalf of southern Blacks during the civil rights era. That part of his life story is truly inspirational and he and his life’s work should be celebrated along with all of the others who sacrificed so much so that we might enjoy the freedoms that we have today. Sometimes I wonder what Mr. Smith and others, who worked so hard to secure the right to vote for so many, think about what is happening today, not just in the south but also around the country with Black voter apathy. Having the right to vote but not taking full advantage of using the ballot to ensure political freedom in every election. I think they would say the sacrifice was worth it, and yes it did make a difference, but now it is up to us to use the ballot for all it’s worth. Thanks, Informer, for such a wonderful article. Dale Mooney Washington, D

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Please tell me why, as a District resident, I should be celebrating the opening of a D.C. streetcar line on H Street. If I am not mistaken there is a Metro bus line that runs along H Street and a circulator bus route that includes H Street, so why on earth do we need a streetcar line one H Street? All of the politicians are saying everything they can think of in your article by Sarafina Wright, [“DC Streetcar Rides Again 54 Years Later,” March 3, 2016], trying to convince residents that this thing isn’t the money pit that it is. The people who they built it for will not use it, and if they do use it, they won’t use it for very long. They talk about spurring development. Well, what about the businesses on H Street that need to have goods and services delivered to them? Where will the delivery trucks park? This thing was poorly planned from the beginning and everyone knew it, but no one had the nerve to admit it and stop it. Their way of solving the problem was to just throw more and more money at it. So now we have a streetcar that runs on an already crowded street, where, if you happen to park your car outside the lines, it will tear your mirror or even your car door off. And that was done so that a few people can bar hop up and down H Street, hopping on and off a streetcar instead of taking a Metro bus. And they call that spurring development. Jamal Kingston Washington, DC

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

Where is This Generation’s Madame CJ Walker? Women entrepreneurs have a powerful role model when they consider Madame CJ Walker. One of our nation’s first female self-made millionaires, she had a story of combining herbs to develop and manufacture a hair pomade, of empowering tens of thousands of women as sales agents for her products, and of establishing a beauty school to teach beauty techniques (and provide economic empowerment for even more women) are the

stuff of legend. She was not only an entrepreneur but also a philanthropist. She “lived large”, owning two cars and a sprawling estate, Villa Largo, in Irvington, New York, but she shared her wealth (Black millionaire Harold Doley purchased Villa Largo in 1993. It is a National Historic Landmark). She was possessed of an amazing self-confidence that served her well in business and in life. Madame (as she is called by her great-granddaughter, A’Lelia Bundles, the keeper of the family history and author

Guest Columnist

of books about her ancestor, was a character! She changed her name from Sarah Breedlove to Madame CJ Walker to provide herself with a “classier” sounding name and to help prevent White people from calling her “Aunt”, as they called so many African-American women. She didn’t want Whites calling her the demeaning “Aunt” (to close to Mammy, for my thinking), nor did she want the patronizing attitudes of Black men to affect the way she went about her business. For years, she sought the

opportunity to speak at Booker T. Washington’s National Business League, but was denied. As legend goes, she went to one of the meetings and took the mic and made her speech, despite o`fficial denial. Why should she not have spoken? She was one of the most successful business people of her generation. She was one of the most generous philanthropists. She financially sponsored the anti-lynching campaign. Perhaps Booker T. Washington was being a sexist, or perhaps (it is sometimes said) he had an ideolog-

ical opposition to a woman whose product was perceived as straightening hair. (By the way, Madame did not invent the straightening comb – Annie Malone who preceded Madame Walker in making her fortune with beauty products and a beauty school that Madame attended – did). Whether Washington wanted Madame Walker to speak, she had the audacity to take the mic and say her piece. She noted that she had promoted herself from a washerwoman

MALVEAUX Page 45

By Jesse Jackson

Mexico is Our Neighbor, Not the Enemy Presidential campaigns often turn raw. Politicians reach for sound bites that bite. Often they gain by playing on fears, winning by division, not by addition. In 2016, insult has become the coin of the campaign, particularly in the Republican primaries. And too often the enemy singled out has been Mexico and Mexicans. Mexico has been burlesqued as a source of illegal immi-

grants, who are slandered as rapists and criminals. Mexico is accused of taking our factories abroad and Mexican immigrants of stealing our jobs at home. Trumpets sound for building a wall across a 2,000mile border, for deporting millions of Mexicans living in America, for booting out the Dreamers who were born here, and more. We would be wise to step back and take a deep breath. Mexico isn’t our backdoor; it is our next-door neighbor. One hundred million people live in

Guest Columnist

the 10 U.S. and Mexican states along the border region, and taken together these form the equivalent of the fourth-largest economy in the world. Our ties with Mexico are deep, our peoples intertwined. They should not be reduced to a sound bite or an insult. Thirty-four million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans live in the United States; about 22 million were born here. Every day, the U.S. and Mexico exchange $1.4 billion in two-way trade. Mexico is our second largest export market

(after Canada). Mexico buys more U.S. goods than all of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and Singapore) combined, nearly as much as the entire EU. Mexico is the third largest supplier of crude oil to the U.S. It is the largest export market for U.S. refined petroleum products and a growing market for our natural gas. Cooperation between our two great countries is inescapable. We must and do coordinate on transportation, on legal entry points, on international organized crime, on

trans-border infectious diseases and trans-border environmental challenges. In recent years, focus has necessarily been placed on criminal activity — the flow of drugs coming north and the flow of guns and contraband cash going south. We are the biggest market for illegal drugs in the world. Our appetites feed the criminal drug rings that threaten entire countries. We have an obligation and a national interest in bolstering enforcement on

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By E. Faye Williams

Equal Rights Amendment a Necessity A few days ago, we saw our U.S. Supreme Court in action. Even if you only saw snippets of Whole Woman’s Health v Hellerstedt, a Texas case that threatens to take away a woman’s right to choose what to do with her body, you’ll understand why we need the Equal Rights Amendment in our Constitution. We heard two men arguing against women’s rights and

22 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

three brilliant women Justices proving why it’s important for women to speak for ourselves when laws about us are made. In those arguments, it was great having female Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, who were appointed by President Barack Obama, and the inimitable Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg representing our interests. Without these women, we would’ve been railroaded! Add the female lawyer there working for us, and we were closer than ever to justice

for women with these women standing up for us against Texas’ solicitor general for passing regulations with no relationship to a woman’s health. Just as I believe it’s important for all women to tell their story, it’s really important for women of all races and backgrounds to speak for themselves. We can thank President Barack Obama for getting us closer to where some of us can tell our own stories, while I hold onto hope that we’ll have a Black woman on the Supreme

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Court soon. Seeing the women Justices in action on a case about women brings me to the ERA and why we desperately need it. A recent survey shows most people don’t know women’s rights are not protected in our Constitution. They think we’re there, but surely you’ve heard the phrase “All men are created equal,” and even more, you may have heard the late Justice Antonin Scalia argue that women are not promised protection against discrimination

in our Constitution! Mr. Scalia’s exact words were: “You do not need the Constitution to reflect the wishes of the current society. Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn’t. Nobody ever thought that that’s what it meant. Nobody ever voted for that. If the current society wants to outlaw discrimination by sex, hey we

WILLIAMS Page 45

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Harry C. Alford

Lessons in Black Panthers’ Rise and Fall Oh yes, those were troubled times during the decades of the 1960’s and 1970’s. When Beyoncé gave tribute to the 50th anniversary of the start of the Black Panther Movement, I thought, “She doesn’t know what she is celebrating.” A look back at the years of the Black Panthers demands attention to other groups who equally tried to force this nation into equal rights for all – especially Blacks. America was about to change

one way or the other. When Rosa Parks lit the “spark” by refusing to give her bus seat over to a White man, the fire of the Civil Rights movement began. Martin Luther King Jr. wisely set out to change the racial status of the United States via nonviolence. It required patience and discipline plus a lot of faith. There were others who became impatient and entertained the thoughts of rioting, war, separation from the Union or “by any means necessary,” according to Malcolm X.

Guest Columnist

King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference because the traditional Black religious groups refused to follow him or his movement. However, his following grew and eventually culminated into the signing of the Civil Rights Act and eventually the Voting Rights Act. These two great pieces of legislation were taking a long time to be fully enforced. Doubters and opportunists decided to take advantage of this slow motion. Beginning in the summer of 1965, the Los Angeles Watts

Riot gave notice to the nation. Blacks were not going to take the abuse, discrimination or police brutality by ignoring or turning the other cheek. Newark, Chicago, Detroit and other cities burned significant sections of their cities. Plus, the Vietnam War was going on (drafting Black boys in discriminatory fashion) and the war veterans were returning home to the same sad situation they left. Many of them didn’t come back alive, but in a “body bag” (500 per week at the height of the war). Some became violent.

The anti-war movement, frustration with discrimination and lost faith in our political system caused many groups to form. Groups that were anti-establishment. One particular Black group was formed in Oakland, California. It was the Black Panther People’s Party, which was shortly changed to the Black Panther Party. Its foundation was to follow socialist/ Marxist doctrine and to protect and govern its own communities. They carried weapons,

ALFORD Page 46

By Charlene Crowell

Auto Dealers Charge Blacks, Hispanics Higher Interest In recent months, this column has reported on a series of settlements reached between banks and finance companies with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Justice. All of the actions were taken to resolve claims of discrimination in auto lending. To date, over $200 million in fines and restitution have been made to car buyers of color who paid higher interest rates than

White borrowers – a violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act. Additionally and as a condition of the settlements, defendants were required to change their lending practices by significantly reducing the amount of additional interest dealers can add to car loans for compensation. Despite these developments, discriminatory practices in auto finance persist with some lenders and dealers. While law enforcement comes after discriminatory acts have already been committed, a new advoca-

Askia-At-Large

cy effort appeals for dealers to change their practices to prevent further discrimination in auto lending. A group of consumer advocates and civil rights groups recently wrote Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, to stop this discriminatory practice at his dealerships. Last year, Berkshire Hathaway acquired the Van Tuyl Group, the largest privately held dealership group in the nation. Renamed “Berkshire Hathaway Automotive,” the firm now operates 81 deal-

erships in 10 states, selling a range of domestic and foreign brands. “While we welcome and applaud efforts of federal regulators to rein in this discriminatory practice, we urge responsible auto dealers to move immediately to end the practice on their own,” wrote the advocates. “As you have publicly stated, we need to end discrimination in any number of settings. We are writing to you to respectfully request that you join us and openly condemn this discriminatory practice and help

lead the way to a fair, open and transparent marketplace,” they continued. When a consumer finances a car purchase through an auto dealer, the dealer has the discretion to increase the interest rate offered by the lending institution and keep some or all of the difference as compensation. This difference between the interest rate priced for risk and the additional interest the dealer adds more compensation is known as dealer interest rate

CROWELL Page 46

By Askia Muhammad

Hillary and Bernie – the Dream Ticket Pretty much everyone has observed that the 2016 political discourse is little better than little boys behaving very, very badly in order to draw attention to themselves so they might be elected president of the United States. Really. Mud-wrestling, on TV. The topic now trending among Black folks in the case of a Trump presidency: possible countries to move. It’s clear that the GOP is

on the verge of deteriorating right before our eyes. The sad reality is that no one among the punditry class will tell us that The Last Best Example of White Male Superiority is engaged in a mud-wrestling contest. In addition, the developing demographic shift makes it likely that the Democratic nominee will win no matter if the Republicans nominate Trump or anyone else. You see, every day another 5,000 young Latinos become eligible

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to vote. There are also fewer White voters than there were in 2014. The public mud wrestling that’s making its way as the GOP presidential campaign also does not reveal that if the party makes a bad choice at the top of its ticket, down-ballot contests will be affected. The GOP Senate majority may also be in jeopardy. There are 24 Republican seats up for election, as compared with only 10 seats now held by Democrats. Several of the

vulnerable GOP Senate candidates are in states President Barack Obama carried in 2012. A catastrophic GOP presidential and vice presidential nominee could even jeopardize the strong majority they have in the House. Wisely, Democrats are not gloating even though their strategists must be able to see the same data that I look at … which Republicans receive, even as they reject its findings. There is dread among the liberal “big tent” party

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that some dreadful “October Surprise” terror attack might occur, sweeping Republicans into office. So I’ve got a suggestion that is unbeatable for the Democratic ticket in November: a Hillary-Bernie ticket! In the same way Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has made a more honest candidate out of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the nation would benefit if Sanders served as the vice president in

MUHAMMAD Page 46

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 23

March Greetings From DC Office on Aging Laura Newland DC Office on Aging Acting Executive Director Last Month, I had the pleasure of presenting testimony before the Committee on Housing and Community Development and Chairperson Anita Bonds on the Performance of the District of Columbia Office on Aging in Fiscal Year 2015 and Fiscal Year 2016 to date. Because I want you to know what we’ve accomplished in 2015, and where we’re headed in 2016, I’m providing a brief overview of my testimony. Through the unwavering support and leadership of Mayor Muriel Bowser, the agency has had significant success in Fiscal Year 2015 and has set an ambitious agenda for Fiscal Year 2016.

Our major accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2015 involve improving collaborations and partnerships with private and public entities in order to better meet the needs of District seniors and people with disabilities. To address nutrition needs for seniors most at risk of hunger, DCOA formed the Nutrition Task Force, comprised of government and community stakeholders. Through the Task Force, DCOA was able to implement a city-wide priority scale to categorize current clients and new referrals by need and risk of hunger. To address long-term care access issues, DCOA strengthened its partnership with the Department of Health Care Finance. Through our partnership, we improved communication and outreach to seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers, and other profession-

als about long-term care options; streamlined access to long-term care; and expanded person-centered planning for Medicaid recipients. To address the desire for people to age-in-place in the community, DCOA has improved its relationships with nursing homes and hospitals, helping to connect people to resources as they transition from institutional settings back to a community-based setting. DCOA also provides consultations to nursing homes and hospitals on discharge planning issues – particularly for people with complex medical needs or other issues that might make the discharge planning process more difficult. To promote and enhance the development of senior villages across the District, DCOA published the first ever “how to” guide to support organizations interested in replicating villages in the District. We also provided technical assistance, tools, resources, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange opportunities to the entire DC-based village network. To address concerns about accessing senior transportation, DCOA replaced “Call-N-Ride,” a subsidized paper coupon system for low- to moderate-income residents, with the ConnectorCard, which is a DCOA-subsidized debit card. ConnectorCard is an award-winning program recognized as an innovative transportation mode that offers choice, flexibility and broader access without a reservation. In alignment with the Bowser Administration’s goals and priorities, DCOA will review internal and external accountability measurements this fiscal year. Everything that DCOA does including grants, contracts, and staffing will be reviewed to improve efficiency and effectiveness of our programs and services that our residents rely on. We must first find out the true needs and wants of our seniors, and then ask whether those needs and wants are being met by the District – by DCOA or another sister agency. To that end, DCOA has issued a request for a needs assessment to review current aging programs, senior centers and wellness facilities, and other programming specific to seniors within the District. Core programming needs will be identified to drive funding allocation decisions across programs and by ward. The assessment will serve as a strategic road map to help meet

24 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

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seniors where they are, rather than requiring them to meet us where we are. This year, DCOA partnered with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to provide a grant of up to $10,000 for accessibility modifications to reduce the risk of falls and reduce barriers that limit mobility for District seniors and adults with disabilities. Since the launch in January, over 300 calls were received from residents and caregivers. Mayor Bowser gave us a very clear mandate: make this program work. And make it nimble. I’m proud to say that we’ve done so, and the District is once again an innovator and leader in senior services. I am pleased with the accomplishments from last year, and I know we still have serious work ahead to make sure that we are meeting the needs of District residents. With the support of Mayor Bowser, I am confident that we are well-positioned to meet the needs of the District’s seniors and people with disabilities, and we look forward to our continued partnership to make DC an age friendly city!

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MARCH 2016 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Washington, D.C. 20032 Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 news@washingtoninformer.com www.washingtoninformer.com

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March is both National Kidney and National Nutrition Month. And as health advocates prepare for World Kidney Day on March 14, the National Kidney Foundation continues to urge all U.S. citizens to give their kidneys a second thought and get a checkup. More than 26 million Americans already have kidney disease but most remain unaware of their condition because related symptoms often do not become apparent until the disease has progressed. Kidney disease stands as the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S. while over 95,000 people wait, hope and pray

for kidney transplants. Those with diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure should be regularly screened by a physician as early detection can make a significant difference in preventing kidney disease. Also during March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the nation’s sponsoring organization for National Nutrition Month, hopes to spread the message that eating right depends on the individual and their lifestyle. And, as the academy emphasizes on its website, “There’s no one diet that is right for everyone.” Doctors, nutritionists, scientists and government officials have long urged Americans to change their ways and said that even small shifts in food choices, over the course of a week, a day or even a meal, can make a big difference. While one recent report focused on alcohol consumption (one glass a day for women, two glasses a day for men), moderate coffee drinking (three-to-five cups a day is fine); and eggs (now viewed as an acceptable part of one’s daily diet), other normal food choices remain on our list – and bad for our health. Americans eat too much fat, sodium and sugar and far too little vegetables, fruits or grains. Dieticians say it’s important to look at “why” one’s eating not just “what.” Oftentimes, we reach for food when what we really need is a nap, a hug or five minutes without a text message blaring in our ear. So how should you begin? Try low sodium or reduced sodium soups, canned beans and canned vegetables (if you don’t want to get fresh produce), eat more grain products like pasta and rice and be sure to include shelf-stable protein which can be found in items like canned chicken and tuna or peanut butter. As a country, both young and old have made food choices that have resulted in a record-high number of Americans suffering from obesity – a condition that has a negative impact on our overall health while overtaxing most of our body’s vital organs. We can live longer and live better – if we’re willing to change our daily routine, diet and visit a physician for annual checkups. Emergency rooms should not serve as our means of getting a checkup. Instead, early detection of any illnesses which often occur if we maintain an annual checkup, can make the difference between life and death. At the least we can witness an improved quality of life. So, love yourself a little more. See a doctor today. HS www.washingtoninformer.com / MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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African Americans and Kidney Disease Due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, Blacks and African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure. Blacks and African Americans need to be aware of these risk factors and visit their doctor or clinic regularly to check their blood sugar, blood pressure, urine protein and kidney function. n Blacks and African Americans suffer from kidney failure at a significantly higher rate than Caucasians - more than 3 times higher. n African Americans constitute more than 35% of all patients in the U.S. receiving dialysis for kidney fail-

ure, but only represent 13.2% of the overall U.S. population. n Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in African Americans. African Americans are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as Caucasians. Approximately 4.9 million African Americans over 20 years of age are living with either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes. n The most common type of diabetes in African Americans is type 2 diabetes. The risk factors for this type of diabetes include: family history, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes during preg-

nancy, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, obesity and physical inactivity. African Americans with diabetes are more likely to develop complications of diabetes and to have greater disability from these complications than Caucasians. African Americans are also more likely to develop serious complications such as heart disease and strokes. n High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure among African Americans, and remains the leading cause of death due to its link with heart attacks and strokes. HS

Due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, Blacks and African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure.

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MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Celebrate National Nutrition Month® by Controlling the Risk of Diabetes Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia Your lifestyle and food choices

can play an important role in your well-being. By eating the right foods and staying active, you can improve your overall health. Studies show that these simple routines can even help prevent various health conditions. For example, a balanced diet and daily exercise can help prevent diabetes and help control it. You may have heard of diabetes, but what is it? Why is it so important? Diabetes is a condition when your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. This can cause serious health problems, including: • Heart disease • Kidney failure • Vision problems, which can lead to blindness • Loss of feeling in feet or hands • Loss of limbs • Skin infections Based on the latest National Diabetes Statistics Report from 2014, over 29 million people in the United States have diabetes. And about 1 in 4 of them don’t know they have the condition. Some people, including African-Americans, are statistically more at-risk to develop diabetes. It can also run in the family. Know your family history and talk to your doctor about the condition. Untreated diabetes and not knowing can be very dangerous.

TYPES OF DIABETES

There are 3 main types of diabetes: • Type 1 diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes have trouble creating insulin. Insulin is a hormone in the body that controls blood glucose. An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. Without insulin, or too little of it, glucose builds up in the blood and causes serious problems. Type 1 diabetes is also called “juvenile diabetes” because it often develops in young people. It accounts for about 5% of all diabetes cases. Anyone can have type 1 diabetes, but it is uncommon for adults to develop it later in life.

The ways we help prevent type 2 diabetes in children are some of the same ways we can help treat diabetes in people of all ages. • Type 2 diabetes. About 90% – 95% of all diabetes cases are from type 2 diabetes. It can affect anyone, but it is most common in middle-aged and older adults. For type 2 diabetes, the body does not use insulin as it should. Fat, muscle and liver cells are supposed to use insulin to carry glucose into the body’s cells. This helps give the body energy. But those with type 2 diabetes have trouble getting glucose into the body’s cells. Because of this, the body creates more glucose than it needs. This increases blood glucose levels and is unsafe. Those who are overweight and inactive have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes. • Gestational diabetes. Pregnant women can also be at risk

for diabetes. This is when your body cannot make enough insulin when you are pregnant. This is unsafe for the mom and baby. Being overweight or gaining too much weight during pregnancy puts you at a higher risk. You can only get gestational diabetes during pregnancy and it usually goes away after having the baby. But the condition increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes after pregnancy.

• Unexplained weight loss or gain • Having cuts or sores that heal slowly • Tingly feeling in the hands or feet If you’re having any of these symptoms, it does not always mean you have diabetes. Visit your doctor to talk about what you’re feeling. He or she will help you with next steps.

DIABETES PREVENTION The most common symptoms AND CARE

WARNING SIGNS

of diabetes are: • Feeling hungry and/or thirsty all the time • Going to the bathroom a lot • Blurred vision • Feeling tired

Inactivity and being overweight are the most common reasons people develop type 2 diabetes. And the condition usually develops during middle age. But recently, type 2 diabetes has increased in young people

who are overweight. And childhood obesity has increased drastically in the past 30 years. This puts children at a greater risk. Luckily, there are many ways to prevent this. The ways we help prevent type 2 diabetes in children are some of the same ways we can help treat diabetes in people of all ages. These include eating well and exercising every day. Those living with diabetes may also often take medicines or insulin shots to manage the condition. But living a healthy lifestyle, eating well and staying active are the best ways to prevent the condition. Encourage the whole family to stay healthy. Follow these healthy tips to help prevent and manage diabetes: • Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight, especially belly fat, makes it hard for cells to respond to insulin. Maintaining a normal weight for your sex and age can help you be healthier. Talk to your doctor about what a normal weight is for you and your family members. • Exercise every day. Choose a fitness routine that works for you. It is important to be physically active at least 30 minutes each day. Children should be active for at least 60 minutes each day. This can help control blood glucose, weight and blood pressure. • Avoid tobacco products. Smoking raises blood glucose levels, cholesterol and blood pressure. When you have diabetes and use tobacco, the risk of heart and blood vessel problems is even greater. In addition to health tips already listed, eating well is an important part of managing and preventing diabetes. The diabetes diet and National Nutrition Month® March is National Nutrition Month. Now is the perfect time to learn what and how to eat to help you stay healthy. • Eat healthier foods. Those with diabetes should eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These contain lots of fiber. Fiber can make you feel fuller faster and help you control your

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From Page H4 weight. When snacking, it’s best to choose a medium sized fruit or vegetable. Be sure to eat edible skins of your fruits and vegetables, like apples, pears and yams. The skin contains a lot of fiber and other nutrients. If you eat canned foods, choose those containing water or 100% juice, not syrup. • Eat and drink less sugars, fats and salt. Choose a healthier option of your favorite foods. If you like fried chicken, try it baked with herbs and spices. Instead of cookies, choose another crunchy snack like granola. And substitute your favorite soda or sports drink with water or skim milk. It is important to watch what you eat if you have or are at-risk for diabetes. To find tasty recipes for you and your family, visit www.diabetes.org/mfa-recipes/ recipes. • Eat smaller portions. Many people don’t think about portion sizes when cooking, ordering or eating meals. Many are used to eating until their plates are empty and bellies full. This can lead to serious conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. It is important to get into the habit of portion control every day to maintain a healthy weight. Learn how you can decrease your portion sizes:

• Eat 3 meals a day. It is easier to snack less when you eat full meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eating 3 meals every day can help reduce hunger and give your more energy throughout the day. • Don’t eat when you are not hungry. Food can be enjoyable, but don’t eat just because you want to. When you feel bored, try being active. Take a walk, draw or read a book. If you still feel the need to eat, drink water or herbal tea instead. • Use smaller serving dishes. On a large plate, 1 cup of food can look tiny. This may cause you to eat more than your suggested serving size. If you don’t have portion control dishes, try using smaller plates when serving meals. • Enjoy your food. Eat slowly. Chew your food well and enjoy the different tastes and textures. Allow time for your body to digest the food. This will help you feel satisfied sooner. Drinking water before and during your meal can also help you eat less.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

If you have diabetes, ask your doctor about the medical care you need. Be sure to ask about the following tests: • HbA1C test. This is a

Choose a healthier option of your favorite foods. If you like fried chicken, try it baked with herbs and spices. Instead of cookies, choose another crunchy snack like granola. blood test that measures your average blood sugar level over some time. Most people with diabetes need to have this test at least 2 times a year. • Urine test. This test looks for protein in your urine. Most people with diabetes should have their urine tested at least 1 time every year. If the urine test shows kidney disease, your doctor can work with you to treat it. • Eye exam. Changes in blood sugar levels can affect your eyes. A retinal eye exam checks for damage to your retina. Most people with diabetes should have their eyes tested 1 time every 2 years. Regular check-ups are also important, especially for people with diabetes. Talk to your doc-

tor about your blood pressure and sugar levels. Also, let him or her know if you have any skin infections, especially on your feet or legs. And be sure to ask any questions you may have.

TAKE CHARGE

Take charge of your diabetes. Talk to your doctor, exercise often and eat smart. Celebrate National Nutrition Month by making good food choices. National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This year’s theme is “Savor the Flavor of Eating Right.” To learn more about National Nutrition Month and ways you can “eat right,” visit

www.nationalnutritionmonth.org. Start eating right today and talk to your doctor about your health goals. Tell him or her about your family history and if your lifestyle puts you at risk for diabetes. No matter what your health status is, eating well and exercising every day can help keep you healthy. Take charge today. Your health depends on it. Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MedlinePlus and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model. HS

My girls are healthy because they get a physical every year and see their dentist every 6 months. It’s important that my granddaughters get vaccinated for school. They get regular check-ups with our doctor and dentist, too. I’m Genevieve, and I help them however I can! To see the I am healthy series and get tips on ways to stay healthy, visit www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com/iamhealthy or scan the QR code with your mobile application. SM

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For Communities of Color, The Fight Against Diabetes Is Far From Over By Patricia Maryland Dr.PH Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the rate of new cases of diabetes in America has declined by about 20 percent. This represents the first sustained decrease in diagnosis since the disease emerged as a major threat to public health over the course of the past two decades. But the fight against diabetes is far from over, especially for communities of color. It’s good news that diabetes is on the decline overall, but we have not observed a significant change in its prevalence among the African-American community, which continues to be far more vulnerable to the disease than other racial and ethnic groups. Consider the data: Black adults are about twice as like-

ly to have diagnosed diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults. They are also twice as likely to die from the disease. What’s more, African-Americans are more than three times as likely to suffer from health complications related to diabetes, such as lower-limb amputation and kidney failure. It’s clear that the African-American community is shouldering an unequal burden when it comes to diabetes treatment, prevention, research and education. And so there is more work to do to not only overcome the diabetes epidemic, but also eliminate the healthcare disparities that disproportionately plague our community. To do that, we must redouble our efforts to create a culture of health in African-American communities—one that removes the stigma of seeking care and helps our neighbors and family members access the opportuni-

We have not observed a significant change in [diabetes] prevalence among the African-American community, which continues to be far more vulnerable to the disease than other racial and ethnic groups.

ties provided under the Affordable Care Act. Taking advantage of the options available today is the first step our community can take to reclaim Black health and wellness. But coverage alone isn’t enough to guarantee better health outcomes for African-Americans. Healthcare providers have a responsibility to deliver inclusive, quality care that considers the needs of the whole patient. That means providing patients with relevant, reliable information that empowers and engages them to make choices for a healthier life. The truth is that all healthcare providers should strive to provide an environment where no one is excluded—where everyone has access to compassionate, personalized care and the opportunity for better health regardless of their struggles or station in life. And that’s the right model for all providers. Because we must get to know our patients on an individual, holistic level— not prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach—if we intend to truly improve their health outcomes. Finally, our policymakers, civic leaders and all who have a stake in the health of our community must address the social determinants that influence and widen the diabetes equity gap.

For years, we’ve known that diabetes can be prevented and managed with healthy lifestyle changes such as exercise and good nutrition. But it’s difficult to go for a run around the block when you live in a high-crime neighborhood. It’s challenging to find fresh fruits and vegetables when you live in a food desert. We must marshal our communities around the policies that affect our environment’s ability to support a culture of health and wellness. Diabetes has been—and will continue to be—a major public health issue in the U.S. We’re making progress in the fight against the disease, but we need to do more to address the disparities felt by the African-American population. With a focused effort from members of the Black community, policymakers, civic leaders and healthcare providers to create a culture of health, deliver compassionate, personalized care and advance the policies that make healthy lifestyles viable, I am confident we can curb the diabetes epidemic for good, for everyone. HS Patricia A. Maryland, Dr.PH, is the President of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health.

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Rap Producer Living Strong After Kidney Transplant

Portable Machine Key to Star’s Recovery By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer For David Rush, the hip-hop star formerly known as Young Bo$$, touring the world with such superstars as Pitbull was only one part of his dream and life goals. Rush wanted a wife and children but kidney failure almost derailed those plans. “I was very much surprised when at 24 I was diagnosed,” said Rush, now a producer and the man behind the 2009 hit, “Shooting Star,” that featured Pitbull and LMFAO. He also worked on Pitbull’s popular hit song, “Go Girl.” “As far back as the 10th grade, I had protein in my urine and so there were some early warning signs but then you go on and go to college and you’re not really worried about doctor’s visits,” Rush said. However, after graduation, a visit to the doctor’s office revealed alarmingly high numbers, feelings of sluggishness and being sick, he said noting that he was diagnosed with kidney disease and was already in Stage 4 failure. Now, 33 and more than five years after a kidney transplant courtesy of his brother, Rush no longer needs dialysis but he’s hoping to raise awareness in the fight during National Kidney Month. According to the National Kidney Foundation African Americans suffer from kidney failure at a significantly higher rate than whites – more than three times higher. African Americans also constitute more than 35 percent of all patients in the U.S. receiving dialysis for kidney failure, but represent just 13.2 percent of the overall population. Due to high rates of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, African Americans have an increased risk of developing kidney failure and need to be aware of the risk factors, making sure to have doctors regularly check blood sugar, blood pressure, urine protein and kidney function, foundation officials said. Diabetes stands as the leading cause of kidney failure in Blacks with approximately 4.9 million African Americans over 20 living with either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes.

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For Rush, who has overcome his kidney issues and has achieved his dream of marriage and the birth of a son and daughter, the road wasn’t easy. He said he was aided by the NxStage System One, the first portable hemodialysis system that’s been cleared for home use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. “The portable home dialysis treatment was something that I stumbled upon,” Rush said. “I was signed to Pitbull and I wanted to go on tour and I just knew that there was a way because we have too much technology in the world not to be able to do this. I looked it up on Google and found NxStage and found that I could travel with the machine.” It takes about a month of training to use the machine, but it could be well worth it, said Dr. Byron Welch, a kidney doctor at Satellite Healthcare in Texas. “The payoff has been that you have complete control of the schedule,” Welch said.

Prescribing NxStage to patients is like allowing [a person] to regain control of their life and time, said Dr. Jose Morfin of the UC Davis School of Medicine and a member of the NxStage scientific advisory board. “The benefits my patients experience, like better blood pressure control, more energy and better mental health, are truly incredible to see,” Morfin said. “Performing more frequent home hemodialysis with the NxStage System One is definitely superior to conventional in-center dialysis.” Dr. Turan Marwaha, a specialist in internal medicine and nephrology in Orange County, California, said while there are eight companies that make in-home dialysis possible, only two are available in the U.S., including NxStage. “Patients who are using inhome dialysis have more energy, are able to spend more time with their families and have a better quality of life,” Marwaha said. Rush said all of his doctors approved his use of the machine.

Hip-Hop Artist and producer David Rush received a kidney transplant from his brother. / Photo courtesy 451 Marketing “When you’re first diagnosed, you are just in shock. Luckily, I was able to find the treatment and then consult with my doctor about it, get trained and go on tour. It changed everything for me. When I was going in for dialysis and spending five hours there, I still wasn’t coming out clean,”

Rush said. “With this machine, I was at home doing three hours and 45 minutes and feeling better. It was acting as a kidney and cleaning me more. I was no longer sluggish and beat up and it allowed me to do a whole tour – it allowed me to continue my dream.” HS

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Rap Artist Advocates for Home Dialysis By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer

Rap artist David Rush, 33, formerly known as Young Bo$$, used a portable home dialysis treatment while he toured with international performer Pitbull. Now he wants to increase awareness of the system that could improve the quality of life for millions. In 2006, Rush signed on with rapper Pitbull, and in 2008 he went on a 40-city tour all while suffering from kidney failure. “I started in the hospital and I was doing 3 hours and 45 minutes, 6 days a week of dialysis,” Rush said. “I got knowledge of home dialysis and knew it was something I wanted to do.” “I was able to take it on tour and around the world me. It’s very self-sufficient,” he said. Rush insisted that with the help of friends and family the process went smoothly without adding burdens to his life. “You definitely need a care partner. Anything dealing with the body you want to have someone there,” he said. “There is a perception of the system that it is costly. But in truth it has about the same financial effect on your household as a microwave.” “Everything is covered as if you were getting your treatment at a facility,” he said. Rush said the process of dialysis at home remains the same as if you

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were in a hospital with the blood being extracted from your body, put through a filter and then put back in. In the 10th grade Rush learned that he had a rare kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. “I went in for a physical because I wanted to play football and that’s when I found out,” he said. Rush said at the time it was a deep concern, but he kept on living the way he always had and eventually went on to college. “In 2005, I found out that I had stage four kidney failure and up until that point I was healthy. I didn’t feel anything at all – that’s the scary part,” he said. “I was in a position to know my life was changing. “Right away they wanted to put me on dialysis and on a renal diet,” he said. Then in 2010, Rush’s fight with kidney failure got a lot easier. “My older brother is the true definition of a big brother,” he said. “He told me ‘I’m giving you this kidney and you’re going to take it!’” “We were a perfect match, so I got the kidney transplant,” he said. Rush acknowledges that not all are so lucky to have a relative willing to donate a kidney. After his own health challenges, he has become an advocate for the home dialysis system. “Only 2 percent of Americans are even using the home dialysis system, which needs to change,” he said. “This system really makes life easier. I took it on tour and on my honeymoon,” he said. HS

Stay in the Loop: What You Should Know About Lupus and Pregnancy Thometta Cozart MS, MPH, CHES, CPH and Ciearra Jefferson Directors of Health Promotion and Education Lupus is a chronic disease that is often overlooked, under discussed, misdiagnosed and misunderstood. It is an autoimmune disease with no cure that can damage any part of the body, including skin, joints and organs. More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country. Of those who develop lupus, nine out of 10 are women; most women develop lupus between the ages 15 and 44, according to the Lupus Foundation of Ameri-

ca. Women of color, including African Americans, are two to three times more likely to develop lupus than Caucasian women. “A mystery is what lupus has been called by researchers, patients and physicians as it is an integrated, systemic disease that can take up to six years to diagnose,” stated Dr. Steve Owens, MPH, Health Equity and Lupus Health Education Director of the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE). African Americans also tend to have a more severe form of lupus, with more kidney disease, seizures, strokes, and lupus-related deaths. Gender, ethnicity, age and a family’s medical history also play a significant role in the risk of lu-

pus. So although, mostly women experience lupus, men, children and teenagers may also develop lupus. Thus, it is important to know the signs and symptoms of lupus, especially African Americans. Individuals experiencing the following symptoms should discuss the possibility of lupus with their health care provider: • Achy, Painful or Swollen Joints; • Extreme Fatigue or Weakness; • Sudden, Unexplained Hair Loss; • Photosensitivity or Sensitivity to Sunlight; • Chest Pains; • Anemia; and • A Lasting Temperature of

Be in the Know and Learn How Lupus Affects Black Women Today! More than 1.5 million Americans have lupus. Lupus affects mostly women ages 15 to 44. Black women are 3x more likely to develop lupus than white women. Black women with lupus who are pregnant or want to become pregnant should pay very close attention to their health. There is no cure for lupus but by managing one’s health, reducing stress and having the support of friends and family, women with lupus can strive for optimal health! Learn the Signs and Symptoms of Lupus at Lupus.org and attend the FREE Lupus and Pregnancy Webinar at 11 AM EST on Wednesday, March 16th at bit.ly/dhpelupus

Made possible by DHPE LEAP: Lupus Education and Awareness for Patients, Professionals and Providers through the HHS Office of Minority Health.

over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Since most women are of childbearing age when they are diagnosed with lupus, and African American women usually develop lupus earlier, women should ensure they know and understand the impact lupus has on a pregnancy. Although many lupus pregnancies will have no complications, a lupus pregnancy is still considered “high risk.” Health professionals suggest that women with lupus who plan to get pregnant meet with their doctor in advance to discuss planning their pregnancy. To ensure more African American women know more about lupus, the DHPE LEAP: Lupus Education and Awareness for Patients, Professionals and Providers Program is hosting a Lupus and Pregnancy Webinar from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 featuring Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Yolanda Lawson, MD, PA, FACOG, Owner of MadeWell OBGYN Practice, and Associate Attending Physician at Baylor

Scott and White University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. This free webinar will explain the relationship between lupus and pregnancy; discuss the signs and symptoms of lupus present in pregnant women; and explore how support systems, including family, friends, and community, can enhance the quality of life in pregnant lupus patients. To register, visit https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7640221900575921668 . The webinar ID is 100-350-243. DHPE, a national public health association, was recently funded by the Office of Minority Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, to implement a national lupus health education program. This program aims to bring national attention to lupus, a disease that impacts disproportionally women of color, especially African American women of child-bearing age. To learn more about lupus, visit www.lupus.org. For more information on the DHPE LEAP Program, visit www.bit.ly/dhpelupus or email info@dhpe.org. HS

Did you know that lupus currently affects more than 1.5 million Americans, and it is the leading cause of kidney disease, stroke and heart disease in women of childbearing age?

www.washingtoninformer.com / MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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March is National Nutrition Month: Local Efforts Make Healthy Food Available to More DMV Communities Thometta Cozart MS, MPH, CHES, CPH and Directors of Health Promotion and Education We all know the old adage, “An apple a day, keeps the doctor away,” yet 56% of adults in the District of Columbia reported not eating fruits and vegetables every day, according to 2013 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In Maryland, the rate was 58% and in Virginia 59% of adults did not eat fruits and vegetables daily. Greater attention to good nutrition is needed in the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area. Healthy nutrition is important for preventing chronic diseases and having optimal health. Seven out of 10 deaths in the United States are linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, obesity, tobacco use and related conditions. “March is National Nutrition Month, and it is a great time to educate yourself about what you can do to prevent chronic diseases,” said Cheryl Welbeck, MBA, Project Director, Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE). “It starts with the choices you make at the store and your access to healthy food options.” National Nutrition Month promotes the benefits of eating a healthy, balanced diet to improve the overall quality of life. Good nutrition and making small changes to your daily routines can make a big difference for your overall health, as well as contribute to the improved health of your community. DHPE offers 10 tips to help you eat more nutritiously: 1. Start breakfast with instant oatmeal & low-fat milk. 2. Skip the fast food drive through. 3. Keep low-fat or

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greek yogurt, cheese and milk in your refrigerator. There are lactose-free options. 4. Snack on fruits and vegetables, including easy-to-carry items, such as carrots, apples, and bananas. 5. Pack a healthy lunch and skip eating out. 6. If you eat out, split the meal or only eat half. 7. Eat thin crust pizza. Add veggies as toppings. 8. Limit meat, fish & poultry to 5 ounces. 9. Eat whole-grain breads. 10. Drink lots of water — 8 glasses a day! Just as people need to plan for healthy nutrition, so do communities. DHPE is part of a CDC-funded program to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Five national organizations, including DHPE, have partnered to make healthy living easier by supporting a network of 97 communities in 36 states, including the

DMV area. The other partners include the American Heart Association (AHA), the American Planning Association (APA), the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) and the National WIC Association (NWA). An important aspect of the national network of funded communities is education in the African American community about the benefits of healthy eating, including elements of a balanced diet and how to maximize food dollars. One local project in the DMV area is the Johns Hopkins WIC Program (JHWIC), which is funded through NWA to improve community health. JHWIC serves approximately 10,200 women and children in Baltimore City, MD and partners with Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters at the Store to help low-income families stretch their food budgets and cook healthy meals. Since June 2015, 52 Share Our Strength Pop-up tours have provided education to over 815

MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

WIC participants and community residents in Baltimore City and indirectly reached over 1,600 children and household members. The Healthy Options Restaurant program on Virginia’s Eastern Shore is another local effort. In a region where 31% of the adults are obese, the Eastern Shore Healthy Communities Coalition (ESHC) is working with area restaurants to add healthy choices to menus. Now diners can “taste the good life” by selecting entrees with reasonable calorie counts, light sodium, no trans fats, and made from locally grown produce and seafood. By working directly with the restaurants to modify their menus and food options, ESHC made good nutrition an easier option for the entire community. This approach is an example of how policy, systems and environmental changes can make healthy living easier where people live, learn, work, and play.

In observance of National Nutrition Month, consider not only how you could increase your daily consumption of fruits and vegetables, but also how you could increase the healthy food options in your neighborhood and surrounding local communities. Local health coalitions welcome support from African Americans, as well as representation from non-health sectors, such as education, transportation, media and business. To find a local health coalition near you, visit http://bit.ly/Partnering4Health2. For information about the CDC-funded project, visit http://www.dhpe. org/mpage/Partnering4Health. For additional information about JHWIC, visit www.baltimarket.org/resources/ and for ESHC, visit http://bit.ly/1RHNuiU. To increase your nutrition knowledge and to get more information about National Nutrition Month, visit www. eatright.org. HS

Visit EatRight.org and Bit.ly/Partnering4Health2 to find out more.

Made possible by DHPE and Partnering4Health through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Study Points to Need for More Nutritious Foods Dietary Changes Key to Improved Health

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabarwill A proposed food system study in Prince George’s County encourages a healthier lifestyle, but also advocates some businesses make fruits and vegetables more affordable. In order to make that a reality, dozens of recommendations are offered such as creating a food policy director/coordinator position; start a “Water is Life” campaign to encourage drinking water; and provide incentives for local farmers. The 252-page document comes from the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the county’s Planning Department. The study that took three years to complete observed 10 areas throughout the county and sectioned them off from the South, Central and North. “We have [a lot] of problems. Diabetes diseases are pretty bad in the county and obesity has sky-rocketed,” said Gül Güleryuz, a planner coordinator in the Countywide Planning Division. “We wanted to find out what was wrong and bring some policy recommendations.” Güleryuz, who presented the study for the first time before County Council on Feb. 9, outlined some of the county’s health disparities. For instance, the county’s obesity rate in the last 20 years increased from 19 percent to 35 percent. Also, the county’s death rate for diabetes and heart disease from 2011 to 2013 ranked higher than the state average. The county’s plan to combat diabetes rests with its nearly threeyear-old partnership with Doctors Community Hospital of Lanham for an “On the Road” diabetes program for residents to receive free information and screenings. The next session takes place from 1-3 p.m. Friday, March 18 at the Laurel Beltsville Senior Activity Center in Laurel. Trina Frazier, chronic disease program manager for the county’s Health Department, said in an email that residents can receive dialysis treatment at more than 30 locations in the county. “Yes, diabetes is a concern in Prince George’s County,” she said. “Diabetes disproportionately affects minority populations and the elderly, and its incidence is likely to increase as minority populations grow and the U.S. population becomes older.” Another reason for the county’s death rate for diabetes and heart disease, according to the food study, stems from economics. The average price for a basket with a portion of the five food groups in Cheverly cost $13.39, but is nearly seven dollars more in Suitland at $20.84. The average household income in Cheverly ranks at $77,370, compared to $69,775 in Suitland. In terms of the number of supermarkets, 41 are located in the northern part of the county that also has the highest population. About 24 are in the central region and 17 in the south. “When we did the study, we couldn’t believe the disparity in one part of the county from the other,” Güleryuz said. “It was an eye-opener.” Besides her work with the county, Güleryuz serves as a member of the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council, an independent group established in 2013 that advocates for healthier food choices. The group hosts its next meeting at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville. For more information on the food study, go to www.pgplanning. org. Scroll down and click on “Prince George’s County Food System Study.” HS

www.washingtoninformer.com / MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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Children’s National Health System: Protecting the Health of the District’s Children About one third of the 120,000 children living in the District of Columbia reside east of the river, in Wards 7 and 8. Children’s National pediatricians and specialists provide care across the city, but have a special commitment to families in Southeast DC through programs that support the healthy development of whole child. Beginning this spring, Children’s National will relocate and expand three existing locations into two new, larger primary care offices: Children’s Health Center at Anacostia (2101 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE near the Big Chair) and Children’s Pediatricians and Associates Fort Davis (3839 ½ Alabama Avenue SE). Additionally, it will significantly expand its space and the services provided at THEARC (Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus). The relocations and expansions will allow more families to access medical care in their own neighborhoods and help to address health issues more common in these District communities such as diabetes, asthma, and other conditions.

The new locations offer families better accessibility to public transportation and safe parking, and the clinics will have longer and more convenient hours. The new pediatric health center at the Big Chair will provide space for families to access Children’s pediatric community health programs closer to home, with services like: • IMPACT DC Asthma Clinic • Healthy Generations program for teenage parents and their children • Improving Diet, Energy and Activity for Life (IDEAL) Clinic, a weight-loss and health education program • Access to nutrition through the WIC program • Breastfeeding support • Family support services • Mental health support • Dental health Neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River have the highest rates of diabetes in DC and also the highest rates of mortality from diabetes. Managing a chronic condition such as diabetes can put great

stress on families. Children’s National specialists help families to manage a child’s diabetes, and also have doctors that help families address obesity early on to prevent it. Obesity can lead to chronic conditions and complications later in life like type-2 diabetes. Children’s National helps families live healthier by taking early action. Community programs like KiPow! (or Kid Power) engage, mentor, and empower children from a young age to make healthy choices. Community health can take a proverbial village and targeted services to families in Southeast like those offered by Children’s National can support children throughout their development. Healthy kids make healthy adults. Children’s National is interested in addressing all the important factors in a child’s healthy development and well-being. It also

operates the pediatric emergency department at United Medical Center, and community centers and schools across Southeast are served by Children’s experts through services such as the mobile health and school nurse programs, and SafeKids DC, which focuses on injury prevention. As the largest primary care provider for the District’s children, Children’s National saw more than 9,000 kids and teens each month

last year, and is well-positioned to positively impact the health of the District’s children. These new Southeast locations and services help Children’s National deliver high quality pediatric care to the community and improve the overall health outcomes for the District’s children. HS SOURCES: DC Action for Children DC Department of Health DC Hunger Solutions

To schedule an appointment, call 888-884-BEAR

Nationally recognized experts. Better outcomes. Dedicated to kids. Choose care that’s Just Right.

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MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Being just right for your child means providing the best outcomes possible. It means expert doctors who understand the unique physical and emotional needs of kids. And it means being the region’s only health system designed with children — and their families — in mind. At Children’s National, that’s care that’s just right.

D.C. HIV Cases Down but Threat Increases By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer In early February, Washington, D.C.’s preliminary HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report revealed that newly-reported HIV cases in the District had declined for a seventh consecutive year.

While the report was encouraging for most, the truth remains that those with the highest lifetime risk of an HIV diagnosis live in the District of Columbia. One-out-of-13 District residents are projected to become infected over the course of their lives, according to a brand new report from the Centers for Control and Prevention. The rates are also high in Maryland where 1-in-49 residents are projected to become infected at some time in their lives. “Last year, I announced the bold goal to cut in half new HIV cases in the District by the year 2020,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said. “We continue to make progress toward that goal and take new approaches that will enable us to ultimately end the epidemic in our city.” The District’s report not-

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ed that gay men were particularly at risk. The category of men who have sex with men continues as the highest mode of HIV transmission in Washington. It noted that 49.4 percent of new HIV cases were from men who have sex with men while 13.1 percent of the new cases of HIV were attributed to heterosexual contact; 1.9 percent to gay men who were also intravenous drug users and 1 percent of the cases was by other individuals who were intravenous drug users.

BLACKS PARTICULARLY AT RISK

The CDC report noted that if current HIV diagnoses rates persists, about 1-in-2 black men who have sex with men and 1-in4 Latino men who have sex with men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime. HIV is a viral disease, transmitted sexually and through contact with infected blood or hypodermic needles. If untreated, the virus erodes the body’s ability to fight off infectious diseases and certain cancers. An estimated 1.2 million individuals are already infected with HIV; more than 150,000 are not aware they are infected and can, potentially, spread the virus, the CDC reported. “As alarming as these lifetime risk estimates are, they are not a foregone conclusion. They are a call to action,” said Dr. Jonathan Mermin, director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention. “The prevention and care strategies we have at our disposal today provide a promising outlook

for future reductions of HIV infections and disparities in the U.S., but hundreds of thousands of people will be diagnosed in their lifetime if we don’t scale up efforts now,” Mermin said. CDC researchers used diagnoses and death rates from 20092013 to project the lifetime risk of HIV diagnosis in the U.S. by sex, race and ethnicity, state and HIV risk group, assuming diagnoses rates remain constant. Overall, the lifetime risk of HIV diagnosis in the U.S. is now 1-in-99, an improvement from a previous analysis using 20042005 data that reported overall risk at 1-in-78. However, this overall progress masks large disparities, researchers said. Gay and bisexual men continue to be most affected by the HIV epidemic in the U.S. At current rates, 1-in-6 gay men will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime, including 1-in-2 gay black men, 1-in-4 Latino gay men and 1-in-11 gay white men. African Americans are by far the most affected racial or ethnic group with a lifetime HIV risk of 1-in-20 for men (compared to 1-in-132 for whites) and 1-in-48 for women (compared to 1-in880 for whites). “These estimates are a sobering reminder that gay and bisexual men face an unacceptably high risk for HIV – and of the urgent need for action,” said Dr. Eugene McCray, director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. “If we work to ensure that every American has access to the prevention tools we know work, we can avoid the outcomes projected in this study.” HS

One-out-of-13 District residents are projected to become infected with HIV over the course of their lives.

Working for a healthier community.

www.washingtoninformer.com / MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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A Strong and Healthy Baby By Dr. Megan Hollis Expecting a child can be one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. Watching that baby grow strong and healthy is even more rewarding. How do you make sure a baby has the best start in life? Get prenatal care as early and often as possible. Early care now makes for a stronger baby later. I have been a doctor in DC since 2012, now working at Community of Hope’s Conway Health and Resource Center on Atlantic Street SW. Every day, I see how prenatal care and other pregnancy services help our moms-to-be. Healthy babies start with regular visits with a doctor who knows you. A doctor that you trust. Regular visits help you learn more about your changing body and your baby’s growth. Early care also reduces the risk of an early birth or low birth weight baby. Prepared moms

can raise happy and healthy sons, daughters and grandchildren. When a pregnant mom comes in for a visit, we talk about what foods to eat, guidelines for exercise and tips to keep mom and baby healthy. “I feel in control of my pregnancy knowing my baby’s growth and my own health,” says Natasha, who’s pregnant with her third child. Sadly, Wards 7 and 8 have two of the highest rates of low birth weight babies, according to a DC Health Matters report. About 40 percent of pregnant women here do not get care in their first three months of pregnancy. Early care in your pregnancy helps prevent delivery before the baby is ready. But more babies are being born in the area so it is critical to change. Getting early care will build a strong generation of babies. Natasha is excited for her baby boy. “Community of Hope has made me feel ready at every stage of my pregnancy. Staff sup-

port me in so many ways. A care coordinator helped me find free resources. My doula supports me through birth. I learned how to breastfeed properly and even got free baby supplies - like diapers.” Both mom and baby benefit from great care. Did you know prenatal support happens outside of the doctor’s office too? Here at Community of Hope, we have a lot of resources to help pregnant women. We have group care, where pregnant mothers have fun discussions and win prizes. Our staff help patients stop smoking, teach about breastfeeding, and even do home visits after a baby is born. Sign up and get your family ready for your new baby. Early pregnancy care saves lives. Community health centers like Community of Hope are a great place to start for moms-to-be. I encourage you to tell your friends, daughter, granddaughter, or niece about the impor-

Community of Hope patient Natasha Williams (left) stands with Dr. Megan Hollis tance of pregnancy care and all the support services we offer. While here, check out our dentistry and other services too. We are accepting new patients of all ages, and hope you will come

visit us. Dr. Megan Hollis is the Medical Director at Community of Hope’s Conway Health and Resource Center, located in Bellevue. HS

EARLY CARE NOW, STRONGER BABY LATER VISIT THE CONWAY HEALTH AND RESOURCE CENTER

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*You may qualify for free baby supplies. Ask a team member how. Enjoy prizes, rafﬂes and giveaways.

This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health’s Community Health Administration.

www.communityofhopedc.org

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4 Atlantic Street, SW

MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Our Family Caring for Yours

Get the Facts on Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation in Older Adults Libby Wolfe Executive Director Donate Life Maryland “I’m too old to donate, plus, I’m not in the best of health. Nobody would want my organs.” It is a common myth that older adults are undesirable candidates and not needed to register as organ, eye and tissue donors. In fact, there is no age limit to register as a potential donor. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services identified the nation’s oldest organ donor as a former Texan named Carlton, who upon his death at age 92, donated his liver and gave a 69-year-old woman a second chance at life. Other occurrences of older donors include a man from South Korea who was a cardinal in the Catholic Church. He became an organ and cor-

nea donor at age 86. Anyone can become an organ and tissue donor regardless of age, race or medical history. Strict medical criteria are used at the time of death to determine the suitability of organs and tissues for transplant. There are very few diseases that automatically disqualify someone from organ donation, so even some-

one with a variety of medical conditions in their history may

still have some organs and tissues that can be donated. Don’t assume you do not qualify to become a donor. By registering as a potential donor, you allow physicians to be able to determine at the time of death whether or not all or some organs can be used. Although the decision of whether or not to become a donor is very personal, it is encouraged that you share your decision with loved ones so they are aware of your wishes. You can choose to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor either at the Motor Vehicle Administration while obtaining your license or ID or online directly with the Donate Life Maryland Registry. If you are not registered and have the potential to be a donor at your time of death, your legal next of kin will be offered the option to choose donation on your behalf. This is why it is encouraged to share your donation wishes because a brief conversation now can help provide loved ones with guidance if they need to make this important decision. When it comes to organ, eye and tissue donation, there are a few basics that are important to realize. First, donor designation NEVER interferes with medical care. An individual who seeks medical care or requires emergency treatment due to trauma or illness will receive all medical interventions that are appropriate under the circumstances without regard to the potential for organ donation. Only Donate Life Maryland professionals—

separate from hospital personnel—have access to the official Maryland Donor Registry and donation is only discussed as an option after death is declared. Additionally, there is no charge for a person to donate their organs. Any fees related to the removal of organs are the responsibility of the transplant recipient. Lastly, donation of organs will not alter the appearance of a body so as to prevent an open casket at a funeral and all major religions support organ, eye and tissue donation as the ultimate act of charity. If you have specific questions about your faith’s views on donation, consult with your minister, pastor, rabbi or other religious leader. Currently, the average wait for an organ in the United States is five to seven years, and an average of 22 people die every day because a suitable organ is not available. A single individual can save up to eight lives through organ donation and improve the lives of up to 50 persons through tissue donation. Organs that can be donated include the kidneys, pancreas, liver, heart, lungs and intestines. Corneas and tissues such as bone, skin, heart valves and veins can also be donated. In 2014, 29,532 people received organ transplants and over 1 million more received cornea and tissue transplants. Of these transplants, the age bracket that provided the highest number of donated organs from deceased individuals was the 50-64 group (10,758 organs). Additionally, of these organ recipients, 61.6 percent of them were age 50+. So not only are older adults potentially eligible to donate organs, but they are potentially eligible recipients as well. An assumption that one is too old or not in the best of health to register as a donor is an incorrect one. If you support sharing the gift of life through organ, eye and tissue donation, make the choice to register as a donor today at DonateLifeMaryland.org and be sure to share this important decision with loved ones. HS

www.washingtoninformer.com / MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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CARE

IS THE

HEART

OUR

AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia’s

Member “Eat & Greet” Wednesday, March 23, 2016 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. A conversation with your AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia Care Team

WORK

Providence Hospital Ross Hall 1150 Varnum Street, N.E. Washington, DC 20017

• Learn about new benefits and services

Bring the whole family. There will be a kids’ zone!

• Meet with our care coaches

Dinner will be served.

• Create your custom care plan

Transportation is available.

• Get your free Passport to Health

To register or request transportation, call us at 1-877-759-6224. You can also register at www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com.

5400ACDC-1522-64

www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com

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MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Meet with a care coach at our Member Wellness Center.

Get one-on-one help from a care coach to help reach your health goals. AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia has special programs to help you stay healthy. We connect you with your own personal care coach to help get you the care and information you need. To talk with a care coach or get more information, stop by 2027 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

5400ACDC-1622-23

www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com

www.washingtoninformer.com / MARCH 2016 HEALTH, WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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LIFESTYLE

‘For Colored Girls’ Returns to District in Grand Style

Classic Play Still Gives Hope to Black Women By Rachel Sudduth WI Contributing Writer

characters are fictional. Born Paulette Williams, she changed her name to Ntozake Shange, which means “she who comes with her own things” and “she who walks like a lion” after dealing with a rough divorce and considering taking her own life. “Somebody ran off with all my things, I need my stuff!” screamed actress Natalie Tucker. A moment toward the end of the production, the audience actually believed a thief escaped with all Tucker’s belongings.

5 Sharisse Taylor, Lolita Marie. / Photo by C. Stanley Photography WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Metaphorically, Tucker was referring to her destroyed self-image after a bad breakup. How often do women of any age and color, feel lost, distraught, and emotionally drained after a breakup? As if someone zapped your vibrant soul right out of your body, these seven women search for a happy ending throughout the duration of the play. Most of Shange’s plays are based on real-life occurrences of being a Black woman in America. There’s a message in “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide” for every Black woman. Kashayna Johnson plays a distressed African-American woman who fell in love with her high school sweetheart but could not manage to leave him after he returned from war in a drunken, drugged and depressed mess. Johnson and the rest of her dancing “sisters” comfort one another, each individually weeping until they collapse and the only source of strength they can have is each other. “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When The Rainbow is Enuf ” is a tear-jerking, empathic play that will remind you to find inner strength. For ticket information visit theateralliance.com. “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When The Rainbow is Enuf ” will run at TheaterAlliance until March 26. WI

5 Naomi LaVette, Alina Collins Maldonado, Lolita Marie, Sharisse Taylor, Kashayna Johnson, Christa Bennett, Natalie Tucker. / Photo by C. Stanley Photography

for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbowisenuf

February 25 – March 26, 2016

A stage filled with seven African-American women of various vibrant shades and all natural hair has a beautiful and warming spirit that one would not see very often at any theater in the greater Washington area. Director Deidra Starnes did an excellent job, uncovering each woman’s inner struggle throughout the play, showcasing how the characters’ elegant dancing and resilient smiles hid burdens of abuse, rape and self-hatred. “I like the fact that you could feel every word that they were saying,” said audience member Monique Roar. As compared with her experience of watching the popular Tyler Perry’s version of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When The Rainbow is Enuf ”, Roar says, “the play felt more personal.” Playwright Ntozake Shange originally performed “For Colored Girls” in 1975, and it contains poems that are electrifying enough to make you forget the

by Ntozake Shange | Directed by Deidra Starnes

Word Becomes Flesh by Marc Bamuthi Joseph | Directed by Psalmayene 24 I

Anacostia Playhouse | 2020 Shannon Place, SE

www.theateralliance.com 202.241.2539

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 25

LIFESTYLE

Heartwarming ‘Annie’ Returns to District Actress Lynn Andrews to Star as Miss Hannigan Unreserved public equipment auction Equipment incl.

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5 Lynn Andrews as Miss Hannigan in the national tour of “Annie” playing at the National Theatre March 15-20, 2016. / Courtesy Photo By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor One of the world’s most beloved musicals, “Annie,” returns to the District at the National Theatre in Northwest from March 15 – 20, for a new U.S. national tour of the award-winning play. The production will be a new version of the iconic 1977 Tony Award-winning original with seasoned actress Lynn Andrews cast in the role of the lovable yet horrible Miss Hannigan. Andrews, whose credits include “Chicago” (Mama Morton), “Romeo & Juliet” (Nurse) and the 30th anniversary tour of “Annie,” said she’s enjoyed throwing herself into the role. “Nell Carter played the role of Miss Hannigan when it toured years ago and then there was Carole Burnett who gave both an iconic and hilarious performance,” said Andrews, a Denver native now living in New York City. “I took a different approach. Everyone knows her [Miss Hannigan] – the alcoholic, child abuser who shows that there are several ways to be mean to children. When I’m angry, hungry and haven’t eaten all day, I can be a bit like

26 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Miss Hannigan too,” she said with a laugh. Andrews said she understands why the play, whose score includes songs like “Maybe,” “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” and the anthem of eternal optimism, “Tomorrow,” continues to attract huge crowds years after its 1977 debut. “The material itself is good, the songs are wonderful and you find yourself humming when you leave the show,” she said. “But it’s also unique in that it features a child who carries the entire show – a little girl. Above all, the story is special – it’s a love story but not in the romantic sense. But about a young girl missing her parents who finds a father. We can all relate to being a child and missing our mother or father. The play is about loving your family, missing them and then finding them.” Andrews, who spoke to us while on tour in Arkansas, said traveling agrees with her. “I really enjoy tour life. Of course, sometimes I want to cook a real meal, but then whenever I can rest in a nice hotel and order out, it’s probably better than what I’d be doing or eating back home. Plus, you don’t’ have to make up your bed when you’re on the road,” she said.

Andrews said she knew early on that she wanted to be an actress. “I had great role models when I was a student at Denver East High School,” she said. “I had role models like my choir director, William Taylor and theater director Melody Duggan, who just retired last year and whose daughter later founded a superb theater company back home in Denver. They showed me that theatre is more than just Broadway; it’s more than just a stepping stone to getting a toothpaste commercial. It’s whatever you want it to be. And I’ve loved this journey for as long as I can remember.” She added that one of the rare things about this production is the number of female participants. “From the backstage crew to the cast, the conductors, the stage manager, the audio technicians and the props folks, women are in the lead here,” she said. “That’s unique – rare. And in a show with seven middle school-aged girls who get to see women in typically male-dominated roles rocking it out, that’s a real plus.” For more information visit TheNationalDC.com or www. anniethemsuical.com WI

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LIFESTYLE

Review: ‘Sarafina!’ at Howard University educational purpose, the stunning production of “Sarafina!” I saw last night was surely it. Running Time: Two hours 15 minutes, including one intermission.

“Sarafina!” produced by Howard University Department of Theatre Arts, plays to March 12 at the Ira Aldridge Theater – 2455 6th Street, NW, in Washington, D.C. Tickets are available online. WI

Come And Be Spiritually Enriched! Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:6

All Are Welcome!

March 18, 5 Cast of Howard University’s production of By John Stoltenberg Special to The Washington Informer Even if you already know how inspiring and moving this show is, from seeing the film or the musical on stage, you are in for a spirit-lifting, heart-leaping, foot-stomping thrill when you experience what Howard University students have done with “Sarafina!” From the very first notes to the rousing finale, 21 amazing singer/ actor/dancers (plus three backup singers and six musicians) turn a story of Black students’ struggle for freedom in South Africa into a celebration of determination, hope, and talent that totally rocks the Ira Aldridge Theater. “Sarafina!” is a South African musical written and composed by Mbongeni Ngema, with music co-arranged by Hugh Masekela. It’s set in the 1980s in a Soweto high school where students retell the true story of a 1976 student-led protest. Back then the students were required by the White government to use Afrikaans in classes instead of their own language, Zulu, and they took their fury to the streets. Ultimately, their activism brought about change, but before that there was much bloodshed, students were shot at by police and died. A beautifully powerful work of musical theater, “Sarafina!” stands as a testament to student bravery then and now, and it’s no wonder why the Howard University Department of Theater Arts has committed major resources to it. Eric Ruffin, whose direction of “Black Nativity” at Theater Alliance was admirable, again leads a big ensemble and creative team to

“Sarafina”. /Courtesy photo

enthralling glory. Musical director Mongezi Ntaka brings out such gorgeous choral and solo vocals I could have shut my eyes and believed I was hearing an original cast recording. Choreographer Jakari Sherman has the students on a roll of high-energy stepping and gymnastic dance moves that doesn’t let up. Fight choreographer Nate Shelton has actors in confrontations that look safe but make you jump anyway. And dialect coach Courtney Ferguson leaves not a single player’s diction unpersuasive. Costume designer Kendra Rai takes a school-uniform look for the students and individuates it, gives their teacher a closetful of color, and decks the cast in tribal-inspired costumes for an eye-popping second-act dance routine. Scenic Designer Michael C. Stepowany’s movable corrugated-steel panels serve the fastpaced action smartly. And lighting designer TW Starnes lends the show an apt rock concert feel. The band upstage plays very much like at a rock concert: Mongezi Ntaka (guitar), Bert Cross II (keyboard), Stephan Naylor (bass), Demetrius Whitsey (drums), Jonathon Neal (trumpet/flugelhorn), Royce Hodnett (saxophone). And standing just in front of them, Taylor Hayes, Derrionne Key, Joshua Pyrum sing backup. The entire ensemble blew me away. Though there were standout individual performances, it was the overwhelmingly in-sync spirit of unity in their singing and dancing that was unmistakably the medium and message in one: Amanda Morris, Brittany Clark (a high-kicking knockout as the teacher, Mistress It’s a Pity), Cobe Jackson, Danielle King, Douglas Ruffin, Ezinne Elele,

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Gerald Doe, Gregory Banks, Isaiah Reed (arresting as the combative Crocodile), I’shanee Ford, Jabari Denson (enjoyable as the personable Colgate), Kamau Mitchell, Kevin Thorne, Kristen Armour (awesome as the feisty Sarafina), Mickaela Armstead, Neah Banks, Nia Savoy, Nzingha Ashford, Taylor Burrell, Tony Donaldson Jr., and Tyasia Niangane. Howard commissioned a new prologue especially for this run, in order to take into account the end of apartheid and the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. Change and freedom come slowly, but without courageous activism, they would not ever occur. That’s the unmissable lesson of “Sarafina!” If ever a university show possessed performing excellence on a grand scale on top of profound

Dr. Otis Moss,

nior Pastor,

United Church of

Chicago,

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202-726-7036

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 27

LIFESTYLE

Obama Welcomes Alabama Crimson Tide to White House

5 Members of the Alabama Crimson Tide visited the White House where they were met by President Barack Obama in

celebration of their winning the college football national championship for 2015. / Photo by Howard University News Service

By Diandra Bolton Howard University News Service

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During the annual celebration of the college national football champion at the White House, President Barack Obama joked Wednesday that he obviously is the reason for the continued and dramatic success of the University of Alabama, the winners of the 2016 college football championship, their fourth in seven years. “Now my first question is, ‘Coach what took you so long?’” Obama said. “It’s been three whole years since I last saw you. This is the fourth time I have hosted Alabama here at the White House. So clearly I have brought you some good luck. In fact, you could call me ‘O-BAMA.’” Obama also commended the team for its skill and called coach Nick Saban “somebody who’s in the running to be the greatest football coach of all time.” Saban said he is still appreciative of the experience of winning championships and of visiting the White House. “It never gets old,” he said. “This is a wonderful experience. Not a lot of our players get to

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

experience the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial. “I think it’s something our players all look forward to. Saban attributed this year’s victory to teamwork. “This team is special in the fact that ... I use the term ‘We won as one,’ everybody sort of holding each other accountable,” he said. “The leadership we had on the team, the adversity we faced losing early . . . to winning the championship against the very good Clemson team, I think,

makes this team really unique from all the rest.” The team presented Obama with a jersey and helmet emblazoned with the number 16, which represented the number of national championships the team claims to have won. Officially, the team is recognized by the NCAA as having won 13. The audience was filled with the family and friends of the players as well as the governor of Alabama, Robert Bentley, and some members of the Alabama delegation in Congress. WI

“This is the fourth time I have hosted Alabama here at the White House. So clearly I have brought you some good luck. In fact, you could call me ‘O-BAMA.’” President Barack Obama / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LIFESTYLE

Businesses Say Street Cars Not Worth the Trouble By Kandace Brown Howard University News Service

Mayor Muriel Bowser and other city officials promised it would spark business. Supporters said it would generate a special buzz around H Street that would create excitement and bring people from around the city to the once riot-torn street. One week after the launch of the D.C. Streetcar, however, most store owners and businesses along the H Street corridor in Northeast Washington said they are seeing little to no change in business. Instead, they said, riders use the streetcar to get to the Metro station at Union Station while rarely stopping off at the businesses along the way. “All people do is ride by,” said Carolyn Thomas, owner of The C.A.T. Walk Boutique. “They do not get off to check out the businesses here, and there are a lot here on H Street.” The streetcar, which cost nearly $200 million and encountered numerous delays and setbacks, began last week to much hoopla with a special opening-day ceremony and hundreds of curious riders from across the city who wanted to be the first aboard the new mode of transportation. Some businesses did see an uptick in business the weekend it began when people from through the city flooded the area for the launch. But not for Domencia Tyler. Tyler, owner of The Chic Shack, a consignment shop on H Street near 13th Street, said the streetcar caused her to actually lose money on its first day because the ceremony blocked potential customers’ access to her store. The city blocked off the street part of the day to create a space for the mayor and other city official’s speeches. Consequently, Tyler said, many customers could not attend her special all-day sale, and the streetcar didn’t help out during the week either. “I haven’t really seen an increase in business since it started running,” Tyler said. “The few that do ride aren’t really getting off at stops. It seems a lot of people use it to get to Union Station.” Down the street, at The C.A.T. Walk Boutique, Thomas said a few more people did come in the first weekend of the train because she

had a friend volunteering with the DC Streetcar who encouraged people to stop in. Since then, she said, the streetcar has not brought many more people into her store. “Maybe tourists will ride it and get off to go into stores,” she said. “The people who live here could not care less. That does not bring more people in here.” Sandra Kim, an employee at Madison’s Cleaners, said that she has not seen much of a difference in business since the streetcar began. Since most of her customers live in the neighborhood, Kim said, they can get to the cleaners faster by walking than using the streetcar. “I think it could help businesses here,” she said. “I am not so sure by how much, because there never seems to be many people riding it.” At Susan’s Fashion, Jas Simpson, a sales associate, said that the streetcar was somewhat helpful to business opening weekend, but not much

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

anymore. Simpson said that during the week, she does not see many people riding it. “On weekdays during lunchtime, we get busy,” she said, “but that is not because of the streetcar. That is because it is lunchtime.” David Lutz, owner of Thrift, a thrift store, said so far the streetcar has been good for him. Lutz said he saw a big impact on business the weekend the train began and a little impact the following weekend. “If I had to guess, I would say over the week I’ve been about maybe 5 percent increase in business,” he said. “From a business standpoint, that is a lot.” Lutz said although ridership has seemed to go down since opening weekend, he still thinks the streetcar will be good for his business. “It’s only been a week,” Lutz said. “But I think there will be more people coming through because they have more access,” he said. WI

5 Domencia Tyler, owner of the Chic Shack, left, said she lost business the first day the streetcar started. / Photo by Kandace Brown, Howard University News Service

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 29

LIFESTYLE

Making the Annual Pilgrimage to South Florida Concert Miami Gardens Mayor Gilbert: ‘Jazz in the Gardens Rocks’ By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Like the birds of Capistrano who punctuate the beauty of nature as they return each year from America to Puerto Rico, flying thousands of miles in their migration, an equal if not greater number of music lovers continue making their way to Miami Gardens, Florida for “Jazz in the Gardens.” Now in its 11th year, the annual event, the “Jazz in the Gar-

dens Music Festival,” takes place on March 19 – 20 at Sun Life Stadium located in the city of Miami Gardens, just a few miles away from the beautiful waters and venues of Miami’s South Beach. City of Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert said he’s been attending the event since its debut and added that’s it’s gotten bigger and better every year. “This is our signature event that people from all over the world look forward to attending every year,” he said. “And the at-

tendance numbers keep increasing. People can’t help but come back again and again. This year with Aretha Franklin and Usher serving as two of the top entertainers, it’s going to be a real celebration.” Gilbert said it’s important for visitors to see his city and what it offers. “We want visitors to see our residents, 110, 000 men, women and children who just want the best for our families and our communities,” he said. “This is a big party and it’s wonderful because strangers can attend, get their dance and eat on, and even shake a leg with someone whom they’ve never met before,” said Gilbert, 43, who grew up in Miami Gardens and still lives there today. “Some people come to Jazz in the Gardens for the outstanding entertainers – others for the huge variety of foods and treats,” he said. “And then there are those who come just for the

5 D.L. Hugley, last year’s host. / Greg Reed fun of it all – for the release that comes after listening to some of the greatest entertainers the

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world has to offer. That’s why people keep coming back to Jazz in the Gardens.” Besides Usher and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, other entertainers who will take to the stage for the two-day long event include: Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Janelle Monae, Brian Culbertson, Michael McDonald, Kool and the Gang, Fred Hammond, The Average White Band and The Jazz in the Gardens All-Stars featuring Regina Belle, Najee and Alex Bugnon. Miami local artists will include CriStyle Renae, April Raquel and Kouture Band and LaVie. Rickey Smiley, comedian and nationally-syndicated radio host, will serve as the host. Last year, Jazz in the Gardens broke box office records with more than 73,000 people attending. On the first day of the event, 42,000 festival-goers showed up – the first sold-out day in the event’s history. Smiley co-hosted the 10th anniversary show along with D.L. Hughley. It’s not too late to get your tickets. Go to www.jazzinthegardens.com for more information. And the Washington Informer will see you there. Look for great interviews and fantastic photographs on our website, www. washingtoninformer.com and in our print editions. WI

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LIFESTYLE

WI Book Review A

Horoscopes

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

“Soul Serenade”

ARIES You have more of a flair for communication this week than usual. Keep your words diplomatic but effective if your opinion is called for. A relative seeking advice will be glad they asked you. Soul Affirmation: I make the first step and the universe will come to my aid. Lucky Numbers: 9, 13, 29

by Rashod Ollison c.2016, Beacon Press $25.95 / $30.00 Canada 230 pages

TAURUS Don’t sweat the small stuff this week. You have a keen eye for the big picture, and you’ll be most productive if you ignore the petty this week. Your home is very happy tonight! Count your blessings! Soul Affirmation: Cheerfully handling what comes at me is the test of who I am. Lucky Numbers: 24, 31, 46 GEMINI Your energy level remains high; be careful not to overdo it but enjoy the wonderful feeling of your physical self as much as possible. A phone call from a friend who lives far away will brighten your week and inspire you with travel plans. Soul Affirmation: Slow and easy is the best way for me to travel this week. Lucky Numbers: 18, 25, 55 CANCER Things are busy this right now, and you love it! You feel very

much as if you are at the center of life. Children will be a topic of conversation. Make plans to enjoy a special week with your honey. Soul Affirmation: I appear to others what I know myself to be. Lucky Numbers: 6, 13, 21

By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Vinyl is making a comeback. Those are five words that put a smile on a music aficionado’s face. A CD isn’t the same, they say. An MP3 is nowhere near as good. You don’t get the right sound unless you’re spinning a record, so vinyl is coming back – but, for people like Rashod Ollison in “Soul Serenade,” it never really left. There was once a time when “Dusty” Ollison’s parents were happy. He knows it’s true; he has evidence of it, in the form of a picture taken at the beginning of their 5 Rashod Ollison marriage, which lasted thirteen years. When they split, he was old enough to witness but too young to understand, having become inured to the fights, the cheating, and the drinking at his home near Hot Springs, Arkansas. After Ollison’s father fled his family – leaving Ollison’s mother with a ‘tween and two small children – he rarely returned. But he left a gift behind: stacks of vinyl. Ollison says he remembers poking around music stores with his father, ogling covers, eager for approval of his taste in performers. Chaka Khan, Bobby Womack, Stevie Wonder, Ollison recalls fascination with their record labels spinning on the turntable. Michael Jackson gave him comfort, Aretha was a mood barometer, they all taught him about grown-up love through lyrics. With his mother working two full-time jobs to keep food on the table, Ollison counted on music to anchor him. It was his means of escape as his oldest sister took her rage out on him, as his family moved repeatedly, as he was bullied in school for “actin’ like a woman.” He denied feminine gestures and a tender heart, but by age thirteen, he could no longer ignore that he was gay. School, by then, had joined music as a thing of refuge; Ollison excelled at his lessons, achieved good grades, made friends, and expanded his playlist. As he grew, he also wondered about his father sometimes but was largely indifferent, even as the man lay dying. And then an aunt told Ollison something that made him change his tune. “Soul Serenade” starts where many good memoirs do: with a faded picture of a time that barely seems possible. From there, we’re surprised by a death that promises to taint much of what’s to come, all wrapped in family lore. But don’t get complacent. Author Rashod Ollison doesn’t allow any lingering. Soon enough, his story becomes angry yelling, a smack upside the head, profanity, TV-as-babysitter, fists and sore feet. We’re taken from neighborhood to neighborhood as the lights are shut off, the rent isn’t paid, and he’s taunted with words that his sister has to explain. It’s chaos – but it’s also a darn good tale that it doesn’t dissolve into whining or poor-me-ing, testament to Ollison’s storytelling skills. “Soul Serenade” is one of those books that sticks in your brain – not only for the suggested music, but because the memoir itself leaves its mark. And if that sounds like solid gold to you, then give this book a spin. WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEO You can fly through the week if you keep your level of cooperation

high. By this week’s end, you’ll have many plans, romantic and otherwise for the time period. Be patient at the workplace and things will go fine. Soul Affirmation: I take it easy on myself this week. Lucky Numbers: 5, 6, 43

VIRGO You may feel as if you’ll never get everything done that’s asked of you, but stay steady and on course, take things one step at time, and you’ll be amazed at what you accomplish. Celebrate with a special friend. Soul Affirmation: This week is a gift that I deserve. Lucky Numbers: 10, 20, 38 LIBRA It’s a great week for catching up on chores and leftover tasks from last week. You’ll also have the opportunity to spend some time thinking about the direction you want your life to flow toward. Soul Affirmation: I face each day with a smile and the day smiles back at me. Lucky Numbers: 1, 6, 8 SCORPIO Communication vibes are highlighted, and you are in your element. Many ideas will be presented, and everyone will be very receptive and agreeable to what you say. Romantic interests are easily pursued this week. Smile on! Soul Affirmation: The slowness of my pace gives me time to refresh my energy. Lucky Numbers: 17, 49, 51 SAGITTARIUS Love and romance vibes are all around you this week!

They will soothe your spirit and uncoil your tensions resulting from having too much work to do. Delegate some of the minor tasks so that you can do your best at the big stuff. Have a loving, lovely week. Soul Affirmation: New intuitions create new plans and a new cast of characters. Lucky Numbers: 2, 5, 16

CAPRICORN Financial matters are highlighted during working hours. Everything to do with your money, or money under your care, goes smoothly. Another party invitation arrives. . . say YES! Soul Affirmation: I admit what I really want out of life this week. Lucky Numbers: 14, 22, 36 AQUARIUS If you are finding it hard to concentrate on a project at work, begin imagining it successfully completed. Work steady and stay calm this week. This week is a good time for personal inventory. Soul Affirmation: I will take time to enjoy the simple things in life. Lucky Numbers: 11, 33, 44 PISCES Mental fog lifts and you are sharp as a tack once again. You’ll be making decisions about partnerships and joint finances. A very happy week is in store. Soul Affirmation: My smile is a radiant light to those I encounter. Lucky Numbers: 19, 23, 41

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 31

The CoLumn

Is Everywhere!

By Dr. Charles Vincent & “Mickey” Thompson Vincent

DC Republican Party Holds Lincoln-Douglas Dinner and 2016 Presidential Straw Poll The DC GOP held its Lincoln-Douglas Dinner as a prelude to the DC Republican Party Convention on Saturday, March 12th. The keynote speaker, Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), was introduced by Jose Cunningham, (Chr. DC Republican Comm.) and J.C. Boggs (DC GOP Gen. Counsel). The event Chairperson was Teri Galvez and Ralph Chittams (Sr. VP DC GOP) gave the Invocation. The closing remarks and poll results were announced by Patrick Mara (Ex. Dir., DC GOP). Jessie Jane Duff (VP Membership) lifted the gathering with her rendition of our National Anthem. For further information: www.dcgop.com.

Jose Cunningham (Chairman DC Republican Committee)

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 33

SPORTS

D.C.’s Thompson Knocked Out in Heavyweight Bout

5 Newly crowned WBO Welterweight World Champion Jessie Vargas (right) lands a right hand on the way to a ninth-round technical knockout victory over welterweight Sadam Ali (left) on Saturday, March 5 at the DC Armory in Southeast. /Photo courtesy of Tom Hogan for Golden Boy Promotions

By Gary Williams Special to The Informer Washington, D.C., heavyweight and former two-time world heavyweight title contender Tony “The Tiger” Thompson made his first appearance in a hometown ring in his long career when he faced undefeated Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz of Miami by way of Cuba at the D.C. Armory. It may also be Thompson’s last appearance in a boxing ring. Anywhere. Ortiz battered the 44-year-old Thompson for six rounds, knocking him down in the second and third round. Thompson, who challenged Wladimir Klitschko twice for the world title, had very little offense to hold the powerful Ortiz off before the bout was stopped at 2:29 of the sixth. “He is strong as advertised,” Thompson said. “It’s sad that my hometown got to see me at the end of my career versus at the peak of my career. I just think it would have been a much better fight with prime Tony Thompson that’s all, but the guy is as

34 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

strong as a monster but again three weeks of training and that’s the best I have for three weeks. Thanks to all the fans that came to support.” Thompson’s record is now 407, 27 KO’s while Ortiz, the WBA Interim Heavyweight champion, is now 25-0, 22 KO’s. A total of five local boxers appeared on the card in front of 4,585 fans. Upper Marlboro lightweight Lamont Roach Jr. won an eight-round unanimous decision over a very tough Jesus Lule of Fort Myers, FL. Roach dropped Lule with a flurry of punches in the first round then had to work hard the rest of the way as Lule showed his toughness throughout the rest of the bout. Roach went eight rounds for the first time in his career and raised his record to 10-0, four KO’s. Lule, who took the bout on two days’ notice, dropped to 8-16-1, one KO. Temple Hills super middleweight D’Mitrius “Big Meech” Ballard knocked out Liosvy Mayedo of Las Tunas, Cuba, in the second round. Ballard used a fierce body attack to drop

Mayedo three times in the second before the bout was stopped at 1:40. Ballard is now 12-0, eight KOs. Mayedo is 8-3, six KOs. Kevin “K-Smoov” Rivers of Palmer Park, Maryland, scored a six-round TKO over a very game Angel Aispuro of Sinaloa, Mexico, in a featherweight contest. Rivers landed the harder blows throughout the contest, but Aispuro stayed in close in the bout. Eventually, Aispuro suffered a laceration along his right ear that stopped the lightweight contest at 2:16 of the sixth. Rivers is now 13-1, nine KOs while Aispuro is 6-4-2, three KOs. D.C. light heavyweight Alexander “The Great” Johnson lost a six-round unanimous decision to undefeated Todd Unthank-May of Philadelphia in the opening bout on the card. Unthank-May dropped Johnson with a left hand in the second round followed by a right-left combination in the third. However, after the second knockdown, Johnson came back strong and wobbled Unthank-May with a right of his own. Unthank-May righted himself the rest of the way to get the

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decision. Johnson’s record falls to 16-4, seven KOs while Unthank-May remains undefeated at 9-0, three KO’s. There were two world title bouts on the card. Las Vegas welterweight “The Next Generation” Jesse Vargas captured the vacant WBO Welterweight championship by ninth-round TKO over Sadam “World Kid” Ali of Brooklyn. Vargas broke open an entertaining and close fight with an overhand right that dropped Ali at the end of round eight. Ali was still reeling in round nine and Vargas battered him to the deck again. The bout was finally waved off during Vargas follow-up barrage. Time was 2:09. Vargas is now 27-1, 10 KOs while Ali loses for the first time and his record is 22-1, 13 KO’s. Colombian featherweight Oscar Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs) recovered from a second round knockdown to stop Robinson “Robin Hood” Castellanos of Celaya, Mexico (23-11, 13 KOs) in round seven to claim the vacant WBC interim title. Capitol Heights, Mayrland’s Gary

Russell, Jr. still holds the WBC featherweight crown but had to miss a recent title defense against Escandon because of a cut he suffered in training. In other bouts on the card, Undefeated Brooklyn super lightweight Zachary “Zungry” Ochoa won a workmanlike sixround unanimous decision over Rosbel Montoya of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Ochoa received very little resistance from Montoya, who showed a tough chin but very little offense. Ochoa won the bout by scores of 60-54 (twice) and 59-55 to raise his record to 140, six KO’s. Montoya is 16-7-1, 13 KOs. Also, Philadelphia lightweight Damon Allen won a six-round unanimous decision over a very game Daniel Perales of McCallen, Texas. The bout was fought at close range for all six-rounds. There were no knockdowns, however, Allen landed the heavier shots. All three judges scored the bout a shutout for Allen at 60-54. Allen is now 9-0, three KOs while Perales is 6-4-1, four KOs. WI

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SPORTS Interim Heavyweight Champion Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (left) lands a left hand on the way to a sixthround technical knockout victory over two-time world heavyweight title challenger Tony “The Tiger” Thompson (right) on Saturday, March 5 at the DC Armory in Southeast. /Photo courtesy of Tom Hogan for Golden Boy Promotions

5 Undefeated super lightweight Damon Allen (right) lands a right hand on the way

to a unanimous decision victory over Daniel Perales (left) on March 5, 2016 at the DC Armory in Southeast. / Photo courtesy of Tom Hogan for Golden Boy Promotions

5 Newly crowned WBC Interim Featherweight World Champion Oscar Escandon (left) lands a right hand on

the way to a sixth-round knockout victory over Oscar Escandon (right) on Saturday, March 5 at the DC Armory in Southeast. / Photo courtesy of Tom Hogan for Golden Boy Promotions

5 Newly crowned WBO Welterweight World Champion Jessie Vargas (right) lands a right hand on the way to a ninth-round technical knockout victory over welterweight Sadam Ali (left) on Saturday, March 5 at the DC Armory in Southeast. / Photo courtesy of Tom Hogan for Golden Boy Promotions

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5 Featherweight prospect Kevin “K-Smoove” Rivers (left) lands a left hand on the way to a sixth-round technical knockout victory over Angel Aispuro (right) on Saturday, March 5 at the DC Armory in Southeast / Photo courtesy of Tom Hogan for Golden Boy Promotions

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 35

SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL St. John’s Stops Georgetown Prep, 59-47 4St. John’s forward Kayla Robbins driving between her opponents in the first quarter of the District of Columbia State Association (DCSAA) Girls State Championship game on Sunday, March 6, at the George Washington University Smith Center in Northwest. St. John’s defeated Georgetown Visitation, 59-47. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

Woodson Defeats Friendship, 60-47

5Ray Clark, representing the Office of the Mayor and players from Visitation

display their 2016 Championship banner on Sunday, March 6, at the Smith Center in Northwest. St. John’s defeated Visitation, 59-47. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

5Woodson player is double-teamed by his opponents during DCSAA boys basketball action on Sunday, Marcy 6, at the

Smith Center in Northwest. Woodson defeated Friendship, 60-47. / Photo by John E. De Freitas

36 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

5Woodson guard Clenteous McCoy goes to the basket in the second quarter of DCSAA boys basketball action on Sunday, March 6, at the Smith Center in Northwest. Woodson defeated Friendship, 60-47. / Photo by John E. De Freitas WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

CAPTURE THE MOMENT

3GWUL President George Lambert and his wife Bernadette take the Parade of

Stars walk at the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Sat., March 5. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter

6Mayor Muriel Bowser, Karen Price-Ward - Southwest Airlines corporate com-

munity affairs manager, and UNCF President & CEO Michael Lomax during a photo-op at the Mayor’s Masked Ball held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Sat., March 5. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter

6Morris Day and the Time was the featured entertainment at the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Sat., March 5. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter

3The metropolitan area pageant

winners Miss Tysons and Miss Capitol Region attend the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball with pageant directors held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Sat., March 5. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter

6One of the youngest attendees

at the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball helps his dad bid during the silent auction held at the Hyatt Regency in Northwest on Sat., March 5.. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 37

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NAACP Image Award Ministers The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III (left), was the main speaker at a church in the Greater Washington Area Tuesday evening, March 1. Moss spoke at Alfred Street Baptist Church, the historic church organized in suburban Alexandria in the mid1800s. Moss, the former pastor of Augusta, Georgia’s historic Tabernacle Baptist Church, is pictured with the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, pastor of Alfred Street Baptist. Both Moss and Wesley were recently acknowledged by the NAACP’s National Board of Directors during the organization’s nationally-televised, 47th annual NAACP Image Awards. The Los Angeles-based event lauded both pastors with the prestigious 2016 Chairman’s Award, touting the ministers as “outstanding trailblazing

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leaders under the age of 50.” Other recipients of the special award included the Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, pastor of Empowerment AME Church in Baltimore and actor/singer Jussie Smollett of the Fox TV series, “Empire.” Moss addressed the capacity-filled church and kicked-off a month-long lecture series called “March Gladness.” He discussed several topics, including the “Black Lives Matter” movement and the nation’s current political climate. Moss served as Tabernacle Baptist’s pastor from 1997 to 2006, before leaving to head Chicago’s Trini-

ty United Church of Christ where he’s currently the senior pastor. His ministry espouses a Black-based theology concerned with positively reaching inner-city Black youth. The Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. is pastor emeritus at Trinity United Church of Christ. The Rev. Moss is the son of Rev. Otis Moss Jr., retired pastor of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The older Moss was a colleague of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. /Photo by Timothy Cox WI

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RELIGION THE RELIGION CORNER

The Griffin Firm, PLLC

After Good Works, We Reap What We’ve Sown This week, the Lord has given me a testimony for this column: After worship service on Sunday, I went to Trader Joe’s in Gaithersburg, near my home, to buy some items I needed for my dinner. I decided to leave my purse in the car and only take my wallet. Bought my food, paid by credit card, put my wallet in my pocket and walked to my car and drove home. Put my groceries away, and had my fresh arula greens cooking slowly with white potatoes and onions as I watched the news about the death of Nancy Reagan. After about 30 minutes, my phone rang. I thought it was someone calling because they had read my column. I get a lot of such calls. Well, it was the Gaithersburg police. He was asking for Lyndia Grant and said she lost her wallet at Trader Joe’s parking lot today. At first, I thought he had the wrong number, but I knew I had just left Trader Joe’s about an hour ago. I checked my coat pocket, and there was no wallet, so I said “a silver wallet.” He said yes. It had fallen out of my coat pocket, and I never knew. Praise the Lord for an angel who found my wallet and turned it in to the police department. There was no money in the wallet, but my checkbook and credit card both were there. Amen!!! See how God looks out for His people. Scripture reminds us in the 23rd Psalm, “Surely goodness and mercy shall folTurning Hearts Church

low me, all the days of my life!” Keep on doing good in the world, my friends! You never know when you might need goodness and mercy to follow you; it could be when you least expect it, like what happened to me today. The police officer was so nice, a tall, good-looking African-American officer. He came to bring me my wallet, and I thanked him. But before I left, I asked, “How did you find my telephone number?” He said “I googled you and found a flyer where you were having something from a few years ago and found the phone number.” He had gone through all of the information that comes up when you google Lyndia Grant. It is a lot of information, folks, and I’m thankful and blessed. If I had gotten paid for all of the “good works” that show up in my background, I would be a millionaire today. My life has been a testimony of “good works” and working as a servant in the vineyard without pay. Scripture also reminds us, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” Scripture also says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” As the officer and I talked outside by my car, he also said,

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with Lyndia Grant “May I ask you a question?” I said “Sure!” He asked “I saw something about a bronze bust of Rev. Jesse Jackson that you did. What was that all about?” That question kept me talking with him about 15 to 20 minutes. I gave him a copy of this week’s Washington Informer and thanked him. My blessing on Sunday! What an exciting way to begin my week. Thank you Lord for your goodness and mercy following me, and I certainly thank you for my time to reap what I’ve sown. To the readers of this column, keep doing “good works” too. WI Lyndia Grant is an authorand inspirational and motivational speaker, radio talk show host and columnist. Visit her new website at www.lyndiagrant.com or call 202-558-2107. Tune in Fridays at 6 p.m to the radio talk show on 1340 AM, WYCB, a Radio One Station.

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Service and Times Sunday School 8 – 9 AM Worship Service 9 – 11 AM Tuesday Night Bible Study 6:30 – 8:00 PM Wednesday Daytime Bible Study 11 AM – 12:30 PM

Committed to providing services and supports to increase the capacity of individuals, businesses, and communities.

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

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MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 39

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor 9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 Fax: 301-499-8724

Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 a.m. 7 10:00 a.m. Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Church of Living Waters

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor 700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849 Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00am 5th Sundays: 9:30am 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30pm

Crusader Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., Pastor

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor

Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor

Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor

2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org

800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703

4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30am 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00am Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30pm Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30pm Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30pm Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30pm Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00am “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00am Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment

1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661

www.livingwatersmd.org

E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org “God is Love”

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Third Street Church of God

Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

Drs. Dennis W. & Christine Y. Wiley Pastors

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor

Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) (202) 562-4219 (Fax)

5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555

1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office 202-638-1803 fax

610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00am Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30pm

Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30pm (dinner @ 5:30pm) Sunday School: 9:00am – Hour of Power

Blessed Word of Life Church

www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 am Sunday Church School: 8:45 am Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 pm Thursday: 7: pm “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

“An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantbaptistdc.org

Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Church School: 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45am Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 pm Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30am

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30pm

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

www.thirdstreet.org

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital”

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church

Sunday Worship Service: 8 AM and 10:45am Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45am; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45am; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6am & 6:30pm Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:20 a.m. Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Services and Times Sunday School: 9:00am Worship Service: 10:00am Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45pm Thur. Bible Study: 7:15pm

Twelfth Street Christian Church Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 am Communion every Sunday: 11:00 am Sunday School: 10:00 am Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 pm Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Rev. John W. Davis Pastor

Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor

5101 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20011 202-726-2220/ 202-726-9089

901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday School: 9:15am Holy Communion 4th Sunday 10:00am Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday 7:00pm TV Ministry –Channel 6 Wednesday 10:00pm

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00am Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30pm Communion Service: First Sunday

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10am themcbc.org

gsccm.administration@verizon.net

40 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church

All Nations Baptist Church

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor

7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471

2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591

2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730

Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Service 11:00 a.m. Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

Zion Baptist Church Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:15AM Sunday School: 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church Shall; Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, and Exalt Our Savior. (Acts 2:41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 pm Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Israel Baptist Church

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor

2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office - (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family”

623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 Fax (202) 483-4009

4504 Gault Place, N.E. Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

“Where Jesus is the King”

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Rev. Dr. Diane Dixon Proctor Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lpumconthegrow@gmail.com www.lpumcdc.org

5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Sunday School: 8:30 A.M. Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10: am Holy Communion: First Sunday 10: am Sunday School: 9: am Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30pm Motto: “A CHURCH ON THE GROW”.

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

Eastern Community Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 P.M Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 P.M. Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

New Commandment Baptist Church

Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964

8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240

13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am & 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm

Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

Rehoboth Baptist Church

“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org

Salem Baptist Church

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 am Baptismal Service: 1st Sunday – 9:30 am Holy Communion: 1st Sunday – 11:00 am Prayer Meeting & Bible Study: Wednesday -7:30 pm

Emmanuel Baptist Church

“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 p.m. Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Dr. C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 7:30a.m Worship Service: 10:45a.m. New Members Class: 9:30a.m. Holy Communion : 1st Sunday -10:45a.m Church School: 9:30a.m. Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: Wednesday 7p.m Bible Study : Saturday: 11a.m. Baptism: 4th Sunday – 10:45a.m “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship Service: 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School: 9:30am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service: 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible: 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Service and Times 9:30AM. Sunday Church School 11:00 Am. Sunday Worship Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Wednesday 7:00pm Prayer & Praise Services 7:30pm. Bible Study Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries 10:30am A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Christ Embassy DC

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 P.M. Friday Evening Service: 7:00 P.M. ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 P.M. Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 P.M. Prayer Service Bible Study

“The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address pbcexec@verizon.net

Shiloh Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Reginald M. Green, Sr. Interim Pastor

Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor

Worshiping Location Knights of Columbus - 1633 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 (240) 838-7074

621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112

917 N St. NW - Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-4294

9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4200

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10 am Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 am 1st Sunday Baptism: 10: am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10 am Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 pm Prayer Meeting: 7:45 pm

Service and Times Sunday Morning Prayer Service: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m. Third Sunday Baptismal & Holy Communion:10:30 a.m. Tuesday Church At Study Prayer & Praise: 6:30 p.m.

Service and Times Sunrise Prayer Services - Sunday 7:00 a.m. Morning Worship: 8:00 a.m Church School : 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:55 a.m. Bible Study, Thursday: 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting,Thursday : 7:30 p.m.

602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595

2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 10:30a.m. Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 12 Noon

Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”

The Church Where GOD Is Working.... And We Are Working With GOD

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer / Bible Study: 6:15 pm - 7:20 pm (Tuesday) Theme: “The Kingdom Focused Church” Matthew 6:33 and Mathew 28:18-20, KJV Email: stmatthewsbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

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Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45am & 11:00am Sunday School For All Ages: 9:30am Prayer Services: Wednesday 11:30am & 6:45pm Bible Institute: Wednesday at Noon & 7:45pm Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 41

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1021

Administration No. 2016 ADM 146

Administration No. 2016 ADM 115

Administration No. 2016 ADM 132

Administration No. 2015 ADM 1436

John F. Walker aka John Francis Walker aka John F. Walker, Jr. Decedent

Mary E. Jinks aka Mary Elizabeth Jinks Decedent

Fred Bethea Decedent

Emma T. Harris aka Emma R. Harris Decedent

Samuel F. Howard Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

Matthew F. Shannon, Esquire 1420 N Street, NW Suite 102 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Elaine C. Myrick, whose address is 11760 Sunrise Valley Drive, Unit 201, Reston, VA 20191, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Emma T. Harris aka Emma R. Harris who died on December 13, 1995 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 3, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 3, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Beverly Franklin, whose address is 11503 Accolade Court, Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Samuel F. Howard who died on October 23, 2015 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 25, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 25, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Carole F. George, whose address is 5913 Pope Court, Camp Springs, MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John F. Walker aka John Francis Walker aka John F. Walker, Jr. who died on July 20, 2015 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 3, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 3, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: March 3, 2016

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Barbara Ware, whose address is 3110 Walnut St., NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary E. Jinks aka Mary Elizabeth Jinks who died on April 4, 2006 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 3, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 3, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: March 3, 2016

Carole F. George Personal Representative

Barbara Ware Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration Number 2016 ADM 34 Estate of

E.P. Hallman aka E. Patricia Hallman aka Emma Patricia Hallman Deceased

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. for

standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless

a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is

filed in this Court within 30 days from the date

of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

Admit to probate the will date August 26,

2015 exhibited with the petition upon proof

satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses.

Date of first publication: February 25, 2016

Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. Attorney

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister

42 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

Washington Informer

Administration No. 2016 ADM 130 Felicisa R. Jackson Decedent Edward M. Biggin 11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 405 Rockville, MD 20852 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Rollen F. Jackson, whose address is 4110 Norcross St., Temple Hills, MD 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Felicisa R. Jackson who died on July 28, 2015 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 25, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 25, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: February 25, 2016 Rollen F. Jackson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Date of first publication: March 3, 2016 Ella R. Stephens Linda B. Mask Personal Representative

Anne Meister Register of Wills

COLUMBIA

Ella R. Stephens and Linda B. Mask, whose addresses are 9060 Cherry Ln., Laurel MD 20708 & 2320 Anderson Hill St., Marriottsville, MD 21104, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Fred Bethea who died on January 19, 2015 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 3, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 3, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016 ADM 109 Marjorie Irene Carey Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Linda E. Carey, whose address is 3015 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marjorie Irene Carey who died on October 13, 2015 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 25, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 25, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: February 25, 2016 Linda E. Carey Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Date of first publication: March 3, 2016 Elaine C. Myrick Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016 ADM 121 Jane G. Fitts Decedent Francis E. Fenwick 4910 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 215 Washington, DC 20016 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Victoria Wohlsen, whose address is 507 Beechwood Drive, Kennett Square, PA 19348, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jane G. Fitts who died on May 27, 2015 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 25, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 25, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: February 25, 2016 Victoria Wohlsen Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Date of first publication: February 25, 2016 Beverly Franklin Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016 ADM 103 Rebecca Wright Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sylvia Ford, whose address is 1365 Half Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rebecca Wright who died on April 3, 2014 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 25, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 25, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: February 25, 2016 Sylvia Ford Personal Representative

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Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2016 ADM 134

Administration No. 2016 ADM 204

Algernon E. Christian, Jr. Decedent

James A. Thomas aka James Alexander Thomas Decedent

Johnny M. Howard Houston & Howard 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

James Larry Frazier, Esq. 918 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Wilmon A. Christian, Jr., whose address is 2816 Evergreen Road, Providence Forge, VA 23140, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Algernon E. Christian, Jr. who died on December 1, 2015 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before August 25, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before August 25, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Ronald D. Thomas, whose address is 1319 Spring Road, NW, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James A. Thomas aka James Alexander Thomas who died on July 16, 2009 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 10, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 10, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Date of first publication: February 25, 2016 Wilmon A. Christian, Jr. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2015 ADM 1098 Thelma V. Ross aka Thelma Randolph-Ross Decedent James Larry Frazier, Esquire 918 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney NOTICE OF AFTER DISCOVERED WILL AND NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT Minerva L. Jackson, whose address is 1228 Ingraham Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012, Was appointed personal representative of the estate of Thelma V. Ross aka Thelma Randolph-Ross, who died on July 18, 2015, with a Will. Objections to such appointment or to the probate of decedent’s Will shall be filed with the Register of Wills, District of Columbia, Building A, 515, 5th Street, N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 2001, on or before September 10, 2016. Date of first publication: March 10, 2016

Minerva L. Jackson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Resister of Wills Washington Informer

Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 Ronald D. Thomas Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016 ADM 203 Shirley May Reed Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS JoAnne Reed Hunter, whose address is 4630 Hanna Pl. SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shirley May Reed who died on January 27, 2016 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 September 10, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 10, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 JoAnne Reed Hunter Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016 ADM 183 Gladys C. Talley aka Gladys Cornelia Talley Decedent Peggy A. Miller, Esq. 5130 7th St., NE Washington, DC 20011-2625 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shirley S. Richie, whose address is 5101 Sargent Rd., #303, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gladys C. Talley aka Gladys Cornelia Talley who died on January 1, 2016 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 September 10, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 10, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 Shirley S. Richie Personal Representative

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LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Foreign No. 2016 FEP 22 February 28, 2012 Date of Death Charles Say Scott Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Debra Wharton whose address is 8712 Temple Hill Road, Clinton, MD 20735 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Charles Say Scott, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on March 15, 2012. Service of process may be made upon Tana P. Miles, 1607 Trinidad Avenue, Washington, DC 20002 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 1131 Chicago Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 Debra Wharton Personal Representative Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

Administration No. 2016 ADM 161

Administration No. 2016 ADM 238

Administration No. 2016 ADM 226

Administration No. 2016 ADM 182

Juanita Jackson Decedent

Joseph Isaac Decedent

Cordelius Bowman Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

William S. Jackson III, whose address is 3716 24th Street, NE Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Juanita Jackson who died on February 20, 2013 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 10, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 10, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Donald L. Isaac, Sr., whose address is 3333 M Street, SE. Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joseph Isaac who died on October 28, 2002 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 September 10, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 10, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship.

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 William S. Jackson III Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 Donald L. Isaac, Sr. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Delores A. Rhodes, whose address is 11911 Ivanhoe Street, Silver Spring, MD 20902, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Cordelius Bowman who died on December 15, 2015 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 10, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 10, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 Delores A. Rhodes Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Victoria Nancy Bostic-Thompson Decedent Edward M. Biggin 11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 405 Rockville, MD 20852 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ywain Thompson, whose address is 11100 Pompey Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Victoria Nancy Bostic-Thompson who died on November 9, 2015 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 10, 2016. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before September 10, 2016, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address and relationship. Date of first publication: March 10, 2016 Ywain Thompson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

MAR. 10 - 16, 2016 43

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! 44 MAR. 10 - 16, 2016

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MALVEAUX from Page 22 to a businesswoman, speaking to the fact that few were available to help her to achieve her goals and the goals of tens of thousands of other women. Her audacity, her self-possession, her activism were notable during a time when few women, regardless of race, promoted themselves, instead choosing to walk softly and speak quietly. Today, women like Cathy Liggons Hughes (TV/Radio One), Sheila Johnson (co-founder of BET), and Oprah Winfrey stand on her shoulders. And today, in time for Women’s History Month, Madame CJ Walker’s products are making a comeback. Her historic formulas have been modified for contemporary use, with four formulas made available based on hair texture. A’lelia Bundles has been supportive of the line which, as of March 4, is exclusively available at the Sephora cosmetics stores. I’ve not tried the products yet, but I can’t wait to shampoo my hair with a little bit of history, with a product that

JACKSON from Page 22 both sides of the border. We don’t need a wall; we need a bridge. We are neighbors, bound together by geography and by history. Now we hear all these fulminations about undocumented workers. People don’t leave their homes on a lark. They flee parched earth for green grass. For too long, we have exploited Mexican workers on both sides of the border. They pick our fruit and vegetables. They clean our houses. They fight and die in our wars, hoping for a green card and a shot at an American dream. Mexicans didn’t take

WILLIAMS from Page 22 have things called legislatures, and they enact things called laws.” He stated that women aren’t protected on the basis of sex under the Equal Protection Clause. That was shocking to many of us who believed equal protection allows all Americans to enjoy basic civil and human rights. The day didn’t end without a few more women coming forward on the ERA. Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ) led an amazing Special Order Hour

derives from the formulas of Madame C.J. Walker. The Madame CJ Walker story takes on a special significance in these economic times. You may have heard that there has been an economic recovery, but if you are like most people in these United States, you haven’t felt it. Incomes have hardly risen since 2009, when our current president took office. Not his fault – but that’s not the point. The point is that too many people are hurting, and some of the pain is joblessness. Barriers to employment entry are high, especially for some young African-Americans who, despite similar qualifications to their White counterparts, take much longer to find meaningful and remunerative work. If the labor market won’t absorb these young people, African-American entrepreneurs the inheritors of Madame CJ Walker must. Where is the business leader who can create tens of thousands of sales agents and provide entrepreneurship opportunities for so many?

African-American women are increasingly likely to take up the mantle of Madame CJ Walker and start businesses. Younger women, especially, are motivated by job markets that they perceive to be unwelcoming. While our colleges teach some educational fundamentals, they ought also be encouraged to teach entrepreneurship. If job market continues to generate an official Black unemployment rate of around ten percent, and an employment population ratio of sixty percent (which means that just 60 percent of the adult population is working – it is closer to 70 percent for Whites, then the need for Black entrepreneurs is critical. In the name of Madame CJ Walker, let’s keep our entrepreneurial gene thriving! WI

our jobs to Mexico; U.S. corporations used NAFTA to take our jobs to Mexico. Mexicans don’t seek subminimum wages here. U.S. employers exploit the undocumented to pad their own pockets. This furious debate about immigration is taking place as illegal immigration has virtually disappeared due to the lack of jobs in the U.S. The biggest flood of immigration came after NAFTA forced family farmers in Mexico to compete with subsidized agribusiness in the U.S. Many lost their lands and their livelihood and came north to survive. We need economic policies that work for

working people on both sides of the border, not a policy of division and insult that allows employers to keep exploiting workers in both countries. America’s strength is its diversity. And our security is enhanced by having close relations with our neighbors. American workers have every reason to be angry about an economy that is rigged to work against them and a politics that is corrupted by big money. But our Mexican neighbors didn’t do that, and building a wall won’t change it. The politics of insult ends up insulting us. WI

in the Congress on passage of ERA. I received emails from women all over the country rejoicing that ERA is finally receiving attention after all the years of near silence on the issue. The National Congress of Black Women is a lead organization on this issue. We were represented at the dinner held by actress Patricia Arquette in California a few days ago. Kamala Lopez just did a great informative movie called “Equal Means Equal.” If you don’t know many of the challenges presented to women by not being written into the Con-

stitution, you need to see the movie. We, Black and Latina women, have double challenges of color and sex, so we must be actively and visibly involved in getting ERA passed. Begin by asking elected officials at all levels for their position on ERA. If they’re not giving the correct answer, remember their answers on every Election Day! Brothers, please join your mothers, daughters, sisters and spouses on this issue. When we’re all enjoying equal pay and other rights, we can all enjoy a better quality of life. WI

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Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, DC. Her latest book, Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy can be purchased a twww.juliannemalveaux. com.

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markup. It has also long been shown to result in higher interest rates for borrowers of color. The 17-member coalition calling on Buffett to act includes the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, League of United Latin American Citizens, NAACP, National Consumer Law Center, National Urban League, and the Center for Responsible Lending among others. The joint appeal also acknowledged the influential opposition faced in fighting for fair lending in auto finance. “Unfortunately, the nation’s largest auto dealer trade association, the National Auto Dealers Association, has responded with a campaign to defend this

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called police “pigs,” wore black leather jackets with black berets fitted over their afros and promoted revolution. Violent skirmishes with the police started becoming frequent as their chapters started popping up in cities throughout the United States. Some members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee decided to become violent and join the Panthers. Most notably, there were Stokely Carmichael and H. Rap Brown. I was going to Ventura Community College near my hometown of Oxnard, California. Suddenly, members of the Black Panther Party – Los Angeles Chapter came on our campus to recruit Black students into the movement. Amazingly, they succeeded. Gwen Harvey, fellow student, was the first in our community to grow a “natural” or afro. I laughed at her for a full hour. Two years later I and everyone else was sporting one – I even

CROWELL from Page 23

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ALFORD from Page 23

Clinton White House. Even if the two were to disagree, as veep, Bernie could not be dismissed by Hillary. Any president can certainly curtail the authority of any vice president, but I would still like the odds for the country being better off with the prospect of having Bernie Sanders provide a “bully pulpit” of his own, even if he had no real power because his conscience went beyond conventional thinking.

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bought a black leather coat. What I didn’t know was that Gwen had joined the Black Panthers. A couple of years later, while I was at the University of Wisconsin, my mother sent me a local news article. Gwen, who was going to the University of California at Santa Barbara, joined a fellow Black Panther and hijacked a commercial jet taking off from the Santa Barbara airport. They commandeered it to Havana, Cuba, where they refueled and then flew across the Atlantic Ocean to land in Algeria. Algeria greeted them with open arms and allowed a new chapter of the Black Panthers to be formed there. The nation even funded them. That is where Gwen spent the rest of her days. She died of natural causes a decade or so later. The FBI went to “war” with the Panthers. In her autobiography, Elaine Brown, clearly discusses the adventures and soon deterioration of the Panthers through J. Edgar Hoover’s infamous COINTELPRO investigations and assassinations.

If you want to know about life with the Panthers and the viciousness a nation can wreak, this is a must read. While I was attending the University of Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to meet and quickly chat with Fred Hampton who ran the Chicago’s Black Panther chapter. He gave a rousing speech at an event sponsored by a White communist organization – Students for a Democratic Society. My buddy and I were so intrigued we decided to drive to Chicago, go to his headquarters and request an on the spot interview and then write a paper for one of our professors. Fred took us in! The brother had the makings of a great leader. A few weeks later the Chicago Police Department assassinated him via a couple of dozen bullets as he laid in his bed beside his eight months pregnant wife. It was devastating! It was a hard lesson for me. Fight the power, but remember the power follows no morals. WI

discriminatory practice, jeopardizing the good will that auto dealers may have in their communities,” said the coalition. “As you have said, ‘it takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.’ As a leader in the financial sector… [Y]our leadership would have a market-wide impact.” Ranked by Forbes as the nation’s second-wealthiest billionaire – surpassed only by Bill Gates – Buffett built a solid reputation for astute investing and major deals that grew Berkshire Hathaway into a multinational firm with more than 90 businesses owned and additional investments in corporations such as American Express, Coca-Cola, IBM and Wells Fargo. Beyond Buffett, the Center

for Responsible Lending and its allies have also called on regulators to end the practice of dealer interest rate markup. “More than two decades of evidence that dealer interest rate markup leads to discrimination is enough,” said Chris Kukla, an executive vice president at CRL. “Consumers of color continue to pay more for car loans than White borrowers. The law is clear: Every consumer is to be treated fairly and equally – not sometimes, but all of the time.” WI

In 1980 when former California Gov. Ronald Reagan took the nation by storm, he chose as his running mate George H.W. Bush, who had surprised the Reagan juggernaut with a few primary victories. So, if she was smart she would firm-up the one real chink in her political armor and hire Bernie to be her running mate. Bernie should seriously consider the good he might do if he were the vice president. He should consider the effect his candidacy would

have on the election and the Supreme Court vacancy to be filled. How could he not serve if his candidacy would be the best thing he could do for the American people, this country’s history. Why not shape history in a bold way? Why not march ahead with a bold message … that is if you are able to mouth the words — a Hillary-Bernie 2016 Dream Ticket. But such as that can never happen in over-scripted, too-melodramatic world that is politricks today. WI

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at charlene. crowell@responsiblelending.org.

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