I N S I D E
Study: D.C. Ranks Worst in Police Spending Page 5
Leadership Changes Ahead in Prince George’s Page 14
Globetrotter Gives Big Gift to Needy Page 15
Improv Relieving Stress for Ward 8 Page 29
VOL. 51, NO. 13 JAN. 7 - 13, 2016
SEE OUR TRIBUTE TO NATALIE COLE - PAGE 30
Vincent Gray in His Own Words
Former Mayor Says He’ll announce Intentions in Coming Weeks
5 Former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The smile is back and the desire – which never really left – is percolating. Vincent Gray has come out from under the darkness of an
indictment that never was and now sees the light at the end of a tunnel that could lead him back to City Hall. “There is more work to be done,” Gray said in an interview with the Washington Informer this week. “The city needs the leadership that I brought. When you look at homicides, there’s been a 62 percent increase. There needs to be investments and affordable housing. There also is a need not just for affordable housing because the District has come a long way and the city is growing, so we need to make people better equipped to afford what’s here.” The clock cannot be turned
GRAY Page 11
Famed Psychiatrist Frances Cress Welsing Dead
5 Dr. Frances Cress Welsing
5 Mayor Muriel Bowser and fellow runners start the race at the second annual Fit DC Fresh Start 5K Run/Walk on Friday, Jan. 1 at Eastern Senior High School in Northeast. / Photo by Patricia Little
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, the famed 80-year-old afro centrist has died. Welsing’s death was announced by close friends on social media and later confirmed by family members. “RIP to the elder, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, the inspiration behind ‘Fear of a Black Planet,” said Chuck D, the leader of the groundbreaking rap group, Public Enemy, whose 1990 “Fear of a Black Planet” album sold more than 1 million copies in less than two weeks and is viewed as one
WELSING Page 10
Emotional President Calls for Increased Gun Control
Obama: ‘Americans Will Not Be Held Hostage by NRA’ By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor Unable to hold back tears and contain his emotions, President Barack Obama spoke to a group of advocates, victims of gun violence or their surviving family members and others in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 5, unveiling his plans for changes in
gun control. The president said he will invoke long-delayed and stalled gun control methods through executive action, much to the chagrin and vocal opposition of many Republicans, both those currently in office and those seeking the presidency. However, in order to bring sever-
GUN CONTROL Page 9
Celebrating 51 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area