Issuu

VOL. 53, NO. 13 • JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018

We Honor the Sacrifices and Contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will Trump Plunge U.S. into War?

Black Caucus Members Express 2018 Priorities

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer During his 2017 swearing-in as the new chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond spoke boldly of what constituents could expect from the famed legislative group established in 1971. “We will confront those who seek to divide,” Richmond said. “We will be clear about our demands on behalf of black people across the globe. We will venture outside of Washington regularly to engage our people in the places they live, work and worship, we will heed the many lessons from our leaders who came before, but we will BRRRRRRR! innovate and evolve to tackle the chal- 5 The Greater Washington Area recently experienced bone-chilling temperatures. Howard University delayed the start of

CBC Page 38

classes after the holiday break due to the frigid weather while pipes burst in many communities. Temperatures finally climbed above freezing on Tuesday, but more cold weather is predicted to be on the way. /Photo by E Watson/EDI Photo

Interfaith Service Explores Lessons of Dr. M.L. King, Jr.

Annual Event Draws Hundreds of Celebrants Despite the Cold Temps By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir As the world prepares to honor the life of the “Drum Major for Peace” on his birthday, Jan. 15, hundreds gathered at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Northwest for an annual service bringing together leaders and members of various faiths from across the D.C. area with Dr. M.L. King, Jr., as their focus point. The program, co-sponsored by the Interfaith Conference

World of Comics in D.C. Page 28

of Metropolitan Washington and the Council of Churches of Greater Washington, continued an event which first began in 1983, one year after the founding of the King D.C. Support Group by its founding president, Dr. Helen V. Tate, along with Dr. Clark Lobenstine, on Jan. 16, 1972. And while partnerships within the group were later formed, the goal remained the same: to gather the community to experience Dr. King’s col-

INTERFAITH Page 34

5 (From left-right) Ana Chavis, Denise Rolark Barnes, the publisher of the Washington Informer, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA, and other attendees sing during a celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, presented by the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

President Donald Trump continues to play a game of chicken with North Korean Leader Kim Jung Un and the ramped-up rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang has many wondering not if, but when the feud will erupt into war. The latest war of words between the two leaders began when Kim, in a New Year’s speech, signaled his willingness to engage in talks with South Korea and claimed the entire U.S. mainland was within range of North Korean missiles, according to a CNN report. “The nuclear button is always on the desk of my office,” he said. “They should accurately be aware that this is not a threat but a reality.” Trump responded via Twitter, saying, “I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!” Meanwhile, recent protests in Iran have drawn the attention of much of the world – and the strong support of the Trump administration. The Iranian government reportedly has responded to the protests with force in some areas, and Iranian leaders have accused the U.S. of backing the anti-government protesters. Now Trump is shaming Pakistan on Twitter and withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in security assistance at a time when the U.S. needs its difficult ally more than it has in years. The Los Angeles Times reported that Trump is plunging deeper into Afghanistan, having raised the number of U.S. troops from 11,000 to

WAR Page 44

Celebrating 53 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area

Now Published by Dr. Charles Vincent

Her Legacy Continues.

In memory of Mickey Thompson Vincent, Founder and Publisher.

Dr. Clayton Lawrence hosts his annual Toy Drive for the LEAP Foundation: His guests included Mayor Muriel Bowser and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. /Photo Credit: Kalil ZaKy

Mayor Muriel Bowser

Dr. Charles & “Mickey” Vincent

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Members of the Silver Spring Links.

! Happy Reti ews Bravo! H remen N app t! ns! ial yB pt latio i

here! Is Everyw

ns! Best W latio oya ishes! u t on V ge! Co Nu ra ng ng irl! B r

n Up! Engagemen gO t vin ! Happy Annivers New ar Mo hday y

45th Anniversary of the Silver Spring Links

Left-Attorney Regina Dillard Ashby, Chapter Treasurer Right-Attorney Pamela Young, Chapter President

lences. Promo ndo ob! It’s a B tions! o Co y ! It’s Co s! reat J

Christmas is for the Archousa. The Members of the Beta Mu Boulè and their wives (Archousa) at their annual Christmas Party. /Photo Credit: darryle Carter

Social Sightings - THE MAGAZINE Subscribe www.SocialSightings.com Kendra Handy/Editor Dr. Charles Vincent/Photographer Brian Young/Graphic Designer l

Social Sightings-The Column is published in the Hill Rag, DC Mid-City, East of the River Journals, The Washington Informer Newspaper and in the Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlingnton, Loudoun Woman Magazines

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BORN TO BE GREAT By the time sheâ€™s ready to attend college, the majority of all jobs will require education and training beyond high school. Jobs in healthcare, community services, and STEM will grow the fastest among occupational clusters. To be ready for these jobs of the future, students in grades K-12 need learning experiences that meet them where they are, engage them deeply, let them progress at a pace that meets their individual needs, and helps them master the skills for today and tomorrow.

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around the region

W I HBreak O T the T OCycle P I C of S Women Domestic Violence

SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

COMPILED BY D. KEVIN MCNEIR, WI EDITOR AND WILLIAM J. FORD, WI STAFF WRITER

Prince George’s County Touts Reduction in Crime law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said.

By Tia Carol Jones

www.washingtoninformer.com

WIPrince Staff Writer George’s

Visit our updated Web site and give us your comments for a chance to win a gift from The Washington Informer Email comments to: rburke@ washingtoninformer.com

had acome bring a Among the programs Marlow County officials held press together conferencetoMonday, sensecrime of uniformity in nearly the way wants to see implemented are Jan. 8 to announce that overall violent decreased by 7 Whenlast L.Y.year. Marlow's 23-yeardomestic violence in victims stricter restraining order policies, percent The county experienced 80 homicides 2017, and 18 old daughter told her the father survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families fewer than 2016, according to the Police Department. In addition, the ofdepartment her daughter herclosed 83 “She's usingofher own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicnotedthreatened investigators percent cases solved last life, the lifeto of child, her60own personal year,and compared thetheir national closurestory, rate of percent. Policepain Chiefto tim, a domestic violence assessshe knew something hadthefts to be push forward,” ment unit coupled with further Hank Stawinski said auto marked the only increaseDavis-Nickens in crime. Last done. Out of her frustration said about Marlow. training for law enforcement summer, thefts increased by 14 percent. After daily updates from the with law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecdepartment on Twitter and warning cards on vehicles, the number deofcreased the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counselto 4 percent. Stawinski talked about the crime reduction at the start the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. department’s headquarters in Palmer Park alongside County Executive paign. case in such a way, and the Sheriff average “If we are ever going to eradiRushern L. Baker III, State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks “It seems to be a vicious cycle person can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must Melvin High. “We have changed part of the story in Prince George’s,” that won't turn my family end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. Alsobrooks said. “We have encouraged the trust of the public in public loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vicsafety. They believe we care.” shared her story with the audi- logue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow ence at the District Heights Also 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 Construction on among the $65children million in stateMunicipal Center. The sympo- who was sentenced to six consecawareness of-the-art sports and entertainment arena sium was sponsored by the utive life terms without parole public and private schools. She at the in St. Elizabeths Eastneed campus Southeast Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his role feels children to beineducatshould be completed soon. To commemoCenter of the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. rate is the final phases, willpashost a Heights and the National Hook- 2002. Mildred Muhammad “We have Events to stopDC being “topping out” ceremony with at 11 a.m. Up of Black Women. the founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive poor Thursday, chilJan.the 11 atdren the site. 4,200-seat arena will Marlow has written a book, an organization that helps aboutThe domestic violence,” “Color Me Butterfly,” which is a survivors of domestic violence not only Marlow serve assaid. the host site for concerts story about four generations of and their children. and other major events, but will to alsobreak serve as Marlow has worked domestic The book is The home to violence. the Washington Mystics. Wizards willSix use the practice andfamily, train. The “I Washington lived in fear for six years. thefacility cycle oftoabuse in her inspired by herbetween own experiences, in fear is Sports a long & time. It is and is joint venture Events DC,years Monumental Entertainment and the city the expects to produce confident policies she and of her grandmother, not an easy to come is to pushing will start that 600those construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs.thing A priority will out be given Ward 8for residents for job placeher mother and her Officials daughter. of,” the she entertainment said. ment opportunities. estimate complex willprocess. produce $90 million in tax revenue She every20time Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to oversaid the next years.she reads excerpts from her book, she still people who want to help a Congress and implore them to can not believe the words came domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliwon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” Books” ThreeAward. people shot and killed on Dec. in the and that she28may be District in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached “I wasGeorge’s just 16-years-old whenbe connected, Prince County could mode”. according to D.C. po- at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net my firstarrested blackened and Whitaker, my lice.eye Police Dennis 23, a local dubbed “Before you rap get artist to 'I'm going lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a Police verbal “Jugga Knott,” Dec. 31 for first degree murder while armed. WI Elaine Davis-Nickens, presisaid Whitaker of Northeast shot and killed Ronzay Green 23, of dent of the The National Hook-Up Northeast. shooting took place around 11:20 a.m. on Eastern ofAvenue Black Women, said there is no in Northeast. About seven hours later at 6:20 p.m., Prince consistency in the way domestic George’s Police found Armoni Coles, 27, of Northwest, on the violence issues dealt withofbyKenilworth and Eastern avenues in road near the are intersection Capitol Heights. About an hour later at 7:20 p.m., District police responded to a vehicle on fire on Adrian Place in Southeast. Police found Kerrice Lewis, 23, of Hyattsville, Maryland, in the vehicle who had been shot. D.C. and Prince George’s police continue to seek suspects in the deaths of Coles and Lewis.

Dignitaries to Celebrate Arena’s Final Construction Stages

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

Cases of Three Slain on Same Day May be Interconnected

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER InPUBLISHER Memoriam NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Denise RolarkSr. Barnes published weekly on each Thursday. Wilhelmina J. Rolark Periodicals postage paid at Washington, THE D.C.WASHINGTON and additional mailing ofSTAFF INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published fices.weekly News on andThursday. advertising deadline postage Periodicals paid atMcNeir, Washington, D.C. and additional D. Kevin Editor is Monday to News publication. Anmailing prior offices. and advertising Monday prior to publication. Rondeadline Burke,isAdvertising/ Marketing Director nouncements must be received two two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The Announcements must be received Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POST MASTER: Send change of addressBarnes, Assistant Photo Editor by es The Washington Informer. to The Washington Informer,All3117Lafayette Martin Luther King, IV, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, rightsD.C. reserved. John E.be De Freitas, Sports Editor 20032.POSTMASTER: No part of thisSend publication may reproduced withoutPhoto written permischange addresses to TheThe Washsionoffrom the publisher. Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee Dorothy Rowley, Online Editorthe return of ington Informer, 3117 Martin rates Luther photographs. Subscription are $30 per year, two years $45. Papers be received ZebraDesigns.net, Design & will Layout King,notJr.more Ave.,than S.E.a Washington, D.C. week after publication. Make checks payable to: Mable Neville, Bookkeeper 20032. No part of this publication may Dr. Charles Vincent, Social Sightings columnist be reproduced without written permisTHE WASHINGTON INFORMER sion from the3117 publisher. The Informer Social Media Martin Luther King, Jr.Tatiana Ave., S.E.Moten, • Washington, D.C. Specialist 20032 Newspaper cannot guarantee the return Phone: 202 561-4100 202 574-3785 Angie• Fax: Johnson, Circulation of photographs. Subscription rates are E-mail: news@washingtoninformer.com $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will www.washingtoninformer.com REPORTERS be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, PUBLISHER Cox, Will Ford (Prince George’s Timothy THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Denise Rolark Barnes County Writer), Eve M. Ferguson, Hamil 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E STAFF REPORTERS Harris, Tatyana Hopkins, Jade James-Gist, Washington, D.C. 20032 Brooke N. Garner Managing Editor Tia C.Jr., Jones, Ed Laiscell, Daniel Kucin, D. Kevin McNeir, Lauren Phone: 202 561-4100 Carla Peay Assistant Managing Editor Odell B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, Fax: 202 574-3785 Poteat, Dorothy Rowley, Ron Burke Advertising and Marketing Mary Wells, JosephBrenda Young Siler, Sarafina news@washingtoninformer.com Wright (General Assignment Writer) Mable Whittaker Bookkeeper www.washingtoninformer.com LaNita Wrenn Administration PHOTOGRAPHERS John E. De Freitas Sports Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, PHOTOGRAPHERS Victor Holt Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic John DesignE. DeFreitas, Joanne Jackson, RoyLassiter, Lewis, Robert Shevry Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster Ridley, Victor Holt

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“

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these Rockeymoore Cummings Drops out of MD Governor’s Race policies to Congress and Maya Rockeymoore Cummings posted a message on her Facebook page Friday, Jan. 5 to let supporters know she had dropped implore them change our“due out of the Democratic primary to race for Maryland governor to personal considerations.” Rockeymoore Cummings, 46, even receivedlaws. an endorsed Emily’s List, astop national political I from will not untilaction committee that helps finance women in politics. Now the number of candidates who seek the nomination has decreased to seven. these policies are passed. “I thank all of the people across the country who have supported

“

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my campaign and those whom I have met on the campaign trail L.Y. Marlow who also fervently believe that we can and must do better for the Paul Trantham people of Maryland.” Meanwhile, her husband, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Maryland), announced on the same day he had a minor procedure done to drain an infection from his knee. “He is resting comfortably and expects a full recovery,” his office said in a statement. 5Maya Rockeymoore Cummings /Courtesy photo 4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com Jr., Mark Mahonny, CIRCULATION Lateef Mangum

4 JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018

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AROUND THE REGION Norton Seeks National Designation for Rock Creek Park

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton has never been shy about expressing her love for the District. So it’s no surprise that the Democratic congresswoman has introduced a bill to rename the historic Rock Creek Park in Northwest. She wants to call it Rock Creek National Park, a designation that Norton said would highlight the significance of the park for the nation, including visitors to the nation’s capital, in addition to District of Columbia residents. Norton said adding “National” will help recognize Rock Creek as one of the nation’s great historic parks, along with Yosemite and Sequoia. As it is, Rock Creek is the nation’s oldest urban park and the third-oldest federal park. “Rock Creek Park is one of the nation’s oldest and most historic parks and is a treasure not only to hundreds of thousands of D.C. residents, but to the millions who visit the nation’s capital each year,” Norton said. “Formally recognizing Rock Creek Park as one of our country’s great national parks also will help encourage the necessary funding to support the park’s inviting trails, waterways and other unique features.” In 1975, Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds released the hit single “Rock Creek Park,” a tribute to the landmark. The song begins with a groove the band came up with when they opened for the Commodores at a concert in New Jersey, according to songfacts.com. When the Blackbyrds worked on the groove in the studio, drummer Keith Killgo came up with the “In Rock Creek Park” line, and the rest of the band joined in. “That rhythm made you feel the park. The sound feels like the park,” Killgo said in a previously published interview. When asked what they are doing in the park after dark, as the song suggests, Killgo said: “having a good time.” The 1,754-acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thou-

sands of years of human history, Park Service officials said. “Renaming this park will highlight its significance to the nation, including visitors to the nation’s capital, and will help get much-needed funding for the park’s inviting trails, waterways and other unique features,” Norton said. The park was originally designed to preserve animals, timber, forestry and other interests in the park, and to ensure that its natural state is maintained as much as possible for all American people, not just for D.C. residents, she said. Over time, several structures have been established or donated to further preserve Rock Creek Park. In 1892, for example, the federal government acquired Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, one of the mills used by local farmers during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. In 1950, the Old Stone House, located at 3051 M Street in Northwest, with its great pre-Revolutionary War architectural merit, was acquired by the park. The building was restored, and programs explain the house’s rich history from the colonial period to the present day. The Fort Circle Parks were also acquired to interpret and preserve the Civil War Defenses of Washington, which created a ring of protection for the nation’s capital during the Civil War. Today, Rock Creek Park offers residents of D.C., Maryland and northern Virginia, as well as thousands of visitors, an escape from our increasingly urban environment, Norton said. Residents and tourists alike also enjoy many activities in the park’s 2,000 acres, including hiking and bike riding on the historical trails, horseback riding, picnicking, tennis and other recreational activities in some of the open fields, she said. “Our residents have expressed their appreciation by volunteering to clean up and maintain the trails and waterways,” Norton said. “Re-designating Rock Creek Park as Rock Creek National Park will help recognize the national status of the park and protect and revitalize this remarkable resource in our nation’s capital and I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.” WI

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5 Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton wants to re-designate Rock Creek Park. /Courtesy photo

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 5 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

AROUND THE REGION

WEEK OF JAN 11 - 17, 2018

Source: Black America Web

JAN 11

1971 – Mary J. Blige, “The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” is born in New York City. 1987 – Three scientists announce they have discovered evidence of a woman who lived in Africa 200,000 years ago and may be the mother of the human species.

Greek-letter sorority, is founded at Howard University. 1929 – Iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta. 1998 – Civil rights activist James Farmer is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.

JAN. 12

JAN. 16

1910 – Famed U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves dies of Bright’s disease in Muskogee, Oklahoma, at 71. 1948 – Supreme Court rules that Blacks have the right to study law at state institutions.

JAN. 13

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1759 – Quaker businessman and abolitionist Paul Cuffee is born in Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts. 1942 – Boxing legend and civil rights activist Muhammad Ali is born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky. WI

JAN. 14

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1835 – Isaac Myers, pioneer of the African-American trade union movement, is born in Baltimore. 1869 – The Colored National Labor Union, the nation’s first black labor union, is founded in Washington, D.C. 1873 – P.B.S. Pinchback ends service as Louisiana governor. 1913 – Sorority Delta Sigma Theta is founded at Howard University. 1953 – Don Barksdale becomes the first Black to play in the NBA All-Star Game. 1989 – Poet and literary critic Sterling A. Brown, D.C. native and longtime Howard University professor, dies in Tacoma Park, Maryland, at 87.

1871 – Jefferson Long becomes the first African-American from Georgia to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. 1920 – Sorority Zeta Phi Beta is founded at Howard University. 1941 – The War Department announces the creation of an all-Black fighter squadron to train at an airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama. 1967 – Lucius D. Amerson, the first Black sheriff in the South in the 20th century, is sworn in at Tuskegee, Alabama.

1916 – Fiction writer John Oliver Killens is born in Macon, Georgia. 1940 – Famed civil rights leader Julian Bond is born in Nashville, Tennessee.

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VIEW P INT

AROUND THE REGION

By Sarafina Wright

Essence magazine is now 100 percent Blackowned after being acquired from Time, Inc. by Black entrepreneur Richelieu Dennis. What are your thoughts? MAJIDA AIRALL-AMCHRAF / WASHINGTON, D.C.

About time. I might renew my subscription now.

SÄLONE DENISE / WASHINGTON, D.C.

The few subscriptions I have gotten for free were boring. Magazines are not the same anymore. It’s just not worth the money, I’m lucky I got it free, because I wouldn’t pay for it.

DEWAN MARCELL / FORT WORTH, TEXAS

This time next year we’ll be saying Essence magazine is going out of business. I’m not wishing bad on them, but nobody reads magazines anymore. It’s so many other forward-thinking things he could have put that money into in my opinion.

DENEANE BLOCKER / MARIETTA, GEORGIA

That magazine went downhill decades ago. It doesn’t matter who owns it — it has nothing to offer.

NANETTE MITCHELL / WASHINGTON, D.C.

I stopped reading magazines a few years ago. ... Either I am online or reading a book of my choosing. I hope the best for Essence magazine during this downwards decline of the printed press.

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JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 7 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

AROUND THE REGION

By D. Kevin McNeir / WI Editor/@dkevinmcneir

The World According to Dominic

Recy Taylor – One of Millions of Women Who Never Received Justice

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You have to hand it to Oprah Winfrey. Once again, the media queen took full advantage of an opportunity to teach the world and her peers about how we should treat one another. We all knew she’d come with a powerful, insightful message as she accepted the Golden Globes’ top honor, the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award during this year’s 75th anniversary of the annual ceremony. But, when she recalled the tragic experiences of a civil rights pioneer who recently died at 98, Recy Taylor, raped by six white men in rural Alabama in 1944, Winfrey reminded us of how far we still must go before justice and equality are more than mere noble ideas. Taylor’s abusers admitted to their crimes but were never charged for their heinous acts as not one but two grand juries failed to indict them. As for Taylor, she lived during an era when Black women were viewed

“During Winfrey’s remarks and acceptance speech, she reiterated the inequities that women of all races, religions and ages face each day.” as little more than bodies to be owned, enjoyed without permission and abused at a whim. Ironically, we are told that all she ever wanted was an apology – something she finally received in 2011 when the Alabama House of Representatives did so on behalf of the state “for its failure to prosecute her attackers.” During Winfrey’s remarks and acceptance speech, she reiterated the inequities that women of all races, religions and ages face each day. She further noted that she’s encouraged by the growing number of women who have and continue to come forward to confront those men who have sexually harassed or assaulted them – acts that

may have occurred yesterday or many years ago – all of which have remained dark, painful secrets for those women – until now. As I listened to Oprah, I began to understand a profound truth about the horror millions of women have unjustly and suddenly found thrust into their lives – constant pain and fear that would become as familiar to them as their breathing in and breathing out – because more powerful men believed they had the right to do whatever they pleased, whenever they pleased, in order to satisfy their basest human desires. Silence, I now realize, is sometimes the only response a woman can make. In her final comments, Oprah said she believes we have begun to turn an essential corner as it relates to the full rights of girls and women. She seemed hopeful that the days when women will have to say, “Me Too,” are finally and thankfully coming to an end. I pray she is right and recommit myself to doing whatever I can to bring her prophecy into the light of day. But, if she is wrong, we will all have to share responsibility for this “guilty stain” on our souls – both in our days of the living and when we each one day meet our maker on the other side. WI

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Public Campaign Finance Moves Forward in Council By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer The D.C. Council voted Tuesday, January 9 to approve the Fair Elections Act of 2017, which establishes a voluntary public financing program for political campaigns for District elections. The program will provide limited public funds to candidates who pledge to solicit small-dollar contributions from District residents and forgo contributions from corporations and special interest groups. In the first of two votes, the full council voted unanimously to advance the bill, which was co-sponsored by nine of the council’s 13 members. D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine and several advocates also supported the measure. Proponents of the bill say it will help lessen the influence of wealthy corporations in city elections and levels the playing field for small, individual contributors and candidates who do not have personal wealth or access to affluent donors. “I believe strongly that public financing of elections is one of the most vital tools to combat the corrupting influence of outsized campaign spending,” said Council member David Grosso (I-At Large), who authored the bill. Though not required, the program will be open to candidates for mayor, attorney general, city council and the State Board of Education. Any candidate who accepts the program’s requirements, including contribution limits and the threshold of small-dollar contributions, will be eligible. “This public financing system incentivizes candidates to spend more time meeting with residents and constituents, empowers residents of ordinary means to have a meaningful ability to compete for elected office, reshapes our donor class to be more inclusive and representative of the entire population of the District of Columbia, and combats the perception of pay-toplay politics,” Grosso said.

Once a candidate participates in the imposed contribution limits and raises the minimum amount of small-dollar contributions — both of which vary by contest — they will receive a grant based on contest, with the maximum of $160,000 for mayor. Qualified small-dollar contributions, not including those from donors who aren’t D.C. residents, will also be matched with public funds at a rate of 5 to 1. While there will be no cap on how much a candidate can raise, there will be a cap on the amount of matching public funds based on contest. More than two dozen jurisdictions nationwide have public financing programs in place, including Montgomery and Howard Counties in Maryland. If passed, the program will go in effect for the 2020 election cycle. It is expected to cost $5 million of the city’s nearly $14 billion annual budget. “I assure residents that the cost of the legislation is a small price to pay to ensure fair contracting and to restore the public’s full trust in the motivations of our elected officials,” said Council member Vincent C. Gray (D-Ward 7), who also co-sponsored the bill. Mayor Muriel Bowser will not fund the legislation if it is passed, WAMU-FM reported. “With so many pressing needs for residents, it is not prudent to divert tax dollars from hiring more police, investing in housing or fixing roads to paying for candidate robocalls, pole signs or donor receptions,” said Bowser spokesperson LaToya Foster. But many council members said it’s imperative that the proper funds for the program are allocated. “We must fund the Fair Election Act of 2017 in the upcoming budget, even if the council has to find the money ourselves,” Gray said. The council will likely hold its second vote on the measure at its February legislative meeting. WI

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AROUND THE REGION

5 The D.C. Council during a recent session. /Photo courtesy of Twitter @dcfairelex

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 9 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

AROUND THE REGION CAPTURE THE MOMENT

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Lonnie G. Bunch III (L-R), Marc Steiner, and Aaron Bryant participate in a panel discussion announcing the opening of a new exhibit, Jan. 9 in Northwest. “City of Hope: Resurrection City & the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign” uses “new and recently discovered film and audio footage” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 1968 crusade against poverty and the 43-day installation of “Resurrection City” on the National Mall. Though curated by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the exhibit is housed at the National Museum of American History and features newly-seen images from photographers Roland Freeman, Jill Freedman, Robert Houston, Laura Jones, Clara Watkins and Ernest Withers. /Photo by E Watson/EDI Photo

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“I think it is important to place the women who fought oppression as Black Panthers within the longer tradition of freedom fighters like Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Ida Wells Barnett, who took on an entirely oppressive world and insisted that their race, their gender and their humanity be respected all at the same time. Not singled out, each one separate, but at the same time. You cannot segregate out one aspect of our reality and expect to get a clear picture of what this struggle is about.”

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AROUND THE REGION Metro Goes On the Defense following Fare Policy Change

By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer

Metro began implementing its new SmarTrip card policy Monday, no longer permitting riders aboard the transit system’s trains and buses with a negative balance on their fare cards. Previously, customers would be permitted to complete certain trips without sufficient funds on the SmarTrip card to pay the appropriate fare and pay the balance the next time they add value to their card. Now, Metro wants customers to pay before they leave. Detractors say the new policy will affect Metro riders who cannot afford to keep a higher balance on their card or do not carry cash. Some groups have called the new policy misguided, saying it makes the transit system inaccessible to those who need it most. The day the policy change took effect, Black Lives Matter D.C. (BLMDC), Save Our System (SOS) and No Justice No Pride (NJNP) held “Swipes on Us” outside of the Anacostia Metro station, where they distributed hundreds of free preloaded SmarTrip cards. “If you live in D.C. and you ride the Metro you are bound to see someone being harassed by a Metro transit worker for the inability to pay,” said Tracye Redd, a leader of a branch of BLMDC related to

civil disobedience. “Metro transit officers are here just to protect value and property, and they are not here to serve the people who ride the Metro.” The organizers say the Metro needs a public dedicated funding source rather than “aggressive” punitive penalties that affect the city’s most vulnerable residents. In recent years, Metro has ramped up its enforcement of fare evasion policies, reporting a 40 percent increase in fare evasion-related citations issued in 2016 from the previous year and a 125 percent jump in written warnings.

“If you live in D.C. and you ride the Metro you are bound to see someone being harassed by a Metro transit worker for the inability to pay.” TRACYE REDD

Skipping out on Metro fare in the District currently can result in up to 10 days imprisonment and $300 in fines. Last year, Councilman Trayon White (D-Ward 8) introduced legislation that would decriminalize fare evasion within the Metro system, arguing that criminalizing riders would not make the transit system more equitable. White also said Metro’s heavy lobbying for public subsidies should encourage it to reconsider its fare evasion polices and use its enforcement resources to increase public safety. Under the new policy, the fare gate will not open for Metrorail customers with negative balances on their SmarTrip card even if there is a valid pass on the card, and they will be directed to an Exitfare machine, which only accepts cash and coins, to load additional value. On Metrobus, the fare box will buzz for customers with less than $1.75 loaded onto their SmarTrip card and they will be required to add a sufficient amount in the form of cash or coins. Even riders with valid daily, weekly, monthly or school passes will also be blocked from riding within the Metro system if they separately have a negative balance on the card. The Swipes on Us event is part of a bigger campaign for Metro reform by SOS, which seeks expanded service, a flat fare within the sys-

tem or fares based on income and a regional dedicated tax preferably using funds the city makes from real estate developers. “I think our elected leaders should really be looking deeply at who the real fare evaders are, and be thinking strategically about how to get the money to fund Metro without putting it on those who can’t afford and are struggling to pay these high fares,” said Emmelia Talarico of SOS and NJNP. In 2013, Metro changed policies to restrict negative balances to $1.50 for rail riders. Last week less than one percent of customers traveling within the transit system last week did so with a negative balance, according to a Metro statement. They say though

most people resolve negative balances the unresolved balances for the past 17 years total about $25 million, an amount they argue “could have been used to fund rail and bus service.” “In an environment where every dollar counts, we are taking a common-sense approach to ensure that Metro is properly collecting the value of the transportation it provides in order to reduce the demand on Metro customers and the region for additional funding,” said Metro Chief Financial Officer Dennis Anosike. Swipes on Us organizers say they will continue to mobilize citizens to push for changes in the Metro system. WI

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5 The Black Lives Matter DC Direct Action POD joined Save Our System, The Future Is Feminist, and other groups for “Swipes On Us,” Mon., Jan. 8, outside the Anacostia Metro Station in Southeast. During the event, organizers and passersby spoke out against Metro policies that are seen to disproportionately affect low-income residents and communities demographically similar to Anacostia. Organizers distributed free, pre-loaded SmarTrip cards to residents, in part to raise awareness and to help offset the potential impact of Metro’s new policy against negative SmarTrip balances. /Photo by E Watson/EDI Photo

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JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 11 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Education a Priority for Prince George’s Delegation By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill State lawmakers from Prince George’s County will present 40 pieces of legislation on the environment, transportation and housing during the 90-day session of Maryland General Assembly, which reconvened this week. The June 26 primary election for governor, state Senate and delegate and term limits for county executive and council members are crucial matters in Prince George’s agenda. “This is the last year for many of my colleagues, so there’s a lot of

transition happening around the county,” said council Chairwoman Dannielle Glaros (D-District 3) of Riverdale Park. “What we want to do is make sure the key priorities … move forward this year and beyond.” However, a current hot-button topic in the second-largest jurisdiction in the state is education. At least 10 of the proposed bills — roughly one-quarter of them — push to decrease class size in elementary schools, accept final reports on teachers and administrators allegedly involved in child abuse cases and create an office of inspector general to be appointed for four years by the county council and the school board.

5 Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (center) speaks during the county council’s annual retreat in College Park on Jan. 4. /Photo by William J. Ford

The two most controversial bills are proposed by state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-District 26) of Accokeek. One allows voters to elect all 13 school board members. The 14th person, a high school student, is chosen by a regional student government association. The other piece of legislation would permit the school board members appoint the chair and vice chair and a superintendent, known as the chief executive officer in Prince George’s. Muse didn’t return phone calls

and emails for comment. However, the county’s teacher’s union, the county NAACP and grassroots organization Progressive Maryland all support the measure. County Executive Rushern L. Baker III led an effort in 2012 for the state legislature’s approval for permitting the county executive to appoint three board members and the two board leaders, as well as the schools chief. The council approves one other board member and the remaining nine are elected positions.

Baker said during the council’s annual retreat Thursday, Jan. 4 that the major focus should be attaining a portion of $2 billion in additional state money to improve K-12 education. In 2016, the legislature created the Commission on Innovation and Excellence to assess and possibly revise its state formula to distribute money for schools and enact new policies to improve education. The commission, led by William E. Kirwan, former chancellor of the University of Maryland system, had a deadline to produce a report last month. A decision will now be pushed to later this year, after the General Assembly ends in April. Baker, one of seven candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in the June 26 primary, said this year’s session to discuss education could be the most important in Annapolis in 20 years. “If what we are hearing is correct and we need $2 billion additional dollars for our schools, then where does that money come from and where does that money go?” Baker said. “That’s a big, long-term issue. That will really determine how we make our schools better. The school governance question is something we can talk about in 2019.” Councilman Obie Patterson

EDUCATION Page 13

Prince George’s County Faces Possible Budget Shortfall By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Prince George’s County could experience a $9.5 million budget shortfall next fiscal year. The deficit is largely because of education funding, which budget director Stanley Early said accounts for two-thirds of county expenditures. The recommendations to limit the debt include requests for more state money toward school projects and even defer some projects. “We would have to make adjustments and [it’s] a limit to how we can do it,” he said Thursday, Jan. 4 during the county council’s annual retreat at the Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park. “We need to make sure we are moving in a positive state. I think we are.” Shawn Matlock, director of capital programs for the county’s public school system, presented ideas to fund capital projects

12 JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018

and build new schools, including constructing a middle school and high school on the same property, or using county money on certain projects and “staged renovations” and utilizing state money to replace or renovate at least 10 schools. “We are not saying a one-sizefits-all, it would be on a case-bycase basis,” Matlock said. State Sen. Jim Rosapepe (D-District 21), who represents parts of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, will reintroduce a bill in this year’s Maryland General Assembly on school construction. A summary of the legislation, based on a report in 2016 by Martin G. Knott Jr. of Knott Mechanical Inc, will pay for new construction focused on cost per student and not per square foot. The current formula has the state pay for anywhere from half to all of school’s construction costs, based on a jurisdiction’s wealth and other factors. The bill also encourages pub-

lic-private partnerships. Because the funding method would change, it will decrease the costs for the county and state, Rosapepe said. “This will save money,” he said. Another financial expenditure in Prince George’s will add two additional council members to increase the board from nine to 11, which voters approved in the November 2016 election. According to preliminary estimates, it could cost about $1 million to fund the positions and staff. Early said it’s still unknown how the new tax structure Congress approved last month will affect the county. “Lord only knows,” he told council members at the retreat. According to preliminary figures, proposed expenditures in fiscal year 2019 would increase by $111.3 million from the current year. As for revenues, they could increase next year by $243 million, including about 4 percent

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

5 Maryland state Sen. Jim Rosapepe (right) speaks during the Prince George’s County Council’s annual retreat at the Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park on Jan. 4. /Photo by William J. Ford

in property taxes. A main contributor comes from the MGM National Harbor casino resort, which is the county’s top taxpayer and estimated to bring in $32 million in revenue this fiscal year. “MGM is baked in the cake,” Early said. Although the deficit remains smaller than previous years and about $5 million more than the

current fiscal year, Councilwoman Deni Taveras (D-District 2) of Adelphi warned the money from MGM could eventually decrease based on competition in the state and East Coast. “I think that’s really something to be mindful of,” she said. “It’s the excitement of the new we are seeing in our revenues. We need to be cautious and prudent on how we move forward.” WI

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Progressive Political Movement Pushed in Prince George’s By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Progressive Maryland has a message for statewide and local candidates in this year’s primary election who seek endorsements: come correct or go without our support. The grass-roots organization plans to aggressively push its movement into Prince George’s County, especially after Montgomery County officials approved a $15 an hour minimum wage. The group held a political empowerment session Saturday, Jan. 6 at Greater Beulah Baptist Church in Capitol Heights, where more than two dozen people heard the nonprofit’s pitch about why a progressive movement must happen in 2018. Although the Silver Springbased group has a Prince George’s chapter, it says it needs more members. “I come here today to motivate you,” said Alexiss Kurtz, Progressive Maryland’s movement politics director. “I know we are in a scary time … with [President Donald] Trump in the office, but I don’t want you to lose hope. We need to get our strategy together to take back power, but to take that power we need to have a movement.” Seanniece Bamiro, who will lead the group in establishing

a co-op in the county, plans to focus largely on criminal-justice reform, but said the movement needs money to expand on other priorities in the county. The idea: have 250 resident pledge at least $20 per month to hire a full-time community organizer to organize efforts in Prince George’s to push for an all-elected school board, campaign-finance reform and other initiatives chosen by the residents. Kurtz said the cost to hire this person could range between $40,000 to $50,000. The fundraising pattern follows a similar campaign from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) where supporters donated an average of $27 during his 2016 Democratic presidential primary. Although Sanders lost to Hillary Clinton, it forced the Democratic Party to pay attention on more progressive topics. Kurtz briefly explained several differences between traditional and “movement” politics. For example, a PowerPoint presentation listed how current candidates avoid talking about race or “public control of anything.” The progressive model seeks candidates who “engage voters on issues of race and public control of capital.” It also noted most candidates are white, male and wealthy. A progressive format would incorporate candidates who reflect

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5 Seanniece Bamiro (left) explains how membership into a Prince George’s County co-op with Progressive Maryland would hire a full-time community organizer. Alexiss Kurtz holds the paper that outlines some of the responsibilities and goals. /Photo by William J. Ford

the community: women, people of color, LGBTQ and those in the working class. “Our current status quo is a hot mess,” Kurtz said. “When everyone contributes, everyone is involved.” That’s why Wessita McKinley of Clinton attended. “This is supposed to be the most affluent Black county in the country, but we got second-class health care, a second-class educational system [and] second-class services,” said

McKinley, who runs a nonprofit organization called Sistas United Inc. out of Greater Beulah church. “Don’t get in office just to serve with your frat brothers, or you go to a certain church, or in some little clique. We need to put people in seats who are for everyday people and hold their behinds accountable.” WI

EDUCATION from Page 12 (D-District 8) of Fort Washington doesn’t mind an all-elected school board, especially since the council approves the entire budget, including education. Patterson and Councilwoman Mary Lehman (D-District 1) of Laurel agree the school board should appoint a chair and vice chair. “I think the members of the school board should select their own leadership,” Lehman said. “No one on this council would tolerate someone on the outside picking our chair and vice chair. We would not stand for that. There is no reason the school should, either.” Delegate Geraldine Valentino-Smith (D-District 23), vice chair of the county delegation, said she wants to hear testimony from supporters and opponents of the proposed school structure change. “It would be inappropriate and premature for me now to state a public position on it,” said Valentino-Smith, who chairs the delegation’s education committee. “We [must] have full briefings early and make a collective decision on what’s best moving forward.” To view a copy of the proposed county bills, go to http://bit. ly/1Qqooqp. WI

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 13 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN THE NEWS

Compiled by Lauren Poteat WI Contributing Writer

COUNTY GEARS UP FOR MD. GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The Maryland General Assembly convened for discussions this week. For the assembly, which kicked off Wednesday in Annapolis and runs through April 9, representatives are expected to focus on state taxes, health insurance policy and crime prevention for the year.

During November pre-assembly discussions, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett reportedly urged legislators to push for additional education funding as the county’s school system continues to grow. The system now has more than 162,000 students, making it the largest in the state. The subject of federal tax legislation, which is likely to result in additional tax revenue for the state, is also on tap, as the Democratic-controlled legisla-

5 Maryland’s 2018 General Assembly gets underway. /Courtesy of Bethesdamagazine.com

ture decides what will happen with the expected surplus. Gov. Larry Hogan reportedly would like to see additional funding given back to residents. Lawmakers are also expected to touch on rising crime in Baltimore and how to reduce skyrocketing health insurance premiums.

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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is studying options for a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along MD 355. MCDOT invites you to a public Open House* to learn more about BRT and the project, including where and how the system could operate, potential station locations, and service options. We look forward to answering questions and collecting your valuable input. Please spread the word about these important meetings to friends and neighbors. This is a family-friendly event with activities for children! * Note: The three meetings will be identical so attendance at only one is recommended Sign language interpreters and other assistive services will be provided upon request. Contact Darcy Buckley at (240) 777-7166 or send a request to darcy.buckley@montgomerycountymd.gov.

14 JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018

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MAJOR BUDGET FORUM RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER

Center for the Arts in Germantown, Jan. 30 at the Silver Spring Civic Building and Jan. 31 at the Eastern Montgomery Regional Services Center in Silver Spring at 7 p.m.

BETHESDA TO GET NEW ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT

5 Major budget discussions in the county have been moved to February. /Courtesy of ishn.com

Due to inclement weather, Montgomery County’s Monday budget forum has been rescheduled for Feb. 6 at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center at 4805 Edgemoor Lane in Bethesda at 7 p.m. County Executive Ike Leggett was scheduled Monday to host the first of five public forums to receive ideas from residents before he submits his fiscal 2019 operating budget proposal to the county council in the spring. Leggett is formulating the $5 billion-plus operating budget, which helps supports the day-today operations of county government, schools and local services, as the county works through a $120 million shortfall that leaders will have to address either in the current budget or in fiscal 2019. The first budget forum will now be held Jan. 24 at the Mid-County Community Center at 2004 Queensguard Road in Silver Spring. Other expected forum dates include Jan. 29 at BlackRock

A new Ethiopian restaurant is coming to downtown Bethesda, adding flair and culture to the rapidly developing area. Located at 4921 Bethesda Ave., a brightly colored sign announced the impending arrival of Chercher Ethiopian Cuisine and Bar. Up until September, the location had been home to Suma Restaurant and Bar, an American-themed restaurant that opened in spring 2016. A sign on the door this fall suggested that Suma’s closure was temporary and due to renovations, but no other mention has been made. Chercher joins another Ethiopian restaurant set to open in the area. Lucy, a restaurant in Silver Spring, announced last summer its plans to open a second location in Bethesda sometime this year. WI

5 Downtown Bethesda has a new Ethiopian restaurant. /Courtesy of williametteweek.com

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BUSINESS Democrats Continue to Back Investigation into 2016 Presidential Election By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Rep. Val Demings has vowed to protect the integrity of the special investigation of President Donald Trump. Demings, an African-American Democrat from Orlando, Florida, and recent appointee to the powerful House Judiciary Committee, said the primary issue is to make sure special counsel Robert Mueller is able to continue his work digging into the 2016 presidential election that appears to have Russian fingerprints all over it.

She said Mueller, whom Trump and many in the GOP now want to either terminate or halted, “couldn’t be a more qualified person, a person of integrity.” “It seems like the further he gets into his investigation, the more Republican leadership talks about having a problem with him,” she told the Orlando Sentinel. “The best indication of future performance is past performance, and Director Mueller is just miles above reproach.” Demings called the opportu-

INVESTIGATION Page 29

D.C. Prepares for MLK Weekend Events By Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer D.C. is gearing up for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Weekend, which celebrates the memory of the icon and his role in the fight for civil rights and racial equality. Residents are urged to show their values during the celebration by volunteering to help neighbors and communities in need. Other activities taking place in commemoration of the slain civil rights leader’s Jan. 15 birthday: “Let Freedom Sing” Sunday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. Bowie Center for the Performing Arts The musical celebration honors the life and legacy of King. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Walk Monday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m. The two-mile walk, which begins at 2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE and ends at the Barry Farm Recreation Center, is held annually on

the federal MLK holiday and coordinated by the Coalition for Peace, a group of individuals and nonprofits dedicated to peace and positivity in D.C. metropolitan communities. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Monday, Jan. 15, noon The parade will begin from Good Hope Road near the Anacostia Park entrance in Southeast and continue along MLK Avenue to the Barry Farm Recreation Center on Sumner Road, where the MLK Holiday Festival and Health Fair will be underway. “Let Freedom Ring!” Monday, Jan. 15, 6 p.m. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts The musical tribute to King will feature renowned singer/actress Vanessa L. Williams, as well as the Let Freedom Ring Choir. Free tickets will be distributed the day of the event, beginning at 4:30 p.m., for up to two people in line on a firstcome, first-served basis. WI

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5 Rep. Val Demings is among those working to protect special counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation of Russia’s role in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. /Photo courtesy of Val Demings

2018 Lets Resolve to do Better By Aimee D. Griffin Esq., I admit that I am a person who always makes New Year’s Resolutions. I don’t feel badly that there are some that have been on the list for many years. I believe that just because I haven’t been successful doesn’t mean I should forego the opportunity to recommit. As an Estate Planning attorney, I am fervently support people who have delayed strategic financial planning for legacy creation to recommit to taking the steps to create, protect and transfer wealth so that their legacy is one that they are proud of. I believe that we should be committed as individuals, families and communities to develop a position of economic strength. The stronger the individual is the stronger the family is. The stronger the family is the stronger the community is. We need to do better. Each year it seems that I spend more time fighting for individuals who have been taken advantage of during the diminished state. Because there was no plan for safeguarding asset during vulnerability there was the opportunity to take money and in a number of cases, homes, from people who were unprotected. I often give presentations where I ask people to consider planning for incapacity. No one wants to think about the circumstance when he or she cannot make his or her own decisions nor do things for her or himself. Yet, not planning doesn’t negate the possible need. One of my favorite adages is that it is better to have it and to not need it than to need it and not have it. That goes for a coat, money as well as an estate plan. When we are vulnerable and need to have support to manage our financial affairs or health decisions we need to be thoughtful about to whom we are giving that authority and responsibility to. Waiting until it is needed maybe too late to put in safeguards. I counsel people without children to think deeply about those friends and family members who have lived their lives with integrity, compassion and responsibility. Those folks are great candidates in service. Trust is the greatest consideration that we should factor in identifying someone to act in your stead. I counsel people with children to think carefully before appointing their child to act in their stead. Do not assume that the child will step up to the role and act as you would hope they would. Be honest with yourself and see how that child has acted in situations where integrity was required. How did he act when he believed no one was looking? As a family we need to do better in planning to position our children’s children to have opportunities that we did not have. We need to be thoughtful about the possibility of not just leaving an inheritance but how to protect our assets in case of disability. It is painful for me to work with families who have to sell their family home so that the liens that have been placed on them can be satisfied. It is painful for me to see children lose their family home due to reverse mortgages because there was no plan. We have the capacity to do better. We can strategically endow the colleges and universities that serve our children so that they are better empowered to take leadership roles. We can create a foundation that continuously gives to our houses of worship and community organizations so that it relieves a bit of the burden that raising costs and greater need provide. We can come together to strengthen the cornerstones of the community to stand strong and build up future generations. We must commit to do and be better even if we have delayed. Collectively we are much stronger than any of us is individually. Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 440 Washington DC 20015 www.thegriffinfirm-PLLC.com 202-379-4738

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 15 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

NATIONAL Rep. Elijah Cummings Hospitalized in Maryland By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings has been in a local hospital since last week for treatment of a bacterial infection in his knee. The popular Democrat underwent a minor surgical procedure Friday, Jan. 5 to drain the infection, his office said. “He is resting comfortably and expects a full recovery,” Cummings’ office said in a statement. Though news of his hospitalization broke Friday afternoon, a spokesperson for Cummings told The Washington Informer on Thursday that the congressman “was recovering from an illness.” Various reports have led to speculation that Cummings’ condition is more serious than his office has let on, and could be related to a heart problem the 66-year-old experienced early last year. Fueling the speculation was his wife Maya Rockeymoore Cummings’ sudden decision to suspend her gubernatorial bid in Maryland shortly after news

broke of her husband’s hospitalization. “Making a positive and direct contribution to the state of Maryland and to our nation was my greatest motivating factor for stepping into the public arena,” she said in an email to supporters. “Unfortunately, due to personal considerations, I am suspending my bid for governor of Maryland.” Rockeymoore Cummings’ decision to leave the race was linked to her husband’s health issues, Politico reported, citing multiple sources. Democratic aides said Cummings appeared to be moving more slowly before the Christmas break. Cummings was hospitalized in May after what his office described at the time as a “minimally invasive” heart valve replacement. He was scheduled to return to work shortly after but ended up missing several months due to a post-op infection that kept him away from Capitol Hill until September. “As a rule of thumb, he requires

5 Rep. Elijah Cummings /Courtesy photo

his sign-off on anything sent to the press with his name on it,” a spokesperson told The Informer. Cummings has dedicated his life of service to uplifting and empowering the people he is sworn to represent. His official bio notes that he began his career of public service in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served for 14 years and became the first African American in Maryland history to be named Speaker Pro Tem. Since 1996, Cummings has represented Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The congressman often says that “our children are the living messages that we send to a future we will never see.” In that vein, he remains committed to ensuring that the next generation has access to quality health care and education, clean

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As the ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform — the main investigative committee in the House of Representatives — Cummings and the committee has jurisdiction to investigate any federal program and any matter with federal policy implications. He also seeks to identify appropriate reforms that prevent waste, fraud and abuse and that ensure government programs meet the needs of the American people. Cummings has taken on President Donald Trump since the Republican took office. “The oath we take as members of Congress is not to Donald Trump — it is to the Constitution of the United States,” Cummings said last month. “I believe the Republicans in Congress have either forgotten that vow, or they are forsaking it.” The congressman also has taken Trump to task for his labeling of African American communities as slums and ghettos. “When you’re talking about the African-American community, I want you to realize that all African-American communities are not places of depression, where people are being harmed,” Cummings said early last year in a public rebuke of Trump. “As a matter of fact, I let him know that I’ve been living in the inner city of Baltimore for some 35 years in the same house and that I think it would be good for him to acknowledge that most African-American people are doing very, very well.” As of Sunday night, Cummings’ camp has declined to give an update on his condition. WI

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INTERNATIONAL Compiled by Lauren Poteat / WI Contributing Writer

Israel Tells African Migrants: Leave or Face Jail

5 African immigrants and asylum seekers occupy a holding center in Holon, Israel. /Courtesy of activestills.org

Israel’s government approved a plan that would force tens of thousands of African migrants to leave the country by the end of March or face jail time. Israeli officials are telling the migrants to voluntarily accept a plane ticket and a grant of $3,500, or face possible incarceration. “Every country must guard its borders,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said while announcing the plan on Jan. 4. “The infiltrators have a clear choice — cooperate with us and leave voluntarily, respectably, humanely and legally, or we will have to use other tools at our disposal, which are also according to the law.” The plan is the latest effort to expel the hordes of African migrants and asylum seekers, mostly Eritrean and Sudanese, who have entered Israel illegally. At least 20,000 have already left the country, and Netanyahu said the goal now is to “deport the rest,” The New York Times reported.

Africa Holds First-Ever AfroPunk Festival Africa’s first international AfroPunk festival recently took place on the continent. Thousands of people came out to Johannesburg to celebrate alternative Black culture at the festival, which organizers described as “a blank space to freak out in, to construct a new reality, to live your life as you see fit, while making sense of the world around you.” AfroPunk was first held in New York in 2005, initially as a way to pay homage to the music and culture “born of African spirit.” It was started by people who felt marginalized by both mainstream Black and pop cultures and thus drew heavily on the rebellious spirit of punk. Now every year, continental Africans and those living in the United States freely join together, taking pride in Black hair, beauty and fashion while championing people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

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Bitcoin, a newer form of cryptocurrency and worldwide payment system, is making a huge splash throughout parts of Africa. Known for being the first decentralized digital currency, the system works without a central bank, and the peer-topeer network and direct user transactions are proving to be very lucrative for ambitious African millennials, particularly those right out of college looking for work. Kenyan currency trader Martin Serugga said although the newness of the system leaves it ripe for fraud, corruption and illegal activity, he remains cautiously optimistic of its upside. “If you don’t have factory jobs and you don’t have corporate jobs to serve the thousands of young people coming out of the universities, this is an alternative,” Serugga told BBC.

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HEALTH Pharmaceutical Drug Fast-Tracked for Malaria Prevention Strategy By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer A pharmaceuticals company has received fast-track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the production of a drug that could possibly prevent malaria in adults. In December, 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals submitted a new drug application (NDA) for the use of Tafenoquine to prevent malaria in adults traveling to areas where the disease remains prevalent. Malaria, a life-threatening dis-

ease transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, caused an estimated 429,000 fatalities and 212 million clinical cases in 2015. The pharmaceutical company contends the disease poses a significant risk to millions of healthy individuals traveling in many parts of the world, including employees of nongovernmental organizations, casual vacationers, industrial and business workers, and military forces. Malaria cases among travelers returning to the U.S. have been trending upwards, with 84 percent

of those infected requiring hospitalization, the company said. The company entered into a cooperative research and development agreement with the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity in 2014 to develop Tafenoquine as a weekly prophylactic drug for the prevention of malaria. A drug is designated as a fasttrack product “for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening disease or condition, and it demonstrates the potential to address unmet

medical needs for such a disease or condition,” according to the FDA. Since malaria is the top infectious disease threat to service members overseas, the U.S. military maintains a anti-malarial drug development effort through internal research and commercial partnerships. The NDA submission is a culmination of over 30 years of research and development with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. A recent analysis of five clinical trials to assess the safety and tolerability of Tafenoquine has been published in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, a peer-reviewed journal.

The authors concluded that Tafenoquine appeared to be safe and well tolerated when the anticipated clinical regimen (ACR) was administered. “Finding acceptable drugs to safeguard travelers and deployed military personnel against malaria is a real problem,” said Geoffrey Dow, CEO of 60 Degrees. “We see Fast Track Designation as a next step toward marketing this product with a convenient weekly dosing regimen in the United States, and eventually around the world. It is our continued belief our dossier will receive priority review, thereby expediting the review of Tafenoquine.” WI

District’s Crime Lab Eliminates Rape Kit Backlog By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer

The D.C. Department of Forensics Science has no longer has a backlog of rape kits. D.C.’s DNA lab had lost its accreditation three years ago, outsourcing its forensic work to other agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, but city officials said the elimination of the rape kit backlog represent a turnaround for the lab. “Unlike nearly every state in this country that has hundreds to thousands of sexual assault kits that haven’t been tested and are sitting in backlog, we have no backlog here,” said Jenifer Smith, the lab’s director. “Due to efforts of our DNA unit, [which] has reduced that backlog to zero.” Smith said the lab has improved communication with police and prosecutors, its scientists are exam301511_6_x_6.5.indd 1

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ining evidence and returning reports to investigators more quickly and is putting more emphasis on processing fingerprint and firearm forensics. New software will help improve the process even more, she said The department’s protocol now is to process rape and sexual assault kits within 90 days. The lab now operates independently and has seen two clean audits by accrediting agencies. “Our DNA lab, the lab that was suspended, is no longer lagging in the field of DNA analysis — our DNA lab is now leading the way,” Smith said. For both the firearms and fingerprint labs, the target was to complete 50 percent of homicide and priority cases within 60 days, she said. But for four consecutive quarters, the lab has exceeded the goal and completed 83 percent of the high-priority cases within 60 days, and more than 95 percent of latent fingerprint cases were completed in 60 days. WI

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January Greetings From DC Office on Aging your house, we work to connect you with the appropriate care you need—in some cases even going to your house to explain program options and help you apply for services. It means that you can go to any of our 43 age-friendly businesses, knowing that they have pledged to serve you in a safe and inclusive environment. It means businesses and local leaders are looking out to make sure that no one’s trying to take advantage of your finances. And if you need help finding work, DC provides training and job assistance. It means that we’re including everyone in emergency planning. Age-friendly is about saying, “Everyone matters here in DC.” And for all of us, Age-Friend-

Laura Newland DC Office on Aging Executive Director Happy New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. It was great to see so many of you at the Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration last month. And we had so much to celebrate as we closed out 2017. This past year, we made significant strides towards becoming a more age-friendly, livable city for all residents, in all wards. I was honored to join Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Age-Friendly Task Force in November, as the World Health Organization and AARP recognized Washington, D.C. as a top city for Age-Friendly policies. Age-Friendly DC is a collaborative community effort towards making our city a place where all DC residents are active, connected, healthy, engaged, and happy in their environment. Being age friendly includes all aspects of community life, including outdoor spaces and buildings, safe and affordable transportation, housing options for all ages, social participation, social inclusion, civic participation, employment, communication, health services,

emergency preparedness, and elder abuse prevention. Since launching this effort five years ago, we’ve talked a lot about what it would take to truly become an age-friendly city. But what does all of this really mean, for you, your friends, families, and neighbors? It means that when you get up in the morning, you have choices about where to go, what to do, and how to get there. And that you’re likely one of the 97% of District residents who can walk to a park in 10 minutes or less. You can drop in on an exercise class, join a book club, or play a game of pool with the thousands of older District residents regularly attending wellness centers or recreation centers. Or you can break bread with friends and neighbors at one of nearly 50 community dining sites across the city. And you can get to these places safely, whether you walk, bike, use public transportation, or drive. And when you get home, you can breathe easier knowing that Safe at Home made you feel safer in your own home by fixing your railing and installing grab bars—just like we’ve done for about 800 older District residents so far since 2016. It means that if you need assistance in your daily life with getting dressed or getting around

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ly means that we are a city of neighbors looking after neighbors. To read the complete five year report, visitwww.agefriendly. dc.gov. To learn more about programs and services available for you, reach out to DCOA at 202-724-5626 or online atwww.dcoa.dc.gov. I’m proud of all we have been able to accomplish, and I’m excited for what we can do together in 2018 and beyond to make DC the best city in the world to

age. Our commitment to you does not end at celebrating this accomplishment. In fact, this is where the work begins. Here’s to a great New Year!

Ambassador Program Training Workshop

Linking Older Adults With A Caring Community The Office on Aging Ambassador Program is designed to train members of the community who are interested in helping District residents access D.C. Office on Aging services. Trained Ambassadors discuss potential helpful resources with older adults, adults with mobility limitations and their caregivers. Ambassadors do not recommend or advocate for particular organizations; they simply provide useful information and refer seniors and/or their caregivers to the Office on Aging for further information and assistance. If you are interested in helping to educate District residents about the services and resources available to them, join us for our next Ambassador Training.

Thursday, January 18, 2018 10:00 am ‐ 12:00 pm D.C. Office on Aging 500 K Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20002 To register contact sadia.ferguson@dc.gov or call (202) 727‐0374

500 K Street, NE ● Washington, D.C. 20002 ● (202) 724‐5626 ● www.dcoa.dc.gov

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 19 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

HEALTH ‘Pathways to Work’ Celebrates Second Class of Graduates AmeriHealth-Led Initiative Continues to Open Doors for D.C. Job Seekers By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir One year ago, AmeriHealth Caritas DC kicked off a collaborative, 12-week, workforce readiness program aimed at providing foundational skills and increasing economic opportunities for District residents. And on Monday, Jan. 8, a second cohort group celebrated their graduation from “Pathways to Work” in the Atrium of the Wilson Building in Northwest with 12 of the initial 15 interns completing the program – moving one giant step forward along the road toward achieving their career goals. Upon its inception, Karen Dale, Market President for AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia, noted that the program would incorporate an intergenerational approach focusing on families with children while partnering with District-based organizations both committed to the community and

adept with providing the kinds of skills and experiences essential for success in today’s job market. “By participating in the program and with our support, District residents will have the opportunity to build pathways to stability and prosperity,” she said. “We are providing resources to help those in need of job reading support – those who are eager to improve their skills and become employed.” The program integrates basic computer and customer service skills training in a classroom environment along with an on-the-job internship program at AmeriHealth Caritas whose research indicates that unemployment negatively affects communities while the psychosocial impact of living in poverty routinely erodes several critical factors related to health. Program participants gain overall job readiness, relevant career certifications and the skills necessary for entry-level positions in a variety of industries and companies.

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Throughout the 12-weeks, interns also receive guidance from experienced mentors, education related to work/life balance, financial literacy and job placement support. Last year, all 14 students in the initial class received certifications in hospitality and guest services along with invaluable work experience. Nine of those graduates found themselves placed in full-time positions – seven of those jobs offered by AmeriHealth Caritas DC. Dale added that as AmeriHealth Caritas designed the program and set its goals toward helping families achieve financial security through the development of skills leading to gainful, long-term employment, partnering with District familiar with job development has been essential to the success of Pathways to Work. District partners and supporters include the YWCA and the Department of Employment Services as well as the Mayor’s Office and the D.C. City Council. Council member David Grosso, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and

5 Karen Dale, AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia Market President (2nd left), D.C. Councilmember David Grosso, Chairperson of the Committee on Education (3rd left), and D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman (1st right), with staff, and students who received certificates of completion during commencement exercises for the AmeriHealth “Pathways to Work” program held on Monday, Jan. 8 at the John H. Wilson Building in Northwest. /Photo by Brigette White

AmeriHealth’s Karen Dale brought opening remarks during the graduation while Lisa F. Fitzpatrick, Medical Director/Office of the Senior Deputy Director – Medicaid Director DC/ Department of Healthcare Finance served as the guest speaker bringing words of advice and encouragement.

This year’s graduates include: Tracy Abraham, Tranijah Brown, Artise Fletcher, Tamiseka Hammett, Shamiiseka Hammett, Bianca Mosley, Montique Spence, LaShawn Williams, Tina Lucas, Antonio Weaver, Curtisha Mozie and Marquita Whitfield. WI

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EDUCATION D.C. Middle School Lauded for Family Engagement By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer City officials looked to highlight the positive in D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) at one well-performing middle school amid a recent attendance scandal that has loomed over the system. As part of the Every Day Counts campaign, Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrated Jefferson Middle School Academy’s success in creating a strong school community on Jan. 3. “We know that when students feel loved, challenged, and prepared, they are more likely to attend school every day,” Bowser said during the event at the Southwest school. “Ensuring this is the case for every student

in every school isn’t easy and it won’t happen overnight, but we have educators across all eight wards working with families to get us there. I applaud the teachers, administrators and staff at Jefferson and at schools across the District who are going above and beyond to engage families and set our students up for success.” Last month, the middle school was announced as the winner of the 2018 DCPS Standing Ovation prize for Family Engagement. The mayor highlighted the school’s work in building positive and collaborative relationships with students and families through home visits, student-led conferences and more. Jefferson started making home

5 City officials celebrate Jefferson Middle School Academy’s success in family engagement on Jan. 3. /Courtesy of JATrojans

visits during the 2012-2013 school year, each year expanding their program. Now, the visits are a required part of Jefferson’s model and all members of the staff, including operations and student support team members, are required to do home visits. During the 2016-2017 school year, Jefferson visited 186 families, and survey data shows that the family engagement efforts are changing how students perceive school. Last year, on the annual DCPS student satisfaction sur-

vey, 96 percent of students either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” with the statement “My family is welcome at my school,” an increase of five percent over the previous year. DCPS home visits are supported by the Flamboyan Foundation. In teams of two, teachers and staff visit families at home or in a location of the family’s choosing and focus on getting to know the family and child. During the 2016-2017 school year, more than 11,000 DCPS

families in FEP schools received a home visit from their child’s teacher. “When families feel welcome at school, that’s going to lead to kids wanting to come to school and learn,” said DCPS Chancellor Antwan Wilson. “The engagement happening at Jefferson is what I want to see across our public schools: more resources for families, home visits, social and emotional supports, and an overall commitment to creating a welcoming environment.” WI

#MobileOnly Challenge in Protest of FCC Internet-Access Plan By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer Ten public-interest organizations said to be focused on high-quality broadband announced that they will be leading a #MobileOnly Challenge in January and they are asking Americans to participate. The challenge, which began on Jan. 1 and will run through Jan. 31, calls for where participants spend one day accessing the internet via only their mobile device — foregoing desktop devices or laptops with fixed connections — and to document their experience using the hashtag #MobileOnly. The effort aims to call attention to a proposal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to lower broadband standards and consider an internet connection on a single mobile device the same as a “fixed” broadband connection at someone’s home. “Contrary to those who claim that mobile broadband services provide effective competitive pressure on fixed broadband providers,

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promoting deployment of mobile broadband services alone is not sufficient to bridge digital divides in underserved rural and urban communities,” said FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who plans to take part in the challenge. “By standing together through this movement, we will demonstrate why it is so essential for all Americans to have access to a robust fixed broadband connection.” The public interest leaders of the #MobileOnly Challenge include: Next Century Cities, Public Knowledge, New America’s Open Technology Institute, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the Nonprofit Technology Network, the Schools, Health, and Libraries Broadband Coalition, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Mobile Citizen and EveryoneOn. The challenge seeks to draw attention to the significant and numerous limitations of mobile-only service that many Americans face daily. It also will highlight just one way FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is making it harder for Americans to get the high-quality

internet access that is now critical in daily life, Clyburn said. The FCC’s proposal, outlined in the Section 706 Notice of Inquiry, released earlier in 2017, would lower the standard for what is considered acceptable broadband access. Pai’s plan suggests that Americans who have access to 10/1 Mbps speeds over mobile internet service could be considered equally “served” as households that have access to 25/3 Mbps fixed-connection broadband, which is the current broadband standard. “A home connection to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband is essential for families across the country,” said Deb Socia, executive director of Next Century Cities. “Lowering the broadband standard would prevent Americans from accessing the full economic, educational, and social benefits of the internet, and would exacerbate the existing digital divide. “We encourage everyone to take the #MobileOnly Challenge, and spend a day experiencing what so many Americans face and what Chairman Pai thinks is acceptable,” Socia said.WI

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EDUCATION Civil Rights Center Manager Says King Valued Education By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stands as perhaps the greatest champion of civil rights in American history. King fought for justice, equality and freedom for all. His famous speeches and marches continue to dominate conversations year in and year out each January when his birth is observed and each February during Black History Month commemorations. Perhaps among the unsung missions of King was his desire to see African Americans receive a good education. King, himself, was educated. The icon earned degrees from Morehouse College, Crozer Seminary and Boston University. He completed Booker Washington High School at age 15, college at 19, and the Seminary at 22. By age 26, King had earned a doctorate. The civil rights leader’s history is regularly celebrated at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta where, in an interview with The Washington Informer, the center’s senior public programs and education manager, Allen Lee, noted King’s role in seeking educational equality for African Americans and other minorities: Washington Informer: What was King’s message about education? Lee: Martin Luther King Jr. was raised in a family that held a high value on education, and he was the third generation to attend Morehouse College. At Morehouse, King was surrounded by mentors that saw education as an essential component in developing moral character. You can see the impact of this Liberal Arts education throughout King’s writing and speeches. From his writings for the Morehouse College Maroon Tiger newspaper: “[A] great majority of the so-called educated people do not think logically and scientifically. … The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals. … We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education. This true education, it should be noted, was larger than the

question of segregation or integration. Laws offered protection against and redress for injustice, while education can address immoral motivation for an unjust act. I realize that the law cannot make an employer love me or have compassion for me, education and religion will have to do that.” Conversely, King warned that the lack of integration in communities and education has the potential of dire effects. “… frustration which grows out of poor educational preparation which paves the way for riots and violence as a last resort to lash out against the system which first deprived them and then exploits them,” King said during a speech to the Georgia Teachers and Education Association on Friday April 31, 1967. “I submit to you tonight that there is no more dangerous development in our nation than the constant building up of predominantly Negro central cities ringed by white suburbs. This will do nothing but invite social disaster,” King said at The Other America Grosse Pointe High School on March 14, 1968. Perhaps this is why King titled the first address, “Revolution in the Classroom” and warns in the second, that “a riot is the language of the unheard.” According to King, education offered concrete and meaningful redress through improving the moral fabric of our society, and was a guard against the factors that could potentially tear our country apart. WI: What was his impact on education in the Black community? Lee: There is no easy answer to this question. I can only speak from personal experience. I was raised in the rural South, attending public school, and memorizing King’s “I Have A Dream” speech for Order of the Eastern Star Oratory Contests. While others studied Shakespeare to learn about delivery, meter, and rhetorical devices, I studied King. Beyond this, he was an example of what it meant to be well read, articulate and persuasive. For many like me, King stands as an archetype of what it means to be an educated man. Now as a teacher, for over 15 years in both private and public schools, I can also share from per-

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5 Martin Luther King, Jr: The Purpose of Education. /Photo by Caffeinated Thoughts

sonal experience that King’s effect on education in the black community has other sides. For some, King represents an unattainable example. His life is deified to such an extent, that some cannot relate. Unfortunately, it was much more common for me to encounter a student that was intimidated more so than motivated by the King’s iconic image and tragic end. I always tried to personalize figures in history, King included. I would share his less-than-perfect elementary school report cards, and while he attended college at 15, he self-reports to have only read at an eighth-grade level. Slowly, I am seeing a more textured and relatable version of King emerge in the popular culture. I believe that as we are more nuanced about King’s struggles and successes, we can better capitalize on King’s amazing example of education as a tool for social justice.

distressed communities. Mr. Moses created the Algebra Project, a community organizing and educational reform framework that speaks directly to King’s assertion that the revolution must

be in the classroom. Together both Ms. Edelman and Mr. Moses continue King’s legacy by actively supporting educational equality that combines knowledge, character and action. WI

WI: What are civil rights leaders doing now to advocate education equality in the spirit of King? Lee: In the nearly 50 years since King’s assassination, even as public schools have largely become re-segregated due to economic and housing patterns, many of his contemporaries have continued the struggle for educational equality. Two notable figures are Marian Wright Edelman and Robert Moses. Ms. Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund and its associated Freedom Schools, which focus on literacy and yearround educational enrichment in

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 23 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL Dr. King Left a Question that We Must Still Answer Monday, January 15 is the national holiday honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the great civil rights icon whose life was snatched away by an assassin’s bullet 50 years ago on April 4, 1968. Had he lived, Dr. King would be 89 years old. However, at 39 – in today’s terms a millennial – he died. There is a disconcerting lack of fervor over the observance of the King Holiday, not just by whites but by Blacks, as well. And just like the Civil Rights movement he led that amassed millions of followers, many Americans fought back with dogs, firehouses, angry words and guns, while most Americans looked on with quiet discontent. Following that fateful day when Dr. King was slain on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee – he was there only to support higher wages not just for the Black sanitation workers, but for all – flames went up and looting spread in cities across the country caused by a few but which impacted the comfort and complacency of most for years to come. Today, we cry out that while the neighborhoods we destroyed have finally been rebuilt around us, many of us have been pushed out. It was clear before Dr. King died that the work ahead of us, following the desegregation of schools, the passage of the Civil Rights Bill and the Voting Rights Act, was ending poverty, improving education, providing adequate housing and establishing more laws to address the civil, human and economic rights not just for Black or white Americans but for all people. Dr. King opined that all of humankind, interconnected by science and technology, needed to learn how to live under the same roof in a “world house” of peace. Thus, in his last book, he laid the foundation and then posed the question: Where do we go from here: chaos or community? To urge action, rather than indolence and reflection rather than disregard for this holiday that so many fought for and won, we are all reminded that the King holiday is a “day on and not a day off!” We encourage everyone to take time to honor Dr. King and so many others who contributed to the fight for civil rights and have now laid their heads to rest. They have passed the baton. Dr. King wrote: “There is an invisible book of life that faithfully records our vigilance or our neglect. We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent co-annihilation. This may be mankind’s last chance to choose between chaos and community.” What do you choose? WI

Get Involved, Register to Vote – Because the Political Season is Here, Again! Voter registration drives are become more and more frequent across the country as the 2018 midterm elections, as well as a slew of state and local elections, continue to gain momentum. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has finally relented and called a halt to his ill-advised voter’s commission that had been given the task of identifying what he claimed were millions of successful efforts of voter fraud. That’s why, he has said, he did not win the popular vote during his recent showdown against Hillary Clinton. Of course, we know otherwise. What we find to be so amazing, is how many Americans still do not exercise their right to vote. In fact, when compared to other countries, our percentage of citizens who vote stands dismally near the bottom of the pack. Voting remains one of the most powerful tools at the disposal of all citizens. It can change the course of history. It has brought new life, new light and new opportunities for countless numbers of Americans. The outcome of our votes has given Blacks the right to equal education and guaranteed members of the LGBTQ community the right to marry and live without fear of persecution. It has given women the right to vote and to own property. It has seWWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

TO THE EDITOR Put Blame for Sexual Abuse Where it Belongs “Something’s Fishy about Waiting So Long to Report Sexual Assault” — the usual victim-blaming language. The victim just HAD TO DO SOMETHING WRONG. Thank goodness Pandora’s box is open. Most children, teens and adults who report sexual harassment, abuse and assault are re-victimized, blamed, discouraged and silenced. My earnest and utmost hope is that victims and survivors continue to shine the blaring light on the centuries of injustice of sexual violence and the more people try to make us SHUT UP the LOUDER WE RAISE OUR VOICES! #MeToo

GOP’s Message: Poor Need Not Apply Marian Wright Edelman’s column (“Republican Tax Bill Robs the Poor to Feed the Rich”) accurately describes what this legislation really is. While corporate tax cuts are to be permanent, the proponents of this bill have argued that with large corporations benefiting from the tax cuts. Programs that benefit the lower-income families that need assistance will experience deep cuts. I guess having a legislative victory is more important to the Republicans than having a bipartisan law that would be for all the American people, not just the elite. kenb28@yahoo.com

B.D. Bunting

cured our right to peacefully protest. In fact, it has helped this country, albeit slowly, actually live up to its lofty creeds as expressed in our Constitution. Make no mistake, there are those in our midst – many of whom sit in very high places – who would prefer to see some constituencies and communities lose this right. Just consider the plight of those men and wom-

en who were once “enslaved” behind bars but are now ex-offenders attempting to rejoin society – and for whom the majority still have not been given their right to vote which they lost due to their unfortunate dealings with the law. But there is good news around us as several cities in Maryland have either given or are considering extending the right to vote

to those as young as 16. And the numbers illustrate that these youths are showing up in numbers greater than their elders. Voting time is almost upon us. Don’t sit on your hands or bury your heads in the sand. Take a stand, use your vote and exercise your right. Make a difference. Your vote may just change the world – for the better. WI

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Charlene Crowell

Black Students Hit Hard by For-Profit College Debt

Mounting student debt is a nagging problem for most families these days. As the cost of higher education rises, borrowing to cover those costs often becomes a family concern across multiple generations including the student, parents, and even grandparents or other relatives. Today’s 21st century jobs usually demand higher education and specialized skills to

earn one’s way into the middle class. In households where educational loans are inevitable, it becomes an important family decision to determine which institutions are actually worth the debt incurred. Equally important is the institution’s likelihood of its students graduating. Higher education institutions that do not provide its students and graduates with requisite skills and knowledge become money pits that lead to deeper debt and likely loan defaults. New research by the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL)

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analyzed student debt on a stateby-state basis. An interactive map of CRL’s findings reveal on a state basis each of the 50 states’ total undergraduate population, for-profit enrollment, and the top for-profit schools by enrollment for both four-year and two-year institutions. The report, titled “The State of For-Profit Colleges,” concludes that investing in a for-profit education is almost always a risky proposition. Undergraduate borrowing by state showed that the percentage of students that borrow from the federal govern-

ment generally ranged between 40 to 60 percent for public colleges, compared to 50 to 80 percent at for-profit institutions. Additionally, both public and private, not-for-profit institutions on average lead to better results at a lower cost of debt, better earnings following graduation and the fewest loan defaults. “In many cases, for-profit students are nontraditional students, making sacrifices and struggling to manage family and work obligations to make better lives for their families,” said

Robin Howarth, a CRL senior researcher. “For-profit colleges target them with aggressive marketing, persuading them to invest heavily in futures that will never come to pass.” CRL also found that women and Blacks suffer disparate impacts, particularly at for-profit institutions, where they are disproportionately enrolled in most states. For example, enrollment at Mississippi’s for-profit colleges was 78 percent female and

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By Mayor Muriel Bowser

Leaping Toward the Middle Class

Two years ago, Betty Henderson, a native of New Orleans but a longtime Washingtonian who moved to the capital in the ‘70s, faced a situation thousands of Americans face each year — several months of unemployment had turned into years without work. Even with a college education, the

longer she went without a job, the more difficult it was to get back into the workforce. The years without employment weren’t easy — she spent almost a decade moving from friend’s house to friend’s house — but Ms. Henderson never lost hope, and even as she watched other people her age begin planning for retirement, she continued looking for work. Throughout her unemployment, she found purpose in tutoring and mentoring oth-

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ers who were looking to build a brighter future, and she was determined to do the same for herself. So, on a Tuesday afternoon in October 2015, Ms. Henderson walked into a D.C. American Job Center and met with one of the site’s workforce development specialists. It was during that visit when she learned about LEAP. Short for “Learn, Earn, Advance, Prosper,” my administration created the program during our first few months in office

to connect residents just like Ms. Henderson to jobs in the D.C. government. LEAP allows Washingtonians to earn money as they are trained for D.C. government positions. The training program can last up to a year, but in most cases, residents are hired before the training period ends. Then, participants are monitored for two years and LEAP staff continue to provide support to both employees and employers. The idea behind LEAP is

simple: it connects local residents with jobs that serve their community. From fixing roads to staffing our 311 and 911 call centers, the D.C. government provides countless services that keep the District running and keep residents and visitors safe. By training and hiring Washingtonians who are already invested in bettering our community and helping their neighbors, LEAP is a win-win

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By Armstrong Williams

The Importance of Diversity in Media Ownership

As the United States becomes increasingly diverse, the necessity for that diversity to be reflected in business becomes all the more important. As one of only three African American-owned TV station licensees in the country, I recently wrote the FCC voicing strong support for the advancement of minority ownership and diversity. I saw the pending Tribune-Sinclair merger as presenting a historic opportunity for the FCC and Justice Department to advance

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minority ownership within the context of the divestiture requirements the government would require for regulatory approval. The government generally, and the FCC specifically, has acknowledged the need to enhance minority ownership for 40 years. Congress also has recognized the poor state of minority ownership. The 1996 Telecommunications Act contains language aimed at increasing female and minority ownership of broadcast licenses (and other important communications mediums), and requires the FCC to limit and remove “market entry

barriers for entrepreneurs and other small businesses” and to do so by “favoring diversity of media voices.” Congress and the public both have an obligation to help the Department of justice understand the importance of minority ownership in broadcast television in a diversifying landscape. Diversity of thought, culture, and ideas should be equally represented. Giving more minorities access and opportunity to ownership will foster the right environment to do just that. So imagine my deep concern when I heard the Justice Department was wavering in

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its decision to allow station divestitures to my African American-owned companies, where the transaction included joint sales agreements (JSA), shared service agreements (SSA), and loan guarantee agreements. Such arrangements were routine for the FCC until it hastily implemented television Joint Sales Agreement attribution rules in 2014, under the previous administration’s chairman, Tom Wheeler. Those rules, however, were reversed and eliminated on Nov. 20, 2017. The Department of Justice should respect that decision. For example, broadcast ownership has per-

mitted Howard Stirk Holdings to create an incubator for African American journalism students by providing tuition scholarships, while providing field experience outside of the classroom. If we were not broadcast owners, I am sure none of that would have been possible. It also gives us the opportunity to cover the stories that others are not covering, for whatever reason. We tell the stories of everyday people that are often overlooked. As part of our public interest obligation, we vow to continue

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By La’Tasha D. Mayes

Black Women Need Real Change, Not Just Thanks

After Roy Moore’s defeat at the hands of Alabama voters — driven by Black voter turnout, especially the votes of Black women — we saw the celebration, credit-taking and meaning-making that usually accompanies a progressive electoral victory. But one thing was different this time. This time, mainstream media and social media feeds flooded with messages acknowledging and

thanking Black women for our role in the outcome. Welcome to the reality Black women have known about — and named — for decades. One of the hashtags that took off amid the Alabama election returns and the following days was #TrustBlackWomen. But what does it mean to trust Black women? What does it mean to advance a policy agenda that addresses the issues Black women face in this country? Black women voters are not a monolith — we’re diverse, complex and deeply engaged in

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national, state and local policy debates. We don’t all agree. But there is a set of values and policies that most Black women hold close to our hearts: we want a future where we can live with respect, health and justice. Where we can decide whether and when to have children and raise those children without fear of hunger, violence or discrimination. Where we can realize our dreams and highest human potential. For a start, I hope that this election can finally put to rest the ludicrous question of whether a progressive agenda must include

support for abortion access. (Yes, absolutely it must.) Not only are Black women overwhelmingly supportive of abortion access, but nationwide, keeping abortion legal has the highest levels of support in decades. Being able to make our own decisions about our bodies, pregnancy and parenting is crucial to Black women’s dignity and self-determination. Black women are already leading the way in reproductive health, rights and justice policy. In 2015, after decades of work by Black women advocates, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) led the in-

troduction of the EACH Woman Act to repeal the Hyde Amendment’s Reign of Terror on poor women, and the bill today has 128 co-sponsors in the House, even in this incredibly hostile political moment. In another show of leadership, women of color in the Senate and their colleagues sent a bold and defiant letter to Trump demanding that he strip the Hyde Amendment and other bans on abortion coverage from the budget. I doubt anyone is holding

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By William Reed

Make 2018 the Year of the Black Entrepreneur

As Blacks enter the new year, I suggest we collectively evolve a racial ethos that puts more emphasis on entrepreneurs and who they are, putting forth more celebrations that honor these mold-breakers. A successful entrepreneur that inspired our judges as “an enterprising leader” is broad-

cast executive Armstrong Williams, who has quietly became owner of the country’s largest Black television station conglomerate. For 30 years, The Business Exchange Network has sought out and honored entrepreneurs such as Williams, whose boldness drive them to do things differently and change our society our world in unexpected ways. By purchasing the stations KVMY (the Vegas MyNet affiliate) and WLYH (the CW

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affiliate in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), Williams brought his total television station holdings to seven. Given that only 12 out of over 2,000 stations in the country are Black-owned, Williams’ deal with Sinclair Broadcasting made him the most powerful Black broadcasting media mogul in the country. To celebrate Blacks evolving in business activity, The Business Exchange Network annually seeks the coming together

of Black business communities to create and build leading businesses. We also seek to set Blacks’ standards of excellence to heights that create jobs and contribute to the vibrancy in Black communities. Entrepreneurs like Armstrong Williams aren’t the only ones who benefit when they start businesses. He follows the footsteps of job creators like his father. Although job creation is one of the most important contributions they make to so-

ciety, it’s certainly not the only one. Entrepreneurs play important roles in their communities turning their energies to philanthropy and innovation. Entrepreneurs not only create jobs for themselves but for other people in their communities. The cumulative effect of multiple small business startups creates a significant impact. Small firms create 63 percent of net new jobs.

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By Askia Muhammad

Trump-MLK Collision Ahead

Unless I completely miss my guess, President Donald J. Trump will commemorate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Jan. 15 by insulting Dr. King. That’s his style. That’s precisely what these reborn Confederates, dyed-inthe-wool Republicans, have always stood for: racial hatred and immense cruelty toward Black people by White people. So, The Donald will manage to say something ugly and disgusting. He has no bound-

aries when it comes to insulting Blacks and Muslims. He, who evaded military service himself, insulted Khizir Khan, the father of Army Capt. Humayun Khan, killed in the Iraq war during the 2016 campaign. Just a couple of months ago he feuded with a grieving widow whose husband was killed in action in Niger, West Africa. He is frequently required to contact grieving loved ones, but he’s never insulted the families of White fallen soldiers the way he’s singled out Blacks and Muslims. It’s what these guys who are trying to restore the Confederacy have always done. Pres-

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ident Ronald Reagan, who very reluctantly signed the veto-proof legislation establishing the King holiday, launched his 1980 presidential campaign in of all places, Philadelphia, Mississippi, the town where three civil rights workers were kidnapped and murdered. What message was Reagan trying to send? What force was it that bent his will, forcing him to sign the King holiday bill? His message was, and among the alt-right, Tea Party factions today remains: this place is a province intended exclusively for the comfort of Caucasians. What persuaded Congress was the swelling will

of the people insisting on racial justice. South Africa was on fire. The U.S. supported the white-minority rulers there, and in the event of military conflict needed to be able to count on racial loyalty from Black troops serving then in the U.S. military. The climate is entirely different in the 21st century. All over the country, white folks are declaring the country is not “white enough” for them, and they want a society with more racial privileges for whites, more humiliation for the darker, “lesser species.” Someone is reading this, nodding: “That sounds about right.”

Incidentally, Donald Trump’s lack of fitness for office is alarming. But his ascent has empowered a new generation of race-hating politicians, from Roy Moore in Alabama, to Joe Arpaio in Arizona. Trump “drained the swamp” alright. Now he’s restocked it with even more worrisome predators. Behold, a new “Trump Generation.” They are surrounded by dozens of sharp-minded young and old race-haters. Some, fresh out of universities where their fraternities and sororities routinely mocked and

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JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 27 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LIFESTYLE Warner Bros. Bringing World of Comics to D.C. By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer In the District, comic fans will get an inside look during a “DC in D.C.” event over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend when Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment team up for an event organizers said illuminates the story of America and current issues through the lens of comics and superheroes. The event is scheduled to take place Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Newseum in Northwest, and will culminate with the world premiere screen-

ing of the upcoming DC series “Black Lightning” — based on the first African-American DC superhero to have his own stand-alone comic title — in the Warner Bros. Theater at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History on Constitution Avenue in Northwest. A party will follow at the museum. The two-day extravaganza will include public panel discussions and appearances by stars and producers from Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Gotham, Su-

pergirl and Freedom Fighters. Invited guests from publishing, politics, government service and academia are also expected, with a major attraction being the Jan. 12 premiere screening of DC Universe’s animated movie, “Batman: Gotham By Gaslight,” ahead of its digital download release date of Jan. 23 and Blu-ray and DVD release on Feb. 6. “’DC in D.C.’ brings together stars and producers from Warner Bros. Television’s DCTV series, as well as comic book writers and artists from DC Entertainment, who will join invited guests from politics,

government service, entertainment, business, academia and more,” Warner Bros. spokesman Robert Pietranton said in a news release. “The event will explore the intersection of comic books, culture, entertainment and enlightenment through a series of panel discussions open to the public.” Among the participants scheduled at the event are the stars of “Black Lightning,” Cress Williams, China Anne McClain, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, Damon Gupton and James Remar. Executive producers Salim Akil

and Mara Brock Akil are also expected at the event. Also scheduled are DC comic book writers and artists such as DC Entertainment’s Jim Lee, Julie Benson, Shawna Benson, Shea Fontana, Agnes Garbowska, Tom King, Steve Orlando, Alice Randall, Oscar-winning screenwriter John Ridley, Mark Russell, Mariko Tamaki and DC Entertainment’s Geoff Johns, the best-selling author of “Rebirth” and “Doomsday Clock.” For more information or to purchase tickets for the event, go to www.DCinDC2018.com. WI

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D.C. Law Groups to Hold Forum on Mass Incarceration By Lauren Poteat WI Contributing Writer A trio of D.C. law groups will hold a special panel discussion this weekend on mass incarceration, an issue of particular importance for the Black population in the District. The Washington Bar Association, Knowledge is Power Committee and Black Law Student Association will commence the panel on Jan. 13 at 4340 Connecticut Ave. NW from noon to 2:30 p.m. to equip and assist residents affected by these issues. According to the Prison Policy, African Americans make up over 40 percent of the incarcerated population in the U.S. In D.C., Blacks are 89 percent of those behind bars, despite only accounting for 50 percent of the city’s population. “With this event we want to provide information to the community that they might otherwise not know concerning incarceration and returning residents,” said Erin Darden, Knowledge is Power co-chair. “It seems that mass incarceration policy makers construct laws crafted in a way that predominantly target African Americans, leaving behind

rates drastically disproportionate and we want to see that change.” The forum will be broken down into two program parts. The first segment will feature a panel discussion with a returning citizen from incarceration who will share his story and how he was able to get back on his feet along with detailed information on criminal justice reform. The second segment will feature a candid discussion on the effects incarceration has on mental health and provide participants with health specialists. “Positive reentry into society is common as long as there is a supportive plan in place to help those people suffering,” Darden said. “A lot of people have been placed in jail for minor infractions and nonviolent crimes and it is time that we help each other.” Throughout the District, most arrests occur among people from Wards 7 and 8, two largely Black-populated segments of the city. Of those arrests, over 70 percent are also male, city officials said. During Council member Vincent Gray’s single term as mayor, plans were proposed to build a new jail in Blue Plains in southwest D.C., where there would

INVESTIGATION from Page 15

5 Robert Mueller /Courtesy photo

nity as a member of Congress to oversee the administration of justice a great honor. Reportedly, several Republicans have criticized the Mueller probe looking at possible Russian collusion with the Trump campaign and have called for it to end. Led by Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), House Democrats continue to argue that Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the presidential election should be allowed to continue. “We are here today on behalf of at least 171 members of Congress who believe special counsel Mueller is doing a great job,” Waters said at a news conference as 12 other House Democrats stood by her side. “We are here today on behalf of at least 171 members Congress who believe Mr. Mueller’s investigation should and must continue and must not be obstructed. For his part, Trump has continued to deny he intends to fire Mueller and has repeatedly dis-

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5 The D.C. headquarters for the American Bar Association. /Courtesy photo

have been retail on the ground floor and a community college on the campus. However, after Muriel Bowser took office in 2014, those plans were scrapped, as the estimated cost for the building came in at $1.1 billion. “The idea was something that would have been a lot more dig-

nified,” said Gray, who expanded city services for ex-offenders while mayor. “It would have been a center for incarceration, but it wouldn’t have been a typical jail.” In the past year, Council member Robert C. White Jr. (D-At Large) has introduced a bill to require the city to maintain a database of ex-offenders returning

to the District and provide them with information about housing, employment and applying for birth certificates and identification cards. On March 10, the Washington Bar Association is set to also hold a special expungement fair for those with criminal records at Berry Farms Recreation Center. WI

avowed any collusion by his campaign with Russia, there has been much speculation about Mueller’s job security in the position. Over the summer, two GOP senators introduced legislation that would require a panel of federal judges to review any order from Trump to fire the special counsel, according to CBS News. The effort, introduced by Republican Sens. Thom Tillis (N.C.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.), is intended to protect Mueller — also a Republican — as he and his team work on the investigation. That Mueller suddenly has come under fire from the GOP is a surprise to few, and Trump’s recent declaration that he wouldn’t fire the special counsel has met skepticism. In an op-ed, Chicago Tribune reporter Eric Zorn noted that Trump’s declaration followed a newly energized campaign of howling by right-wing pundits who are calling for the dismissal of Mueller for alleged bias in his far-reaching investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign.

“There is a cleansing needed in our FBI and our Department of Justice,” said Fox News host Jeanine Pirro in what Zorn called a particularly unhinged rant last month. They need “to be cleansed of individuals who should not just be fired but who need to be taken out in handcuffs,” Pirro said. In slightly more measured tones, Republicans in Congress have been complaining in the wake of revelations that some of the lawyers working on the probe have donated to Democrats, that Mueller got his hands on some email traffic that should have been confidential and that an FBI agent was removed from the investigation last summer when an internal review discovered that he’d called Trump an “idiot” and worse in text messages. “This tells you GOP lawmakers and Trump loyalists are very worried,” Zorn said. “Not that Mueller is a dishonest broker. He’s long been one of the most admired men in Washington, a highly decorated Marine officer who was appointed in 2001 to run the FBI

by Republican President George W. Bush and asked in 2011 to stay on an additional two years by Democratic President Barack Obama.” Zorn noted that, in a rare moment of bipartisan accord, Democratic and Republican lawmakers hailed Mueller’s exquisite fitness to preside over the probe into Russian election meddling when he was appointed in May. “They’re worried that he’s getting close to swinging the wrecking ball of truth,” Zorn said. “They’re worried that Trump is actually guilty of impeachable offenses — if not in his dealings with the Russians, then in his attempts to obstruct the probe into those dealings.” In her role, Demings said homeland security remains her top priority. “We want to continue balancing the scales of justice, whether its immigration reform, patents, trademarks or national security,” she told the Sentinel. “We want to continue to balance constitutional rights with national security concerns.” WI

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LIFESTYLE Mosaic’s ‘Queens Girl in Africa’ Delightful, Insightful By Eve M. Ferguson WI Contributing Writer When I stepped into the Atlas Performing Arts Center for the premiere of Caleen Sinnette Jennings’ “Queens Girl in Africa,” I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had not seen the first part, “Queens Girl in the World,” which was presented a few years back by Theater J. But I didn’t need to. My jaw dropped because it was my story. The one-woman show, with each character skillfully — and humorously — enacted by the tour de force who is Erika Rose, popped with familiarity as she portrayed a plethora of characters; Caribbean, American, Israeli, African and more, all living in Nigeria at that pivotal time. But the story of 12-yearold Jaqueline Marie Butler’s coming-of-age story — an African-American girl transported in her formative years to Nigeria in the mid-’60s — mirrors my own experience as a girl of a similar age leaving America for the cultural clash that is Africa. The protagonist, the daugh-

ter of a Caribbean revolutionary medical doctor father who leaves the United States after the assassination of Malcolm X and her schoolteacher mother, invites the audience into her inner monologue about the people she encountered as she transformed from a reluctant preteen to a college-bound woman against the backdrop of post-independence Nigeria. Directed by Paige Hernandez, who herself is a master of the one-woman monologue, “Queens Girl in Africa” not only entertains, it educates. Recalling the parallel histories of the impending civil war in Nigeria and the struggle for civil rights in the United States, Jacqueline Marie’s story is filtered through the foreign news services that expatriates and others posted outside of the country depend upon to keep a finger on the pulse of their homeland. Hernandez and Rose are a natural fit for this production, which kicks off the current Women’s Voices Theater Festival, running from Jan. 15 through Feb. 15 as 25 of the

5 The beautiful lands of Nigeria. /Courtesy photo

region’s professional theaters join forces to present theater by women. The two attended college together, and their knowledge of each other’s talents meld perfectly in this thoroughly delightful play. “Erika Rose is a tremendous and versatile actress whose heart and work ethic never cease to amaze me,” Hernandez said. “I’m thrilled that we get to work together in this capacity. She and I were students together at the University of Maryland College Park so this connection is truly full circle.” Playwright Caleen Sinnette Jennings marveled at the interpretation of her work. “It’s very moving for me to be giving birth to this incredibly personal new play surrounded by such talented and passionate collaborators— including director Paige Hernandez who helped usher forth ‘Queens Girl in the World,’ which was commissioned by Ari Roth at Theater J back in 2014,” she said. “It’s wonderful to be reunited with him and with a dear collaborator, Erika Rose, one of D.C.’s most powerful and versatile actors.

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“This semi-autobiographical play is a tribute to this huge, beautiful complex Nigeria of the 1960s and how it made me who I am,” Jennings said. Through the eyes of this conscious, budding young woman, the audience experiences her transformation from an American to a Black woman who embraces her African heritage, but appreciates her stateside upbringing as well. Using moveable backdrops that reflect Africa, and spare props (a trunk and a chair) that serve as a bed, a podium and a receptacle for the few, but significant clothing changes — which are also minimalist — much is conveyed through simplicity. Deb Sivigny (set and costume design), Sarah Tunderman (lighting and projection design) and David Lamont Wilson (sound design) take what appear to be minor elements, but when joined with the script, acting and direction, tell a story that most couldn’t with a full cast of actors. “I’m also fortunate to have such an incredible design team,” Hernandez said. “We’ve all worked together on various

projects which makes our collaboration even more meaningful. I’m excited for the audience to see how much a thoughtful design can really make a solo show soar.” And soar it does, into the hearts, minds and funny bones of all who take it in. “Queens Girl in Africa” is not just for those who have had an African experience, for whom much will seem familiar (almost uncannily so), but to anybody who has grown up and observed the things that make them who they are. In addition to being the Mosaic Theater Company’s contribution to the Women’s Voices Theater Festival, it also kicks off a new initiative called “Locally Grown Mosaic,” which will feature new works by playwrights from the community. “Locally Grown Mosaic is designed to invest in our diverse artistic community right here in D.C. to promote local artists and perspectives, and to produce works that jumpstart conversations about issue directly influencing our neighborhood,” said founding artistic director Roth. “We are thrilled to be launching this initiative with ‘Queens Girl in Africa,’ which will highlight and champion the incredible talents of a local playwright, director, actor and design team.” “Queens Girl in Africa” plays at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, through Feb. 4. Go to mosaictheater.org for additional information and showtimes. WI

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LIFESTYLE

Shelter For Abused Women Under Investigation for Health Hazards By Lauren Poteat WI Contributing Writer Prince George’s County’s lone domestic shelter has been rocked by a whistleblower’s recent accusations of gross negligence in maintaining livable conditions for the women and children staying at the facility. A former employee at the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County, located in Brentwood, reported the nonprofit institution to authorities for substandard conditions such as mold, deteriorating wood panels, rodent infestations and indigestible food. Over 50 women were displaced and relocated to various hotels while they wait for the facility to be brought up to code and pass a health inspection. “We don’t really want to go back,” said two women currently stationed at the hotels. “The conditions there are horrible and no one really seems to care. Before Sophie Ford [who took over in 2015] stepped down from her role as executive director, we tried to speak out and tell her

about how we were living, but she didn’t seem to care. It’s so bad here. Sometimes we think about going back to live with our abusers. At least there we know we’ll have a decent room and food despite the beatings. … A lot of us have children to raise.” The state of the center was brought to the forefront weeks before Christmas by former employee Keiyauna Stanley, who was fired immediately after taking her claim to the board of directors. Ford, the former executive director who spearheaded the dismissal, stepped down shortly after investigations. “These women were displaced because of the deplorable living conditions inside of the shelter,” Stanley said. “There needs to be more accountability from the county concerning this situation and regular inspections to ensure things like this won’t happen again. In 2015 when I came on board with the shelter, I know money was given to ensure that the facility was well maintained, but that obvious-

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5 Over 50 women have been displaced from the Family Crisis Center due to the center’s substandard living conditions. /Courtesy photo

ly didn’t happen, so there also needs to be a higher accountability and examination as to where proper funding is going.” State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, an advocate of domestic violence victims, also stepped in and assisted the women with their transition to the various hotels, using $1.5 million in funding money allotted by the governor’s office in October for additional support for victims of domestic abuse. John Erzen, communications director for the state’s attorney, said the money came in part to officials being aware of many of the present issues at the center. During the immediate twoweek transitional period after Ford’s departure, Andrea Morris

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way they had to live and all that they’ve been through, it makes sad to think that there isn’t a better support system in place. It’s important that people realize that this issue is very serious and to keep it in the news and media. Don’t let it die. These are lives being impacted of people who are seeking help and by no choice of their own, had to leave the shelter and be re-victimized again. If we don’t take care of this problem right and take care of it now, we’ll be revisiting this issue again in the very near future.” Shelter residents are still awaiting inspection and an official return date. Meanwhile, Michelle Williams is the acting executive director. WI

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filled in over the holidays. “The place was filthy, but a lot of the issues are cosmetic and sanitation,” said Morris, who also sits on the nonprofit’s board of directors and is volunteering her time to bring the shelter up to standard. “We really want to do this right. That takes a little bit more time.” Though Morris’ interim tenure ended with the new year, she too has understated the severity of the situation, said Lynn Strange, a domestic violence advocate and public relations specialist who represents some of the shelter residents. “Morris grossly minimized the problems at the shelter,” Strange said. “When I think about these women and they

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LIFESTYLE

Friends Remember Malcolm X in New Documentary By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer A new film looks at the early life and legacy of Malcolm X in his historic struggle for freedom, justice and equality for Black people in the United States. Directed by Thomas Muhammad and narrated by Malcolm X co-worker A. Peter Bailey, the documentary, “Malcolm X: An Overwhelming Influence on America’s Black Power Movement,” takes viewers on a road trip with Bailey from the nation’s capital to the headquarters of the voting rights struggle in Alabama exploring the life and work of the civil rights icon. Bailey, an acclaimed journalist author and lecturer, was a founding member of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which was organized in 1964 by Malcolm X, and served as the editor of Backlash, the organization’s newsletter. He also served as one of the pallbearers at Malcolm’s funeral. He recalled coming across Malcolm X in 1962 while taking a walk in the Harlem neighborhood to which he had just moved. “We were outside and there were a couple of thousand people stand-

ing there, and spoke for almost three hours,” Bailey said. “By the time he got through, I immediately became a ‘Malcomite’ because I had never heard anyone talk about race in this country with such clarity and passion and forcefulness.” Along the 92-minute journey, viewers meet the friends, family, comrades and other major civil rights figures, many of whom share intimate and critical moments of their time and work with Malcolm and have never been publicly interviewed before. It explores his journey from his family’s history of generations of resistance to racist policies, and his journey from a juvenile delinquent to becoming the face of a movement for a separate, strong and economically self-sufficient Black race, and one of the nation’s most recognized historical figures. “I finished the eighth grade in Lansing, Mich., my high school was a Black ghetto in Roxbury, Mass., my college was in the streets of Harlem and my master’s was taken in prison” Malcolm X is quoted as saying in the film. The documentary’s creators hoped to give a modern take on the revolutionary and dispel oft-nega-

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5 A. Peter Bailey (far right) moves to address the audience at the screening of “Malcolm X: An Overwhelming Influence on America’s Black Power Movement,” Wed., Jan. 3, at Sankofa Video Books & Cafe in Northwest. /Photo E Watson/EDI Photo

tive public perceptions of his works and positions, which were heavily influenced by a militant and potentially violent portrayal of him in the media. The film aims to show him through personal stories from those who knew him best and demon-

strate how his influence continues to resonate in the interests of today’s youth and initiatives. “I don’t know how they got all that shot into an hour and a half because they shot a whole lot of footage,” Bailey said of the produc-

tion team. “I give [Muhammad] tremendous credit for his editing.” The film will be a part of upcoming African Diaspora Film Festival in New York and the Pan African Film and Arts Festival in Los Angeles. WI

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 33 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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lective messages of live, equality, peace and justice from interfaith perspectives. This year, with the theme “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: His Voice, His Teachings, His Love for Humanity,” the service featured: Barbara Harrison, News 4 Anchor, master of ceremonies; Pastor Michelle C. Thomas, Holy & Whole Life Changing Ministries, International; Soloist Wyomme Pariss, Hip Hop Artist Yusha Assad, the World Children’s Choir, Calvin Woodland as the voice of Dr. King, Mikaeel Martinez Jaka, ADAMS Center Boy Scout; and Rabbi Gerry Serotta, Executive Director, InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington. Other participants representing Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism led a multi-faith call to prayer with a host of interfaith expressions shared in commemoration of King’s teachings. Dr. Benjamin Chavis, president/CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association, formerly Vice President of the National Council of Churches and the youngest Executive Director and CEO of the NAACP, served as the keynote speaker. Here are just a few of his remarks. “We must bring up a new generation of Fannie Lou Hamers and Dr. Kings so that they are prepared to take up the baton and push forward. As we mark the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination, many will ask how far we’ve come toward achieving true racial equality, justice and

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“King would not have gone along with the current administration – a president who makes jokes about nuclear war.” DR. BENJAMIN CHAVIS

the opening of the door for all humanity. We tend to use inclusiveness in too narrow terms.” “This service this evening shares an important aspect of the Civil Rights Movement in that it has made room for youth. We must plant the seeds of urgency for freedom in them when they’re young. That’s what Dr. King emphasized.” “King would not have gone along with the current administration – a president who makes jokes about nuclear war. King would not have said what Trump has said, claiming to have the biggest missile or the biggest bombs – he would have wanted to know who had the biggest heart in the search for justice for all.” “D.C. is a great city but our focus on gentrification doesn’t factor in those whom King cared most about: the least of these, the

homeless, the hopeless.” “Our problem today is not persuading Pharaoh to let our people go. Instead we should be able letting Pharaoh go. Letting partisan bickering which has almost become hatred go. A country that doesn’t care for its own, all of its own, will not care for the rest of the world.” “We cannot let Dr. King down. We cannot forget his love for all of humanity. God bless the living legacy of Dr. King.” Chuck Hicks, chair of the DC Black History Celebration and a longtime member of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington and resident in Southwest commented on the service following its conclusion. “This service has grown in scope and attendance because of the belief that by worshiping together with those from different faiths and ethnic groups, we can truly make this both a better city and world,” said Hicks, 72. “Sure, we have our differences but I, along with many others, believe we can come together and work in unity. That’s what Dr. King believed too.” “I was particularly pleased we had so many different faiths come out to help celebrate Dr. King’s birthday. I think he would have been particularly pleased to see we involved so many young people from across the city. And Dr. Chavis’s speech was very timely in light of the things our country is facing today. His final words could not have summarized the work before us any better and it really served as a needed source of encouragement to us all.” WI

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LIFESTYLE

wi A book review

Horoscopes

ARIES There is so much positive activity this coming week that it could be very productive for you. For instance, when determined Mars, your ruler, links to fervent Pluto, you might be willing to put a lot of effort into a goal that is of prime importance. Once you take that first step, it could begin to snowball. The right people and the right timing can also show up to assist you in other ways. T Lucky Numbers: 10, 12, 39

“Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass, A Monumental American Man”

TAURUS New opportunities are going to continue to beckon for some weeks and even months to come, but this week things could take a turn in a new direction. You could find you’re almost propelled along a new path by events or the encouragement of another. In fact, your friends and loved ones can be instrumental in pushing you forward into new adventures. However, don’t try to push events before they’re ready to happen. Allow things to flow naturally. Lucky Numbers: 13, 41, 42 GEMINI You might be ready to make some lifestyle changes that could affect you and your family for the better. A very lively blend of energies hints that making a start now could see you transforming your own health and perhaps that of others. In particular, a link between stirring Mars and fervent Pluto might encourage you to make a clean sweep. This could mean altering your diet or perhaps exercise routine in a very radical way. Once you’ve made up your mind, there may be no going back. Lucky Numbers: 24, 58, 59

by Tonya Bolden c.2017, Abrams Books for Young Readers $19.99 ($23.99 Canada) 208 pages

CANCER The week ahead could be filled with powerful interactions that build new relationships and enhance those you already have. Leisure and pleasure options could also bring you closer to others, as you may be eager to share your fun times with them. You might be drawn to collaborate with certain people on new projects, and this can be very rewarding for you. Setting firm boundaries could be key, though, as a potent Venus-Pluto link suggests someone may push for their intended outcome. Lucky Numbers: 8, 11, 27

Facing Frederick By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

You’re not backing down. There’s a line in the sand and nobody’s crossing it on your watch. When something isn’t right and you can fix it, you’re going to defend it, too, even if it costs you. As you’ll see in “Facing Frederick” by Tonya Bolden, if you lived in the mid-1800s, you’d be in good company. Though he really didn’t like to talk about it much, Frederick Douglass had been through things that were unimaginable. From the moment he was born into slavery, he was taken from his mother, who died when Frederick was small. At age 6, his owner removed him from his grandparents’ farm to a plantation house; there, he slept on the floor of a closet. He was hired out to a slavemaster who beat him for no reason at all, and he worked as a shipbuilder before escaping from bondage. Douglass didn’t like to talk about his life — but he had to. As a young man, he gained recognition as an orator and newspaper publisher, but people thought he was a “fake.” He grew awfully sick of that and so he wrote a book, to great acclaim, though doing so was dangerous: Douglass used several aliases in his anti-slavery activism, and his book finally laid bare the whole truth. Finding safety in Great Britain, he became a celebrity there, and met some men who further influenced his life and his work. Following his time in Great Britain, he returned to America and started an anti-slavery newspaper with donations he’d received while overseas. The paper faltered later because Douglass “miscalculated,” but that setback didn’t cause him to lose sight of his goal; in fact, it strengthened his anti-slavery ideals. He and his family became conductors on the Underground Railroad, moving people up through New England into Canada. “With the outbreak of the Civil War, Frederick’s hopes soared,” Bolden writes. But he still wasn’t happy: Black soldiers weren’t allowed to do their part in the War, and Douglass wanted that changed. Finally, on Aug. 10, 1863, he went to the White House. The man who was once a little boy who slept on the floor of a closet had an appointment with President Lincoln. … Filled with excerpts from diaries, newspaper articles, bits of speeches and reproductions of photographs, “Facing Frederick” is a great book with a powerful story. Getting the full extent of it, I think, will depend on the age of its reader. Because it wouldn’t be the same biography without dates and accounts of Douglass’ travels and actions, there’s a lot in here and this book can be hard to follow. Older kids on a 10- to 14-year-old spectrum shouldn’t have any problem with it; it’s lively enough between the dates-and-facts to keep that age group’s attention. Kids on the younger side may struggle with too many facts. Even so, let them try. “Facing Frederick,” published in honor of the 200th anniversary of Douglass’ birthday, is a big story that’s too important to miss. They may not be able to put it down. WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

JAN 11 - 17, 2018

LEO You might be ready to make some lifestyle changes that could affect you and your family for the better. A very lively blend of energies hints that making a start now could see you transforming your own health and perhaps that of others. This could mean altering your diet or perhaps exercise routine in a very radical way. Once you’ve made up your mind, there may be no going back. Lucky Numbers: 3, 14, 23 VIRGO There seem to be so many ideas available to you, as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others. This could be a very busy and promising week that gets 2018 off to a wonderful start. It isn’t a time to hold back and keep things yourself. Rather, share your thoughts and allow others to contribute. This process could be very creative for all involved, and might result in projects and plans that greatly benefit everyone and even prove very lucrative. Lucky Numbers: 5, 20, 36 LIBRA You might need to use your powers of persuasion to convince family members that your ideas are in their best interests. With both the sun and lovely Venus aligning with passionate Pluto, certain others may have their own agenda, and this could delay your plans. In the end, you might have to prove it to them by making a start and letting them see for themselves. Once they do, you may find that they back you wholeheartedly. Try to be flexible with your social plans over the weekend. Lucky Numbers: 40, 44, 51 SCORPIO You could be on a personal mission over the days ahead, and this might show through your dedication and determination to turn an idea into reality. It might seem as though you need to be very persuasive to convince others to join you, but this might not be necessary at all. Your sheer enthusiasm might be what encourages others to come on board. And with feisty Mars in your sign aligning with expansive Jupiter, anything is possible. Lucky Numbers: 9, 29, 34 SAGITTARIUS Your understanding and knowledge of your inner life and thoughts and feelings can have a direct influence on your finances. The more confidence you have in yourself, the more this will be reflected in your ability to enhance your income and feel secure. Hiring the services of a life coach or other professional could be helpful, as he or she might be able to help you move beyond any perceived limits and feel even more abundant. Lucky Numbers: 4, 12, 53 CAPRICORN Your social life continues to be very buoyant and positive. And you seem to have friends in positions of power or authority who can be a great help to you at this time. With both feisty Mars and jovial Jupiter in your friendship zone, key alignments to planets in your sign could see you making fabulous progress with their help. In addition, you have much experience to add to the mix, and this combination can be perfect for creating much success. Lucky Numbers: 9, 12, 23 AQUARIUS There are times in life when it pays to dig within and get to know oneself in greater depth. In your case, doing so could bring about positive experiences and insights that fuel your goals and aspirations. The coming weeks and months can be a great time to overcome any limitations that may be preventing you from living to your fullest potential. This week could see you trusting an intuitive nudge that turns out to be quite lucrative for you. Lucky Numbers: 2, 18, 33 PISCES With dynamic Mars aligning with expansive Jupiter in your sector of travel and adventure, you could be fired up with ideas that may require a leap of faith. However, with the help of your friends, you could find that you have the courage to do whatever is required of you. They may be only too willing to join forces with you and lend you courage and support. Avoid any impromptu purchases over the weekend, because the sun’s link with restless Uranus could encourage you to splurge. Lucky Numbers: 6, 30, 51

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 35 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

SPORTS Bucks Rally Past Wizards in Feisty Fourth Quarter By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill The Washington Wizards’ fourgame winning streak ended Saturday with a 110-103 loss at home to the Milwaukee Bucks, but not without some fireworks in the fourth quarter. With 7:24 left in the game, Bucks reserve guard Matthew Dellavedova wrapped his right arm around Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal’s right shoulder as he drove to the basket, causing Beal to slip and fall hard to the floor. Referees stepped in to separate the two and coaches from both teams rushed to escort players to their respective benches. Dellavedova was ejected with the Bucks up 92-90. From that point, the Bucks outscored the Wizards 18-13 the rest of the way. The Wizards didn’t mince words afterward about Dellavedova’s play. “There’s no place in the game for that,” said Beal, who scored 20 on 7-for-19 shooting. “It’s a difference between making a play on the ball and wrapping your arms around somebody’s neck. He got thrown out for it.” Wizards point guard John Wall also didn’t hold back on his thoughts about Dellavedova, whose scrappy style has drew the ire of other players in the past. “Whatever [the Bucks team] can say and other people can vouch for him, [but] to me, I always thought he was a dirty player,” Wall said. “I give him credit, he plays hard. A guy going full speed, [you] don’t grab him by his shoulders. You grab him by his waist. The refs did what they had to do and we continued to play basketball.” For his part, Dellavedova said he didn’t expect to be ejected. “I thought it was a foul, or maybe a flagrant one, but I definitely wasn’t expecting that,” he said. “But that’s what [the referees] called. It is what it is.” As for the rest of the game,

36 JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018

the Wizards couldn’t contain the league’s second-leading scorer, Giannis Antetokounmpo, who torched Washington with 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. Teammate Eric Bledsoe contributed 21 points, including a clutch 3-pointer to put Milwaukee up 105-101 with 1:17 left. The Wizards (23-17) only scored 18 points in the final frame, a problem that carried over from Friday when Washington had just 15 fourth-quarter points in a narrow road win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Both teams were playing the second of back-to-back contests Saturday, with Milwaukee (21-17) coming off a home loss to the Toronto Raptors. “I thought they made some big plays down the stretch,” Wizards head coach Scott Brooks said. “It was a great game. It was a playoff game in January. Both teams left everything on the floor. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the game.” The Wizards were also without starting small forward Otto Porter Jr., who sat with right hip strain. The loss began a five-game homestand for Washington that ends Monday afternoon with a rematch against the Bucks at 2 p.m. WI

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5 Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat eyes the basket while being defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward John Henson during the Bucks’ 110-103 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Jan. 6. /Photo by John E. De Freitas 3 Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal is defended by Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton during the Bucks’ 110-103 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Jan. 6. /Photo by John E. De Freitas 6 Washington Wizards center Ian Mahinmi drives past Milwaukee Bucks center Thon Maker during the Bucks’ 110-103 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Jan. 6. /Photo by John E. De Freitas (Bottom Left Photo) Washington Wizards guard John Wall is defended by Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe during the Bucks’ 110-103 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Jan. 6./Photo by John E. De Freitas

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SPORTS 1. Theodore Roosevelt (16-2) (DCSAA)

Theodore Roosevelt, winners of nine straight, is on a roll. The Roughriders dropped Thurgood Marshall Academy (Washington, D.C.) 66-58 on Jan. 6. Sophomore point guard Marcus Dockery, sophomore guard Darius Miles, and senior guard Kareem James are in a groove right now. Dockery leads the Roughriders in scoring with over 11 points per game.

D.C. High School Basketball

2. Gonzaga (10-0) (WCAC)

By Daniel Kucin Jr. WI Contributing Writer @danielkucin88 Throughout the remainder of the season, The Washington Informer will feature our choices for the top five high school basketball programs in the greater

Washington area, specifically the DCIAA (District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association) and the WCAC (Washington Catholic Athletic Conference), for their efforts based upon win/loss record, strength of schedule and winning streak:

Gonzaga’s record remains unblemished moving into the heart of their regular season schedule. The Eagles recently took down Good Counsel (Olney, MD) 7154 on Jan. 2 behind an impressive performance by Myles Stute. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound guard led the Eagles in scoring against the Falcons with 19 points, adding eight rebounds

and three assists as well. Sophomore forward Terrance Williams leads Gonzaga in scoring so far this season (18.9 ppg) while senior forward Myles Dread and sophomore point guard Chuck Harris also have double-figure averages.

3. Dunbar (10-6) (DCSAA)

Dunbar has won three of its past four games and looks to be a formidable opponent moving forward. After falling to Friendship Tech (Washington, D.C.) 5651 on Jan. 6, the Crimson Tide has since defeated KIPP (Washington, D.C.) by 12 points and dominated Coolidge (Washington, D.C.) by 24 points. Senior shooting point guard Rasheed Gatling leads the Crimson Tide in scoring with over 17 ppg and has scored over 20 points in his past two contests.

4. DeMatha (12-1) (WCAC)

The Stags are riding on a twogame win streak, most recently defeating Bishop Ireton (Alexan-

dria, Va.), 74-49, on Jan. 2. DeMatha will have a tough test against rival Gonzaga on Jan. 11, a game which could provide some clarity atop the conference the rest of the way. Junior guard Justin Moore has been the catalyst for the Stags’ success, averaging 18.4 ppg this season.

5. Thurgood Marshall Academy (9-6) (DCSAA)

Despite recently falling to Theodore Roosevelt, Thurgood Marshall has hung around and played solid basketball over the past few weeks. The Warriors have won seven of their past 10 contests, including a convincing 55-43 win against Good Counsel on Dec. 30. Senior guard Savion Gallion has been the driving force, averaging over 23 points per contest. The Washington Informer Top 5 is strictly based upon the opinions of The Washington Informer sports division and will run throughout the duration of the DCIAA and WCAC basketball seasons. WI

5 Howard University sophomore Leanne McMaster (white cap), who hails from Kingston, Jamaica, gets ready to start the women’s freestyle/breast event during a swim meet against UMBC on Jan. 6. /Photo courtesy of Mark Coleman/Howard University WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

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CBC from Page 1 lenges of today.” Richmond noted that the CBC would act deliberately and engage on its own terms. “We won’t give in; we won’t give up; we won’t fall back and we will move our people and our nation forward,” he said in a speech that came just days before Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration. Twelve months into the Trump presidency, the CBC clearly has its work cut out. Shortly, the group will issue its 2018 legislative priorities. In the meantime, many of its members have taken to social media to express their priorities and views. “In 2018, let’s resolve to speak the truths we have been reminded of too often over the last year,” Rep. Kamala Harris (D-California) tweeted. “Racism is real in this country. Sexism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism are real in this country. Unless we speak that truth, we will not confront it honestly.” Rep. Barbara Lee, Harris’ California Democratic colleague, took direct aim at the president. “Yet again, the Trump administration is choosing to enrich Big Oil at the expense of the American people,” Lee said of Trump’s move to open nearly all offshore waters to drilling. “This isn’t over. The American people will keep fighting to protect our coast,” Lee said Congress has a responsibility to rein in Trump’s “dangerous saber-rattling.” “We can start by passing H.R. 669, restricting first use of nuclear weapons,” she said. Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott also weighed in on a major priority for 2018. “If Congress can afford over $1 trillion in new deficits for vast tax cuts for corporations and billionaires, then Congress can afford to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP),” Scott wrote on Twitter this week. Reportedly, Congress plans to soon

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address the future of CHIP and entitlement cuts. An Urban Institute analysis revealed that 49 percent — or 7.7 million — of children ages 3 and younger relied on CHIP or Medicaid insurance for poor Americans in 2015, a figure more that constitutes more than any other form of insurance coverage. “Because young children and their parents rely on Medicaid at higher rates than older children and their parents, contractions of Medicaid funding would have outsize effects on families with young children,” researchers wrote in the report. Such “contractions” in CHIP and Medicaid spending became more real before the holidays when the Republican-led Congress passed a temporary budget that only extended CHIP through the end of March, leaving long-term funding up in the air, according to Forbes. Furthermore, U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan said he wants to consider entitlement reforms in health care that could lead to reduced spending on Medicaid, Chip and other health care programs. “I am calling on you to do the right thing and fund CHIP now — a 3-month extension is not enough for the children in Pennsylvania and families in need nationwide,” Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Dwight Evans tweeted. “I want to reassure you that our fight in 2018 continues. We must overcome the hurdles that come our way in our fight to build a stronger tomorrow.” Richmond has urged the GOP to prevent harm to CHIP. He said close to 2 million children across this country are in danger of losing CHIP coverage in January, with another 1 million set to lose coverage in February. A short-term approach to providing these children and their families with certainty is absolutely irresponsible, Richmond said. “Without swift reauthorization and fully funded coverage, young lives hang in the balance. Congress’ failure to act will set off a chain of dire con-

sequences for children, as well as their families, communities, and states. A family without insurance is a family more likely to fall victim to financial crisis related to medical costs, such as bankruptcy,” he said. Similarly, Community Health Centers play an essential role in low-income communities as they protect and expand access to critical and affordable care, Richmond said, noting that the Community Health Centers Fund provides mandatory funding for federal health centers, which provide primary, dental, and other supportive care in medically underserved areas. “Robust and reliable support for Community Health Centers results in more health centers, an increased number of patient visit, and more available services. These services save lives, especially in communities struggling to provide affordable care to poor, largely minority communities,” he said. The CHCF is even more essential to the more than 27 million people it helps support in light of recent efforts to dismantle the nation’s health insurance market. “As you well know, the elimination of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate will add 13 million uninsured Americans, increase premiums by 10 percent, and make it harder for sick people to get insurance,” Richmond said. “The Congressional Black Caucus has been the conscience of this Congress since its inception in 1971. We have provided moral leadership and courageous advocacy for our constituents and for all Americans that have felt disenfranchised or left behind. It is urgent that Congress act to reauthorize CHIP and Community Health Centers and provide robust funding for both. It is time for Congress to do what it is responsible and moral.” Already, D.C. Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton is taking action in 2018. She was expected this week to lead a CBC forum on the lack of di-

CBC Page 39

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RELIGION THE RELIGION CORNER

Hold On, However Dark the Night!

with Lyndia Grant Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. — 1st Thessalonian 5:5 In the movie “Idolmaker,” there is a song at the end of the movie that stirred my soul, titled “However Dark the Night.” The words: “It’s one of those nights, another one of those nights/ You can’t keep from crying and you’re dying for someone/But you got to hold on; hold on ‘til the dawn/ en there will come the morning light/no matter how dark the night, however dark the night.” This portion of the lyrics is my point, why you are having a roller-coaster of emotions. There are so many people who feel that life has forsaken them; they are not sure what to do next, are the point of no return and wish for peace of mind. Some are lost after the passing of a loved one who ran the show, now you feel unsure of what to do next. Others were laid off, and despite

CBC from Page 38 versity and, in some cases, lack of qualifications in Trump’s nominations for the federal bench. “Because African Americans have always been disproportionately affected by federal court decisions, the Congressional Black Caucus is virtually obligated to investigate the fairness of the federal judiciary, no matter who is president,” Norton said. “These lifetime appointments will have monumental impacts on the future of the nation and on all Americans, none more so than on African Americans and others seeking an

sending out resumes, the phone simply is not ringing. Then there are those of you who are sad in your marriage — over the years, you’ve learned just how unequally yoked you really are, and there doesn’t seem to be a midway point. You find yourself doing all of the giving. Your spouse is a taker. Trust me, it happens! Finally, what about those of you who can hardly make ends meet? No matter how you try, that paycheck from your job simply won’t pay the bills. You have to rob Peter to pay Paul each time, never having enough. Here is where the title of this article comes in. You go to bed every night, feeling darkness hovering like a gloomy cloud in the sky. You’d rather remain asleep, awakening feels so bad. You’ve got to hold on, hold on ‘til the dawn, no matter how dark the night. There will definitely come the morning light. Scripture reminds us, if we are children of light, and the children of the day, we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Let’s take a look at John 8:12: “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.’” Here is another metaphor that Jesus used to talk about himself. He calls himself “the light of the world.” In the Bible, light refers to salvation, and darkness refers to sinfulness. Or Matthew 8:24-27: “Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke

Him, saying, ‘Lord, save us, we’re going to drown!’ “He replied, ‘You of little faith! Why are you so afraid?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. “The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” Anytime you feel you’re in a dark place, pray without ceasing, walk by faith and not by sight, and finally, faith cometh by hearing, so speak your wishes and prayers out loud.” We are trusting in God Almighty to supply all of our needs. I know money doesn’t drop down out the sky, but this must be a faith walk. Even when you cannot see how something will happen, the first thing you must do is simply believe it will come. WI Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958 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.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Reverend John W. Davis Pastor

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

5101 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. “A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold”

Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

www.mtzbcdc.org

PlaceYour Church Services Ad Here! Contact Ron Burke rburke@washingtoninformer.com

(301) 864-6070

www.jmlaw.net

(301) 864-6070

jmccollum@jmlaw.net

equal place in our country.” A Congressional Research Service analysis of the last three presidents’ nominees for the federal bench through the end of the first year of their first terms shows a particularly concerning lack of diversity among President Trump’s nominees. While President Clinton’s nominees were 72.3 percent white, President George W. Bush’s were 86.2 percent white and President Obama’s were 48.5 percent white, “President Trump’s nominees were a staggering 91.2 percent white,” Norton said. WI

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JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 39 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor 9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 Fax: 301-499-8724

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

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”

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Church of Living Waters

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Crusader Baptist Church

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

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

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

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

Campbell AME Church

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”

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

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 am “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

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 emailus@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

Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org

Isle of Patmos Baptist 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

Mailing Address Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher 4275 4th Street, S.E. Washington, DC 20034 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 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 Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: faithdefender@verizon.net

40 JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018

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 Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 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

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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 “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!

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: 8:00am & 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. Richard B. Black 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 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org 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: "Faith On The Hill"

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

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols 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 Rev. Joan E. Buchanan Executive Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 7:30am Worship Service: 11:00am New Member’s Class: 9:45am Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00am Church School: 9:45am Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00pm Saturday Bible Study: 11:00am Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00am

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

“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 Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class 8:00 am Sunday School 9:00 am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:00 am Wednesday Service 12:00 pm

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: admin@pbc712.org

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. Oran W. Young 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) 232-4288

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 First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 a.m. Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 a.m. and 10:55 a.m. Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 a.m. Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 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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Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org

Service and Times Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 a.m. Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30 a.m. Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 p.m. Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 p.m. 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.

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 41 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration No. 2017 ADM 620

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001427

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001412

Administration No. 2017 ADM 1424

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001134

Joseph Dawson, Jr. Decedent

Terry Randall Goodman Decedent

Elizabeth Smith Mincey Decedent

Thomas R. Cary, Jr. aka Thomas Richard Cary, Jr. Decedent

Rosa North-Ford Decedent

Valerie Edwards, Esq. Antonoplos & Associates 1725 DeSales Street NW, #600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Larry C. Williams 7600 Georgia Ave., NW Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

Joan M. Wilbon, Esquire 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1020 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

Joyce Ann Williams 7981 Eastern Ave. #C-5 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

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

Jacqueline F. Banks and Smith T. Banks, II, whose addresses are 4238 Southern Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20019 and 1516 Mississippi Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20032, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Elizabeth Smith Mincey who died on September 1, 2017 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 June 28, 2108. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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.

Alfonso W. Cary, Sr., whose address is 1308 Port Echo Lane, Bowie, MD 20718, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thomas R. Cary, Jr. aka Thomas Richard Cary, Jr. who died on November 3, 2005 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 (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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Karen D. Dawson and Sherry L. Dawson, whose addresses are 7959 Riggs Rd., #10, Adelphi, MD & 10810 Blackstone Ave., Cheltenham, MD, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Joseph Dawson, Jr. who died on May 6, 2017 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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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: December 28, 2017 Karen D. Dawson Sherry L. Dawson Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Kermit R. Goodman, whose address is 4624 Magnolia Drive, Suffolk, VA 23435, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Terry Randall Goodman who died on May 16, 2017 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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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: December 28, 2017

Date of first publication: December 28, 2017

Kermit R. Goodman Personal Representative

Jacqueline F. Banks Smith T. Banks, II Personal Representatives

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Date of first publication: December 28, 2017 Alfonso W. Cary, Sr. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

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

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001431

Administration No. 2017 ADM 1214

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001114

James L. Srodes aka James Lewis Srodes Decedent

Geraldine Johnson Cary Decedent

Doris Pugh Decedent

Anita L. Robinson Name of Decedent

Christopher M. Guest, Esq. 1101 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 450 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

Edward J. Elder 2000 P Street, NW, Suite 415 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

Mary Cecile Zaugg Srodes, whose address is 1754 Park Road, NW, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James L. Srodes aka James Lewis Srodes who died on September 27, 2017 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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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.

Alfonso W. Cary, Sr., whose address is 1308 Port Echo Lane, Bowie, MD 20716, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Geraldine Johnson Cary who died on July 18, 2017 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 July 4, 2018. 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 July 4, 2018, 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.

Edward J. Elder, Esq., whose address is 2000 P Street, NW, Ste. 415, Washington, DC 20036, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Doris Pugh who died on November 1, 2008 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 (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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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: January 4, 2018

Date of first publication: December 28, 2017

Alfonso W. Cary, Sr. Personal Representative

Edward J. Elder, Esq. 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 Foreign No. 2017 FEP 000138 July 6, 2016 Date of Death

Michele R. Proctor whose address is 4610 Blaine Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Anita L. Robinson, deceased, by the Orphan’s Court for Prince George’s County, State of Maryland, on July 6, 2016. Service of process may be made upon Michele R. Proctor, 4610 Blaine Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019 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: 4610 Blaine Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019. 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: December 28, 2017 Michele R. Proctor Personal Representative Anne Meister Register of Wills

Date of first publication: December 28, 2017 Mary Cecile Zaugg Srodes Personal Representative

Joseph C. Lomax, Jr., whose address is 404 Lourdes Dr., Ft. Washington, MD, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rosa North-Ford who died on June 17, 1998 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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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: December 28, 2017 Joseph C. Lomax, Jr. 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 Number 2017 ADM 001480 Estate of Rosemary E. Reed Miller Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Sabrina E. MillerFord 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. Order any interested person to show cause why the provisions of the lost or destroyed will dated July 24, 2000 should not be admitted to probate as expressed in the petition. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative. Date of first publication: January 4, 2018 Sabrina E. Miller-Ford Petitioner/Attorney TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

42 JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001406

Administration No. 2017 ADM 637

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001463

Administration No. 2017 ADM 1462

Simon Lawrence Cain Decedent

Armetro S. Cole Decedent

Michelle R. Baker Decedent

Jean E Wallace Decedent

Robert L. Bell, esquire 245 Farragut Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Attorney

Richard S. Kelley & Joseph C. Ardito DC Affordable Law Firm 1717 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

Laurie Pyne O’Reilly 1050 17th Street NW, Suite 1100 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Larry C. Williams, Esquire 7600 Georgia Ave., NW Suite 405 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ellen B. Pierce, whose address is 6770 Spring Park Ave., Apt.#212, Los Angeles, CA 90056, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Simon Lawrence Cain who died on October 19, 2017 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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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: December 28, 2017 Ellen B. Pierce Personal Representative

Administration No. 2017 ADM 000625 Annie Hayes Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Deborah F. Cole, whose address is 528 23rd Place NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Armetro S. Cole who died on April 20, 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 4, 2018. 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 July 4, 2018, 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: January 4, 2018

Jennifer Concino, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #700, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Annie Hayes who died on November 17, 2016 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 (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 4, 2018. 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 July 4, 2018, 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: January 4, 2018 Jennifer Concino, Esq. Personal Representative

Deborah F. Cole Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Robin C. Baker, whose address is 1217 G Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michelle R. Baker who died on August 1, 1994 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 (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 July 11, 2018. 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 July 11, 2018, 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: January 11, 2018 Robin C. Baker 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. 2017 ADM 001415

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001441

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001479

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001473

Deater Brown Decedent

Weldon B. Smith Decedent

Mary F. Quaid aka Mary Frances Quaid Decedent

Elton Clyde Witcher Decedent

Hughie D. Hunt, Esq. 5000 Sunnyside Avenue, Suite 101 Beltsville, MD 20705 Attorney

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

Aimee D. Griffin 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Patrick Brown, whose address is 1909 Tremont Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Deater Brown who died on February 28, 2017 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 June 28, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 28, 2018, 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: December 28, 2017 Patrick Brown Personal Representative

Margaret Smith, whose address is 156 Park Terrace Ave., West Haven, CT 06516, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Weldon B. Smith who died on January 24, 2002 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 4, 2018. 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 July 4, 2018, 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: January 4, 2018 Margaret Smith Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

TRUE TEST COPY

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Anne Marie Mood and Marvin Mood, whose address is 13 Doolittle Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20886 were appointed Personal Representative(s) of the estate of Mary Frances Quaid aka Mary F. Quaid who died on August 2, 2017 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 7/11/2018. 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 7/11/2018, 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: 1/11/2018 Anne Marie Mood Marvin Mood Personal Representative

Anne Meister Register of Wills

TRUE TEST COPY

Washington Informer

Anne Meister Register of Wills

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ronald A. Wallace, SR., whose address is 6120 Eastern Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20011 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jean E. Wallace who died on 9/17/2017 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 07/11/18. 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 07/11/18, 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: 01/11/18 Ronald A. Wallace, SR. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Barbara Fisher, whose address is 633 Kenyon Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Elton Clyde Witcher who died on June 5, 2017 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 07/11/18. 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 07/11/18, 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: 01/11/18 Barbara Fisher Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

JANUARY 11 - 17, 2018 43 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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5 Kim Jung Un and North Korea might be a top target for war for President Trump. /Courtesy photo

WAR from Page 1 15,000 and increasing airstrikes and combat operations to root out Islamic State supporters and stop the advance of Taliban militants. Supplying the growing war effort requires cooperation from Pakistan, which controls the roads into landlocked Afghanistan and has blocked U.S.-led NATO coalition vehicles during previous spats. The alternative route goes through Central Asia, is several times costlier and requires dealing with a nettlesome Russia, the regional power broker. “If Trump wants to increase troop levels, I’m not sure he can engage in this back-and-forth with Pakistan,” Shamila N. Chaudhary, who served as Pakistan director on the National Security Council during the Obama administration, told the Times. “They’re going to need those routes.” U.S. officials also acknowledge that the troop surge won’t be successful unless it forces the Taliban to begin talks with the Afghan government to reach a durable resolution to the war. Many experts believe that only Pakistan’s powerful security establishment – which has sheltered Taliban leaders for more than a decade – can persuade the militant group to negotiate. Pakistan’s military has long maintained links to extremist groups, including the Taliban and the Haqqani network, that serve its strategic interests. Reportedly, both groups have attacked U.S. and allied forces in Afghanistan, but the United States has often looked past that as it supplied Pakistan with $33 billion over the last 15 years. After a series of tweets over the last week in which Trump railed against what he called Pakistan’s “lies and deceit” and said the U.S. funding had been “for nothing,” the State Department announced that the United States would freeze military aid until Pakistan “takes decisive action” against militant groups, including the Taliban and the Haqqani group. In announcing the suspension, Trump administration officials were unusually bereft of details. They could

not give the amounts of aid affected by the freeze nor say what military materiel would be cut. Of all the crazy things going on in the world, all-out war between the U.S. and China seems a remote threat. Yet, Fox News (Trump’s biggest media ally) reported that is exactly what a Chinese diplomat says will happen, if the president sends a U.S. Navy ship to visit Taiwan. The communist regime in Beijing regards Taiwan as a mutinous province that will – one way or another – always be part of China. It has repeatedly warned that any Taiwanese attempt to declare sovereignty would be met with military action by its 2.3 million-man army to “reunify” the island and mainland, according to Fox. While the U.S. has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is bound by treaty to come to its aid if the island is under attack. So, the words last month of a senior diplomat, Li Kexin, referring to Taiwan’s main seaport, need to be measured carefully. “The day that a U.S. Navy vessel arrives in Kaohsiung is the day that our People’s Liberation Army unifies Taiwan with military force,” Li was quoted as saying at a Chinese embassy event in Washington. Was Li speaking for China’s all-powerful president, Xi Jinping? Or was he getting, as the metaphor goes, “over his skies”? In other words, China wants to know if, for Trump, a free Taiwan is part of making America great again. Finally, another report has surfaced that the Arab League could face inner division as it works to undo Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Jordan recently hosted Palestinian officials as well as those from Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to go over how the group would respond to the U.S. move. “He’s aiming for war,” one Democrat said. “There’s a lot of eggs in that basket and he’s ready to press the button, as it were, if only to detract from his domestic troubles.” WI

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CROWELL from Page 26

doing this with our live town halls across our regional affiliates where we discuss family, community and other critical cultural issues. Our town halls provide a unique platform for the long form discussion of

key issues that are important to many American communities — both Black and White. We have covered in depth the water crisis in Flint, the Charleston church terrorist attack, the Las Vegas terrorist attack, the Manchester terrorist attack live from Eu-

rope, the moral challenges facing America, and many other topical issues. We need more of these forums and not less. This is critically important to African American communities, especially as media voices they identify with are diminishing daily. WI

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WILLIAMS from Page 26

before experienced better days, but like in many places across our country, our prosperity has not reached all residents equally. Years of systemic inequalities have held many Americans back from reaching the middle class. But our country remains full of men and women who are hopeful — men and women who want to work and are eager for opportunities to improve their communities. Through programs like LEAP, we are creating new pathways to the middle class and keeping the American dream alive. WI

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for our city and our residents. With some advice on how to get her outdated resume into better shape and just three days to submit all her application materials, Ms. Henderson left the job center that afternoon on a mission. Two years later, she is employed full-time at a local recreation center where she was trained in customer service through LEAP. Inspired by visitors who would inquire about her healthy lunches, she took classes to become a certified Integrative Nutrition

Health Coach and now even leads her own nutrition class at the center. And today, Ms. Henderson finally has her own place to call home — close to where she works, in the neighborhood she serves. Since launching almost three years ago, 240 District residents have gone through the LEAP program. Many of these residents are now working in full-time positions as mechanics, 311 call takers, customer care representatives, and more. In short, LEAP is helping us build a safer, stronger city. Washington, D.C., has never

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BOWSER from Page 26

ing from $29,947 to $34,891 for for-profit students compared to $21,605 to $23,638 for public students. Public colleges and private, nonprofit institutions in these same five states combined also had average Black enrollment rates that were noticeably smaller: Georgia (32 percent), Louisiana (31 percent), Maryland (28 percent), Mississippi (38 percent), North Carolina (23 percent). These disparate outcomes are even more grievous when one takes into account that for-profit colleges are primarily funded by taxpayers, receiving up to 90 percent of their revenues from federal financial aid such as Pell Grants and federal student loans. Veterans educational benefits are additional taxpayer-paid revenues. Finally, three years following graduation from a for-profit institution, former students in 44 states had double-digit default rates. These states include Kansas, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. These and other findings document how Americans are investing heavily in higher education. But in large part, the choice of institution determines whether they will receive what they paid for: gainful employment. WI

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nearly 66 percent Black. Other states with high Black enrollment at for-profits included Georgia (57 percent), Louisiana (55 percent), Maryland (58 percent) and North Carolina (54 percent). Focus group interviews further substantiated these figures, and recounted poignant, real-life experiences. Brianna, a 31-year-old Black female, completed a Medical Assistant certificate at the now-defunct Everest University. Once she completed her MA certificate and passed the certification test, she found she could only find a job in her field of study that paid $12 per hour, much less than the $35,000$45,000 salary that Everest told her would be her starting salary as a medical assistant. She was also left with $21,000 in student debt. As a result, she has struggled since matriculation with low credit scores and cramped housing conditions for herself and three children. For her, public schools, according to Brianna, are “better in the long run” due to their lower cost despite having more requirements for attendance. Similarly, Elena, a 35-yearold Latina, enrolled in a for-profit institution after see-

ing television commercials for the local branch of Everest College targeted at those without a GED, like herself. Assured by Everest that she would earn between $13-15 an hour working as a pharmacy technician, she thought that wage would have been enough for her to repay tens of thousands of dollars in student loans and interest she incurred. Yet, the best wage she could find with a pharmacy paid only $10.50 an hour. Elena also shared that the financial aid officers at Everest encouraged her to apply for “all these monies [grants and loans] that I could get. And they took it all — all of it. And yes, I am left with this bill.” These two personal experiences are magnified across the country with high female for-profit college enrollment. For example, the Midwestern states of Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin have female-dominated for-profit enrollment and disproportionate Black enrollment too. These were also states with some of the lowest for-profit graduation rates after six years of study. In Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and North Carolina, median for-profit student debt levels at graduation in these five states was much higher than that of their public peers, rang-

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A protégé of Urban One’s millionaire owner Cathy Hughes, Williams reached mogul status in 2013 when he secured the deal with Sinclair Broadcasting. This was a small part of a bigger deal in which Sinclair purchased 18 stations from Barrington Broadcasting to the tune of $370 million. Many criticized Williams’ deal, accused him and Sinclair Broadcasting of exploiting loopholes in terms of FCC prohibitions against television broadcast monopolies. Bottom line: these transactions made Williams the largest African-American owner of television stations in the U.S. Stations currently owned by Howard Stirk Holdings: WGWW ( Anniston-Tuscaloosa, Alabama) WEES ( Tuscaloosa, Alabama) WEYI (Saginaw-Flint, Michigan)

ASKIA from Page 27

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their breath for him to do the right thing, but that should never stop our leaders in Congress from taking a principled proactive stand. But a reproductive health, rights and justice platform that respects Black women must go beyond abortion. Black women in the U.S. are dying in childbirth at many times the rate of White women, a national health crisis that has gone largely ignored. Black women also suffer and die at disproportionate rates of reproductive cancers like breast and cervical cancer. In addition to contraception and abortion care, we need access to quality affordable health care and coverage for the full range of reproductive care including cancer prevention, screening and treatment and prenatal, maternity and postpartum care. The Affordable Care Act — a law Black women championed — was a monumental step in

REED from Page 27

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humiliated black folks. There are hundreds, even thousands more with similarly alarming views staffing the offices of hundreds of right-wing Congress members and senators, all desirous of America the way it was before folks like Martin Luther King Jr. and those before him started demanding rights, equality and complicated stuff like that. Realize that in today’s climate, a King holiday bill could

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the right direction. Today, we’re fighting to hold on even to that, and we know a much more accessible and comprehensive solution is needed. Every day in this country, Black women face nearly impossible odds to raise our children with dignity, love and abundance. But the cruel anti-family budget and tax policies of the conservative GOP have decimated funding for nutrition, housing and other necessities while lining the pockets of their wealthy donors — even as they have failed to reauthorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program also known as CHIP. We must do everything in our power to reverse this dangerous redistribution of wealth and well-being from the poor to the super-rich. Finally, we must address the ways in which police and prisons have been weaponized against Black Americans to rob us of our loved ones through mass incarceration and deadly police vio-

lence. Black lives matter is more than a hashtag, organization or movement. It’s the urgent cry for justice from the mouths of mothers, sisters, wives, partners and daughters. Time and time again, Black women have been told to wait our turn. When male citizens — both White and Black — got the legal right to vote, we were told to wait our turn. When white women built a suffrage movement on our backs and out of our genius and then cut us out of it, we were told to wait our turn. And when Democrats and Republicans alike have taken our votes for granted while ignoring our needs, we have been told to wait our turn. No longer. It’s time for this country to do more than thank Black women — it’s time to put our issues in the center of the political table and follow the leadership of Black women as we construct a new nation that affirms the human rights of us all. WI

KHSV (Las Vegas) WXBU (Lebanon/Lancaster/York/Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) WGWG (Charleston, South Carolina) WWMB (Florence/Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) Williams’ media stations are under Howard Stirk Holdings. He plans to raise the number of television stations he owns to 10. Williams is a board member of Ben Carson’s Carson Scholars Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. He also served on the boards of the President’s Commission on White House Fellows, under former President George W. Bush, and is on the Independence Federal S&L Bank board of directors and Newsmax Advisory Board. Based on real estate and other holdings, Williams’ current net worth is upwards of $80 million. He is the founder and CEO of the Graham Williams

Group, an international marketing, advertising and media public relations firm. He also owns Armstrong Williams Productions LLC with Baltimore entrepreneur David Modell. Howard Stirk Holdings Journalism Foundation, Inc. and South Carolina State University have created the Armstrong Williams Broadcast Scholarship Program via a commitment of $250,000 to the university’s communications and journalism program. Entrepreneurs such as Williams improve their local economies. When they employ locals, they spend money in local businesses, such as clothing stores and restaurants. New companies spend money purchasing good and services locally. It’s time we Blacks in business make it a point to connect, know and interact with the Black retailers in our area. WI

never pass. Trump wouldn’t even get the glory of vetoing it, which he surely would. Don’t forget, this is the guy who paid for full-page newspaper ads calling for the death penalty for five innocent New York teenagers who were falsely accused of a Central Park rape and murder. Even after they were fully exonerated, Trump never apologized. He’ll never back down to black folks. This cannot prevail. Dr. King advised us that the “arc of the moral universe is long, but

it bends towards justice.” I believe he’s correct. I believe the arc bends towards the uplifting of black people in America, not their humiliation. I believe people and nations reap what they sow, and the Trumps and the Pences, the Ryans, and the McConnells of Washington leadership will all get what’s coming to them. But for the near future, I think it will get worse before it gets better. Trump will try to score points by trash-talking Dr. King. WI

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