The Washington Informer - April 30, 2020

Don’t Miss this Month’s WI Bridge Center Section Vol. 55, No. 29 • April 30 - May 6, 2020

Coronavirus Pandemic Threatens Food Security in Prince George’s

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Gordan McKenzie and his wife have fulltime jobs working at local hospitals, but supporting their four children can be a struggle.

McKenzie, who isn’t receiving any income at his second job as a desk operator in Greenbelt, Maryland, said a top priority is feeding his family, includes an 18-year-old son who returned home from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama.

Fortunately, he picked up eight free meals Friday, April 24 at James E. Duckworth Regional Center directly across the street from his apartment complex in Beltsville.

“We’re lucky to be working, but it’s still a lot for us,” McKenzie said. “My second job isn’t paying right now, so this is exactly what I need.

My 18-year-old is eating us out the kitchen.”

County Council member Tom Dernoga

FOOD Page 12 5 In an area normally bustling with tourists, high-end shoppers and restaurant goers, City Center, unusually quiet in the new norm, shows off a festive Spring along the pedestrian walkway with cheerfully-colored balloons. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

Who Should Be Joe Biden’s Running Mate?

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia

Joe Biden’s dream of Michelle Obama as a running mate isn’t likely to come to fruition.

So what does that mean for those floated as potential running mates for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee?

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.), former Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep.

Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), are all names that have often surfaced.

“I believe it is very important to have a woman of color,” Harris said in an interview this week with MSNBC’s Joy Reid. “I can say that Vice President Biden has looked to so many of us during the course of his candidacy, and now, to give him feedback, give him ideas to share thoughts about what’s in the best interest of our country.”

Abrams has said she’d be honored to serve as Biden’s vice president.

VEEP Page 32

5 Gordan McKenzie of Beltsville holds eight food platters at James E. Duckworth Regional Center.

County Councilmember Tom Dernoga and World Central Kitchen partnered to distribute 1,000 meals amid coronavirus pandemic. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)

District Extends Distance Learning to End of School Year

Mayor Bowser’s Plans for the Upcoming Fall Remain Uncertain

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins While District officials have yet to solidify summer and fall plans for the District’s public and public charter schools, local students, teachers and parents can anticipate distance learning continuing for the remainder of the school year with “classes” now ending two weeks earlier than originally scheduled.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) recently shared this news amid concerns about the effectiveness of distance learning and the level of participation among stu-

dents due to COVID-19, disrupting both economic and social activities. Even more, the coronavirus pandemic had exposed the challenges faced by students who, while seeking to meet academic requirements, live in homes without adequate technology.

Public schools will close May 29; public charter schools will close on or about May 29 depending on scheduling the mayor recently announced.

“We will be able to say what’s happening in the summer and start of next year by May 15 and we hope to make up for [the early closure] at the beginning of the next school year,” Bowser said.

FALL PLANS Page 14

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Women the Cycle of wi hotBreak topics Domestic Violence U.S. Supreme Court Rules Virginia Governor Delays Date Local in Favor of HealthlawInsurers enforcement. She said they for threat,” she said. Elections

By Tia Carol Jones WI Staff Writer

had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 on Monday, April When L.Y. Marlow's 23-yeardomestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, 27 that the federal government must pay health insurers oldthrough daughter told her the father are treated. more rights for victim's families the Affordable Care Act. Thesurvivors Trump administraoftion herand daughter threatened her believe “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicRepublicans in Congress the government life, and the life of their child, story, her pain to tim, a domestic violence assessshouldn’t use taxpayer dollars to help fund $12 own billionpersonal to she knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further for the program. That statute called “risk corridors” bedone. Out of her frustration said about Marlow. training for law enforcement came approved as a temporary framework to help comwith law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecpensate insurers when the marketplace first opened in of the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counsel2014.

The following year, Republican lawmakers passed start the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. the first of three appropriations bills to prohibit the Dept. paign. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradiof Human Services paying for the plan.

“ItHealth seemsand to be a vicious cyclefromperson can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must However, courtmy ruledfamily the government “shall pay” that won'ttheturn end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. when an insurance plan loses a certain amount of money. loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vicFour insurers thethe suit:audiMaine logue Community Health violence. shared her storyfiled with about domestic tim and the batterer,” Marlow Options, BlueDistrict Cross and Blue ShieldAlso of North Carolience at the Heights present at the event was said.

Theex-governor of thewould Commonwealth of Virginna, Land Violence of LincolnSymposium Mutual HealthMildred InsuranceMuhammad, Co. and Domestic the Marlow also like to see ia, Ralph Northam, recently announced Moda Health Plan, Inc. on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raisethat local be postponed for two weeksinbecause of “These holdings reflectsympoa principlewho as old as sentenced the Nationto sixelections Municipal Center. The was consec- willawareness among children risks posed by coronavirus.

He signed an executive itself:was The sponsored Governmentbyshould its obligations,” sium the honor utive life terms without parole public and private schools. She order thechildren elections, originally slated for May Justice Sonia wrote on behalf of the majority Family and Sotomayor Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his rolemoving in feels need to be educat5, to May opinion.

Center of the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in 19. ed about domestic violence.

“Virginians should choose Justice Alito wrote a dissenting Heights andSamuel the National Hook2002. opinion Mildred that Muhammad is “We havenot to have stop to being pas- between their ballot and their health,” said Northam (D), Upprovides of Blacka Women. bailout for the insurance industry.

“These the founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilMarlow has written a book,in anan whilethe also encouraging voters to violence,” cast ballots absencompanies chose to participate Affordable Care Act organization that helps dren about domestic “Color Me that Butterfly,” which would is a survivors tee by mail.Marlow After issuing program they thought be profitable,” Alito of domestic violence said. an executive order which story about fourthe generations of and banned publicMarlow gatherings 10, the govtheirofchildren. wrote.

“Under Court’s decision, billions taxpayer has through worked June to break domestic violence.

Theover book is “I companies lived in fearthat for six years. ernor Six had first delaying localfamily, elections until theproposed cycle of abuse in her dollars will be turned to insurance inspired by her ownonexperiences, years in fearinisquesa long time.

It is However, and is confident thetopolicies shethe GenNovember. he failed persuade bet unsuccessfully the success of the program and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out is to pushing for his willrecommendation. start that eral Assembly agree with tion.” her mother and her daughter. of,” she said. process.

She said every time she reads Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to 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 polilaunching the ReOpenDC Advisory Group, Mayor Muriel won the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, After and understand cies are passed.” feedback from District residents, and employBooks” Award. that she mayBowser be ininvites “survival Tia Carol Jones can workers be reached ers through an online survey and virtual town hall.

“I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net The my eye first blackened and my “Before you get toReOpenDC 'I'm going Virtual Town Hall helped District residents learn more about work of ReOpenDC and to ask the mayor and the lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as athe verbal WI advisory group’s co-chairs, Ambassador Susan Rice and Secretary Elaine Davis-Nickens, president of the National Hook-Up Michael Chertoff, questions. The virtual town hall took place on of Black Women, said there is no Wednesday, April 29. consistency in the way domestic “Like cities and countries around the world, the District’s response violence issues are dealt with by to COVID-19 has been unprecedented and so too will be the process of reopening,” Bowser said. “Every resident has a seat at the table and an opportunity to share their perspective, thoughts and dreams. Our hope isn’t just to simply ReOpenDC but to be a better DC when we do reopen.”

“Only through active and ongoing engagement with our neighbors will we be able to form a plan for reopening that aligns with public expectations while emphasizing the need to improve the quality-of-life of all District residents,” Rice said.

The ReOpenDC survey, which can also be accessed on coronavirus.dc.gov/reopendc, asks residents to share their feedback regarding reopening, as well as any big ideas, concerns, or feedback about reopening.

Bowser assembled the ReOpenDC Advisory Group to evaluate community feedback, synthesize expert health and medical feedback, evaluate national and global best practices and make sector specific recommendations regarding plans for reopening after the District’s unprecedented response to COVID-19. The ReOpenDC Advisory Committee has been charged with envisioning and planning for a sustainable reopening of the District through community driven guidance and in accordance with DC Values and health principles recommended by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

For more information about the District’s COVID-19 response, visit coronavirus.dc.gov/reopendc.

Bowser Launches Online Survey for ReOpenDC

“

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

“

SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

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

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L.Y. Marlow

Blind Residents in District Cope Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer Larry Brown and Tawanda Lee, a Southeast couple, said the best part of their support group is greeting all of their friends at the start of the bimonthly meetings, particularly amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“As soon as I get inside, I am hugging everybody,” said Brown, 65.

His heartfelt sentiments were mirrored by Lee: “When I get there, it’s ‘How is everybody doing?’ and hugs.”

Brown said he is a charter member of the Circle of Friends, which is made up of partially and totally blind people who have been forced to worship on their computers since the novel coronavirus spread across the country.

Brown and Lee spent most of their time at home these days. Lee said the hardest times come when they have to venture out for groceries or run errands because of the schedule to transport people who are blind or have disabilities.

“I had to change my phone and I had to stand in line outside the store and then when I got inside, they inflated the prices,” said Brown, who nevertheless feels blessed to not have to go too far from home. “In this house I have everything that I need — cable TV, a laptop and my cellphone.”

There are about 60,000 people in the Washington area who are legally blind, visually impaired or deaf and blind, according to the Columbia Lighthouse of the Blind, which serves several thousand annually and runs the Circle of Friends group. Next month, the organization will celebrate its 120th anniversary.

“We are one of the only agencies in the who serve the deaf and blind community,” said Columbia President Tony Cancelosi.

He said despite the pandemic and subsequent social distancing, there is still a level of engagement with those they serve, but things have changed.

“Instead of coming into our offices, they are hearing from others,” Cancelosi said. “Normally people come in for mobility training, but now we are teaching mobility training via Zoom.”

“My biggest concern is that people don’t know that people with disabilities don’t know where to get help,” he said.

“We call them because there is that fear

5 Larry Brown and Tawanda Lee discuss how they’re coping] during Mayor Bowser’s COVID-19 social distancing order.

(Courtesy photo/YouTube screen grab)

of isolation and loneliness.”

One of Columbia’s most interesting programs is the Circle of Friends, which is made up of about 100 people from D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

“It simple our clients say we know that you are there because we talk to you,” Cancelosi said.

Shawn Callaway, 47, who is also blind, is the group facilitator for the Circle of Friends. He said his main concern is for blind people who work as vendors in federal buildings who are not getting the foot traffic.

“It has been hell,” Callaway said.

“People are being told to stay home and as a result you have to deal with a combination of things. The main thing is that I talk to people about remaining active, getting fresh air and avoiding isolation.”

Bobby and Linda Bobo of Olney, Maryland, are well-known by the staff and clients at the Columbia Lighthouse. Linda works for the government and Bobby, 74, is a singer.

“Whether you are in the room or on Zoom, you need to think about what God has given you,” Bobby, who likes to sing lead at the Olney Church of Christ, said during a phone interview.

“It’s all about creativity and using what God has given you.”

Linda Bobo said she is glad that she got the computer she needed before many things were shut down. For groceries, she gets what they need through Giant’s Peapod delivery service, other services and friends.

“We have been blessed to have an active and loving church family,” said Linda, a musician who plays the piano and accompanied her husband when they had a concert at Leisure World.

Before he got off the phone, Bobby Bobo sang a verse of one of his favorite songs, “Farther Along.” WI

AROUND THE REGION At Washington Gas, safely and reliably meeting the energy needs of our customers are our highest priorities. Please read the information below and share it with others.

NATURAL GAS SAFETY What to Do If You Smell Natural Gas If you suspect a natural gas leak or other gas emergency, evacuate the area immediately and, from a safe location, call 911 and then the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (Select Option 1). Never attempt to locate the source of the odor.

RECOGNIZE What does natural gas smell like? Natural gas is non-toxic, colorless, odorless and combustible. For safety and detection, Washington Gas adds an unpleasant odorant called mercaptan to the natural gas delivered through our distribution system. Call 202624-6092 for a “Scratch & Sniff” brochure.

Government agencies and officials, schools, businesses, property managers and others are invited to request multiple copies of the brochure for public educations and awareness purposes.

Other Signs of Natural Gas Because gas traveling through a small portion of our transmission pipelines is not odorized, you should also familiarize yourself with visible and audible signs of a possible leak.

Follow the same precautions described below if you are outside and smell gas; hear hissing or blowing noises; see dirt being thrown into the air; see fire coming from the ground or appearing to burn above ground; see water bubbling or being blown into the air at a pond, creek or river; or see a dry spot in a moist field or dead or dying vegetation on or near a pipeline right-of-way.

REACT If you smell natural gas, do not attempt to locate the source of the odor. Evacuate the area immediately and, from a safe location, call 911 and then the Washington Gas Emergency Leak Line at 844-WASHGAS (Select Option 1).

If the odor is very strong, or you hear a blowing or hissing noise, vacate the building or area immediately, leaving doors unlocked as you go. Warn others as you exit, if possible. Do nothing that could create an ignition source. Do not light a match or use any type of phone or battery-powered equipment. Do not turn electrical equipment or light switches on or off. Do not start a car or any type of motorized equipment. Call 911 and the Washington Gas emergency numbers listed above, only after you are a safe distance away from the building or area.

RESPOND Washington Gas responds 24 hours a day, seven days a week to address natural gas leaks and other emergencies. If a leak poses an immediate threat, the company takes quick action to make the area safe. If a natural gas leak does not pose an immediate threat, corrective action may be scheduled for a later date.

PREVENT PIPELINE DAMAGE CALL MISS UTILITY AT 811 BEFORE YOU DIG Digging related damage is a major cause of pipeline accidents. 811 is the national Call Before You Dig/Miss Utility telephone number that initiates the process of marking the underground utility lines in your yard or on your job. Your call to 811 will be routed to your local One Call Center - in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia. Local One Call Center personnel then notify member utilities, such as Washington Gas, to mark the approximate locations of underground utility lines with high-visibility safety paint and/or flags. The service is free.

Everyone, including homeowners and construction companies, should always call Miss Utility at 811, at least two full business/ working days - excluding weekends and holidays - before you are scheduled to begin any digging, regardless of size or depth.

When using mechanized equipment, it is required by law to call 811 before you dig. Do not begin digging until the lines have been marked or confirmed as “no conflict.” If you are unsure whether the underground utilities have been marked in your yard or on your job, check back with your One Call Center to make certain there are no underground utilities where you plan to dig.

Most importantly, dialing 811 can help avoid serious injury and even fatalities, as well as property damage and significant expense that can occur when underground utilities are damaged. Always call 811 before you dig, each dig, every dig.

To learn more, visit washingtongas.com

Gas Migration Natural gas is distributed through a network of underground pipes and service lines. If a leak should occur, it is possible for gas to migrate into buildings, including those without natural gas service.

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APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 5

AROUND THE REGION

black facts

APRIL 30 -MAY 6, 2020 SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

APRIL 30

1983 – Journalist and publisher Robert C. Maynard buys The Oakland Tribune newspaper from Gannett Company Inc., becoming the first African American to gain a controlling interest in a major daily newspaper.

1992 – The final episode of top-rated sitcom “The Cosby Show” airs on NBC, concluding a successful eight-year run for the show.

MAY 1

1867 – Howard University opens its doors to the first students.

1939 – Max Robinson, the first African American broadcast network news anchor in the United States, is born in Richmond, Virginia.

1946 – Emma Clarissa Clement, an African American theological educator, becomes the first Black woman to be named National Mother of the Year.

1950 – Gwendolyn Brooks wins the Pulitzer Prize for “Annie Allen,” a book of poetry, making her the first African American to receive the award.

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1920 – The Negro National League, the first financially successful all-Black baseball league, holds its first game.

MAY 3

1921 – Hall of Fame boxer Sugar Ray Robinson is born in Detroit.

1933 – Music legend James Brown (top), the “Godfather of Soul,” is born in Barnwell, South Carolina.

MAY 4

1884 – Civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells (above) refuses to give up her seat on a Tennessee train, sparking her fight for equal rights.

1961 – The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) stages its first “freedom ride” to challenge racial segregation throughout the Deep South.

MAY 5

1905 – Robert S. Abbott begins publishing The Chicago Defender, the city’s first Black newspaper.

1988 – Eugene Marino is installed as Archbishop of Atlanta, becoming the first African American archbishop in American history.

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GWENDOLYN BROOKS 6 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

1787 – Prince Hall founds the first Black Masonic lodge, African Lodge No. 459 of Boston.

1812 – Physician, writer and Black nationalist Martin Delany, one of the first three Black people admitted to Harvard Medical School, is born in Charles Town, Virginia, which is present-day Charles Town, West Virginia.

1931 – Hall of Fame baseball player Willie Mays is born in Westfield, Alabama.

1960 – President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1960, establishing federal inspection of local voter registration polls and penalties for obstructing voter registration.

1991 – The Smithsonian board of regents unanimously approve the establishment of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. WI

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APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 7

AROUND THE REGION

Food for Thought for the 2020 Graduate

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Congrats to the Class of 2020 for reaching a critical stage of their academic career, whether it be graduation from high school, college, or whatever else, during what’s been one of the most uncertain times in recent history.

Unfortunately for those at the high school level who’ve long waited for this moment, the coronavirus pandemic and the abrupt halt to economic and social activity that have occurred, have shattered any hopes of a proper celebration resembling the experiences of graduates of yesteryear.

At the risk of sounding insensitive, I argue that forgoing a night of dancing at the prom, that oh-so coveted walk

‘The World According to Dominic’ will return next week.

across the stage and the bevy of cookouts later this summer should count among the very least of 2020 graduates’ problems. If anything, celebrants should be more concerned about entering society without a concrete plan or having secured critical thinking skills needed at a time when the job market has become increasingly volatile – favoring those who are both innovative and mindful of how to capitalize on these unforeseen changes.

Today’s graduates cannot be blamed for having come this far without the proper tools to do for themselves.

Rather, the fault rests at the feet of the schools and teachers who, often with the support of their unsuspecting parents and guardians, have fostered a culture of low expectations from the very moment that youth began their academic careers. Even as the signs of an impending global crisis smacked them in their faces, via the election of Donald J. Trump during their freshman year, teachers and administrators, some of whom voted for the overtly racist reality television star, continued to coddle them with credit recovery, social promotion and the like as part of an effort to satiate public and public charter schools’ needs to look good on paper.

The race among these fraudulent institutions for recognition, or to at least stay afloat in a system of neglible benefit to African children, has watered down the quality of education to the point that a significant portion of young people who will attain their high school diplomas won’t be able to put together a properly-written paragraph, let alone a well-researched essay, about the implications of the coronavirus pandemic and other catastrophic events preceding it.

Even worse, few, if any, people have taken the time to help students understand the value and practical use of the

core subjects they are learning. In compartmentalizing their education, traditional school systems have fallen short in helping students explore career options that would be of great benefit to not just themselves but their communities and the global African nation.

As many people are finally coming around to understand and acknowledge, college isn’t for everyone – and that’s not necessarily bad. Every child serves a purpose, and facilitating the unity of the African nation, in part, means helping each of them find their special place within it as a provider of key services, whether it be in education, infrastructure, industry and commerce or whatever else a nation needs to function effectively.

Within various school systems in the colonial society that is the U.S., there’s little room for developing the African consciousness that would undergird the attainment of tangible and transferable skills, even with the sluggish embrace of Black studies departments and career academies appearing in public and public charter schools surrounded by rapidly-gentrifying neighborhoods.

Perhaps that’s because the goal wasn’t to prepare young African people to take on a world that doesn’t love them. As has been the case for several decades, some of the focus for administrators has been on sports programming and extra-curriculars which, for the least-academically inclined, has provided a pathway to high-paying jobs in the sports and entertainment industry that COVID-19 has since deemed unessential.

Even more unfortunate, some students armed with Individualized Education Programs, also known as IEPs and 504 plans, have long been overindulged by social workers, therapists and other parties hell-bent on mak-

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D.C. in a Recession, City’s Financial Officer Says

AROUND THE REGION

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The District has entered into a recession with a $721.8 million lack of revenue for the remaining fiscal year and a $773.6 million projected shortfall for the fiscal 2021 budget due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, said the city’s chief financial officer.

“This is a recession, no matter how you look at it,” Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey S. DeWitt said at an April 24 news conference attended by Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), City Administrator Rashad Young and 11 members of the Council virtually.

Dewitt said $721.8 million must be cut out of the present operating budget that will end on Sept. 30. He also said that when the mayor presents her fiscal 2021 budget to the council on May 12, $773.6 million must be cut in order for it to be balanced, as required by District law.

DeWitt based his data on statistics compiled by his office since the most recent economic forecast in February.

Since then, wage growth has declined from 4 percent to -5 percent and job growth has gone down from 1.1 percent to -5.1 percent, DeWitt said.

In February, the District’s gross domestic product projection stood at 2 percent, but dipped to -3.8 percent, he said, citing his latest figures.

DeWitt said it will take two years for the District to get back to pre-coronavirus economic growth levels and out of the recession. He said the recovery could be delayed by a second wave of infection, layoffs extending into professional sectors, or serious financial problems with the stock market, financial institutions and bankruptcies.

DeWitt laid out his recommendation for a recovery timetable based on his office’s projections.

“Some businesses should be allowed to reopen with social distancing and other restrictions in the summer,” he said. “The recovery should begin in the fall and a new ‘normal’ may take place by the spring/summer of 2021.”

DeWitt said despite the dire news, the District has many advantages that other cities and states don’t have such

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DESIGNER EYEWEAR 5 John A. Wilson Building (Courtesy photo)

as a strong rainy day fund, a federal presence that serves as a consistent source of jobs and a triple-A bond rating that allows the city to borrow money from Wall Street firms at reasonable rates.

Bowser said based on DeWitt’s projections, serious decisions will have to be made regarding cuts in the present budget and the fiscal 2021 offering. She said her agency directors will have to look for ways to streamline operations and that “everything is on the table.

“Everybody has to give something,” she said.

Mendelson agreed with Bowser,

but expressed relief that the District wasn’t hit as hard financially as other cities.

Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) concurred that the city is in a recession.

“While that is certainly not welcome news, we all know that this pandemic had a devastating impact on our economy,” McDuffie said. “I believe the city should be able to navigate this crisis in both the long and short term with responsible policies and spending. However, there will be difficult decisions in the years and budgets ahead.”

WI

Revised D.C. Council 2020-2021 Budget Schedule Due to the presence of COVID-19 in the District, the annual budget schedule has been revised:

MAY 12: Mayor Muriel Bowser sends her fiscal 2021 budget to the D.C. Council.

MAY 13-MID-JUNE: The D.C. Council reviews the budget by

holding public hearings. Council committees will hold hearings on the part of the budget that pertains to its subject matter. The public hearings are likely to be conducted virtually unless the mayor lifts the state of emergency. Council members will engage the public and the mayor’s executive team on the budget before changes are made.

LATE JUNE: The council holds its first vote on the budget.

JULY 7: The second and final vote on the budget.

MID-JULY: The mayor signs the budget and transmits it to U.S. Congress for review.

OCT. 1: The budget goes into effect.

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Ward 4 D.C. Councilmember Brandon Todd and supporters have delivered over 400 warm meals to seniors and those in need in the Ward 4 community.

(Brigette Squire/ The Washington Informer)

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10 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

“I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?”

– Rodney King Response to the Los Angeles riots [May 1, 1992] On April 29, 1992, four Los Angeles police officers were acquitted of charges stemming from the beating of Rodney King resulting in riots throughout the city.

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

AROUND THE REGION

Domestic Violence Orgs Report Increase in Calls During Pandemic

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins

Despite concerns that domestic violence would increase during this public health state of emergency, the Metropolitan Police Department contends there hasn’t been a significant change in the prevalence of those types of calls made during the coronavirus pandemic.

Even so, some leaders within the District’s nonprofit sector say that survivors, rather than turning to the authorities, have utilized the services of local domestic violence organizations, such as Northwest-based enriched housing provider House of Ruth.

House of Ruth has maintained its intake/information and referral system while providing supportive housing to families, several of whom recently escaped a violent situation while sequestered. Since last month, staff members have purchased groceries and cleaning supplies for the families living in their housing units.

For other families experiencing abuse, reaching such a milestone might take longer. House of Ruth Executive Director Sandra Jackson said that for some survivors, the halt to local economic and social activity in the District has delayed their execution of long-developed escape plans.

“We’re still doing counseling sessions, but doing it telephonically,” Jackson said. “We’re able to talk to people about safety even when they’re in the home, and not to give up on their plans. We’re able to talk to people about safety planning even when they’re in the home, and to determine the safest options in the short term, encouragement to not give up on their plans to escape abuse.

“For many, it has been a process to get to the place of leaving an abusive situation,” she said. “During this time, they are afraid to go because of the pandemic and they may have been impacted by the economic challenge of losing their job. They don’t know how the next few months will look. If they’re in imminent danger,

we’re in no way telling them to stay in that situation. We brought families in during this pandemic because they were in imminent danger.”

The police department website references at least three local domestic violence resource centers, two emergency shelters, and several hotlines and legal services. A public information officer told The Informer that, during the pandemic, officers continue to respond to all domestic violence-related calls, and have been mandated to wear personal protective equipment and speak with the person who made the call outdoors, when possible, and at least six feet away from them.

A FOIA request has since been made for data on domestic violence incidents before and during the pandemic.

Similar concerns about domestic violence have sparked across the United States, and in countries like France and cities in Australia where officials have expanded housing and legal protections for survivors. On various social media platforms, posts

have circulated suggesting that people in trouble can text a certain word or question to friends and family as a cry for help.

Once a person seeks assistance, whether they can escape abuse depends on the resources at their disposal, such as housing and employment.

Domestic violence organizations, funded by public and private grants, have long attempted to fill these gaps.

For some, the pandemic has highlighted what Mercedes Lemp, executive director of My Sister’s Place, described as the need for more available housing.

Lemp said her organization provides transitional housing for 30 families. Funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness extend that arrangement beyond the summer months.

Right now, without much transitional housing movement allowed and an explosion in unemployment, staff members have left food packages while maintaining a vibrant hotline.

5 Sandra Jackson, House of Ruth Executive Director (Courtesy photo)

“We know that domestic violence increases during traumatic times when everyone is being quarantined and such,” Lemp said. “We expect a surge [but] our capacity is always full.

The best we can do and what we plan to do is provide mobile advocacy. We can increase the number of survivors we’re advising.”

WI

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APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 11

COUNTY COUNCIL HEARINGS COUNTY COUNCIL OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

VIRTUAL MEETING JOIN USING THE LINK PROVIDED AT: https://pgccouncil.us/ LIVE 12:00 P.M. Notice is hereby given that on Monday, May 11, 2020, the County Council of Prince George’s County, Maryland, will hold the following public hearing: CB-014-2020 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE LARGO TOWN CENTER METRO DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT for the purpose of amending and ratifying CR-92-2014, adopted by the County Council of Prince George’s County, Maryland (the “County Council”) on November 12, 2014; providing that special obligation tax increment financing bonds may be issued from time to time under the provisions of this Act and Sections 12201 through 12-213, inclusive, of the Economic Development Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as amended (the “Tax Increment Financing Act”), and consistent with the provisions of CR-92-2014, as the same is being amended by the terms hereof (the “Formation Resolution”), in an amount not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of Five Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($5,750,000), in order for Prince George’s County, Maryland (the “County”) to finance or reimburse, in accordance with the Tax Increment Financing Act, costs related to the construction and installation of certain infrastructure improvements, as more particularly described herein, and to pay certain costs of issuing such bonds; ratifying and confirming the designation of the Largo Town Center Metro Development District; making certain findings and determinations, among others, concerning the public benefit and purpose of such bonds, including that prior to the issuance of such bonds the criteria set forth in CR-21-2019 will apply irrespective of any provision of CR-21-2019 to the contrary, including but not limited to the “But-For Test,” the “Trigger Mechanism/Look Back Provision,” CMBE participation and the impact of the County credit/bond rating, have been satisfied; providing that such bonds authorized to be issued hereby shall be payable from certain amounts levied and deposited in the Tax Increment Fund (as defined in the Formation Resolution) as provided for by the provisions of this Act and that such bonds shall not constitute a general obligation debt of the County or a pledge of the County’s full faith and credit or taxing power other than the County’s pledge of the taxes representing the levy on the Tax Increment (as defined in the Formation Resolution); specifying certain terms and conditions with respect to the issuance of the bonds and the financing or reimbursement of certain infrastructure improvements; authorizing the County Executive of the County (the “County Executive”) to specify, prescribe, determine, provide for and approve certain details, forms, documents or procedures in connection with such bonds issued hereunder and any other matters necessary or desirable in connection with the authorization, issuance, delivery and payment of such bonds; authorizing the County Executive to take certain actions, execute documents and make certain commitments on behalf of the County in connection with the issuance and delivery of such bonds consistent with the provisions of this Act; authorizing the execution and delivery of such bonds and such other documents as may be necessary and desirable to effectuate the financing of certain infrastructure improvements described herein and the issuance and delivery of such bonds; and generally providing for, and determining various matters in connection with, the issuance, delivery and payment of such bonds.

Given the current state of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and under the Governor’s “Proclamation and Declaration of State of Emergency and Existence of Catastrophic Health Emergency – COVID-19”and the Prince George’s County State of Emergency Declaration, the County Council is operating under emergency procedures.

The Prince George’s County Council will meet virtually until further notice; however, public testimony is encouraged. To register to speak or submit comments or written testimony please use the Council’s eComment portal at: https://pgccouncil.us/Speak. Please note, that written testimony or comments will be accepted in electronic format, rather than by U.S. mail. For those unable to use the portal, comments/written correspondence may be emailed to: clerkofthecouncil@co.pg.md.us or faxed to (301) 952-5178.

Registration should be completed by 3:00 p.m. on the day BEFORE the meeting. Testimony and comments will not be accepted via social media or by telephone/voice mail message.

These policies are in effect until further notice. Any future changes to them will be communicated on the County Council website, County Council social media channels, via Alert Prince George’s, and will be shared with the press via a press release.

BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND Todd M. Turner, Council Chair ATTEST: Donna J. Brown Clerk of the Council

12 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

5 Michelle Garcia, chief of staff for Prince George’s County Councilmember Tom Dernoga, hands food to a resident during a free meal giveaway outside James E. Duckworth Regional Center in Beltsville on April 24. (Brigette Squire/The Washington Informer)

FOOD from Page 1 (D-District 1) of Laurel and World Central Kitchen partnered to distribute 1,000 meals for residents. About 300 of those meals were delivered to Selborne House senior apartments in Laurel.

Residents have a couple of choices in meal packages: chicken, Spanish rice and beans, and fish, rice and beans. They also received a 2020 census flier to remind those who didn’t participate in the decennial count there’s still time.

Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization Community Revitalization Development Corp. helped organize free warm meal giveaways April 22 outside Templeton Elementary in Riverdale Park. About 95 percent of the students who attend the school are on free or reduced meals.

A report published this month by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations states the coronavirus’s impact may not be known for months. However, the virus continues to negatively affect the food supply chain from producers to processors, marketers, transporters and consumers.

The report, “Addressing the Impacts of COVID-19 in Food Crises” outlines a four-part humanitarian plan to help the most vulnerable communities. They include the following: • Set up a global data network; • Stabilize incomes and access to food; • Sustain a food supply chain in urban and rural communities; and • Raise awareness in vulnerable about food safety and health regulations with national authorities and the World Health Organization.

The report seeks $110 million from the United States “to maintain the provision of critical assistance where

there are already high levels of need, while meeting new needs emerging from the effects of COVID-19.”

Collaboration between government agencies, nonprofit organizations and environmental groups not only can help combat the spread of the virus, but also combine financial and other resources.

Chef José Andrés, who co-founded the nonprofit World Central Kitchen with his wife, announced Sunday, April 26 that the organization served more three million meals in six weeks in cities nationwide in response to the pandemic.

The organization began serving thousands of meals Saturday, April 25 in Baltimore at Orioles Park at Camden Yards. The goal is to serve meals for Baltimore City residents every Saturday at the baseball stadium and at city schools twice a week.

World Central Kitchen began to partner with Prince George’s County on March 20. Since that time, more than 10,000 meals have been distributed.

Lovette Allen of Beltsville received four meals Friday for herself and her cousin.

“A lot of people are struggling now with what’s going on,” said Allen of Beltsville, a fourth-grade teacher at Highland Park Elementary in Landover. “People have lost their jobs. It is beneficial for everybody to have something to eat. I’m just going to eat this for my dinner. I’m happy for that.”

In the D.C. region, food insecurity existed before the coronavirus pandemic invaded the area.

Radha Muthiah, president and CEO of Capital Area Food Bank, said at least 400,000 people in the D.C. area are food-insecure, or lack the financial means or resources to pur-

FOOD Page 33

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BUSINESS

COUNTY COUNCIL HEARINGS COUNTY COUNCIL OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY MARYLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS MONDAY, MAY 4, 2020 AND MONDAY, MAY 11, 2020

VIRTUAL MEETING

Hogan Outlines Recovery Initiative for Maryland

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill Small businesses can reopen. Recreational enthusiasts can go fishing and boating. Golfers can hit the ball off the tee.

These are three of the possible activities Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said residents may be able to participate in next month. However, the “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery” plan to combat the coronavirus pandemic would be implemented in three stages.

Stage one, rated as “low risk,” would lift the governor’s stay-at-home order to allow for some businesses to reopen, residents receive certain medical and dental procedures, limited outdoor religious and recreational activities and fitness classes. Each would still adhere to social distancing measures.

Stage two, categorized as “medium risk,” has numerous steps and many weeks toward recovery. Possible implementations include a raised cap on attendees of social gatherings, increased participation at indoor gyms, reopening of child care centers and transit operations returning to normal schedules.

The “high risk” final stage would permit large social gatherings at bars, entertainment venues and churches and ease visitation restrictions at nursing homes and hospitals. Social distancing and wearing masks and face coverings would still apply until the state of emergency ends.

“I want to stress that each of these recovery stages will need to be instituted in a safe, gradual and effective manner,” he said Friday, April 24 during a press conference in Annapolis. “If we try to rush this and if we don’t do it in a thoughtful and responsible way, it could cause a rebound of the virus, which could deepen the economic crisis, prolong the fiscal problems and slow our economic recovery.”

Hogan cited four areas the state needs to address before fully reopen-

ing: securing more personal protective equipment for front-line health care workers, increasing hospital surge capacity, reaching adequate testing capacity and establishing a robust tracing program.

Specifically, the measure includes expanding testing capability up to 20,000 tests per day, increasing hospital surge capacity by 6,000 beds and obtaining millions more surgical masks and ventilators.

In terms of “contact tracers” to research and investigate confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, Hogan announced April 22 the state signed a contract with the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center to hire 750 people to conduct the work. The state already has 250 workers.

During the early stages of the coronavirus outbreak, Hogan created a response team with medical and science professionals.

Now, as the recovery phase looms, some government and business leaders have been added to the group, including Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, Robert Doar, an economist and president of American Enterprise Institute, and Kevin Plank, executive chairman of Under Armor.

Through Hogan’s direction, the state Department of Commerce formed 13 advisory groups to also assist with the effort to help Maryland businesses “safely” reopen. The groups are sectioned into several categories — retail, accommodations, sports, restaurants and bars, attractions, destinations, tourism, transportation, manufacturing, professional and financial services, personal services, small business, construction and development, and arts.

In regard to public schools, the report dedicates a half-page without a specific time frame on when to reopen schools, which will remain closed

JOIN USING THE LINK PROVIDED AT: https://pgccouncil.us/ LIVE 5:00 P.M. PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PROPOSED FY 2021 OPERATING BUDGET, SIX-YEAR CAPITAL PROGRAM (INCLUDING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET) AND THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PORTION OF THE COUNTY FY 2021 OPERATING BUDGET, PROPOSED BUDGET OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, REVENUE AUTHORITY OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, AND THE CONSTANT YIELD TAX RATE The County Council of Prince George’s County, Maryland, hereby gives notice of its intent to hold public hearings to consider the County’s proposed operating budget; the six-year capital program (including the capital improvement budget); the Prince George’s County Board of Education portion of the County FY 2021 Operating Budget; the proposed current operating budgets of the Redevelopment Authority and Revenue Authority of Prince George’s County; and the Constant Yield Tax Rate.

“A Budget in Brief”, the 2021 Fiscal Year Proposed CIP Budget and the 2021 Fiscal Year Proposed Operating Budget are available for viewing at: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/564/Budgets Given the current state of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and under the Governor’s “Proclamation and Declaration of State of Emergency and Existence of Catastrophic Health Emergency – COVID-19”and the Prince George’s County State of Emergency Declaration, the County Council is operating under emergency procedures.

The Prince George’s County Council will meet virtually until further notice; however, members of the public are invited to express their views concerning the proposed budget. To register to speak or submit comments or written testimony please use the Council’s eComment portal at: https://pgccouncil.us/Speak. Please note, that written testimony or comments will be accepted in electronic format, rather than by U.S. mail. For those unable to use the portal, comments/ written correspondence may be emailed to: clerkofthecouncil@co.pg.md.us or faxed to (301) 952-5178.

Registration should be completed by 3:00 p.m. on the day BEFORE the meeting. Comment submissions will be accepted until Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Testimony and comments will not be accepted via social media or by telephone/voice mail message.

These policies are in effect until further notice. Any future changes to them will be communicated on the County Council website, County Council social media channels, via Alert Prince George’s, and will be shared with the press via a press release.

BY ORDER OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MARYLAND Todd M. Turner, Council Chair ATTEST: Donna J. Brown Clerk of the Council

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APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 13

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CAP: Trump Trying to Make Voting by Mail a Partisan Issue

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia President Donald Trump is trying to convince Republicans to oppose expanded vote-by-mail options during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though it is an effective, traditionally bipartisan and popular method of voting, according to the Center for American Progress (CAP) Action Fund.

In a new release, CAP said that voting by mail does not disadvantage either major political party and is extremely popular with Americans across the political spectrum.

In fact, many Republican state officials disagree with Trump and are taking steps to expand voting by mail to help protect the health and safety of their voters, according to CAP. States that traditionally elect Republicans, such as West Virginia, Idaho and South Dakota, are loosening requirements and proactively mailing registered voters absentee ballot request forms, instead of requiring voters to request an absentee ballot.

Other states where top Republican officeholders recently either voiced support for voting by mail or approved new rules to make it easier include Ohio, Georgia, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Trump’s attempts to reduce sup-

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The mayor’s announcement follows one similar to that of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) early on in his state’s public health emergency period. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R) also re5:14:47 PM vealed that he has extended school closures to May 15.

Since the closing of the District’s schools, the Office of the State Superintendent subsequently waived the 180-day attendance rule that dictates whether a student successfully completed the academic year, along with rules related to the attainment of Carnegie units and community service requirements

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port for vote-by-mail are not only dangerous, but they are also an unabashed partisan ploy to suppress voters who may not vote for his reelection.

At this point, CAP officials stated that all 50 states and Washington, D.C., allow some form of voting by mail, with five states voting almost exclusively by mail.

“These states include the traditionally Republican Utah, as well as the perennial battleground state of Colorado. And voting by mail is trusted among military personnel serving overseas: Hundreds of thousands of them cast mail-in ballots in each election,” CAP officials wrote.

Recent public polls show strong support across party lines for voting by mail during the pandemic, according to CAP. An April 2020 public poll found that 72 percent of all American adults support voting by mail. This included 65 percent of Republicans, a sizable majority, according to CAP. Other recent national polls

found Republican or conservative support for mail-in balloting at 58 percent and 54 percent, while a poll of Ohio voters showed 67 percent Republican support.

“Americans have the constitutional right to vote, and the health of the U.S. republic depends on people meaningfully exercising this right,” Michael Sozan, a senior fellow on the Democracy and Government Reform team at the action fund.

“People of color and other underrepresented communities continue to fight against efforts to suppress their votes,” Sozan wrote.

“Attempts to disenfranchise voters — no matter their political affiliation — have no place in American democracy, especially during the ongoing pandemic. Instead, Trump should abandon his inexcusable partisan rhetoric and push for robust federal funding so that every American has the option to vote safely by mail.”

To view the full study, go to www. americanprogressaction.org.

WI

for high school students.

Upon students’ cyber return from an earlier-than-planned spring break, District officials revealed the launch of an equity fund for the purchase of laptops and expansion of Wi-Fi capabilities that coincided with the start of DC Public Schools [DCPS]’ distance learning program. Teachers and administrators across the city have since gone above and beyond to engage students including one instructor at Coolidge High School in Northwest who turned his kitchen into a chemistry lab.

Meanwhile, Anacostia Senior High School officials have used social media as another conduit to

boost distance learning participation during April and May. On April 17, D.C. Public Schools [DCPS] Chancellor Lewis Ferebee, flanked by Bowser and Deputy Mayor for Education Paul Kihn, indicated that the DCPS central office continue to work to accommodate students in need of credit recovery and to ensure that graduating seniors can appropriately commemorate their promotion.

Ferebee and Washington Teachers’ Union officials have reportedly been in discussions about the possibility of starting the 2020-2021

FALL PLANS Page 24

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EDUCATION Black Women Helped Spearhead Nation’s Major Suffrage Parades in 1914

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia This is part of an ongoing Washington Informer series about the Women’s Suffrage Movement and an initiative that includes Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes that will use the lens of history, the fabric of art and culture and the venue of the public square to shine a light into dark places, equipping all with a compass to chart the way forward. The initiative lives in the institutional home of the Washington Informer Charities.

In pre-pandemic times — the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 — African American women were as determined as anyone else to be a part of the suffrage movement and to fight for the rights of individuals of color.

African Americans like Charlotte Forten Grimke, Angelina Weld Grimke, Gertrude Bustill Mossell, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett, were instrumental in one of the biggest days in the history of the movement.

On May 2, 1914, American women from all across the country participated in a well-coordinated set of suffrage parades and meetings.

A visit to Washington, D.C., was planned for the following week, so that the various groups could present to Congress their petitions in support of a federal suffrage amendment, according to Boston1950.blogspot.

Beantown was the location for one of the largest parades — and the first suffrage parade that had ever been held in Massachusetts.

Various estimates put the number

of marchers at somewhere between 9,000 and 15,000, and the number of spectators at 200,000 to 300,000, according to the history blog.

The crowd had been building all day — pouring into the city on trolleys and trains, carrying blankets and picnic lunches and camping out on Back Bay doorsteps and on the Common until they took up their places all along the parade route by 4 p.m.

In Illinois, women and men took to the Chicago streets to parade in support of woman’s suffrage. The Illinois Equal Suffrage Association organized the parade under Grace Wilbur Trout’s presidency. The parade highlighted the national suffrage movement and coincided with other state suffrage organizations’ actions, according to Suffrage2020Illionois.org.

Even though women had already won the right to vote for some offices in Illinois in 1913, Illinois suffragists continued their fight for full suffrage within their own state as well as for national suffrage.

The parade was a chance to celebrate voting in Illinois, to encourage women to exercise their newly won rights and register to vote, and to call for activism in support of full national suffrage.

In Minneapolis, women displayed Scandinavian costumes and flags in the parade there that drew 2,000 participants, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.

Perhaps no suffrage parade displayed the grit and determination more than the one held in Pittsburgh.

Often excluded from suffrage events in other cities, African

5 Women’s suffragists parade in New York City in 1917 carrying placards with the signatures of more than a million women (The New York Times Photo Archive via Wikimedia Commons)

American suffragists participated with their white counterparts in, at least, some Pittsburgh activities, according to the old Pittsburgh Post.

As published in many of the city’s newspapers of the time, the Suffrage Parade line up was integrated. The event included “notable Caucasian women,” African

American women, and men.

“Race, creed, and social standing were eliminated in the common cause,” the Post noted.

The parade began in downtown Pittsburgh, proceeded to Schenley Park and returned downtown to conclude at the Jenkins Arcade.

Following the “notable women” were 10 girls dressed in white with

yellow sashes, representing the nation’s only 10 states that had already passed suffrage.

“Representing their local organizations, as well as the National Association of Colored Women, many of Pittsburgh’s prominent African American women filled the center of the parade,” the ACLU noted. WI

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HEALTH Black Maternal Deaths Remain High Priority as Pandemic Continues

Legislators Press for Adoption of Kira Johnson Act

By Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer Kira Dixon Johnson was 39 when she died on the operating table at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in April 2016. Hours before, she had given birth by a scheduled cesarean section to her second son, Langston.

While in recovery, her husband noticed that something wasn’t right with

his wife, then observed that her Foley catheter had begun to turn pink from blood. When he alerted the nurses, he says they replied, “Sir, your wife just isn’t a priority right now.”

Charles Johnson claims the staff ignored him and his concerns for hours as his wife suffered.

“When they took Kira back to surgery and opened her up, there were 3 ½ liters of blood in her abdomen from

where she’d been allowed to bleed internally for almost 10 hours. Her heart stopped immediately,” Johnson testified to Congress in September 2018.

“We are in the midst of a maternal mortality crisis that isn’t just shameful for American standards. It’s shameful on a global scale,” he said adding that doctors later determined that her bladder had been nicked and the resulting internal bleeding had been discovered too late.

Johnson has since leveled a lawsuit against Cedars-Sinai. He’s also launched a non-profit in honor of his deceased wife, “4Kira4Moms,” which brings attention to the startling statistics of Black maternal mortality in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], Black women are 243 percent more likely to die from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications than white women. The U.S. remains the only developed country with a rising death rate for pregnant or new mothers writes the Lancet Medical Journal. And public health experts say this crisis isn’t just affecting poor or sick mothers but also healthy, college-educated Black women like Kira Johnson.

“A well-educated, African-American woman with more than a high school education has a five-fold risk of death compared to a white woman with less

5 Congresswoman Alma Adams (center), Senator Kamala Harris (right) and members of the Black Maternal Health Caucus push for Congress to adopt the Kira Johnson Act during Black Maternal Health Week on April 11. (Photo courtesy of Rep Adams’s office)

than a high school education,” Wander Barfield, CDC director of the Division of Reproductive Health, said to CNN. But perhaps there’s hope for life-saving change on the horizon.

Rep. Alma Adams, co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, along with Senator Kamala Harris, recently closed Black Maternal Health Week (April 11 – 17) with a “momnibus” – legislation specifically targeting Black maternal health matters including the Kira Johnson Act. “Kira is one of the many moms who we lost too soon. A mistake made during her delivery went unaddressed for several hours and ultimately cost Kira her life,” Adams said. “This story hits close to home because it is so com-

mon in our community – so common, in fact, that I almost lost my daughter after she gave birth because her doctors wouldn’t listen.”

Harris says this issue needs congressional attention now more than ever.

“The potential ramifications that could come with giving birth during the coronavirus pandemic – specifically one that’s disproportionately impacting African Americans – is of particular concern to Black women who were already facing a maternal health crisis in our country,” she said. “We must continue in the fight to ensure Black women are taken seriously when they speak about their health concerns and remove disparities and implicit bias from our health care system.” WI

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A CONTINUING SERIES

COVID 19 UPDATE Strategies to Survive, Sustain and Succeed

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir As Americans try to cope with the shutdown of lockout from classrooms, college campuses, restaurants, houses of faith, sporting events and various forms of entertainment, people young and old continue to look for new ways to enjoy life and occupy their time. But what’s a person to do until things return to “normal?” For some, it’s enough to baffle the mind.

We solicit your ideas and strategies so we can share them with our readers in our upcoming editions, e-blasts, videos and online posts. Are you celebrating a graduation or an anniversary soon?

Has story time with your grandchildren transformed out of necessity into a Zoom or Skype session? Want to a recipe or tips for a new meal you’ve recently prepared? Have you composed a song or penned an inspiring poem you’d be willing to share?

Send your words, your thoughts, your pictures, your videos, and more with The Washington Informer at mcneirdk@washingtoninformer.com.

FOR BEARDED-COPS IN MARYLAND, COVID-19 CAUSES A SHOWDOWN

It was one year ago when Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski broke with tradition, allowing his officers to grow beards. But recently he found it necessary to rescind that order after the county’s top health officer determined that beards are incompatible with protective face masks – much to the chagrin of many policemen – especially those who are Black.

“We have to follow the CDC guidelines because it protects the officer, it protects his family and it protects the community,” Dr. Ernest Carter said.

A chart in cartoon form posted by The Centers for Disease Control makes their new position clear: Beards and especially the medically approved N-95 masks aren’t compatible.

But 25 officers, mostly African American, are seeking a medical exemption, citing a condition called PFB (Pseudo-

folliculitis barbae) which prevents them from shaving – one which dermatologists say can be a real problem – and very painful. As Shakespeare said, “Aye, there’s the rub.”

Many Black men have grown beards, not to keep up with the latest fashion but because shaving often causes an inflammatory reaction that’s unsightly and uncomfortable. Stawinski concluded that those unwilling would need to park their cars and access their sick leave. But when the officer’s union threatened to sue, the chief relented, allowing the 25 bearded “good guys” to go on paid health and safety leave. Now, the officers have been sent home until the health emergency ends.

But you have to wonder when that will be and will there be more officers who, along with their bearded-faces, head off into the sunset?

WHAT’S NEXT? DOGS AND CATS WEARING MASKS?

As the owner of a dog who’s more like a beloved member of the family than a pet, the recent announcement by Duke Health saying it has detected the virus that causes COVID-19 in a North Carolina family’s dog, possibly the first time it’s been confirmed in a dog, has only added to my fears.

A family in Chapel Hill had previously enrolled in a study at Duke with most of two-legged members having tested positive for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and they and their pets were tested as part of the Molecular and Epidemiological Study of Suspected Infection.

“To our knowledge, this is the first instance in which the virus has been detected in a dog,” Dr. Chris Woods, director of the Hubert-Yeargan Center for Global Health, said in a statement released by Duke Health. “Little additional information is known at this time as we work to learn more about the exposure.”

The family’s daughter, Sydney, a pug named Otis, and a cat named Mr. Nibs tested negative for the virus. But both parents, their son Ben and their pug, Winston, tested positive. The family said that while his symptoms were mild, they

noticed Winston making an unusual gagging sound and not eating.

While the tests that confirm the virus are different for humans and animals, the CDC says the types of coronaviruses that infect animals rarely spread to people and the risk of getting COVID-19 from an animal is considered to be low.

However, the CDC recommends people treat their pets like family members.

“Do not let pets interact with people or animals outside the household,” it states. “If a person inside the household becomes sick, isolate that person from everyone else, including pets.”

The good news is Winston, while positive, is doing just fine – and so is his family and his other four-legged companions.

CORONAVIRUS PUTS A DAMPER ON MUSLIMS’ RAMADAN TRADITIONS

Thursday, April 23, marked the start of the holy month of Ramadan for many Muslims. But with many places of worship closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the way the holiday will be observed has changed. Over the 30day period which culminates May 23, Muslims fast during the daylight hours, a practice that’s considered one of the five pillars of Islam. They can eat before sunrise and break their fast after dusk each day but are otherwise asked to abstain from food, water and sexual intercourse.

During Ramadan, two main meals are served to begin and end the daytime fast: “suhoor,” served and eaten before dawn and “iftar,” served and eaten after sunset. In pre-COVID-19 days, both meals were enjoyed in group gatherings among family and friends. But now many mosques will be empty during Ramadan as leaders worldwide have advised worshipers to pray at home. Many seats at dining room tables will remain empty while special night prayers called “taraweeh,” held daily at mosque which normally bring hundreds of worshipers out, have been suspended. Muslim leaders have advised people to pray at home as they self-quarantine to avoid spreading or contracting the coronavirus.

And so, sadly for now, the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims who have begun to observe the holy month of Ramadan – traditionally a time of dawn-todusk fasting, festivities and communal prayer – must contend with the fact that an unprecedented global pandemic has changed the way they observe their holy month in equally unprecedented ways – perhaps for now, perhaps forever. WI

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April 2020. Volume 6. Issue 4

The

The New Normal : Pivoting Toward a New Era

New pivoting toward a new era

Normal GRIND VS. REST PG. 4

VIRTUAL CAREERS PG. 6

WHEN THE DUST SETTLES PG. 8

THE PIVOT PG. 10

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2

Publisher :

Lafayette Barnes IV Claudia M. Watts Photography Editor : Lafayette Barnes IV Layout Design : Lafayette Barnes IV Art & Photography : Brian Donis-Carcamo & Courtesy Contributing Writers : Sam P.K. Collins, Marcus K. Dowling, Saskia Kercy, Cherrelle Swain, Lindiwe Vilakazi, Claudia M. Watts Editor :

Letter from the Editor “When the dust settles” is a phrase you'll find on more than one page in this month’s issue.

Reading through the stories, I couldn’t help but think about the proverbial dust. What happens while it’s flailing about? How does it settle and is the calm welcomed with relief or met by anxiety in anticipation of things to come? Even more, settled dust is only one phase of the aftermath, what of the debris?

I won’t go down a philosophical rabbit hole. Just know that this month’s issue is designed to help you cope through all of the above. We explore how the arts and entertainment industries will transform with local thought-leaders, share inspirational stories of people knee-deep in “pivot” mode, and discuss the great debate of grind versus rest. We consider the post-pandemic skills for success with an HR specialist and give you something light by way of a “must-see” list crafted by our friends at CLIPS (online).

Best, Claudia M. Watts

3

Alix Montes (Courtesy Photo)

grind rest vs

in the time of pandemic 4

Words

Sam P.K. Collins | IG: sampkcollins

The coronavirus (COVID -19) pandemic and the advent of a seemingly indefinite period of quarantine, has incited conversations among members of the oh-so “industrious” millennial generation about whether to catch up on sleep or use the unsurmountable free time to focus on a new skill or untapped passion.

Spawned Sp by the circulation and subsequent editing of a “If you don’t come out of this quarantine with either: a new skill, starting what you’ve been putting off like a new business or more knowledge, you never lacked the time, you lacked the discipline” meme, the debate has called into question values that millennials, many of whom by now have entered their early 30s, prioritize. It’s also made us wonder whether or not it’s possible to embrace both philosophies.

Some people, peopl like Alix Montes, said there doesn’t have to be any conflict between resting and improving one’s standing in the world. In the weeks since he’s been relegated to his Northwest apartment, Montes, an account manager for a global digital agency, has slept more, maintained an exercise regimen, and read a bevy of books, all while saving money and putting plans in place to improve his financial situation.

“Everyone has ‘their work.’ For some people, that work is rest. For others, that work is reconnecting with old family and friends,” said Montes, 30.

“Introspection, contemplation, and reflection might be work to another,” he added. “There are others who want to learn a new skill and either this is the opportunity they've been waiting for or developing that skill has become a way for them to cope with the uncertainty.”

The uncertainty that Montes alluded to has been characterized by financial experts as the result of a second recession experienced by millennials in their lifetime. In the weeks since the first round of social distancing, the pandemic has taken thousands of lives, and brought economic and social activity to a standstill. Many millennials have mulled over how to navigate this new level of economic stagnation, evidenced by high unemployment figures and increased underemployment.

Local millennial and native Washingtonian Doc Shepherd, said he has taken this time to meditate, increase his practice of yoga, learn Japanese, write a book, and explore various forms of agriculture.

For Shepherd, these activities, yoga and meditation in particular, have taken him to another level of consciousness that he said helps him overcome anxiety about COVID -19.

While he identifies with people who’ve slowed down over the last month, Shepherd asserted that time not spent improving self will be time wasted once the dust settles.

“Ultimately, I don't think anyone should let this time go by and not accomplish anything,” said Shepherd, 28, a consultant for Synabolix, an ideology centered on the connection between the physical world and higher consciousness.

“Whether you learn a new skill, practice/master old ones, explore monetizing hobbies, exercise, whatever. Better yourself in some way(s). Laying around, only chilling definitely isn't the way to go regardless.”

For local writer Daria-Ann Martineau, there’s room for both rest and productivity during the coronavirus pandemic, a phenomenon she said has revealed some setbacks of working in a capitalist society.

While sequestered in her home, she has maintained her writing regimen, while exercising and cooking.

She has also delved deeper into adult coloring books and relishes the newfound patience people have with one another in these uncertain times.

“The system we live in tends to push us all to a prescribed mold, and not everybody is the healthiest or most productive within that system,” Martineau, 31, told The Bridge.

“If you have the luxury of being able to work from home, focusing on work can really help some people maintain sanity. For other people, this might be a time to recover from the stresses of the outside world.”

5

V i r t u a l C a r e e r s and The New Wave of The Job

Photography Brian Donis-Carcamo | @born.off.conflict

6

Words Lindiwe Vilakazi | IG: @li_woo_

While the Covid-19 pandemic continues to drive a dent into the U.S. economy and job market, abrupt closures to longstanding brick-and-mortar styled businesses have spawned vast opportunities for working professionals. Amid the current virtual shift, how can Black professionals profit from the current job landscape that is embarking upon us in this new age?

At the start of the new year, LinkedIn published an article reporting the top-ten sought-after hard skills for 2020 -- with artificial intelligence, business analysis, and video production counting among some of the few to make the list.

In March, Ben Nader, the “six-figure recruiter” as he’s often called, posted a YouTube video noting the jobs in highest demand. Nader’s list -- as reflected in Inc. Magazine -- included some popular industry employment choices: aerospace manufacturing professionals, accountants, CDL drivers, construction managers, plumbers, steamfitters and pipefitters, dentists, solar energy technicians, software developers, physician assistants, and physical therapists.

Black professionals geared toward trade education can find various places that fall within the aforementioned career fields and services. The current pandemic and uptick of job losses also provide a silver lining in the form of positions that could bring more immediate income than those in trade industries where certifications are required.

After spending his college career working in security, photographer and videographer Glen Gordon made an ambitious transition, opening his production company in 2017. Gordon places strong emphasis on the plethora of virtual solutions that one who has a strong understanding of today’s market can fulfill for clients.

“Just in general, before [the coronavirus outbreak] even happened, I noticed over the years [that] most people that are creative [run] into the creative industry to be creative instead of being business owners. They don’t necessarily make choices that are good for business. They make choices that are good for being creative.” Gordon tells The Bridge.

“What I mean by that is their businesses aren’t based on need,” he continues. “If you look around, there are a lot of portrait photographers, a lot of people who shoot models, and most of those people have full-time jobs. They’re not full-time photographers.

They’re a lot of people shooting that type of content.”

Gordon -- and recruiters alike -- suggests that the key to marking a useful industry for engagement lies in paying attention to the most demanding needs of our social market and communities.

“Black women are the most educated people in the world. So a lot of people that just lost their jobs should probably be writing right now. Articles for mediums [like] local papers, maybe their church, or some entity they can be helping with social media,” said Gordon.

“There are a lot of essential companies, whether real estate, or construction, or government entities [that are still open] that are not very good at social [media]. So people should be looking for opportunities to step in and create businesses around social media, and just content as well. Even health content production,” he added.

Michelle Ridley, a job recruiter of fifteen years, shares her sentiments on the ever-changing job market, and what to look out for now.

“Healthca “Healthcare, customer service -- especially state unemployment offices --and delivery services. All of them! Food and general merchandise such as Amazon, Instacart, Peapod, etc. I think this virus will change the way people work and shop forever,” Ridley says.

Although changes to the current working landscape have allowed more opportunity for self-employment, professionals should always stay prepared for the interaction to sell themselves when contacted by human resource professionals hiring for business entities.

“Be responsive as soon as the recruiter reaches out to you and ALWAYS be ready for an interview on the spot,” said Ridley. “Be prepared to sell yourself immediately, and have a brief ‘elevator pitch’ [on] hand to memorize if possible.”

7

Kazz Laidlaw | Equative Thinking

Kelly Towles | Artist

Words

Marcsu K. Dowling | IG: marcuskdowling

Joe Lapan | Songbyrd Cafe

Dionna Dorsey | District of Clothing

When the dust settles

The second month of our global quarantine is quickly transforming a pandemic into a social, economic, and cultural reset that is as sad as it is intriguing. Once we’ve moved past noting and accepting the devastating impact of COVID-19, we’re left contemplating the implications of this large-scale disengagement from our typical lives.

In the realms of entertainment, art, and culture, the impact of drastic social shifts and catastrophic economic conditions will be significant. As we ponder what each will look like when restrictions are lifted, we are increasingly aware of the eminent, post-Coronavirus paradigm shift in the Nation’s Capital.

District of Clothing Creative Director Dionna Dorsey, rapper GoldLink's manager Kazz Laidlaw of Equative Thinking, graffiti artist and painter Kelly Towles, and Songbyrd Music House and Record Cafe's co-owner Joe Lapan said they have all been significantly affected on a personal, creative, and economic level by COVID-19. Yet, they’ve managed to create well-developed strategies for what lies next for themselves, their crafts, and ultimately the future of Washington, D.C. Their perspectives on the District’s creative and socio-economic future are essential.

"This pandemic has the music industry in a weird place," says Laidlaw. "The live business has been gutted, and even once distancing guidelines are lifted, it seems unrealistic to expect people to be immediately comfortable congregating en masse -- especially for artists they don't care about. Lost touring revenues aren't going to be recovered immediately."

Meanwhile, Lapen is cautiously optimistic. “Live music and nightlife will return, but it might be one of the last activities to come back."

8

Regarding how we will spend our time, the consideration of why we entered this industry will prove essential. Also, how we spend our ever-precious finances is vital to contemplate alongside our expenditures of time, as Laidlaw and Dorsey explain.

"I think we'll see fans become more selective with who they give their time and money to. The general public is struggling, grieving, and anxious about the future. Certain people, places, and things will no longer capture their attention," notes Laidlaw via e-mail while quarantined in Los Angeles.

Dorsey, a growing local-to-national fashion icon, relates a similar thought. "Now more than ever, it's imperative brands have a Dors purpose and take a stand in something that consistently resonates with their community – one that is attractive and inspiring enough to organically drive belief-driven consumers to post about it and create an organic promotion,” he says.

Dors Dorsey concludes with a point that speaks more profoundly to the aims of the marketplace at large, and aligns with the spirit of Laidlaw's comments. "The good news is that belief-driven buyers are optimistic, highly value transparency, and perceive B.S. immediately – they want to change the world, believe they can and will support brands with the same value system,” he says.

When it comes to changing the world, Towles -- whose artistic journeys have taken him extensively throughout Asia and the Pacific -- says he has an expectation based on his travels. "In Tokyo, it's fairly commonplace for people to wear masks in public. I'd be shocked if that doesn't become the case here in America,” he tells The Bridge.

Furthermore, Towles relays a story about his cultural curiosity around the items proving valuable. "When I got back from Japan in January before I left there, I bought a couple of facemasks from [a department store in Shibuya called] Tokyu Hands because I thought they were cool. I'm glad that I did because now I have a reserve supply."

Moreover, Mo the "change the world" spirit that will likely underpin our forthcoming desires to interact socially will be buffered by a sense -- from a legislative and interactive standpoint -- that our willingness to engage with each other again in public is impulsive and harmful.

"Good live music is quite often an energetic, crowded contact sport, but how will government restrictions and advice treat this activity, and how will personal behavior adapt?" Lapan opines. "I think this is an industry with somewhat of an ‘all or nothing’ bottom line. Either we are holding live music events, and all that accompanies them, or we aren't; I don't see a lot of good 'middle ground' where events can be held in a successful way subject to social distance restrictions."

"Arti "Artists ourselves, we're used to staying inside and working," Towles says. "We're staying focused on what we're making. Whether our work is being engaged with online or real-time, we're constantly going to be filling the marketplace with ideas. Nothing changes during and after social distancing."

The emergence of “digital first” as the way and law of all styles of interaction is a likely post-quarantine result. Dorsey's retail fashion and Laidlaw's live music industries have been driven so long by real-time first and digital-second engagement as a practice.

Restructuring industries in months by dismantling and rebuilding goods, services, and standards that took years to perfect will be challenging. However, these District trendsetters say they see a sustainable digital-first shift for long-established real-time industries as probable. Their thoughts on how music and fashion as progressed business models are easily transferred to similar cr creative-led and entertainment-impacting industries.

"With consumers forced to buy online – if they have the means to do so – they will start to and/or continue to focus on sustainability and the essentials, and likely may not shop for fashion and lifestyle items as they have in the past," Dorsey warns. However, she positively notes that "brands with unaffected supply chains, access to capital and their own e-commerce platforms will have the best chance of surviving if they can adapt and pivot, but that also means their model will be different."

Adaption is also essential to Laidlaw's next best steps regarding the music industry in an online-first environment. "The music economy will adapt quickly," he says. AR / VR will become increasingly important. Brands will redefine digital sponsorship. The underplay will have a new meaning. If social gatherings are phased in, we'll see artists find loopholes. If crowds of 100-plus are banned but 50-plus are not, artists may put 99 tickets on sale at a $100 ticket price, creating a super-exclusive experience. If 500-capacity venues are open but 1000-plus capacity venues are not, we may see acts worth 5000 tickets play ten shows in a row instead of [in] a single amphitheater."

Towles, who says he has been considering the paradigm shift that we, as an art-consuming public, will face offers the following: "During such innovative shifting of how art can entertain us, it's terrible that lives are also being lost. In a time of unprecedented, and well, apocalyptic-feeling tragedy, the great creatives get even more creative,” she says.

“Thus, we see both the transformation of the creative process and industry of all of our crafts. People will still go to galleries, stores, and shows, but they'll hopefully be vaccinated and/or wearing masks and gloves. The light at the end of the tunnel of all of that?

It's the amount of stuff that's going to come out that's going to be introspective, personal, and powerful... wow...it's going to be wild."

9

The Pivot: How creative and sports sectors are adjusting in our new d i g i t a l e c o n o m y Words Cherrelle Swain | @thecherrelleshow

The way we do things is abruptly shifting. Over the last six weeks, individuals and businesses have had to swiftly swerve and ask themselves what adjustments they must make to get through the quarantine and beyond.

The entertainment and sports industries have been particularly hard hit during this crisis. With arenas, stadiums, museums, and creative studios deemed non-essential businesses, people working in these spaces have had to make major pivots.

I sat down with former international professional athlete Lawrence Hamm Jr., and Ariam and Yodit Solomon, hosts of the Deux Sol podcast to hear more about how they are staying inspired, pivots they have made in their industries, and other lessons learned to get through a global pandemic.

10

Change of Plans “If I had to give up even one of my six seasons playing ball abroad, that would have been really tough [because] every season major memories are made. We all have limited time and that is one tension that athletes at any level are experiencing right now.”

Lawrence is on the Sports and Entertainment team at Events DC where he serves as the senior director of business development. He said he was looking forward to announcing and securing multiple major events for the city. For the next few months, however, that is on hold due to venues being closed, and in turn events being postponed.

Ariam and Yodit experienced the same challenge where they had to reschedule the entire season of Deux Sol, which aims to shed light on music and culture from the perspective of millennial women of color. After recording out of Full Service Radio at the LINE Hotel, the Solomon sisters were forced to pause production because the venue wasn’t classified as an essential business.

At the top of Lawrence’s mind is doing his part to ensure that the city’s sports and entertainment industry opens back up safely. With that goal in mind, he has been in planning mode with local, national, and international clients and partners over the last several weeks, checking in with them to resume the city’s most sought after sporting and entertainment events.

Mea Meanwhile, Ariam and Yodit have brainstormed ways of sharing their mission without putting anyone at risk. They said they realized that people needed to be inspired and surrounded by positive voices and messages during this time. They have since transitioned their platform to Instagram Live, where they have taken the opportunity to interview guests in the DMV and beyond.

“It’s been really interesting and encouraging witnessing the creative economy adapt. Digitally we can see that everyone is finding a way through this. And you’re seeing more and more creative concepts launching. It’s really interesting to witness and to see ourselves as part of this transition,” Yodit Solomon explains.

Communal Generosity “Even for people working in the industry, whether you are working for a professional team, booking events, or no matter who you are, this was a year you were planning on having something and that comes with a level of disappointment for anyone,” Hamm shared.

However, people involved in sports, entertainment, and beyond realize they are going through this together. “You look at the space and you know it is affecting everyone,” Hamm empathetically explains as he reflects on NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns’ mother’s COVID-19-related passing. “I think athletes are showing a lot of humility and really coming together to promote entertainment and solidarity for people at home and grieving,” he said.

On Instagram Live, the Solomon sisters have changed their tone and approach to their interviews in order to make sure they are checking in on their guests. “This is the first time we are going through something at the exact same time, so there is a level of instant commonality and connection that comes through our conversations because we are going through this together, ” Ariam mentions.

“There was a life that we all were accustomed to, and now we have had to reset,” reflects Yodit. “In [our] experience, digital connection is really what is driving that communal generosity. Now more than ever people are sharing their coping mechanisms and what inspires them through their own platforms,” she continues.

Staying grounded in inspiration Lawrence said he remains inspired by the leadership of the city and Events DC. The District’s arenas and stadiums are equipped with streaming capabilities and a top-notch broadband infrastructure. Lawrence, like others in his industry, gleans from lessons learned in eSports, which boasts the capacity to entertain 265 million spectators at once. While this doesn’t beat watching sports live, it does ensure the safety of spectators.

Washington, D.C. is blessed to have specialized venues that are much better positioned than their traditional counterparts in other cities to pivot.

“I think when you look at the industry, eSports is the survivor of all of this,” Lawrence explains. “Many sports authorities across the country are studying the eSports industry as a model to find out how they can have success in the same way.”

To help people get through the quarantine and find some inspiration, the Solomon sisters curated an inspirational playlist on Apple music. They kicked off their first Instagram Live interview with Opal, a native of Virginia and multidisciplinary artist who pivoted messaging on her social media platforms to keep communities of color informed beyond the news. Ariam and Yodit said they decided to amplify her voice through the Deux Sol podcast because she deliberately uses her platform to combat the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 is having on Black America and the creative economy.

During this challenging time, Yodit encourages everyone to focus on their wellness. “If you can't nurture yourself, you cannot nurture your creativity,” she says as she recommends that people use this time to check in on themselves, practice gratitude, and journal to process emotions.

“We practice gratitude and pray every day to set the tone in the morning,” she concludes.

11

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL

Black People Must Decide for Themselves What’s Safe!

Gradually states across the country are lowering their stay-at-home restrictions and allowing specific business and public facilities to open their doors despite the extraordinary number of Americans stricken by COVID-19 and the risks to the general public.

It’s a conundrum most Americans face which has been exacerbated by inept leadership, particularly on a national level.

President Donald Trump has given many mixed signals from the very beginning of this health crisis. In the beginning, he described the coronavirus as a hoax created by the Democrats in efforts to thwart the upcoming election. The White House Coronavirus Task Force has the task of keeping the American people safe from the virus, as well as protecting them from Trump’s ridiculous proclamations. The Task Force is still reeling from Trump’s recent insane suggestion to inject or ingest disinfectant to cure coronavirus.

To make matters worse, governors in eight states, with seven more to follow on April 30, are opening their doors and leaving constituents to their own devices to determine if it’s safe. And it’s hard not to question whether recent reports that the virus disproportionately impacts African Americans has given others Americans a false sense of security.

Dr. Reed Tuckson, former D.C. health director and currently managing director of Tuckson Health Connections, LLC, recently established the Black Coalition Against COVID. Ambrose Lane, Jr., chairman of Health Alliance Network, has joined forces.

The message, Tuckson told members during a recent meeting of the Anacostia Coordinating Council in Southeast, is that Black people must understand that COVID-19 is still a severe disease and it will remain so for the next two years. He says not only should leaders in African-American communities raise their voices and attack the reopening of cities but they have to communicate in a manner of love and respect to intervene on their community’s behalf.

Tuckson warned that African-Americans’ long history of distrust of the government and government intervention, along with its distrust of the medical community “will kill us.” He said African Americans must sign up to become contact tracing monitors and participate in clinical trials for a vaccine. Without their participation, Black people will continue to be disproportionately impacted by this deadly disease and by whatever may come next. He is correct.

The Black Church Must Change How It Operates but We Will Survive In recent weeks, The Washington Informer has shared reports on how our world has and continues to change due to the coronavirus pandemic. With stay-at-home orders still in effect, all of our treasured institutions, including the Black Church, have been forced to reshape themselves and how they function.

For the Black community, COVID-19 has impacted the ways in which we worship, the composition and frequency of long-treasured evenings that once drew two, three or more together – from Bible Study to weekly choir rehearsals – and our homegoing celebrations for family and friends. The coronavirus has even led to a startling increase in cremations among Blacks – something that heretofore was a distinct rarity for African Americans.

During last Friday’s weekly Facebook live video recording, Washington Informer News (WIN-TV), hosted by our publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes, two local ministers discussed ways in which they have attempted to maintain spiritual connections in this new age, also reflecting on their plans for how they will “do church” in the future.

The Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, Minister of Fellowship & Outreach at Shiloh Baptist Church in Northwest, and the Rev. Tony Lee, founder and senior pastor at Community of Hope AME Church in Hillcrest Heights, MD served as part of the lineup of guests on the WIN-TV show.

Their comments were eye-opening and frank. Both have initiated regular prayer meetings, particularly for the benefit of their older members who may find it especial-

TO THE EDITOR Support HBCUs

We Demand Answers

Very sad to read that some of the smaller HBCUs are struggling even more because of the coronavirus. I was happy to read that Hank Aaron and others have stepped up, but I still feel like Black colleges shouldn’t be in this position with as many Black people with money in this country. Even it’s a dollar, give to the HBCU nearest you.

When will we be able to trace the community spread of the coronavirus? How will we stay safe if we don’t know what places to avoid? It can’t be that hard! Why hasn’t this information come out? Is there a place to volunteer to do this work?

Toni Tehea Washington, D.C.

Vera Tatum Washington, D.C. ly hard to adjust to the restrictions imposed on all of us given the current pandemic. Both men remain committed to maintaining that human desire and need for a spiritual touch and word from the man (or woman) of God. In addition, they reflected on how the church will need to change in order to protect the health of all of its leaders and members.

Rev. Lee noted that while in the past, we went to the Church, moving forward, the Church will find it necessary to come to us.

We know that many home ports of the Black Church are facing economic difficul-

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

ties as donations from attendees, now unable to bring their tithes and offerings to the altar, have vanished. Some churches have online worship services and the ability to secure offerings electronically; others have reserves on which they rely. But many more do not.

And yet, somehow, we believe that we’re going to make it. The Black Church has survived storms far worse than the coronavirus. We may have victims or martyrs whose names we will have to lift up when the roll is called.

But as for the Black Church . . . we will survive. We always have! WI

APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 19

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

Donald John Trump is Hazardous to Your Health

The daily White House coronavirus briefings have made me cringe, scream, shake my head, and even laugh! The president of the United States offers medical advice, minimizes the coronavirus, injects partisanship into his remarks and generally treated these critical briefings as his daily open mike. He uses his bully pulpit to praise and to scold, saving particular scorn for the me-

dia. Not only is this man vindictive, but also brusque and churlish.

His ignorance hit a nadir, though, when he suggested, on April 23, that sunlight and heat might heal the coronavirus. Then he said that since bleach and other disinfectants could rid surfaces of the coronavirus, bleach and disinfectants might also work on people. His comment was so alarming that Lysol should not be used internally, “Under no circumstances should our disinfectant products be administered into the human body through injection,

ingestion, or any other route,” a Lysol spokesperson told NBC News. A day later, he attempted to explain his remarks, but he outright lied about what he said.

Is 45 this ignorant, or is he merely deflecting from the many mistakes he has made, as our nation’s leader, in combating the deadly and highly infectious virus? From urging people to go to church on Easter Sunday (he took it back), to telling states they can open for business before testing results are back, he has taken the nation’s health into his hands and

Guest Columnist

imperiled our collective health as a result. Not to mention his enthusiastic embrace of hydroxychloroquine, touting it in several press briefings as a “game-changer.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned against the use of the drug except in a hospital setting or clinical trial. Did 45 ask for their advice? Or did he go to med school when none of us were looking?

During the daily briefings, I’ve been extremely impressed by Dr. Anthony Fauci, the blunt-talking director of the National Institute of Aller-

gy and Infectious Diseases. While he is not disagreeable, he is not afraid to openly disagree with 45. He’s been leading NAIAD since 1984 and was instrumental in working on ways to contain the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The president seems so tone-deaf to Dr. Fauci’s advice and the advice of Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Response coordinator.

Previously, she served as the United States Global Coronavirus Response coordinator. Watching her body

MALVEAUX Page 33

By Marc H. Morial

No Surprise – People of Color Taking Brunt of COVID-19 Punishment

“The story of minority-owned businesses struggling to access capital is the story of banking practices that too often exclude people of color as potential customers. A federally guaranteed loan program must not do the same.”

— Letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Small Business Administration head Jovita Carranza from 23 senators

The $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program established by Congress earlier this month was supposed to help sustain small businesses imperiled by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The money ran out in less than two weeks.

Then we found out that the vast majority of the funding — $243.4 million — went to huge, publicly-traded companies instead of legitimate small businesses.

Some of the companies are valued at more than $100 million, have mil-

lions in cash on hand, and — unlike the legitimate small businesses who didn’t see a dime of the funding — have easy access to other revenue sources. Fiesta Restaurant Group, which received a $10 million loan, owns the Taco Cabana and Pollo Tropical chains and operates more than 300 restaurants. The company saw more than $660 million in sales last year. The most highly-valued company, Shake Shack, is worth $1.6 billion. Following backlash, Shake Shack returned the $10 million it received.

Guest Columnist

Determined to get funding to legitimate small businesses, the National Urban League advocated relentlessly to make sure the next relief package included targeted relief for the neighborhood-based businesses that have been the hardest-hit by the crisis.

While our efforts have met with some success, much remains to be done.

Our work with Congress resulted in the inclusion of dedicated funding for Small Business Administration Disaster Loans and Grants and for

community-based lenders.

There is no question that the aid package that Congress passed this week was much enhanced by the provisions for which we advocated so strenuously. Our movement pushed relentlessly for these dedicated funding pools.

I’m especially grateful for the efforts of Sens. Chuck Schumer, Sherrod Brown, Chris Van Hollen, Ben Cardin and Cory Booker. We urge immediate passage in the House and

MORIAL Page 33

By A. Peter Bailey

The American Medical Profession’s Connections to White Supremacy When Betty Dopson, a friend who was the communications director for Harlem Hospital, asked me to write a 3,000-word essay on the hospital, I eagerly accepted. Harlem Hospital at that time (1987) was the most widely known public hospital in North America.

The occasion for the essay was the celebration of the medical institution’s 100th anniversary. As a jour-

20 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

nalist and a history buff, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t resist.

What I didn’t know was the ugly truth about the medical profession in this country which emerged when doing research.

What got me started was an observation credited to Dr. W. Montague Cobb, a medical historian, anthropologist and emeritus professor of anatomy at Howard University. Dr. Cobb stated that “Negro patients in countless numbers had served to advance the cause of medical science through their re-

actions to new and little applied therapeutic measures. The use of the Negro patient for experimentation and the development of surgical procedures and techniques rest on traditions that began with the advent of chattel slavery in America in 1619.”

For instance, in his book, “Sins of the Fathers: A Study of the Atlantic Slave Trade 1441-1807,” James Pope-Hennessy wrote that once the African captives were put ashore, the slave traders began earnestly selling moribund or “refuse”

Africans at public auctions to, among others, surgeons to be used for medical experimentations.

Henry Irving Tragle, in his book, “SouthHampton Slave Revolt: A Compilation of Source Materials,” noted, “In the circulator of the South Carolina medical school for that year (1831) I find this remarkable suggestion: ‘Some advantages of a peculiar character are connected with this institution. No place in the United States affords so great opportunities for the questions of medical knowl-

edge, subjects being obtained among the colored population in sufficient numbers for every purpose and proper dissection carried on without offending an individual …”

Dr. Francis Cress Welsing once said that concerned and aware Black people were very disturbed by “Repeated attempts to imply that African people are the source responsible of this deadly virus (AIDS) and for its spread

BAILEY Page 33

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Charlene Crowell

$349 Billion COVID-19 Aid Program Shortchanges Businesses of Color

A $349 billion program created to assist America’s small businesses was launched on April 3 to provide payroll, utilities, rent and more for eligible applicants screened by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). On April 16 — less than two weeks later — this national stimulus enacted

in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, ran out of funds. In separate but related legal actions, federal lawsuits were filed, challenging the lack of equitable access to the stimulus program.

On April 19, four class-action lawsuits challenged banks’ use of PPP funds. Filed separately in the U.S. District Court’s Central California office, the lawsuits are against Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, U.S.

Bank and Wells Fargo.

While this legal process unfolds, the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) estimated that as many as 95% of Black-owned businesses stood no chance of securing a program loan.

Other communities of color were similarly likely to be shut out as well: 91% of both Latino-owned and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander-owned businesses were financially shortchanged.

Guest Columnist

At the same time, businesses of color together are responsible for employing 8.7 million people and represent 30% of all U.S. businesses.

Additionally, the combined contributions that these businesses make to the national economy is a noteworthy $1.38 trillion.

Days later on April 21, an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was approved by the U.S. Senate and is expected to

be quickly passed in the U.S. House.

Even so, some reactions to the new funding suggested that it was still too little and needs to better address how Black and other businesses of color can fully participate.

“This bill distributes most of the funding again to large banks that prioritized wealthier businesses over small ones,” said Ashley Harrington,

no surprise that we aren’t seeing an increase in testing or any other measures to treat Black people. We have a president who’ll allow us to be the lowest in benefits, but highest in the death rate during this crisis.

We see unadulterated greed ruling the day when it comes to our people in every aspect of life. Trump has chosen not to treat vulnerable communities fairly. First lady Melania Trump tried to be better than her husband.

She introduced her “Be Best” program. We’ve heard nothing from it lately. She expressed her concern for ridding our nation of bullying.

Through his own behavior, her husband has pushed back on these ideas

to the point that she has practically disappeared.

Despite all the lying and silly behavior from the one who calls himself our best-ever everything, there’s still good in America. The doctors, nurses, aides, food preparers and deliverers, transportation officials, janitors, first responders and so many others risk their lives to comfort, treat, and assist others at great risk to themselves. Let us thank God for them and work for ways to reward them.

Those of us who’ve had the luxury of benefiting from their services must treat them as the special people they are, and work for our nation to honor

CROWELL Page 34

By E. Faye Williams

All Americans Deserve Better

If we didn’t know before, we now know that we have a failed federal government. The man in the White House is so bad that we don’t really need to look for failures down the line. There was a time Black people could look to the U.S. Supreme Court for justice. At times, we were able to go around our local and state officials and appeal to the feds. The Supreme Court and executive branch are out of the question now! We already know their decisions won’t be

in our favor.

When we hear the words “Make America Great Again,” we know Trump is not talking about making America great again for us. That would be acting like America was once great for Black people.

We can’t look to the federal government for justice in a disaster like the coronavirus. Black people are bearing the brunt of the tragic virus more than anyone. Some want to blame our lifestyle without considering that we’ve never had a chance to heal from the wounds of our circumstances — such as our ancestors being forced out of their natural habitat, forced into inhumane conditions, enslaved

Askia-At-Large

once here, lived through Jim Crow, left without equal opportunities for jobs and education without America making a minimal effort to repair the damage of what our ancestors went through — and what many are still going through.

Add to that, white America gave us Donald Trump, who has shown us time and again there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between him and David Duke. At least David Duke was honest. He once said, “Our clear goal must be the advancement of the white race and separation of the white and Black races.”

We see the devastating impact of COVID-19 on Black people, so it’s

WILLIAMS Page 34

By Askia Muhammad

American Capitalism: Not Worth Dying For

To be sure, I realize there are many things in life for which people should risk their lives. When I turned 18 and no longer needed parental consent, I joined the U.S. Naval Reserve. It was during the Vietnam era. After six years of (admittedly never dangerous) service, rising to the rank of petty officer third class, and a stint at Officer Candidate School, I received

my honorable discharge.

I swore an oath then to preserve and protect the Constitution of the United States, with my life if necessary. Defense of family, honor, faith, personal safety: there remain many situations today in which I’d be willing to give what President Abraham Lincoln described after the battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest of the Civil War, where soldiers gave “the last full measure of devotion.”

The American economy, or capitalism, is not one of them. In fact, I wouldn’t go across the street to save

Donald J. Trump’s government or economy.

All over the country these days, some white folks mostly are in rebellion against government-mandated stay-athome orders to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

They want to quickly open the economy back up, after a few weeks of mandatory quarantine and social distancing has put 26 million people out of work, almost overnight. Some of those folks claim that being quarantined to stem a worldwide pandemic is akin to sub-

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

mitting to Communist authority. How silly.

Many of those folks clamoring to reopen the economy (which will never, ever be the same) rally under the Confederate battle flag. Wrong.

One Republican state legislator even recently wore a Confederate flag face mask during a legislative session in Michigan. Brazen mockery of social distancing.

Another Republican member of the U.S. Congress went so far as to fix his mouth to say out loud that the vigorous

revival of the economy is, in fact, more important than protecting the lives of people, especially the elderly.

Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-Ind.) told radio station WIBC-FM Indianapolis recently that he’s willing to push the good life over a longer life.

“It is always the American government’s position to say, in the choice between the loss of our way of life as Americans and the loss of life, of American lives, we have to always choose the

ASKIA Page 34 APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 21

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Cuban Doctors Arrive in S. Africa to Assist in COVID-19 Fight

An emergency contingent of 216 Cuban doctors arrived in South Africa on Sunday, April 26, to assist health care officials in stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Dr. Zweli Mkhize, South Africa’s health minister, announced Sunday that the country up to that date had registered 4,546 cases of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, with the death toll at 87, The South African reported. A total of 161,004 people had been tested for the virus as of Saturday.

The members of the so-called “medical brigade” include Cuban family physicians, epidemiologists, biologists, health care technology experts, engineering experts, biotechnology experts and other specialists, the Cuban embassy announced in a statement.

“In response to the request made by the government of the Republic of South Africa, the government of Cuba has decided to support the great efforts that are currently made by South Africa in containing and arresting the spread of the coronavirus,” said Cuban ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson. “They will be deployed in different provinces of the country in accordance with the strategic plans elaborated by the Department of Health.”

In the past, the Caribbean island nation has availed its “armies of white robes” to assist largely poor countries in the world in fighting epidemics, including the Ebola outbreak in Africa.

According to trtworld.com, Cuba, which has confirmed 1,337 cases of the virus and 51 deaths, has one of the world’s highest number of doctors per capita and has been lauded for its focus on prevention, community-oriented primary health care and preparedness to fight epidemics.

“Cuba has already thousands of health professionals in 21 countries across the globe to assist in the fight against COVIS-19,” the embassy said in its statement.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, however, has urged countries not to accept Cuba’s medical missions on charges that it exploits its workers, which the country denied.

“The advantage of Cuba is that they are a community health model, one that we would like to use,” Mkhize told a news briefing earlier in April.

South Africa sent medical supplies to Cuba to assist in the fight against the coronavirus in “the plane that is now returning with the Cuban medical brigade,” Cuba’s embassy in South Africa tweeted.

“These are times of solidarity and cooperation. If we act together, we can halt the spread of coronavirus in a faster and more cost-effective manner,” the ambassador added.

In late March, Mkhize revealed that foreign doctors — along with medical students who have graduated from the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro Cooperative Programme — were already operating in South African clinics and hospitals.

Medical experts from China have also offered assistance to South Africa in studying the spread of the virus, issuing advice on social distancing regulations, hygiene and sanitation.

China also sent thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to South Africa on April 13 to assist health care workers on the front line. The PPE received thus far and the batches that are currently on order amount to an estimated R800 million ($42.5 million). WI

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caribbean now Jamaica Rises on Global Press Freedom Index

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by John De Freitas

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Jamaica has risen two places on the Global Press Freedom Index and now ranks sixth among 180 countries that most respect freedom of information, according to a Jamaica Information Services press release.

Published annually by Reporters Without Borders, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) based in Paris, the index evaluates the level of freedom available to the media throughout the world.

The new ranking was highlighted by Sen. Kamina Johnson Smith, the leader of government business in the Upper House, who said it is “an extremely positive recognition” that the world has paid to Jamaica.

“I think that we should commend the government on the work that has been done and commend our press for the strength which they display,” she said while addressing Friday’s sitting of the Senate.

Johnson Smith, who is also the country’s minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, emphasized that the increased dissemination of information during the coronavirus pandemic continues to demonstrate the commitment the administration has to the sharing of information and to a strong and free press.

“I want to commend members of the media, civil society, the people of Jamaica and Government for the work that has been done that has resulted in our rising on the Global Press Freedom Index,” she said.

The country had fallen to eighth in the world press freedom ranking in 2019, having been surpassed by Denmark and New Zealand. This year, the country achieved a score of 10.51. Norway is at the top of the list, scoring 7.84. WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LIFESTYLE Tributes Continue for Evelyn Orena Quander Rattley: The Legacy of A Queen Special to The Informer Evelyn Orena Quander Rattley was born Oct. 8, 1924. She transitioned from this life on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. Encircled by her two children, daughter-in-law and caregiver, in those last moments she received the devotion that she bestowed abundantly over a resplendent 95 years on earth.

Counselor. Confessor. Champion.

Mentor. World Citizen. Faith Leader.

The third and youngest child of John Edward Quander and Helen Orena Stewart, the family would eventually move from Upper Marlboro, Md., to Washington, D.C. The Quander family is one of the oldest documented Black families in the United States. Tracing its lineage directly to Ghana, West Africa, they identified their first African ancestor, Egya Amokwandoh, to arrive on U.S.

shores through the Transatlantic slave trade.

Evelyn proudly contributed to the family’s genealogy rigor which has produced legions of reunions, books, articles, documentaries and intergenerational storytelling. The Quander presence is enshrined in Ghana’s museum at Cape Coast Castle, infamous as a port for the slave trade. An exhibit was also established at Mt. Vernon, where Quander relatives are acknowledged as former slaves of George Washington.

Evelyn attended Howard University and George Washington University where she earned an advanced degree in special education, devoting a 30year career in the DC Public Schools.

In 1947, she married the love of her life, Thaddeus Allen Rattley Sr. To that union, extending over 44 years, came two children, Sandra and Thaddeus Jr. Evelyn’s world would transform

with her 80th birthday gift in 2002.

She and her daughter Sandra Rattley took a monthlong sojourn to her ancestral home in Ghana. She experienced “joy beyond words” from the images of Ghanaians with striking resemblance to her paternal aunts and uncles. The family roots and connections across continents were undeniable.

A high point of the trip was a celebratory parade with rituals reserved for the most important occasions. Before returning home, Evelyn was enstooled as Queen Mother of Dutch Komenda and presented a beautifully carved stool in recognition of her eldership.

From that point forward, a Queen was born.

“She was embodied, emboldened to the fullness of her nobility. It changed and empowered her forever,” remembers Sandra.

Evelyn’s affiliations and honors reflected her dedication to civic engagement in education, philanthropy, the arts, and support of youth, the elderly and disabled. She served over a dozen organizations ranging from the John F. Kennedy Institute to scholarship committees of the D.C. Retired Educators Association and the AARP. Evelyn’s activism and leadership was most profound in the service of her faith. She was a founding member of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church, a parish named for one of the only Black saints. Evelyn was active in all phases of parish life for the 74 years of the church’s history, until recent illness slowed her down.

For decades she served as sacristan, proclaimer of the Word, and Eucharistic minister. She continued her lay

IN MEMORIAM: SHELVIN LONGMIRE

May 28, 1949 April 14, 2020 MSGT (Ret.) Shelvin D. Longmire passed away suddenly at his home in Washington D.C. on April 14, 2020.

MSGT Longmire was born in Fairhope, AL on May 28, 1949 to Esther K. Longmire (Berry) and 1st SGT James E. Longmire (deceased). Forever

missed, MSGT Longmire is survived by his mother Esther Longmire of Colorado Springs CO; his son Shelvin Jahmad Longmire of Washington D.C.; Jahmad’s mother, Gloria Longmire of Ft. Washington, MD and his siblings: Linda Taylor (James) of Apollo Beach, FL; Vida Longmire, of Colorado Springs, CO; Gloria Plear (Dennis) of Colorado Springs, CO; Anthony Longmire (Laura) of Pueblo South, CO; Andrea Lee of Colorado Springs, CO, Pamela Longmire of Evergreen, AL and a host of nieces and nephews and their children. MSGT Longmire is also survived by his extended Taylor family, many close relatives, and a host of very beloved and special friends that are too numerous to mention.

MSGT Longmire traveled the world as an Army dependent before entering

the US Air Force at the young age of 19. He served in a variety of specialties to include: Defense Attaché, Foreign Service, Military Intelligence, International Terrorism and classified assignments throughout the US, Europe and the Middle East. He honorably served in the US Air Force for 24 years, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant.

MSGT Longmire most recently served as the U.S. Executive Director, USA Groupe Afrique Expansion Inc., board member Tri-County International Chamber of Commerce, the African Business Club at Harvard University of Business, and the American-Nigerian International Chamber of Commerce.

He was a subject-matter-expert in political science, international relations, and international business and earned his degree from Troy University. Shelvin was

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Eugene ‘Woody’ Smith, 76, Former Temptations Bassist, Dies

By Timothy Cox Special to The Informer 5 Evelyn Orena Quander Rattley (Courtesy photo)

clergy duties until 92 years old.

She was awarded the Archdiocesan Order of Merit Medal for faithful service to the church. She also served as President of the Council of Catholic Women, later assuming the highest office as Province Director.

As a living legacy to Evelyn Orena Quander Rattley, a fund has been established to support the Sanctuary Renovation Project for St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name at https://stbenedictthemoordc.com/sanctuary-project or mail to 320 21st Street NE, Washington, DC 20002.

Quander family matriarch, Queen Evelyn is survived by her daughter Sandra Rattley, son Thaddeus Allen Rattley Jr., daughter-in-law Cynthia Summers Rattley, grandson Thaddeus Allen Rattley III, two great-grandchildren Malakai and Micah, and a host of loving relatives and devoted neighbors and friends. WI a life-long learner and avid reader and earned certifications in Global Business Strategy from Georgetown University and in Global Entrepreneurship from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He is also an alumnus of the Staff College, the US Army Management Engineering College and the US Air Force Special Operations School.

He was renowned throughout North America, Africa and several other International communities.

Shelvin led a wonderfully blessed life.

He cherished his son, loved his family and was a teacher and mentor to multiple generations of his family. Shelvin served as a senior project manager with Northrop Grumman Corp, as the US managing director of an international charter airline and as VP of an information technology and management services firm. He lived his life doing what he loved, promoting trade and the rich and vibrant African culture. Shelvin

Eugene “Woody” Smith, a lifelong musician who in the early 1970s was the touring bassist for The Temptations, has died. He was 76.

Smith died Monday, April 13 in in Beaver, Pa., from complications related to dementia and Alzheimer’s.

As a native of Pittsburgh’s Homewood section, Smith gained his musicianship skills and talents under the direction of legendary Westinghouse High School band director Carl McVicker. The band instructor was known for grooming such jazz greats as Earl Garner, Billy Strayhorn, Mary Lou Williams and Ahmad Jamal.

Early in his career, Smith was known for his jazz talents as an upright bass player in the mode of Pittsburgh giants Ray Brown and Paul Lawrence Dunbar Chambers.

By the early 1970s, he, like other jazzmen (a la Miles Davis), transitioned to the electric Fender bass, becoming the city’s equivalent to

SMITH Page 31 appeared frequently on television and published articles in newspapers and magazines advancing trade between Africa and North America. Shelvin described the challenges and benefits of global business in his Introduction to the book, Going Global on a Dime

by Lauri E. Elliott and Christopher Wallace. He was dedicated to his work as Executive Director of Afrique Expansion Inc., an international business consultancy and media firm headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Shelvin was a passionate advocate for Africa.

He organized press events; developed, coordinated and spearheaded trade and diplomatic missions and conferences to benefit the Continent; and liaised with African, American and Canadian business and government leaders. His frequent trips to Africa were one of his greatest pleasures.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date. WI

APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 23

LIFESTYLE

COMMENTARY from Page 8

ing billable hours and keeping alive a multi-million dollar non-profit industrial complex. From a very young age, students deemed special needs learn how to game the system, because they, more so than their peers, have embraced the labels and lowered expectations imposed on them by the system, their overworked and frustrated teachers and so-called health providers.

If anything, the coronavirus pandemic has revealed the need for stronger homes in the African community – a task that no longer should or can be passed on to government entities.

From the confines of their unstable homes, some of these 2020 graduates continue to devour one-size-fits-all work packets while enduring the stress of online learning with instructors, some of whom, for the first time in their careers, must exhibit flexibility in how they provide academic material. The most valuable lesson that these young people have learned in the month or so since schools shuttered involves the reality that, by the end of the day, all a person has is themselves.

That’s why navigating the post-

COVID-19 world, whether it be as a college freshman, an apprentice, an employee, or a budding entrepreneur, will be an experiment in how self-sufficient and industrious one can be. It will also be a test of the level of patience adults will have for the steep learning curve that’s ahead for recent high school graduates. With all that’s happening, no one should expect any 2020 graduate to immediately get it right.

However, people should eventually understand no longer can members of the fragmented but global African nation adopt soulless philosophies centered solely on the attainment of capital and social standing.

Instead, young people, particularly those wrapping up their academic careers in the coming months, should dig deep within themselves to find the hunger for knowledge and wisdom in all areas of life that their teachers failed to foster. At the end of the day, that’s the only thing that will save them from drowning in a sea of self-doubt amid conditions that the Babylon school system successfully hid from them over the course of four years.

WI

FALL PLANS from Page 14 academic year in early August to make up for two weeks lost in this year’s early closure.

Local charter schools, at the request of the D.C. Public Charter School Board, remain in the throes of distance learning contingency plans. On April 6, the charter board posted a document for public comment revising the school accountability policy for both the remainder of the current academic year and next year’s as well.

Tenets of the policy revision, the final vote for which will take place on May 15, include ceasing the collection and publication of performance data, not producing a School Quality Report and not including attendance data in decisions that affect a charter school’s standing.

Some charter school leaders, like Niya White of Center City Public Charter School - Congress Heights, have spent much of the last several weeks mulling the conditions under which students will learn during the 2020-2021

school year, including a smaller budget.

While she and her colleagues haven’t finalized any plans, White acknowledged that the concerns parents and community leaders as well as students’ well-being stand at the forefront of her mind.

“We are planning on ranges of dates and thinking about different iterations of possibilities, like what if a parent is [afraid] to send their child into a crowded space, what does the school day need to look

like now with transitions or cleanings to make sure we are doing our part to remain as clean and safe as possible and how can we project any academic gaps or needs for students and families that are new that we have not met,” said White, the school’s principal.

“I would say we are in a deep ‘what if phase’ and from those conversations, we are giving ourselves more opportunities to be and stay prepared for ranges of just in case scenarios,” she added. WI

Some charter school leaders, like Niya

White of Center City Public Charter School Congress Heights, have spent much of the last several weeks mulling the conditions under which students will learn during the 2020-2021 school year, including a smaller budget.

COVID-19 NOTICE Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) is operating remotely during the pandemic, but we remain committed to the needs of DC elders 60 and older.

For legal assistance call LCE Legal Hotline: 202-434-2120 For long-term care issues call LCE’s Office of the DC Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 202-434-2190 For the latest on the pandemic, visit www.cdc.gov and www.coronavirus.dc.gov

www.aarp.org/LCE

Legal Counsel for the Elderly is an affiliate of AARP.

24 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LIFESTYLE

wi book review “How Contagion Works”

By Paolo Giordano c.2020, Bloomsbury $4.99 70 pages e-book only

By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Like nearly everyone, you’re on lockdown.

You can get out, strategically. Mostly, you stay home a lot, watching movies and doing more puzzles than you have in the last 10 years, combined. Your hands are raw from washing, and you’re wondering how this all happened. Author and physicist Paolo Giordano explains in his new book “How Contagion Works.”

COVID-19 (or “Co V-2,” as Giordano refers to the disease) is unique, but not too much: SARS, for example, was a coronavirus, too, but Co V-2 is the “first virus to spread this quickly on a global scale.” It’s also the first virus to show us how we act as a modern social species. This virus takes us “above identities and cultures...”

That’s not to say that we can pretend this virus hates us; viruses don’t have brains, so we can’t make the mistake of blaming it as though it was a sentient entity. Co V-2, says Giordano, “Doesn’t care about us, our age, gender, nationality, personal preferences.” A virus like this just is.

Epidemics, however, “are mathematical emergencies first and foremost” and contagion is a “chain reaction” that grows exponentially, and with speed. Scientists use the symbol R0 (pronounced R-naught) to indicate a level of contagion; to put Co V-2 in perspective, its R0 is 2.5.

Measles has a R0 of 15. The Spanish flu’s R0 was 2.1. The spread is halted when R0 is at 1. Social isolation “equals dragging down the R0 value” and if we stop isolating too soon, there is a “high likelihood” that the virus will return.

That’s hard to do; by nature, we hate altering our behavior and self-isolation is a big alteration but, says Giordano, we have two choices here: we either find a vaccine or we have patience. We are more connected than we realize, we move around too much, and “we know that the epidemic changes if we change.” And speaking of that, he says we should take a hard look at climate change because he blames a lot of this virus on “our aggressive behavior toward the environment...”

If we’re not careful, “what is happening with COVID-19 will keep happening more often.”

Even as you read this review, says author Paolo Giordano, “the situation” is different than it was even yesterday. Some understanding of how we’ve gotten here is key to enduring and surviving this pandemic, and “How Contagion Works” helps.

It also helps that you don’t need a Ph.D. to understand what’s inside this skinny book. Filled with examples and stories, the science inside is broken down in steps that are graspable for anyone with even the slightest grasp of this virus. Giordano also addresses the myths and rumors of COVID-19, and he’s not afraid to upset his readers with truth.

That means that there may be parts of this book that you might not like. There are also parts that’ll give you hope and blow your mind, too, and since well-informed is well-armed, read it. “How Contagion Works” is a book to lock down. WI

horoscopes

APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

ARIES There’s a sense of optimism as you see opportunities emerge that are in harmony with your longrange goals. You know you’re capable. You’re impatient to get started. You’re like the runner in the starting block waiting to join the race. But for now, it’s just plans on paper. Today’s a good day to reach out and make connections to get information. Be creative and prepare where you can before the race begins. Lucky Numbers: 7, 13, 31 TAURUS There may be changes in your company, shifts of responsibility or perhaps even new management. While this can sound stressful, this is a great aspect for disciplined thinking. Narrow your vision to the most important details. Lucky Numbers: 9, 10, 15 GEMINI Whatever you need, your friends will help you get. You are supported and loved. You want to return the favor. Your connections with them are deepening. You can tap into their information, experience and business acumen to help you with whatever you’re trying to do. Together there is synergy. Lucky Numbers: 4, 5, 23 CANCER The week comes to an end with Mercury in Taurus linking up with Uranus in your house of friendships. Now you want to shake things up. It’s good to meet the friends of your friends and expand your circle. Reach out to neighbors and see who lives close to you, what they do, their kid’s names and their pet’s names. (Over FaceTime or Zoom, that is.) This is a good time to make a stronger connection to the people around you as Uranus increases your awareness. Watch the stars, study astrology and share what you know. Lucky Numbers: 32, 37, 54 LEO The week comes to a close with Mercury meeting with Uranus in Taurus in your house of reputation.

Combining the planet of communication with the planet of upsets can mean a miscommunication on a very noticeable scale. It’s OK to surprise people, but read over the post a couple of times if you think it’s at all controversial. Perhaps even run it by friends to see what they think. This could save you some embarrassments. Lucky Numbers: 12, 27, 31 VIRGO You can find benefits by changing how you connect with your higher self. You may try a different meditation such as a guided meditation or a form of breathing meditation. You may consider connecting through nature, perhaps preparing the ground to plant a garden or taking a hike to notice the growth of trees, the grass-carpeted hills and to listen to the flow of water in a stream. Lucky Numbers: 11, 20, 42 LIBRA This week is highlighted with changes in how you handle finances primarily passive income sources, investments and debt. As the sun mingles with the changeable planet, Uranus, in your house of resources from others, you are reminded that creative thinking opens up worlds of opportunity for you. Lucky Numbers: 6, 8, 47 SCORPIO This week is highlighted by changes in a significant relationship. You may be separated by work or by circumstances. Or perhaps you are thrown together into tight quarters and you’re not used to being so much in each other’s space. The sun moving away from its meeting with Uranus and so things will feel more comfortable soon. Lucky Numbers: 26, 28, 48 SAGITTARIUS There are changes this week around your routines such as diet or exercise. You may be enthused by a new way of working out that you can’t wait to try. Or, as the sun in Taurus separates from Uranus, you may be drawn outside to do hiking, fishing or biking through tree-lined streets (six feet away from others, of course). Lucky Numbers: 7, 11, 33 CAPRICORN Some consider Capricorns risk-averse, but in actuality most Capricorns embrace risk, calculating the upside as well as the downside. Now the sun moves through Taurus. in your house of risk-taking and moves away from inventive Uranus. This week you are inspired to take a risk that could lead to considerable success in the future. Weigh the options and you’ll see which way to go. Lucky Numbers: 35, 41, 45 AQUARIUS It’s time to shake things up and break a family tradition. Look at family patterns that may not be a credit to the family name. How can you do something different? This aspect is also good for considering real estate investments, buying a new home or redecorating house. Just be careful about going overboard, as Uranus in Taurus can be quite free with the checkbook if given a reason. Lucky Numbers: 8, 9, 23 PISCES This week is marked by a change of thinking. A new idea perhaps even an epiphany has entered your consciousness and now you see the world differently. As the sun in Taurus moves away from erratic Uranus, what you knew before is now reframed into a different light. It’s like the blinders have been removed. Lucky Numbers: 4, 19, 34

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 25

SPORTS For more photos, visit www.washingtoninformer.com

Redskins ‘Moving in Own Direction’ After Draft and Williams Trade

By Daniel Kucin Jr. WI Contributing Writer @danielkucin88 The Washington Redskins drafted eight players, including arguably the best player in the 2020 NFL draft.

With the second overall pick, the Burgundy and Gold chose former DeMatha Catholic High School and Ohio State University defensive lineman Chase Young.

“I feel like I’m the best player in this draft,” Young said. “It was after I put it on film because I know at the end of the day, that’s the only thing that matters is how you play football. So you know, I was just real precise and real technical in the things I did in the game to try to be the best player that I could be.”

The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive lineman played in 38 games for the Buckeyes from 2017-19, recording 99 tackles, 42.5 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles.

The Redskins did not have a second round pick this year after receiving defensive lineman Montez Sweat via trade during last year’s draft. It marked the 10th time (since the seventh-round draft format was established) Washington did not make a selection in the second round.

In the following round, the Redskins selected University of Memphis running back Antonio Gibson (66). The 6-foot-2, 220-pound speedster was extremely versatile, appearing at both running back and wide receiver.

During his time with the Tigers, Gibson hauled in 44 receptions for 834 yards and 10 touchdowns.

26 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

He also rushed for 369 yards on 33 carries averaging more than 11 yards per carry.

Redskins head coach Ron Rivera compared Gibson to Carolina Panthers All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey.

“We started really diving into who he is and what he does and what he’s capable of with the multi-faceted offense style of offense we use,” Rivera said. “You know, Scott Turner really feels that this is a guy that can come in and be a very versatile player for us.

Plus, he has special teams value.

He’s a very good fit, we believe, into what we do and how we want to do things.”

Since 2011, the Redskins have now selected a running back in 10 consecutive drafts, passing the team’s previous high of drafting a running back in nine consecutive drafts from 1983-91.

However, there is currently stiff competition in the running back room, including the likes of Derrius Guice, Adrian Peterson and newly acquired free agents Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic.

One of the biggest stories of the draft was the trade of perennial Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams to the San Francisco 49ers. The Redskins received a fifth-round pick for San Diego State University center Keith Ismael and a thirdround pick in the 2021 draft.

Williams did not play a single snap last season. He will play for his former offensive coordinator and new head coach in Kyle Shanahan to potentially replace 35-year-old tackle Joe Staley, who informed the 49ers he is retiring due to health concerns.

“Obviously, with the Trent stuff,

5 Trent Williams: The Washington Redskins traded perennial Pro Bowler Trent Williams for a fifth-round selection in the 2020 draft and a future third-round pick in the 2021 draft.

(Daniel Kucin Jr./The Washington Informer)

it’s been a long process,” said Kyle Smith, Redskins vice president of player personnel. “You know, I think everybody is a little bit, you guys as well, think we’re all relieved that it’s over, that it’s done.”

“From day one that we got into this, it’s a unique situation, where, a lot of different layers to it, and we did the best that we could,” Smith said. “We opened it up to the agent to find a partner and all that stuff, and finally, we’re to the point where it’s over, and we’re all moving in our own direction. We wish him the best, and I think [Rivera] does as well, and we’re moving forward.”

Washington snagged LSU tackle Saahdiq Charles in the fourth round, who became the first player ever selected at pick 108 in the organization’s history.

Charles was part of a unit that was named the 2019 Joe Moore Award Winner which given to the nation’s top offensive line, and he appeared in 32 games with 28

5 The Washington Redskins selected former DeMatha Catholic High School and Ohio State University standout Chase Young with the No. 2 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. (Courtesy photo/ CBSSports)

starts in three seasons was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2017.

“The moment was amazing, a dream come true, a dream I’ve had since I was a little kid,” Charles said about being drafted. “Rivera called me and told me I’m going to be a Redskin. I was just thanking him.”

The Redskins added more depth to the wide receiving corps in the fourth round taking Liberty University’s Antonio Gandy-Golden (142). The 6-foot-4, 223 receiver finished his career appearing in 45 games with 240 receptions for 3,814 yards and 33 touchdowns.

“I think I can take the roof off, but also just being able to be physical in the run game and also in the pass game with my blocking, being able to high-point the ball and bringing my secure hands with me,” Golden said.

With the final fifth-round selection, Washington picked University of Michigan linebacker

Khaleke Hudson, who appeared in 52 games with 37 starts and registered 237 tackles, including 26 for loss, 12.0 sacks, and two interceptions.

He also holds a Michigan single-game record and tied an NCAA record for total tackles for loss in a single game when he registered eight against Minnesota in 2017.

Washington did not have any sixth-round pick selections this year, but they did choose two notable players in the seventh round.

University of Arkansas safety Kamren Curl (216) and North Carolina State University James Smith Williams (229) were taken to wrap up the draft.

Curl appeared in 34 games with 33 starts and registered 175 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two tackles for loss.

Smith-Washington appeared in 43 games with 18 starts and recorded 87 tackles and eight sacks. WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT

My People Perish for the Lack of Knowledge, Pt. 3

COVID-19 research shows more Blacks are dying than others in America, but it does NOT have to be that way! Health inequalities and lack of knowledge are the primary causes, with three culprits: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Medical research has proven one can reverse diabetes and high blood pressure for a better outcome once appropriate steps are taken. All of these health issues can be brought back into normal range with proper steps. There IS no magic pill. Once you change your diet, you may improve so much that your doctor will take you off of meds. It is as simple as a lifestyle change. I’m repeating the formula several times during this column: Change your eating habits by cutting down on high fats, high carbohydrates and sugar, exercising five days per week and staying under your doctor to keep tabs on your progress. It works!

How do I know? I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, and I even had high cholesterol, as well. All three have been either reduced significantly or eliminated. Lifestyle change was my key to a healthy diet, along with daily ex-

ercise, and it can be for you, too. The devastating effects that come along with these health issues are totally unnecessary. The key, though, is to quit living with a lack of knowledge.

Scripture reminds us, “My people perish for the lack of knowledge.”

When my mom died on Christmas Day in the year 2000, her entire family had a lack of knowledge until I studied this topic. Don’t let this happen to you or your family.

Finally, with COVID-19 now traveling across America and the world, notice how statistics are showing how more African Americans are dying faster. It is because of many reasons, ranging from the impact of slavery, soul food diets passed down for generations. Those once-enslaved workers were on duty 18 hours a day, getting lots of exercise. Today, most are not exercising at all, and millions continue to enjoy those soul food meals. This has to stop!

Once you make these changes by beginning a new and healthy diet and adding exercise back to your life, everything will be all right!

The Boston Globe quoted Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass), who said, “In the district I represent, the African American community makes up 25 percent of the population, yet my community represents 40 percent of COVID-19 cases.”

A recent teleconference hosted by NYU School of Global Public Health on April 14 began with a discussion

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

about how the coronavirus pandemic is more likely to affect people with preexisting conditions such as asthma, diabetes and hypertension, which African-Americans are statistically more likely to have.

The conference’s panelists, Dr. Melody Goodman, Dr. Emanuel Peprah and Rep. Alma Adams, addressed how minority groups, especially the African American community, were especially affected by the current health crisis. They shared how COVID-19 has taken a disproportionate toll on the African-American community with proven statistics of the deaths in our community.

Many African Americans don’t have health insurance. Research shows that even those who do have sufficient finances are also dying, which brings us back to lifestyle change, diet and exercise. It is not about how much money we have, it is what we know and what we do not know — lack of knowledge.

Another testing source, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found biological risk factors, including weight and fat around the abdomen, are primarily responsible for higher rates of diabetes for Black Americans compared with white Americans. The study suggests making positive changes in known risk factors, like losing excess weight, can help reduce the racial health disparity for developing diabetes.

WI

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

“A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

EMPLOYMENT LAWYERS MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC ADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, Discipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, Family Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, Race Discrimination, Rehabilitation Act, Retaliation, Severance Agreements, Sexual Harassment, Torts, Whistleblowing, Wage-and-Hour, Wrongful Discharge SERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA

www.jmlaw.net

(301) 864-6070

jmccollum@jmlaw.net

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor

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.

(301) 864-6070

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

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APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 27

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Louis B. Jones II 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 Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00 AM 5th Sundays: 9:30 AM 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 PM www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

Blessed Word of Life Church

Church of Living Waters

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., / Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 / Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00 AM Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30 AM 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00 AM Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30 PM Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00 AM “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

Third Street Church of God

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

Rev. Dr. Alice Greene Interim Pastor

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior 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 Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM

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

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.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: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School: 10:15 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM Children’s Church: 11:15 AM Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com

www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703 Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 AM Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 PM Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00 PM Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org / “God is Love”

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM 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

Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661 Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM 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: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM

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

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital”

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

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

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

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM

Crusader Baptist Church

Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM

28 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

themcbc.org

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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM 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 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion 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 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 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

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 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 “Where Jesus is the King”

Dr. Earl D. Trent 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

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

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church 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: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM 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

Eastern Community Baptist Church 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

Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074

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

Service and Times Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM

Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

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

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

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

Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958

Shiloh Baptist Church

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

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Christ Embassy DC

Dr. Joseph D. Turner / Senior Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 8:00 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM New Member’s Class: 9:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00 AM Church School: 9:45 AM Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00 PM Saturday Bible Study: 11:00 AM Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00 AM “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Peace Baptist Church

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

Pennsylvania Ave. 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 “The Loving Church of the living lord “

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 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

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

9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4288

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 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon

www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

Service and Times First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 AM Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 AM and 10:55 AM Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 AM Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 PM

All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor

Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

Rev. Dr. Jerryl V. Moody Pastor-Elect

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

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

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

APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020 29

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICES

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

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

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

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

2015 WIL 953 2020 ADM 000155

2020 ADM 000307

2020 ADM 000247

2018 ADM 1276

Angelene C. Showell Decedent

Anntoinette I. Jones aka Anntoinette Ivery Jones aka Anntoinette Jones Decedent

Helen P. McCormick Decedent

Nazim A. Karriem Decedent

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

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

Bradley A. Thomas, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006-1631 Attorney

Talib I. Karim TEC Law Firm 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

Mary O. Hutton, whose address is 15642 Ensleigh Lane, Bowie, Md 20716, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Angelene C. Showell who died on October 18, 2014 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 10/16/2020. 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 10/16/2020, 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.

Deborah J. Akwel, whose address is 1920 18th Street, SE Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anntoinette I. Jones aka Anntoinette Ivery Jones aka Anntoinette Jones who died on April 24, 2019 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 10/23/2020. 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 10/23/2020, 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: 4/16/2020 Mary O. Hutton Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 4/23/2020 Deborah J. Akwel Personal Representative

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Joseph P. McCormick, II, whose address is 6011 3rd Street, NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Helen P. McCormick who died on April 23, 2016 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 10/23/2020. 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 10/23/2020, 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: 4/23/2020

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Mikal Huda Ba’th and Fatima Karriem, whose address is 6015 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Nazim A. Karriem who died on August 1, 2018 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.

Objections to such appointment 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 10/30/2020. 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 10/30/2020, 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: 4/30/2020

Joseph P. McCormick, II Personal Representative

Mikal Huda Ba’th Fatima Karriem Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

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

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

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

2020 ADM 000091

2019 ADM 000166

2020 ADM 000291

2020 ADM 000173

Shirley S. Troubetaris aka Shirley Sturghill Troubetaris Decedent

Joshalyn Lawrence Decedent

Jon M. Thomas Sr. Decedent

Elisha C. Stanley Decedent

Caren M. Webb, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW Suite 250 Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

Gilda Sherrod-Ali 1775 I Street, NW Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

Nakia Gray 800 Maine Ave. SW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20020 Attorney

Ronald Dixon Bynum & Jenkins 1010 Cameron Street Alexandria VA 22314 Attorney

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Samuel D. Warren, Jr., whose address is 18374 Democracy Avenue, Ruther Glen, Virginia 22546, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shirley S. Troubetaris aka Shirley Sturghill Troubetaris who died on December 10, 2018 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 10/23/2020. 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 10/23/2020, 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: 4/23/2020 Samuel D. Warren, Jr. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

30 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

NOTICE OF AFTER DISCOVERED WILL AND NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT Rosetta W. Rhine and Ronnica A. Snowden, whose addresses are 11644 Port Royal Ave., Waldorf, MD 20602 and 248 Artifact Ave., Winchester, VA 22603, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Joshalyn Lawrence, who died on July 21, 2018 with a Will. 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 10/23/2020.

Date of first publication: 4/23/2020 Rosetta W. Rhine Ronnica A. Snowden Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

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

Jon M. Thomas, Jr., whose address is 4903 Daisy Creek Terrace, Beltsville, MD 20705, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jon M. Thomas, Sr. who died on January 12, 2020 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 10/30/2020. 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 10/30/2020, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Ronald Dixon, whose address is Bynum & Jenkins, 1010 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Elisha C. Stanley, 2349 Skyland Terr., SE, WDC 20020 who died on 9/16/19 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 10/30/2020. 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 10/30/2020, 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: 4/30/2020

Date of first publication: 4/30/2020

Jon M. Thomas Jr. Personal Representative

Ronald Dixon Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Washington Informer

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SMITH from Page 23 Detroit bassist James Jamerson, according to music historian and fellow Homewood native Darryl “Boogie” Dunn.

“When Woody auditioned for, and was hired to play the Temptations gig, we were all so proud in Pittsburgh — but we weren’t surprised,” Dunn said.

When informed of his former bandmate’s death, Temptations’ leader and surviving founding member Otis Williams offered this response from his home in Southern California: “Woody was a wonderful person and a hell of a bass player. We really enjoyed working with him while touring in the ‘70s. My sincere condolences to his daughter and family.”

Dunn recalled many local Pittsburgh gigs where Smith honed his skills as a superb and funky jazz bassist. He recounted a set with Van and the Village Vanguards, a funk band led by drummer Van Harris, son of iconic Pittsburgh Courier photographer Teenie Harris. The Vanguards also featured saxman George Green, guitarist Larry “Butch” McGee and organist David “Sugar” Cane.

Smith also played with a house band called Cincinnati & The InCrowd, at the similarly-named club on Route 51 on Pittsburgh’s South Side. The Cincinnati group featured bandleader, saxophonist and club owner Cincinnati Hall and his wife/ vocalist Dora Hall.

But it was the house-band gig at The Fox in Shadyside is where Smith made his mark, Dunn said.

“They would have a line of folks on Walnut Street waiting to enter the club in Shadyside,” he said.

“The band was just that hot.”

Smith played at the 755 Club (Workingmen’s Club) on Devilliers Street in the Hill District and Joe Westray’s Plaza on Lincoln Avenue in East Liberty. He also performed with popular vocal group These Gents.

Smith recorded the ‘Live in Japan’ LP (1973) with the Temptations during the era when the group also featured Otis Damon Harris of Baltimore, Dennis Edwards and Richard Street (all deceased) along with originals Melvin Franklin (deceased) and Otis Williams.

After the Temptations gig, Smith retreated from the professional touring scene, to a more sedate married, home-life in suburban Beaver County, Pa. with his longtime wife Emily Joyce Smith (deceased) and

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

daughter, Robin Owens Hill. He also worked for the Pa. Railroad at Conway Yards near Ambridge.

In the mid-2000s, Smith rose from musical retirement and played his last gigs with Sounds Unlimited of Beaver County. Bandleader Ronnie Cox said Smith was a treat to perform with, but never wore his Temptations’ experience on his sleeves.

“He was a very humble person, but so talented,” Cox said. “And he could read music. That set him apart from many of his counterparts.”

SUBC lasted for nearly 10 years and is considered the final live R&B-jazz band to exist in Beaver County, Pa. Smith is survived by his great-grandchildren and extended family members, including many in the greater Washington area.

WI

RECOVERY from Page 13 through May 15.

According the report, it recommends a statewide verse regional approach to reopening schools that focuses on both health and economic impacts. This suggestion comes from the National Governors Association that Hogan serves as its chair.

“Unfortunately, life is not going to just immediately go back to normal,” Hogan said. “In fact, it is important to recognize that until a vaccine is developed, the way we go about our daily lives and the way we work is going to be signifi-

5 Eugene ‘Woody’ Smith (Courtesy photo)

cantly different for a while longer.”

Meanwhile, some Prince George’s County residents received a robocall from County Executive Angela Alsobrooks on Sunday, April 26 with a reminder to follow the stay-at-home order and wear masks and face coverings when going out for essential travel.

The order “is not meant to scare us, but to protect the entire community,” he said. “COVID-19 does not discriminate. We must do our part to slow the spread. We will get through this together.”

View Hogan’s recovery plan at governor.maryland.gov/recovery.

WI

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32 - APRIL 30 - MAY 6, 2020

VEEP from Page 1 In a new op-ed for CNN, former NAACP President Ben Jealous called Abrams the “creative thinker who should be Biden’s vice president.”

“She has many of the strengths that can help Biden win in November, including popularity among key Democratic constituencies: progressives, young voters, and voters of color — and the data backs it up,” Jealous noted. “But Abrams has something more — a determination to get the job done, no matter what challenges may stand in her way. And given the stakes of the 2020 election, that tenacity will be a quality critical to winning back the White House in November.”

When asked by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow if she’d agree to be Biden’s vice president, Warren didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” she said. “We both want the same thing. We want this country to work, and we want it to work for everyone. So I’m in this fight to help in any way I can.”

On Tuesday, April 21, Biden said

5 Sen. Kamala Harris (Courtesy photo)

Obama tops his list of potential vice presidential candidates, and the country would be better served if she joined his ticket.

Neither Obama nor her husband, former President Barack Obama, have commented on Biden’s statements, which he first made to KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.

“I’d take her in a heartbeat,” Biden said of the former first lady. “She’s

The Shirley Chisholm Trail

By Lyndia Grant WI Contributing Writer

What a privilege to share this article about one of my all-time favorite trailblazing politicians, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.

I was so fascinated by her life’s work that when her book “Unbossed and Unbought” was published, I got a copy hot off the press. Published in 1970, the read was so memorable for me, even at the 5 Shirley Chisholm (Courtesy photo) Born in Brooklyn in 1964, the tender age of 19, the year I got married.

Chisholm kicked off with her historical daughter of immigrant parents, Shirley announcement to run for president on Anita St. Hill was her birth name. Her Jan. 25, 1972, to a packed Concord mother was from Barbados and her faBaptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. ther from Guyana. At the age of 3, ShirShe began by saying, “I stand before you ley and her sisters were sent to Barbatoday as a candidate for the Democrat- dos to live with their grandmother for ic nomination for the presidency of the seven years. Upon their return home to Brooklyn, Chisholm graduated and United States of America.”

The first African American woman went on to college. She was an educator to run for president (Margaret Chase, a and day care director.

Elected as a member of the Brooklyn white senator from Maine, was the first woman to run for the office in 1964), State Legislature, she ran for a congresChisholm made history that day when sional seat four years later and won that, she launched her campaign with the too. Like walking up stairs, Chisholm ran for president four years after that. theme “Unbossed and unbought.”

The speech shared Chisholm’s plat- She was on a mission.

Black women were her biggest supform focused on a better world with special emphasis on education. She porters, with lots of white women supclosed her announcement with these porters from National Organization of words: “Join me in an effort to reshape Women (NOW), too. Campaigning our society and regain control of our nationally, Chisholm endured much destiny as we go down the Chisholm racism, and was nearly killed when a white man tried to stab her. Chisholm Trail for 1972.”

5 Stacey Abrams (Courtesy photo)

brilliant. She knows the way around.

She is a wonderful woman. The Obamas are great friends.”

Tempering any enthusiasm of a Biden-Obama ticket, Biden added, “I don’t think she has any desire to live near the White House again.”

He concluded that it’s still too early to select a running mate.

For the full version of this story, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI won 3.7% of the vote.

At the Democratic National Convention, Chisholm used her 152 delegates to influence the agenda, stating “I’m not running as a ‘Black’ although I’m Black and I’m proud” and I’m not running as a woman, though I’m equally proud to be a woman. I’m running for the people!”

Today, 48 years later, the Chisholm Trail continues, with women bold enough to take that journey. This campaign season, five women ran, with yet another dynamic Black woman, California Sen. Kamala Harris.

Harris, the former attorney general of California, traveled the “Chisholm Trail”: “I walked into the courtroom for the first time and said the five words that would guide my life’s work. Kamala Harris, for the people.”

Though all were unsuccessful, we quote the most extraordinary female presidential candidate in American history, Hillary Clinton, who garnered 18 million votes during her first run in 2008: “We’ve put 18 million cracks in that ‘glass ceiling!’” During her second run in 2016, it was 65 million cracks.

Though Clinton did win the popular vote in 2016, she was blocked by the Electoral College.

Chisholm once said, “I’m not running to win, but I’m paving the way so Blacks can run and perhaps can win the office someday.”

The Chisholm Trail is still open for willing travelers! WI

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

MALVEAUX from Page 20

FOOD from Page 12 chase food. About 120,000 of them reside in Prince George’s, the highest figure among the 10 jurisdictions the food bank serves.

With some businesses closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, about 47,000 county residents are unemployed.

To combat food insecurity, Bank of America will donate $500,000 and the county another $500,000 to the

health-focused organization that will provide important information and guidance to Black folks when it comes to health issues. On another level, Black people, when a family member or friend is hospitalized, must make sure to the institution that the patient has very alert and determined backup to show that he or she is not alone. WI

Capital Area Food Bank.

The announcement made last week outside the Wayne K. Curry Administration Building in Largo also highlighted a 90-day plan to provide food for residents. Part of the strategy will assess food insecurity rates in the county, an analysis of the demand from regional partners and those impacted due to recent unemployment claims.

Several thousand boxes of food are planned for distribution through

“pop-up pantries” in the county. The goal is to serve 2.3 million meals through June.

More details of the plan are scheduled to be released soon.

In Beltsville, Bernice Lowe picked up about four meals for herself and her husband.

“This means a lot,” Lowe said of the meals. “The meals are delicious and you don’t have to cook. Whatever you have, you can stretch it.”

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BAILEY from Page 20

The legislation is far from perfect.

Notably absent is desperately needed aid for local governments.

Police officers, firefighters and paramedics, sanitation workers — they’re all on the front lines of the pandemic. To abandon these essential workers and leave cities stranded at this moment in history is unthinkable.

The National Urban League’s advocacy on behalf of small businesses is just one component of our comprehensive COVID-19 response initiative, The Urban League Fights For You. Follow @NatUrbanLeague on social media and the hashtag #Fight4You for the latest, or visit nul.org.

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appreciate the work of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Karen Bass, Maxine Waters and Nydia Velazquez.

The legislation includes: • $60 billion set aside for smaller lenders. A $60 billion set-aside within PPP for small and mid-sized banks and credit unions as well as community-based lending institutions. Most importantly, this setaside funding will help ensure that unbanked and underserved businesses can get access to PPP. This includes minority-owned businesses, rural businesses, small mom and pop businesses, and smaller nonprofits that too often have been pushed to the back of the line in the program.

• $60 billion for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Emergency Economic Injury Disaster Grant program. These emergency programs provide flexible assistance to small businesses to cover operating expenses, including payroll and fixed costs like rent and utilities. These programs had been depleted by the demand created by COVID-19.

These funding pools finally will give unbanked and underserved establishments, including minority-owned and rural Main Street businesses and smaller nonprofits, access to funding. These are the businesses that were left stranded when massive Wall Street-backed corporations muscled in on the last round of loans.

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MORIAL from Page 20

strained by the virus? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the states can go bankrupt. These attitudes are hazardous to our health.

The president is not concerned with our physical health, but with his political health. That is why he has sparred with governors, the press and others. That’s why he has been opposed to mail ballots, even as he casts them himself. That’s why he has approached a dire situation with bluster and braggadocio. That’s why he has failed to wear a mask, failing to model the kind of behavior all of us, including his acolytes, should emulate.

Scientists are looking for a vaccination against the coronavirus. Our nation needs protection against our president.

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Photo

language when 45 speaks suggests that she does not have to contradict him verbally to make her displeasure.

When he ignores the advice of these medical experts, he endangers our health. According to the president, there has been sufficient testing.

Most experts disagree. He says that anyone who wants a test can get one. That’s a bald-faced lie. Indeed Larry Hogan, the governor of Maryland, had to get 500,000 tests from South Korea because the federal government either didn’t have them or would not distribute them.

Mr. Trump has missed no opportunity to praise himself for doing “a great job” in combating the coronavirus. He has missed no opportunity to demean or condescend to the

media. He has turned a severe world pandemic into a chance to bloviate, lie and offer self-congratulations. I laugh to keep from screaming, even though since I’m sheltering in place, no one would hear me. While there is nothing funny about a virus that has, in just a couple of months, killed more than 50,000 people, some of the Trump remarks are amusing, amazing and, ultimately, disgusting.

The White House attitude toward the states also endangers our health.

Disaster relief funds include money for hospitals. It also has money available for the states. But through a murky set of rules, the states cannot use the funds for state operations, only for COVID-19-related expenses. How do we tell the difference, especially when state operations (including health operations) are

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CROWELL from Page 21 CRL’s federal advocacy director.

“Businesses of color were locked out of round one of the SBA PPP, and this Congress proposal fails to assure that they will have fair access to the new $60 billion small business appropriation. Nor does it ensure equity and transparency by requiring data tracking on borrower demographics and loan amounts to be collected or reported.”

“While it is a good and necessary change to include set-asides for community banks to reach more businesses and rural areas, the bill fails to dedicate targeted funds for use by minority depository institutions (MDIs), and community development financial institutions (CDFIs),” Harrington said. “These are the institutions with a strong track record of serving borrowers of color. Both MDIs and CDFIs should have access to this vital small business support.”

The set-asides included in the new appropriations bill allocate monies to institutions based on bank size alone.

Since over 98% of banks and credit unions fall into the allocation that includes CDFIs and MDIs, it is highly unlikely that these institutions will be able to access the funds — especially as the monies will have run out before these two types of institutions would be able to secure SBA approval.

WILLIAMS from Page 21 them in some way when this tragedy is over. That is our challenge.

Let us show our gratitude by being better neighbors, better friends. Let’s

ASKIA from Page 21 latter,” he said, arguing that looming economic losses are far too severe to continue sheltering-in-place designed to limit the person-to-person spread of coronavirus.

Hollingsworth’s sentiment has been expressed before. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick suggested last month that American seniors should be willing to risk their lives to the virus to preserve the economy.

“No one reached out to me and said, ‘As a senior citizen, are you willing to take a chance on your survival in exchange for keeping the America that all America loves for its children and grandchildren?’” Patrick said March 23 on Fox News. “And if that is the exchange, I’m all-in.”

But New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo recoiled. “My mother is not ex-

The new set-asides included in the new appropriations bill allocates monies to institutions based on bank size alone. This provision places CDFIs and MDIs in direct competition with better-resourced smaller institutions like community banks for loan funds.

PPP was a federal response that was supposed to supply funds through June 30 to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. It was created as part of a $2 trillion, national rescue plan authorized through the CARES Act. Instead, it is now no longer accepting applications or approving new lenders in the program. The program’s loans were capped to no more than $10 million and came with an explicit exclusion of businesses based outside of the United States. For six months, loan payments would be suspended and under specific and verifiable conditions, the loans also could be completely forgiven.

PPP applicants were required to interact with banks and other existing SBA lenders. For communities of color, this specific condition meant beginning, not continuing or expanding financial relationships. Fees paid by the federal government to participating financial institutions were based on the size of loans approved for originating program loans. For example, American Banker reported recently

that on a $10 million loan, bank fees would be $100,000, and fees for a $350,000 loan would be $17,500.

Together, these two program requirements gave larger small businesses quicker and greater access to these loans. Instead of providing needed relief for struggling businesses, the PPP is just the latest iteration of federal funding and resources being systematically withheld from individuals and people of color.

A similar reaction to the exhaustion of funding was expressed by Orson Aguilar, director of economic policy for UnidosUS (formerly LaRaza) that champions rights for Latinos.

“We know that many companies did not benefit because they do not have banking relationships and that is a requirement,” Aguilar said.

Through the assistance of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, 111 organizations across the country, including CRL, jointly told Congress their collective concerns over the exclusion of relief to communities of color in the federal pandemic response.

“Communities that have already been marginalized by structural barriers to equal opportunities and who have low levels of wealth are particularly vulnerable during this current emergency,” the civil rights advocates wrote in an April 16 letter.

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share what we have with those who have little or nothing. Let’s take better care of our seniors. I’ve asked each of our chapters in NCBW to adopt a senior citizens home. I challenge all to rise above the man in the White

House who blames everybody else for the bad but takes credit for the good done by others — while doing nothing to make America great for all of us.

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pendable,” Cuomo said. Neither am I, a grandfather.

See, things have never been that great for Black people like me, and I’m not prepared to willingly go back to the end of the line for that failed American dream of robber-baron capitalism. I understand that folks are desperate to earn a living like before the crisis, but why would any worker today be anxious to rush back to working for $8, $10, even $12 an hour, far, far below a “living wage”?

The wealthy donors to Trump raked trillions of dollars off the table, within days of the federal stimulus enactment, and they want everyone else to meekly go back to their assigned places at the bottom of the economic heap. Sorry, Daddy Warbucks, it ain’t gonna happen that way. This is a new day.

When they had a chance to do right by the freed slaves after the end of slav-

ery, the government refused to give the freedmen the 40 acres and a mule they were promised. Then, in a political shuffle to stay in power, the federal government withdrew U.S. troops from the rebel states, leaving Black people at the mercy of the Ku Klux Klan and other night-riding terrorists, and whites beat Black folks back into the dust and stole everything they had. My own family in Mississippi was robbed of land.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, these wicked people have been busy rolling back every “safety net” protection, Social Security, etc., that benefited mostly whites, in order to drag the country out of the Great Depression. Now, they think their money is more important than the people who earn it for them.

Those folks will come to learn they are wrong, and their house of cards is doomed to fall.

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