WASHINGTON INFORMER Vol. 56, No. 8 • December 10 - 16, 2020
ALSO INSIDE
"Efforts Mount to Stop Bowser from Signing Controversial Vaccine Legislation" - Page 5 "Displeasure Felt Toward Metro’s Service Cuts Plan" - Page 12 "Will the Black Community Be Last in Line for COVID-19 Vaccine?" - Page 16
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Women the Cycle of wi hotBreak topics Domestic Violence Shayla Adams-Stafford, Academy of Hope to
Harris Break Ground in Ward 8 She saidKenneth law enforcement. they threat,” she said.II Sworn-In for had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow Prince George’s School Board According to sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are
By Tia Carol Jones WI Staff Writer
the Insti- 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, WhenUrban L.Y. Marlow's Two new school tute, 16 percent old daughter told herofthe father survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families board wereon behalf of a vicin Wards ofresidents her daughter threatened her “She's using her own personal members to intervene officially sworn-in life, and 8the lifea of their child, story, her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assess7 and lack high Monday, ment Dec. unit 7 coupled to she knewdiploma something school andhad to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens with further help lead the Prince done. Out of her frustration the Department of said about Marlow. training for law enforcement George’s County with law enforcement's Davis-Nickens said anyone Employment Ser- handling agencies,puba Child's Life Proteclic willschool system. ofvices the situation, shethedecided to who reads Marlow's book tion Act and mandatory counselreports that Shayla Adams-Stafstart the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. unemployment rate ford and paign. case in such a way, the average “IfKenneth we are ever going to eradihas nearly doubled won violence, we must “Itthose seemswards to betoa vicious cycle person can get it.” She saidHarris at the IIcateeach domestic in 19 their general election that won't turn my family end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. percent since the start loose,” Marlow said. Marlow races last month by help people begin to have a diaWe need to address both the vic-II. 5 Kenneth Harris of the pandemic. But shared storyobvious with the audi- logue about domestic violence. nearly double tim anddigits. the batterer,” (ContributedMarlow by PGCPS) despiteherthe ence District Adams-Stafford will Also present at the event was said. needatforthe support, onlyHeights two of the District’s nine adult Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exrepresent District 4 Marlow would also like to see charter schools have locations east of the river. on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise with schools that inAt 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10, Lecester Johnson, Municipal Center. The sympo- who was sentenced to six consecawareness among children in clude Kenmoor EarCEO of Academy of Hope [AoH] Adult Public Charsium was sponsored by the utive life terms without lyparole public and private schools. She Childhood Center ter School, will be joined by Councilmember Trayon Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for hisin roleLandover, in feels children Beacon need to be educatWhite to ground on renovations for Academy of Center of break the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about violence. Heights Elementarydomestic in Hope’sand Ward site (421 Alabama SE). This conHeights the8 National Hook- Avenue 2002. Mildred Muhammad is “WeCharles have to stop being pasRiverdale and struction, an elevator and Up of Blackincluding Women. the installationtheoffounder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive H. Flowers High with poor chilother accessibility features, will allow more adult learners Marlow has written a book, an organization that helps the indren about domestic violence,” School Springdale. to fullyMe achieve their educational career goals “Color Butterfly,” which is a and survivors of during domestic violence Marlow said. Harris will represent these challenging times. story about four generations of and their children. Marlow has worked to break District 4 with schools AoH is an adultThe public charter serving domestic violence. book is school “I lived in fearD.C. for six years. Six the cycle of in herAdams-Stafford. family, 5 Shayla including Suitland Ele-abuse residents of 18 who areyears pursuing their inspired byover her the ownage experiences, in fear is ahigh long time. It is (Contributed by PGCPS) and is confident the policies she mentary, Andrew Jackschool building essentialnotliteracy skills, pre-to come and thosecredential, of her grandmother, an easy thing out is pushing for will start that son Academy in Forparing for higher education and training a career in her mother and her daughter. of,” sheforsaid. process. estville and Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School the said high every demand fields healthcare,Mildred office administraShe time sheof reads Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to in Upper Marlboro. Adams-Stafford and Harris tion and information classeswho are free to to help a Congress and excerpts from her book,technology. she still All people want implore them to join a 14-member board to craft policy for one D.C. andwords robustcame programs continueviolence to be of-victim must change our laws,” can notresidents believe the domestic Marlow said. of the largest school systems the nation. One feredher. via distance learning during the crisis.they go into “I will not stop untilinthese from “Color Me Butterfly” beCOVID-19 careful of how poliof their most important duties: approve an anwon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” nual budget.Tia TheCarol board willcan hold special meetBooks” Award. that she may be in “survival Jones be areached ing Thursday, Dec. 10 to hear a presentation on “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net the proposed fiscal year 2022 budget from CEO my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm going lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as aMonica verbal Goldson. WI Elaine Davis-Nickens, president of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, said there is no Longtime Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Maryland), consistency in the way domestic who drafted the articles of impeachment while a violence issues are dealt with by member of the House in the early 1970s against former President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, died Sunday, Dec. 6 in Baltimore. Sarbanes was 87 years old. Sarbanes served from 1971-77 in the House of Representatives and another 30 years in the U.S. Senate. He served as one of two Marylanders who served five terms on Capitol Hill. Sarbanes and his wife, who died in March 2009, had three children including John Sarbanes (D-Maryland) who represents the 3rd Congressional district. “Our family is grateful to know that we have the support of Marylanders who meant so much to him and who he was honored to serve,” John Sarbanes said in a statement. “Following state, local and public health guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic, 5 Paul Sarbanes. (Photo contributed by Maryland General our family will hold a private service in the coming Assembly) days.”
Longtime Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes Dies at 87
“
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.
“
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L.Y. Marlow
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Efforts Mount to Stop Bowser from Signing Controversial Vaccine Legislation Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
Since the D.C. Council approved legislation to allow the vaccination of children under the age of 11 without parental consent, parents have pivoted their attention to Mayor Muriel Bowser who must sign Bill 23-0171 before it enters the congressional review process. Melinda Woods of Southeast, who has a 10-year-old son, said the mayor should veto the bill as a matter of parents protecting their child’s affairs. Woods said the proposed legislation doesn’t take into account a child's lack of knowledge about his or her medical history, impact of flulike symptoms and other reactions from vaccines. She said she first learned about the bill at a town hall hosted by her son's charter school. “As a parent, I am the primary care manager of my child,” said Woods, a Southeast resident and parent of a 10-year-old child. She recounted first learning about Bill 23-0171 at a town hall her son’s charter school hosted. Since July, in discussions about reopening, that institution has been stressing the need for immunizations, Woods said. "As a parent, I am the primary care manager of my child," Woods said. "How can one finite decision be kept from me and you effectively be able to be the care manager? It makes no sense. Where's the infrastructure to take care [of those issues] after? I hope there would've been more substance to speak to all of these issues." For more than a week, an online petition by Kymone Freeman of We Act Radio demanding Bowser’s veto of Bill 23-0171 has made its rounds. Conversation about the bill has unfolded at a time when Bowser is petitioning the Trump administration for the infusion of COVID-19 vaccines for healthcare workers. While she alluded to the difficult choice before her on a recent edition of the Kojo Nnamdi Show, Bowser didn’t explicitly indicate whether she would sign Bill 23-0171. The Informer was unable to establish contact with Bowser’s office for comment on this matter. The D.C. Council first deliberated Bill 23-0171, also known as the Minor Consent for Vaccinations Amend-
ment Act, last year amid a nationwide measles outbreak. However, the legislation gained traction this year during a pandemic that has infected more than 23,000 people in the District and killed more than 700. If signed by Bowser and approved by Congress, Bill 23-0171 would allow minors to consent to vaccination approved by the U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. To facilitate this process, D.C. Department of Health would be required to create an age-appropriate vaccination information sheet. Under Bill 23-0171, medical providers administering vaccinations can also receive insurance reimbursements without parental approval. In cases where parents are refusing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine or utilizing a religious exemption, medical providers can also seal students’ immunization records and send them directly to schools. Similar processes for minors under the age of 12 currently exist in the District for abortions, contraception, prenatal care and mental health services. During the final reading on Nov. 17, the D.C. Council approved Bill 23-0171 by a 10-3 vote with an amendment introduced by Councilmember Vince Gray (D-Ward 7) absolving insurance companies, once notified about vaccinations administered under this law, of the responsibility to send documentation to parents explaining their benefits. Councilmembers Robert White (D-At large), Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), and Trayon White (D-Ward 8) voted against the measure. Councilmembers White and McDuffie joined their Ward 8 colleague who rejected Bill 23-0171 at the initial reading out of a concern that minors, like his son, aren’t old enough to make sound medical decisions without parental guidance. Freeman said he had similar concerns. The local activist, whose son would also be affected by Bill 230171, countered concerns about what some supporters of the bill have characterized as a widely anti-vaccination stance. Citing the polio vaccine and Spain’s ability to secure a high rate of vaccination without a mandate, he said his apprehensions about the legislation stem from the rushed devel-
opment of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the need among some council members to twist Black Washingtonians’ arms. “This issue in D.C. has fallen along racial lines. The majority who are for it are white and elitist. The people who are against it are Black and don’t have the same resources,” Freeman said, adding that the state’s assumption of parental rights and hiding of medical records could diminish trust in new vaccines. “The Black community doesn’t have the same experience of the system caring for us,” Freeman added. “The [COVID-19] vaccine has been rushed. It hasn’t gone through the clinical vaccine trials. There’s no financial incentive for them to come up with a cure. If it’s a treatment, you’re a repeat customer. The U.S. medical health system is based on capitalism.” WI
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1963 – The East African territory of Zanzibar gains its independence from the United Kingdom. 1964 – Civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. receives the Nobel Peace Prize. 1967 – Soul singer Otis Redding dies in a plane crash near Madison, Wisconsin, at age 26 along with four members of the Bar-Kays. 2005 – Seminal comedian Richard Pryor dies in Los Angeles at 65 after a longtime battle with multiple sclerosis.
DEC. 11
1926 – R&B singer/songwriter Big Mama Thorn ton of "Hound Dog" fame is born in Ariton, Ala bama. 1938 – Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner is born in Phil adelphia. 1964 – Soul singer Sam Cooke is fatally shot by a motel manager in Los Angeles. He was 33.
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1940 – Grammy-winning singer Dionne Warwick born in East Orange, New Jersey. 1963 – East African country Kenya gains its independence from the United Kingdom. 1975 – The National Association of Black Journalists is
founded in Washington, D.C. 1995 – Willie Brown wins a runoff election to become the first Black mayor of San Francisco.
DEC. 13
1916 – Pro boxer Archie Moore, the longest-reigning world light heavyweight champion of all time, is born in Benoit, Mississippi. 1967 – Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Jamie Foxx (top) is born in Terrell, Texas.
DEC. 14
1945 – Writer and music critic Stanley Crouch is born in Los Angeles. 1963 – Jazz singer Dinah Washington (above) dies in Detroit at 39 of an accidental overdose on sleeping pills.
DEC. 15
1833 – William Augustus Hinton, a doctor and professor who was the first Black to publish an academic textbook and developed the "Hinton Test" for diagnosing syphilis, is born in Chicago. 1934 – African-American teacher and businesswoman Maggie Lena Walker, the first female bank president of any race to charter a bank in the United States, dies in Richmond, Virginia, at 70. 1943 – Jazz musician Thomas "Fats" Waller dies in Kansas City, Missouri, of pneumonia at 39.
DEC. 16
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6 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
1976 – President-elect Jimmy Carter nominates Andrew Young as ambassador to the United Nations. 2000 – Colin Powell is appointed by President George W Bush as the first African-American to serve as secretary of state. 2003 – President George W. Bush signs H.R. 3491, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture Act, which authorizes the creation of a Smithsonian Institution museum. WI
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The story behind the Christian tradition of Christmas – that is the birth of Christ – was etched into my memory decades ago. But for children, while Jesus may be the reason for the season, Christmas is all about family gatherings, taking trips to visit grandparents and of course, trying to keep their noses clean so that they remain on Santa’s “nice list.” However, after reaching the age during which St. Nicholas lost his hold over me and my every-waking thought, there were other elements of the season that grew in both importance and relevance, most notably the sights, the sounds and the smells of Christmas. When I was a little boy, our family only had one color TV in the house – believe it or not. It was a very heavy RCA television that Daddy had placed in the living room. I guess we were lucky to have what was then a technological wonder since some of our relatives, in their exuberance to experience “color TV,” had taken their black and white components and placed strips of crepe paper across the screen for a unique “colorful encounter.” Indeed, necessity is the mother of invention. With my mother and most
of my aunts being elementary school teachers, and with Momma having an unquenchable love for music and laughter, it was a foregone conclusion that when any of the Christmas movies were being shown, we’d all converge in front of the television. I would be warm and cozy in my pajamas that featured “the feet” sewn in since I could never seem to keep up with both of my slippers. My parents would sip on their specially-concocted “egg nog cocktails” while I nibbled on Christmas cookies, sweet potato pie and homemade vanilla ice cream. But it was the movies that made those evenings with my parents and my older sister so unforgettable. More than 50 years later, I still remember every lyric, every phrase uttered by the characters – even most of the song-and-dance routines which were foundational to my favorite Christmas movies.
My earliest memories are of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” who learns that being different should not be viewed as something negative. We all have our unique gifts and talents. The point is embracing them and discovering how they can contribute to the larger community. I still know all of the words to those Burl Ives classics. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” also had several messages – lessons for both children and adults. It made me laugh. It made me cry. It made me shout. And with its beau-
8 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
tiful music, it even gave me inspiration. After all, it was Schroeder playing versions of “Jingle Bells” and then Beethoven who inspired me to begin playing the piano.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” always seemed rather silly to me. But after becoming a father and later a grandfather, I grew to understand the multiplicity of teachable moments that can be found and shared in this holiday classic. And by the way, just where did Cindy Lou Who and the rest of the Who people come from, anyway? And were there any Who people of color? That’s a thought I’ve had in recent years. A few films have become almost as important to me as prayer in the morning, quiet time for reflection after dinner and daily walks to the
DOMINIC Page 38
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Bowser Administration Launches Relief for COVID-19-Related Housing Woes James Wright WI Staff Writer @JamesDCWrighter
With the surge of coronavirus cases increasing in the District as the winter months set in, the Bowser administration has created a program to aid renters and housing providers who have been economically harmed by the pandemic that some critics call inadequate. On Nov. 30, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled Housing Stabilization Grants (HSG), a $10 million program designed to aid housing providers to help cover missed rent payments. Bowser said the program is needed in the face of the city’s economic woes due to the pandemic’s growing presence. “This pandemic has forced an unprecedented and disproportionate financial burden on our low-income renters, through no fault of their own,” the mayor said. “By allowing housing providers to apply for assistance on behalf of tenants, we can provide swifter relief. The Housing Stabilization Grants will help us protect our affordable housing stock and keep An eviction moratorium was imposed earlier this year coinciding with the mayor’s declaration of a public health emergency. Nevertheless, Bowser said she didn’t want renters to delay seeking assistance in taking care of their rental obligations. The HSG will pay 80 percent of delinquent rent, up to $2,000 per month, if the housing provider forgives the remaining 20 percent. It also provides grants to small housing providers with 20 units or less in their portfolio. Applications are due Dec. 11. The District has in place the COVID-19 Housing Assistance
Program (CHAP) and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). CHAP serves as a $6 million initiative funded by community development block grants to assist low-income renters who are behind as a result of the public health emergency. ERAP helps low-income renters also with overdue rent including late costs and court fees and a security deposit and/or first month’s rent for a new living space. Eliana Golding, an affordable housing and workforce development policy analyst for the D.C.
On Nov. 30, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled Housing Stabilization Grants (HSG), a $10 million program designed to aid housing providers to help cover missed rent payments. Fiscal Policy Institute, applauded the District government’s efforts to help housing insecure District residents, noting, “It is clear that the administration is making efforts to offer assistance to people struggling to pay rent as a result of the pandemic. “However, the funding levels for the existing relief programs will not come close to meeting the full need,” she said. She said the $10 million HSG, complemented with
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CARES ACT funding, which must be spent by the end of the year, will not provide enough rental assistance to keep people in their homes when the eviction ban is lifted. Golding said, “We know that the number of applications for assistance, particularly for ERAP, is not representative of the need because people can only apply once for ERAP. “We want to see a plan for longterm investment in stabilization and support for renters,” she said. The leaders of Cancel Rent DC said while the Bowser administration’s programs “are a step in the right direction” the HSG will be insufficient to meet the needs of District tenants. “As little as 625 households will get aid under the HSG,” leaders of the program said in a Dec. 4 news release. “As of October, 28,000 D.C. residents were behind on their rent affecting Black D.C. residents as well as those who are from immigrant backgrounds and in the working-class.” Cancel Rent DC wants the District government to forgive rent for residents undergoing a financial hardship due to the coronavirus. The organization also wants the city government to reimburse landlords for the rent cancellation through a fund that will be operational as long as the pandemic exists in the city. “Landlords must agree to keep their properties up to code and hold off increasing rents until the economy stabilizes,” the statement said. “Finally, there must be a permanent prohibition on eviction for non-payment of rent owed during the crisis. There should be no evictions during the public health emergency and 90 days afterward.” WI
5 Mayor Muriel Bowser. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
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WORDS TO LIVE BY “With nationalism per se there may be no quarrel. But narrow, exclusively self-centered nationalism persists as the outstanding dynamic of world politics and is the prime obstacle to enduring peace.” – Ralph Bunche
the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, Dec. 10, 1950. 10 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
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AROUND THE REGION
D.C. Jail-Based Advisory Neighborhood Commission Seat Remains Vacant James Wright WI Staff Writer @JamesDCWrighter An advisory neighborhood commission seat in Ward 7 that includes the D.C. Jail has remained empty since its inception earlier in the decade and even during the Nov. 3 general election cycle prompting a leading returning citizen advocate and two leaders in adjacent commissions to call for the position to be filled. Advisory neighborhood commission district 7F07 came into being in 2012 as a result of redistricting by the D.C. Council based on the 2010 decennial census. Since its beginning, 7F07 hasn’t had a commissioner and Charles Thornton, the chairman of the D.C. Corrections Council and a former director of the city’s Office of Returning Citizens, expresses outrage the district’s residents have had no representation on the neighbor-
hood level for almost 10 years. “The people who are in the D.C. Jail plus the Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter and the St. Coleta School in the District should be represented and I am bothered by the fact that no one has done anything about it,” Thornton, who works as a special assistant to the D.C. Office of Human Rights also, said. “Ten years ago, the population for the single-member district was higher than it is now. There were enough people to have a commissioner then and even now and inmates are eligible to run for the 7F07 position. However, no one told them that.” Thornton said if 7F07 had a commissioner, concerns about the D.C. jail could be addressed by District officials. “Commissioners hold ‘great weight’ in consultations with government officials,” he said. “Government officials have to listen to commissioners and give a great deal of consideration
to what they say. It’s one thing for an inmate to write letters and send complaints but it’s another if you are an elected official even as an inmate.” Nevertheless, Thornton said he knows there will be challenges for a D.C. Jail commissioner. “Would he be able to attend monthly meetings, even virtually?” Thornton said. “Also, he would have to educate the population about what an advisory neighborhood commissioner is and what does he do.” Thornton said the D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) and the D.C. Board of Elections (DCBOE) should have informed the inmates at the jail of their voting rights and the opportunity to serve as a commissioner. He did note that after the D.C. Council passed a law in July that allowed convicted felons to vote, activity toward getting inmates to participate in the political process, including running for commissioner,
took place for the general election. Chander Jayaraman, who serves as the vice chair of the advisory neighborhood commission 6B, thinks 7F07 should be filled and has been active in that effort. “The D.C. Jail used to be part of ANC 6B,” Jayaraman said. “That area used to be in 6B11. It is important for someone to fill that spot because they can address the issues that people in the jail face and with a commissioner residing there, their concerns will be heard and can be addressed by city officials.” Jayaraman said residents who live near the jail and organizations such as Restore the Vote and Neighbors for Justice, have worked to inform inmates of their political rights and have engaged both the DOC and the DCBOE in ensuring the commissioner’s position can be filled. Jayarman said a
VACANT Page 44
5 Charles B. Thornton is the chair of the D.C. Corrections Council. (Courtesy photo)
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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 11
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Displeasure Felt Toward Metro’s Service Cuts Plan
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer and Hamil Harris WI Contributing Writer @jabariwill
Ken Wyatt walks about two blocks from his home in Hyattsville, Md., to the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station to use the Green Line traveling to work at the Library of Congress in southeast D.C. During Wyatt’s future commute on the Green Line, Metro officials propose to close two Metrorail stations in the District on his route: Mt. Vernon Square and Archives. He also rides the train on the weekends, which the transit agency
suggests needs to shut down during that time in order to help close a projected $495 million deficit next fiscal year. “Closing the Metro on the weekends will have a tremendous affect on all types of working-class people such as federal government, local government, retail worker [and] grocery clerks,” Wyatt said Saturday, Dec. 5. “You have to take into consideration that some people have part-time jobs which requires to work weekends. Having the Metro open on the weekends will be beneficial to all.” The usually bustling New Carrollton Metro Station appeared almost empty Saturday morning with only
one parked car and two people sitting at a bus stop. The coronavirus pandemic has affected the nation’s third largest transit agency that includes a plan to offer 45 percent of the pre-pandemic bus service. Here’s a summary of the proposed fiscal year 2022 budget where public hearings could be held next month, the spending plan approved in March and then go into effect in July. Some of the plan includes: • Closing 19 Metrorail stations. • The remaining Metrorail stations open would have trains run every 30 minutes, close by 9 p.m. and offer no weekend service. • No Yellow Line trains would run north of Mt. Vernon Square in Northwest. • Metro would either modify or shut down about half of the bus routes. There’s also a proposal to lay off up 2,400 workers by July. The agency already approved to amend this year’s fiscal budget last month to cut up to 1,400 positions, but the hope will be employees accept buyouts. Metro’s Finance and Capital Committee met Friday, Dec. 4 with its first chance to respond to the drastic service cuts. Stephanie Gidigbi, the board’s vice chair who represents D.C., said commuters need assurance they can return riding the bus and Metrorail.
5 A usually bustling New Carrollton Metro station in Prince George’s County resembled a ghost town Dec. 5. (Hamil Harris/The Washington Informer)
“I think that is a real opportunity to really provide a new vision for the system, especially as we recognize that people have choices. It’s important for us to amplify and share that message that we’ve been working to build back better for the riders,” she said. “I’m not sure that this budget as it stands now that we’re rushing to put out for public comment speaks to that piece.” Board member Michael Goldman agreed and said there’s two reasons to wait until next month to formally present the proposal for public comment versus when the board meets Thursday, Dec. 10: Congress could pass a federal stimulus package and
Prince George’s Police Reform Report Completed William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
5 Protesters hold signs during a Sept. 15 rally outside Suitland High Schools against school resources officers in Prince George’s County schools. (FILE: Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
12 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
A Prince George’s County police reform work group completed a final report with 50 recommendations, including not hiring officers fired or resigned while under investigation for misconduct, County Council approving a use-of-force statute and revise the police department’s hiring policies. Another proposal would reduce the size and eliminate arrest powers of security personnel in the public schools. However, the plan to completely removing security detail known as school resource officers (SROs) isn’t listed in the more than 100-page document. “That is what we will be advocating from the school board,” Krystal Oriadha, one of the 23 members on the work group, said Thursday, Dec. 3. “I feel confident and hopeful that the new school board [with two new people
elected last month] will vote in solidarity with the community to remove SROs from schools.” Oriadha, a local activist who co-founded PG Changer Makers, said a percentage of any payouts and settlements should come from the police department budget, “but that recommendation didn’t make it, either.” In September, the county agreed on a $20 million settlement with the family of William Green, who got shot six times while handcuffed in a police cruiser in January by former county police Cpl. Michael Owen Jr. The family’s attorney, Billy Murphy, said the figure represents the largest in Maryland and one of the biggest in the nation for an unlawful shooting by police. A court date for the former police officer has been scheduled for March 22. The work group became established after the police department faced public scrutiny from a June 18 report
written by Thomas Graham, a former 33-year veteran with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Part of the report revealed white police officers allegedly used racial slurs and retaliatory methods against fellow Black and Latino officers. The nearly 94-page document also highlights white officers also allegedly used racial epithets toward residents, white officers didn’t receive disciplinary actions for various incidents and Black and Latino officers got transferred to other offices for speaking out against alleged misconduct. Hours after the report’s release, then-Police Chief Hank Stawinski resigned. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks appointed Assistant Police Chief Hector Velez as interim chief as a search continues for a permanent leader.
REFORM Page 13
a possible rollout of COVID-19 vaccines this month. “I think they will have a big impact on this [Metro] budget,” he said. “Ridership and revenue should be recovering by July 2021 [and] with the vaccine more available.” Metro General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld said the financial outlook appears bleak. He stressed the need for more financial help from the federal government, especially with about 35 percent of those workers who utilized the transit system. Because of the pandemic, some commuters have made “a personal decision” to not come back and use the system right now. “That’s why we want to go out to the public. We want to hear more that so we can adjust…but we’ve got to find the dollars to do it,” Weidefeld said. “If we get the federal dollars, we can basically react from what we’re hearing from the public as the dollars are coming in. The messaging gets much stronger if you can provide the higher-level service and you need the dollars to do that.” Other board members understood the agency’s plan, especially with limited financial assistance from the federal government and cash-strapped state and D.C. governments. Lawmakers in the region expressed concerns about eliminating bus routes and closing 19 Metrorail stations. The agency proposes to close two stations in the District’s Ward 2 section of the city, Federal Triangle and Smithsonian. “Thousands of people travel to and from Ward 2 for work, school, tourism and entertainment, and many of them rely upon a vibrant
PG METRO Page 44
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PGCPS BRIEFS
Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer
NO CLASSES
Dec. 11: Professional Development — Schools closed for students Dec. 24-31: Winter Break & Christmas Holidays — Schools and Offices Closed Jan. 1: Winter Break & New Year’s Holiday – Schools and Offices Closed
BOUNDARY INITIATIVE
Beginning in January, PGCPS will host a series of virtual public meetings to gather community input on its Comprehensive School Boundary Initiative, with the goal of developing potential adjustments for 165 new, expanded or consolidated school facilities. During the virtual public meetings, the Boundary Initiative team will discuss the process and analysis, and hear from students, families, educators, and community members regarding their boundary priorities. Below are a series of upcoming community conversation dates: South County — Thursday, Jan. 7, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Spanish language — Saturday, Jan. 9, 10 a.m. to noon Central County — Tuesday, Jan. 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. North County — Wednesday, Jan. 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. A second round of community engagement activities will take place during the spring and summer.
FREE MEALS, IMMUNIZATIONS
Meals are free for all PGCPS students through Thursday, Dec. 31 at schools or community delivery sites on Mondays and Wednes-
days between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Please note that the upcoming holidays may impact this schedule. In addition, PGCPS will continue to host free immunization clinics throughout December in Wellness Centers at Bladensburg, Fairmont Heights, Northwestern and Oxon Hill high schools. Families must register online for an appointment. Immunization services are offered in collaboration with the Prince George’s County Health Department and the Maryland Partnership for Prevention.
DISTANCE LEARNING UPDATE
Due to ongoing monitoring of COVID-19, PGCPS will continue distance learning until further notice. As part of this effort, the school system is seeking additional ways to support students with special needs and English Language Learners, understanding that their circumstances may be different than others. To better understand COVID-19, Schools CEO Monica Goldson has been meeting with a medical advisory team regarding the latest health metrics. The team, composed of experts across the medical field, shares their knowledge and guidance on the raging pandemic and the risks and impacts reopening schools will have on staff and students. This information will allow Goldson to make critical decisions that best support students and their loved ones. WI
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
REFORM from Page 12
Alsobrooks said in a statement Friday, Dec. 4 she plans to announce by late January which recommendations to implement. “As a community, we continue to confront each and every challenge that we face together, and I know that our collective efforts on this issue will ensure our Police Department becomes a model for the nation,” she said. Meanwhile, the Graham report coincides with a lawsuit filed in December 2018 led by the Hispanic National Law Enforcement Association. The police reform work group didn’t address any current or pending lawsuits. The HNLEA legal team comprised of representatives from the Arnold & Porter law firm, Kay Scholer of Northwest, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and the ACLU of Maryland issued a statement one day after the work group released the document Dec. 2. They summarized how the Graham report proved racist and retaliatory
practices occurred in the police department. “Although the Task Force is recommending some important changes which we have sought in our lawsuit,” according to a statement from the legal team. “It is unfortunate that it did not address a number of other critical issues that Black and Brown officers who challenged rampant racial discrimination and retaliation in PGPD recommended be addressed and that are central to remedying the problems at the department.” The recommendations at https://bit. ly/36x418t are separated into five policy areas: community engagement and quality services; employee recruitment and retention; financial management; independent oversight, compliance and integrity; and internal policies and county regulations. Some of the suggestions include: • Reducing the size of security personnel in the schools and reallocating money toward mental and behavioral services for students.
• Creating financial incentives, such as salary increases or tax credits for housing, for police officers to reside in the county, • Conducting an annual financial audit of all settlements, fines and other payouts related to the police department. • Establishing an Office of Integrity and Compliance that would include hiring a race and gender equity director. • Making sure officers distribute business cards “on routine traffic stops and during other interactions.” The report also highlights use of force data, attorney fees and service calls, noting, for instance, that of the 487 excessive force allegations against county police between 2018 and Dec. 1 of this year, approximately 253, or 51 percent, of them involved Blacks presenting accusations of abuse by police. During the same period, about 200, or 41 percent, of the racial demographic of those individuals are labeled “unknown.” However, no whites made any complaints of excessive force. WI
5 Immunization services are offered in collaboration with the Prince George’s County Health Department and the Maryland Partnership for Prevention. (PGCPS photo)
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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 13
BUSINESS Black Male Nonprofit Founder Supplies Chromebooks for Students Brigette Squire WI Contributing Writer
When a global plague generates an employment and parenting catastrophe that threatens to dig an already deep hole deeper for Black America, somebody needs to come over the horizon with help, right? Meet Gerald Moore, who walked away from a cyber-security career and waded into the dilemma of how to
inspire and educate black schoolboys, equip them with basic computer hardware and steer them into the gap between white and non-white participation in the high-tech world. “When the pandemic first hit, and schools shut down in March, we were able to pivot … and launch a successful online computer science program,” Moore said recently of his non-profit entity --Mission Fulfilled 2030.
His goal is to prepare Black boys to play a role in the technology arena that already sees only five percent participation by Black males. By 2030, he says he wants to have prepared 100,000 students from under-priviledged and underserved communities to “meet the digital high-tech workforce demand of 2030.” So far, Mission Fulfilled 2030 can point to modest success in Hyattsville, Md. at the St. Ann Center for Children, Youth and Families where his non-profit has provided eleven Chromebooks, a printer, and all the services they need to keep them running. Moore also addresses parental needs. Prince George's resident Milekia Green says that she and her son, who is in PreK, were challenged with logging on properly, due to not having appropriate equipment. A laptop promised by her son’s school never arrived, so they were trying to do schoolwork on a smartphone. “We were not able to accomplish much using the phone because people kept calling and it was very frustrating,” Green said. “Gerald came right on time. The process was very fast. It was amazing. The laptop
5 Aja Ross and son TiAndre Williams, fourth grade, receive a Chromebook at St. Ann’s Center in Hyattsville, Md. from Gerald Moore on Nov. 25. (Brigette Squire/The Washington Informer)
worked great and my son was able to do his schoolwork much easier.” “I felt a little greedy for asking but I knew that we could use the Chromebooks,” Sister Mary Bader, a nun at St. Ann’s, where homeless single mothers find temporary shelter. “I know that many school systems and students are struggling to just have technology because there is such inequality in terms of who has and doesn’t have access to what is needed.”
Moore said he has found laptops using corporate donations and raised $11,000 this year but is still financially short. To support this effort, please visit www.missionfulfilled2030.org, and to donate go to this site https:// bit.ly/mf2030givingtuesday . Families in need with students in the U.S. who are in grades K-12 may apply for Chromebooks via a case for support form via http://bit.ly/mf2030-cfs. WI
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BUSINESS
Holiday Shopping in U.S. Curtailed by COVID-19 Health Pandemic Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia Black Friday spending fell below last year’s totals, as many economists anticipated, primarily because of the worsening pandemic, the country’s high unemployment rate and continued concerns over moratoriums on student loan payments, rent/mortgages and utility bills – most of which will end Dec. 31. And with only a few weeks remaining before Christmas, the Washington Informer asked folks what items, if any, remain on their shopping lists and how the pandemic has affected their plans. “I’ve actually noticed that I’m spending more since the pandemic started but my spending behavior has changed,” said Stephen Jones, the chief marketing officer at 420 DC, the District’s cannabis directory. “I’m being more intentional with my spending and focusing on things that can actually improve my life or will make a good life-improving gift for someone else. And gifting, in general, is a larger chunk of my spending this year,” Jones relayed. Julie Ramhold, a consumer analyst with DealNews.com, a shopping comparison website, said spending so much time at home this year has meant wanting to have more entertainment options. “We’re opting to shop book and movie sales to stock up on titles that we can use to create our own traditions this year – namely a holiday movie marathon and a new tradition for us for Christmas Eve that will involve reading books and eating chocolate in the spirit of the Icelandic tradition,” Ramhold said. According to the National Retail Federation, fewer holiday shoppers bought gifts during the five days from Black Friday to Cyber Monday and those who did spent less, as discounts started early this year. The retail trade group said about 186.4 million shoppers bought holiday gifts, food, or decorations from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. According to CNBC, that’s less than the 189.6 million shoppers who
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bought items during that period last year but higher than the 165.8 million who shopped in 2018. “It’s been a year for the history books. In an attempt to bring a little normalcy into the lives of the people I care about, I’m going to treat this year’s holiday shopping like any other year,” declared Todd Ramlin, the manager of Cable Compare. “I’ll be social distancing and all the other safety precautions but in terms of spending and gifting, it’ll be just like other years. I’ve been doing most of my shopping online for years so nothing new there,” Ramlin said. “I will, however, be shopping earlier since I think the demand for delivery is going to outpace capacity. It won’t be exactly like years past, but hopefully, it’ll be a little more normal than the rest of the year has been,” he said. Benjamin Smith, the founder of Disco Skincare for Men, said the pandemic has taught him and many others a valuable lesson about how and when to shop. “If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s life is too short to be so caught up in frivolous values,” Smith said. “With the tanking economy looming over our heads, I personally have been a little more conscious about how I am spending my funds, especially with so many suffering. I want to focus on fostering the holiday spirit in the most frugal and thoughtful ways possible.” James Watson, the owner of Omaha Homes for Cash, said he’s among those who have learned to spend wisely because of the pandemic.
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“This holiday season, spending is only done out of necessity. Being a full-time nurse and owner of a house flipping company, I am lucky to have incredible job security during these
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unprecedented times,” Watson offered. “Regardless, if the economy around us falls apart, no person or profession is immune to hard times.
I am using this opportunity to count my blessings, spend only when necessary and help those around me who are struggling more than myself,” he said. WI
DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 15
NATIONAL Will the Black Community Be Last in Line for COVID-19 Vaccine?
Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
The first wave of coronavirus vaccines should reach the public this week with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] recommending that all adults receive the vaccination in 2021. While the CDC noted there should be enough doses for as many as 20 million people to re-
ceive vaccination by the end of December, health officials expect a much larger supply in the coming months. Still, with distrust of the vaccine and limited participation in clinical trials, some remain ambivalent as to whether African Americans will accept vaccination. Meanwhile, other raise the concern that even if the Black community generally complies with recommendations to take the vaccine, will an adequate sup-
ply of the vaccine be available. “I’m guessing white folks will be first in line,” Monica Roderick, a Temple Hills mother of four, opined. “One reason I shudder when I hear people talk about how Black people are still suspect because of the Tuskegee Experiment
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and other vaccines that ended wrong is because it tends to give other folks the greenlight to leave us out.” “This virus is the worst thing the world has seen in 100 years. It’s too important not to consider the vaccine especially since most people affected by the coronavirus are black and brown.” Trust issues aside, the next controversy on the immediate horizon is whether African Americans will have access. The initial supply certainly will overwhelm demand, CDC officials said. The federal government plans to distribute the vaccine in phases with health care workers and patients in long-term health care facilities slated to be first in line. Recommendations suggest that senior citizens and those with high-risk comorbidities and essential workers will be next. After that, state and local government officials will determine when others, still waiting in line, will receive a vaccination. So far, most states have yet to develop a concrete plan. The federal outline reportedly fails to include explicit details about reaching marginalized populations like the Black community who have suffered the most. “I’m looking at social media and I’m seeing [Former President] Barack Obama saying he’ll take the vaccine on television and I’m shaking my head,” said Tonia Everhart, a nurse who works in a Northeast-based hospital. “First, understand that Obama
isn’t necessarily the most trusted voice in the Black community and he’s not a doctor,” she said. “While I understand what he’s trying to do to encourage participation and eliminate fear, our community needs Black medical professionals, trusted voices, to say it’s okay to take the vaccine. Then we need to be assured that we are not going to be left behind when the vaccine becomes available,” Everhart surmised. Health officials agree. “You need that deep community engagement to strategize and inform what needs to be done, community by community,” Eric Toner, a senior scholar with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, who was the lead author for Johns Hopkins’ Covid-19 vaccine allocation framework, told NBC News. That means engagement of local leaders, from pastors to principals, to reach hesitant individuals, he said, adding that such strategies are particularly key to reaching historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities. “That is a public health priority not only for ethical and moral reasons but because that’s where a lot of the transmission of the disease is happening,” Toner added. “It’s absolutely true that we can’t reach them solely through public messaging. States need to be working now to create the relationships in those communities with trusted leaders to encourage people to seriously think about getting vaccinated.” WI
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NATIONAL COVID-19 Vaccines in Maryland Expected to Arrive Before Christmas
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
Maryland officials announced Tuesday the first batch of 155,000 COVID-19 vaccines could be distributed as soon as next week. Gov. Larry Hogan said during a press conference in the State House in Annapolis that two companies, Pfizer and Moderna, anticipate approval soon from the federal Food and Drug Administration [FDA] that would distribute the vaccines. The vaccines would be distributed in phases with the first for those who reside in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. In addition, health care workers would also receive a vaccine. Those individuals would be in priority groups labeled “1A.” Pfizer could receive approval from the FDA the week of Dec. 14 and Moderna the following week. Hogan said the state could re-
ceive up to 300,000 doses at the end of the month. Hogan also announced the state Health Department issued an order for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals who will administer the vaccines “with appropriate training.” “The calvary is coming. A vaccine is on the way,” Hogan said. “But it is absolutely critical that we continue to fight this virus with everything we got. We all need to get doing the things that we know that will help keep us safe.” However, some American have expressed concern in taking an unknown vaccine. According to a national Gallup poll conducted between Oct. 19 to Nov. 1, about 37 percent of “nonwhite adults” expressed concern about taking a vaccine through a rushed timeline while 30 percent said they plan to wait to confirm if it’s safe.
Marylanders who participated in a Goucher College poll in October showed a near split on taking a FDA-approved vaccine with 49 percent saying they would not agree to a vaccine compared to 48 percent who would. “To help demonstrate confidence in the safety of the vaccine, Lt. Gov. [Boyd] Rutherford and I will both take the vaccine in public as soon as it becomes available to us,” Hogan said. “We will be leading a statewide public health campaign urging all Marylanders to get vaccinated.” Dr. Jinlene Chan, the state’s top health official leading the effort to distribute vaccinations, said the vaccines have shown a “high level of effectiveness” and minimal side effects during clinical trials. Some of the side effects include: mild fever, joint aces, or pain in the place of the injection. Chan said a second dose would be required with Pfizer distribut-
5 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan speaks during a press conference Dec. 8 at the State House in Annapolis. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)
ing a second dose 21 days after the first dose and nearly a month later after the first administering of the Moderna vaccine. Chan summarized how the vaccine would be given in phases with another group labeled “1B” for
people with significantly health care risks such as chronic pulmonary disease and heart conditions. She said the group represents about 800,000 Marylanders.
MD COVID Page 44
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Ganduje Takes Fresh Action After American University Denied Appointing Him As Visiting Professor The Kano State government in Nigeria has demanded an apology from the East Carolina University over the fake professorial appointment offered to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, NaijaNews reported on December 6. The demand follows the clarification by the university that Ganduje’s purported appointment as a visiting professor in a letter by one Victor Mbarika, a member of its faculty, wasn’t authorized by the institution. It added that Mbarika is not authorized to make such appointments or sign such letters on behalf of the university. Mbarika’s letter had suggested Ganduje has been appointed senior mentoring scholar and visiting full professor of E-Governance and International Affairs at East Carolina University in the United States of America (USA) but days after the appointment was celebrated by the Kano State government, university management denied the appointment. Reacting to the saga via a statement on Sunday, Dec. 6, signed by the Kano SSG, Usman Alhaji, the state government said the development is an embarrassment to Ganduje. It also demanded the university take disciplinary action against Mbarika, the faculty member who signed the initial letter, and also demanded an immediate apology from the university. “We are deeply saddened by the uproar stirred up by this controversial appointment that attempted to embarrass the person of the governor and the good people of Kano state,“ the statement noted. The statement also described Governor Ganduje as a man of integrity, denying he ever made any backdoor moves to secure the position from the American university or any other institution within or outside Nigeria. WI
caribbean now Bradshaw Encourages Students to Give Back to Society
Barbados Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw has reminded students that they hold important responsibilities when it comes to giving back to civil society, Barbados Today reported on Dec. 6. Bradshaw’s remarks came at Friday’s launch of the Giveback Programme at the Barbados Community College. The programme has undergraduate students from a majority of the tertiary institutions on the island volunteering services to several public and private companies. Bradshaw said that with government investing large amounts of money each year into educating people on the island, it was only fair that students, in some form or fashion, volunteer during some of their downtime, in order to push the country forward. “We recognize that we just couldn’t be a government that gave a handout, and in turn try to beat into you a sense of responsibility. We recognize that we had to inspire you to join with us in understanding how important giving back education and educational opportunities are, but equally that you understand as well that this is not something that we are just trying to get you to do because we put aside funds to pay for [education]. This is something that is really who we are as a people,” Bradshaw said. She added: “We, perhaps, have moved away a lot from that sense of civic responsibility and giving back in communities; Barbados has changed so much over the course of the last few decades that people tend to focus more on themselves. They tend to focus more on their families, on their individual wants and needs, as opposed to looking at society as a collective. So we wanted to make sure that through this programme, that we inspire you as students to start to think about ways from now, that you can be able to create a Barbados that you want to live in.” Principal of BCC, Annette Alleyne, said it was important for students to engage in voluntarism as it helps develop their work ethic for future employment. WI
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December Message from Department of Aging and Community Living Laura Newland, Director, Department of Aging and Community Living Happy Holidays! Normally, around this time of year, my entire team is preparing to welcome you to the DC Armory for a day of festivities—celebrating all the extraordinary things that you’ve accomplished and the many ways you show us how to live boldly. But these days are anything but normal. Instead of getting together for fellowship, dancing, and sharing a holiday meal, we’ve had to put our annual celebration on hold to keep each other safe and help flatten the curve. This year has been challenging in so many ways—not being able to see your grandchildren, spend time with friends and family, or even hang out at one of our wellness centers. Like many of you, I’m tired. I miss seeing my family and friends. I miss seeing your faces out in the community or at one of our many events throughout the year. I miss dancing with you and learning new things about our great city from the many talks we’d have in person. But even though it’s been a hard year, I know some of you can remember a time where things were much harder. And through those hard times, you managed to remain resilient, find joy, and stay hopeful. Today, we look to you as our example for what resilience means, for finding joy, and for having hope. And during these challenging times, you continue to remind us of who we can be— individually and together. You’ve raised families at a time when our country was in turmoil and our city was struggling. You’ve weathered through crises, recessions, and hardships, showing us how to keep ourselves and our communities strong and healthy. You’ve rebuilt communities, served our country, and instilled our DC values into generations of Washingtonians. You’ve seen this city through its highs and lows, and managed to make it the Washington, DC we all know and love today. Because of your faith, strength,
and joy, I’m hopeful. I’m hopeful for what 2021 has in store for all of us. And it’s going to be new and bright for so many reasons. We have a new President coming to the White House, making history with the first woman and woman of color as our Vice President-Elect, Senator Kamala Harris. We have a possible COVID-19 vaccine coming, helping us get closer to putting an end to this pandemic. And we have the opportunity to continue to learn new and exciting ways to connect with each other – and that’s a real gift! Sometimes, when we’re forced into
situations like the ones we’ve experienced this year, we learn something really powerful – we learn the power we have within ourselves and the power we have through our connection with others. And as 2020 comes to a close, I can truly say what I’m most grateful for is my connection to you. That makes my world so much brighter. Thank you for being a part of my world. Have a safe and prosperous new year. With Gratitude, Laura Newland
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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 19
HEALTH COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 Rental Relief for Virginia and Maryland Residents James Wright WI Staff Writer @JamesDCWrighter Financial assistance is available for Virginia and Maryland residents who are suffering from housing woes due to the coronavirus pandemic. In Virginia, Virginia Housing offers relief to COVID-19 pandemic victims through its Virginia Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP). The program distributes
funds to tenants who have been behind on rent since April 1. The landlord component of the RMRP can be utilized by owners of Virginia rental properties with leases to qualifying tenants. To qualify for the program, tenants must have: • A valid lease in their name; • Household total rent payments at or below 150 percent fair market rate; • The household total gross income is equal to or less than 80 percent area median income for lo-
cation; and • The household has experienced a loss of income due to COVID-19 due to layoffs, workplace shutdown, reduction in hours, loss of spousal/child support, inability to find work due to COVID-19 or other coronavirus-related circumstances such as staying at home due to childcare responsibilities and workplace amenability to the virus. The household cannot receive rental assistance from other sources, including but not limited to federal, state and local rental assistance programs. Documentation such as pay stubs, bank statements, letter from employer, Social Security and pension documents, leases and mortgage statements showing housing status are must accompany the application. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 30. For more information, call 1-877VHDA-123. In Maryland, residents impacted by the pandemic and grappling with housing concerns can go to the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). DHCD
5 Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced a $50-million program to help Virginians who are facing eviction. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan started a similar program. (Courtesy photo/WUSA9)
has a $20 million Assisted Housing Relief Program intended to help bring rental delinquencies current for those units and provide direct payments to eligible property management companies. The program will allow tenants in eligible properties to be credited with up to a nine-month rent rebate which will eliminate their rental debt and eviction threat. Eli-
gibility for the program consists of: • Leaseholder in an eligible property. • Not receiving other forms of rental assistance. • Delinquency exists on rental payments due between April 1-Dec. 31, 2020. • Delinquency due to COVID-19. For more information, call 301429-7400. WI
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HEALTH
College Park Researcher Devoted to Plight of African-American Male Shooting Victims Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer Steven “Smack,” Stax talked about arriving by ambulance at the trauma unit of a D.C. area hospital suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the abdomen. “My first thought was, ‘Don’t die,’” said Stax in an interview from his hospital bed that was part of the documentary “Bullets Without Names.” He went onto say, “When I got shot at 23 I kept thinking how my brother got shot and died at 23.” But a University of Maryland scholar is devoting his professional, and personal, efforts to averting that kind of trauma and steering African Americans away behaviors that lead to street violence, emergency room drama and even post-traumatic stress that leads to more violence. And he’s approaching one victim at a time with what he calls a “violence intervention specialist.” “When young men are lying in that [hospital] bed and they’ve been injured…that’s when they’re thinking of changing their life around,” according to Dr. Joseph Richardson, co-founder of the Capital Region Violence Intervention Program, a hospital-based violence intervention program, at the Prince George’s Hospital Trauma Center in Cheverly, Md. After gaining a victim’s trust, the men are engaged in “cognitive behavioral therapy to deal with that stress” followed by efforts to “get them in school…get them a job and help them turn their lives around,” Richardson, acting chairman of the African American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. The goal is to keep street violence victims from repeating behavior that put them in harm’s way to “help you change your thinking, your behavior,” Richardson said. All this is done by trained clinicians and therapists who are trying to steer victims
After gaining a victim’s trust, the men are engaged in “cognitive behavioral therapy to deal with that stress” followed by efforts to “get them in school… get them a job and help them turn their lives around,” Richardson, acting chairman of the African American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park. from the criminal life, how to cope with the tendency to “be hypervigilant” and ready to fight, he said. After hours of surgery Stax would get a colostomy bag because his intestines were too infected from bullet wounds. But eventually Stax would heal and his bowel would be reconnected surgically and placed back inside his body. ”You can imagine the psychological impact of wearing a colostomy bag for more than six years,” said Richardson who was the main speaker at a webinar that was entitled, "Life After the Gunshot: A Digital Storytelling Project on the Impact of Structural and Interpersonal Violence and the Healing Process for Young Black Men". It was sponsored by the Baha’i Chair for World Peace. Richardson has spent years researching the impact of shootings on African American males, said many trauma victims, like another young in D.C., wore a colostomy bag for six years despite going from a hospital to prison, parole and back to the hospital for a second multiple shooting.
”That is an example of the structural violence that not only occurs on the streets but in the healthcare system,” Richardson said. ”He was outside with his friends in Clay Terrace in Northeast and a squad of police jumped out. Thinking this was a rival gang they started firing. He was hit five times. One bullet went through his back and the bullets hit his abdomen.” Richardson declined to give the young man’s name or whereabouts today because of security reasons. So far, the program has treated 116 men, of whom only one has been re-injured and one has been re-arrested. According to Richardson’s research , homicide due to gun violence, is the leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. among young Black males (ages 15-34). He added approximately 2.3 million Americans are incarcerated and 40 percent of them are Black despite representing only 13% of the US residents. Additionally, 4.5 million US residents are on probation and parole. It is expected that one out of three young Black men will be incarcerated at some point in their lifetimes. “Gun violence and mass incarceration not only contribute to early mortality and social death among this population, they also impose significant physiological and mental health trauma across the life-course,” Richardson said. Richardosn is not alone in the task of trying to prevent violence. Abdul Raheem Abdullah spent years in the District working with middle school and elementary students to help them stay clear of violence. “Sometimes you have to take them out of the community to show something different. Abdullah was the director of Operations at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the late 1990’s. He said in terms of street violence today he said, “It's not getting better it is getting worse.” WI
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EDUCATION Developer, Organizers Coordinate Special Youth Service Learning Project Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins For two weeks, nearly a dozen elementary, middle and high school youths formed bonds, increased their financial literacy, and cleaned
portions of the Anacostia neighborhood as part of a program coordinated by a local developer and the community organizers who’ve long worked with the adolescents. In the midst of a pandemic that has confined thousands of young people to their homes, the young-
sters who participated in these service learning projects and online workshops said they thoroughly enjoyed interacting with their peers, and embarking on group walks that helped them see their community in a new light. “The relationships were cool,” said Isaiah Minder, a ninth grader and one of ten young people recently recognized for their acts of service in the Banneker-Blueprint Ward 8 Outreach Program. “I was one of the older people, [so] I would sit in the back while we picked up trash and tell them if they missed something,” Isaiah added. On Nov. 28, when they received their award, Isaiah and other young men cleaned portions of Talbert Place, Shannon Place, Good Hope Road, 16th Street, and W Street with the Banneker-Blueprint Ward 8 Outreach Program. In the weeks leading up to that milestone, they engaged their mentors in virtual sessions about life skills and mon-
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5 After months of seclusion, a group of middle and high school youth canvassed and cleaned parts of the Anacostia neighborhood as part of a two-week enrichment program. (Courtesy photo)
ey management, and discussed the harsh realities of life on the streets. “In the long run, if I see them [out and about] alone, we would have to come together,” Isaiah said in reference to the younger people he befriended over the two weeks. “I don’t want anything to happen to them. I see [a future of] friendships and making bonds to provide the things this community doesn’t have.” The Banneker-Blueprint Ward 8 Outreach Program coalesced through a community benefits agreement (CBA) for the Clara on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue between local developer Banneker Ventures and Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8A. The Clara, onetime home of America’s Islamic Heritage Museum, the Clara Muhammad School, and Shabazz Bakery, will soon be the site of 81 affordable housing units and ground floor retail space. Earlier this year, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) announced that nearly a dozen projects, including the Clara, would receive further underwriting from the Department of Housing and Community Development. Omar Karim, president of Banneker Ventures said that, while the CBA with ANC 8A mandates the hiring of community members on the construction project, the firm has established a relationship with the community well before construction is scheduled to start in 2021. For example, Banneker Ventures hired an undergraduate student from Ward 8 as a development intern. Last month, Banneker Ventures sponsored its third annual Thanksgiving turkey drive and giveaway with WKYS 93.9FM, and collab-
orated with the Office of Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White (D) to serve 90 families. Months before the pandemic, it distributed books and school supplies for youths returning to school. When local schools shuttered, the firm reached out to Warees Majeed and Duane “Cousin Wayne” Cunningham, two community organizers and founders of Blueprint Development Consultants who, along with Andrew Smith El and Larry Bradley, launched more efforts to help District youth and families. “We partnered with a longtime institution [and] that made it easy for us when we went into the community with the development plan,” Karim told The Informer. “Everyone across the city has been supportive [and] we’re grateful to ANC 8A, the mayor, Councilmember White and all of the housing agencies in the District, including DHCD, DCHFA and DCHA,” he added. “We came up with a robust community benefits package with the things we would do and we started doing them. Our hope is that this CBA will be an example for other developers to follow.” In October, protesters gathered on the site of the MLK Gateway Project to contest what they alleged is the developers’ failure to hire D.C. residents. Protesters’ comments about Latino workers on site during the protest later drew the ire of politicos and community organizers in D.C.’s Latino community. With no end in sight to the pandemic, frustrations about dire economic conditions, public safety and other issues of concern continue to run high. Violent crime has, in
SERVICE Page 44
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EDUCATION Maryland Lawmakers Briefed on Child Custody Report William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
When the Maryland General Assembly convenes for its legislative session Jan. 13, lawmakers will consider proposed recommendations on child custody proceedings that could be some of the most comprehensive in the nation. Some of the suggestions include identifying the role, responsibility and cost of a custody evaluator, implementing an “income-based fee structure” toward custody evaluations and other legal fees and incorporating specific definitions of child abuse and child neglect. A work group which held 14 meetings between June 2019 and July of this year summarized two dozen recommendations for lawmakers to assess during a joint briefing Monday, Dec. 7 before members of the Senate Judicial Proceedings and House Judiciary committees. The group, chaired by Secretary of
State John C. Wobensmith, was created in a bill passed last year to assess how state courts process allegations of child abuse and domestic violence and analyze scientific research of children in traumatic situations. “You have placed Maryland on the forefront in dealing with this issue, which is a horrific problem across the nation,” Wobensmith said. “Attorneys, advocates and protected parents across the United States have been following the work group activity and are looking forward to our next steps.” One major focus in the work group’s report at https://bit.ly/2VR8Zqw underscores the need for judges to receive more rigorous training when it comes to domestic violence and child abuse cases. A judge currently receives about 20 hours of training. The report suggests tripling that number to at least 60 hours and complete another 10 hours every two years for a judge who continues to be assigned on child custody cases dealing with domestic violence and child abuse.
Some of the training would include familiarization with the dynamics and effects of physical and emotional child abuse; provision of protection for families and sealing records; and setting standards for the knowledge, experience and qualifications of child sexual abuse evaluators and treatment providers. “The entire nation is watching what Maryland is doing,” said Joan Meier, a clinical-law professor at George Washington University. “Maryland is the only state that’s ahead on these issues right now.”
FAMILY RELATIONS TRAINING NEEDED
The work group’s report cited a nationwide study by Meier which highlights how parental alienation became “regularly” used to discount mothers’ allegations of adult or child abuse. Among domestic violence abuse claims, the courts “credited,” or believed, mothers made against a father about 45 percent of the time. The fig-
5 Maryland State Senate Judicial Proceedings and House Judiciary committees hold a joint briefing Dec. 7 on a work group’s recommendations regarding child custody proceedings. (Screen grab: Maryland General Assembly)
ures decrease when it dealt with child physical abuse at 29 percent and child sexual abuse at 15 percent. These cases didn’t deal with parental alienation claims, which deal with fathers who state in court how mothers allegedly try to isolate or separate a child from a parent through words and actions. When an alienation claim gets presented, the figures are lower among all
three offenses at 37 percent for domestic violence, 18 percent for child physical abuse and two percent for child sexual abuse. About 13 of the more than 4,300 cases highlighted those from Maryland, according to the report. The study didn’t determine wheth-
LAWMAKERS Page 38
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Visit www.communityenergycenter.org to learn more. The Community Energy Center, a cooperative with the National Newspaper Publishers Association and National Association of Hispanic Publications Media, will provide information and perspectives on the integral role of the energy sector in daily life for American families in a wide range of communities.
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In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Washington, D.C. 20032 Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 news@washingtoninformer.com www.washingtoninformer.com
PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes STAFF D. Kevin McNeir, Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/ Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Assistant Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Sports Photo Editor Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor ZebraDesigns.net, Design & Layout Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Dr. Charles Vincent, Social Sightings columnist Tatiana Moten, Social Media Specialist Angie Johnson, Circulation REPORTERS Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Timothy Cox, Will Ford (Prince George’s County Writer), Jacqueline Fuller, Hamil Harris, D. Kevin McNeir, Kui Mwai, Lee Ross, Dorothy Rowley, Brenda Siler, Lindiwe Vilakazi, Sarafina Wright, James Wright,
WORDS FROM THE EDITOR
“Bad Guts” Are No Laughing Matter By Dr. Shantella Y. Sherman WI Special Editions Editor
It has become routine in popular culture to reduce stomach and digestive issues to crude jokes about flatulence or having “bad guts.” Comedic scenes, including one made famous by John Witherspoon in the Friday film series, depict people chowing down on all manner of foods, and then running full speed with their stomachs in turmoil to the nearest bathroom. Witherspoon’s “Pop” character uses the refrain, “Get out of the way, y’all know I’ve got these bad guts!” all the way to the commode. While it is good for a quick giggle, the implications of poor digestive health, are no laughing matter. 5 Dr. Shantella Sherman (Photo by India Kea) An estimated 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive diseases, many of which began as minor and avoidable ailments in childhood. Most concerning about these numbers is the seeming disconnect between what we ingest and how it either nourishes or depletes our overall health. In 2018, for instance, thousands of young adults were treated in emergency rooms across the nation for stomach complaints after consuming Frito-Lay Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The seasoning of the product -- maltodextrin, salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate, yeast extract, citric acid, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, and Yellow 5 -- can lead to severe abdominal pain, ulcers, erosions, peptic ulcer disease, and gastritis, according to a Medical Daily report. And despite the warnings, schools in California, New Mexico and Illinois have had to ban Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Takis, and other spicy snacks from their campuses because students could not get enough of them. “I loved the fact that the Cheetos were super-hot, and my friends and I would wash them down with Coke or root beer every day during 11th and 12th grade. We laughed about how it tore our stomachs up,” 19-yearold Tabitha York told the Informer. “Last year that belching and burning in my stomach turned into acid reflux that was so bad it made me breathless like I had asthma.” York said eating spicy foods seemed a natural progression to adulthood in the same way adults drink whiskey or other hard liquors that “burn going down.” She also said she never connected the burn with potential longterm damage to her digestive system. “When I saw that Chadwick Boseman had died from colon cancer, it made me take pause because it was reported that he didn’t find out until it was Stage 3. That made me think that maybe there were warning signs – like my burning stomach or constipation – that most of us ignore that delayed his seeking help,” York said. “It was life-altering for me to comprehend that I could shorten my life by not taking my digestion seriously.” This may be easier said than done for most Americans if recent research on colorectal screenings is considered. With advanced screenings readily available, a Transnational Behavioral Medicine study found that nearly half of the home screening kits for colorectal cancer issued by physicians are ever returned for evaluation. “The nation seems to have an aversion to discussing poop. We watch some of the most gratuitous and explicit things on television and can talk a blue streak about most things, but feel uncomfortable getting real about the color, consistency, frequency, and smell of our poop,” homeopath Duonne Adams said. “Your poop indicates the fitness of your organs and bodily systems. It offers insight into weaknesses and failures in your body that are life-threatening. It’s time to stop whingeing and start winning.” The very real connections between what we eat, how well we digest food and eliminate waste, and our overall health, are the focus of Gastronomics: A Washington Informer Quick Guide to Good Digestive Health. Let’s end the ‘bad guts’ punchlines in 2021! Read, Learn, Grow (and Heal)! Dr. S
PHOTOGRAPHERS John E. DeFreitas, Ja’Mon Jackson, Shevry Lassiter, Roy Lewis, Jr., Robert R. Roberts, Anthony Tilghman
www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT
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Strike a Pose! Yoga for Good Gut Health By A. Elisabeth Currie WI Staff Writer The origins of yoga are varied and complex. Yoga historians do, however agree, that the practice was developed more than 5,000 years ago in India for the purpose of Hindu and Buddhist spiritual harmony and mental enlightenment. Centuries after its beginnings, and as the practice moved to the Western parts of the world, yoga became popular primarily for its well-established techniques to rejuvenate and purify the physical body as well as the mind. It also helps promote good gut health. Modern yoga incorporates breathing exercises, meditation, poses and postures, called asanas, designed to encourage relaxation, reduce stress, build flexibility, and strengthen muscles. Harvard Health Publishing describes Hatha yoga, a combination of several other styles of yoga, as one of the most popular styles. “It is a more physical type of yoga rather than a still, meditative form. Hatha yoga focuses on pranayamas (breath-controlled exercises). These are followed by a series of asanas (yoga postures), which end with savasana (a resting period). The goal during yoga practice is to challenge yourself physically, but not to feel overwhelmed. At this “edge,” the focus is on your breath while your mind is accepting and calm.” However, in addition to the mental and external physical advantages, yoga students and medical practitioners are discovering a plethora of internal benefits as well. Leading nutritionist and yoga teacher Fiona Tuck reveals, “yoga works on a physical level by stimulating the internal organs via various asanas. It also helps to soothe the sympathetic nervous system, decreasing stress levels and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which helps us rest and digest.” The American Nutrition Association says “70,000,000 people
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suffer from some form of digestive issues on a daily basis. Bloating, indigestion, flatulence, heaviness, and cramps bring a lot of discomfort and restlessness…, whether this discomfort is due to overeating, over-indulging, constipation, hyperacidity or irritable bowel syndrome.” An unhealthy digestive system is the root cause of many diseases. An effective digestive process of ingestion, the breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, and elimination of indigestible food, wastes, and toxins gives energy to the body and produces a clear mind. As more and more people turn to yoga, research and studies support the apparent health benefits experienced in the bodies’ internal organs and functions. According to the Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, “a case study compared 186 patients with chronic diseases, including gastrointestinal, who regularly practiced yoga with 186 patients who did not practice yoga. Patients who practiced yoga reported better overall health status and physical quality of life than those who did not.” In addition, The Art of Living Foundation lists the following digestive benefits of yoga: Asanas stretch the body, massaging the abdominal muscles. This helps food to move efficiently along the digestive tract. g Some asanas apply gentle pressure on the organs in the gut, while others help relieve abdominal tension. g The twisting asanas help “wring out” some of the abdominal organs, enabling more efficient bowel movements (peristalsis), and relieving constipation. g Asanas also improve circulation of blood to the digestive organs, thus aiding digestion. g The body is effectively detoxed. Toxins accumulated from a bad diet, unhealthy lifestyles, and stress are flushed out. g Historical research into this ancient practice, along with modern medical evidence, make clear the benefits that a regular yoga
routine can provide to your overall health as well as the benefits to your digestive system. Incorporating some yoga time into your daily schedule will make a noticeable difference to your gut health. HS
An effective digestive process of ingestion, the breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, and elimination of indigestible food, wastes, and toxins gives energy to the body and produces a clear mind.
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It’s Not Too Late for Your Flu Shot Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia Millions of people get the flu each year. The flu is worse than the common cold and can bring symptoms like fever, chills, aches, sore throat, cough, and fatigue. It can cause infections of the ears and nose passages. It can even bring serious problems like pneumonia and inflammatory conditions. But there is a way we can help protect ourselves against this virus. Almost everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year.1 December 1 to 7 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. December is not too late to get your flu shot! Receiving a flu vaccine lowers your chance of getting the flu by about half. The flu shot is not only the best way to help protect yourself against the flu — it also helps protect those dear to you. If you spend time with young children or older adults, who are more vulnerable to the flu, getting a flu shot each year is very important.1
WHO SHOULD GET THE FLU SHOT?
Almost everyone age 6 months and older should get a new flu vaccine each year. The virus that causes the flu changes over time, so researchers develop a new vaccine every year to keep pace. Each year’s vaccine extends our protection against older flu viruses, and helps protect us against new ones1 Some people are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of the flu. They have more risk of developing complications from getting sick with the flu. For these people, it’s especially important to get a flu shot each year. They include:1 • Pregnant women
• Children younger than age 5 • Adults age 65 and older • People with long-term health conditions, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer
WHO SHOULD NOT GET THE FLU SHOT?
Children who are younger than 6 months old should not yet get a flu shot. Also, anyone who is currently sick may need to wait until they return to health before getting the vaccine.1 If you have had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine in the past, or you are allergic to eggs or gelatin, talk with your primary care provider (PCP) before getting the vaccine. Also talk with your PCP if you have had Guillain-Barré syndrome. This is a disorder of the immune system.1 The information in this document is to help you learn more about this topic. It is not to take the place of your health care provider. If you have questions, talk with your health care provider. If you think you need to see your health care provider because of something you have read in this information, please contact your health care provider. Never stop or wait to get medical attention because of something you have read in this material. Sources: 1. “Flu (Influenza),” Vaccines. gov, https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/flu. 2. “Misconceptions About Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconceptions.htm.. All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model HS
Almost everyone age 6 months and older should get a new flu vaccine each year. The virus that causes the flu changes over time, so researchers develop a new vaccine every year to keep pace. www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT
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#BestMe MYTH OR FACT? FLU VACCINES CAN CAUSE THE FLU. Myth! What’s true is that a flu vaccine can leave some people with side effects, which are most often mild. They are not the flu itself. These side effects include:1 • Pain, swelling, or redness in the place of the shot • Fever • Headache • Muscle aches • Upset stomach
MYTH OR FACT? IT’S BETTER TO GET THE FLU THAN A FLU SHOT. Myth! It’s safer to get a flu vaccine than to risk serious health problems from getting the flu. Any
person with the flu has some risk of developing a health complication. These can become serious enough to cause a hospital stay or death. Of all people, young children, older adults, and people with some long-term health conditions have the most risk of the flu becoming serious.2
MYTH OR FACT? STOMACH FLU IS DIFFERENT FROM THE FLU. Fact! The flu is a respiratory illness. But some people say “stomach flu” to refer to sickness with digestive symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Many different germs, like viruses, bacteria, and parasites can cause these digestive symptoms. It’s rare that these symptoms come from having the flu virus.2
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DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com
All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model.
‘Tis the Season for Planning, Preparedness, and Peace… Donna Smith Compassion and Choices African American & Washington DC Outreach Director I love the holidays and take great care to plan and prepare for them. I plan my meal and my guests weeks in advance. I review the Christmas decorations to see if they are all in working order and if I need to update any of them. I clean the house thoroughly to prepare for guests who might drop by. I prepare a feast fit for the kings, queens in my life. I
deck the house out in fall and Christmas attire. This year for me, like most of you, has been a little different and difficult. The CoVID 19 virus has hit our community especially hard and has exposed what we long knew to be true. The systemic bias in healthcare leads to poor health outcomes for communities of color. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci said in June that Black people are more likely to be adversely affected by COVID-19.
What Are Your Advance Healthcare Plans? Compassion & Choices is committed to helping people navigate their end-of-life options and make informed healthcare decisions. Having a plan in place gives everyone peace of mind.
“African Americans have suffered disproportionately from coronavirus disease,” Fauci said on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ podcast Learning Curve. “They’ve suffered in that their rate of infection is higher because of the nature of the economic status that many of them find themselves in when they’re outside working, being unable to physically separate.” Fauci added that a high incidence of underlying symptoms within the African American community put those individuals “at much greater risk of suffering the deleterious consequences, including death.” There are times when I am simply overwhelmed with the lasting effects of racism on our communities and our very bodies. The fact that we have had to not spend time with friends and family in order to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe, has been also been emotionally taxing. The truth is the economic toll of the virus has added extra pressure during the holidays, which are already hard for some of us. While there are promising vaccines, the reality is they will not be available to the masses until next spring. Until then we must remain vigilant and continue to plan and prepare our community to deal with the virus at hand. In addition to staying home, wearing a mask we must make plans for ourselves and our loved ones in case we are no longer able to make decisions for ourselves. How do we want to be cared for, who should be notified, Who will speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself? There are things we can do Plan and Prepare.
community accountable for their lack of cultural competence and health equity. We must advocate that those in power enact laws that address healthcare disparities and if they don’t replace them with those who will. What else can we do?
PREPARE
We can as a community commit to educating ourselves on the issues, thereby Empowering us to be our own best advocates. We can better prepare ourselves and families for situations beyond our control. Make sure we have wills, living wills, life and health insurance state documents properly filled out and recorded. Fill out an Advanced Health Care Directive- each has their own variation but this document allows one to determine what their wants and needs are if they are unable to make their own healthcare decisions ( If I’m in a coma or have dementia) . It also allows them to share with family and friends and appoint a healthcare proxy to speak for them. We also must ask for second and third opinions if necessary. We must prioritize the patients wishes and we must have these necessary conversations in advance as much as possible. The time to have these needed conversations are not in the emergency room when no one is in the right mind to make decisions. The time to have these conversations are when you are in reasonable health in a non-crisis situation where people can have dialogue and ask questions in the hope that they will all be on the same page about their loved ones priorities at the end. And although must of us will probably be gathering with relatives on Zoom instead of face to face the gathering of dear ones provides a good environment to talk to the ones we love about what we want at the end. Tis the season to provide the PLAN gifts of peace and preparation. Clearly, we must hold the medical HS
Visit CompassionAndChoices.org/planning for all of our FREE end-of-life planing tools and start having conversations about your end-of-life care today.
www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT
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Balance Eating Habits During the Holidays to Avoid Tummy Troubles By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Staff Writer At the best of times holiday stress can wreak havoc on digestive systems. This year, with the added stress and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus, including economic woes, an inability to travel, and restrictions on family gatherings, stress levels may reach an all-time high. New research conducted by the Nourish column of WebMD, reports stress and anxiety as leading factors in why Americans consume excessive proportions of food. Physiologically, stress produces levels of cortisol in the system, increasing the body’s typical cravings for fatty, salty, and sugar-heavy foods – and adding to long-lasting gut troubles. Marissa Jones, the Regional Director of Operations at The Center for Discovery’s Eating Disorder Division Jones told ABC News that the isolation caused by COVID-19 can cause stress and anxiety, pushing some to use food in unhealthy ways. “A lot of times, people are using food to cope with emotions, to maybe numb out their emotions or to avoid their emotions,” Jones said. “And that’s not a helpful adaptive way to cope through this challenging time.” Additionally, eating foods high in fat, salt, or sugar releases feel-good hormones like dopamine, which activate pleasure centers in your brain. Over time, according to the National
Institutes of Health, the body may associate these pleasure sensations with certain foods, which tend to be high in fat and calories. This process may eventually override hunger regulation, encouraging people to eat for pleasure rather than hunger. During the holidays, many Americans throw caution to the wind and pile plates high with all manner of comfort foods. In fact, few people expect to navigate holiday parties without the requisite tummy troubles: gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. But there are long-term negative effects to overeating. To break down food, the stomach produces hydrochloric acid. When a person overeats, this acid may back up into the esophagus resulting in heartburn. Overeating -- especially unhealthy foods -- can take its toll on a digestive system. Digestive enzymes are only available in limited quantity, so the larger the amount of food you eat, the longer it takes to digest. Frequent overeating slows digestion allowing undigested food – now waste – to remain in the digestive tract or intestines for longer periods of time. This is where chronic conditions, including cancers take root. g This holiday season, experts advise Americans to be mindful about when and how they eat. g Focus on family and friends, not solely the food. g Do not start a big meal on an empty stomach.
g Avoid skipping meals on the big day. When hungry, we tend to overeat.
Use a small plate and fill it once. Fill up your stomach with those nutrient-dense options first. g g
g Eat before you drink alcohol and do not substitute alcohol calories for nutrition. HS
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DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com
Fill Holiday Cravings with Fruits and Veggies! By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD Safeway Wellness Corporate Dietitian Tis the season for caroling, tree-trimming, and of course looking forward to (and even craving) our favorite holiday dishes. Speaking strictly with gastronomy in mind, part of what is special around the holiday season is the food, am I right? It’s a time when certain dishes or foods are celebrated and enjoyed, some perhaps with cultural significance. And by the way, food cravings are not necessarily a bad thing. Mindfully enjoying our favorite dishes instead of depriving ourselves of them, generally leads people toward moderation and away from emotional eating. For other strategies to promote balance and to help us enjoy the fun and flavors of the holiday season without derailing our healthy eating momentum, look no farther than your produce section! When we focus on including gorgeous and delectable fruits and vegetables in our appetizers and on our plates, we just naturally end up eating less of those higher calorie-lower nutrient foods.
FALL FOR FALL FRUITS THIS HOLIDAY
Boost the fiber and nutrition of holiday favorites by adding Fall fruit to dishes such as salads, breads, side dishes or appetizers including pears, pomegranate, persimmon, cranberries, guava, kiwi, kumquat, oranges and tangerines! Pears are a perfect example of a fall fruit to feature in your holiday menus. The 10 types of pears that the U.S. harvests each year will fill your fruit basket all winter long. Enjoying pears every chance you get definitely helps promote health during the holidays with each medium pear providing more than 20% of the daily recommended amount of fiber (6 grams) and 10% of the daily value for the antioxidant, Vitamin C. Not to mention the other important plant compounds in pears including flavonoids, which may have strong antioxidant and possible anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity in the body. Expand your holiday horizons and think about enjoying fall fruit in new, inventive ways! Pair your pears, for example, with gruyere or goat cheese for an elegant appetizer or simply slide
them into your holiday salads. And try this recipe for Pear Pistachio Crunch, the epitome of a healthful sweet ending to a meal or holiday party.
FILL UP ON THE BEAUTIFUL BOUNTY OF IN-SEASON VEGGIES
potassium, 15% of magnesium, 17% of vitamin B6, 39% of vita-
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Cauliflower & Broccoli Au Gratin Ingredients: 1 medium head cauliflower 3 tablespoons chopped shallots 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 cup vegetable broth (or golden mushroom canned soup)
1 cup whole milk (low fat milk can be substituted) 1 teaspoon horseradish (or to taste) Black pepper to taste Salt to taste (optional) 2/3 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, packed (Swiss cheese or Jarlsberg can be substituted)
Rely on Fall veggies to balance any holiday plate! From bright orange to dark green, look for opportunities to feature pumpkin, sweet potatoes, winters squash and green beans, Directions: For example, for a festive color and 1. Cut the cauliflower into small florets (reserve the stems) and microwave on HIGH in flavor, microwave mashed sweet pota- microwave-safe covered dish until tender (about 2 minutes). to is added to our Harvest Rolls and 2. Start to heat a nonstick frying pan or skillet to medium-low and coat the pan with canola pumpkin is added to our waffles! cooking spray. Add the coarsely chopped cauliflower stems, shallots, and garlic and gently Sweet potatoes have a nice sweet sautĂŠ until soft (do not brown). Add the vegetable broth and cook until the stock is almost flavor that tends to increase with stor- evaporated. Transfer to a food processor or blender along with the milk, and pulse until age and cooking. You can pierce each fairly smooth. Add the horseradish and season with pepper (and salt if desired) to taste. sweet potato several times with a fork 3. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with canola cooking spray. Add the cauliflower florets to the dish if baking whole to the give the building and pour the milk mixture over the top. Gently toss to blend. Sprinkle the cheese over the steam somewhere to go. They can be top. Bake at 350-degrees for about 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown. baked, boiled, steamed or microwaved. One cup of uncooked butternut Yield: Makes 6 servings (double recipe if 12 servings are needed and use a 9 x 13-inch baking dish) squash cubes contains 5 grams of Per serving: 107 calories, 7 grams protein, 9 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fat, 3 grams satfiber and around recTRU S T O9% U Rof Pthe HA R M urated ACYfat, 1.6 grams monounsaturated fat, .4 grams polyunsaturated fat, 17 mg cholesterol, 3 ommended Pdaily R Oamount F E S S IofO folic N A L Sgrams fiber, 240 mg acid, 13% of vitamin B1, B3, and
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Maternal Health: Active Support During Labor Lead to Positive Childbirth Outcomes Sumayya Lane RN, CEO, Systems Supports for Social Stability, Inc.
BLACK MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among affluent counties in the World. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data collected nationally from 2016 show 16.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in comparison to 7.2 deaths in 1987. However, the Nation’s Capital holds the number one spot for pregnancy related deaths. Federal health data collected by United Health Foundation between 2010 – 2014, indicates that 41 women in the District die for every 100,000 live births. In response to this crisis, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser hosted the first Maternal and Infant Health Summit at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center as a counter to the increase of the District’s maternal mortality rate. DC City Council also approved a Bill establishing the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, which examines all maternal deaths along with possible cause, occurring in the District. Our Vice President-elect Kamala Harris sponsored a bill named the Black Maternal Health Mominibus Act of 2020, consisting of nine bills aimed to improve maternal health in the US; Rep. Lauren Underwood co-sponsored in
the House of Representatives. We must work together to combat this crisis and mitigate Black Maternal Mortality.
STANDARDIZED MEDICAL PRACTICES
Maternity practices currently in use by physicians were originally developed as interventions for life-threatening events. However, such practices as induction of labor, episiotomies (surgical incision made outside of the vagina), epidural anesthesia, artificial rupture of membranes, and mechanical (use of forceps) and surgical (Cesarean) deliveries have morphed into habits of convenience for the physician; not necessarily taking into consideration what may be best as positive outcomes for the women’s birthing experience. For example, Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) is routinely used in every hospital setting in the United States, confines the laboring women, inhibiting this natural process. Research studies prove that an increased incidence of surgical intervention (Cesarean deliveries), is linked to this standardized practice, and the potential in the development of morbidities with both mother and baby. EFM restricts the laboring women’s freedom of movement; its use is routinely implemented by medial staff upon admission to the labor unit. Monitors are placed on the mother’s abdomen, then connected to a bedside recorder, providing a graph for physicians and nurses to interpret character-
istic fetal heart rate tracings associated with fetal well-being. This procedure commonly leads to an assumption that there may be no alternative available other than EFM for health and safety of the unborn child. Additionally, this type of monitoring gives way for a false sense of security held by medial staff. Its dependence has the potential for rushed conclusions of fetal distress, negating performance of a full and total assessment of the laboring women prior to making a final analysis that an emergent procedure is optimal. Mechanical and surgical deliveries subject the laboring women to increased traumatic experiences. EFM was invented to detect fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and was intended for use only when the laboring woman had known morbidities such as hypertension or diabetes.
A COMMON OCCURRENCE
An expectant first-time mom goes to the hospital, via ambulance, suspecting she is in labor. Her contractions are coming every five minutes. Only having visited a doctor two to three times since her pregnancy, she is alone, afraid and in pain. The EMT’s rush her into the emergency room and is quickly triaged; she hears the doctor give orders for her to be admitted. After being wheeled to a room, clinging to the stretcher, the nurse comes in and immediately squeezes ice cold jelly on her taught skin, without notice, she winces while two small discs are
placed on her swollen belly, tethered to a machine. Told sternly by the nurse not to move, the only conversation she has had with the medical team was a question and answer session to obtain demographic information, and if she has insurance. There is little to no conversation as to what will happen next. The woman’s pain increases as the contractions become consistent. Suddenly, water shoots down from between her legs; she is terrified. The nurse rushes in, looks at jagged lines on paper being spit out of the machine next to her; the doctor is summoned. The first-time expectant mom is told she must have a Cesarean because the babies’ life is in danger. Confused, in pain, alone, she consents and is rushed into the operating room. Seconds later, a mask is pushed down on her face, listening to loud unintelligible background chatter, she blacks out. After surgery, groggy from the anesthesia and still in pain, the new mom is awakened and told she has a healthy baby boy. However, she just stares, without emotion, at the small bundle she has just been handed.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES
A women’s birthing experience should be held equally important as the health and safety of her unborn infant; an event that has a profound effect on her physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Supportive care, incorporation of a Doula (a trained technician in childbirth), assists the laboring women in promoting emotional support, helping with comfort measures,
and is present as a patient advocate. The inclusion of a Doula during labor cultivates feelings of control and competence; an evidenced based practice used to facilitate the natural physiologic processes of labor, reducing the need for pharmacologic and medical interventions. Experiencing the natural birth process allows for freedom of movement, consumption of liquids for homeostasis (natural balance), and reduction in duration of transition, the second stage of labor, and perhaps the most difficult of the three stages.
This health information was presented by Sumayya Lane, RN, and is taken from her research paper, “Effects of Active Intrapartum Support on Childbirth Outcomes”, written as a graduate student at Georgetown University. She is also CEO of Systems Supports for Social Stability, Inc., whose vision is to advocate for healthy conversation on social issues, seek to have optimal mental health with ourselves and family, take action to improve well-being in the Community. Website: www.freeyourmindproductions. net Contact@freeyourmindproductions.net HS
www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT
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Diverticular Disease: An Increasingly Common Ailment By A. Elisabeth Currie WI Staff Writer A healthy digestive tract begins with healthy eating habits. Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer are some of the most commonly known diet-related health problems. There are, however, a myriad of other conditions caused or exacerbated by the lack of proper nutrients from the daily intake of a healthy / balanced diet, routine exercise, and adequate amounts of water. Diverticular disease is a condition of the digestive tract. Diverticula are bulging pouches in the lining of the intestinal wall. The pouches are most often found in the lower part of the colon, large intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when one or more of these pouches in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected. Diverticular disease can be acute or chronic. Some of the most common symptoms include stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain on the left side that may be relieved by passing gas or a bowel movement. If the diverticula, the pouches in the intestinal wall, become infected then you may also experience fever, vomiting, or chills. “We know that a poor low-fiber diet does contribute to the development of diverticular disease, as the lack of fiber leads to an increase in intraluminal pressure in the bowel,” Professor Tom Oresland of Akershus University Hospital in Norway said in a recent Society of Coloprotology interview. “This promotes herniation and the collagen in the bowel wall contributes to its development. There are also likely to be genetic and other factors, which mean some patients will develop the disease despite having a high-fiber diet.” About half of all Americans over aged 60 will get diverticular disease. In addition, you are more at risk of getting the disease if you are male, if you are obese, if you do not get enough regular exercise, if you smoke; and if your diet is high in animal fat. The use of opioids, steroids, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil,
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Motrin IB or Aleve also reportedly contribute to its development. Typically, you develop diverticulitis as you age, however diverticular disease is also affecting millennials. Preston Ross, a 27-year-old Texas law school student whose parents reside in D.C., discovered he had the disorder after being rushed to a hospital during final exam week last Christmas. “I was in so much stomach pain. I had a really high fever and became delirious. A friend from school helped me get to the hospital and after loads of questions and tests, I was diagnosed with diverticular disease,” Ross told the Informer. However, this was not Ross’ first emergency room visit for severe stomach pain. Several years earlier, as an undergrad, he had a similar experience. “I was staying with family at the time. I had no idea what was causing the pain and so I took several over-the-counter medications, but nothing worked. My aunt realized I was really suffering and drove me to the hospital.” On this first visit the doctors misdiagnosed Ross’ condition as kidney stones, hard mineral deposits inside the kidneys. Experts say misdiagnosis in young people is unfortunately common because diverticular disease is normally seen in older adults. Diverticular disease can be identified by your physician through x-rays of the small intestine, the large intestine, and the rectum; a stool sample to test for abnormal bacteria; or a colonoscopy, via a tiny video camera, that looks at the entire length of the large intestine and the rectum. Mild cases may be treated at home with antibiotics, if needed for infection, and a liquid diet for several days until the intestines heal. You can then gradually return to a solid diet. In extreme cases, surgery may be needed. During a primary bowel resection, the surgeon removes the diseased segments of your intestine and then reconnects the healthy segments. The Mayo Clinic offers the following as possible ways to prevent diverticulitis:
g Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes on most days, to promote normal bowel function and reduce pressure inside your colon. g Eat more fiber rich foods such as fresh fruit (apples, peaches, and berries); vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, spinach, carrots, asparagus, and squash); and whole grains (breads, cereals) to soften waste
material and help it pass more quickly through your colon. g Drink plenty of fluids. Fiber works by absorbing water and increasing the soft bulky waste in your colon.
DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com
g Avoid smoking, which is associated with an increased risk in developing diverticulitis. HS
DC Leadership: Continue Support for Small Businesses Like Ours By Caple Green and Daweit “Lil G” Gebru This year has been incredibly challenging for small-business owners, especially for those on the east side of the city like us. Last winter, when the pandemic began and shutdowns and shortages soon followed, we kept our doors open so we could provide essentials to our neighbors who needed it the most. In Wards 7 and 8, where large grocery stores are far and few between, stores like ours went from places to stop for a snack and a drink, to being lifelines for our community. Thankfully neither of us had to shut our businesses down, but we are making hard sacrifices. Whether it means product cuts or costly layout changes to accommodate social distancing, we are doing whatever it takes to stay open and serve our community. We’ve even learned to navigate and embrace online ordering and delivery systems, to continue to take care of our neighbors and customers who can’t risk in-person visits. We adapted, always adjusting our
practices in response to the city’s guidelines. Even as our profit margins are suffering, our priority is to protect our employees and our customers so we can all return to normal someday. Now, just as we are starting to find our footing, there’s growing concern about a likely rise in COVID-19 cases that will impact businesses and residents alike. Black-owned small businesses are particularly vulnerable and almost twice as likely to fail. For businesses like ours, we have reason to be anxious, but also reason to be hopeful. Last spring, we were there for our communities when the pandemic first hit, just as DC leadership was there for us. We are confident that city leaders will again stand with DC’s small businesses as we anticipate another wave of the virus in the weeks ahead. We are more than a store to our customers. For those who can’t travel far or at all, local neighborhood stores are often the only option. And possibly the safest too, since
we can personally ensure that we always use protective measures such as hand sanitizer and masks. And for some, we are also the most personal connection. For instance, we let our elderly customers know when the lockdown began that we could deliver to them. In Wards 7 and 8, a small business closing is more than a store shuttering. It means a whole neighborhood and all the families living there might lose their access to daily necessities. We know that the city’s leaders recognize how essential we are to our communities. We appreciate the actions the DC government has taken to help businesses across the city keep their doors open. And we ask that the city’s leadership continue that support during the winter months, understanding the unique economic hurdles we face as small-business owners east of the river. We need to stay open so we can continue to provide for our neighbors and friends. Local businesses like ours are the heart and soul of DC. We’re a resil-
Daweit “Lil G” Gebru
Caple Green ient city with resilient people. If we work together, we will all come out on the other side stronger than ever. Daweit “Lil G” Gebru owns Elmira Market in Ward 8 and Caple Green owns Eclectic Cafe in Ward 7. Both
are members of the Alliance for an Affordable DC, a coalition made up of 400 businesses serving all eight wards who are united around issues impacting DC’s small business community and working families. HS
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rethink opioid addiction. rethink treatment. rethink recovery. © 2020 Indivior PLC | INDIVIOR is a registered trademark of Indivior UK Limited All rights reserved NP-NBD-US-00462 EXPIRY AUGUST 2022
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Good Gut Health: The Birth of Immunity By Akmal Muwwakkil WI Contributing Writer Digestion beginning before birth and increasing after birth when a child is breastfed, jump starts their digestion. Breastfeeding stimulates an infant’s digestive system as it builds immunity. Breastfeeding is an essential element of life that provides several nutrients to strengthen health, including oligosaccharides, which produces healthy small intestine (gut) bacteria to build immunity. When a child is unable to breastfeed, it restricts the development of digestion and immunity, resulting in health disorders throughout life. Digestion is the chemical process of breaking down foods into an absorbable blood plasma extract of nutrients, while expelling waste byproducts within eight to 24 hours. Digestion can begin in your mind, when you think, dis-
cuss, smell food aromas, or see the colors and textures of foods. These elements stimulate a chemical reaction within your gastrointestinal system (digestive tract) activating the secretion of enzymes. Enzymes break down starch in the mouth, protein in the stomach, and sugar and fats (lipids) in the small intestine. This process is the composition of immunity. Your small intestine (gut) is the powerhouse of immunity; its where waste byproducts from foods are separated and evacuated from your body, as nutrients are absorbed and assimilated into your blood. When your small intestine is unable to sperate waste from nutrients, this mixture flows into your blood, increasing the prevalence of health disorders and bowel issues. Consuming sugary, fried, fatty, greasy, denatured foods, as well as T:5.85" processed and white flour products, overcooked foods inhibit digestion.
Additionally, sodas and energy drinks laced with additive, preservatives, artificial color, dyes, hormones, drugs, and medications also compromise digestive flow. These elements result in health disorders and are responsible for improper digestion, weakened immunity, constipation, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), nausea, vomiting, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, Diverticulitis, bowel obstructions, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and even cancer.
DIGESTION AND BUILDING IMMUNITY HEALTH TIPS: Your body is 75 percent water. Fruits and vegetables contain distilled water, which should be calculated into you water intake plan. Too much water (hyponatremia) can be detrimental to your health. g
“
Knowledge is power.
Understanding what cancer
clinical trial options are available to
you and your loved ones
”
can make all the difference.
CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER Stand Up To Cancer Ambassador
WATCHING MY MOTHER GO THROUGH HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF CLINICAL TRIALS. When my mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer, I knew that I wanted her to have access to the best treatments available. The journey taught me about the importance of learning all that you can about the options available to you. I want all people diagnosed with cancer to have access to the treatments that can help them become long-term survivors. Cancer clinical trials may be the right option for you or a loved one. The more information you have about clinical trials, the more empowered you will be to seek out your best treatments.
Learn more at StandUpToCancer.org/ClinicalTrials Stand Up To Cancer is a division of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
g Drinking and eating at the same time reduces the enzymatic process increasing digestive complication. Drink enough water to ingest dietary enzymes and vitamins/minerals at a meal aids digestion. g Eating ripe foods in their harvesting seasons promotes good digestion, which allows you to receive more nutrients. Immature picked foods lack vital nutrients resulting in health disorders. g Vegetables nourish blood with minerals, vitamins, amino acids, etc. Chlorophyll, the green color in some vegetables oxygenate blood, were colored vegetables fight inflammation and other health disorders. Sea vegetables (weeds) provide a high concentration of minerals. g Overcooking vegetables reduce and can kill their nutrients. Steaming, lightly sauteed, baking or broiling are best. T:5.5"
Photo By JEFF KATZ
Your small intestine (gut) is the powerhouse of immunity; its where waste byproducts from foods are separated and evacuated from your body, as nutrients are absorbed and assimilated into your blood.
g Fresh and dry fruits are more cleansing and strengthening to your body. Peeling and cooking some fruits can reduce their nutritional values.
Whole grains are the staple of life. Whole grains like brown rice, barely, oats, etc. have valuable nutrients including dietary fiber, B vitamins, (folate, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin), and minerals (iron, magnesium, and selenium). B vitamins assist in digesting proteins, fat, and carbohydrates, reducing serval health disorders. According to FDA, refine grains have to be
fortified with B vitamins. Refining is when food manufacturers strip all the nutrients from grain. g Fiber moves waste by products through your colon promoting bowel consistency (apples, oats, barely, etc.) g Red Meat nutrients can be hard on digestion, which may cause bowel obstruction and lead to health disharmonies. Eat small pieces of meat, chew them slowly, well, and by itself. g Cold-water oily fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel, etc.) have an abundance of omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acid, (Alpha-Linolenic Acid, maintaining healthy heart and immune system, Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), reduces inflammation, and depression, Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) contributing to brain weight, development, and function). When selecting fish, make sure they are wild caught. Farm raised may have some unwanted chemicals. g Dietary supplements can also assist in building digestion and enhancing immunity. Digestive enzymes assist in the break down of foods in their proper body location. Probiotics and prebiotics build health gut bacteria, promoting a healthy immune system. Multi vitamin/mineral complex supports food nutrients to build immunity. g The bottom line: digestive health builds immunity from your food choices. Health disorders can be prevented through foods. HS
www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT
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New & Noteworthy Books about Gastro Health By Lee Ross WI Staff Writer Despite the expanse on books and magazine articles about proper digestive health, Americans continue to allow their stomachs – and more importantly, their cravings for ‘feel good’ foods – to dictate their eating habits. And as the Informer Quick Guide has documented, good overall health begins in the digestive tract and strengthens or weakens through our consumption of either the right or wrong foods. Here are a few books that will help encourage readers to kickstart their total health by being kind to their digestive systems.
Treating inflammatory bowel disease.
Recipes for Respect: African American Meals and Meaning
by Rafia Zafar Scholarship on food and literary culture constitute a growing discourse within literary and cultural studies but writing on African American food and dining remains largely uncharted. Recipes for Respect opens this examination, illuminating the role of foodways in African American culture as well as the contributions of Black cooks and chefs to what has been considered the mainstream. African Americans have often been stereotyped as illiterate kitchen geniuses, but this book analyzes the incorporation of preparation methods, ingredients, and cultural practices that set those myths aside.
Yoga Therapy for Digestive Health
by Charlotte Watts Digestive issues are widespread and prove difficult to address through mainstream medicine. Senior yoga teacher Charlotte Watts sheds light on the connection between the gut and the brain, explains the links between stress, trauma and digestive issues and demonstrates how yoga with its focus on stilling the mind can have profound effects on conditions such as IBS, IBD, acid reflux, colitis, diverticulitis and more. Breath awareness allows the breath to drop into the belly and diaphragm, essential for good digestive function and understanding the fascial connections within the viscera help shape movement that enables optimal function.
Digestive Health with REAL Food
by Aglaee Jacob Health begins in the gut. In addition to digestive disorders, many other health problems can stem from damage to your intestines, so tackling your digestion is crucial if you want to maximize your chances of obtaining optimal health. The information in “Digestive Health with REAL Food” will teach you how to address the root causes of your digestive troubles, and will help you build your own optimal diet by identifying the best foods for your digestive system: ones that are easy to digest, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense, healing, and low in irritants and allergens. The nutritional protocol in this book, developed by registered dietitian Aglaée Jacobs, addresses numerous digestive problems including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and many more.
Every day, Americans suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience painful and severe symptoms. Inflammatory bowel disease includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, that result in chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The chronic inflammation can lead to complications such as strictures, abscesses and even cancer. Some common symptoms of IBD are: • Persistent diarrhea • Abdominal pain • Rectal bleeding/bloody stools • Weight loss • Fatigue
Acid Reflux in Children: How Healthy Eating Can Fix Your Child’s Asthma, Allergies, Obesity, Nasal Congestion, Cough & Croup
by Jamie Koufman, Julie L. Wei, Karen B. Zur This is an important book that will help change how America eats and guide parents to heal our needlessly sick children and adolescents. There are 80 million infants, children, and teens in America, and most have unhealthy diets. Every year, tens of millions are misdiagnosed as having asthma, allergies, nasal congestion, ear infections, chronic
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At MedStar Washington Hospital Center, we understand that IBD diminishes your quality of life by disrupting your personal, professional, and social experiences. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we work with our patients to provide them with the best care. Our patients benefit from a full range of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical approaches to IBD. We offer high-tech imaging, minimally-invasive approaches, the latest state of the art medications, and a spectrum of lifestyle and nutrition support. Please reach out to schedule an appointment with our IBD Specialist, Dr. Nidhi Malhotra. 202-877-7108 For more information visit MedStarWashington.org
cough, and croup, when the real problem is acid reflux. A bad diet and childhood obesity are both strongly associated with reflux. So, when a child has a respiratory disease and is not getting better with medical treatment, we believe parents should consider that reflux may be the problem. Why? Because it can be fixed. Reflux is the greatest masquerader of our time. It can be the cause of almost any kind of respiratory symptom or disease. HS
DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com
Addressing the need for healthcare & healthy food Here in Greater Washington, D.C. people of color are being disproportionately impacted by this health and humanitarian crisis, requiring improved access to healthcare services and food assistance. At Bank of America, our commitment is unwavering. Building on work we’ve had underway for many years, we’re investing $1 billion over the next four years to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, and the well-being of our neighbors — including right here in Greater Washington, D.C. We’re partnering with local healthcare systems and nonprofits that are increasing medical testing and treatment capacity and are providing enhanced access to nutritious food. Together, my teammates and I are working for healthy, sustainable change here in Greater Washington, D.C. We’re committed to doing more, and doing more now.
Lawrence Di Rita Greater Washington, D.C. Market President
Healthier together Here in Greater Washington, D.C. we’re working with local organizations that are providing vital access to healthcare and nutritious food. They include: Martha’s Table DC Central Kitchen
To learn more, please visit bankofamerica.com/community Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender. © 2020 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.
www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2020 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL
Guns are Killing Our Children
It’s difficult not to shed a tear upon seeing the happy smile captured in so many photographs of one-year-old Carmelo Duncan. A little boy with bright eyes, an infectious smile and those chubby kissable cheeks is no longer with us. Someone murdered him. A gunman, who remains at-large, fatally shot Carmelo as he sat strapped in his car seat in the back seat of a vehicle driven by his father. Carmelo’s eight-year-old brother was seated next to him. Two people were reportedly driving along the intersection near Central and Southern Avenues in Southeast last Wednesday, Dec. 3, when they fired multiple times into the car. Family and friends held vigils near the site where the dastardly deed occurred and joined together to call for the end of gun violence while also demanding that city officials help get guns off the streets. They appealed to the perpetrators to turn themselves in. Meanwhile, in partnership with the ATF Washington Field Division and the FBI Washington Field Office, MPD is offering up to a $60,000 reward to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of the responsible person(s). Sadly, Carmelo’s death is not a singular occurrence. A Google search of “one-year-olds shot” in 2020 returns multiple names. In Brooklyn, NY, one-year-old Davell Gardner was killed last July while sitting in his stroller when someone fired gunshots across a park. In June, someone killed one-year-old Sincere Gaston and injured his mother in Chicago while they were driving home from the laundromat. A car pulled up, and someone inside, reportedly, fired about seven shots into the vehicle. In another example, someone shot into a home, killing one-year-old Zykier Young as the child slept in his crib. According to the Gun Violence Archives, Carmelo’s name counts among 271 children between the ages of 0 and 11 whose lives were lost this year to gun violence as of Dec. 8. And many, like the two-year-old shot in the foot this week in Montgomery County, occurred due to negligence involving leaving a weapon unattended and accessible to a child. Guns protect but they also kill and innocent children should not become the victims. WI
Virtual Learning Provides Another Reason and Excuse for Decades-Long Achievement Gap For decades, the provocative and challenging task of closing the achievement gap has remained one of the most discussed and argued issues within the U.S. education system. By definition, the achievement gap speaks to disproportionate rates of achievement that have long existed and continue to exist between white students and those of color. Some would argue that the task at hand remains closing the gap. But the more salient issue points to correctly identifying those factors which contribute to the achievement gap and then devising ways in which those factors can be addressed and resolved. Five primary factors have been cited by most education professionals that contribute to the equity gap including: socioeconomic status, neighborhood segregation, parental influence, school discipline and standardized testing. Test scores and graduation and dropout rates confirm the severity of the issue and how the gap routinely leads to two distinct and uneven playing fields for students of color and whites. Now, as experts feared, scores of reports and recent data indicate another major factor that has joined the list of reasons for the equity gap – the substitution of in-class instruction with remote learning. As the coronavirus continues and virtual learning remains the primary, if not exclusive means of educating youth, most research concludes that students of color and those in low-income communities have fallen further behind their peers. Indeed, the achievement gap in American education has grown even wider. But all children have been negatively impacted by remote learning. Since the spring when schools first shutdown and then later reopened with remote learning, white students, on average, fell behind by one to three months in mathematics. Students of color, in comparison, lost three to five months. Thus, we face yet another conundrum in our nation’s educational system as factors and issues of which they have no control, serve to derail the efforts and defuse the dreams of innocent students of color. Ironically, experts seemed to easily identify the challenges that would come with remote learning models and practices. Too bad they couldn’t go one step better – finding solutions. WI
TO THE EDITOR Don't Forget Luther
I just wanted to add to the Editor D. Kevin McNeir’s Christmas playlist. You must add the iconic and indelible Luther Vandross to the holiday classics. As a child my mother played his “This Is Christmas” album all holiday season and now it doesn’t feel like Christmas if Luther isn’t ministering through music. If you haven’t heard take a listen! Happy holidays! Gabby Denin Washington, DC
After the Smoke Clears I totally agree with the story “Smoking’s Bad for Your Health, but Some Say ‘So Is The Pandemic.’” I didn’t realize how much this year has truly impacted my physical and mental health. From being isolated all the time to being in fear every time I step out of the house it has all been too much. I’m looking forward to the vaccine and getting back to normal. Dana Franklin Washington, DC
Readers' Mailbox
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The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer. com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 25
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
Julianne Malveaux
Where Have the Jobs Gone? out on the golf course, pity the caddy. In any case, when the Dow Jones Industrial average cleared the 30,000 mark, the "economic recovery" president could not resist a camera turn. He also refused to reply to any questions. But what could we expect from a president who had sequestered himself for three weeks, bunkering down inside his tax-supported home, venturing to play golf with tax-supported security? While 45 was celebrating and golfing, too many other Americans got upsetting news. Weekly, at least 700,000 are filing unemployment claims.
Have you ever seen a pig dance a jig? I don't mean to be rude, but the one-minute press conference that the current president called to celebrate the stock market clearing the 30,000 mark was the equivalent of a pig dancing a gig. He had been under seclusion for the three weeks since he lost the election to President-elect Joe Biden, playing more golf than President Obama ever did. If he works his frustrations
Guest Columnist
Fewer than March, but too many to claim "economic recovery." The first Friday employment situation report was disappointing. The report said the rate "edged down" to 6.7%. That means it moved only slightly and that the 245,000 jobs created fell far short of the 450,000 that economists had expected. It' means that the so-called recovery is not recovering right now and that the news of pandemic flareups will make it worse. As soon as the market cleared 30,000, though, folks were selling grotesque celebratory T-shirts on Amazon.
They are owning the victory that gave them a 30,000 stock market and food lines snaking around city blocks. They are celebrating their jig-dancing president while ignoring the folks who are crying out for relief. Why are so many so indifferent to the human suffering resulting from job loss and the pandemic? The 6.7% unemployment rate is bad enough. More than 100,000 government employees lost their jobs last month. Some of these are census workers, but some have lost jobs when their cities and states have cut back.
Teachers, nurses, police officers, and firefighters have jobs on the line. And the Senate is fiddling while America starves. Congress has offered legislation since May, compromising along the way, but the Senate has held the line in punishing hungry and unemployed people to fulfill their political gains. Beyond the overall unemployment rate, there are ugly realities. Nearly 3.9 million people have been unemployed for at least half a year. Many of them
MALVEAUX Page 45
Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
Stopping Exploitation of Prisoners and Their Families Requires More Comprehensive Solutions nation. As part of this long-overdue redress about institutional and systemic racism, renewed attention should also be focused on the many injustices within the U.S. correctional system. Black and brown Americans are disproportionately imprisoned in the United States. Much of the public outrage has been directed at officials who have been unable to prevent the fatal spread of COVID-19 in jails and
2020 brought renewed global focus to issues of social justice in America. From the racial disparities and inequities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic to the killings of George Floyd and so many other Black and brown Americans at the hands of police officers have all contributed to the evolving social justice "reckoning" across the
Guest Columnist
prisons throughout the country. But in addition, there were too many governors who were unwilling to reduce prison populations by releasing individuals who posed no threat to public safety. As a result, nearly 200,000 incarcerated Americans have been infected as of November 2020 according to the Marshall Project. And the criticism of the correctional system does not stop with the prison officials themselves but extends to the full spectrum of
private companies that provide services to correctional agencies. Among those that find themselves in the crosshairs of the growing critical scrutiny are a group of specialized telecommunications companies. These companies provide two connected services to the corrections industry: communications tools that people in jails and prisons use to connect with family and people on the outside (telephones, but also modern devices like digi-
tal tablets); and security and investigatory tools built into the communications tech, which help correctional agencies monitor for criminal activity. On the surface, these may appear to be both good things. The problem, however, comes in how these products are paid for. See, it's not the correctional agencies that pay for these services — companies charge for every call made, but
CHAVIS Page 45
Ben Jealous
Demand that McConnell, Senate GOP Stop Blocking COVID-19 Relief
It is going to be a hard Christmas for many Americans. The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is soaring. The virus is spreading faster than ever. Families and small-business owners whose incomes have been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic are being hurt by the U.S. Senate's refusal to provide any relief since April. This suffering is not shared equally. Black and brown people have been hit
harder than other Americans by the pandemic in many ways. We get sicker and die more often. We have been hit harder by the economic fallout, too. And Senate Republicans' refusal to give Americans what is needed to protect our families and get the economy going again just extends the inequitable burden that we are bearing. There is no mystery about the source of the problem. It is Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has refused to even consider a meaningful COVID-19 relief bill, including the HEROES Act passed by the House of
26 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
Representatives more than six months ago. Even the Trump administration was willing to negotiate with Democrats, but McConnell has acted in bad faith. McConnell held relief hostage because he has insisted that any legislation must exempt companies from legal accountability for outbreaks or deaths within workplaces. Before the election, he told Trump not to make a deal with Democrats. And since then, he has cut his already weak counteroffer in half. Does the wealthy McConnell not understand how many Americans are
going hungry? Twenty-two percent of Black households reported going hungry in one recent week, which The Washington Post noted was more than double the rate for white Americans. As House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and State Minority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote in a letter to McConnell before Thanksgiving, economists agree that the country needs a much bigger aid package than he has been willing to consider to keep people and the economy from sinking further. If the Senate doesn't act now, more Americans will be hurt. Unemploy-
ment benefits run out the day after Christmas. A freeze on student loan payments, protections against evictions, and expanded paid family medical leave will all run out at the end of the month. The threat to families is devastating. Almost one-third of Black renters have fallen behind on their rent. Meanwhile, in spite of the moratorium on evictions during the pandemic, the real estate management company owned in part by Trump's son-in-law and White
JEALOUS Page 45
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
Dr. Wilmer J. Leon, III
Biden’s Proposed Cabinet – A Kinder and Gentler Imperialism
“Tonight, the whole world is watching America. And I believe at our best, America is a beacon for the globe. We will lead not only by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.” Joe Biden, Nov. 7, 2020 In his first address to the nation as president-elect, Joe Biden told America and the world that power comes first; power is the key. He went on to
say, "Our nation is shaped by the constant battle between our better angels and our darkest impulses…It's time for our better angels to prevail.…" It is time for America’s “better angels to prevail” but I think Biden has it backwards. He should have said, we will lead by the power of our example and if necessary, by the example of our power. Like his predecessors, he is defaulting to the Military Industrial Complex (MIC). When you look at Biden's cabinet announcements it takes me to former
Guest Columnist
Giant's coach Bill Parcells who said, "You are what your record says you are." In this case, you are what your cabinet says you are. It is the people who make the policy; policy does not make itself. The history of many of these nominees reflects America’s darkest impulses not its better angels. What was good about America “green-lighting” the NATO bombing of Libya and the resulting execution of Muammar Gaddafi? This led to the destabilization of the country and the region. According to The Atlantic,
“The Libya intervention marked the third time in a decade that Washington embraced regime change and then failed to plan for the consequences.” America’s better angels? I think not. What good has come from America “green-lighting” Saudi Arabia’s invasion in Yemen and the continuing logistical support for what the UN has called the worst man-made humanitarian crisis in the world? Per the UN, after nearly six years of conflict, “14.3 million people are classified as being in acute need, with around 3.2 million
requiring treatment for acute malnutrition; that includes two million children under-five, and more than one million pregnant and lactating women.” If America were winning the battle of our better angles, we would stop our support of the Saudi’s and provide these starving people food, water and medicine. Instead, America is losing the battle to the MIC, big oil and its darkest impulses. These impulses convince you that it is more important to
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A. Peter Bailey
Black Folks' Concerns About COVID-19 Vaccine Aren't Unwarranted
Those who believe that the concerns of numerous Black folks about the soon-to-be-available COVID-19 vaccine is unwarranted should check out the following observations and commentary about the American medical profession that are included in my book, "The Harlem Hospital Story: 100 Years of Struggle Against Illness and White Supremacy." Dr. W. Montague Cobb, who was a medical historian and professor of anatomy at Howard University and
the first African American to earn a doctorate in anthropology, has been quoted as saying "Negro patients in countless numbers served to advance the cause of medical science through their reactions to new or little tried therapeutic measures. The use of the Negro patient for experimentation and the development of surgical procedures and techniques rests on a tradition that began with the advent of chattel slavery in America in 1619." In his book "Sins of the Fathers: A Study of the American Slave Trade, 1441-1807," James Pope-Hennessey wrote, "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 experimentation." Henry Irving Tragle, in his book "The Southampton Slave Revolt: A Compilation of Source Materials," wrote, ".In the circulator of the South Carolina Medical School for that year (1831), I find this remarkable suggestion: 'Some advantages of peculiar character are connected with this institution. No place in the United States affords so great opportunities for the questions of medical knowledge, subjects being obtained among the colored population in sufficient numbers for every purpose and proper dissection carried without offend-
Askia-At-Large
ing an individual....' The suggestion was made by a medical student in South Carolina in a letter to a friend in New Jersey. According to William S. Drewry in his book "The Southampton Insurrection," the body of Nat Turner who was executed for leading an armed revolt against enslavers "was delivered to the doctors who skinned it and made grease of the flesh. His skeleton was for many years the possession of Dr. Massenberg. …" Dr. Frances Cress Welsing once wrote that concerned and aware Black people were very disturbed "by repeated attempts to imply that African people are the source responsible
for the origin of this new deadly virus (AIDS) and for its spread throughout the world. … Aware Black people are knowledgeable about the long-standing Tuskegee syphilis experiments which were conducted for a period of 40 years (1932-1972) on unsuspecting Black men and their families. …" All of the above show clearly that concerns of numerous Black folks about the possibility of white supremacy treatment in the medical profession are not unwarranted. Therefore, we as Black folks, while taking advantage of advances in medical treatment, must be on the alert for anything that reflects experimentation. WI
measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are worthless, unless of course they make him look good. He has permanently poisoned the political drinking fountain so that millions now believe Trump's wacky conspiracy theories. This rabid, white tribe is baptized in cruelty and contempt for their fellow human beings. These guys don't want deregulation, or a lower marginal tax rate, or even The Mexico Wall, or who pays for it. What they want is the freedom to talk openly about the people
they hate, and to point guns at those innocents. In the Georgia Senate runoff elections, for example, both Republican incumbents, admittedly made millions of dollars on stock trades based on inside information they received as senators. In a scheduled debate with their Democratic challengers, one — David Perdue — didn't even bother to show up. The other — Kelly Loeffler — denounced the Rev. Raphael
Askia Muhammad
America is Broken Beyond Repair
It's too bad that I have to say this, but the United States of America is broken beyond repair. This country is not the shining Jewel on the Hill which people the world over are trying to emulate. Americans and their values are not "exceptional" as far as human endeavor are concerned. Soon, I suspect, we will all come to know it. The United States is a racist, xe-
nophobic empire which, in its brief history, has again and again robbed from the poor to indulge the fancies of the rich and which has duped most of its common citizens — even young children — into thinking that they are soon to become the next millionaires. It ain't gonna happen. The proof in my mind that the society is doomed, is the fact that 74 million people — and a majority of the white folks — voted to retain the corrupt, impeached, lying, philandering, and cheating narcissist Donald J.
Trump. What's even more shocking is that had that grifter shown even a modicum of compassion and even a tiny bit of concern for folks dying from the coronavirus pandemic, he might have actually won reelection! Going forward, Trump refuses to concede his defeat — 80 million voted for his opponent, former Vice President Joe Biden — boasting that his own vote total was more than any president ever. He has convinced his followers that the election was fraudulently stolen from him, and that
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LIFESTYLE WASHINGTON INFORMER EXCLUSIVE
Hip-Hop Icon ‘Kurtis Blow’ Walker Recovering from Heart Transplant Surgery Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia Hip-Hop icon ‘Kurtis Blow’ Walker, 61, underwent heart transplant surgery in Los Angeles on Sunday, Dec. 6, his wife of four decades told Black Press USA. “We give all glory to God for
the perfect heart and transplant,” Walker said. On Monday, Dec. 7, she texted, “He is out of surgery. Keep the prayers and praises up. God does all things well.” The rap star, born Kurtis Walker, has a history of heart ailments. After recovering in 2019 from surgery to repair an aortic artery,
the music pioneer would be rushed back onto the operating table for a second procedure. Shirley Walker said she believes her husband’s recent procedure went well, as she remained at the hospital by his side. A true legend, Kurtis Blow became the first rap star signed by a major label at just 20 years old. Mercury released the single “Christmas Rappin” in 1979 which went on to sell more than 400,000 copies and become an annual holiday classic. The follow-up single, “The Breaks,” broke more records with sales exceeding over half a million copies. He released 10 albums over 11 years, including the self-titled “Kurtis Blow,” “Party Time,” “8 Million Stories,” “AJ,” and “Basketball.” Blow was honored for video innovation with an MTV Monitor Award in 1985 for his hit, “America” – an album that included the huge single, “If I Ruled the World.” A short time later, Blow, and Dexter Scott King, were selected to coordinate the song, “King Holiday,” to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. The Mercury/Polygram single co-produced
Hours: Tues – Sun 10am – 5pm HillwoodMuseum.org 4155 Linnean Ave. NW, Washington DC Free parking Photo: Erik Kvalsvik
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In recent years, Blow has worked to help Rocky Bucano, former Def Jam President Carmen Ashhurs and others with plans for a permanent home for hip-hop music, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, slated to break ground sometime during December 2020 in New York. “Prayers work,” Shirley Walker said, noting that she’s optimistic about her husband’s recovery. WI
August Wilson Society to Host ‘Jam Session’ for Premier of Film ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ 212-675-4106 WASHINGTON INFORMER DECEMBER 7 2020 5.85" x 5.5" 4C
Fabulous Christmas trees. Festive décor. Immersive virtual experiences. Make Hillwood your holiday oasis.
by Kurtis Blow included Whitney Houston, New Edition, Stephanie Mills, El DeBarge, James “JT” Taylor of Kool & the Gang, The Fat Boys and Run DMC. It also has become an annual holiday classic. The icon is also responsible for rap hits by The Fat Boys and Run DMC, whose lead star, Run, began his career as “The son of Kurtis Blow.” LaPlacaCohen Publication: Insertion date: Size:
Season’s Greetings
5 Hip Hop icon Kurtis Blow has undergone successful heart transplant surgery in Los Angeles. (Courtesy photo)
WI Staff Report
The August Wilson Society [AWS] recently announced an exciting Facebook Live event on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 5:00 p.m. that will celebrate the life and legacy of African-American playwright, August Wilson. Following the premier of Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix, AWS will host the “jam session” featuring Phylicia Rashad, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Ebony Jo-Ann. The play serves as the work which propelled Wilson’s career as a major American playwright. Those who attend the “jam session” will learn about the genius of Wilson from people who are considered master interpreters of his work. In addition, the event will feature details about the life of Gertrude Pridgett ‘Ma’ Rainey – the “Mother of the Blues” and celebrate the Oscar-worthy final performance of Chadwick Boseman. Dr. Sandra G. Shannon, president of the August Wilson Society, will serve as the "jam session" moderator. Look for our complete interview with Shannon in next week’s edition of The Washington Informer. For more information about The August Wilson Society and the Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Post-Netflix Premiere “Jam Session,” visit www.augustwilsonsociety.org. WI
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Capital One Commits to Catalyze Economic Growth in DC Metro Area The Capital One Impact Initiative seeks to close gaps in equity across the area, helping communities gain better access to socioeconomic opportunity
Submitted by Capital One Capital One announced the launch of the Capital One Impact Initiative, an initial $200 million, five-year commitment to support growth in underserved communities and advance socioeconomic mobility by closing gaps in equity and opportunity. The Impact Initiative builds upon Capital One’s core mission to change banking for good, and its priorities around racial equity, affordable housing, small business support, workforce development and financial well-being. “Socioeconomic mobility is one of the most pervasive and long-standing issues in our society,” said Andy Navarrete, Capital One Executive Vice President and Head of External Affairs. “Our growth and success as a company provides us with an extraordinary platform to tackle the root causes of this challenge. We have the opportunity and the obligation to leverage our scale and resources, and to harness the ingenuity and empathy of our associates, to be an engine for progress. ” The Capital One Impact Initiative is focused on creating a world where everyone has an equal opportunity to prosper by advocating for an inclusive society, building thriving communities and creating financial tools that enrich lives. Efforts will come to life through: Racial Equity - investing in diverse communities and businesses, and supporting organizations that expand economic opportunity, particularly for Black and Latinx communities. Affordable Housing - providing capital to finance affordable rental housing developments that meet the needs of a diverse range of households and communities in partnership with nonprofit organizations, for-profit real estate developers and government. Small Business Support accelerating investments with Black and Latinx partners and suppliers across our businesses
and expanding mentoring, training and advisory programs designed to help Black and Latinx businesses and nonprofits succeed. Workforce Development - expanding programs that provide opportunities for individuals who face impediments to unleash their potential and thrive in a rapidly changing employment market. Financial Well-Being - creating simple, digital products that meet customers where they are to serve their needs. Locally, Capital One is partnering with many D.C. organizations to provide grants that will accelerate their services to underrepresented communities in a timely and impactful manner. A few examples of this work include our support of the following organizations: The Washington Lawyers’ Committee will team up with Capital One to address the racial achievement gap through litigation, organizing and advocacy. Empower DC’s Grassroots Planning Coalition is working with Capital One to shape redevelopment efforts in the Barry Farm and Ivy City neighborhoods to prevent displacement, preserve affordability and create opportunities for economic advancement. 1863 Ventures is partnering with Capital One to further bridge the gap between entrepreneurship and equity through their 3R program that provides capital and coaching to 500 diverse businesses plagued by racial bias and COVID-19. Understanding that socioeconomic mobility starts from a place of inclusion and security, these efforts build upon Capital One’s recent $10 million commitment to organizations that are advancing the cause of social justice for Black communities, and our $50 million commitment to address economic dislocation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Capital One’s philanthropic initiatives are closely tied to its core business activities serving low- and moderate-income individuals across the country. As the #1 community development (CD) lender national-
ly, Capital One has provided nearly $29 billion in CD loans since 2016. As part of that activity, through its Community Finance line of business, Capital One has provided over $13 billion in construction financing since 2007 for over 140,000 affordable housing units, creating over 158,000 jobs. “Twenty-five years ago, Capital One was founded on the belief that great talent, great analytics and great technolo-
gy could revolutionize financial services and democratize credit,” expanded Navarrete. “With the COVID-19 pandemic and a heightened awakening on issues of racial injustice, we continue to embrace the idea that by advancing the economic and social opportunities in
the communities we serve, we can help people thrive. That’s why this program means so much – it's core to who we are.” To learn more about Capital One’s commitment visit CapitalOne.com/About.
Socioeconomic mobility is one of the most pervasive and long-standing issues in our society,” said Andy Navarrete, Capital One Executive Vice President and Head of External Affairs. “Our growth and success as a company provides us with an extraordinary platform to tackle the root causes of this challenge. We have the opportunity and the obligation to leverage our scale and resources, and to harness the ingenuity and empathy of our associates, to be an engine for progress.
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LIFESTYLE
Reflecting on Washington Gas Company’s ‘Day of Warmth’ Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
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In November, Washington Gas kicked off its winter season giving program, “A Day of Warmth – Caring for Our Neighbors.” The initiative featured company volunteers and nonprofit groups coming together to distribute 1,000 warming kits which include cold-weather essentials such as blankets, food boxes and energy efficiency and assistance tips. The kits were delivered to residents in need across the District, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. “We are proud to be part of the Day of Warmth and we are grateful to Washington Gas,” said Mark Bergel, founder and president of A Wider Circle, a nonprofit organization founded in 2001 with a mission to end poverty for individuals and families. “If utilities can understand what families are going through, and respond to that, and become proactive and respond to that fight, then I hope we won’t have to do this kind of work and that people won’t be in that position where they need this kind of help,” Bergel said. COVID-19 prevented Washington Gas from conducting its normal day of weatherization activities in customers’ homes, so the company adapted a volunteer project to help community neighbors prepare for the winter and meet critical needs. The company also considered how food disparities could hurt specific communities. “We thought the winter safety kits and food boxes would be a token of our appreciation for our neighbors in need,” said Daminique Branch of Washington Gas. “Our country and the world are living in unprecedented times but Washington Gas and the community effort prevail and still find a way to find out what your needs are and are reaching out,” Branch asserted in a video about the special “Day of Warmth.” A Day of Warmth also included a focus on food care assistance. During the past eight months, Washington
5 A resident from the DMV receives a warming kit from Washington Gas. (Photo courtesy of Washington Gas)
Gas has increased resources and donation dollars to alleviate food insecurity and to support food banks across the region’s service territory – benefiting local farmers, food producers and the restaurant service industry. Washington Gas said it would continue to work with Food Equity Councils in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. The company pledged to also work with the Get Shift Done initiative that includes service in Washington, D.C. as part of a $250,000 donation recently provided to address the growing trend of food insecurity impacting local communities. The company and its employees from Teamsters Local 96 volunteered to organize and pack the 1,000 winter safety kits. “It’s a privilege to have food delivered to the house,” said Maria, a Hyattsville, Md. resident, who noted her fear of going out because of the coronavirus pandemic. The “Day of Warmth” continued the tradition of community support ahead of the winter season. The “Day of Weatherization” has remained Washington Gas’ signature volunteer event for the past 15 years, bringing together employee volunteers and local and regional nonprofit groups to weatherize selected D.C. area homes for winter – as many as 150 a year. The efforts helped customers keep
their homes warmer during the cold winter months and save money at the same time. The new “Day of Warmth initiative” was designed to capture the same spirit of caring and warmth by donating essential materials to energize our communities as winter conditions approach the area, officials said. While the format of the winter program changed this year, Washington Gas officials are still encouraging customers to take simple steps (such as caulking, weather-stripping and insulating any openings where air may infiltrate) to help manage their home energy costs and stay safe, warm and energy-smart when temperatures begin to drop. According to Washington Gas, the typical home saves an average of 25 percent on energy consumption. It can save an average of more than $280 annually in heating and cooling costs following weatherization. A diverse set of nonprofit partners – including A Wider Circle, Manna Food Center, Mary’s Center, Mission of Love, Arlington Food Assistance Center, Northern Virginia Family Service, Friends of Ridge Road, Highland Food Pantry and Food Security – helped put the kits into the hands of those in need. Officials noted that Washington
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LIFESTYLE
Will Stimulus Politics and Potential Cost of Lives Impact Georgia’s Senate Runoff Elections?
Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia Before the November election, politics prevented successful negotiations for a new coronavirus stimulus package. One month later, politics continue to play a central theme in the still failing talks between Democrats and Republicans. And many on Capitol Hill point to the outcome of Georgia’s two Senate runoff elections, scheduled to occur Jan. 5, as to determining the balance of power in the chamber. “If both Georgia seats go Democrat, then I think the question then becomes not just how big is this bill – it’s how many additional big bills do we get?” Tom Porcelli, the chief U.S. economist at RBC Capital Markets, recently told Fortune. On the other hand, if Republicans win one Georgia seat, there could likely be significantly less economic aid, Porcelli noted. After the election, the White House’s $1.9 trillion offer effectively died as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took the reins for Republicans in the stimulus talks. The runoffs include Republican Kelly Loeffler against Democrat Raphael Warnock and Republican David Perdue against Democrat Jon Ossoff. Both races went to a runoff after each candidate failed to garner 50 percent of the vote. Wins by Warnock and Ossoff would cause a 50-50 Democrat and Republican split in the Senate with the new Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris would have the tiebreaking vote on any legislation. This week, Republicans led by Mitt Romney of Utah offered a $908 billion stimulus package, far short of the $2 trillion Democrats have proposed in negotiations with the White House, and much less than the $3 trillion Heroes Act passed by the House in May. Still, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the Romney package “the basis for immediate bipartisan, bicameral negotiations.” McConnell also jumped into the fray, offering a less robust $500 billion package. While Democrats want aid for states
and direct payments to Americans, Romney’s package doesn’t include stimulus checks. It’s still unclear if McConnell’s deal includes stimulus payments for Americans. As posturing on a stimulus deal continues, the clock continues to run out on an earlier CARES Act bill that brought relief to citizens, small businesses, states and the overall economy. Economists have noted that as the virus has worsened, the need for a comprehensive stimulus has grown more essential. About five million people will lose jobless benefits at the end of December while millions of others could face evictions from their homes because a federal moratorium that was part of the CARES Act will expire on December 31. Additionally, more than 21 million people will be required to start repaying student loans after a federal moratorium expires at the end of the month. Further, companies will lose the ability to defer payroll taxes and take deductions for business losses while more than $150 billion in aid to state and local governments will expire. “As a person who has taught personal finance to the minority community for the past 13 years, this entire situation frightens me. I have seen minorities have a 500 or lower credit score due to missing a cell phone payment of $150 or from failing to pay a cable bill of $325,” said Jaquetta T. Ragland, owner of www.YoungandFinance. com. “With unemployment on the rise and no coronavirus relief package, I believe this will set some individuals – especially minorities – back by seven to 10 years because that’s how long it will take negative entries to be removed from their credit. [That’s seven to 10 years that] a lot of minorities will be unable to purchase homes, finance cars, fail to qualify for certain job opportunities or open utility accounts without a deposit,” Ragland said. Lindsey Cormack, an assistant professor of Politics at Stevens Institute of Technology and manager of DCinbox, a database of all official Congress to Constituent e-Newsletters, called the failed stimulus negotiations troublesome. “We know there are COVID-19 health disparities for minorities mani-
fested in higher case rates in some areas and greater fatality rates in nearly all areas,” Cormack stated. “But specifically on the idea of helping minority-owned businesses, the HEROES 2.0 bill [assists] lenders who have a demonstrated history of loaning capital to minorities and other underserved communities which could go a long way in reducing the crunch on businesses.” WI
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5 The four contenders for U.S. Senate in Georgia. (Courtesy American Kidney Fund)
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Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum: Reflections on 2020 By Melanie A. Adams, Director, Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
2020 has been a year like no other in our recent memory. Between the national health pandemic and the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality, the country has been shaken to its core. More than 250,000 people have died from Covid-19 and the number increases on a daily basis. People continue to take to the streets to fight against structures based on white supremacy and the continued oppression of people of color. The Smithsonian’s first priority over the past 10 months (and continues to be), has been the safety of our staff and visitors. We closed on our doors in March, but did not stop thinking about how to best serve our community. The staff of the Anacostia Community Museum sprung into action developing opportunities for people to share their experiences with both the pandemic and the racial unrest through our online initiative, Moments of Resilience. The stories reflected the small moments of joy people were finding during periods of despair. In last month’s column you heard from the museum’s new Associate Director of Education, Andrea Jones, who wrote about
the virtual programs, Inspire Action and Take Time Thursdays designed to provide both information as well as an opportunity to rejoice and recharge. When I wrote my column back in May 2020, I wrote that I was energized by ACM’s potential to continue serving the needs of our community and remain so as we enter 2021. Though the museum will start the year with closed doors, we will have some wonderful new programs and exhibits to share with you both virtually and out in the community. Before the pandemic, ACM had started working with community organizations to place satellite exhibits. The first one was with the DC Public Library who housed small versions of our exhibit, A Right to the City, which looked at change in 6 DC neighborhoods in the mid 20th century. In 2021, we are happy to continue working with neighborhood organizations to present our latest exhibit, Men of Change: Taking it to the Streets focused on African American men. More details to come in January. The last year has also challenged us as a museum staff to think about how we can best bring to life our vision to create a more equitable future for all. The racial disparities that were exposed in 2020 will continue to be an issue in
2021 and the museum is ready to take the lead in providing opportunities for both dialogue and action. The museum will be kicking off a five year initiative entitled, Transforming America which will examine different issues through the lens of race. In 2021 we will focus on food history, culture, and justice and how race continues to play a role in food insecurity in the DC region and beyond. Through indoor and outdoor exhibits and programs, we will tell the history of food production, the impact Covid-19 has had on communities already experiencing food insecurity, and stories of essential workers on the front lines of grocery stores and farms. As we close out 2020, I want to thank the DC community and all of our partners on both sides of the river who have worked with us over the past year to bring you engaging programs and exhibits, both online and virtual. Our partnerships are what make us a member of the community and are integral to our success. We look forward to continuing past relationships and developing new ones in 2021. From all of the staff at the Anacostia Community Museum, we wish you a happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2021. WI
WARD 5’S ROBERT ‘BOB’ KING RECOGNIZED WITH MVP AWARD FOR WORK WITH SENIORS During the recent Ward 5 Democrats virtual meeting, District resident Robert “Bob” King received the MVP Award for his “tireless work with seniors,” ensuring that they were not forgotten in this year’s election cycle. Gordon-Andrew Fletcher, chair, Ward 5 Democrats, said while presenting the award, “As a direct result of his relentless efforts to have the Board of Elections [BOE] provide mail-in ballots for all seniors in the District, every voter in D.C.” King served as a featured speaker on the DC Federation of Democratic Women’s virtual workshop “How to Navigate the DC Ballot” in cooperation with the BOE and served as a link to the BOE for the DCFDW Team 2020. The Team featured youth who distributed 7,000 GOTV flyers in the lowest voting precincts in Wards 5,7 and 8 and to many public housing residents. “Seniors are our most stable, consistent and reliable voting bloc,” Fletcher said. “Thanks again and congratulations Bob. We can’t wait for the continued work provided by you and your committee with the Ward 5 Democrats. We’re lucky to have your wisdom and leadership.”
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5 ACM Zoom Staff Picture, courtesy of the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum
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Five Ways We Can Help Small Businesses in 2021
Bill Bynum Chair, Expanding Black Business Credit Initiative & CEO, Hope Credit Union Jenny Flores Head of Small Business Philanthropy, Wells Fargo This year was extremely challenging for small businesses, but it also brought about a season of innovation that could help more businesses survive the challenges of the coming year. In the face of a pandemic, banks, nonprofit lenders and community leaders linked arms to launch relief and new solutions to support small businesses and American jobs, especially in communities of color. This included everything from engaging nonprofits that can help small business owners reimagine their business models, to funding nonprofit lenders so they can offer financing to struggling entrepreneurs without worrying about losing their own financial footing. With nearly half of all Americans employed by small businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the lessons learned to date could help even more small business owners survive the coming months. Here are five insights that could lead to small business stability and growth in 2021:
NETWORKS ARE CRITICAL TO REACH SMALL BUSINESS AT SCALE.
Investments, whether in the form of grants or loans, reach more small businesses more efficiently when funders partner with nonprofits that have a deep network across multiple geographic and diverse communities. For example, the Expanding Black
Business Credit Initiative (EBBC) includes a network of seven primarily Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in communities across the country. This existing network and its infrastructure has allowed EBBC to determine where the money is needed most, track small businesses that have applied for help, and determine how many jobs are being secured or created in each region.
SUPPORTING A JOB COSTS LESS THAN YOU THINK.
Wells Fargo recently launched an industry-leading Open for Business Fund, committing approximately $400 million for small business recovery. This holiday season, nearly $50 million of the money will be deployed to nonprofits who help entrepreneurs. The return on investment that nonprofits are able to extract from their grant money is impressive. For example, we have calculated that it costs an average of $5,300 to enable a job through the CDFIs that are being supported through the Open for Business Fund. This holiday season, we expect to help entrepreneurs maintain roughly 50,000 jobs nationwide. This is a reasonable cost to help enable a job that could impact the livelihood of families and the sustainability of communities. This kind of impact should encourage more corporations and banks to lend their assistance to nonprofits supporting small businesses and our country’s economic recovery.
FUNDING RISK IS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT.
Funding for nonprofit lenders is critical, but they also need the flexibility to take on more risk. CDFIs are experts at mitigating risk because they have a deep understanding of the markets and customers they serve. This risk mitigation requires extra support in the form of philanthropic donations and strong government programs to back the extra work being carried out by CDFIs. This extra cushion allows CDFIs to more deeply coach and nurture small business owners who are in the most challenging positions or struggle to access capital elsewhere.
SOLE PROPRIETORS NEED HELP TOO.
When we think of supporting sole proprietors, we tend to consider them as a single job, but that’s not necessarily true. Sole proprietors are often connected to many other businesses in the community, so the loss of one job can have a ripple effect. This group was largely left out of recent federal programs, which hit the African American community especially hard, as almost 95 percent of Black-owned businesses are one-person businesses. Luckily, programs like the Open for Business Fund have recognized this and are ensuring these small businesses are included in its
support. We hope others will build programs inclusive of this small business owner. There is no single answer to help our small businesses through the pandemic, but by implementing the lessons learned in 2020, we can ensure that 2021 provides them a much brighter future.
Small businesses are struggling. The Open for Business Fund aims to help them rebuild.
TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATES GROWTH.
Investing in the infrastructure of the CDFI industry is a proven path to growing small businesses and reaching them during the pandemic. Helping lenders move online and standardize their loan application process allows them to more rapidly address the volume of need. If nonprofit lenders were supported to move toward better technology solutions, it could take their capabilities to the next level. There is a great opportunity for the technology sector to join the financial industry to get involved to spur more creative solutions.
Wells Fargo is donating roughly $400 million to help small businesses survive the impacts of COVID-19. The funds will support nonprofits working with entrepreneurs like Dija’s Touch Designs owner Kadijatu Ahene, whose African print design shop is making personal protection equipment for first responders. Learn more about the Open for Business Fund https://stories.wf.com/helping-entrepreneurs-stay-open-for-business/ © 2020 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved
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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 33
LIFESTYLE
African-American Woman Invents Smart Locker for Take-Out Orders Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
The best inventors often have a knack for turning problems into profits with an innovative, market-shattering product. This especially rings true when it comes to the seemingly mundane problems consumers overlook, or don’t even know exist. Little did local network engineer Rea Huntley know that the problem she solved last fall would soon become a major topic of discussion among restaurateurs who, in a global pandemic, must inspire confidence about their ability to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With Huntley’s Lavii locker, an increasing number of food establishments in the D.C. area have taken extra steps to make food pickup more efficient, and keep all take-out orders in a tightly confined space only the customer can access. “A lot of restaurants have resorted to methods for take-out orders but processes aren’t secure and it leaves [room
for] human interaction [with the food] and possibly theft,” Huntley told The Informer as she recounted a 20-minute wait for a take-out order during the summer of 2019 that compelled her to invent the Lavii locker. The large steel Lavii locker comes with either a thick window or steel covering serving as the door for each of the 10 airtight compartments. Once a restaurant places the order inside the Lavii locker and confirms ready for pickup, the customer will receive a Quick Response (QR) code that opens the locker, allowing them to get their food in less than 10 seconds. In the event the code doesn’t work, the locker also has a built-in touchscreen that customers can use to verify their identity. In early 2021, Huntley and her colleagues will engage potential investors through a crowdfunding campaign. “We provide a safer way of picking up food and have been getting a lot of interest from restaurants looking to optimize their pick-up solutions,” said Huntley, who launched the Lavii locker pilot program with James Bagley and
Marcus Gunn in August. “It’s all about us educating the restaurants about how this product can be beneficial to their business during and post-COVID.” The coronavirus has killed more than 14 million people in the United States. Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assesses ordering take-out as low-risk activity, concerns have often surfaced about the changing of hands, and the food’s placement in the open space for long periods of time. The Lavii locker counts among the restaurant industry’s latest COVID-era innovations, including heat-and-eat dishes, meal kits, and wine pairings with food orders. While other changes have attracted customers, the Lavii locker has addressed the issue of how to reduce human contact with take-out orders. Amid attempts to meet this goal, restaurants have purchased tamper-proof packaging and adopted “no touch” policies. New restrictions have affected every aspect of the restaurant visit -- including the placement of credit card machines.
5 Rea Huntley (center) and her team. (Courtesy photo)
Because of the high volume of takeout orders, managing foot traffic remains an issue, even with the best of planning. That’s why the Lavii locker has been a gem for the owners of Shark Bar and Seafood House in Waldorf, Maryland. The restaurant recently highlighted its newest resource on an Instagram post that sparked followers’ curiosity. “Lavii wrapped the lockers in our vibrant blue color with our signature
sharks on it,” said Karie Van Hook, co-owner of Shark Bar and Seafood House. “It’s a really good attraction.” “We have it in the foyer before you enter our restaurant,” Van Hook continued. “Guests that order online won’t even have to come into the restaurant. They can come into the lobby area, and just put their phone up to the locker and retrieve it. It works really well. We just signed a contract to continue usage.” WI
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621 Alabama Avenue, S.E. Washington, DC 20032 Reverend Curtis L. Staley, Pastor
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LIFESTYLE
wi book review "Dear Justyce"
By Nic Stone c.2020, Crown $18.99 / $24.99 Canada 267 pages
By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Your birthday card had a Black History postage stamp on it. As always, it was from Grandma and though it's kind of corny, you look forward to it ever year: a blue or red envelope outside, a sentimental saying with a few bucks tucked inside. Other than bills, ballots, and ads, she's the only person you know who snail-mails anything, but in "Dear Justyce" by Nic Stone, help can be delivered, too. The first time Vernell LaQuan Banks ran away, he was nine years old. His mother's new man had been beating her again and though Quan hated leaving his little brother and sister there, he knew it was safer for them if he left the house. And so he went to the park, where he met Justyce McAllister, who was also taking an after-dark break from home. They kinda knew one another; they lived a block apart in Southwest Atlanta and as it turned out, Justyce's best friend was Quan's cousin but that was it. See, Justyce kept clean, stayed in school, studied hard, and went to some fancy white college after graduation, while Quan was arrested the first time at age thirteen for stealing a deck of cards from a convenience store. The second time was for possession of a firearm. His third arrest got him labeled as a "career criminal" and three months in youth detention. By then, his mother had stopped caring what happened to him. And so Quan found his own family. He joined the Black Jihads, led by a man named Martel who ruled his "men." Suddenly, there was someone who cared where Quan was and that he had something to eat. The Black Jihad took care of their own. And in return, Quan took care of them when something happened, quick-quick-quick. Once, Justyce had visited Quan in prison and Quan never forgot it. On his darkest days, he thought of Justyce and how their lives were so different. And so he took out a piece of paper and took a chance at friendship... Argue this: sometimes, is a choice really a choice? Or is it like a narrow alley with one way out, and somebody's pushing from behind? That's one of the hard questions inside "Dear Justyce." Really, the entire first part of this book is hard, starting with author Nic Stone's note to her readers, explaining how this book came to be. It sets you up for what's about to happen in the story, though it can't prepare you enough. Not to be a spoiler, but Quan's letters to Justyce are a gut-punch and what's toughest to take is that teens – particularly boys, particularly Black boys – may recognize the raw authenticity of every page of it. The second half, though, is more fictional, with a Hollywood-worthy courtroom drama that's a little predictable but that'll nonetheless please an adult as much as it will a 14-to-17-year-old. So, hand this book to your teen, and be sure to sneak it back for yourself. "Dear Justyce" deserves both your stamps of approval. WI
horoscopes
DEC 10 - 16, 2020
ARIES You have the power to make a little magic happen around your career. As you send off your resume for a new job, do a visualization, or speak affirmations. And have a slice of pecan pie—herbal lore says that eating pecans can help you find and retain a job. Take your time today working on career plans; this semi-square energy can cause you to act impulsively. Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 51 TAURUS You may be contemplating a relationship with someone, but for some reason, it must be kept secret. You may feel awkward concealing information, as you're usually very upfront about what's going on in your life. It's a good idea to take this slow, as the inconjunct to Mars can encourage incorrect actions if rushed. Lucky Numbers: 10, 12, 14 GEMINI Today, there may be a little disconnect between your vision and the action you're taking. You might be finishing up a project for work while watching your favorite show on Netflix at the same time. Some things need your full attention, like packing a parachute, performing a root canal, or working on this project. Be aware of where your focus is. Lucky Numbers: 6, 7, 35 CANCER You can take spiritual action to be more productive today. If you're doing creative work, consider lighting an orange candle. If you are working on your finances, add a pinch of cinnamon to your tea or coffee to attract prosperity. If you're studying for an exam, place a picture of an elephant on your desk to aid in memory. Elephants never forget. Lucky Numbers: 18, 33, 40 LEO Today, you have the opportunity to call in some energy for change. Neptune can give you a vision of a much bigger life you can have. But the challenging aspect with Mars could mean you're not sure what action to take. So, let the Universe guide you. Gather a few fallen leaves from the ground and write your wish on each one. Then scatter them to the wind and wait for opportunities. Lucky Numbers: 5, 9, 37 VIRGO Today, you may receive an offer, and you're ready to move at light speed to grab this with both hands. This could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. So do your due diligence and review paperwork and applications. You can move quickly, but that doesn't mean you have to skip prudent steps. Lucky Numbers: 13, 27, 45 LIBRA While you love your family, sometimes it's stressful to be around them. You're surrounded by people who feel OK about telling you the truth a little more bluntly than a Libra native might like. It's difficult because you are mirroring each other. But this is a quick aspect, so the best thing to do is to step back and observe rather than engaging in some sort of contest to see who can be the most direct. Or better still, just hang out with the dog today and skip the family get-together. Lucky Numbers: 1, 21, 30 SCORPIO Today, you can receive a contract for employment or a large purchase. Don't be in a rush to sign, as you have the power and ability to negotiate some of the points. If you are purchasing a vehicle, consider a key point of your negotiation is that there's more than one dealership in town. Lucky Numbers: 21, 29, 55 SAGITTARIUS You need a day off. Consider having a pajama day. Sit on the sofa, eat some ice cream, watch old movies. Or better still, sit by a window and watch the snowfall or the rain come down and allow your mind to relax. This Venus/Neptune aspect can bring visions if there's enough quiet. Lucky Numbers: 17, 21, 23 CAPRICORN Your psychic connection with your friends is very strong today. You may feel them before the phone rings, and you know who's texting as you hear the notification bell. This is a great day to have a good long conversation with someone you care about. Many things can be revealed, secrets you didn't know. Lucky Numbers: 32, 35, 58 AQUARIUS Today, someone from your past could reach out to you. This may be a past lover or close friend. There might be a flood of memories coming back, as you talk about old times. Consider reaching out to your high school sweetheart and seeing what they're doing now. Lucky Numbers: 9, 27, 39 PISCES There may be a big office meeting coupled with an announcement from upper management. Some changes are coming that could affect your job and bring some opportunities to you. New positions may be opening up or even a transfer opportunity. But this is going to take some thought as these are big changes. Lucky Numbers: 11, 24, 36
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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 35
CAPTURE the moment
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NIGHTLY HOLIDAY TREE LIGHT SHOW The nightly holiday tree light show takes place every half hour from sundown to 9 p.m. and runs through January 3. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)
36 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
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First, there’s the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol.” All other versions pale in comparison to this one which I prefer seeing in its original black and white. Who needs Ted Turner’s “colorized” version? Some things are best if they remain as they were. This was my mom’s favorite holiday movie – this and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” They remind me of times when life was full of promise, when the world appeared to be a place filled with magic where all of my dreams could come true. After all, if Ebenezer Scrooge could change and if Tiny Tim’s future could be recast for the better, than certainly all things were possible.
LAWMAKERS from Page 23 er women told the truth in those cases, but shows “they are the norm.” “There is no support, empirically, for the idea that women are lying or wrong about partner violence or child abuse to the extent that courts are saying they are,” said Meier, who also works as director at the university’s National Family Violence Law Center. “What it means is that these children were not protected.” Since the coronavirus pandemic impacted Maryland this year, advocates and state’s attorneys said there’s been an increase in domestic violence and child abuse calls. Joyce Lombardi, an attorney with the Baltimore Child Abuse Center, said the leading phone call she receives comes from parents who report allega-
F o r laughs, there are two movies which stand out: “Home Alone” and “A Christmas Story.” Ironically, as a youth, the absence of little brown boys who looked like me in either of the films never bothered me. I’ve since concluded that if you understand the true meaning of Christmas, you understand that it’s not about the external trappings which we often allow to hold
tions of abuse when they’re home. “They’re having to go into these proceedings and don’t have a lawyer,” she said. “Unfortunately, what you find is the judges and court personnel don’t understand enough. We a lot of training with court personnel [and] lawyers involved in these cases. The demand is huge.” Lawmakers with the committees had several questions such as Del. Debra Davis (D-Charles County) asked whether some of the recommendations looked through a social, cultural and racial “lens.” Paul Griffin, a member of the work group and legal director of Child Justice Inc. in Silver Spring, said anecdotal evidence shows Black mothers “are the worst treated I observed” in child custody proceedings. Without name the judge, he said
us back. It’s a spiritual encounter. Finally, there’s Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington who bring Black culture to the 1947 version of “The Bishop’s Wife” in roles originally portrayed by Loretta Young and the debonair Cary Grant – this time in “The Preacher’s Wife.” Whitney sang like she never sang before. And who could resist Denzel back in the day? Whitney should have gotten an Oscar just for being able to say, ‘No.” Lest I forget, a new classic, just released this year, has joined my list: the Netflix original, “Jingle Jangle.” I take my hat off to John Legend who co-wrote the songs and served among the team of producers. It’s a beautifully written work with dancing, singing and powerful messages – replete with moments that will make you laugh and cry. Best of all, the young children featured in the movie are talented far beyond their years – and they look like my little bronze-colored grandson. These are a few of my favorite things. What are some of yours? WI
one woman “was a doctor. He referred to other people as doctor. She was [addressed as] ‘Miss.’” Del. Frank Conaway Jr. (D-Baltimore City) asked about cultural and environmental differences dealing with child discipline such as spanking. “Sometimes young boys have to get punched out by their dads. You might disagree with that, but that is something that happens,” he said. “If you’re seasoned, I’m sure you’re aware of that.” “I’m aware it happens, I don’t know that I agree that is has to happen,” Griffin said. “I don’t think the science supports it as an effective way [of discipline]. If [judges] found that there was punching, they would agree that it would be child abuse.” WI
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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT
Voices of Fire Voices of Fire is a 2020 gospel musical documentary television series that follows Pharrell Williams, his uncle, Bishop Ezekiel Williams, an American singer, rapper, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer and entrepreneur. Singers came to sign up with their team of gospel leaders as they travel to Pharrell's hometown of Hampton Roads, Va., one drove in from Boston, in search of talented singers to build a world-class gospel choir. When I heard about the Netflix series, it piqued my interest, because I'm a religion columnist, and, like most of us, we love gospel music. After finding the show, I found it extremely satisfying! Singers from throughout the Hampton Roads area stood in line just to sign up. Next show were the actual auditions. To my surprise, someone is featured on the show whom I met virtually when Dr. Trenace Richardson invited me to appear on her monthly series called REAL Women. Her invitation said, “Dr. Trenace Richardson is the founder of REAL Women, a nonprofit membership community that creates safe spaces for women to do personal development work on themselves. She loves your work and would love to have you as a guest on her REAL Women FB Live on Wednesdays at 8 pm. We help women CONNECT
with other women in meaningful ways; grow their CONFIDENCE in who they are and what they are created to do, and become CATALYSTS of positive change in their lives and the lives of those around them. I’d love to feature you on an upcoming episode to connect with our real women.” I did her show, enjoyed it tremendously, and I found the energy, enthusiasm and ability to connect fantastic. Afterwards, weeks later, it dawned on me to schedule Dr. Richardson to appear on my radio show. She accepted and suggested that I watch Voices of Fire, because she and her mother auditioned, and both of them made the choir! I'm telling you folks, both Dr. Richardson and her mother sang and I'm telling you both are annointed! Gloria Whitfield Johnson is a powerhouse singer who has been singing for God since she was five years old, growing up in the New Hope Church of God in Christ where the late Bishop Herman Clark Sr. was the pastor. She is currently a deaconess and a lead vocalist in the choir at First Baptist Church South Hill in Chesapeake, Va., where Rev. Michael Toliver is the pastor. Her local music affiliations, past and present, include singing with the Inspirationals of the New Hope COGiC, the late Robert Wynn Jackson, theatre director at Norfolk State University, Peggy Britt and the Philharmonics, and the James Cleveland Tidewater Chapter of The Gospel Music Workshop of America Choir (GMWA). Gloria is a single parent and the proud mother
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
of Dr. Trenace Nicole Richardson, Dr. Floyd A. Fayton, Jr., Darnell Fayton, and a bonus daughter Renee Webb Thomas. Dr. Trenace Richardson is a powerhouse singer, preacher, international keynote speaker, award-winning educator, author, and nonprofit founder. Trenace, lovingly known to family and friends as Nikki, has been singing all her life, getting her start in the kindergarten choir at her church. She has been nicknamed a fireball in the pulpit and has an innate ability to connect the Word of God to our practical, everyday lives. She has sung for audiences across the country and abroad. Throughout her 25 years in ministry, she has served as a praise and worship leader, a minister of music and several other church leadership roles. Dr. Richardson cultivated her love of music outside of the church, by entering local talent shows and performing in community theater. Trenace has had the opportunity to lend her vocal giftings to several gospel artist projects. She is currently working on her own debut project and writing a personal memoir about her experiences in and relationship with the church. Dr. Richardson is honored to be the wife of Gregory Richardson. They have two beautiful children, Nhi’ya and Nigel, and live in Southern Maryland. Tune in on Friday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. to hear Dr. Trenace Richardson and her mom, as they share their story with listeners. Congratulations to both of them. Go to Netflix and watch this series. It is worth watching! 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
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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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DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 39
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
Reverend William Young IV 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 Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 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
“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org
Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor 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
Isle of Patmos Baptist Church 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
Twelfth Street Christian Church Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher
“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
40 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
themcbc.org
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
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 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
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
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
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
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.
DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020 41
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
2020 ADM 000615
2020 ADM 000351
2020 ADM 000647
Ronald Simmons aka Isaiah Ronald Simmons Decedent
Earma V. Jackson Decedent
Karen D. King aka Karen Denise King Decedent
Edward G. Varrone, Esq. 1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shanequa Terry, whose address is 95 Flower Road, Valley Stream, NY 11581, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ronald Simmons aka Isaiah Ronald Simmons who died on May 28, 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 June 3, 2021. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 3, 2021, 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: 12/3/2020 Shanequa Terry Personal Representative
Nakia Gray, Esq. 800 Maine Ave., SW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20024 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Darrell M. Jackson, whose address is 414 Webster Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Earma V. Jackson who died on November 22, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 3, 2021. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 3, 2021, 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: 12/3/2020
Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Evelyn W. King, whose address is 6100 Westchester Park Drive, College Park, MD 20740, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Karen D. King aka Karen Denise King who died on 12/24/2019 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 6/3/2021. 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 6/3/2021, 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: 12/3/2020
Darrell M. Jackson Personal Representative
Evelyn W. King 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 000631
2020 ADM 000694
2020 ADM 330
Samuel J. Frazier aka Samuel Johnson Frazier Decedent
Florence Ramsey Decedent
Jean Marie Abbott Decedent
Julius P. Terrell 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney
Nakia Gray, Esq. 800 Maine Ave., SW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20020 Attorney
Shari G. Kleiner 5614 Connecticut Ave., NW #107 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Vivian Frazier, whose address is 403 Peabody St., NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Samuel J. Frazier aka Samuel Johnson Frazier who died on 7/28/2008 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/3/2021. 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 6/3/2021, 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.
Clarence Ramsey, Jr., whose address is 8534 Coltrane Ct., Ellicott City, MD 21043, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Florence Ramsey who died on April 24, 2020 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 6/3/2021. 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 6/3/2021, 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.
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
Date of first publication: 12/3/2020 Vivian Frazier Personal Representative
Date of first publication: 12/3/2020 Clarence Ramsey, Jr. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
42 - DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2020
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Shari G. Kleiner, whose address is 5614 Connecticut Ave., NW #107, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jean Marie Abbott who died on October 5, 2015 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/3/2021. 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 6/3/2021, 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: 12/3/2020 Shari G. Kleiner Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance: I am that I am: “Shedaricka Tonja Jefferson©’, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: ”JEFFERSON,SHEDARICKA TONJA©’, corp.sole Dba.: “SHEDARICKA TONJA JEFFERSON©”, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to the The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constistution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish Amercian. I am that I am: “Shedaricka Tonja Jefferson©”, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality /Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “shedaricka tonja jefferson el©”. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Persons. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV ), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, STATE OF TEXAS, BIRTH NUMBER : #142-69-222363, “SHEDARICKA TONJA JEFFERSON©”, to the depositor: “shedaricka tonja jefferson el©”, nom deguerre: “Shedaricka Tonja Jefferson©”. All property, of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: “shedaricka tonja jefferson el© “, nom deguerre: “Shedaricka Tonja Jefferson©”, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : “Shedaricka Tonja Jefferson El Trust©”, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / done / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA IN THE FAMILY COURT OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY OF DORCHESTER DOCKET NO.: 2019-DR-18-1000 Notice of Adoption ProceedingS TO THE DEFENDANT: John Doe, Birth Father YOU ARE HEREBY GIVEN THE FOLLOWING NOTICE: 1. That an adoption proceeding was filed in the Family Court of Dorchester County on September 18, 2020, and in this Complaint you are alleged to be the father of an African-American, female child born in Alexandria, Virginia, on August 13, 2020. 2. That the Plaintiffs in the above captioned Notice are not named for the purpose of confidentiality; however, the Court knows the true identity of the Plaintiffs and in responding to this notice, you are required to use the caption and the number 2019-DR-18-1000. 3. That if Notice to Contest, Intervene or otherwise Respond is filed by you with the Court within thirty (30) days of the receipt of this Notice of Adoption Proceedings, you will be given an opportunity to appear and be heard on the merits of the adoption. To file notice to Contest, Intervene or otherwise Respond in this action, you must notify the above named Court at Dorchester County Courthouse, Clerk of Court Dorchester Family Court, P.O. Box 1885, Summerville, South Carolina 29484 in writing of your intention to Contest, Intervene or otherwise Respond. The above named Court must be informed of your current address and any changes of your address during the adoption proceedings. 4. That your failure to respond within thirty (30) days of receipt of this Notice of Adoption Proceedings constitutes your consent to the adoption and forfeiture of all of your rights and obligations to the above identified child. It is further alleged that your consent to this adoption is not required under S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-9-310 and that your parental rights should be terminated pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-7-2570 (7). This notice is given pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-9-730 (E). Raymond W. Godwin, Esq. (SC Bar #2162) PO Box 354 Greenville, SC 29602 PH (864) 241-2883 FAX: (864) 255-4342 ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS Date: November 5,2020
In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of White Flag Surrender Notice of Special Appearance: I am that I am: '' Hazine Chermon Chery '', in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: "CHERY, HAZINE CHERMON", corp.sole Dba.: " HAZINE CHERMON CHERY", having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Taino Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea AI Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Taino Moorish American. I am that I am: '' Hazine Chermon Chery '', from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality/ Status/ Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " zin rae' el ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, Dba: Health, Florida Department of, Dba: Vital Statistics, Dba: STATE OF FLORIDA,: Birth No.: 109-82-071805, '' Hazine Chermon Chery'', is as a special deposit order conveyed to " Hazine Chermon Chery Trust". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact (including HAZINE C CHERY C.U.S.I.P. # 316145812, HAZINE C CHERY C.U.S.I.P.# 316203850, any notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness or obligations, and/ or any security/ derivative in connection thereof) , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor/ Beneficiary/ Bailor/ Donor/ Principal/ Creditor: " zin rae' el© ",nom deguerre: "Hazine Chermon Chery©", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: "Hazine Chermon Chery Trust", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary/ trustee/ agent/ bailee/ donee/ debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. All open accounts (future accounts included) shall be recorded during a regular course of business as Closed Accounts and/ or Offset Accounts to which no further additions can be made on either side, but which remains still open for adjustment and set-off (One of two accounts that balance against each other and cancel each other out when the books are closed). Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved.
2020 ADM 000725 Gerald R. Watson Decedent Edward G. Varrone, Esq. 1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kimberly L. Watson, whose address is 243 Savannah Street, SE, Apt. D, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gerald R. Watson who died on December 13, 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 6/10/2021. 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 6/10/2021, 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: 12/10/2020 Kimberly L. Watson Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2020 ADM 000655
LEGAL NOTICES SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT COUNTY OF BERNALILLO STATE OF NEW MEXICO RICHARD MERCADO, Plaintiff, v. No. D.202.CV.2020.06257
Doris B. Barnes Decedent Cheryl Chapman Henderson, Esq. 4920 Niagara Road, Suite 200 College Park, MD 20740 Attorney
N. Kurt Barnes, whose address is 201 West 70th Street, #11J, New York, NY 10023, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Doris B. Barnes who died on July 24, 2020 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 6/10/2021. 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 6/10/2021, 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: 12/10/2020 N. Kurt Barnes Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY
In God We Trust Notice of White Flag Surrender
Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “ neo hatshepsut
ma’at-el©, nom deguerre: Neosha Latrica Gardner© ”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue,
GROUP ONE:
the beneficiary and heir of: ‘‘ GARDNER, NEOSHA LATRICA© ’’,
THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE FOLLOWING:
‘‘ WOODS, CHANNING KEANU© ’’, corp.sole Dba.: ‘‘ CHANNING KEA-
LEE L. HOFER, deceased, and ESTHER M. HOFER, deceased, GROUP TWO:
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
LEGAL NOTICES
THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOSE RUBEN MERCADO-SANTIAGO, deceased, GROUP THREE: ALL UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS OF INTEREST IN THE PREMISES ADVERSE TO THE PLAINTIFF AND ALL UNKNOWN PERSON WHO MAY HAVE CLAIM OF LIEN, INTEREST OR TITLE ADVERSE TO THE PLAINTIFFS, Defendants. FILED 2ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT Bernalillo County 12/1/2020 11:42 AM CLERK OF THE COURT Luke Tessman NOTICE OF PENDENCY OF SUIT STATE OF NEW MEXICO to THE UNKNOWN HEIRS OF JOSE RUBEN MERCADO-SANTIAGO, deceased, GREETINGS: You are hereby notified that Richard Mercado, the abovenamed Plaintiff have filed a civil action against you in the above-entitled Court and cause, the general object thereof being quiet title to property located at 3905 San Mateo Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Unless you enter your appearance in this cause within thirty (30) days of the date of the first publication of this Notice, December 11, 2020, judgment by default will be entered against you.
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
corp.sole Dba.: ‘‘ NEOSHA LATRICA GARDNER© ’’, and Trustee of
NU WOODS© ’’, and ‘‘ ANDERSON, NALA DELANI© ’’, corp.sole Dba.: ‘‘ NALA DELANI ANDERSON© ’’, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of
Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly cer-
tified, hereby affirms the following: Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as yamasee aniyunwiya moorish Americans, and ministers of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Persons. Notice of
LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45,
46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all
rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH - The State Office of Vital Records - STATE FILE
NUMBER(S) : [1] 110-026507 [“ NEOSHA LATRICA GARDNER© ”], [2] 2014GA000224272 [“ CHANNING KEANU WOODS© ”], [3] 2017GA000090527 [“ NALA DELANI ANDERSON© ”]. In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender Notice of Special Appearance: I am that I am: '' Sully Federico Pimentel Pereyra© '', in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: " PEREYRA, SULLY FEDERICO PIMENTEL", corp.sole Dba.: " SULLY FEDERICO PIMENTEL PEREYRA©". Beign trustee of “PIMENTEL, SOPHIA STELLA©”, corp. sole Dba.: “SOPHIA STELLA PIMENTEL©”, having reached the age of
Dated: 12/1/2020
Washington Informer
majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being
CL ASSIFIEDS
CL ASSIFIEDS
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my pedigree subscribes, as a: Taino Moorish American, but not a
Public Notice No. Date Closing Date 199500939 11/16/20 12/25/2020 THIS IS NOTICE AND A CONTRACT IN ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION
allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea AI Mau-
(1) LEGAL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, according to law that a Superior Claim of rights under Section 8-105 NOTICE OF ADVERSE CLAIM. Section 3-306 CLAIMS TO AN INSTRUMENT. Section 1-308 reservation of rights of the Uniformed Commercial Code. Pursuant to Section 20-343 of the Code of the District of Columbia. We the family hereby giving notice to all parties claiming interest in the ESTATE OF BETTY ROY OSBORNE property known as: 2608 17th street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20018 (LOT 826 SQUARE 4127) NOTICE TO AGENT IS NOTICE TO PRINCIPAL, NOTICE TO PRINCIPAL IS NOTICE TO AGENT. Take a moment to read this before you proceed any further. I do not wish to communicate under any circumstances excluding federal judicial review THIS LEGAL NOTICE IS TO ADDRESS ALL PARTIES IN THE NATURE OF A MIRANDA WARNING TAKE DUE HEED OF ITS CONTENTS. IF, FOR ANY REASON, YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND ANY OF THESE REGULATIONS, STIPULATIONS AND WARNINGS. This notice is to inform all parties that a superior claim to said property as exists and if any person, party, officers of the court, law enforcement officers including representatives, agents, contractors as defined in black’s law dictionary has a superior claim that you wish to communicate in writing, signed under the penalty of perjury as required by your law, and as shown in this instrument. all parties claiming an interest superior to affiant as required by law to respond within (30) days to 2608 17th street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20018, Your failure to timely do so leaves said persons in position of accepting full responsibility for any and all liabilities for monetary damages incurred by affiant, as indicated herein, by any adversely affected injuries cause by your overt or covert actions/ omissions, and/ or the actions/omissions of your fellow public officers and agents in this and/or any relevant matters as described herein. (2)YOUR FAILURE TO TIMELY RESPOND WITHIN ALLOTED TIMEFRAME you have (30) days from the date of this document is posted by the clerk of the public record to respond and rebut the presumptions of this contract/notice point by point, by submitting to me signed, certified, authenticated documents of the laws that rebut these presumptions point by point ,on and for the public record under the penalties of the law including perjury. this notice is to all responsible parties, i.e. officers of the court, Real Estate Agents, Brokers, Investors and or law enforcement officers including local, state , region, area, country, corporation, representatives, contractors, agencies and any such entity or person that may bring any type of action, whether civil, criminal, contract to purchase, contract to represent by agent or other, against affiant or in effort to buy, transfer or convey said property known as: 2608 17th street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20018 (LOT 826 SQUARE 4127) NOTICE TO AGENT IS NOTICE TO PRINCIPAL, NOTICE TO PRINCIPAL IS NOTICE TO AGENT. Whether in this country, state, region, area, county, corporation, federal zone, or any venue and or/ jurisdiction. Your failure to timely rebut the statements and warnings herein constitute your complete tacit agreement with all regulations and stipulations contained herein. your presumptions that I, the undersigned am a “corporate fiction” or “legal entity” and under your corporate “united states” jurisdiction and The District of Columbia are now and forever rebutted. Furthermore, affiant reserves all rights reserved UCC 1-308, UCC 1-103 all rights reserved to sue such persons in a court of law for all monetary damages, liabilities and/or adversely affected injuries. Said NOTICE declares right to discovery to know if there is in fact any claim, rights or objection by way of sale, exchange, mortgage, charge, gift, maintenance, inheritance, possession, lease, tenancy, sub-tenancy, lien, license, hypothecation, transfer of title or beneficial interest under any trust right of prescription or pre-emption or under an agreement or other disposition or under any decree etc. Falling which the negotiations shall be completed, without any reference to such claims and the claims if any, shall be deemed to have been given up or waived.
Rights of Indigenous Peoples], and all natural laws governing moors,
Affiant: c/o Mr. Osborne, Saladin (Secured Party) Location: 2608 17th street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20018 Lot 826 Square 4127 Purpose: All parties NOTICE This 16th Day of our Lord in the year 2020. _________________________________________ ______________________________ Saladin Osborne (Secured Party) Notary Public
citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, rikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Taino Moorish American. I am that I am: '' Sully Federico Pimentel Pereyra© '', from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality/ Status/ Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " mack el ©". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: [1] THE CITY OF NEW YORK, VITAL RECORDS CERTIFICATE BIRTH NO. 156-83-100920, ‘‘ SULLY FEDERICO PIMENTEL PEREYRA© ”, [2] The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics, REGISTERED NUMBER: 865, STATE FILE NUMBER: 064122,”SOPHIA STELLA PIMENTEL©” is as a special deposit order conveyed to " Mack El Trust". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor/ Beneficiary/ Bailor/ Donor/ Principal/ Creditor: " mack el© ",nom deguerre: "Sully Federico Pimentel Pereyra©", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: "Mack El Trust", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary/ trustee/ agent/ bailee/ donee/ debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. All Rights Reserved.
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duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as PUBLIC LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF CLAIM TO PROPERTY
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In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender Notice of Special Appearance: I am that I am: '' Eric Christopher Darden © '', in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: " DARDEN, ERIC CHRISTOPHER©", corp.sole Dba.: " ERIC CHRISTOPHER DARDEN ©". Being trustee of “DARDEN, ERIC JOSIAH©”, corp.sole Dba.: “ERIC JOSIAH DARDEN©” and ‘‘ DARDEN, ELIJAH CALIPH© ’’, corp.sole Dba.: ‘‘ ELIJAH CALIPH DARDEN© ’’, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Taino Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea AI Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Taino Moorish American. I am that I am: '' Eric Christopher Darden © '', from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality/ Status/ Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " eric christopher el ©". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: [1] THE CITY OF NEW YORK, VITAL RECORDS CERTIFICATE BIRTH NO. 156-82-333657, ‘‘ERIC CHRISTOPHER FIELDS©”, [2] The State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Health Department, REGISTERED NUMBER: V1568596, CERTIFICATE NUMBER: 201814205, ‘‘ERIC JOSIAH DARDEN©’’ and [3] The State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Health Department, REGISTERED NUMBER: V1568598, CERTIFICATE NUMBER: 201917055, ‘‘ELIJAH CALIPH DARDEN©’’ is as a special deposit order conveyed to " Eric Christopher El Express Trust ". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor/ Beneficiary/ Bailor/ Donor/ Principal/ Creditor: " eric christopher el© ",nom deguerre: " Eric Christopher Darden ©", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: "Eric Christopher El Express Trust", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary/ trustee/ agent/ bailee/ donee/ debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. All Rights Reserved.
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Gas has a proud history of partnering with local and regional nonprofit groups and a company culture of giving back to the community through philanthropy, volunteerism and charitable giving. “Washington Gas is committed to giving back to the communities we serve and we are delighted to have partnered with our local and regional nonprofit groups for ‘A Day of Warmth’ to create an innovative way to continue our tradition of helping neighbors in need as we brace for harsh, cold weather conditions across the region,” Blue Jenkins, the president of Washington Gas said in a news release. “We are especially grateful for our company volunteers and nonprofit partners who continue to work tirelessly to meet the growing needs of our community during these challenging times,” Jenkins said. WI
two-page document to inform inmates of the commissioner election process has been created and distributed. Some jail inmates showed interest in being a commissioner, Jayaraman said, with Joel Caston, a felon serving a life sentence for murder, showing the most interest by filling out the DCBOE paperwork. However, Jayaraman said Caston’s paperwork didn’t receive approval from the DCBOE because of technicalities. He said other inmates didn’t qualify for consideration because of incomplete paperwork or other technicalities. While Jayarman and his Ward 6 neighbors have actively worked with the inmates in the jail, Tyrell M. Hol-
comb, the chairman of 7F, said he and his commissioner colleagues are cognizant of the 7F07 vacancy. “We have talked a great deal about potentially filling that seat,” Holcomb said. “That district includes Reservation 13 and the former D.C. General Hospital, both areas with economic developmental potential. A disservice was done when the lines were drawn by the council. The people in 7F07 are an important constituency and deserve representation.” Holcomb said when the council redraws the commissioner boundaries next year in redistricting, he hopes 7F07 stays the same with a few adjustments. “We hope it includes the jail and neighborhood residents,” he said. WI
METRO from Page 12
MD COVID from Page 17
metro service to help them make their social, cultural, and economic contributions to our city,” Ward 2Council member Brooke Pinto (D) said in an email Friday. “A fully functioning Metro rail and bus system is absolutely critical to the success, health and safety of our city and our region.” Across the border in Prince George’s County, Md., Anita Gaston said public transportation remains a part of her life. The 71-year-old resident of Glenarden traveled on two Metrorail trains and two buses to visit her mother in Fort Washington. Her mother recently died. Two bus routes she uses – F14 (Sherriff Road-Capitol Heights) and W14 (Bock Road in Fort Washington) – are on the list to be cut from service. “I used to take the Metro on weekends, and it is necessary for the stations to stay open,” she said. “There are still people that don’t have a vehicle, don’t know how to drive and this is their only mode of transportation.” Staff writer James Wright contributed to this story. WI
Vaccines for those in phase two represent people in “critical, essential infrastructure roles” who work in education, transit and utility companies. The state also included people in this group identified as those facing “moderately higher risk of severe COVID-19 illnesses.” The third and final phase will be people in the general population who can receive a vaccine through a primary health care provider, local pharmacy, or urgent care facilities. “Our vaccination efforts will continue until all Marylanders are able to access vaccines,” she said. In terms of children, the current tests have focused only on adults. However, future clinical trials have begun to assess the safety of the vaccine for children. Maryland’s coronavirus figures continue to rise with the health department reporting 35 straight days of confirmed cases at 1,000 or more. Approximately 1,653 patients were hospitalized Monday, Dec. 7 – the highest rate since May 9. The daily number of deaths also reached another high point on Dec. 7 with 50 deaths from the virus – the highest daily total since May. “The vaccine from what we know so far is that it will protect the person who’s getting vaccinated from getting the disease,” Chan said. “But it is still important for everyone to wear a mask, practice social distancing and hand washing to prevent potential transfer or spread of [the] disease to people who are unvaccinated.” WI
SERVICE from Page 22 part, been attributed to the stress of a prolonged quarantine and uncertainty about what the future holds. Meanwhile, some students and parents continue to reject the isolation of virtual learning. For some young people like Kiron Andrews who’ve interacted mostly with his elders during virtual learning, Banneker-Blueprint Ward 8 Outreach Program not only reintroduced him to his peer group, but exposed him to progressive ideas. “Blueprint taught us how to save and invest our money, and I also learned that it’s kind of alright to pick up the trash but you have to pay attention to what’s in it,” said Kiron, a seventh grader. “There were a lot of homeless and high people on the streets sitting down, and [seeing them] taught me a life lesson [about] bettering myself and not wanting to be someone who’s on the streets daily.” WI
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MALVEAUX from Page 26 have lost their unemployment benefits. Fourteen million people say they are either not working or working less because of the coronavirus. Nearly half a million have left the labor force just last month. People are suffering, and it seems as if our legislators don't care. So there are those who are celebrating stock gains and others who have seen absolutely no gain. Some are celebrating economic success, while too many others are scrambling for their next meal. Those who are working are facing more challenging conditions than be-
CHAVIS from Page 26 it's the families and friends of the imprisoned making the calls or accepting the calls that end up paying those bills. It obviously costs money to build, install, maintain and secure this technology. But not all or even most of this money that is paid for those services goes to the telecoms themselves. What most people do not know is that the government takes a cut of the revenue — in many cases, the lion's share. For example, in 2018 incarcerated individuals in Connecticut paid $13.2 million for phone calls. Nearly 60% of that money went to the state. Because of this model, the cost of making a call or sending an email from a correctional facility can be much higher than on the outside. And these costs can vary widely from state to state. In 2019, according to the Prison Policy Initiative, the average cost of a call from a jail in New Jersey cost $1.26, while that same call in Arkansas cost $14.49. Prison telecom companies have faced strong criticism in recent years from elected and community leaders for their role in these charges. I have expressed concern about the way these contracts put an unreasonable financial burden on families in our communities. In my civil rights career, I have experienced firsthand how prisoners and their families are taken advantage of and financially challenged by jail
JEALOUS from Page 26 House aide Jared Kushner is suing to evict hundreds of tenants who have fallen behind on their rent. The need for action is urgent. But McConnell has used the Senate's time this fall to push right-wing Trump
fore the pandemic. Because of a lack of funds, many cities are cutting public transportation, increasing waiting times, and crowding. The cut in transportation services is understandable, as is the reduction in other services. Where does that leave us, though, when there are fewer buses, less garbage collection, and fewer other public services? The House of Representatives and Senate are squabbling about how much relief is needed but seem close to an agreement that will provide much-needed — and insufficient — aid. President Obama told Rev. Al Sharpton, "any recovery is going to re-
quire government to spend even more than it already has." As it now stands, the government is more interested in making political points than in helping citizens. For some, it boils down to the Dow Jones Industrial Average. For others, it is a matter of the unemployment rate and its reverberations. This is what we know for sure — the coronavirus is taking a tremendous toll on our society and economy every single day. Christmas is coming, and too many folks will find empty stockings. On both sides of the aisle, our legislators deserve nothing more than a lump of coal. Bah, humbug! WI
and prison regulated services. And at least one of these companies, Securus Technologies, appears to have taken this criticism to heart. In 2017, Securus was acquired by Platinum Equity, which is headed by Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores. At the time, many of us would have reasonably assumed that a private equity firm would simply extract as much value from the company as possible and then sell it at a profit. But that's not what Gores did. Instead, he appears to have undertaken an effort to change some of the problematic business practices that have long plagued the correctional telecom industry. At the beginning of this year, Gores brought in a new CEO for Securus, who committed to lowering their prices and improving the services they provide to incarcerated Americans. If you approach such a promise with a healthy dose of skepticism, you're not alone — especially knowing the history of this industry. But for the moment, Securus seems to be making good on its promises. According to company updates, Securus has so far reduced the average cost of calls by 30%. It has renegotiated lower rates with 56 correctional agencies this year. It has been offering free calls and other communications to incarcerated individuals affected by the pandemic — over 30 million to date. Was that enough? No. Far from it. But it was an important start,
and one that no other company in the prison telecom space has so far matched. Yet Gores appears to have been singled out for criticism by a group of advocates for the incarcerated. Sometimes even those with good intentions can find themselves caught up in the systemic problems of the correctional industry. Those attacks came to a head this year when critics demanded that the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) remove Gores from its board. They called him a "prison profiteer," despite the fact that — as the Los Angeles Times notes — Gores had pledged 100% of his personal stake in Securus to helping reform its operations. LACMA eventually bowed to pressure and, to avoid further friction, Gores resigned his seat. This is exactly an example of the consequences of poor judgment in public advocacy that does not actually help bring relief to the families of the mass incarcerated. Did LACMA improve the life of a single incarcerated individual by doing so? It did not. To be clear, the prison telecom industry remains in need of serious reform. We need to hold Securus and other telecoms accountable for changing their harmful business practices. But if we want people to do the right thing then we need to acknowledge when they actually strive to do the right thing. For the full version of this column, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI
judges into lifetime positions on the federal courts. He adjourned the Senate for Thanksgiving without bringing up relief legislation. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have put the new administration's coronavirus task force in place. Biden has called
on Congress to pass legislation like the HEROES Act the House passed back in May. It is long past time for Senate Republicans to deal with their Democratic colleagues in good faith, and to give American families the relief they need and deserve. WI
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LEON from Page 27 sell weapons and take resources than provide humanitarian aid. America’s imperialist, hegemonic and evil regime change policies did not make themselves. Again, it is the people who make the policy. Look at the record of some of Biden’s cabinet nominees and their involvement in these atrocities. Biden’s choice for Secretary of Defense is projected to be Michele Flournoy. She was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy during the Clinton administration. During her tenure she authored the May 1997 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). The founding principle of this document is that the unilateral use of force is acceptable to defend any U.S. interest the U.S. deems important and the U.S. is the sole arbiter of these issues. She is the proponent of permanent war or as she calls it, “full spectrum dominance.” As the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the Obama administration, she was instrumental in designing the horrific regime change policies that led to the invasions of Libya and Syria. Biden’s choice for Secretary of State is Tony Blinken. He was a top advisor to then-Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del) who was Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They played a major role in shoring up support among the Democrat-controlled Senate for Bush’s illegal invasion of Iraq. We can also thank Avril Haines, Biden’s pick to be Director of National Intelligence for his role in the Yemen, Libya and Syria policies. Haines also supported arms sales to Saudi Arabia. On the domestic policy front, Biden has named Neera Tanden as his nominee to lead the Office of Man-
ASKIA from Page 27 Warnock, her opponent who pastors Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s home church, a "radical liberal." A radical liberal — as if being either radical or liberal is a sin in this corrupt society! With a few exceptions, in order for any Democratic politician to even ascend to that lofty level in this country, they have to expunge themselves of any really radical ideas. For example, liberals say $15 per hour minimum wage by 2024, but if wages had kept pace with average worker productivity increases, since 1997 when it was $5.15 per hour, today the minimum would already be $22.50 an hour. Today, two $15 an hour salaries are required to house and feed a family
agement and Budget. It should be troubling that a nominee for this position has advocated for cuts to Social Security and other vital social safety net programs. During a pandemic, with an economy in recession and 30-40 million Americans facing eviction, austerity is not the appropriate response. Tanden also has a hawkish foreign policy side. Leading up to the Libya bombing she was advocating taking Libya’s oil as repayment for the US backed bombing of the country. “If we want to continue to engage in the world, gestures like having oil-rich countries partially pay us back doesn’t seem crazy to me….” This is the same mindset that Trump articulated in Syria. In his speech, “Time to Break Silence” Dr. King warned us about austerity, “A few years ago…it seemed as if there was a real promise of hope for the poor…through the poverty program…Then came the buildup in Vietnam, and I watched this program broken and eviscerated, as if it were some idle political plaything of a society gone mad on war, and I knew that America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube.” Just replace Vietnam with Afghanistan, Syria or Yemen, etc. We are still “a society gone mad on war”. As the “Manhattan Mussolini” aka President Trump talks about withdrawing U.S. troops from Afghanistan, what does Jeh Johnson (possible nominee for a defense position) have to say? “…in trying to strike a deal, you don’t unilaterally surrender your greatest point of leverage by unilat-
erally withdrawing troops before the Afghan government and the Taliban have stuck a deal…” Greatest point of leverage? We’ve been there almost 20 years and gained nothing! What leverage is he talking about? These are just a few examples of the individuals President-elect Biden has said he will nominate for key positions in his administration. I have been very consistent in warning that Nov. 3 was especially important, but it is what Americans are willing to fight for that will matter on Nov.4 and after. For as ugly and racist as Trump’s politics are America will have to be vigilant and diligent if there is to be substantive positive change in the future. These nominees indicate to me that Biden, et al are planning to take us back to a romanticized Clinton and Obama eras whose policies sometimes did not lead to a better America. Biden has been touting a “diverse” cabinet and administration. He is introducing prominent “firsts” of their gender or ethnicity in cabinet positions. Diversity in gender or ethnicity is not as relevant as diversity in ideology and agenda. Don't get fooled by this identity/gender politics "diversity" veneer. Look at the records of these people. Look at the think-tanks they are tied to and how many of them have been and/or are currently being paid by Lockheed Martin, Northrup Grumman and the other defense contractors. Look at how many of them were involved in the Libya fiasco, the Yemen catastrophe, Rwanda, and the blunder in Syria. Progress this is not. If the people don’t force change in policy, it will just be a nicer fascism. A warmer and fuzzier hegemony. A happier time for neoliberalism. A kinder and gentler imperialism. WI
in this country, but your millionaires declare that only "radicals" want higher wages, which they say depresses job creation. Sure, if they could pay a worker less than the current $7.25 minimum hourly wage, they would do so. That's what the "minimum wage" means. Remember, there was 100 percent Black employment (0 percent Black unemployment) during chattel slavery. In the name of their precious white, tribal priorities, Republicans are unforgiving in their hatred of the potential rise of Black people. They label the Black Lives Matter movement as radical. They've even got Barack Obama, an iconic figure who is as popular as Jesus among Black folks, declaring that "slogans" like "defund the police"
are not helpful in the society. Sadly, former NFL star Michael Vick served more time in jail for his conduct toward dogs than did all the cops who killed innocent Black men Eric Garner, Michael Brown and Tamir Rice — combined! But leave it to white Americans, and there would be a gun-toting cop on every corner where Black people live. What should be normal is the Native American model, where there was no homelessness, and jails were not necessary. I'm telling you; the white American model is irreparably broken. It cannot be fixed for the good of humanity. At some point in the near future, we will all come to see that is true. America is broken beyond repair. WI
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