The Washington Informer - December 13, 2023 by The Washington Informer

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School Lottery Season Starts Amid Questions about Enrollment and Equity

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Amid rumors about John Philip Sousa Middle School’s closure, hundreds of students, teachers, faculty, parents, and alumni converged on the campus last week to attend a school boundary and student assignment meeting that the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME) hosted. That meeting, initially about potential recommendations coming out of an ongoing boundary study, quickly pivoted to a conversation about Sousa. For more than an hour on Dec. 6, community members expressed their thoughts about the Southeast middle school and how its closure, or movement to Winston Education Campus

in Southeast, would detrimentally affect students in the surrounding community. While Dr. Marla Dean, chair of the Ward 7 Education Council, one of 26 advisory committee members, acknowledged the cause for concern about Sousa, she said that a bevy of schools east of the Anacostia River (not just Sousa) face enrollment challenges that jeopardize the future of Ward 7’s public education infrastructure. With Ward 7 parents sending their children to nearby charter schools or schools west of the Anacostia River early in their child’s school career, neighborhood elementary and middle

ENROLLMENT Page 52

Vol 59 No 9..., December 14 - 20, 2023

WI Health Supplement / Center Section

5 Officer R.I. Rogers shopping with Markell and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith with Jayce Boyd during the annual Shop with a Cop event held in partnership with the DC Police Foundation and Walmart in Northeast on December 6. ( Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

UN Climate Conference Closes; D.C. Ramps Up Carbon Free Vision

After Delay, D.C. Council Conducts Hearing on Chronic Absenteeism

By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter

Chairman Mendelson Postpones Government Witness Portion for Another Date By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

The D.C. Council’s Committee of the Whole recently conducted a public hearing about chronic absenteeism -- a topic of great concern to parents, teachers, government officials, and the law enforcement community. The Tues., Dec. 12 hearing, originally intended to ascertain why D.C. government agencies haven’t been able to 5The D.C. Council’s Committee of the Whole recently curb chronic absenteeism, began more than two hours after conducted a public hearing about chronic absenteeism, a major concern for many parents, teachers, law its scheduled start time. enforcement and government officials alike. (Courtesy

TRUANCY Page 27 Photo)

The annual United Nations meeting about climate change, known as the Conference of Parties or COP, wrapped up this week with nations agreeing an unprecedented deal to phase out fossil fuel use. The 28th international climate convening began Nov. 30 in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, and tense negotiations required more than a full day of overtime talks after meetings were supposed to end Dec. 12. Mayor Muriel Bowser attended several days of COP28 early in the month, and her administration released a long-awaited finalized plan to become a carbon-free city by 2045 while she was there. The move signals D.C.’s continued efforts to stand out as a climate leader nationally and internationally. “They say all politics are local — it’s the same thing with the climate crisis,” said the Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., head of the national climate justice group Hip Hop Caucus. “What happens in D.C. has an impact for other cities,

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COMPILED BY STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER; JAMES WRIGHT, WI STAFF WRITER

Wilfried Nancy Makes History as First Black MLS Cup-winning Head Coach Wilfried Nancy is the first Black head coach to win the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup presented by Audi in only his third year as an MLS head coach. Nancy made history on Saturday night, as his Columbus Crew defeated the defending champions the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) with a score of 2-1. “I’m so proud of that because there is a lot of work behind that,” Nancy said during a postgame news conference. “But I’m not happy at the same time because this is not normal. Simple as that. So, I’m proud to represent, yes, to be the only Black. But I’m not happy with that. So, this is something that has to change.” Nancy added, “I know that MLS tries to do that, but this is not only in MLS.” Born in France, Nancy had a professional playing career that spanned 10 years. From 1995-2005, the defender represented French clubs Sporting Club Toulon, Beaucairois, Raon-l’Etape, Ivry, Noisy-le-Sec, Chatellerault and Orleans. Nancy joined the Crew on December 6, 2022 as the eighth full-time head coach in Crew history, and he quickly used his assertive and forward-thinking style to lead the Crew to their third MLS Cup.

Reportedly, Nancy’s methodical and philosophical approach led his team to finish 2023 at the pinnacle of success. First-half goals from Cucho Hernández and Yaw Yeboah provided a substantial lead, ensuring that Dénis Bouanga’s late goal for LAFC remained 5 Wilfred Nancy (Courtesy Photo) a consolation strike. “We started, and I told the guys, impossible is an opinion,” Nancy remarked. “Just enjoy it, and we’re going to grow. This is what happened, and it’s unbelievable.” Acknowledging the league’s initiatives to increase opportunities for Black coaches, Nancy emphasized that the lack of representation extended beyond North America. “This is everywhere,” he asserted. “The way I see things in my life is...We want to compete all the time. So, I’m going to compete next year.” Read more on washingtoninformer.com. WI

D.C. GOP Announces Presidential Primary Ballot 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 $55 per year, two years $70. 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 Micha Green, Managing Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Editor, WI Bridge DC Austin Cooper, Our House Editor Desmond Barnes, Social Media Stategist ZebraDesigns.net, Design & Layout Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Angie Johnson, Office Mgr./Circulation REPORTERS Kayla Benjamin, (Environmental Justice Reporter) Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Curtis Knowles, Brenda Siler, Lindiwe Vilakazi, Sarafina Wright, James Wright PHOTOGRAPHERS Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor, Roy Lewis, Jr., Robert R. Roberts, Anthony Tilghman, Abdula Konte, Ja'Mon Jackson

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The District of Columbia Republican Party announced on Dec. 1 the candidates that will appear on the ballot for the March 1-4, 2024, presidential primary. The qualifying candidates are former President Donald Trump, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Governors Ron DeSantis of Florida, Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Doug Burgum of North Dakota, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, entrepreneur Ryan Binkley, and National Security strategist David Stuckenberg. Patrick Mara, the chairman of the District’s Republican Party, said ballot access closed on Dec.

1 at 5 p.m. He noted that eight of the nine available candidates achieved ballot access and its primary will be the fifth in the nation, “significantly impacting the nominating process of the eventual Republican presidential nominee.” The primary proceedings will take place at the Marriott Madison Hotel in the District. The candidates will compete for the District’s 19 delegates and 16 alternates to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee that will take place July 15-18, 2024. National GOP rules mandated the District’s party move its primary from the District-scheduled primary date of June 4 to March. WI

Harvard President Claudine Gay Retains Position Amidst Controversy Harvard President Claudine Gay will continue in her position despite increasing criticism and demands for her removal considering her recent testimony on antisemitism. The university’s highest governing board unanimously endorsed her on Tuesday. Harvard University’s Board of Overseers released a statement expressing their support for President Gay amidst the current challenging situation. “We fully support President Gay, standing together in unity and agreement.”Because of the controversy, Gay subsequently issued a statement of remorse and provided further clarification regarding her stance, emphasizing that threats of violence “are abhorrent, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held accountable.” The House Committee on Education and the Workforce initiated an inquiry into the learning environment at Harvard in response to a letter signed by more than 70

members of Congress, despite Gay’s apology, which demanded her resignation. Gay expressed her commitment to the university community in an interview with the Harvard Crimson by stating that Harvard will never tolerate threats towards Jewish students. Gay, who graduated from Harvard in 2006, was the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences before becoming the president in July. She is the first Black person to hold this position. The controversy ensued after the hearing before a House subcommittee on Dec. 5. During the session, Gay and two other university presidents were criticized for not clarifying if supporting the genocide of Jews would go against their universities’ code of conduct. As the situation escalated, opponents intensified their demands for Gay to be fired. WI

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Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center Receives $22.5 Million in Federal Funding

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U.S. Department of Treasury Supports Healthcare and Career Opportunities in Ward 8 By James Wright WI Staff Writer The Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center, located on the St. Elizabeths East Campus in Southeast, D.C. has been approved for $22.5 million in federal funding by the U.S. Department of Treasury, city and federal officials announced on Dec. 11. “This investment in Whitman-Walker will spur innovation and create new career and care opportunities for our residents— right here on the St. Elizabeths East Campus,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. The funding for the Max Robinson Center comes as the St. Elizabeths East Campus experiences a revitalization in the working-class Congress Heights neighborhood of Ward 8. The center formally opened in September and joins such venues as the Entertainment & Sports Arena, the new 801 Men’s Shelter, the District Townhouses, the Residences at St. Elizabeths, the Sycamore & Oak retail village and the construction of the Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center, a George Washington University health facility that is scheduled to open in 2025.

THE MAX ROBINSON CENTER

The center is named after famed newscaster Max Robinson, the first African American to anchor a major news broadcast and was a co-founder of the National Association of Black Journalists. Robinson died of complications due to AIDS on December 20, 1988. For many years, Whitman-Walker operated a Max Robinson Center in the southern section of the Anacostia neighborhood, on Martin Luther King Jr., Avenue SE. The new Max Robinson Center is designed to serve residents in the surrounding neighborhoods, a Whitman-Walker official said.

“We are able to provide services for an additional 10,000 patients a year,” said Rama Keita, community health and wellness director at Whitman-Walker. “I am incredibly proud of this building. This expansion will help us make the great Ward 8 even greater.” The center also houses the Whitman-Walker Institute, which works closely with residents to seek feedback and to promote research that reflects community experiences and needs. Whitman-Walker officials say the new funding, a result of the Capital Projects Fund of the American Rescue Plan, will allow the building of two multi-purpose community spaces that will be health and wellness oriented, plus 40 exam and consult rooms, eight dental suites, and 23 group and psychotherapy rooms that will enable expanded telemedicine services. The investment will give the center the chance to offer workforce training programs, education, and skills in partnership with local universities for those interested in administrative and health care roles. Joseph Wender, the director of the Capital Projects Fund at the Treasury Department, mentioned that the $22.5 million is part of the Biden administration’s effort to economically uplift communities after the coronavirus pandemic. Naseema Shafi, CEO of Whitman-Walker and Cindy Lewin, the interim CEO of the organization, expressed gratitude to the officials at the Treasury Department and the District for the funding and “for this once in a lifetime commitment.” “Our new Max Robinson Center is a modern and welcoming health care and research facility built for the purpose of expanding health, research and job readiness training for communities with disproportionate health outcomes,” the pair said in a statement. “From Max we will be able to expand care to 10,000 more people annually;

be fully prepared for any future health emergency or outbreak and work to eradicate health disparities for residents in Wards 7 and 8 and throughout the city. The new site will also provide necessary access to more capacity for community-based research that ensures groundbreaking scientific research. This historic investment at this critical time, builds a future for residents of the District of Columbia.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

5The new Whitman-Walker Max Robinson Center in Ward 8 gets a $22.5 million boost in federal funding.

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black facts

DEC. 14 - 20, 2023 SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

1971 – Rev. Jesse Jackson announces the founding of Operation PUSH. 1996 – The Oakland Unified School District school board passes a resolution recognizing Ebonics — or African American Vernacular English — as an African language. 2002 – BET founder Robert Johnson is announced as owner of the NBA's Charlotte expansion franchise, making him the first African American majority owner in major professional sports.

DEC. 19

1875 – Historian, author and journalist Carter G. Woodson, known as the "father of Black history," is born in Canton, Virginia. 1918 – Professor Longhair, a seminal blues singer and pianist, is born in Bogalusa, Louisiana. 1924 – Famed actress Cicely Tyson is born in New York City.

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1945 – Writer and music critic Stanley Crouch is born in Los Angeles. 1963 – Jazz singer Dinah Washington dies in Detroit at 39 of an accidental overdose on sleeping pills. 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

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.

DEC. 17

1760 – Deborah Sampson, a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, is born in Plympton, Massachusetts. 1939 – Singer and founding Temptations member Eddie Kendricks is born in Birmingham, Alabama. 1996 – Kofi Annan becomes the first Black secretary-general for the United Nations.

DEC. 18

1946 – Stephen Biko, anti-apartheid activist, is born in Ginsberg Township, South Africa.

6 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

1860 – South Carolina becomes the first slave state in the South to secede from the Union, setting in motion the events leading to the Civil War. 1956 – The Montgomery bus boycott, which began Dec. 5, 1955, ends after the Supreme Court declares the Alabama and Montgomery laws requiring segregated buses to be unconstitutional. 1986 – Michael Griffith, a 23-yearold Black man from New York City's Brooklyn borough, is struck and killed by a car in Howard Beach after being chased onto a highway by a white mob who had beaten him and his friends. 1988 – Max Robinson, the first African American broadcast network news anchor in the United States, dies in Washington, D.C., from complications of AIDS at 49. WI

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D.C. Dream Center’s Closes Year with Intergenerational Celebration By Dr. Patrise Holden WI Contributing Writer

Music, laughter, and sounds of celebration filled the air on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the DC Dream Center’s year end celebration. The event brought out approximately 300 attendees to the Southeast, D.C. center, whose mission is to inspire and equip youth and adults to achieve their dreams. Donors, youth, community members, and volunteers in attendance praised the center’s 26 year history of serving the community. John David Smith, 42, volunteer, said, “the Dream Center’s focus on diversity and its commitment to the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of the community starts with its leadership.” Davis, along with his family manned the barbecue grill where grass fed burgers from his own farm were served during the event. Kristen Campbell, 36, a military wife and homeschool mom, said that service to others is a tenet that she and her husband are teaching through action to their four boys. “Over the years, our family has sponsored gift lists for children, passed out meals, and served in other manners here at the center,” Campbell said. “The joy of seeing the smiles and reactions of giving, teaches our kids about the joys of service to the community and also fills them with gratitude for the things that they have.” Face painting, food, hands-on and interactive activities, and opportunities to meet center staff and directors made the celebration enjoyable for attendees, volunteers, and vendors alike. During the event, the Dream Center stayed true to its mission of giving voice to the community. At the close of the celebration, 13-year-old Zaire Bradley, entertained the crowd with an original

5 Zaire Bradley, RAP program participant, gives heartfelt tribute to his slain brother. (Photo Couortesy/ Dr. Patrise Holden)

song about the murder of his teenage brother. The applause and support Zaire received from attendees of all ages and ethnicities illustrated both the spirit of the event and the center’s 26-year commitment to provide inspiration, education, and a safe space for D.C. youth and families. WI

5 DC Dream Center year end celebration attracts diverse crowd including balloon artist James McGrath. (Photo Courtesy/Dr. Patrise Holden)

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African Union Honors Susan Rice, Leaders Working to Empower Across African Diaspora By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

Ambassadors, global innovators and local leaders flocked to the ballroom of The Mayflower Hotel on Friday, Dec. 8, for the African Union Ambassadors Ball, celebrating those who have led the charge in working to empower and strengthen relations across the African Diaspora. With drinks, a delicious meal and live entertainment, the event honored those who have paved the way in creating opportunities throughout the African Diaspora, including: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Angelique Kidjo, Ambassador Susan Rice, and Randall Robinson, posthumously. Haydé Adams, host of Voice of America’s “Straight Talk Africa,” served as the evening’s mistress of ceremonies. Journalist, talk show host and commentator Roland Martin presented the award for activist, author, lawyer and TransAfrica founder Robinson, who died in March of this year. “We had real life superheroes walking among us. Individuals fighting the good fight and unwilling to take ‘no’ for an answer,” Martin said, considering Robinson’s

life. Martin presented the AU Lifetime Achievement Tribute to the late leader’s widow Hazel Ross-Robinson. “My husband was unwaveringly committed to work for and with African nations and the people of the African world,” Ross-Robinson said. Rice, who received the AU Kofi Annan Award, discussed her longtime commitment to supporting those on the continent of Africa. “I was proud to help launch and sustain signature initiatives like the Young African Leaders initiative, Power Africa and Feed the Future; as well as to host another historic U.S.- African Leaders Summit, and to support President Obama’s historic address to the African Union in Addis Ababa in 2015,” Rice told the crowd. In addition to dancing and celebration, the ball also offered a call to action for guests to continue supporting efforts across the African Diaspora. “There’s still a lot of work to be done,” said a representative for Kidjoe, a singer, songwriter and actress, who received the AU Global Citizen Award. Read more on washingtoninformer.com. WI

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5 Ambassador Susan Rice received the Kofi Annan Award at the African Union Ambassadors Ball on Friday, Dec. 8. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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(L-R) Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney, Unknown, Dr. Lopez Matthews, Robert Stanton, Unknown, Joan Mooney, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Dr. Ida Jones, Tara Morrison, Unknown at the Dr. Carter G. Woodson birthday celebration at Dunbar High School in Washington DC on December 9. (Shedrick Pelt @sdotpdotmedia/The Washington Informer)

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a part of my DNA,” Hudson said. “When I started to really go after this, I had to put a service behind it to motivate me to get up everyday. And making people that look like me feel inspired is the reason that I’m able to do this.” Hudson, who has designed for the likes of former First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jennifer Lopez and Amal Clooney, noted the importance of using one’s platform in making a difference in the community. He said one way of supporting African American communities is through supporting Black businesses. “Just think about what you’re buying and who you’re buying it from,” he said, as a suggestion when shopping at major department stores. “It takes a little bit of research sometimes, sometimes we’re (Black designers are) on the corner rack by the elevator, but we’re there.” The celebrated designer left the crowd with an important message. “I think there’s a lot of people of substance in this room,” Hudson said. “Use your substance where it can benefit your community the most.” WI

incredibly honored to receive such a beautiful recognition from his people. “I never, ever tried to be grand or be greater than anybody, but I want the world to know that our people are important to me and being honored by my people is important to me,” Hudson told the crowd. Empowering the Black community, Hudson said, aligns with his goals in the fashion industry. “My mission as a designer is to normalize people that look like me in this space,” he said. “[I want] to normalize ready-to-wear designers being people of color, not just making urban clothes or avant garde clothes, but clothes that women actually want to wear and to live their lives in and pass down to their children.” The designer emphasized that his entire life has been focused on helping others, similarly to the mission of the Gatsby Showcase Foundation. “I come from a life of service. My mother was a pastor and I worked in a homeless shelter at least once a week my entire childhood, so service and giving back is

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5The Gatsby Foundation Showcase Gala featured a fashion show and awarded honorees at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Northwest, D.C. on Dec. 9. This is the runway show featuring the Sergio Hudson Collection. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Donning sparkly gowns, dapper tuxedos and fabulous fashion-forward attire, hundreds of guests filled the terrace of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Northwest, D.C., for the third annual Gatsby Showcase Foundation’s Gala, honoring innovators and entrepreneurs including designer Sergio Hudson. Reality television star Lisa Wu served as mistress of ceremonies, for the glamorous event that included an open-bar, finger foods, a multi-designer fashion show, and even a performance from a Michael Jackson impersonator. With the engaging runway show featuring Sergio Hudson Collections, Michael Johnson’s JL Michael’s Custom Clothiers, and Mona Moumen’s raMona Design Studio as an event highlight, this year's gala also continued the Gatsby’s Showcase Foundation’s tradition of empowering the Black community through fashion, arts and culture. “The Gatsby Foundation was created to empower historically disadvantaged groups to achieve economic independence,” said Laura Fote, the event’s co-executive producer and CEO of L&B Concepts, last year in a WIN-TV interview. In addition to Hudson, 2023 honorees included: entrepreneur, author and philanthropist Dr. Trisha Bailey; Captain James Kamau, a Kenya Airways pilot and director of Kenya Operations for Crossing Thresholds; Ann Trip, an award-winning news director of WBLS; and Greg Lockman, founder and chairman of Purposeful Living and Giving. Dr. Lance London, founder of the successful restaurant chain Carolina Kitchen, received the “Gatsby Foundation Appreciation Award.” “In helping others, you’ll get what you want,” London emphasized in his acceptance speech. When accepting his “Trailblazer’s Award,” Hudson said he was

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Prince George’s County Political Updates By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

IVEY SHARES PRIORITIES AS NEW COUNCIL CHAIR, HARRISON

Prince George’s County Council member Jolene Ivey (D-District 5) was elected by her colleagues on Dec. 5 to serve as the chair for the body’s 2024 legislative year, replacing Councilman Tom Dernoga (D- District 1). Council member Sydney Harrison (D-District 9) was elected vice chair, replacing Councilwoman Wala Blegay (D- District 6). Harrison was elected to his first term on the council in 2018. The Council will be going on recess until January. During their upcoming term, it is anticipated they will deal with budget issues. Ivey was sworn onto the Prince George’s County Council in December 2018 after serving as a

member of the House of Delegates for two terms (chairing the county delegation from 2013 to 2014) and as a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2014. She is the wife of U.S. Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) and mother of Maryland Del. Julian Ivey (D-District 47A), and four other sons. A news release stated that Ivey’s priorities as the body’s leader are children and families, fighting for environmental justice and sustainable practices, and ensuring residents receive speedy, effective, and courteous service from the county government. She helped start Family Connects, a program within Child Resource Connects, which provides nurses to visit new parents in their homes to support them and connect with services, if needed. Ivey also co-founded Mocha Moms, a national support group for mothers of color. “As Prince George’s County grows, we should make sure that our families thrive along with

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5Council Chair Jolene Ivey (D- District 5) and Vice Chair Sydney Harrison (D–District 9) speak at a press conference shortly after the vote cementing their leadership during a Council session on Dec. 5. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

it,” she said. “Strong parents lead to great students, a more vibrant economy, and safer communities.” Before his election to the council, Harrison was elected to the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County in 2014. He was also the former vice chair of the Maryland Clerk’s Association and currently serves on the county’s Democratic Central Committee representing the 27th Legislative District. Wi

NEW CHAIR WILLIAMS PRESIDES OVER LOCAL PRE-FILED BILL HEARING

As state legislators gear up for the impending legislative session, one of the final preparation steps is for the county delegations’ prefile hearings. During a three-hour hearing with the Prince George’s delegation, legislators took input from the public and their colleagues to refine legislation before future voting procedures. Newly minted Sen. Nick Charles resigned as chair to begin the meeting on Dec. 5, as he was sworn in to the State Senate the following day. He thanked Delegates Nicole Williams (D– District 22) and Andrea Harrison (D-District 24), who are now serving as

the interim Chair and Vice Chair of the delegation. Among the legislation introduced were: 11 bi-county, four county affairs, four law enforcement, and two education bills. For multiple years, Del. Kris Valderrama (D-District 26) has introduced PG-102 24 to improve road safety on Route 210. Two bills introduced by Delegate Tiffany Alston (D, District 24) would amend the zoning process to allow for additional resident input. Wi

STATE FACES BUDGET WOES, EYE TRANSPORTATION CUTS AS TEMPORARY SOLUTION

While the state’s constitution requires a balanced budget and adequate funding for public schools and in the upcoming session, Maryland is expected to have a budget deficit of roughly $400 million. To close the state’s budget gap, the Department of Transportation will cut roughly $1 billion from its operating budget and $2 billion from its capital budget, and local governments will see a $400 million reduction. It is also expected that transit services will be cut and

that hiring freezes will be implemented in transit agencies during this time. During the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO) gathering in Cambridge, Gov. Wes Moore (D) admitted the sting that the sudden cuts have had on his fellow leaders and vowed to address the underlying issues at hand. During this conference, Moore also briefly discussed the dozen bills he plans to support this session including support for data centers and to increase the number of police officers. “Trust demands transparency and truth, even if it’s hard,” said Moore. “This evening, I offer both – to you and to the people of Maryland. And if there’s one argument I hope to make clear before I leave the podium, it’s this: in this challenging time, we have a duty to act with discipline, because discipline is what the people of Maryland deserve. And by acting with discipline, I believe we can build a better state for the long-term – and strengthen the bonds of trust.” Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told The Informer that his department will look to increase fees at the Motor Vehicle Administration as well as increase parking rates at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and increasing tolls. WI

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Prince George’s County General Updates By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

NEW ALDI OPENS IN BERWYN HEIGHTS

A new Aldi grocery store, located at 8904 62nd Avenue, opened on Thursday, Dec. 7, with the first 100 customers receiving a gift card. “We’re excited to open our first ALDI store in College Park and introduce local customers to a new, more affordable way of shopping,” said Aldi regional vice president Jeff Baehr. Just off Greenbelt Road and across from Beltway Plaza Mall, the store will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. A Lidl’s is located only about a mile away on Baltimore Avenue. Both Aldi and Lidl’s are targeting the East Coast for expanding their grocery chains. There are now 65 Aldi locations in Maryland and nearly 75 in Virginia. Wi

FOOD DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE NOW OPERATING IN LANDOVER MALL

Landover Mall, located immediately across from the Commanders’ FedEx Field, has had a vacancy since Sam’s Club left several years ago. That shell has now been filled by a new warehouse for BKMiller, a distribution warehouse that will service restaurants, convenience stores, vendors and more. The warehouse will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. This company is loosely affiliated with BK Miller’s, the well-known Clinton alcohol and grocery onestop shop. The two businesses have been separate for over 20 years. This area is part of the Blue Line corridor that is expected to receive $400,000 in development projects in coming years. Wi

COUNTY’S IT DEPARTMENT WINS AWARDS, PLANS TO GO PAPERLESS

As technology becomes more pivotal in the everyday lives of citizens, it becomes more important for governments (especially local governments) to utilize their tech capacity to keep residents informed, while also improving cybersecurity and addressing en-

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

5 An Aldi will be coming to Berwyn Heights, located across the road from Beltway Plaza and not far from the University of Maryland, College Park. (Courtesy Photo/Mike Mozart, Creative Commons )

vironmental goals. The Prince George’s County Office of Information Technology (OIT) has been striving on these goals. The Prince George’s County IT department has won the Digital Counties award three years straight, showing a consistent commitment to applied technology and data. This year’s honored accomplishments include establishing the executive-level cyber-

security officer organization, an open data system for visualization and tracking performance with analytics county-wide, a new 3-1-1 CRM platform, a digital signature platform and policy and development of elections management apps. An ongoing initiative the department is now pursuing is the Document Digitization Project. This project supports the County goals for going paperless by eliminating paper processes and documents by creating digital im-

ages for millions of County paper records in over 12 agencies and business operations areas. In addition, the project was a unique partnership between OIT and several County-based IT firms - furthering the goals for virtual government and economic development. Some of the other goals of this project have been to enhance customer service, operational efficiencies, environmental benefits and collaboration between different agencies. Wi

5 Delegates Nicole Williams (D- District 22) and Andrea Harrison (D-District 24) presided over the discussion of local pre-filed bills on Dec. 5. Many of the pre-filed bills centered on traffic and zoning. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 13

BUSINESS s f e ri By James Wright / WI Staff Writer

BONDS PASSES TWO PRO-WORKER BILLS

D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At Large) recently passed two bills that will likely benefit District workers. Bonds shepherded “The Minimum Wage Clarification Act of 2023,” allowing more workers to earn the minimum wage--$17 per hour— for all hours worked in the District. Under current law, only employees who spend 51% of their work week in the District are entitled to the full living wage. The bill will prevent employers from rotating workers within the Washington metropolitan area to keep them under the 51% threshold. “We need to close that loophole so that everyone who works in the District earns the D.C. minimum wage, which we put in place to help people become self-sufficient,” Bonds said. She also led the passage of “The Wage Transparency Omnibus Amendment Act of 2023,” which

broadly expands employment protections for prospective and current employees in the District. The legislation will prohibit employers from screening interviewees on their wage history, require employers to provide minimum or maximum wage salary ranges on all job postings, and require employers to provide prospective employees with a schedule of benefits before the first interview. The bill would give enforcement powers of the bill to the Office of the D.C. Attorney General. “This bill makes the District an even more marketable place of employment for job seekers and will alleviate discrimination by better equipping job seekers in their negotiations for fair pay,” the council member said. WI

ENTREPRENEURS & EXPERTS IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM

The Prince George’s County Eco-

5 The Bowser administration announced the launch of the EmPOWERment Fund, an environmental stewardship fund, on Dec. 5 at a storefront on Martin Luther King Jr., Avenue SE.

nomic Development Corporation is sponsoring “The Entrepreneurs and Experts in Residence Program.” The program is designed to provide Innovation Station Business Incubator member companies and local business owners with diverse coaching and subject matter expertise, to foster growth, expansion, and success. This comprehensive program offers coaching with a diverse range of expertise, ensuring that local businesses

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC Bid Opportunity EVENT SECURITY SERVICES Request for Proposal (rfp) Bid # 22-S-034-833 The Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide Waste Management and Recycling Services. Interested parties can view a copy of the IFB by accessing Events DC’s e-procurement website at https://eventsdc.bonfire.com. This Invitation for Bid (IFB) has a thirty-five percent (35%) set aside for a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) as required under the provisions of “The Small and Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Amendment Act of 2014” (the Act), effective June 10, 2014. Key Dates RFP Release Date: Pre-Proposal Conference: RFP Questions Due Date: Proposal Due Date:

Thursday, December 14, 2023 11:00PM EST, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 12:00 PM EST, Monday, January 8, 2024 5:00 PM EST, Monday, January 15, 202

in Prince George’s County have access to specialized guidance and support for their individual needs and goals. The coaches for the program are LaTanya Eggleston focusing on “Wellness and Communications”; Ron Kaese, teaching “Proposal Writing, Commercialization Pathways; Bola Audena, Group Leadership Coaching and QC Jones, Government Contracting Coaching. For more information, call 301-5834650. WI

ELEVATE COHORT

The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing & Economic Development is set to partner again with the George Washington University School of Business to kick off the recruitment effort for Cohort IV of ELEVATE (Executive Leadership Education Venture Advancing Talented Entrepreneurs). ELEVATE provides best-in-class training to minority-owned small businesses located in the District. For the next round, applications will only be accepted from eligible, female-owned minority business enterprises through Jan. 16. The program will start on Feb. 14 and run every other Saturday to May 18. A virtual session explaining the program will be held on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. For more information, call 202-7450902 or visit cnhed.org. WI

D.C. Department of Small & Local Business Development is hosting an eight-session course designed for non-attorney small business owners including sole proprietors, business partnerships, general managers, and owners of LLCs, that seek to develop their capabilities. This course provides an overview of business operations, contracts, employment law, risk/insurance, accounting, and intellectual property legal concerns. Registration is for all eight sessions of this course. There is a one-time $75 fee that covers the entire course. The eight virtual sessions will be held on consecutive Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. The sessions are from Jan. 9 to Feb. 24. Participants will learn their subject matter from experienced business attorneys from the District’s most prestigious law firms. For more information, email Gurdeep Singh at probonotraining@ dcbar.org. WI

THE EMPOWERMENT FUND

The Bowser administration announced the launch of the EmPOWERment Fund, an environmental stewardship fund, on Dec. 5 at a storefront on Martin Luther King Jr., Avenue SE in Ward 8. In fiscal year 2024, the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development played a pivotal role in creating the EmPOWERment Fund with a $300,000 initial investment. This first-time investment is designed to support those individuals who directly contribute to the success of the city’s economic corridors and the local businesses along them, specifically the District’s Clean Team crew members. The department’s Commercial Clean Team Program offers comprehensive services to enhance the city’s urban environment. The program includes the removal of litter, graffiti, illegal posters, stickers, weeds, snow, and ice. “The EmPOWERment Fund is a bold step towards building a more resilient and prosperous community,” said Rosemary Suggs-Evans, the department’s interim director. “By investing in initiatives like the EmPOWERment Grant, we are not only fostering environmental sustainability but also creating economic opportunities for individuals who play a crucial role in the success of our local businesses.” For more information about the program, go to dslbd.dc.gov. WI @JamesWrightJr10

Primary Contact Name: Gerald Green Email: ggreen@eventsdc.com Phone: (202) 249-3028

SMALL BUSINESS LEGAL CLASS

14 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

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The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center in partnership with the DC Small Business Development Center and the

County Bill to Require Industrial Zoning For Dispensaries Fails By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Writer A Prince George’s County Council bill introduced by Councilmember Krystal Oriadha (DDistrict 7) surrounding zoning for dispensaries failed on Nov. 21. The bill would have restricted new dispensaries in Prince George’s County to industrial zones and distance them from schools and day care centers. Five members voted in favor, two abstained and Councilmember Wanika Fisher (D– District 2) opposed. "The industry wanted to say, 'Trust us and we’ll do right by the community. Allow us to be anywhere.' And I feel like this was just

a moment the community didn’t win," said Councilmember Oriadha. Oriadha is planning to reintroduce the bill with amendments. During a hearing on this bill, some Prince George’s residents argued that the economic benefits of dispensaries outweighed the perceived negatives while others cited dispensaries as a community ill similar to liquor stores. In a survey sent out by then-Council Chair Wala Blegay (D, District 6), most residents supported restrictions on where cannabis businesses can be located. Hope Wiseman, the owner of the Capitol Heights dispensary Mary and Main, said there was no need for additional regulations as the state is already very strict. WI

5 Customers shop for cannabis items. (Courtesy Photo)

BUSINESS The Opportunity to Give By Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., This is the most wonderful time of the year. This is the season when we give thanks and celebrate the people we love. This is the season when we are focused on saying thank you for the blessings of family, whether they are biological, legal, adopted or co-opted. We give thanks for those people who choose to share their life and love. I am always amazed at the wonderful people that I am blessed to know and spend time with. I am amazed to learn the great work that they are doing in their professional and volunteer lives. It is at this time to focus on giving. We have religious and community holidays when we exchange food, gifts, donations to charitable organizations, and then again, food. It is because we are connected to people and organizations that have been a blessing in our lives that we are inclined to give back. Estate planning is one of the ways in which we create a structure for giving to the people and/or organizations that we love. The first level of giving is by removing a level of distress we create for the people who love us by providing information and instruments that enable the people we love to make decisions for us that provide comfort and clarity. This can be supporting the people to make decisions during our incapacity as well as upon our death. We know that in times of emotional distress and grief, the responsibility to make decisions is an incredible burden. I encourage you to gift that sense of relief and comfort to people who love you. The next level of giving is charitable giving. There is an opportunity to be a blessing to our communities and charitable organizations by gifting. We just recently celebrated Giving Tuesday, celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving since 2012. This date has created the opportunity to motivate and compel global generosity. There are and always will be opportunities to give. Unless there is a substantial change in the socioeconomic structure of the world, we will have those who have and those who have not. We will also know catastrophic circumstances of nature and people created disasters. We have an opportunity to be thoughtful about the strategy for impacting those in distress. We have an opportunity to give a hand up. Charitable giving is powerful and transformational. A shero that I often reference is the amazing Oscelo McCarty. She was a laundress who was thoughtful about philanthropy. She was mindful about supporting “colored” children to be able to go to college. She left a scholarship fund of $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi. That gift was transformational to many. This was achieved by strategic financial planning as well as living a life of frugality. The opportunity to impact our community through charitable giving is significant. Lives can be impacted by our giving. Many times, what would be paid in taxes could be donated for the benefit of a charitable organization. Many times, we can donate appreciating asset which would offset capital gains taxes. Many times, we can create a strategic giving process that will live beyond our lifetime. Our opportunity to change the world together is available through charitable giving. We can each contribute to carrying the load to support the work that needs to be done. If we each give a little, we can change a lot! Life & Legacy Counselors are available to support you to make that commitment to giving during this lifetime and beyond. . Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC http://yourestateplanningattorney.com (855) 574-8481 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 440 Washington DC 20015 4041 Powder Mill Drive Suite 215 Beltsville MD 20705 100 International Drive 23rd Floor Baltimore MD 21202 4601 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 1200 Arlington, VA 22203

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 15

NATIONAL White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Highlights President’s Commitment to Black Community By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer In an exclusive telephone interview, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre underscored President Joe Biden’s unwavering commitment to addressing the Black community’s critical issues. Reflecting on promises made during the 2020 campaign, Jean-

Pierre outlined key achievements and ongoing initiatives directly impacting African Americans and other historically underserved communities. “At the onset of President Biden’s term, the country faced economic turmoil and the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The President, true to his campaign commitment, prioritized equity,

5Reflecting on promises made during the 2020 campaign, Jean-Pierre outlined key achievements and ongoing initiatives directly impacting African Americans and other historically underserved communities. (Carlos Fyfe/The White House via Wikimedia Commons)

ensuring the Black community received fair access to COVID-19 vaccines,” remarked Jean-Pierre. “He made sure that small businesses got back on their feet, our schools reopened, and the child tax credit put money into people’s pockets. All those things were important to our community.”

NNPA President Chavis to Teach Race and Racism Course at Duke University By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer

Duke University plans to welcome National Newspaper

5 Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. (Courtesy photo)

16 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. as the 2024 Environmental Justice and Racial Equity Fellow. A distinguished civil rights leader, global business figure, faith leader, and public intellectual, Chavis will bring his wealth of experience to the inaugural fellowship, linking his teaching, research, and service contributions with Duke’s overarching strategic objectives, notably climate change and racial equity. “I believe [the] Rev. Dr. Chavis embodies the history and hopes of Duke University. His experience at the crossroads of church and society will inspire our racial and environmental justice work,” said Dean Edgardo A. Colón-Emeric of the Duke Divinity School. “It’s a gift, in this centennial year, to welcome back a distinguished alum of Duke Divinity School and

a prophetic intellectual from rural North Carolina.” Throughout his illustrious career, Chavis, a North Carolina native, has been a stalwart advocate for social, environmental, and political justice, coining the term “environmental racism” and leading prominent organizations such as the NAACP, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, and National Council of Churches. An organizer of the Million Man March, Chavis has led the NNPA, the trade association of over 230 African American newspapers and media companies comprising the Black Press of America, for nearly a decade. His fellowship promises to enrich Duke University through expert instruction and scholarly

NNPA Page 17

The more than 10-minute discussion also delved into the significance of the American Rescue Plan, which was pivotal in supporting various facets of the Black community. The first Black woman to serve as White House Press Secretary, Jean-Pierre, highlighted the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s policies on economic recovery, small business revival, and other measures that directly provided essential financial relief to individuals. “Economic indicators demonstrate significant progress since President Biden took office. Black unemployment, which stood at 9.2%, has notably declined to 5.9% as of October,” said JeanPierre, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to economic revitalization. Jean-Pierre also noted the importance of net worth, noting a remarkable 60% increase for African Americans. She highlighted the historic investment of $7 billion in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the doubling of Black business ownership since the onset of the pandemic. “The President has consistently prioritized equity across various policy areas, including healthcare, education, and police reform,” said Jean-Pierre, also the first openly LGBTQIA person to helm the White House briefing room. “Executive orders were issued to ban chokeholds and implement

strong use-of-force policies when congressional action stalled,” JeanPierre stated. She noted that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have regularly worked to uplift Black and Brown communities, including their fight for voting rights, police reform, and cutting prices at the cash register. “Lowering prices is what the president works on every day,” the press secretary asserted. “The prices of eggs, milk, and [other items] are lower than last year. Used cars and truck prices are down, and we will do everything we can to continue to lower prices. The work continues.” The conversation extended to Biden’s recognition of the Black Press’s significance, with Jean-Pierre ensuring ongoing access to the president for regular engagement and discussions. “The President understands the credibility and importance of the Black Press in conveying messages directly to the community. We are committed to ensuring continuous access and engagement,” affirmed Jean-Pierre. “We’re going to ensure [The Black Press] has access to the president. That’s what he wants— he wants to speak directly to you. This president understands the importance of speaking to the Black Press, and he wants to have regular engagement with all of you, and we’re going to make sure that happens.” WI

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Biden Announces $4.8 billion in Student Loan Debt Forgiveness for 80,300 Borrowers By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

On Wednesday, Dec. 6, the Biden administration declared that it would erase an extra $4.8 billion of 80,300 students’ student loan debt. The U.S. Department of Education’s adjustments to its Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and income-driven repayment plans have resulted in the alleviation. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona stated in a statement that “before President Biden took office, it was virtually impossible for eligible borrowers to access the student debt relief they rightfully earned. “This level of debt relief is unparalleled, and we have no intention of slowing down,” Cardona said. Approximately $2 billion of the assistance will be allocated to almost 46,000 individuals who are currently participating in income-driven repayment programs. According to experts, loan servicers frequently neglected to monitor borrowers’ payments, resulting in the failure of the intended debt forgiveness schemes after a specified timeframe. The U.S. Department of Education announced that 34,400 debtors who have been in public service for ten years or longer will be granted loan cancellation of $2.6 billion. Participants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program have had difficulties in obtaining the promised debt cancellation due to inaccuracies in their payment calculations and other related problems.

NNPA from Page 16 research, offering a valuable opportunity for the community to delve into critical issues at the intersection of environmental justice and racial equity. “Dr. Chavis’ appointment elevates the perspectives of climate justice and the intersection of race and environmental quality in the implementation of Duke’s Climate Commitment,” said Lori Bennear, the Stanback Dean of the Nicholas

The Biden administration has recently eliminated around $132 billion in student debt for over 3.6 million American individuals. The Biden-Harris campaign expects their relentless pursuit of forgiving student loans will aid them in the polls as voters support measures that forgive student debt by a 2-to1 margin. Despite the Supreme Court striking down the administration’s earlier plan to offer as much as $20,000 in loan forgiveness to borrowers, Biden has relentlessly pursued other avenues to meet his campaign promise. “From Day One of my Administration, I vowed to improve the student loan system so that a higher education provides Americans with opportunity and prosperity – not unmanageable burdens of student loan debt. I won’t back down from using every tool at our disposal to get student loan borrowers the relief they need to reach their dreams,” the president insisted. Biden said the relief is courtesy of his administration’s efforts to fix Public Service Loan Forgiveness, so teachers, members of the military, nurses, and other public service workers receive “the relief they have earned.” “And it’s because of actions my administration took to make sure that borrowers who have been in repayment for at least 20 years but didn’t accurately get credit for student loan payments - get the relief they are entitled to,” Biden asserted, noting that the latest move brings the total debt cancellation his administration has approved to $132 billion for over 3.6 million

Americans through various actions. “Today’s announcement comes on top of all we’ve been able to achieve for students and student loan borrowers in the past few years,” Biden stated. “This includes achieving the largest increases in Pell Grants in over a decade to help families who earn less than roughly $60,000 a year; fixing the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program so that borrowers who go into public service get the debt relief they’re entitled to under the law; and creating the most generous Income-Driven Repayment plan in history – the SAVE plan. “Borrowers can go to studentaid. gov to apply. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on our student debt relief plan, we are continuing to pursue an alternative path to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible.” WI

NATIONAL

5The Biden administration has recently eliminated around $132 billion in student debt for over 3.6 million American individuals. (Courtesy Photo)

School of the Environment. The Office of the Provost has scheduled a free, public fireside conversation on Monday, Jan. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Karsh Alumni and Visitor Center. Provost Alec Gallimore will engage in a conversation with Chavis, discussing his impactful work and contributions to the fields of environmental justice and racial equity. Read more on washingtoninformer.com. WI

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 17

NATIONAL

Supreme Court Accelerates Decision on Trump’s Presidential Immunity By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The Supreme Court announced its decision to expedite the consideration of presidential immunity in the federal election interference charges against the twice-impeached former President Donald Trump. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s team filed the request for an expedited review this week, emphasizing the imperative public importance of resolving the immunity claims promptly. The high court agreed and decided to fast-track the examination of Trump’s claim to presidential immunity as he faces charges of

5Special Counsel Jack Smith has formally requested the U.S. Supreme Court expedite a crucial decision on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution for alleged offenses during his time in office. (Courtesy Photo)

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federal election interference. The Court’s statement read, “Petitioner’s motion to expedite consideration of the petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment is granted, and respondent is directed to file a response to the petition on or before 4 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, December 20, 2023.” Smith’s urgency in seeking an expedited review stems from the looming March 4 trial date. “It is of imperative public importance that respondent’s claims of immunity be resolved by this Court, and that respondent’s trial proceed as promptly as possible if his claim of immunity is rejected,” stated Smith in the filing. In October, Trump’s legal team initiated the legal challenge, asserting his “absolute immunity” from prosecution for actions taken during his presidency. However, D.C. District Judge Tanya Chutkan swiftly rejected the motion, paving the way for the case to progress. In addition to Smith’s case, the former president faces three other indictments that led to 91 felony criminal charges which could land him a more than 800-year prison sentence. Earlier this year, a civil jury found Trump responsible for sexually assaulting the writer, E. Jean Carroll.

“It is of imperative public importance that respondent’s claims of immunity be resolved by this Court, and that respondent’s trial proceed as promptly as possible if his claim of immunity is rejected,” stated Smith in the filing.

Trump is currently facing a civil trial for business fraud and the outcome will determine whether he can continue to operate in the state of New York. The judge in the case has already determined Trump committed massive financial fraud and state prosecutors want the former president to pay $250 million in fines. WI

TWO RIVERS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS School Uniforms Two Rivers PCS is soliciting price quotes from custom apparel companies to produce school uniform tops. To request a copy of the RFP, email Tameka Faison at procurement@ tworiverspcs.org. Proposals are due by Friday, January 12, 2024.

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NATIONAL BREAKING NEWS:

5Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman. (Courtesy Photo)

House Votes to Censure Rep. Jamaal Bowman for Capitol Fire Alarm Incident By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer House members have censured Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman for triggering a fire alarm in a U.S. Capitol office building while the chamber was in session in September. The Republican-backed resolution received support from some Democrats but faced significant opposition, with most Democrats dismissing it as lacking credibility and integrity. GOP Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan introduced the resolution, which accused Bowman of causing chaos to obstruct House proceedings as lawmakers raced against time to pass a crucial government funding bill before a shutdown deadline. The New York lawmaker had pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor count related to the incident, agreeing to pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation. During Wednesday’s floor debate, Bowman defended himself, asserting that the censure manifested the Republican Party’s incompetence in governance. The final vote, 214–191, marks the third censure of a Democratic House member this year and reflects a year of upheaval and retribution within the House of Representatives. McClain defended the censure,

emphasizing Bowman’s actions hindered the legislative process, while also accusing him of obstructing a vote critical to keeping the government operational. Progressive Democrats rallied to Bowman’s defense, denouncing the censure as “unserious” and questioning the decision to target one of the few Black men in the chamber. Democrat Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts characterized the censure as part of a historical pattern of racism. “This censure is just the latest in this chamber’s racist history of telling Black men that they don’t belong in Congress,” Pressley declared. The House’s increasing use of censure as a punitive measure has raised concerns about its partisan deployment. Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts criticized the trend. “Under Republican control, this chamber has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all,” McGovern stated. While censure carries no practical consequences, it signifies a severe reprimand from colleagues. Bowman is now the 27th person to receive a censure from the House, following Rashida Tlaib of Michigan in November and Adam Schiff of New York in June. WI

The Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC Bid Opportunity WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING SERVICES INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) Bid 23-S-304-033 The Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide Waste Management and Recycling Services. Interested parties can view a copy of the IFB by accessing Events DC’s e-procurement website at https://eventsdc.bonfire.com. This Invitation for Bid (IFB) has a thirty-five percent (35%) set aside for a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) as required under the provisions of “The Small and Certified Business Enterprise Development and Assistance Amendment Act of 2014” (the Act), effective June 10, 2014. Key Dates IFB Release Date: IFB Pre-Bid Conference/Site Visit: IFB Questions Due Date: IFB Response Due Date:

Thursday, December 14, 2023 11:00AM, EST, Wednesday, December 20, 2023 5:00PM EST, Wednesday, December 27, 2023 3:00PM, EST, Monday, January 15, 2024

Primary Contact Gerald Green, Manager, Contracts and Procurement Analyst Email: ggreen@eventsdc.com Phone: 202-249-3028

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 19

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20 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

africa now

COMPILED BY OSWALD T. BROWN, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

$85 Million Projects Expected to Enhance Healthcare in Rwanda Rwanda’s healthcare systems, including service delivery, are set for greater improvement as a result of two projects funded to the combined tune of $85 million (more than Rwf105 billion) in total. The project is funded by the United States’ Agency for International Development (USAID), The New Times, Rwanda’s largest daily newspaper reported on 5Officials pose for a group photo as Dec. 10 USAID announced two projects for On Dec. 8, in Kigali, USAID announced the two projects: Ireme (Quality) Rwanda’s healthcare systems: Ireme and Tubeho (Let’s live), which are aimed at supporting and further strengthening (Quality) and Tubeho (Let’s live), on Rwanda's healthcare system. Dec. 8, in Kigali. (Courtesy Photo) The two projects will be implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and Jhpiego. Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is a global nonprofit organization that provides governments, health organizations, and the private sector with health systems strategies, tools, and management support. Jhpiego is a global nonprofit organization which partners with national governments, health experts, and local communities to build health providers’ skills and develop systems that save lives. According to a press release issued by the project implementers, the official event launch was held in Kigali and was attended by the Minister of Health Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, the U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Eric W. Kneedler, and partners and stakeholders in the health sector. It indicated that USAID Tubeho is a $60 million, five-year project that began Aug. 3 of this year and runs through August 2, 2028, which aims to strengthen service delivery, support health program implementation across maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (MNCAH), family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH), malaria services, and Global Health Security. It is projected that Tubeho will contribute to capacity building for providers and institutions and will be implemented by a consortium of eight local and international organizations led by Jhpiego. The project will contribute to increasing access to availability, and delivery of evidence-based, quality, and respectful health services in alignment with national priorities and global standards, as well as strengthen the ability of the entire health sector in Rwanda to respond to emerging global health threats. WI

caribbean now Jamaica Helping to Build Capacity of Haitian Police The government of Jamaica is partnering with the Canadian government to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Haitian National Police (HNP). The first 16-member cohort of the HNP were equipped in security screening interview techniques during a recently concluded one-week course at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ). A second batch of HNP partici5Jamaica’s National Security Minpants arrived on Dec. 9. Several training sessions for NHP personnel are to be ister Dr. Horace Chang (second left), undertaken over an extended period. congratulates Lensley Brunache (right), a Jamaica’s National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang said that, among member of the Haitian National Police other things, the HNP specialized training program is intended to assist in (HNP), during the closing ceremony of establishing a “self-sustaining, fully functioning police force with the capacity the HNP specialized training course. to conduct a wide spectrum of policing functions as a critical tool to creating Among those sharing the moment is Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica long- term sustainable solutions in Haiti”. He noted that the just concluded course seeks to “strengthen the capabilities Emina Tudakovic (left). (Courtesy Photo) of members to conduct effective security screening interviews. This enhanced capacity will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in improving security responses by helping to identify and neutralize potential threats before they escalate.” Dr. Chang, who was addressing the closing ceremony and presentation of certificates at the NPCJ in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine on Friday, Dec. 8, reiterated Jamaica’s commitment to facilitating law enforcement training for the HNP as part of a long-term strategy. High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic who also brought remarks at the ceremony, said the training program is part of the shared priorities of the governments of Canada, Jamaica, and CARICOM countries to restore peace and stability in Haiti. WI

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New Year, Same Budget? Plan Now for the 2024 Holiday Season back around,” said Atkins. “Sometimes it takes planning for these specific deals to help us stay within our savings and budget.”

Sponsored content by JPMorgan Chase & Co. Help to manage next year’s budget with what you know now in 2023. Although we’re still wrapped up in the holiday season, take some time to reflect on your goals and budget for 2024. There’s no better time to have open and honest conversations with yourself, your spouse and/or family about aligning desires and needs within a specific budget that will help achieve better outcomes in the new year and going forward. Smart planning can also help to get you ahead of next year’s holiday gift-giving and leave you with funds to spend on personal goals throughout the year, such as self-care activities as part of your entertainment fund. Brian Atkins, Chase DC Community Manger finds it beneficial to assign each and every dollar we spend and says planning ahead and staying disciplined are ways he stays on track each year. Not sure where to start? Consider these four tips to help maximize your 2024 savings and budget.

BUILD YOUR HOLIDAY BUDGET NOW —THEN STICK TO IT

Once you’ve made your list, commit to staying within your budget. With so much pressure surrounding gift-giving around the holidays, it's easy to spend more than you planned. Scout out online shops early to ensure you’re getting the best deals when the purchase moment arises. Get family and friends on board with your plans early and suggest a gift swap; opt for handmade

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE NOW

5 Brian Atkins, Chase DC Community Manger

gifts or even pitch in for a group gift. “A goal without a plan is just a dream. Begin creating realistic budget goals now, put them on paper and stick to them,” said Atkins. “My daughters and I created vision boards for next year, and already their personal goals have changed but the main goal for us is to stay within budget. It’s normal for our personal goals to change but it helps to utilize a budget planner that can help you accomplish smaller and larger goals throughout the year. Creating a vision board is about more than collecting materials, it’s an opportunity to cultivate the mindset that will stay with you yearround. If you’re in need of old magazines to cut up, I’d suggest asking your doctor’s office for any magazines they plan to recycle.”

One way to save is to set up a separate savings account for expenses. Start saving at the beginning of the year, and vow not to withdraw any money until it’s time for holiday shopping. “I’ve found that creating a separate savings account with no access to transfer funds to another account helps me year-round, and helps in preparation for the holiday season,” said Atkins. “I call it ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ If you want to begin saving just $20 every week, it’s helpful to use an automatic savings tool that’s offered by your bank.”

PICK UP A SHORTTERM GIG NOW

Even the best-laid budget plans can still fall short of your available funds. If your schedule allows it, take on a temporary job sooner than later to bring in some extra income. “Identify a passion that doesn’t seem

like work and can generate revenue,” said Atkins. “It’s important to think of opportunities, “hustles,” that are mutually beneficial to your existing income stream.” These are just a few ways to get you thinking about how you can maximize your 2024 savings and budget. There’s always an opportunity to save, and planning ahead for next year’s holiday season may just be the next step. For more information, tools and resources to help support your savings and budget planning anytime, visit chase. com/financialgoals, or better yet stop by the Skyland Town Center at 2728 Good Hope Rd SE and visit Brian Atkins in the branch. JPMorgan Chase & Co and The Washington Informer are happy to have provided articles on financial education during 2023. Please give us your comments on the content and also tell us if there are any topics you would like us to cover in 2024. Email to rburke@washingtoninformer.com

SCOPE OUT MAJOR DEAL DAYS NOW

In addition to the deal-hunting tips above, you can plan to take advantage of annual deals now since you have an idea of when they typically happen. “My favorite annual deals to take advantage of are Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Although these deals have already passed this year, that doesn’t mean I can’t take this next year to prepare for what I know is coming

The Newsletter Sign up to receive the JPMorgan Chase & Co. Money Talk Newsletter and stay up to speed with the latest financial wellness information.

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 21

HEALTH FDA Approves Groundbreaking Cell-Based Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease a crucial protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen delivery. The genetic problem causes red blood cells to have a unique “sickle” shape, which can lead to vaso-occlusive events (VOEs) or vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), which are very painful and damage organs. The recurrence of these crises poses life-threatening risks and potential disabilities. “Sickle cell disease is a rare, debilitating, and life-threatening blood disorder with significant unmet need, and we are excited to advance the field,” said Dr. Nicole Verdun, director of the Office of Therapeutic Products within the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Casgevy, a groundbreaking cellbased gene therapy, is the first FDA-approved treatment employing CRISPR/Cas9, a revolutionary

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has greenlit two revolutionary cell-based gene therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, marking a significant leap forward in treating sickle cell disease (SCD) for patients ages 12 and older. The approval by the FDA signifies the commencement of a novel epoch in managing sickle cell disease, providing optimism to individuals whose lives have been significantly disrupted by the arduous condition. Sickle cell disease, a group of inherited blood disorders, affects around 100,000 individuals in the United States and is predominant among African Americans. Health officials said the root cause of SCD is a mutation affecting hemoglobin,

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has greenlit two revolutionary cell-based gene therapies, Casgevy and Lyfgenia, which are said to make a major leap forward toward treating sickle cell disease for patients ages 12 and older. (Courtesy Photo)

genome editing technology. The therapy is for individuals 12 years of age or older who have recurrent vaso-occlusive crises. It changes the patient’s hematopoietic stem cells using CRISPR/Cas9, a technology that can precisely edit DNA. The edited cells are then transplanted back into the patient, enhancing the production of fetal hemoglobin, and preventing the sickling of red blood cells. Lyfgenia is another cell-based gene therapy that uses a lentiviral vector to change genes. The FDA approved it for those 12 years of age or older who have SCD and a history of vaso-occlusive events. Lyfgenia

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 0003-2024 ROOFING CONSULTING SERVICES The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires qualified professional roofing consulting services for residential housing units at DCHA. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, December 11, 2023, on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org under “Business” and “Solicitations”. SEALED BID RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Friday, January 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Email Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist lwashing@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

22 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

changes blood stem cells to make HbAT87Q, gene-therapy-derived hemoglobin that looks like adult hemoglobin and makes it less likely that red blood cells will sickle. Both therapies utilize the patients’ blood stem cells, administered through a one-time, single-dose infusion following myeloablative conditioning. “These approvals represent an important medical advance with the use of innovative cell-based gene therapies to target potentially devastating diseases and improve public health,” said Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. The Casgevy and Lyfgenia applications received Priority Review, Orphan Drug, Fast Track, and Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designations. Casgevy was granted approval to Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Lyfgenia to Bluebird Bio, Inc. The FDA said its approval of Casgevy was based on a single-arm, multicenter trial evaluating its safety and effectiveness in adult and adolescent SCD patients. Of the 44 treated patients, 93.5% achieved freedom from severe VOC episodes for at least 12 consecutive months. Common side effects included low platelet and white blood cell levels, mouth sores, nausea, and musculoskeletal pain. Lyfgenia’s approval was based on a 24-month multicenter study, with 88% of patients achieving complete resolution of VOEs between 6- and

“Sickle cell disease is a rare, debilitating, and life-threatening blood disorder with significant unmet need, and we are excited to advance the field,” said Dr. Nicole Verdun 18-months post-infusion. Side effects included stomatitis, low blood cell levels, and febrile neutropenia. A black box warning highlighting the risk of hematologic malignancy accompanies Lyfgenia’s label, emphasizing the need for lifelong monitoring in patients. “Today’s actions follow rigorous evaluations of the scientific and clinical data needed to support approval, reflecting the FDA’s commitment to facilitating the development of safe and effective treatments for conditions with severe impacts on human health," Dr. Marks asserted. WI

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Renewables and Natural Gas Together Can Help Us Fight Climate Change. By Former Congressman Kendrick Meek and Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter We all know the responsibility we have as a nation to tackle one of the most important challenges before us: Addressing the impacts of climate change. And even though our communities are on the frontlines of this challenge, most solutions leave out the authentic needs and values of the most impacted. As policymakers look to cut emissions while ensuring Americans can heat their homes, turn their lights on, and charge their cell phones, Black and low-income Americans are already unfairly shouldering the burden of rising energy costs. We cannot stand by and watch conditions worsen, nor can we leave the actual, immediate needs of our communities 5 Former Congressman Kendrick Meek behind. All of us have an obligation to ensure that no people are marginalized as we build the clean energy economy of tomorrow. Investing in more renewables is one part of the answer. But pursuing renewable energy sources alone, without considering the price tag or timeline to expand America’s power grid by 60 percent, will come at the expense of millions of working-class Americans. We must be practical. That’s why natural gas partnered with renewables is the most immediate, affordable, and accessible way forward to protect energy bills and reduce carbon emissions. We also understand that to some, natural gas may not be the most popular answer. But the alternative would be to continue to haphazardly implement intermittent renewable energy only for those who can afford it, risk unreliable service, and fall back on higher emitting coal and heating oil to keep the lights on when sun or wind power is unavailable. The reality is that 25 percent of American households are energy-burdened. And like most things, energy insecurity impacts physical health as well as economic well-being, which in turn disproportionately hurts Black and Brown households. While many have argued that wholesale change to our energy infrastructure is the only solution to address climate change, the facts paint a different picture. Until renewables are built at scale and become more affordable and reliable, they will continue to be out of reach for our most vulnerable communities. Consider the impact of solar power, which supposedly provides significant long-term savings on energy bills. But the average cost of installing solar panels – decidedly more than the median household wealth for Black homeowners or renters – makes this option completely unattainable for low-income families. Even if communities were to increasingly make the switch to solar, they

5 Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter

would still need to rely on coal and heating oil for energy in colder, rainier months when the sun doesn’t shine. Renewables alone are clearly not enough to reach any of our immediate climate and energy goals. We need realistic solutions that will continue to provide energy for all Americans at a reasonable price. Natural gas, championed by civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson and others, presents a low-cost, reliable solution that can partner with renewables as new technologies come online. For Black and Brown communities, it could be life changing. Policymakers must focus on improving energy infrastructure for communities of color instead of investing in “solutions” that will consistently leave them behind. It will take years, if not decades, to solve energy inequities. Embracing the use of natural gas could make a sustainable, affordable energy future closer

to becoming a reality. To take advantage of natural gas as an energy solution means to invest in communities of color, foster economic development, and get closer to meeting the energy needs of everyone. And, as we strive for economic and environmental justice, we must ensure that this transition is led by the voices of those who historically have not been heard – Black elected officials, community leaders, families, students, and clergy must all have a seat at the table. Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Congressman Kendrick Meek (DFL) are members of the Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future Leadership Council.

About Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future

Natural Allies is a 501c4 not for profit organization that seeks to better inform the public and policy makers about why natural gas is best partnered with renewable power sources to accelerate our clean energy goals. Among the industry leaders supporting Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future are: The Williams Companies, Kinder Morgan, TC Energy, EQT, National Fuel Gas, Enbridge Inc., Solar Turbines a Caterpillar Company, Quanta Services, Inc., the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Union of Operating Engineers, Pipe Line Contractors Association, American Pipeline Contractors Association, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), INGAA Foundation, National Association of Manufacturers and American Public Gas Association (APGA). To learn more visit: naturalalliesforcleanenergy.org.

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 23

OUR

EARTH

Black Women Face Disproportionate Risks From Largely Unregulated Toxic Substances in Beauty and Personal Care Products By Victoria St. Martin Inside Climate News Health and Environmental Justice Reporter This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. For Jeanette Toomer, the hours she used to spend to ensure that her hair was perfectly done-up years ago was not just a matter of style—it was a cultural statement.

As a Black woman who came of age in the 1970s, Toomer favored natural hair styles over those that required the use of chemicals—a nod to the self-empowerment and “return-to-our-roots” ethos that rippled across the African-American community in the years after the civil rights movement. “I started out with plaits and afros when I was in high school,” recalled Toomer, who’s now 66 and lives in New York. “At the time we were trying to be natural, be Black power, all of that. When I was getting ready to graduate, though, I

5 Two audience members hold each other during a screening of the film "A Letter to my Sisters," a documentary about young women and breast cancer produced by Nia Imani Bailey, on October 7, 2023 in Philadelphia. (Caroline Gutman/Inside Climate News)

The Informer's Our Earth page turns 1 year old this fall. We want to know what you think and what we can do better in year 2! Please let us know with this 3-minute survey.

24 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

5 Jeanette Toomer fears that formaldehyde-based relaxers in hair straighteners she used for decades led her to develop endometrial cancer. (Michael Kodas/Inside Climate News)

started relaxing my hair.” Worried that her natural styles would not be taken seriously as she pursued an acting career, Toomer began using chemical straighteners—many of which relied on the toxic substance formaldehyde, a known carcinogen—to straighten and smooth her naturally curly hair. Now, Toomer fears, the straighteners may have exacted a terrible toll: in 2021—after what Toomer says were more than four decades of regularly using formaldehyde-based relaxers—she was diagnosed with stage 4 endometrial cancer, which she believes can be traced to her use of hair straighteners. “We were doing these perm relaxers with no idea that we were giving ourselves cancer all these many years,” she said, referring to herself and the untold numbers of other Black women who have used chemical hair treatments since their creation in 1905. “I’m never using it again. I’m never using it again.” This fall, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a ban on the use of formaldehyde and other formaldehyde releasing chemicals as an ingredient in hair straightening or smoothing products, citing the chemical’s links to cancer and a range of other adverse health effects, including nervous system disorders, respiratory problems and skin conditions. “Studies have shown that when hair straightening products containing formaldehyde, which are often marketed towards Black

5 Ami Zota, a scientist who studies health effects of chemicals in beauty products, sits for a portrait in the building where her office is located at Columbia University in New York, New York on October 25, 2023. (Caroline Gutman/Inside Climate News)

“We were doing these perm relaxers with no idea that we were giving ourselves cancer all these many years.” -Jeanette Toomer women are used with heat, the risk of certain cancers, including certain upper respiratory tract cancers and myeloid leukemias increases,” said Namandjé N. Bumpus, the FDA’s chief scientist, who noted that those health effects are “unacceptable.” Bumpus, who is Black, said she hopes the proposed ban would help set a standard for “promoting safer alternatives, ensuring that everyone is protected from potentially harmful exposure.” “This is really an individual decision for people about how they want to present,” said Bumpus in an interview with Inside Climate News, adding that these products disproportionately impact Black women. African Americans make up 14 percent of the population, but spend nine times more on ethnic hair and beauty products than non-Black women, according to a

recent Nielsen report. Bumpus continued: “What’s important to me in my role is to make sure that everyone’s able to do that in a way that is as healthy as can be, and that we’re really protecting people’s health and prioritizing people’s health as they’re making those decisions.” One study last fall underscored the devastating effects of those exposures: the National Institutes of Health found that there was an increased risk of uterine cancer among women who used formaldehyde-based hair-straightening products at least four times a year. The study said the rates of uterine cancer among Black women have been increasing in the U.S. and that because Black women use hair straighteners more frequently, they may be more affected. Another study by the same team found there was an increased breast cancer risk in connection with the use of hair straighteners as well as permanent hair dye. The NIH studies are far from the first warnings about the potential hazards of formaldehyde. In 1987, the Environmental Protection Agency found that the substance was a “probable human carcinogen,” and the International Agency for Cancer Research, a division of the World Health Organization, released a similar finding a year later. With those long-standing scientific studies in mind, researchers and policy advocates welcomed the FDA’s proposed ban. They also

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EARTH from Page 24 say the government needs to ban formaldehyde in all beauty and personal care products—not just chemical straighteners. They also expressed hope that the agency— which will soon be empowered with new authority to oversee cosmetics this December after nearly a century of minimal regulation in the U.S.—should start taking a closer look at other potentially dangerous ingredients. “It felt like, ‘Finally, about time,” said Ami Zota, a scientist at Columbia University, whose research centers on the adverse health effects of chemicals in beauty products. “Here is the FDA trying to take action—in part motivated both by the science but also the increase in public awareness and the media attention to the issue. The effort feels very piecemeal—but we’ll take it.” Zota, an associate professor of environmental health sciences, has been documenting how racialized beauty norms compel women of color to disproportionately use cosmetics—and face a greater threat from potentially harmful chemicals than their white counterparts. The chain of events that led the FDA to begin the process to impose a formaldehyde ban is the story of outdated, 85-year-old guidelines that have largely hamstrung federal agencies when they

tried to place controls on the often toxic substances used in cosmetics, leaving government scientists emailing one another with increasing urgency about the need to protect consumers from a known carcinogen. It is also the story of how lobbyists for the beauty industry have successfully forestalled efforts to strictly regulate chemicals; and of women like Toomer, who find themselves questioning whether they placed their health in jeopardy for beauty’s sake. Toomer compared the relative dearth of information about the harms of chemicals in hair care products to the notorious scientific study at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in which Black men with syphilis were not told about their condition—or treatments for it—over the course of 40 years. “I mean, come on, the fact that they sold it to us and didn’t tell us everything,” Toomer said, referring to formaldehyde-based hair relaxers. “It’s just a history of abusing Black people.” Find the rest of this story at washingtoninformer.com or insideclimatenews.org. This article is the first in a series for Inside Climate News about how lax regulation of beauty care products victimizes women of color, “Dereliction of Beauty.” Victoria St. Martin reported this article while participating in the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 National Fellowship. WI

OUR EARTH

5 Ami Zota presents her research breaking down what she calls “the environmental injustice of beauty.” (Victoria St. Martin/Inside Climate News)

Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center

S P E C I A L E X H I B I T I O N O P E N T H R O U G H JA N UA RY 7, 2 0 2 4 Get a visual perspective of the secretive Underground Railroad, where an estimated 100,000 slaves chose to embark on a journey searching for freedom under the cover of darkness.

A Program of

Featuring beautifully dramatic color photographs and narratives telling the story of the Underground Railroad, the exhibition is included with your Film, Cyclorama & Museum Experience ticket. For tickets, call 877-874-2478 or visit GettysburgFoundation.org.

5 Jeanette Toomer reads from her book, “Precious Struggles: The Making of a 21st Century Woman,” in New York’s Central Park near her home. (Michael Kodas/Inside Climate News)

Decision to Leave, Magnolia Plantation on the Cane River, Louisiana, 2013

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Proceeds from tickets and other purchases in the Museum & Visitor Center beneﬁt Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site.

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 25

EDUCATION Washington Teachers’ Union, DCPS Start New Contract Negotiations Concerns Persist about Future Delays in a New Agreement By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer Representatives of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) and D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) recently came to the table to negotiate the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement for thousands of public school teachers. The meeting on Tues., Dec. 12 came 72 days after the expiration of the WTU’s 2019-2023 collective bargaining agreement and more than six months after WTU’s collective bargaining team submitted a list of recommendations to DCPS. As explained by a source familiar with the situation, DCPS officials didn’t respond to these recommendations, inspired in part by a WTU survey of 750 teachers, until the day of the D.C. Council’s educator retention hearing. Before then, teachers who helped write the recommendations said they didn’t hear much, if anything, from DCPS Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee or D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D). Chrystal Puryear, a teacher of 24 years, said that, though she’s pleased to finally be sitting at the table with DCPS, the current state of negotiations not only reflects poorly on District leadership, but represents a pattern going back at least a decade in which contracts aren’t finalized until well after the midnight hour. Puryear, a member of WTU’s collective bargaining team, expressed her desire that the 20232027 collective bargaining agree-

26 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

ment be finalized and sent to WTU members for a vote within the next 30 days. Collective bargaining team recommendations of note for Puryear center on teacher and student safety. She also touted the significance of the Department of General Services’ timely completion of work orders. Puryear also said she doesn’t want to see teachers’ IMPACT evaluation scores negatively affected when they take sick leave. Another qualm that she expressed concerned teachers’ salaries not being enough to live comfortably in the District. Such conditions have eaten at teacher morale in recent months, Puryear said. That’s why, for Puryear, DCPS not acting in good faith during contract negotiations would add insult to injury. “I'm grateful that it's kind of public that DCPS is dragging their feet,” Puryear said. “If [the chancellor and other administrators] were teachers they would lose their jobs because they would lose core professionalism points,” continued Puryear as she referenced a part of the IMPACT teacher evaluation. In a statement, DCPS said Tuesday’s meeting, the first in-person meeting for 2023-2027 contract negotiations, follows two months of dialogue between DCPS and WTU about written proposals and ground rules. A DCPS representative told The Informer that such dialogue was necessary to ensure the production of a fair contract that reflects “the District’s appreciation for educa-

5 Representatives of the Washington Teachers’ Union and D.C. Public Schools recently started negotiating the terms of a new wcollective bargaining agreement for thousands of public school teachers. (Courtesy Photo)

“If [the chancellor and other administrators] were teachers they would lose their jobs because they would lose core professionalism points,” continued Puryear as she referenced a part of the IMPACT teacher evaluation.

tors and commitment to our residents.” Discussion around the 20232027 collective bargaining agreement is taking place amid the D.C. Council’s ongoing efforts to increase teacher retention and improve teacher working conditions. Teacher attrition in D.C. stands at 25%, well above the national average of 16%. Earlier this year, after WTU retroactively ratified its 2019-2023 contract, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) implored DCPS and WTU leadership to finalize the next contract more quickly. In November, as WTU collective bargaining team members waited for DCPS to respond to their recommendations, the council’s Committee of the Whole conducted a public hearing about

the Educator Retention for Student Success Act. If passed, this legislation, introduced by D.C. Councilmember Robert White (D-At large), will provide paid mental health leave to full-time DCPS educators, and require wellness coordinators in schools with a high population of at-risk students and high teacher turnover. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education would also be required to establish a Fair Paraprofessional Compensation Task Force and Flexible Scheduling Pilot Program. The bill also requires DCPS to conduct a teacher exit survey, the results of which they will share publicly and with the State Board of Education annually. Public witnesses at the Nov. 21 hearing espoused support for teacher wellness, particularly as it related to flexible scheduling, which the D.C. Council funded in the FY 2024 budget. They also zeroed in on the mental and emotional toll that student deaths and demanding work schedules take on teachers. Other talking points focused on lack of teacher inclusion on administrative decisions and the drawbacks of the IMPACT teacher evaluation system. In her testimony, WTU President Jacqueline Pogue-Lyons said teachers don’t feel supported and valued. She pointed to flexible scheduling and the timely completion of contract negotiations as instrumental in retaining District teachers.

Per another Informer story, the collective bargaining team wants the recommendations compiled earlier this year to become part of a memorandum of agreement that accompanies the finalized 20232027 WTU contract. Pogue Lyons recently told The Informer that DCPS didn’t officially respond to the recommendations until the day she spoke before the D.C. Council Committee of the Whole. That development, months in the making, compelled her to express concern about the likelihood of negotiations dragging on for several months and years. Such delays, Pogue Lyons said, are unique to the D.C. education system. She went on to say that DCPS has to start respecting teachers, a significant portion of whom are in their 30s and surrounded by peers in other school districts and career fields who are making much more money under less stressful conditions. “You can go to a county just 15 minutes from our office and get a job in another school system,” Pogue Lyons said. “D.C. hires the best and the brightest teachers, but we do an awful job of keeping them. It’s even worse in underserved communities. We don’t have ELL teachers, psychologists, and social workers for our most vulnerable students. These are the folks who our children need the most.” WI @SamPKCollins

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EDUCATION

TRUANCY from Page 1 D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), who said he was in a meeting with District Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), postponed the government witness portion for the afternoon of Dec. 19. Seven government officials -- including Child and Family Services Agency Director Robert Matthews, Dr. Michelle J. Walker-Davis, executive director of the D.C. Public Charter School Board, Cinthia Ruiz, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS)’ chief of integrity, and State Superintendent Dr. Christina Grant -- were scheduled to testify before the Committee of the Whole on Tuesday. In his opening remarks, he called on D.C. government agencies to devise a strategy that gets at the root of why students aren’t attending school. While he cautioned against criminalizing chronic absenteeism, Mendelson connected the problem to increasing juvenile crime. “All we’ve seen is the [truancy] numbers going up. While they’ve gone down, they are still above where they were pre-pandemic,” said Mendelson, who sat alongside D.C. Councilmembers Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2), Matt Frumin (D-Ward 3), and Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) on Tuesday afternoon. “Kids who are not in school are not learning… and they are at risk of getting into the juvenile justice system. Not because absenteeism in itself is a criminal act. It indicates some dysfunction and we know there's a high correlation between truancy and delinquency.”

ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS WEIGH IN AND CELEBRATE SOME PROGRESS

The most recent D.C. School Report Card, released on Dec. 1, showed a slight decline in chronic absenteeism from 48% to 43.6%. A deeper dive into the data, however, highlighted the severity of an ongoing problem. According to the report, more than half of the District’s Black students were chronically absent during the 2022-2023 school year, meaning that they missed more than 10 instructional days. Additionally, a little more than half of pre-kindergarten students were chronically absent. OSSE also recorded chronic absenteeism rates of more than 50% for economically disadvantaged students, foster children, hous-

5 D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson. (Courtesy Photo) (WI File Photo)

ing insecure students, and students with disabilities. At alternative schools, absenteeism rates never fell below 70% across all demographics. On Tuesday, more than 50 public witnesses also signed up to make their voices heard. Those scheduled to testify included State Board of Education Representatives Eric Goulet (Ward 3), Frazier O’Leary (Ward 4), Robert Henderson (Ward 5), and Eboni-Rose Thompson (Ward 7). Goulet touted the importance of universal out-of-school time programming and criticized Mendelson for absorbing the council’s Committee on Education into the Committee of the Whole. He said that move weakened the council’s ability to effectively conduct oversight of education agencies. In his testimony, Henderson called for an expansion of the Safe Passage program and better training of Safe Passage workers. He also warned against conflating chronic absenteeism with criminality. Soon after, Thompson cautioned against employing punitive measures against children who miss several days of school. To that point, Kortni Stafford, principal of McKinley Middle and McKinley Technology High School spoke about her schools’ participation in DCPS Becoming, an ongoing effort to develop DCPS as an anti-racist and whole child-centered organization. She said strategies implemented this year led to a significant reduction in absenteeism on both campuses. “We focus on building community among students and adults,” Stafford said. “We also assign students [who have] attendance interventions with adult champions who monitor attendance and make sure they have what they need. We have credible messengers to support students [and] partnerships with student-led groups like the

Student-Government Association.” Karley Sessoms, a DCPS parent and teacher who lives in Ward 5, later told council members that the “school-level ground game” doesn’t address the needs of severely absent students. She went on to suggest that the metric of in-seat attendance shows improvement, but overlooks those who need interventions. In her testimony, Sessoms urged the D.C. Council to implement systemic changes that focus on the more than 2,000 K-5 students who missed at least 54 days of school last year. While engaging in dialogue with Mendelson, she suggested some form of transportation. “When bus service is provided, they have better attendance rates,” Sessoms said. “[Buses] are designated for students with Individual Education Plans. We don’t have mechanisms to provide transportation.. But I’ve seen success… even when [students] live within two blocks of the school.” The public charter school community showed out on Tuesday as well. Russ Williams, CEO of Center City Public Charter School; Justin Lessek, executive director of the Sojourner Truth Montessori Public Charter School; Candice Bobo, executive Director of Rocketship Public Charter Schools, and Laura Maestas of DC Prep counted among those who provided testimony. Williams spoke about the need to make school more appealing to students. He explained how Center City PCS was investing in a “maker space” for interactive, hands-on STEM instruction. Meanwhile, Lessek touted Sojourner Truth Montessori as a small school where students and teachers are organized into small communities. Read more on www.waashingtoninformer.com WI @SamPKCollins

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 27

Reliability rests on his shoulders. There’s a source of energy in South Carolina as reliable as any in the world: our employees. It’s their hard work – braving storms, servicing power lines, and building a smarter and more secure power grid – that brings you the dependable electricity you’ve come to expect. Our employees’ dedication to every community they serve is at the heart of everything we do.

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DECEMBER 2023 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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As the holidays are about spreading joy, cheer and good news, here at The Washington Informer, we hope to empower you with information to keep you happy and healthy this season

and beyond. While this time of year is often marked with family, friends and food-filled festivities, be sure to take a safe and healthy approach when letting the good times roll. The food you eat, the lights you use to decorate, and the people you hang around can all contribute to your health and happiness this holiday season. Being surrounded by good drinks, great food and even better company is part of what makes the holiday season such a joyous time. However, it’s important to think about your health and others when indulging this time of year. An October 2021 survey conducted by Herbalife Nutrition evaluated a panel of 2000 Americans who celebrate a winter holiday– examining pre, during and post-holiday eating habits. The study showed 64% of the respondents expected to gain as much as eight pounds in anticipation of holiday overindulgence. Although you may find yourself surrounded by eggnog, feasts and tantalizing treats, this guide will offer tips to help you enjoy the holiday season with healthier food options. In addition, during this time, we need to make sure we’re protecting one another from getting sick. According to the Centers for Disease Control: “large gatherings, crowded travel, and more time indoors can mean more viruses spreading around the holidays.” Even with such statistics, no need to fear or fret, masking up, regularly washing hands and being updated on the latest vaccines are ways to keep your holiday gatherings safe and healthy. Finally, this guide provides tips for managing stress, suggests ideas for sustainable practices when decorating and eating, and offers food for thought when considering goals for the new year. With the right resources, there are many ways to keep you, your family and the environment safe and healthy during the holidays. From considering environmentally friendly celebratory practices, to finding healthier alternatives to classic holiday dishes, check out ways to enjoy a merry and bright season, while keeping you and your loved ones happy and healthy this festive season and in 2024. n

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Redefining New Year’s Resolutions: Martha’s Table’s Guide to Sustainable Lifestyle Changes in 2024 Submitted by Martha’s Table Did you know that on average, 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February? Martha’s Table resident therapist, Sarina Sechrist, identifies six sustainable alternatives to traditional resolutions that will set you up for success in 2024. 1. Traditional Resolution: Lose weight 2024 Sustainable Alternative: Get enough vitamins and minerals/eat fruits and veggies daily Why It Works: adding healthier foods is easier than taking away foods. Naturally, consumption of unhealthy foods will decrease because you will be less hungry, shifting focus from weight to health. Come shop our fresh fruits and veggies at our Martha’s Table markets. https://marthastable.org/ health-wellness-programs/ 2. Traditional Resolution: Start a gym membership 2024 Sustainable Alternative: Get 15 minutes of physical activity daily. Why It Works: Our lives are busy, going to the gym every day can be intimidating. Exercising 15 minutes a day is small enough to incorporate even during busy days and will give you motivation to increase the time duration as you see yourself maintaining the 15-minute goal. When you are ready for an in-person class, check out our workout classes: Go-Go Fitness, Senior Yoga and Healing Movements 3. Traditional Resolution: Delete social media 2024 Sustainable Alternative: substitute 15 minutes of screen time with reading or meditating each day. Why It Works: All-or-nothing approaches are difficult to maintain and often leave us feeling defeated when they fail. Instead start small. You can stay at the smaller goal or build your way up to a bigger target. Want to read more in 2024? join the Community Changemakers Book Club.

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4. Traditional Resolution: Make more money 2024 Sustainable Alternative: Invest in working somewhere that invests in you. Why It Works: In 2024, look for careers that not only match your skills but also contribute to a sense of fulfillment and purpose. At Martha’s Table, every team member is provided the tools and resources, including tuition assistance and uncapped PTO, to succeed. Check out careers at Martha’s Table https://marthastable. org/careers/ 5. Traditional Resolution: Volunteer every weekend 2024 Sustainable Alternative: Volunteer at an organization I care about at least once a month. Why It Works: Once a month is a manageable frequency that fits into most schedules and allows for meaningful engagement. Learn more about how you can volunteer your time with Martha’s Table https://marthastable.org/volunteer/ 6. Traditional Resolution: “I won’t let my kids/family stress me out” 2024 Sustainable Alternative: Developing healthy coping strategies as a parent Why It Works: Stress is a natural part of life, especially in parenting. Rather than trying to eliminate it entirely, a more realistic goal is to develop coping strategies so we can begin to let the little things go. Through Martha’s Table’s Family Visiting, parents’ partner with family visitors to develop strategies for keeping the whole family well. Sign-up for Family Visiting at https://marthastable.org/education-programs/ n

RECAP: Now that you have six more realistic, alternative New Year’s resolutions go into 2024 with more confidence to be your BEST you! And if times get tough, keep these 4 general tips in mind. 5 Student at a Martha’s Table market.

General Tips: 1. Avoid over-assessing progress and let go of the all-or-nothing mindset, it’s not about each individual day it’s about the pattern. 2. Don’t “wait till Monday to start over”. If you missed your goal this morning, try again this afternoon. The longer you wait to “start again”, the less likely you are to resume the goal. 3. If possible, have an accountability partner, someone who will check-in and motivate you, not judge you. 4. Remember goals should add to your life, not frustrate you! To learn more about Martha’s Table emotional wellness program offerings, contact Keia Murphy, Outreach & Enrollment Coordinator, at kmurphy@marthastable.org

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With germs spreading far and wide this winter, part of keeping students healthy during the holiday season involves providing them nutrients that can boost their immune systems. Unfortunately, thousands of District children live in food deserts where they might not be able to access leafy greens, fresh fruits, and other foods stocked with vitamins and minerals. To help families facing this dilemma, Martha’s Table continues to operate its two grocery distribution programs -- the Joyful Food Market at District schools and a lobby market at its Columbia Heights and Elvans Road SE locations. Once a month, students at more than 50 elementary, middle and high schools across Ward 7 and 8 can participate in the Joyful Food Market. Since 2015, Martha’s Table, in partnership with Capital Area Food Bank and the D.C. Department of Health has provided community food distribution and education to hundreds of young people as they leave school. During the Joyful Food Market, Martha’s Table team members provide students with a package of food items along with information about meals that can be prepared. Young people and their families can also watch live food preparation demonstrations and taste food samples. They have the option of taking home, along with their package of fresh produce, information about resources and accessing SNAP/TANF and WIC benefits. Day in and day out, thousands of people frequent Martha’s Table’s lobby market at Elvans Road in Southeast, D.C. and Columbia Heights in Northwest, D.C. Patrons visiting these locations during the week can access fruits, vegetables and pantry items. Just like the Joyful Food Market, the lobby market provides ample opportunity for education about healthy recipes. Douglas Ireland, chief program officer at Martha’s Table, said Martha’s Table at the Commons, located on Elvans Road SE, records at least 1500 weekly visits from community members who frequent the lobby market, sometimes before or after participating in other programming taking place in the facility. Ireland told The Informer about plans in the works to reach more District schools, and expand upon food samples and food preparation demonstrations. He said that’s where he sees Martha’s Table having the great impact. “We know that providing healthy nutritious food helps children in their development and ability to concentrate. It’s important to provide balanced diets,” Ireland said. “ If children can taste something and see that it’s delicious, then you can create interest in the [food] items. We’re making healthy food approachable, explaining items to them that they haven’t tried or tasted.” n

@SamPKCollins

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The Importance Of Managing Stress During The Holidays By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Heath Reporter With the holiday season in full swing, many U.S. adults find themselves experiencing a significant increase in stress levels while managing work, family, and personal affairs all at once. But with a full plate of responsibilities, how can one balance their load and some much needed repose during this busy time of the year? Dr. Michele Leno, a licensed psychologist, talk show host, and founder of DML Psychological Services, told The Informer there are ways to help people manage stress during the holiday season. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing self-care to avoid burnout, and set achievable New Year’s resolutions to promote overall well-being. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. WI: The holidays can be such a stressful time. Women, in particular, often take on a lot of stress when hosting family gatherings, cooking for

holiday dinners, etc. What can people do to help balance their load to prevent burnout during the holiday season? Dr. Leno: I have attended my fair share of family events, and one of the things I’ve noticed is that women tend to take hosting very seriously. And so for us, that [often] means doing everything, when really, we need to rethink and reframe what it means to host. Hosting may mean, “I’m going to prepare this meal,” or “I’m going to decide the location, and then I’m going to delegate some of the other tasks and seek out help.” We try to do it all because we think it’s the right thing to do when we’re thinking of etiquette. There is nowhere that states we have to do it all just because we’re planning, because it is very, very stressful. And you want to be able to enjoy your time. WI: How does stress manifest in the body? Dr. Leno: People may notice that their immune system is not functioning as well. So, they’re feeling more fatigued. They’re sleeping a lot or not

just starting to feel better [and notice], [you] didn’t catch as many colds this year because [you] had a better year, or [weren’t] feeling down and out.

5 Dr. Michele Leno (Courtesy Photo)

sleeping enough. They’re feeling like they don’t have the energy that they need. They’re feeling on edge. Their mind or heartbeat may be racing, and they’re just feeling an inability to relax. And so sometimes, we tend to try to separate mental and physical health, but there’s no way to separate them. So just be on the lookout for when you’re feeling depressed, and you notice your back is aching, for example, it may be connected because it can be harder to heal. I always say, “improve your mental health, improve your life,” because no matter what you’re going through, if you can find just even just a small bit of happiness, you will find yourself healing. You’ll find yourself

WI: The holiday seasons can also be a depressing time for those who have lost family or are alone. What can people do to help manage depression and sadness during this time? Dr. Leno: [The holidays] can be a very difficult time, especially if you’re dealing with loss. So first things first, you must be patient with yourself. You’re not going to be able to do it all. Give yourself some downtime, some alone time. But, it’s okay if you spend time with others and still, within that space, take a step back to your own space if you need to cry. [It helps to] have that person who is almost like an accountability partner, that person who kind of knows you’re not feeling your best and they’re like, “Are you okay?” It’s also okay to laugh, sometimes. When we’re grieving, we can feel guilty about feeling good, and so sometimes you stand in your own way of healing when that happens because you feel like you’re not supposed

Stressed out about everything you’re juggling? Get peace of mind.

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to be laughing and enjoying yourself right now. Allow yourself to feel your feelings is what I always say, because they’re natural. You may be laughing one minute, but you may need to cry a few minutes later. Give yourself that ability to do that. And, again, balance if you need to have some downtime, where you’re alone and you’re staying at home. Do that, but don’t spend too much time in that space because that’s also not healthy. You do need to interact with other people. And if you don’t have close friends or families, you may seek out a support group. You may talk to a therapist, because the therapist will work with you and help you determine what’s going to be some best things for you to do. You never want to get to a point where you’re feeling completely hopeless, because that’s when severe depression starts to kick in, those irrational thoughts, or suicidal ideations can start to kick in. So there’s always support whether you had it immediately at your fingertips or not. Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com n

Whether you’ve broken a bone, are feeling alone, or have recently lost your coverage, you have a lot on your mind. Maryland Health Connection has your back with free or low-cost health plans to help take some of the chaos off your plate. Every plan covers doctor visits, emergency care, mental health services, and more.

Find a health plan that ﬁts your needs and your budget at MarylandHealthConnection.gov

Live Well, Live Long! A high-quality life means being healthy physically and mentally and being your best. As your healthcare provider, MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia is committed to ensuring that you live healthy and strong to be your best. How can we help you live healthier, be stronger, and be your best in body, mind, and spirit? Let us help you and your family receive the highest quality of care possible. We will connect you to the right doctor and dental provider and help schedule your appointments. Take ownership of your health by working with MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia, and let’s make you the best you can be. Benefits... you have them, here’s how you keep them As a MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia Enrollee, it may be time to renew your DC Healthy Families, DC Healthcare Alliance, or Immigrant Children’s Program benefits. All beneficiaries must renew or recertify to keep their benefits. Don’t wait to update! Visit District Direct at DistrictDirect.DC.gov to ensure your contact information is up to date so you will receive important information. For more information, visit medstarfamilychoicedc.com

Protecting Our Planet and Ourselves: Tips for a Climate-Friendly Holiday Season By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas in the DMV area, this winter might give you a decent chance — forecasters are predicting more snow this season than we’ve seen during the last few mild years. But over the long-term, climate change has slashed D.C.’s chances for snow on Dec. 25 in half, from about 8% in 2010 to just over 4% in 2020, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Snow on Christmas might seem like a small thing. But our planet’s rising temperatures and other environmental crises like plastic waste and air pollution have major effects on our lives and our health. Luckily, there’s a lot we can do to make a small but meaningful impact during the holidays. Check out a few climate tips that could help make the festivities a little healthier for ourselves and our world — and learn about some ways you may already be doing your part.

Swap A Meat Dish for A Vegetarian One

Live well, live long! As your healthcare provider, MedStar Family Choice District of Columbia is committed to ensuring that you live healthy and strong to be your best.

This program is funded in part by the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Health Care Finance.

Plant-based food tends to be healthier not only for our bodies but also for the planet. Meat is a climate culprit because raising animals for food releases a lot of greenhouse gasses, like methane and nitrous oxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere. This makes cutting down on meat crucial for tackling climate change. Pushing for a more planet-friendly plate doesn’t have to mean cutting out your favorites entirely — families can also opt for a ‘flexitarian’ approach. That could mean holding onto your traditional Christmas ham or turkey while switching out meat ingredients for veggie substitutes in side dishes like stuffing. Even just switching beef, which produces massive amounts of greenhouse gasses, with climate-friendlier pork or poultry dishes can make a difference.

Use Leftovers and Compost Cooking Scraps For many families, it’d be a strange

if any cousin, auntie or brother-inlaw left Christmas dinner without a plate piled high with leftovers. Making sure as little food goes to waste as possible can be second nature, a way to make sure the good food and good cheer is spread far and wide. What folks might not know is that this is great for the Earth, too, because when organic matter breaks down in landfills, it lets out huge amounts of methane — a gas that causes warming even more effectively than carbon dioxide. Composting is another great way to cut down on food waste dumping methane into the atmosphere. Cooking scraps like potato peels, eggshells and coffee grounds can all be composted using municipal services offered in many DMV jurisdictions. In D.C., residents can drop them at one of 12 farmer’s markets around the city. In Prince George’s County, they’ll pick it up curbside just like regular trash. Pro tip: to prevent smells or bugs, put scraps in a paper bag, then stick it in the freezer until it’s ready to go out.

Cut the Energy Bills with LED Bulbs and Timers for Christmas Lights As with leftovers, lots of people already work to save electricity by turning out the lights when leaving a room or putting on a sweater instead of turning up the heat. That keeps energy bills lower, and it’s good for the planet too, since producing electricity usually means burning fossil fuels (though renewable energy sources are growing quickly). Households can apply that same idea when it comes to one of the best and most iconic traditions of the holiday season: Christmas lights. Using strings of LEDs can slash electricity costs to 15% or less of what it costs to run old-style incandescent lights. (If you’re not sure what kinds of lights you have, check if they get hot after being on for a while: incandescent bulbs heat up, while LED bulbs don’t.) LED lights shine just as brightly with a lot less energy, and they last longer, too. Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com n

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Addressing the CDC’s Alarming Infant Mortality Report: A Call to Action for the African American Community By Monique LeNoir Executive Director of the African American Wellness Project and Chanda Nicole Holsey Board Member, African American Wellness Project As a Black mother with two sons, and for my colleague who is a Black mother of two daughters, and who suffered an infant loss at 27 weeks, we are deeply concerned about the recent breaking news from the CDC, which reports the largest increase in infant mortality rates in more than two decades. While the overall increase in infant mortality rates may not be significant, the disparity within the Black community is nothing short of alarming. Black infants are experiencing the highest rates of infant mortality, with nearly 11 deaths per 1,000 births – more than double the rate for White infants. This news serves as a stark reminder that systemic health disparities continue to plague our community, and it is time for us to take action. In the face of this troubling report, we are faced with a crucial question; what do we do about it? Specifically, what can Black mothers and fathers do to navigate the complex healthcare system effectively and demand the quality care they deserve. The African American Wellness Project (AAWP) is a trusted resource that empowers individuals to navigate the complex healthcare system effectively and demand the quality care they deserve. Our primary focus has been to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for and protect their health and our organization serves as a megaphone for trusted information

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and vital resources that empowering African Americans. As we grapple with the CDC’s latest findings, there are critical actions that we, as a community, must take to confront these disparities headon:

become an advocate for change. Join local and national initiatives that aim to address healthcare disparities, and let your voice be heard. Demand equal access to quality care for all, regardless of race or socio-economic status.

1. Raise Awareness: It is essential

4. Support Community Initiatives: Support organizations

to raise awareness about the alarming infant mortality rates among Black infants. We must engage in open and honest conversations within our communities, highlighting the disparities that continue to plague African American women and children regardless of socioeconomic or educational status.

2. Provide Access to Reliable Information: Organizations such

as the March of Dimes, and ours, AAWP, are committed to providing accessible and reliable information about effective ways to address the health of moms and children, healthcare options, and navigating the healthcare system. Visit such reliable to access guides and resources that can help you make informed decisions about your health.

3. Advocate for Change: Empower yourself with knowledge and

like AAWP that are dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the African American community. Together, we can create a powerful force for change.

5. Seek Prenatal and Postnatal Care: For expectant Black moth-

ers, seeking prenatal care is crucial. Accessing proper medical guidance throughout pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of infant mortality. Postnatal care is equally important to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and child.

6. Educate Healthcare Providers: Encourage healthcare providers

to receive cultural competency training to better understand the unique needs and challenges faced by Black patients. Advocate for equitable healthcare practices and policies.

7. Practice Radical Self-Care:

Last but now least, we know life does not stop while pregnant, but reducing stress during pregnancy is critical for preventing complications for mom and baby. Be vigilant about implementing self-care. Reduce stress, cut back on nonessential activities, have a good support network, seek resources in the community or from your provider about ways to help, identify the source of your stress and take active steps to remove or lessen it. Traditionally, the best sources of information on how to overcome health disparities has come from The National Institutes of Health and the Office of Minority Health, but AAWP has emerged as an effective way to promote health equity and yield better outcomes for people of color. Our website, aawellnessproject.org provides access, guides and resources that can help you make informed decisions about your health. The CDC’s report is a sobering reminder that our work is far from over. The fact that infant mortality has increased after two decades should serve as a call to action. It is our responsibility to respond to these inequities in the healthcare

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5 Monique LeNoir Executive Director of the African American Wellness Project and Chanda Nicole Holsey, Board Member, African American Wellness Project

system and ensure that every Black mother and child receives the quality care they deserve. The African American Wellness Project is committed to standing with our community to make meaningful change. Together, we can and must make a difference. Our children’s lives depend on it. n

Feel-Good Foods for the Holidays By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD (Safeway Corporate Dietitian, author of 25 books, @therecipedoctor) Tis the season for giving thanks and family gatherings, relaxing in front of the fireplace and sipping hot cocoa… 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 veg-

etables in our appetizers and on our holiday plates, we just naturally end up eating less of those higher calorie-lower nutrient foods. 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, apples, 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 antioxidants 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.

Fill Up Fruit Tips:

• Add mini fruit kabobs to your party or holiday spread • “Mini”-mize your dessert serving size and top each serving with fresh fruit that enhances the flavors of the dessert • Color-ize your holiday cheese plate or charcuterie board with fresh and dried fruit • Boost the nutrients, flavors and colors of your holiday green salads with fresh and dried fruit • Most favorite holiday breakfasts are even better garnished with fresh and dried fruit

Fill up on the beautiful bounty of in-season veggies

Rely on Fall veggies to balance any holiday plate! Foods high in water and fiber, like vegetables, help fill us up and bring copious vitamins and minerals plus plant compounds to the table.

From bright orange to dark green, look for opportunities to feature pumpkin, sweet potatoes and yams, winter squash, winter greens, Brussels Sprouts, carrots and cauliflower, turnips and green beans. Vegetables can even be added to breads and breakfasts! For example, for a festive color and flavor, mashed sweet potato can be added to Dinner Rolls and pumpkin to pancakes and waffles!

Fill Up Veggie Tips:

iad of Mediterranean veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, artichoke hearts, spinach and other greens, winter squash and more. • Many potato dishes can be embellished with riced cauliflower or cauliflower florets and broccoli and other winter veggies. • Feature a medley of winter vegetables alongside any holiday beef or pork roast. • Add veggies like greens and things (mushrooms, avocado, tomatoes, etc.) to your holiday egg dishes. n

• Double your vegetable dishes at the holiday table for more veggie excitement and options. • Stuff your holiday stuffing with stuffing-friendly veggies like carrots, celery, leeks, mushrooms and more! And the same goes for your holiday casseroles. • Pump up any holiday pasta dish, even mac & cheese, with a myr-

Stay up to date on your vaccines & save! Schedeuwleayinatpphe saf Get 10% off groceries with any vaccination* Terms apply. Visit www.safeway.com/health.html for details.

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Navigating Nutrition: Healthy Eating During the Holiday Season Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas DC The holiday season is a time for joy, togetherness, and indulgence. While festive eating is often a cherished tradition, it can be hard to maintain a healthy diet. With a few helpful strategies, you can have a balance between eating delicious holiday meals and maintaining your well-being.

Practice portion control

One key component of healthy

eating during the holidays is portion control. Monitoring portion sizes can be challenging, but can be easily managed by: • Choosing smaller plates to ensure you are eating small portions and serving sizes. • Avoiding going back for seconds to prevent overeating. • Paying attention to your body’s hunger cues. Learn when your body is telling you it is satisfied and when to stop eating. • Enjoying holiday treats in moderation and savoring the small, portioned meals.

Fill your plate with colorful foods and lean proteins

Fill your plate with vibrant col-

ors by adding a variety of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients and provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support your immune system and overall health. Lean proteins such as turkey, chicken, fish, or plant-based alternatives are a great way to keep your holiday meals healthy. Proteins are key to helping you feel full and satisfied. If you’re the host of the holiday party, you can even choose to serve the vegetable options first to ensure that your guests are also consuming their necessary vegetables.

Stay hydrated and active

It is important to remember to stay hydrated. Drinking water throughout the day helps control your appetite and keeps your body functioning. Choose water, tea, or infused water to stay refreshed. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger. Be sure to also stay active during the holidays. With all the busy gatherings, holiday festivities, and overall stress of the sea-

son, it can be easy to fall off track of your fitness goals. Physical activity can help balance out any extra calories that you consume and can also boost your mood. You can go for a walk after dinner, walk around the mall as you do your Christmas shopping, or play games with your family that will get your body moving and keep you active.

Choose healthy cooking methods

If you are the cook at your holiday gathering, the way you prepare your food matters. Read food labels, measure your ingredients, and avoid choosing processed foods. Opt for cooking methods such as: • Slow cooking: Slow cookers use low heat over an extended period, making them the best method for cooking tougher cuts of meat. • Grilling: Grilling is a helpful option for vegetables, fish, and lean meats. • Baking and roasting: Baking or roasting certain foods is a great CONTINUED ON PAGE HS-11

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#BestMe

Well-Child Visits and Scheduling Appointments for Children Have your children had their well-child visit yet this year? As the year ends and temperatures continue to change, so could your child’s health. Regular checkups are vital for monitoring your child’s health, growth, and development. Your child should have a well-child visit every year around the time of their birthday. These appointments help your child’s provider diagnose and treat any potential health issues as early as possible. During a well-child visit, you and your child should expect: • A physical exam • Growth and development checks • Hearing and vision screenings • Appropriate shots/vaccines • Lab testing (including blood lead levels) • Mental health and risk behavior check • Health education for parent and child

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cooking method for many dishes such as poultry and vegetables and requires little use of added fats. • Sauteing: Sauteing foods requires little oil or butter and is an overall healthier way of preparing food. Healthy eating during the holiday season does not mean that you must deprive yourself. Instead, you can make mindful choices that support your well-being. By prioritizing portion control, choosing nutrient-rich options, and staying mindful of your eating and cooking habits, you can enjoy festive eating while nurturing your body and health. n

It is recommended by AmeriHealth Caritas DC that your child visit their primary care provider at these ages: • 3 – 5 days old • 1 month • 2 months • 4 months • 6 months • 9 months • 12 months (1 year) • 15 months • 18 months • 24 months (2 years) • Every year starting at age 3 to 21 Plan ahead by reaching out to your child’s primary care provider. The earlier you reach out, the easier it may be to schedule an appointment. You can also inquire about virtual appointments if you do not have transportation to your child’s doctor’s appointments. Transportation is available for AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollees for routine appointments and urgent follow-up visits. You can call Enrollee Services at 1-800-315-3485 to schedule a ride to and from appointments at no cost

Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/amerihealthdc. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/amerihealthcaritasdc. Find us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/amerihealthcaritasdc.

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Healthy Holiday Recipes Chef Huda’s Signature Soulful Soup:

5 Chef Huda, an award-winning celebrity chef and Food Network champion, shared the recipe behind her celebrated “Soulful Soup.” (Courtesy Photo)

Yield: 4 Servings Ingredients: • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil • 2 cloves garlic • minced 1 pound spicy Italian turkey sausage

Ready. Set. Renew. It’s time to renew your benefits. The deadline to renew your Amerigroup District of Columbia, Inc. healthcare benefits is coming up. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.

• casings removed 3 3/4 cups canned low-sodium black-eyed peas (from two 15-ounce cans) • 2 cups roughly chopped collard greens • 2 cups diced roasted tomatoes (from one 15 1/2-ounce can) • 1 cup diced Vidalia onion • 1 cup diced red bell pepper • 1 cup diced yellow bell pepper • 1 tablespoon Just Savor Cajun Kick seasoning • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper What To Do: Heat the olive oil in a large sauce-

pan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the black-eyed peas, collards, tomatoes, onion, bell peppers, Cajun seasoning and cumin and stir. Cook, stirring, until the collards begin to wilt, about 4 minutes. Increase the heat to medium high, then add the chicken broth and stir. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

We created a short video to walk you through the process. Just scan the QR code below to watch. It’s as easy as …

Ready.

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Renew.

Get your documents ready. The video will tell you exactly what you need.

Make sure your form is all set. See helpful tips in the video.

Submit your renewal form online, by fax, in person, or through the mail.

Scan the QR code to watch the video.

Amerigroup District of Columbia, Inc. follows Federal civil rights laws. We don’t discriminate against people because of their: Race • Color • National origin • Age • Disability • Sex or gender identity

Do you need help with your healthcare, talking with us, or reading what we send you? We provide our materials in other languages and formats at no cost to you. Call us toll free at 800-600-4441 (TTY 711). ¿Necesita ayuda con el cuidado de la salud, para hablar con nosotros o para leer lo que le enviamos? Le ofrecemos nuestros materiales en otros idiomas y formatos sin costo alguno. Llame a nuestra línea gratuita al 800-600-4441 (TTY 711). በእርስዎ የጤና ክብካቤ ላይ፣ ከእኛ ጋር በመነጋገር ላይ፣ ወይም እኛ የምንልክልዎትን ነገሮች በማንበብ ላይ እገዛ ያስፈልግዎታል? የእኛን የሚነበቡ ነገሮች በሌሎች ቋንቋዎች እና ቅርጸቶች በእርስዎ ላይ ምንም ወጪ ሳያስከትልብዎት እንሰጥዎታለን። በነጻ የስልክ መሥመር በስልክ ቊጥር 800-600-4441 (TTY 711) ይደውሉልን። 건강 관리에 도움이 필요하십니까? 아니면 저희와 연락하시거나, 보내드리는 자료를 읽는 데 도움이 필요하십니까? 자료를 다른 언어 및 형식으로 무료로 제공해드립니다. 저희에게 800-600-4441 (TTY 711) 번으로 연락해 주십시오. 您在醫療保健方面、與我們交流或閱讀我們寄送的材料時是否需要幫助？我們可為您免費提供其他語言和格式的材料。請撥打我們的免費電話 800-600-4441 (聽障專線 711)。 Avez-vous besoin d’aide pour vos soins de santé, pour parler avec nous ou pour lire ce que nous vous avons envoyé ? Nous pouvons vous fournir gratuitement nos documents dans d’autres langues et formats. Appelez notre numéro gratuit 800-600-4441 (TTY 711). Quý vị có cần trợ giúp liên quan tới chăm sóc sức khỏe, nói chuyện với chúng tôi, hoặc đọc nội dung chúng tôi gửi cho quý vị không? Chúng tôi có cung cấp tài liệu bằng các ngôn ngữ và định dạng khác mà không tính phí cho quý vị. Hãy gọi chúng tôi theo số điện thoại miễn cước 800-600-4441 (TTY 711). 1042027DCMENAGP 09/22 myamerigroup.com/DC

Winter Harris’ Healthy Collard Greens Ingredients: • 1 bunch of collard greens • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 onion, diced • 2 cloves of garlic, minced • 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar • 1 Smoked Turkey Wings • 1 Small Onion, Red and Green Bell Pepper, All Thinly Sliced (Optional) Instructions: Start by washing the collard greens thoroughly. Remove the tough stems and chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. Add the collard greens to the pot and stir well to coat them with the onion and garlic mixture. Pour in the low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together. Cover the pot and let the collard greens simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until they are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the collard greens are cooked

to your desired tenderness, remove the pot from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the healthy collard greens as a side dish or as a main course with some whole-grain rice or cornbread. Harris told the Informer, “You can double or triple this recipe for larger crowds.” “I hope you enjoy this healthier take on this traditional soul food fave! ” Get more of Winter’s recipes on traditional favorites The Single Housewife Affirmation Cookbook: Mastering the Kitchen and the Single Life Effortlessly.

5 Author, recording artist, motivational speaker and Love and Marriage DC star Winter Harris enjoys cooking, offering healthy recipes for people to use yearlong. (Courtesy Photo)

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Washington, D.C. Needs to Address Hospice Care Utilization Disparities Among Minority Populations able that there would be skepticism towards professionals’ intentions with something as precious and sensitive as their twilight years. But as a result, many are spending those years in and out of emergency rooms, uncomfortable, over- or under-medicated and often isolated from family and friends. People of color and other marginalized communities deserve better, and we are committed more than ever, working with partners to

Donna Gayles and Audrey Easaw Our nation’s capital ranks high in many things, from access to outdoor activities and number of museums to its ethnic and cultural diversity and vibrant LGBTQ+ population. But the city lags far behind in one key area: hospice care utilization. While on average, just under half of Medicare decedents are in hospice care at their time of death, in the District of Columbia, only 25% are ranking lower than 49 of the 50 states. This is especially meaningful when considering how medical mistrust plays into this underutilization among the city’s extremely diverse population. Historically marginalized and minority populations have long faced barriers and stigma that prevent them from accessing care. Now, more than ever, medical professionals have an opportunity to build their trust so they can explore hospice care solutions if needed without hesitation. According to the latest U.S. census, as of 2021 there were 1.2 times more Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents in Washington, D.C. than any other race or ethnicity. The city also has significant Hispanic and Asian American/Pacific Islander communities and the highest LGBTQ+ population by state, almost doubling the national average. For many residents and visitors, this is part of what draws them to the city - but it also illuminates why the number of residents who pursue healthcare such as hospice remains so dismal. Health disparities begin long before a patient reaches end-of-life care. As Black women, we’ve witnessed firsthand how health disparities and generational mistrust have prevented loved ones and community members from getting needed care. According to an AP news study, Black Americans have statistically higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, childhood asthma, teenage mental illness, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s and more. As the study concludes: “from birth to

death, Black Americans fare worse in measures of health compared to their white counterparts.” Similar disparities are pervasive among other communities of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. In our time working in hospice care, we’ve seen how members of these communities are inherently skeptical of our work. The idea that hospice truly provides safe, affordable care for their loved ones seems too good to be true. It’s contrary to virtually everything else they’ve encountered or couldn’t access before. As a result, they enter hospice care later into their illness, losing out on weeks or months of hospice benefits and ultimately shortening their length of care. Imagine being in the shoes of a prospective hospice care patient: You may have decades of evidence to the contrary and are being asked to trust us in your illness journey. This is exactly why it’s on us to allay their doubts with better information and resources to help them access whatever care they need. To be clear, this mistrust is a rational reaction to a field that has demonstrated systemic bias against minority populations for possibly as long as it has existed. For instance, many older adults remember the HIV-AIDs epidemic of the 1980s. More than 100,000 Americans died between 1981 and 1990. Gay and bisexual men, and secondarily Black and Hispanic populations, were most greatly

affected, which many argue influenced how the government and medical community handled the crisis. Looking even further back, the American eugenics movement perpetuated racist, ableist pseudoscience that has long been disproven - but it remains the foundation on which much of our medical system was built. Healthcare workers must be intentional about reshaping this landscape. For medical professionals, understanding the historical context and allowing it to inform how we bridge the gap with these communities is essential to increasing access to end-of-life care. Common misunderstandings about hospice care - from its cost to its quality - create greater health disparities among the most vulnerable populations. In addition, Black and Hispanic participants are less likely to acknowledge their terminal illness for various reasons, including religious beliefs and cultural norms. But hospice care is often more affordable than inpatient treatment and for many is covered by Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. The industry is full of highly trained medical professionals who truly put the patient and their loved one’s needs above all else. We must clarify these assumptions with compassion and understanding. Considering the scope of both the individual and collective trauma that minorities have faced at the hands of the healthcare system, it’s understand-

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make sure they receive better end-oflife care outcomes. Donna Gayles is a Director of Client Relations at Capital Caring Health and Associate Director at the Center for Health Equity. Audrey Easaw is Senior Vice President of Philanthropy & External Affairs at Capital Caring Health and Executive Director at the Center for Health Equity. n

New Organization: Black Women Thriving East of the River Centers Residents and Creates Opportunities for Quality Jobs, Careers, and Improved Cancer Care

By Nakeisha Neal Jones

Over the last four years, Black Women Thriving East of the River has spurred hope in Wards 7 & 8 that residents, especially Black women, can thrive rather than merely endure the economic, health, and societal challenges plaguing their neighborhoods. Through a trailblazing community engagement approach, the Jane Bancroft Robinson Foundation (JBRF) partnered with 28 women who lived in, led organizations in, or had close family ties to the community. They developed innovative strategies to improve employment opportunities and cancer survival among Black women in their community, including producing comprehensive work-

Washington, D.C., is American’s capital - seat of power and symbol of global influence. But Washington is a proverbial tale of two cities divided by the Anacostia River. Our work centers on local communities east of the Anacostia River, away from the glamour and monuments. We are building brighter futures with our sisters east of the river, in neighborhoods where women face difficult daily struggles yet they persist. We help Black women gain quality mobs and better cancer care and prove daily that Black women East of the River can thrive. Our story is at https://thrivingotr.org Please join us!

force development and cancer navigation roadmaps. Like many of our founding members, I have experienced the challenges of our community and benefitted from the efforts of Black women who made a way despite those challenges. I was born in public housing in Ward 8 before moving to Ward 7, graduating from Banneker High School, and attending Duke University. My family also struggled with limited access to high-quality healthcare, employment, and other vital community resources. The lived experiences of our founding members and our current team are central to the solutions we are now implementing. Another critical piece of our work

is addressing long-standing racial disparities. Black unemployment is seven times higher than white unemployment in DC, which has the worst Black-White unemployment gap in the country, according to the DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI). Data from the DC Department of Employment Services shows that Wards 7 and 8 have the highest unemployment rates, at 1 ½ times and two times the city’s average, respectively. Healthcare systems are significant employers with high-demand jobs, many of which pay well. We are piloting a scholarship fund for Black women east of the river who are interested in health-related careers. Participants have diverse backgrounds, from those seeking training

to become community health workers to those who desire to be doctors or hold supportive roles such as information technology. Our goal is to increase the number of Black women health providers, their career success, and ultimately, their influence on the care of other Black women. We were awarded a grant of $ 1 million from the Greater Washington Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund to use data, training, and advocacy to improve workforce development systems impacting Black women. The first phase includes identifying and helping healthcare employers implement best practices for hiring, retaining and helping Black women advance in health-related careers. The DC Cancer Control plan found that there are more cancer cases and more people die from cancer in Wards 7 and 8. We are developing an enhanced model for supporting Black women cancer patients, helping them overcome systemic and life barriers that may delay treatment. Additionally, our Patients Bill of Rights will help Black women access high-quality healthcare. For instance, some women don’t know they can ask for second opinions when questioning a doctor’s diagnosis. Many others don’t feel heard by their providers. We will raise awareness of what high-quality care looks like, help more Black women access that care, and identify ways that Black women can be heard and treated more equitably by healthcare providers. Currently, six Community Ambassadors (CAs), Black women living east of the river, are helping increase

5 Nakeisha Neal Jones, executive director of Black Women Thriving East of the River, is a collaborative leader with 20+ years of experience developing leaders and expanding access to community health, workforce development, and housing resources with under-represented communities.)

awareness of the Bill of Rights among their community, family, friends, peers, and networks. The CAs are cancer survivors and caregivers, ranging from early 20s to 60s, helping promote our focus groups, provide feedback, and connect our team to community groups and other potential stakeholders in their networks. Further, we have established a Health Literacy Survey that the CAs are helping to distribute within their networks and facilitate community conversations. We have only scratched the surface of the 20+ interventions our founding workgroup members developed. We are expanding our reach with community members and partners, implementing interventions, and raising contributions from the private sector, government, and individuals to expand this work. We are grateful for the continued investment of over $3 million from JBRF, the Health Equity Fund, and the Meyer Foundation over the next three years. Together, we will help Black women east of the river thrive and impact future generations. n

www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2023 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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The Washington Informer — We’re proud to support you Bank of America has convened the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society and the University of Michigan School of Public Health for an innovative, signature initiative to improve health outcomes in communities of color. Since 2021, Bank of America has invested more than $66 million to address needs related to health in the communities it serves; addressing barriers to healthy eating and supporting mental health initiatives for people of color.

Visit us at bankofamerica.com/about.

H-15 DECEMBER 2023 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com HS-15

What if my cancer spreads? I can’t recover? I can’t make it to my son’s wedding? What if you can?

World-leading treatment is closer than you think: right in your community. Where trailblazing teams of cancer specialists and scientists work together to ask “what if”— discovering how cancer grows and new ways to treat it; bringing 50 years of research and expertise at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center closer to your home. So your path forward has fewer questions…and the answers you need.

World-leading cancer care in your community.

Sibley Memorial Hospital • Suburban Hospital hopkinscancerdc.org

www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2023 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8 Should be Health Enterprise Zones Health disparities in the District have long been defined by what neighborhood a resident dwells in. Studies throughout the years have consistently revealed that residents who reside in neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, predominantly in Wards 7 and 8, tend to suffer higher rates of such ailments as obesity, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attacks than their neighbors who live west of the river. The debate in the District on health disparities focuses on issues such as the number of full-service grocery stores and medical/pharmaceutical facilities in a ward. While these issues contribute to health disparities, one issue that is not discussed as much is the availability of medical professionals practicing in a ward. Studies have shown Wards 7 and 8 have a dearth of medical practitioners and it is reasonable to infer this contributes to health disparities. There is no reason a Ward 8 resident should have to travel across the river or into another state to seek medical attention while their Ward 3 neighbor can just walk down the street. One way the D.C. Council can address the lack of medical practitioners, is to pass legislation designating Wards 7 and 8 Health Enterprise Zones. Health Enterprise Zones are areas defined by a state-level government that offer tax and financial incentives to medical professionals to set up in underserved communities. In a Health Enterprise Zone, medical professionals will be able to purchase equipment, hire staff and utilize office space at below market rate to set up a practice with the assistance of tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans. Plus, assistance in paying off a medical professionals’ student loans can be made available if they practice in a Health Enterprise Zone. The District needs to formally set up a Health Enterprise Zone program for its underserved areas, which in this case is Wards 7 and 8. The program will help provide health care services to residents who badly need them. WI

EDITORIAL It's beginning to look a

lot like Christmas in the Nation's Capital.

(Courtesy Photo/

whitehouse.gov)

Why We Celebrated Hip Hop’s 50th Birthday All Year Long

While 50 years is a milestone for a person, business and idea alike, the world has taken the year to celebrate a half-century of hip hop. More than a musical genre– hip hop has become an important part of American culture influencing– fashion, literature, educational courses, the church, politics, law and so much more. LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, 2 Chainz, Common, Talib Kweli, Public Enemy, legendary rapper and Oscar-winning actor Will Smith along with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and many more artists took to the stage for “A GRAMMY Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop,” which aired on Dec. 10 on CBS. The star-studded event celebrated hip hop’s trajectory from 1973 to today. “Half a century ago, the revolution was not televised,” LL Cool J said, introducing the GRAMMY celebration. “Very few people would predict that 50 years later, hip hop would rise to this global moment of power.” Though the legend is hip hop was born on August 11, 1973 in the Bronx, New York, it has grown from unique sounds at a house party, to a cultural movement that goes beyond age, race, languages and ethnicity. “Hip hop is the ultimate American art form,” said Vice President Kamala Harris, at a hip hop 50th celebration held at her official residence in September. “Born at a back-to-school party in the Bronx, raised on the streets of Philadelphia, Chicago, Oakland, and Atlanta, hip-hop now shapes nearly every aspect of America’s popular culture. And it reflects the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the American people.” The vice president talked about hip hop’s African, Caribbean, Latin, gospel, and rhythm and blues influences, before emphasizing the culture as truly American. “Hip-hop culture is America’s culture,” she said. “It is a genre. It is music, and melody, and rhyme. And hip-hop is also an ethos of strength and self-determination, of ambition and aspiration, of pride, power, and purpose.” Celebrations throughout the year have included: “Hip Hop 50 Live” at Yankee Stadium, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s “Hip-Hop Block Party,” and a multitude of tributes during awards shows. From the GRAMMYs, to Yankee’s stadium, to the Vice President’s residence, the U.S. has unapologetically celebrated the importance of hip hop and that’s because it’s more than a musical genre, or even cultural wave. “Hip-hop is a declaration of identity,” said Vice President Harris. “ It says, ‘I love who I am, I represent where I come from, and I know where I’m going.’” WI

TO THE EDITOR I really enjoyed last week’s issue of the Washington Informer. The coverage of the city’s business was outstanding, especially in regard to public safety. I appreciate the journalism!

Congratulations to Washington Informer publisher Denise Rolark-Barnes on receiving the WABJ President’s Award. Well deserved! Looking forward to the Big 60 for WI next year!

Melvin Tolbert Washington, D.C.

Eunice Filburn Washington, D.C.

Readers' Mailbox The Washington Informer welcomes letters to

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the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to news@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 14 - 20, 2023 29

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Dr. Stephanie Myers

Why Does Most of America Ignore Violence Prevention?

For 12 years during months of October, Black Women for Positive Change has sponsored annual days, weeks and months of Non-Violence, Families, Voters Rights and Opportunities. It is our belief that with the epidemic of violence gripping the nation, America should be anxious for new approaches that can promote violence prevention, anger management, conflict resolution and de-escalation of violence.

So far in 2023, the Gun Violence Archive reports that there have been at least 35,275 people who have died from gun violence this year and 50% were suicides. However, in spite of our 12 years of outreach to governors, members of Congress, mayors and national leaders there has been very little response to our efforts to start a violence prevention movement. Not everyone is turning a deaf ear. In September 2023, President Joe Biden created the vital Office of Violence Prevention, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) and Congressman

Guest Columnist

Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) are supporting our efforts, along with Everytown for Gun Safety, National Black Nurses Association, National Association for Community Mediation, 100 Fathers Inc., and some law enforcement and faith-based organizations. But this is not enough. Our nation needs a national grassroots movement with citizens and institutions from all sectors. We all know America was born into violence with genocide of the Native Americans, enslavement of millions of African people, and violence against indentured poor White Europeans

from England, Scotland and Ireland, during the 1500s-1800s. Violence has been used as the preferred method of control, and is showcased regularly in movies, on nightly television, in video games, by law enforcement, gangs and through easy access to guns. In 2024, we must "Change the Culture of Violence in America, and the World," by urging use of new methods for peace and reconciliation. For example, this year during the Month of Non-Violence, we focused on "Restorative Justice Peace Circles," in schools and organizations. These Peace Circles

provided adults and children with forums where they were able to honestly express anger, interact with peers, analyze their moods and to find ways to resolve conflicts without violence or suicide. This year, we engaged over 3,400 adults and children, in 84 activities including Peace Circles, in 15 U.S. states and eight overseas countries. Children in elementary schools in South Korea; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Houston; Ivory Coast and Nigeria, Africa had open

world, financed by the U.S. dollar and controlled by American military power projection and hegemony, to a new multi-polar geo-political landscape. This "new world order" will not be controlled by American interests. It will be managed by the cooperation of numerous countries, with a goal of establishing, "… a more just, balanced and stable multipolar world order, firmly opposing all types of international confrontation…" People naturally tend to think that a "fall" or collapse of this nature would be more immediate, dramatic

and easily recognized. To the contrary, empires tend to collapse over time. It's analogous to going bankrupt. In Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises," Mike Campbell, a bankrupt Scottish war veteran, was asked how he went bankrupt. Mike replied, "Two ways… Gradually and then suddenly." When asked what brought his bankruptcy on, Mike replied, "Friends. I had a lot of friends. False friends. Then I had creditors, too." Just as Mike had "friends," the U.S.

MYERS Page 53

Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

The Dangers of Minstrel Diplomacy

"When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. … He will find his own 'proper place' and will stay in it. … You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary." — Carter G. Woodson, "The Mis-Education of the Negro"

There have been defining times in history-moments, epochs and periods that are typically marked by notable events or particular characteristics that have changed the world forever. Nicolaus Copernicus' publication of "On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres" in 1543, postulating the model of the universe that placed the sun rather than Earth at its center was such a moment. The Industrial Revolution (1760-1840), was a defining period in the methods and processes of global production that transitioned most of the world away from hand produc-

Guest Columnist

tion, towards more efficient and stable mechanical manufacturing processes. In 1957, the Soviet Union successfully launched Sputnik I, the earth's first artificial satellite, launching the "space race" that led to America landing the first humans on the moon in 1969. These are just a few examples of moments in time that have changed people's perceptions of the world as it was known. The world-humankind, once again finds itself in the midst of one of those epochs. Humankind is witnessing the fall of the Western empire. The shift is away from the unipolar

LEON Page 53

David W. Marshall

Choosing Student Safety Over Hate-Filled Speech

The Arab-Israeli conflict has a long, complicated history with strong opinions on both sides of a deeply divided issue. Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians, preliminary data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recorded incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault have increased by 388 percent over the same period last year. "When

conflict erupts in Israel, antisemitic incidents soon follow in the U.S. and globally," said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL. Therefore, the sharp rise in anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim incidents at various college campuses should not be a surprise to any university administrator. The question is how do they appropriately respond, and are some things preventable? The Department of Education has opened an extraordinary number of investigations into alleged incidents of hate on college campuses. Harvard,

30 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

Cornell and Penn are among several universities and K-12 school districts under investigation. The investigations fall under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which says universities and K-12 districts have a responsibility to provide all students with an environment free from discrimination. Schools are at risk of losing federal funding if they fail to comply. The presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology appeared before the House Committee on Education

and the Workforce to testify about their responses to alleged incidents of antisemitism on their campuses. Four days after testifying before Congress, UPenn President Liz Magill resigned following a wave of criticism over her testimony. A bipartisan group of more than 70 members of Congress sent a letter to Penn, Harvard and MIT board members demanding Magill and her counterparts be removed. One megadonor threatened to cancel a massive gift valued at about $100 million if Magill did not step

down. During her testimony, Magill struggled to answer a basic question about whether calls for genocide against Jews would violate UPenn's code of conduct. She and other university presidents failed to clearly state if calls for the genocide of Jewish people constituted bullying and harassment on respective campuses. Rather, they explained it would depend on the circumstances and conduct. Upholding the right of free speech over the safety of students has

MARSHALL Page 53

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. (Ret.)

Issues You Care About

So often we look at what is before us, knowing something must be done to make something happen or to prevent something from happening. Fortunately, both individuals and groups are answering the call to do something to change what is — but shouldn't be. Our history tells us there have always been people who would step up to prevent negative things from

happening to us when others just laid back and told themselves, "Nothing can be done about that." Others have often given their lives proving them wrong. If you haven't heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech below, you need to listen to it and think about whether you are willing to go as far as he did, so that you know we are blessed to have had people like Dr. King who paid the ultimate price for us to enjoy many of the benefits we have now, but stand the chance of losing if we don't care enough to protect them. In

Guest Columnist

his "Mountaintop" speech he said: "Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop. And I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will." Some groups and individuals have adopted that same philosophy today and are inspired to do something about the problems. One of the groups you should know

about is Black Women for Positive Change. They have just completed their 12th annual Month of Non-Violence. Many of the members are women you might know such as Dr. Stephanie Myers (D.C.), Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds (Md.), Dr. Valda Crowder (Pa.), Karen Carrington-Washington (D.C.), Daun S. Hester (Va.), Charlene Ligon (Neb.), Gloria Dulan-Wilson (Pa.), Renata Valree and Jan Perry (Calif.) Many of them I have called friends for years, and they continue to do God's work. Every day of the year,

some of their members work to save lives — especially of young people through a program they promote nationwide called "Peace Circles" in schools. They work along with Dr. Franklyn Malone (D.C.) of 100 Black Fathers and several "Good Brothers" such as Rev. Oliver Buie (Calif.), and Dr. Robert Fairchild (Va.) and they make a difference in the lives of many young people. I have a nephew by the name of Dwayne Dupar (La., known as

WILLIAMS Page 54

David Ford

Early Detection Saved My Life from Prostate Cancer

Twice. That is how many times I have had to battle cancer. I still consider myself very fortunate, although surviving a disease that is expected to kill nearly 609,820 Americans this year is not a matter of luck. The fact is that cancer screenings can help save lives. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I thought my

prospects were dire. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer incidence among Black men is more than 70% higher than in white men, and Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. In fact, Black men have the highest death rate for prostate cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S. Thankfully, my prostate cancer was detected early. Three years prior, a tumor ruptured my colon, which is how I learned I had

Guest Columnist

colorectal cancer. Had I heeded my doctor's recommendation to undergo a colonoscopy months before, I could have had the tumor removed and prevented it from causing additional damage. I learned that early detection is key to surviving cancer, so I prioritized my physical exams and cancer screenings. In 2018, elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test results signaled the potential for prostate cancer, and a biopsy confirmed it. I started my radiation treatment right away. Today, I am

in remission. Prostate cancer accounts for more than a third of all new cancers in Black men. Now this is what I want you to remember: when prostate cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%. However, the likelihood of survival drops to 32% when it is found in its advanced stages. This means that a future generation with zero deaths from prostate cancer is not a dream but an attainable goal IF the people who

need cancer screenings can get them. It also means that more lives can be saved if the disease is detected and treated early when treatment is more effective and less expensive. Unfortunately, Black people generally have lower rates of cancer screening, likely due to factors such as having less access to care, lower likelihood of doctor recommendation and medical mistrust. Out-of-pocket costs can also be a barrier to accessing

FORD Page 54

Ben Jealous

How the Clean-Energy Win in Michigan Provides a Road Map for Other States

If you live in Detroit or another part of Michigan where there's a looming threat of bodily harm from fossil fuel pollution, it just got a little easier to breathe a sigh of relief … and to maintain your ability to breathe in general. The historic Clean Energy Future Package and Clean Energy and Jobs Act, just recently

signed into law by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, will greatly accelerate the state's transition to the exclusive use of clean power sources like wind and solar. That's a victory for Michiganders and for the country's goals of slashing the pollution that fuels climate change and harms our health. It's also a major win for environmental justice, hard-hit communities in a state, and workers. Michigan's codified commitment to fighting the pollution driving climate change is inher-

ently good news for the communities of color that bear a disproportionate burden of the effects of the crisis, and the benefits go even further. New incentives in the bills to make buildings energy efficient will have an outsized positive impact for these communities, where a higher number of the homes are old, drafty, and not energy efficient. Finally, air pollution from many of the power and industrial plants, which are also disproportionately located in these communities, will

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be reduced by the state's mandates for clean energy. This is huge for all Michiganders, and especially for those communities where public health is suffering from pollution. The Detroit tri-cities area — encompassing Detroit, River Rouge, and Ecorse — and other parts of Michigan experiencing the worst air pollution are predominantly Black or Black and Latino. The Harvard Medical School Primary Care Review has pointed out that within the two zip codes that make up Southwest Detroit alone, "there

are more than 150 facilities that emit toxic fumes, gasses, chemicals, and particulate matter." Black residents make up 80% of one of those zip codes, 48217, a statistic noted at an October gathering of activists, near the Marathon Petroleum Corporation's refinery in Southwest Detroit, by Ember McCoy, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability, in discussing the dis-

JEALOUS Page 54 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 31

LIFESTYLE WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV! By Ra-Jah Kelly WI Contributing Writer Check out a handful of the many events happening in the DMV this weekend. To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar. Keep your outlook vibrant, and remember, there’s always something happening in the DMV to keep your spirit-- and social life-- lit.

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 Ear Hustle Live! @ Miracle Theatre Time: 7 p.m. | $30.00 535 8th Street SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

Join the celebration as "Ear Hustle," the acclaimed nonfiction podcast, transforms into a live show! Co-hosts and co-creators Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, along with memorable storytellers and musicians featured on the podcast, will share unforgettable tales onstage. Dive into the highlights of "Ear Hustle's" first 12 seasons and get an exclusive look at behind-the-scenes stories from the award-winning show's journey. "Ear Hustle," a groundbreaking podcast about life inside and after prison, was created by formerly incarcerated individuals Woods and Antwan Williams, along with Poor, an artist and volunteer at San Quentin State Prison. Launched in 2016 as the winner of the Radiotopia network's Podquest competition, it is the first podcast entirely produced inside a prison.

Green Table Talk | The Dirty South: Legacy Pollution in America’s Black Belt Time: 6 p.m. | Free with registration MLK Library, 901 G Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 Join Black Millennials 4 Flint, the Climate Action Campaign and the Environmental Defense Fund for an insightful episode of Green Table Talk. The episode, titled "The Dirty South: Legacy Pollution in America’s Black Belt," will delve into environmental injustice and racism in the U.S., with a focus on the devastating conditions in the Southern states. The discussion will highlight issues like the Byhalia Pipeline in Memphis, Tennessee, Cancer Alley in Louisiana, and water and sanitation challenges in Alabama. The panel of activists and community leaders will share their experiences combating pollution and advocating for environmental justice. The event will be hosted by Kayla Shannon a Spelman College Student, with panelists including, Shamyra Lavigne, Rise St. James, St. James Parish, LA, MarQuita Bradshaw, Sowing Justice, Memphis, TN, Madison Naves, GASP, Birmingham, AL, and Roishetta Sibley Ozane, The Vessel Project, Lake Charles, LA. The episode will also be streamed live on Facebook (www.facebook. com/blackmillennials4flint.org).

FRIDAY, DEC. 15

Decipher and Words Beats & Life present The Message | 24-Hour Marathon Time: Midnight to Midnight| Free WPFW 89.3 FM & wpfwfm.org Tune in for "The Message - 24Hour Marathon," presented by Decipher and Words Beats & Life,

32 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

5 Co-hosts and co-creators of “Ear Hustle,” Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, along with memorable storytellers and musicians transform the award-winning podcast to an onstage experience. (Courtesy Photo)

as they celebrate 50 years of hip-hop. This special event will be broadcast on WPFW 89.3 FM and online at wpfwfm.org. Words Beats & Life, Washington D.C.'s premier hip-hop-based arts and educational non-profit, showcases a special edition of their long-running radio show, Decipher. The marathon features a lineup of renowned DJs and hosts, including Bushead Ed, D.Painter, E-Boogie, DJ Housecat, Jared Ball, DJ Jav, Kamau Harris, DJ Machete, Monalisa, Ohlow, DJ RBI, DJ Sixth Sense, and DJ Stylus the Vibe Conductor. Expect a mix of DJ sets and talk shows, covering the rich history and vibrant culture of hip-hop. Dance Institute of Washington | The Spirit of Kwanzaa Time: 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (additional times & dates) | $30 Cramton Auditorium, 2455 6th St NW, Washington, DC, 20059

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

Umoja Market 2023 Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Free Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Good Hope Road Southeast, Washington, D.C., 20020 Celebrate the holiday season at the Umoja Market, a community gathering for holiday festivities and shopping. Enjoy a day filled with activities designed to spark joy, including the return of "Selfies with Santa," a Kwanzaa demonstration by Massalley Designs, and live music performances. Browse and shop from a variety of vendors, such as Status Apparel and Beautiful Brown Rainbow, among others. This event offers a unique opportunity to experience the holiday spirit and find special gifts.

Join the Dance Institute of Washington for their beloved production, "The Spirit of Kwanzaa," an annual celebration since 1995. The production adapts the principles of Kwanzaa to depict the struggles and creativity of the Black diaspora through dance, song, and spoken word. Audiences can expect a captivating experience with powerful storytelling that delves deep into the Black experience, emphasizing the theme "Movement is power, power is a movement." 5 Umoja Market is a community gathering for holiday festivities and shopping. (Courtesy Photo)

In the Spirit of Kwanzaa: Every Girl Has a Story Time: 2 p.m. (additional times & dates) | $10+ Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20017 Coyaba Dance Theater presents "In the Spirit of Kwanzaa: Every Girl Has a Story," a vibrant celebration of the Black experience as seen through the perspectives of its young female performers. This event features the theater's signature live drumming and dance performances, weaving together a tapestry of stories that honor the Seven Principles of the Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

SUNDAY, DEC. 17

Home For The Holidays: Brunch & Learn Edition Time: 1 p.m. - 3: p.m. | Free with RSVP 1133 Morse Street NE, Washington, DC, 20002 Join Dominique K. White for "Brunch Delights," a delectable brunch experience featuring a curated menu of savory and sweet favorites. Alongside your meal, gain valuable insights into homeownership with expert realtors at "Blueprint Insights." They will guide you through the steps to make your dream home a reality. This event offers the perfect blend of holiday cheer, delicious brunch, and insightful information, setting you on the right course for homeownership success. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity! Washington Revels 41st annual Christmas Revels Time: 1:30 p.m. (additional times & dates) | $17+ GW Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW, Washington, DC Celebrate the holiday season with "Christmas Revels," a cherished D.C. tradition. This year’s show takes you to the legendary world of King Arthur's court, featuring a diverse and multigenerational cast ranging from ages 8 to 92. Experience the magic of Sir Gawain’s quest, filled with pageantry and enchantment. This family-friendly performance invites the audience to participate and sing along, making it a captivating and interactive holiday event. Don't miss this exciting blend of music and theater that promises to be a highlight of your holiday celebrations! WI

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LIFESTYLE

5 Strathmore in North Bethesda recently premiered its 2024 Artist in Residence class. Musicians on the top row are (L-R) percussionist Marty Risemberg and pianist Alfred Yun. On the middle row are (L-R) singer-songwriter Kaiyla Gross and guitarist Parker Speirs. On the bottom row are (L-R) bassist Zoë Jorgenson and sitarist Snehesh Nag. (Courtesy Photo/Strathmore)

Strathmore Continues to Nurture Music Careers with the Artist in Residence Program By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer Strathmore has welcomed six new musicians into its 10-month Artist in Residence program. Selection into the Artists in Residence (AIR) program means these emerging artists will receive artistic and professional development support, including: mentorship, seminars, creative collaborations, and performance opportunities. The 2024 class was presented during a “Fresh Air” concert held recently at AMP, the Strathmore venue located at Pike and Rose on Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, Maryland. The performances were from a homework assignment each artist was given to prepare within a short period of time. “They had to prepare a piece of music as a solo or a collaboration with a colleague on stage. It had to be ready,” said Betty Scott, AIR program coordinator since it began in 2005. Members of the current Artisti in Residence program are singer-songwriter Kaiyla Gross, bassist Zoë

Jorgenson, sitarist Snehesh Nag, percussionist Marty Risemberg, guitarist Parker Speirs, and pianist Alfred Yun. These AIR musicians will work closely with accomplished artists and career navigators that include two-time Grammy winner Cathy Fink, who is an Artist in Residence program advisor, pianist Marcus Johnson, baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzer, and percussionist Tom Teasley. The AIR career navigators will focus on how the 2024 class approaches their music, composing, and working in the music industry. “More importantly, it is about navigating your life through music. How do you keep yourself engaged, how do you keep learning, how do you keep yourself curious,” said Teasley, one of the career navigators. Each member in the current AIR class will give two performances beginning in January 2024. For performance schedules and ticket information visit the Strathmore website at strathmore.org. WI @bcscomm

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 33

LIFESTYLE A FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY STEP-STRAVAGANZA!

Jazz, Hip Hop and Other American Music as Tools for Global Music Diplomacy By WI Staff

STEP AFRIKA!’S MAGICAL MUSICAL HOLIDAY STEP SHOW

“Jazz to Hip Hop: Impact of America’s Best Cultural Exports” was the topic of a panel discussion presented recently at the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy. Panelists for the event were Dr. Maurice Jackson associate professor in history and African American Studies and affiliated professor of Music (Jazz) at Georgetown University; Dr. Dwandalyn Reece, executive committee chair at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC); and Junious Brickhouse, director of Next Level, where he advocates for the sustainability of Hip Hop Cultures. Brenda C. Siler, a WI contributing writer, moderated the discussion. Nicole Elkon, deputy assistant secretary for Professional and Cultural Exchanges at the U.S. Department of State, a Meridian House partner, gave opening remarks. She explained the global music diplomacy initiatives launched earlier this year by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “The initiative elevates music as a part of the United States diplomatic efforts to promote peace and democracy everywhere,” said Elkon. “Hip hop is a powerful diplomatic tool that will continue to create positive impacts and outcomes worldwide.” The discussion began by referencing musical roots based in Africa. Rhythms, chanting, and other sounds coming out of Africa have been the connecting tissue through jazz, faith music, the blues, R&B, and hip hop. “Louis Armstrong performed in many countries that were open to Black jazz musicians. At the same time, America was still closed to Black musicians because of segregation, “said Jackson. “Jazz musicians will acknowledge the thread from Africa in their music and those countries where they perform,” Jackson continued. Wi

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34 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

4 “Jazz to Hip Hop: Impact of America’s Best Cultural Exports” was the subject of a panel discussion held at the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy on December 6. Panelists were (L-R) Junious Brickhouse, director of Next Level; Dwandalyn Reece, Ph.D., executive committee chair at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture; Brenda Siler, contributing writer at the Washington Informer and panel moderator; and Maurice Jackson, Ph.D., associate professor at Georgetown University. (Courtesy Photo/Jessica Latos Photography for Meridian Center)

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NCNW Holds Signature Uncommon Height Gala at Gaylord Hotel

LIFESTYLE

Bishop Vashti McKenzie is Top Honoree By James Wright WI Staff Writer The 18th Biennial Uncommon Height Awards Gala sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) on Dec. 8 at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort in Oxon Hill, Maryland, proved to be an event to honor groundbreaking women, such as Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and empower guests for the future. “This has to be one of the most inspiring and uplifting events that I have ever been to,” said Kaersten Deeds, a 40-year-old resident of Silver Spring, Maryland. “I don’t think I have ever been in a room full of well-dressed people who hold powerful positions and make such an impact on society. These folks are making a difference. And

I really liked that they gave an award to Bishop McKenzie. She is deserving of that.” Deeds was joined by hundreds of people at the gala, including: U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge, former Labor Department Secretary Alexis Herman, Prince George’s County Executive and U.S. Senate candidate Angela. The NCNW was founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935 as an umbrella organization for Black women organizations to come together to fight for civil rights, economic opportunity and gender and racial equality. The event is named in honor of president emerita Dr. Dorothy Height, the longest serving leader of the organization. The NCNW chair of the board

is Dr. A. Lois Keith, and its president and CEO is the Rev. Shavon Arline Bradley. McKenzie received the event’s Crystal Stair Award, given to an individual who embodied the qualities of Height. The awardee, who broke barriers as the first woman bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, said she was “wonderfully honored” to be recognized by the NCNW. “When I heard that I was selected to receive the award, I was in shock,” McKenzie, 76, said. “Dr. Height was a shero. I remember there were times when things were about to take place and if Dr. Height wanted you to be there all she had to say was ‘be there’ and you made sure you were.” McKenzie stressed that Height had an interest in the development

5 Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, a retired AME bishop and leader in the National Council of Churches, receives National Council of Negro Women Award. (Courtesy Photo)

of young women and urged the organization to continue that charge. “We must continue to invest in the next generation,” McKenzie, the president and secre-

tary of the National Council of Churches, said. “The future is in our hands.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

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LIFESTYLE

Miami Art Week: From the Capital to the Coast By Andrew S. Jacobson WI Contributing Writer

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Departing from the winter chill of D.C., many art enthusiasts arrived in Miami on Monday, Dec. 4, two days prior to the commencement of the prestigious Art Basel. However, this was merely a facet of the grander Miami Art Week, an elaborate presentation of art showcases anchored by Art Basel, but also providing a spotlight on Miami Beach Prism, Untitled Scope, and the emerging NADA fair, weaving together art, entertainment, and technology across South Beach and beyond. Upon landing at Miami International around noon, the city extended its customary humid welcome. The initial destination was the Mondrian Hotel, setting the stage for an event planned for Thursday. But the journey was not all business. The Chronicles of Miami opening party at Jungle Plaza, a prominent event in the Design District, awaited. This celebration combined art and music, featuring a special DJ set by Brazilian singer and songwriter Anitta. The presence of artist JR added a distinctive dimension, with his project capturing the diverse essence of Miami across 10 neighborhoods, resulting in the impressive photographic mural, The Chronicles of Miami. The week began with the Nina Johnson Dinner in Northeast Miami, creating an inviting and intimate environment for art enthusiasts to gather. As midnight approached, the Soho House drew attention, particularly in its back tent area, reflecting the dynamic crowd of Miami Art Week. The early hours of the next day led to the Alcova Club Night with Dezeen at the iconic 1950s Selena Gold Dust motel. The event fea-

5 People gathered at The Mondrian Hotel as part of Miami Art Week and Art Basel programming. (Courtesy Photo)

tured sound performances curated by Daniel Perlin, offering a rich auditory experience. The day continued with visits to esteemed collections, such as the De La Cruz Museum, and a timely discussion on the future of D.C. arts at Red Rooster in Overtown. Missing Ernesto Poma's collection in Key Biscayne was a regrettable clash, but the concurrent dinner with Thelma Golden and the Studio Museum of Harlem offered substantial compensation. The Rubell Museum's preview night showcased Basel Kincaid's extraordinary tapestries, concluding the night before Tuesday's NADA party. The subsequent days were filled with a plethora of activities: a brunch hosted by Art Noir and UBS, the First Choice VIP Preview of Art Basel Miami Beach, an insightful tour of Wynwood Walls, and a captivating public art event by Carnival Cruise Line. The vibrancy of Miami continued through events at Soho House and

other iconic venues, despite some audio disappointments. The schedule included diverse art fairs, highlighting works by DMV-based artists like Nate Lewis and Charles Mason III with captivating showcases filling the week, culminating in a star-studded Derrick Adams and The OG-hosted event at the historic Bath Club. As the week neared its end, the LVMH Future of Business panel illuminated discussions on cultural activations and DEI efforts, leading up to a return visit to Art Basel Miami Beach. The week was a vivid demonstration of the unifying and inspiring power of art, leaving thoughts of a similar spectacle in D.C. Miami Art Week, with its fusion of artistic marvels and social gatherings, was not merely an event but an immersive experience — one that impresses creative inspiration long after the artworks have been shipped back to their respective homes. WI

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LIFESTYLE

Women Rule New Acquisitions at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery

Cheryl Mann

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

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A steady stream of visitors takes in 21 portraits of women and art created by women at the National Portrait Gallery. It is the 2023-2024 edition of “Recent Acquisitions,” where images of women are featured through various media, from painting, sculpture, works on paper, photographs, and time-based media. The exhibition will be on display through Oct. 27. “This exhibition recognizes the diverse contributions by women represented in our collection as artists or as sitters from across disciplines and time periods, as well as the museum’s commitment to telling those wide-ranging stories,” said Rhea L. Combs, director of curatorial affairs at the National Portrait Gallery. Visitors to the Portrait Gallery will see a 2023 mixed-media portrait of the science fiction writer Octavia Butler by contemporary artist Bisa Butler and a 2023 oil painting of the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” Opal Lee by artist Sedrick Huckaby. Other portraits include artist Ruth Asawa, singer Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, actress Greta Garbo, Supreme

5 A’Lelia Bundles, Madam C.J. Walker’s great-great-granddaughter and official biographer admires the new photo of her great-great-grandmother recently put on display at the National Portrait Gallery. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, artist Shigeko Kubota, actress and dancer Carmen de Lavallade, artist Nellie Mae Rowe, astronomer Vera Rubin, artist Betye Saar and photogra-

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pher Ming Smith. Also featured is a circa 1916 hand-painted pastel photograph of entrepreneur and philanthropist Madame C.J. Walker by the late D.C.based photographer Addison N. Scurlock. Presenting positive images of Washington, D.C.’s prominent residents, as well as everyday people, was the hallmark of a Scurlock photograph. A’Lelia Bundles, Madam’s great-great-granddaughter and official biographer, had donated some of her personal photos of Madam to the Portrait Gallery several years ago. Bundle recently got a close-up look at the recently acquired portrait in the Portrait Gallery. “I was glad that the museum was able to have a photograph that was larger and in color because that resonates with a younger audience,” said Bundles. WI

Stay www.washingtoninformer.com 38 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

Don’t buy animals as presents.

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 39

magine you had a chance to interview Santa Claus! What would you ask? What would Santa say? Here are some ideas from some Kid Scoop readers, who came up with the questions and the answers for today’s page.

As long as my heart is __________ and my belly is ___________, I reckon I’ll want to be!

No, and I _______ that never __________.

Imagine yo reporter. W you ask a snowman? then write answer mi

Where does each of these words belong?

I was a smart, cheerful child. When my parents died, I was heartbroken. I cried, not out of self-pity, but out of true love. One of my tears dropped into the snow and froze to make an ice marble. When I held it, it glowed and took me to the North Pole. I met the elves and they needed my help. After I grew up with them I How many took on the greatest task of ice marbles all—delivering presents. can you find on The ice marble gave me today’s page? the powers I have today.

I like whole milk best, but Mrs. Claus put me on a diet so I have to drink non-fat.

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow one-step written directions.

Help Santa find his way through the magic maze back to the North Pole. Find at least 10 differences between Santa and his reflection.

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.

INTERVIEW MARBLE SANTA ANSWERS POUNDING FRUIT REFLECTION CLASS POLE MILK CLAUS CHEERFUL SNOW BELLY DIET

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C H E E R F U L A F

N O I T C E L F E R Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

What’s the question? Pretend Santa has to buy all of his Christmas presents from the stores advertising in your newspaper. Help him by selecting a gift for everyone in your class using ads in the paper. Don’t spend more than $500. Standards Link: Math/Number Sense: Solve addition problems using money amounts.

Find five to ten quotes in articles in today’s newspaper. On a separate piece of paper, write the question you think each quote answers.

I don’t buy them; Mrs. Claus grows them. On Christmas Eve I come back with a sleigh full of soil instead of an empty sleigh. We grow food in our greenhouse and eat fresh veggies and fruit everyday.

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Analysis of media communications.

Interview Santa

Find the two identical fruit trees.

Standards Link: Investigation: Identify similarities and differences in common objects.

Imagine that you could interview Santa Claus. What would you ask him? What do you think his answer would be? Write one question and make up an answer for the question as if Santa had answered it.

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40 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

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wi book review "The Day After Yesterday: Resilience in the Face of Dementia" By Joe Wallace c.2023, The MIT Press $34.95 157 pages Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Sometimes, Mom talks a lot of nonsense. She talks in random syllables, half-jokes, thoughts that come out of her mouth backwards or mixed up. You try, she laughs, you laugh, pretending that you understand but you don't. Mom has dementia and there's nothing that'll fix it, but you can read "The Day After Yesterday" by Joe Wallace and change the conversation. Talk about your awkward encounters. Well into his twenties, Joe Wallace was asked to sit with his "Granddaddy Joe" while Wallace's mother and grandmother ran errands. His grandfather was once a vibrant man, and he'd been Wallace's "hero" but Alzheimer's had put a curtain of sorts between them and Wallace was "so frightened to be left alone with him." It didn't take long for him to realize that day that his grandfather was full of stories and it was "magical." He applied the same kind of patience when his grandmother began to experience dementia, too, and this all spurred Wallace to tell a story of his own with his camera. The portraits he captured eventually became an exhibit, and this book. "In the United States," Wallace says, "one in three seniors suffers with Alzheimer's or another dementia at the time of their death." Nearly $700 billion annually is spent caring for people with dementia. Alzheimer's, as one of Wallace's subjects points out, affects Black seniors more often than it does whites. For that matter, people with dementia need not be seniors: early-onset Alzheimer's can affect someone in their early 20s. Listen, Wallace's subjects almost always say, and don't hide a diagnosis of dementia. There's no shame in it. Reach out to others who've received the diagnosis. Ask for help. Watch for suicidal thoughts and depression. Ask for stories, before they're lost, and be honest about what's going on. You can't change the diagnosis, but you can change your attitude toward it. It's called The Long Goodbye for reason — and yet, your loved one with dementia is still on this side of the sod and you know there's still some there there. In "The Day After Yesterday," you'll get a new point of view, for both of you. In his introduction interview, author Joe Wallace explains how he came to understand that "we could all do so much better" for those with cognitive disabilities including Alzheimer's, and why eliminating fear and awkwardness is essential. Readers will be quite taken by the then-and-now pictures, and by the conversations Wallace captured. But beware: this isn't a book on caregiving or advice-giving. It's a delightful, heartbreaking, tearful, surprising collection of profiles of everyday people in their own words, people who go with the flow and deal with tomorrow when it comes. Yes, you'll find advice here but it pales in comparison to the presence that Wallace's subjects and their families exhibit. This powerful book is great for someone with a new dementia diagnosis; it proves that life's not over yet. It's likewise great for a caregiver, gently ushering them toward grace. Get "The Day After Yesterday." It's time for a talk. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE DEC. 14 - 20, 2023

ARIES Monday is a good day to do as little as possible. Put off decisions and conserve your energy. On Tuesday, get ready to burn those stored-up carbs. Action, enthusiasm, maybe even sports are all in the stars. Wednesday is a physical day too. Objects in motion stay in motion, and all that. On Thursday, a speed bump returns you to a more casual pace, and Friday is downright slow. Lucky Numbers: 18, 39, 58 TAURUS One way to figure out what to do at the start of the week is to consider what someone you admire might do in your shoes. Or better yet, find someone you admire and just ask them. The advice you get will be good, but you might not necessarily be ready to implement it. On Wednesday, you're torn between sprinting ahead and taking the slow route, a somewhat disorienting state to be in. On Thursday, you find someone who totally relates. Lucky Numbers: 34, 37, 51 GEMINI You're at once focused on the future and unable to concentrate on Monday. How weird! There may just be too many factors on the table. A clarifying conversation on Tuesday or Wednesday sets you on a much better footing. That said, there are obstacles in store for you this week. Don't avoid them. Embrace them. Let life be a game. The obstacle on Thursday may be a business matter, and the obstacle on Friday may take the form of a nosy neighbor. Lucky Numbers: 5, 16, 32 CANCER You have good energy on Monday, but you don't have a tremendous amount of focus. Ideal tasks include driving around or taking long walks. Save the real tasks for Tuesday and Wednesday. Your focus may still be a bit off, but your mind will be quick. Thursday and Friday are perfect for dinner parties and phone calls, situations in which you can demonstrate your conversational skills, and this weekend sees you taking a walk on the wild side. Lucky Numbers: 10, 13, 29 LEO A small problem might seem like a big problem to you on Monday. Don't fly off the handle if you can help it. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the problems that present themselves are surmountable. You will enjoy fixing whatever it is that's busted. Your optimism is attractive. Don't be surprised if you find yourself thronged by admirers on Thursday and Friday. This weekend, you feel more sensitive than usual, but you also feel inspired toward new action. Lucky Numbers: 2, 32, 55 VIRGO A small problem might seem like a big problem to you on Monday. Don't fly off the handle if you can help it. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the problems that present themselves are surmountable. You will enjoy fixing whatever it is that's busted. Your optimism is attractive. Don't be surprised if you find yourself thronged by admirers on Thursday and Friday. This weekend, you feel more sensitive than usual, but you also feel inspired toward new action. Lucky Numbers: 2, 9, 19 LIBRA What with all the rubber balls flying through the air on Monday, you'd best keep your head down. You have work to do anyway. You can join in on the excitement (the party, the dodgeball game, whatever it is) on Tuesday. Wednesday is almost exclusively about you and you-know-who (either a romantic partner or work partner), but Thursday is about your extended group of friends. On Friday, the gains you make materially will pale in comparison to the gains you make socially. Lucky Numbers: 13, 15, 52 SCORPIO On Monday, you have an excuse to show off the secret passageway between your library and your vault. It's a very James Bond sort of day. Fantasy, mystery, and hidden talents are in the stars. Tuesday and Wednesday are considerably more practical. Your health is on your mind, as is work, as is being of service to a friend in need. But Thursday and Friday put you in yet another Bond-like situation requiring diplomatic prowess, boldness, and ingenuity. This weekend, buoyed by your success, you may feel up for taking a risk. Don't. Even secret agents must be modest sometimes. Lucky Numbers: 3, 4, 11 SAGITTARIUS The day-to-day routine has become utterly uninteresting to you. On Monday, it's time to expand your horizons. Consider your future in the context of the past and make a plan. Set a goal or two. On Tuesday and Wednesday, your life looked at in a new light is a game you suddenly enjoy playing. And on Thursday and Friday, there is so much going on that you have no chance of being bored. On Saturday and Sunday, catch up on sleep. Lucky Numbers: 5, 21, 39 CAPRICORN You can get what you want on Monday if you ask for it in the right way. Put your request in an email where you can word it just so. You will be surprised by how well this works. On Tuesday and Wednesday, safety and security are all you want so it's natural you turn toward your family. By Thursday, your worries will evaporate. Creativity and pleasure will reign. A camping trip wouldn't be a bad idea on Friday. On Sunday, you have no use for small talk. Lucky Numbers: 2, 9, 11 AQUARIUS A hiccup in your cash flow on Monday brings about a total reconsideration of what's important to you. Nothing is as strong an indication of what's important to you as what you spend your money on. On Tuesday and Wednesday, a pattern in your life you've never noticed before suddenly becomes conspicuous. Thursday and Friday offer more opportunities for learning, an exciting discovery is in your midst, but Saturday and Sunday are too consumed by the fires of white-hot romance to be strictly educational. Lucky you. Lucky Numbers: 24, 25, 52 PISCES Just because you start a new project doesn't mean you have to see it through. Don't be so concerned about the end product on Monday. Just dive in. You'll figure out where you're going later. And, again, you can always switch gears. On Tuesday and Wednesday, you'll be at a loss on the "where am I heading?" front. BBut on Thursday or Friday, a sweet note from someone you love brings you back to solid ground. Lucky Numbers: 8, 10, 20

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 41

SPORTS Tournament Offers More Than Basketball By Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer The Gonzaga Classic has become one of the premier boys' basketball tournaments in the country. For over three decades, it has attracted some of the top teams in both the talent-laden DMV area and from across the country. This year's field of eight included Whitney Young (Chicago, Illinois), Bishop Ryan (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), St. Vincent Pallotti (Laurel, Maryland), St. John's Prep (Buckeystown, Maryland), Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Maryland), Georgetown Prep (Bethesda, Maryland), Jackson-Reed (Northwest, D.C.) and host-school Gonzaga. It featured three days of top-flight basketball for students, fans and recruiters.

When it was all said and done, the number-two ranked Eagles of Gonzaga defeated upstart, number-seven ranked Jackson-Reed (formerly Woodrow Wilson High), 55-47, to take home the championship trophy. Junior guard Nyk Lewis was named tournament MVP. Before a standing-room-only gym in Northwest, D.C., Gonzaga (5-0) jumped out to a 12-5 first quarter start and kept the talented Tigers (4-1) playing catch up the rest of the way. Using its balanced attack, the Eagles opened a 13-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but Jackson-Reed outscored the hosts, 20-15 to get close. The quick lead, however, was not enough for the Tigers. "They say that 'iron sharpens iron," said Gonzaga Head Coach Stephen Turner, who has been the highly successful head coach there since 2005

5 The Gonzaga Eagles are taking a team photo after their 55-48 win over Jackson-Reed in the 34th Annual Gonzaga DC Classic championship game at the Carmody Center on 12-10. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

and has been with the program for almost 25 years. "Jackson-Reed has been one of the premier programs in the DMV for the past decade. For us to play in this tournament against a very, very good field helps us all. I am still receiving texts from the various coaches from the teams that participated thanking us for inviting them and how much it is going to help them this season." On the court, there are no losers. Each team plays three games and has

a chance to place first through eighth in the tournament. For some, this tournament gives them an early test against some of the best talent in the U.S. as they prepare for conference or league play, as a number of the players are ranked among the top in the country. But what really separates the Gonzaga Classic from other similar tournaments is the organization and mission. The event’s committee and support staff cover all aspects of what

last season. Howard, Florida A&M Meet in Celebration Bowl State,The41-34 MEAC has won five in a row

ing defeated heavily favored Jackson

By Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer

On Saturday, the 2023 Bowl series will kick off and it will be The Cricket Celebration Bowl front and center. The Bowl features the best from the Southwestern Athletics Conference (SWAC) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) squaring off to determine who is the king of HBCUs. This year's game which will be played at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia features the Rattlers of Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the Bison of Howard University. The game will kick off at noon and will be carried live for a national TV audience on ABC. The game started in 2015 and has shown tremendous growth since. Early reports are that ticket sales are up and it could surpass last year's attendance numbers. The reported payout is $1

42 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

million for each conference to be split on a percentage basis between the conference office and the member institutions. Last year's game was reported to have 2.4 million viewers. There are a number of events surrounding the game, featuring presentations of the Division 1 and Division II HBCU bands of the year, a celebrity swim meet, concerts, fan engagement and much, much more. There is some added intrigue for this years' game. ESPN Black College team play-by-play announcer Tiffany Greene Berry and color analyst Jay "Sky" Walker, of FAMU and Howard, respectively, will be calling the game as broadcasters. "I have done a number of Howard games in the past," said Walker, who is in both the Howard and MEAC Hall of Fames. "But to be doing this game on this stage with my alma mater playing in it, is special indeed. I am so proud of the program and where it

has come." Greene Berry also noted how special it was for the two HBCU alumni to participate as broadcasters for the game. “This certainly doesn't come around very often and couldn't have scripted it any better," said Greene Berry. “Jay and I are two proud alums representing our respective institutions, HBCUs and the Black excellence that comes from them. I love that we get to be on a grand stage and share our collective stories." FAMU comes into the game with an 11-0 record, having won the SWAC championship last week against Prairie View A&M, while Howard won the regular season title despite a tie at 4-1 with North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Because the Howard Bison won the head-to-head meeting against the Eagles, they will represent the conference. NCCU is the defending Celebration Bowl champion, hav-

and six of seven overall. The two schools have met 39 times with the Rattlers holding a 23-11 advantage. The two played each other on a regular basis when FAMU was a member of the MEAC. Now that they are in the SWAC, Howard and FAMU have not met since 2019. "I told the players that this is the most important game that they have ever played," said Florida A&M Head Coach Willie Simmons, the SWAC Coach of the Year. "To have this opportunity to showcase their talents to the country and the world is something that they may never experience again in their lifetimes. I told them to embrace the moment." Howard Head Coach Larry Scott, a candidate for the Eddie Robinson Award (presented to the Coach of the Year) also weighed in on the significance of the game. WI Read more on

makes for a successful tournament. There is everything from the scheduling, team rosters, media coverage and overall organization of operations. Each game is streamed on YouTube and Facebook and the broadcasting crew is Gonzaga students, giving them invaluable experience. "This was the 34th Classic and it follows the premise, 'Great basketball supports good works,' " noted Turner. "All of the proceeds from this game goes to help our students help communities by working in service in the local communities as well as other cities and countries. Akbar Waheed has a unique perspective on the Gonzaga Classic. Waheed played at Gonzaga before going on to play at Niagara University and then serving as a college assistant at such stops as Boston College and Georgetown. Waheed is currently a scout for the Brooklyn Nets. He was in attendance to support his son, Akbar Waheed, III, one of the top players for number-10 ranked Georgetown Prep, which placed third. "For me, it was like home when I walked into the gym," said the former Gonzaga basketball player turned NBA scout. "I tried to help him understand the value of the experience. His grandparents used to attend the Classic to cheer and his aunt would sing the national anthem. It meant a lot having him participate in this great tournament against some of the top players and coaches. It serves as a stepping stone and allows you to come battle-tested." WI

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CAPTURE the moment

5The Gatsby Showcase Foundation hosted its third annual fashion show, awards recognition ceremony, and fundraiser at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (L-R) Sergio Hudson, Celebrity Fashion Designer, Laura Fote, Lisa Wu, Ina Beckham and Asia. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer) 3Greg Lockman, ambassador for the 2023 Gatsby Showcase Foundation Gala presents Dr. Lance London, CEO of Big City Foods - Carolina Kitchen with the Gatsby Showcase Appreciation Award. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5(L-R) Hazel Ross-Robinson, wife of the late Randall Robinson, Her Excellency Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Permanent Representative to the United States, and Dr. Susan Rice, former US Ambassador to the UN and National Security Director. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5Her Excellency Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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5Aleta Williams accepts the AU Global Citizen Award presented by Her Excellency Hilda Suka-Mafudze, African Union Permanent Representative on behalf of international musician Angelique Kidjo. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 43

RELIGION Ward 7 and 8 Faith and Community Leaders Craft New Ideas to Stop Youth Violence By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer Faith leaders from Wards 7, 8 and across the District gathered at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C. to consider new ways to address the problem of crime and youth violence in the community.

44 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

The Rev. Joseph D. Turner, pastor of Mathews Memorial, hosted the Saturday, Dec. 8 the Ward 7 and 8 Joint Clergy and Faith Leaders Breakfast Meeting, which not only fed bodies, but souls. The meeting was billed as a breakfast, however far more than eggs and pastries were on the event’s menu. “We have to ask ourselves. How

5 Faith leaders from Wards 7, 8 and across the District gathered at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C. for the Ward 7 and 8 Joint Clergy and Faith Leaders Breakfast Meeting. (Marckell Williams/The Washington Informer)

much of what is going on is our responsibility,” said Raheem Jenkins, a veteran community activist. “The only time young people come to our church is for a funeral.”

The Rev. Delonte Gholston, pastor of Peace Fellowship Baptist Church, asked the crowd, “What would it look like for you? What would it look like for me, for us to build an ark that is big enough to hold all of us who are healing from the trauma and the pain?” Phillip Pannell, executive director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council, has sponsored the monthly clergy meetings for a number of years. Pannell emphasized “there are nearly 200 churches in Wards 7 and 8, and collectively that can have a huge impact.” “The first challenge is to get the pastors or their representatives in the room simultaneously,” Pannell said. “ During the meeting, church and community leaders broke into small groups to address various issues and ideas. Pannell said that the December meeting is just the beginning of a process of curtailing youth violence. There will be many steps. Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes said she was particularly interested in a part of the meeting where a group of clergy counseled D.C. teachers who have been overwhelmed with disrespectful youth. Barnes said the effort was welcomed because, “We can't police ourselves out of this problem.” The Rev George Gilbert Jr. pastor of the Holy Trinity United

Pannell said that the December meeting is just the beginning of a process of curtailing youth violence. There will be many steps. Baptist Church, told The Informer he would like to see churches return to the days when fellowship halls were filled with young people involved in Sunday schools or the junior usher board. “We have to bring back some of the old ways and create new opportunities,” he said. Gilbert Jr. followed in the steps of his father the Rev. George Gilbert Sr., who said the problem with youth violence is beyond the District borders. “I wanted to see some kind of way to stop the guns from coming across the 14th Street bridge,” Gilbert Sr. told The Informer. “The problem is most of these guns are coming from Virginia.” WI

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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Tribute to M. Nadine Whittington

On Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, I lost a very dear friend, M. Nadine Whittington, a native Washingtonian. She passed away peacefully of natural causes after a long illness at the age of 90. Nadine and I became friends when she walked into my Frank D. Reeves Center office one day and introduced herself to me. She let me know that she had been one of former D.C. Council member Frank Smith's community volunteers for years. She was excited that the new African American Civil War Memorial was coming to U Street. Immediately, she let me know that she will be stopping by to help out. She was truly a woman of her word! She did exactly as she said she would. At the time, she lived in an apartment directly across from the Washington Hilton Hotel, located on 19th Street NW. She and I became very close, doing things together quite often, including our meetings at Ben's Chili Bowl. Eventually, Nadine started visiting my church, though she made it clear: "I visit a few churches from time to time, but Vermont Avenue Baptist Church is my home church, and it always will be!" We were always delighted when she would visit with the All Nations Baptist Church for special programs such as our Women's Day or church anniversary — she was there! She would even take the time to eat with us in the fellowship hall. Our pastor, Rev. Dr. James Coleman, loved Nadine too,

along with many from our congregation. However, she did continue to work closely with me and the event planning committee for then-Council member Frank Smith's African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, Inc., the nonprofit responsible for erecting the Spirit of Freedom Monument located at Vermont Avenue and U Street in northwest Washington. In her official role, she served as the national volunteer coordinator, working closely with me, the project director. She placed local and national volunteers on committees. If you wanted to help, she gave you a position. Nadine remained a regular volunteer until the monument was unveiled on July 18, 1998. She continued helping, even after the unveiling, until the year 2000. Another of her pathways was her work in Ward 8 on her daughter's Eydie Whittington successful campaign in the mid-1990s to get elected to the D.C. Council. Eydie had been endorsed by the honorable Marion Barry to become the next Ward 8 Council member after he was elected once again to be the mayor of the District of Columbia. Nadine now had two wards that she worked in — Ward 1, where she lived, and Ward 8, where she worked and where her daughter was now

a city council member. During the 1990s, M. Nadine Whittington also served as office manager for D.C. Council member Frank Smith's reelection campaign. She became a member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., in 1996, she was installed as a member. This is a business and professional, charitable sorority, she was a member of the Delta Pi chapter, based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Gamma Phi Delta Sorority was founded in 1943 in Detroit and the headquarters is located across the street from Motown's Hitsville USA Museum on West Grand Boulevard. The sorority gives scholarships, help youth, and fights against juvenile delinquency. My entire family knew and loved Nadine. She visited my home, and she rode to North Carolina for my mother's funeral during the Christmas holiday in 2000. We will all miss her tremendously. Her funeral services will be held at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church (1630 Vermont Avenue NW) on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. The viewing will be held at 10 a.m. and the funeral is at 11 a.m. If you knew and loved M. Nadine Whittington, you ought to come out and join us as we remember the legacy of her life in this city! There is too much to share in my column. WI

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 45

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor 9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724 Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 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”

Blessed Word

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Church of Living Waters

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849 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

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

Reverend William Young IV 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)

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

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

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 themcbc.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

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

“Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness - Senior Pastor Rev. Ali Gail Holness-Roland Assistant & Youth Pastor

46 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

12801 Old Fort Road • Ft. Washington, MD 20744 Office (301) 292.6323 • FAX (301) 292.2164 Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:15 am Sunday Church School 11:00 am Youth Sunday every 4th Sunday Prayer Call @ Noon every Tuesday & Thursday 978.990.5166 code: 6166047# Virtual Bible Study Wednesday Facebook & Zoom 7:00 pm “A Growing Church for a Coming Christ” www.adamsinspirationalamec.org

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”

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Third Street Church of God

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. / Senior Pastor 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301.899.8885 – Fax 301.899.2555 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship 8:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM Tuesday: 7:00 PM – Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday: 12:30 PM – Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00 PM – Evening Bible Study Baptism - 3rd Sunday – Communion 4th Sunday Free Food Giveaway – Every Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm “We are One in the Spirit” www.ssbcmd.org | secretary@ssbcmd.org

Campbell AME Church

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

Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor 800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703

www.livingwatersmd.org

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

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

Rev. Terrance M. McKinley Senior Pastor

Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church

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

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

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

All Nations Baptist Church

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

Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor

Crusader Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study: Wednesday: 12:00 Noon, Wednesday: 7:00 PM, Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor 1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor 5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. “A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

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

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

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

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

Shiloh Church of God 7th Day Elder Jonathan M. Carson Senior Pastor

5701 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782 Phone: 301 559-5262 Service and Times Sabbath Worship @ 1:00 pm in-person/FB/Zoom Tuesday - Prayer@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Wednesday - Bible Study@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Friday - Sabbath School@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Web: shiloh7thday.org Email: shiloh7thdaycomm@gmail.com "A culturally diverse church of edification, deliverance and transformation"

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor 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

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RELIGION 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

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Rev. Lance Aubert Imterim Pastor 1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288 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

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"

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

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

Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

“Where God is Praised, Christ is Obeyed, and People are Loved”

New Commandment Baptist Church

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

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

Promised Land Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

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

Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958 Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

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

401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331 Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday

"Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

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

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

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

Dr. Joseph D. Turner Senior Pastor

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

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

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

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 9:30 AM Sunday School: 8:15 AM Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon Baptism: 4th Sunday 9:30 AM

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

The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

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

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

Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor

Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

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

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Israel Baptist Church

Website address: www.mmbcdc.org

Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

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

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

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

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 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

Join us for our live broadcast every Friday at Noon!

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LEGAL NOTICES

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

2023 ADM 001265

2023 ADM 1341

2023 ADM 000711

2023 ADM 001312

Robert Lee Ratchford, Sr Decedent

Rema R. Jackson Decedent

Oliver A. Brown aka Oliver Andre Brown Decedent

Natasha Patricia Lewis Decedent

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

Sabrina R. Ratchford and Melissa A. Ratchford, whose addresses are 911 Carriage House Ln, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 & 2926 Footloose Dr., Columbus, OH 43231, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Robert Lee Ratchford, Sr. who died on 10/17/2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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.

Chrissy Stephenson, whose address is 5503 Jay Street NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rema R. Jackson who died on January 9, 2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Sabrina R. Ratchford Melissa A. Ratchford Personal Representative

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Date of first publication: 11/30/2023 Chrissy Stephenson Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

Steve Larson-Jackson 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Marquise Allen Brown, whose address is 1001 Newton Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Oliver A. Brown aka Oliver Andre Brown who died on 11/4/20 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Marquise Allen Brown Personal Representative

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Herbert Lewis and Xois Blowe, whose addresses are 2607 Sherman Ave., NW Washington, DC 20001 and 5527 C St., SE, Washington, DC 20019, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Natasha Patricia Lewis who died on April 21, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Herbert Lewis Xois Blowe Personal Representative

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LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2023 ADM 001254 Marjorie Kimball Clark Decedent Cecilia R. Jones, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW Suite #440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Timothy Pilotte, whose address is 4343 Windom Pl., NW, Washington, DC 20016, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marjorie Kimball Clark who died on June 2, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Timothy Pilotte Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

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

2023 ADM 001223

2023 ADM 001296

2023 ADM 1337

2023 ADM 1294

2023 ADM 001279

Lottie Mae Wright aka Lottie M. Wright Decedent

Geneva M. Thompson Decedent

Genessey Robyn Flint Decedent

Francis W. Bibby Decedent

Earnest Lee Samuel, Jr. Decedent

Donald Marlais, Esq. 411 10th Street NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

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

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alvin Wright, Jr., whose address is 1705 Kings Manor Dr., Bowie, Maryland 20721-2001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lottie Mae Wright aka Lottie M. Wright who died on December 28, 2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/9/2024. 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 5/9/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Alvin Wright, Jr. Personal Representative

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Felecia T. Peeples, whose address is 100 Detering Street, #3145, Houston, TX 77007, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Geneva M. Thompson who died on 9/1/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2024 Felecia T. Peeples Personal Representative

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48 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

Andrew Flint and Robyn Lance, whose addresses are 13344 Tannery Ct., Fairfax, VA 22033 and 4141 E Fountain St., Long Beach, CA 90804, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Genessey Robyn Flint who died on May 31, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Andrew Flint Robyn Lance Personal Representative

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michael Bibby, whose address is 2016 Leonard Drive, Falls Church, VA 22043, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Francis W. Bibby who died on August 31, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Michael Bibby Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Bertha Clea-Samuel, whose address is 3298 Ft. Lincoln Dr., NE #303, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Earnest Lee Samuel Jr. who died on 6/15/23 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Bertha Clea-Samuel Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2023 FEP 000117

LEGAL NOTICES \ SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2023 ADM 001304

February 20, 2022 Date of Death

Catherine P. Campbell Decedent

Kumudini Vittal Name of Decedent

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2023 ADM 1357

2023 ADM 001285

2023 ADM 001268

Colin Campbell Reid Decedent

Ann P. Hall Decedent

Alex S. Bangura Decedent

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

Ethel Mitchell, Esq. 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

Ethel Mitchell 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

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

Date of first publication: 11/30/2023

Joanna Edwards, whose address is 1523 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Catherine P. Campbell who died on April 7, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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.

Carlos Christopher Reid, whose address is 1802 Metzerott Road, #303, Adelphi, MD 20783, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Colin Campbell Reid who died on 11/11/2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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.

Jeevan Vittal Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 11/30/2023

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Joanna Edwards Personal Representative

Jeevan Vittal Whose address is 207 Tree Hill Road, Berlin, CT 06307 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Kumudini Vittal, deceased, by the Register of Wills/Circuit Court sitting as Orphan’s Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland. Service of process may be made upon Stephanie L. Royal, Esq, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 3315 Wisconsin Ave., NW, No. 507, Washington, DC 20016. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

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LEGAL NOTICES

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

Iris McCollum Green, Esq. 1714 15th Street, NW, Ste. B Washington, DC 20009 Attorney

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

LEGAL NOTICES

Date of first publication: 11/30/2023 Carlos Christopher Reid Personal Representative

Gayle E. Carley and Keith A. Golden, whose addresses are 4031 S. Dakota Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 & 4500 Jay St., NE, Washington, DC 20019, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Ann P. Hall who died on 8/28/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Gayle E. Carley Keith A. Golden Personal Representative

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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Evelyn K. Bangura, whose address is 7600 Maple Avenue, #310, Takoma Park, MD 20912, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alex S. Bangura who died on April 14, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: November 30, 2023 Evelyn K. Bangura Personal Representative

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

2023 ADM 001319

2023 ADM 001372

2023 ADM 001348

2023 ADM 001340

2023 ADM 001350

Adam T. Shaw aka Adam Thomas Shaw, III Decedent

Arnold John Carpenter Decedent

Grgory O Haley Decedent

Rickisha Waller-Henderson Decedent

Lorna Smith Marshall Decedent

Brian L. Kass, Esq. 4301 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 434 Washington DC 20008 Attorney

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

Sharon Legall 1325 G Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney

Bruce A. Marshall 4301 21st Street, NE Washington, DC 20018 Attorney

Danielle Carpenter, whose address is 704 Mentor Ave., Capitol Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Arnold John Carpenter who died on 5/23/2020 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., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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.

Herbert H Haley, Jr., whose address is 5730 E Boniwood Turn, Clinton MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gregory O Haley who died on August 4, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

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

Date of first publication: 11/30/2023

Date of first publication: 12/7/2023

Niya Vonkia Waller, whose address is 454 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rickisha Waller-Henderson who died on 10/23/2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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.

Danielle Carpenter Personal Representative

Herbert H Haley, Jr. Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 12/7/2023

Bruce A. Marshall, whose address is 4301 21st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lorna Smith Marshall who died on September 19, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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.

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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Carletta L. Hart, whose address is 6260 Hampstead Ct., Port Tobacco, MD 20677, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Adam T. Shaw aka Adam Thomas Shaw, III who died on 12/5/2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 5/30/2024. 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 5/30/2024, 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: 11/30/2023 Carletta L. Hart Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Niya Vonikia Waller Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Date of first publication: 12/7/2023 Bruce A. Marshall Personal Representative

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 49

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

2023 ADM 1370

2021 ADM 1689

2023 ADM 186

2023 FEP 000120

Michie Summers aka Michie K. Summers Decedent

Elizabeth Spencer Decedent

Erline Whitaker Decedent

10/5/2023 Date of Death

Jacobie Whitley 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

Sonya N. Armfield 2 Massachusetts Avenue NE Suite #1173 Washington DC 20008 Attorney

Edith V. Crutcher Name of Decedent

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

Mika C. Summers-Gomillion, whose address is 9716 Calpor Ln., Ft. Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michie K. Summers who died on June 17, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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.

Daun Spencer, D’Vaughn Spencer, and Leslie Spencer, whose addresses are 1130 46th Place, SE, Washington, DC 20019, 728 Hobonny Loop Longs, SC 29568 & 329 Leonard Rd., Salisbury, NC 28146, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Elizabeth Spencer who died on May 16, 2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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.

Linda Diane Murray, whose address is 2219 Roslyn Avenue District Heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Erline Whitaker who died on 11/29/2019 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., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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.

Sandra N. Barrett whose address is 610 East Landing Ridge Circle, Jefferson, NC 28640 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Edith V. Crutcher, deceased, by the Superior Court for Ashe County, State of North Carolina, on 11/17/2023. Service of process may be made upon Edward G. Varrone, Esq. 1825 K Street, NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20006 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. Apartment 916 and Garage No. 7B3, Watergate South, 700 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 12/7/2023

Sandra N. Barrett Personal Representative

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Linda Diane Murray Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

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Washington Informer

Julius P. Terrell, Esq. 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Daun Spencer D’Vaughn Spencer Leslie Spencer Personal Representative

Mika C. Summers-Gomillion Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Date of first publication: 12/7/2023

2023 ADM 1378 Christopher Eugene Johnson Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Patricia Johnson, whose address is 3692 Hayes Street NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Christopher Eugene Johnson who died on October 6, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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: 12/7/2023 Patricia Johnson 3692 Hayes Street NE Washington, DC 20019 Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2023 ADM 001385

2023 ADM 001086

2023 ADM 001306

2023 ADM 001366

2023 ADM 619

Marianela Quiroz Decedent

Stanton D. Riley Decedent

Marilyn Brown Edwards Decedent

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

Julius P. Terrell, Esq. 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

James Edward Jacobson aka James Jacobson Decedent

Sylvia Bennett aka Sylvia Bennett-Gordon Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sheena Renee Gordon-Roberts, whose address is 4928 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sylvia Bennett aka Sylvia Bennett-Gordon who died on June 2, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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: 12/7/2023 Sheena Renee Gordon-Roberts 4928 7th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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 Beatriz Suarez, whose address is 24 Mapleton Road, Toms River, NJ 08757, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Beatriz Suarez who died on February 5, 2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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: 12/7/2023 Beatriz Suarez Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

50 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

Washington Informer

Linda F. Riley, whose address is 9711 Quiet Brook Ln, Clinton MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stanton D. Riley who died on August 3, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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: 12/7/2023 Linda F. Riley Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Stacy R. Pace, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW Ste. 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

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

Audrena Edwards, whose address is 4451 Telfair Blvd., Apt. 5111, Camp Springs, MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marilyn Brown Edwards who died on October 4, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/7/2024. 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 6/7/2024, 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.

Sandra Marian Irish-Oien, whose address is 12281 41st Street, Saint Michael, MN 55376, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Edward Jacobson aka James Jacobson who died on 12/30/2022 with a Will and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 6/14/2024. 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 6/14/2024, 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: 12/7/2023

Date of first publication: 12/14/2023

Audrena Edwards Personal Representative

Sandra Marian Irish-Oien Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023 51

ENROLLMENT from Page 1 schools aren’t sustaining enrollment that ensures their viability, Dean noted. This phenomenon, she said, has even affected Anacostia High School, a Ward 8 school that’s in the feeder pattern for Sousa. Since February, Dean and other school boundary study committee members have mulled over ideas to boost enrollment at not only Sousa and Anacostia, but Moten Elementary School, Kramer Middle School, Johnson Middle School, and Hart Middle School in Southeast, and Ron Brown College Preparatory High School in Northeast. For the most part, Dean said she rejects a co-location scenario in which schools facing low enrollment share their building with a charter school. However, she expressed support for the inclusion of an academic program, like the Advanced Technical Center, that’s funded and supported by DME or the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE). Dean and other Ward 7 and Ward 8 committee members are demanding that schools located east of the Anacostia River, after decades of divestment, receive resources like what their counterparts west of the Anacostia River and west of Rock Creek Park enjoy. Topping her list, Dean said, is the infusion of a dual-language program inside a middle school. She also touted the need for a feeder pattern that supports an International Baccalaureate (IB) program by placing the IB program inside Randle Highlands and reopening Winston Education Center as an IB middle school that feeds into Eastern High School’s IB program, currently located in Ward 7. Such changes, she said, could stop the hemorrhaging of Ward 7 youth from neighborhood schools. “Parents… start early [in the school lottery] to get multiple chances,” Dean said. “They want to get into feeder patterns that provide access to certain types of programming. A lot of schools [west of Rock Creek Park] would not be overcrowded if we served children living east of the Anacostia River well.” The Informer unsuccessfully attempted to gather comment from DCPS about the mechanisms put in place to ensure that children from east of the Anacostia River receive equitable access to selective public schools located west of the Anacostia River and west of Rock Creek Park.

52 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

DIGGING INTO THE FINDINGS OF THE SCHOOL BOUNDARY STUDY

This week, DME is scheduled to conduct two virtual town halls along with another in-person town hall at Anacostia High School. The school boundary advisory committee is scheduled to release its final recommendations in March. Feedback collected from Sousa and Anacostia, along with other meetings with elementary schools, will inform the advisory committee’s recommendations. In years past, parents, especially those living east of the Anacostia River, applied to enroll their children in public elementary schools in a feeder pattern that led them to public middle schools and high schools with niche academic programming. These programs are usually located outside of their neighborhood. During their presentation at Sousa, DME representatives said this trend caused the in-boundary participation rate for Beers Elementary School, Kimball Elementary School, Plummer Elementary School, and Randle Highlands Elementary School to stand at below 30%. They went on to note that parents from the surrounding communities who didn’t enroll their children in the aforementioned schools instead enrolled them in Tyler Elementary School on Capitol Hill or Lawrence E. Boone Elementary School, the former of which has dual-language Spanish immersion and a resident artist program. If students didn’t attend Tylere or Boone, they went to one of several charter schools in the surrounding area -- including Rocketship Public Charter School, a KIPP DC campus, a Friendship campus, Lee Montessori Public Charter School, Cedar Tree Academy Public Charter School and Elsie Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School - East End Campus.

THE MY SCHOOL DC LOTTERY: A TICKET TO A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR SOME

This winter, parents have yet another chance to decide their child’s educational trajectory, at least to some degree. The My School DC Lottery for the 2024-2025 school year opened on Monday, Dec. 11. Families can apply to as many as a dozen public and public charter schools from now up until Feb. 1 for high schoolers, and until

5 D.C.’s plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2045, released Dec. 1, emphasizes how the transition to clean energy can lower utility bills, reduce air pollution and provide jobs for District residents. (Kayla Benjamin/The Washington Informer)

CLIMATE from Page 1 who watch.”

CARBON FREE DC PLAN EMPHASIZES COMMUNITY BENEFITS

City officials at the D.C. Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) appeared to be thinking along similar lines while developing their plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The finalized plan, released Dec. 1, places emphasis on how emissions reductions efforts can improve housing, health, transportation and economic prospects for D.C. residents. March 1 for students going to pre-K-3 to 8th grade. New students entering pre-K, dual language programs, citywide, outof-boundary, and selective DCPS schools, or public charter schools require a My School DC Lottery application. Since My School DC’s launch a decade ago, more than 150,000 District students enrolled in local public and public charter schools through the portal. Recent changes include an equitable access preference that 53 public and public charter schools offer for foster children and unhoused students, high school students who are at least one year older than the expected age for the grade in which they’re enrolling, and students who qualifying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). On Dec. 9, more than 8,000 people flocked to EdFest, an annual public school fair. In years past, OSSE hosted EdFest at the DC Armory. Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com WI @SamPKCollins

“The strategy is focused on cutting carbon pollution, but really the guiding focus is how we can make those investments work for communities,” said Jenn Hatch, branch chief of Green Building and Climate at DOEE. Carbon Free DC envisions a District in 22 years where nearly all buildings run completely on electricity, use energy very efficiently and are built to withstand more intense weather events. In this world, far fewer people need cars to get around, and all new vehicles are electric. Only 20% of the waste we produce today ends up in landfills or incinerators. “It’s a good plan to get D.C. on track to eliminate its climate pollution,” said Mark Rodeffer, an advocate with the D.C. Sierra Club chapter. “But we don’t just need it planned… we need actions to carry out the plan.”

ACTIVISTS IDENTIFY IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

Earlier this fall, a board that approves updates to the city’s construction codes shot down a proposal to require all-electric construction in most new buildings; Rodeffer said that a Bowser appointee to the board led the fight against the proposal. “The mayor is saying she wants, in the next 16 or 17 years, 90% of buildings to not use fossil fuels — well, of course, the place to start is with newly constructed buildings,” Rodeffer said. “When you're in a hole, you should stop digging.” According to DOEE, the city has managed to cut carbon emissions by just over 30% since 2006. But much of that reduction likely comes from a nationwide switch from coal to gas in the energy grid, Rodeffer said. Even though burning gas produces less carbon than coal, gas is still a fossil fuel that pollutes the air and traps

heat in the atmosphere. Hatch, from DOEE, said that the District will continue working with regional partners to increase the amount of clean energy used in the electricity grid going forward. The plan calls for adding more rooftop solar panels for on-site generation, too. In addition to the fossil fuels used to make electricity at power plants, many D.C. buildings — including half of the District’s homes — currently rely on burning gas on site for heating. Washington Gas, with approval from the District, has spent millions of dollars on a major pipe replacement project that is set to continue for another 30 years. Advocates argue that continued investment in gas infrastructure raises costs now and will make it nearly impossible to achieve carbon neutrality in the future. “What is missing [from the Carbon Free DC Plan] is the fact that we also need to be decommissioning and phasing the District off of the gas system,” said Naomi Cohen-Shields of Chesapeake Climate Action Network. “That's not just about retrofitting buildings. That's also about changing the way that our utilities work, and not allowing them to get away with raising gas bills to pay for new gas pipes that are completely contrary to this plan.”

MAYOR’S COP28 ATTENDANCE SPARKS CONTROVERSY

Cohen-Shields said she wanted to see Mayor Bowser come back from the climate conference in Dubai with “renewed commitment” to executing the Carbon Free DC plan, phasing out fossil fuel use and investing in resilience measures back home. “That would be a tangible benefit, but I don't have a lot of faith that that is what is going to happen,” she said. “We're facing the impacts of climate change already in D.C. There's extreme heat in the summer, extreme flooding events, impacts of the warming climate on our ecosystem — on the cherry blossoms. And we need to see action that shows that the administration gets it and is there for citizens in the city, not just abroad.” The mayor’s six-day trip for COP, which included a stop in Qatar to meet with leaders there, caught the attention of folks outside climate advocacy circles, too. In articles in right-leaning outlets like Fox News and BizPac Review and conversations on X (formerly Twitter), critics argued that the trip took the administration’s attention away from other problems in the District. WI Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

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MYERS from Page 30 nonjudgmental discussions about anger they were feeling and how to resolve it. Global peace discussions were held with professionals in the USA, England, Scotland and Canada where health professionals, educators and law enforcement personnel discussed how to stop domestic violence, and how to teach de-escalation of violence. There was even a session on the impact of artificial intelligence on society, and how it can be used to foster global peace. As we hear daily news about violence increasing in the U.S. and overseas in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, Sudan, Ethiopia and other countries, we are all alarmed. It is urgent that people come

LEON from Page 30 has allies. As Mike had "creditors," the U.S. is trying to finance multiple wars on multiple fronts. Treasury Secretary Yellen's pronouncements that "… the U.S. can afford to support both Ukraine and Israel in their respective war efforts without hindering the nation's economy…," reeks of OVERREACH. Financial overreach and military overreach are among the contributing factors that have historically led to the fall of empires. As empires begin their decline messaging becomes very important. The narrative that's created to control people's perceptions of reality are key. MSNBC told us, the "…U.S. is using intel to fight an info war with Russia, even when the intel isn't rock solid."

MARSHALL from Page 30 become the basis of the uproar from donors, politicians, alumni, business leaders and students. The idea of America being labeled a "melting pot" extends from the need to have people from various cultures and backgrounds blend and coexist. Without it, we have a nation filled with tension, unrest and bitterness. America has always prided itself on being a defender of liberty and freedom. Liberty is interesting. It is defined as the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed on one's life. It can be described as the freedom to live your life how you want without interference from others. Or simply, the power to do as one pleases. We can never automatically assume that once given the freedom to do as he pleases, an individual will do so with a sense of community. Or do so with the morals, personal conduct and

together to implement nonviolence, non-militaristic solutions since history shows that more violence, increased punishment, expanded prisons and lack of mental health for suicidal adults and children, are not the answer. Let's stop ignoring the discipline of violence prevention and start to overhaul the American culture of violence. We must advocate for funding for programs that establish Peace Circles in schools, make state and local Departments of Parks and Recreation safe centers of nonviolence, and build on programs that teach the time-tested philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and other nonviolent leaders. Sadly, much of the violence in our

nation begins at the kitchen table and is the fault of law enforcement that commits violent acts against innocent people. Our children, adults and law enforcement must learn how to de-escalate violence and how to use different approaches to resolving disputes and anger, other than taking guns and shooting family members, co-workers, fellow students, or shooting themselves. The year of 2024 will be the 13th year of Non-Violence, Families, Voters Rights and Opportunities. Will the readers of this article stop ignoring violence prevention and take leadership in their communities? If yes, contact us at Bkwomen4poschange@gmail.com or visit our website at www.blackwomenforpositivechange.org. WI

Simply put, the government is lying to you in order to maintain some semblance of order. It's Plato's "noble lie." This is very important. These are the lies that need to be told so Americans will believe that more US taxpayer dollars need to be sent to Ukraine and Israel while American infrastructure disintegrates. We're told that the U.S. needs to reinvade Haiti, that sovereign African countries should be sanctioned for doing business with Russia and a humanitarian pause in hostilities in Occupied Palestine is a bad idea and only benefits Hamas. These distortions and lies are part of the narratives that directly impact the development of our perceptions. These manufactured or misinformed realities then determine the policies put into place and actions taken. This becomes a vicious cycle as

in the Easton model of systems analysis. In telling the narrative, who tells it can be as important as what is being told. This is where the minstrel and "minstrel diplomacy" rears its ugly head. In the 19th century in the United States, a minstrel was a band of entertainers or an individual, typically white that would blacken their faces with burnt cork referred to as "corking up." They performed songs, dances, and formulaic comic routines based on stereotyped and demeaning depictions of African Americans. Sometimes, African American performers wore blackface when taking the stage in order to make their presentations more acceptable to White audiences. Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

conviction to do what is right and decent. Liberty is an individual right, but liberty should never open the door to disrespect others. Or worse, result in physical violence. Schools such as Harvard, UPenn and MIT are essentially "melting pots" where students from various cultures and backgrounds should be able to coexist in a learning environment safely. Claudine Gay, the president of Harvard University, apologized in an interview with the school's newspaper after receiving her share of condemnation. "I am sorry," Gay said. "Words matter." In her statement in the Harvard student newspaper, Gay continued to say, "When words amplify distress and pain, I don't know how you could feel anything but regret." The type of regret Gay is describing is not shared by those who despise having to be politically correct to avoid being disrespectful to others. Political correctness is hated when it

is viewed as conforming to what they believe to be a liberal political agenda rather than expressing common decency. Political correctness does not change a hate-filled heart, but it can provide a verbal filter where the impact of a person's words is minimized and less dangerous and painful. The presidents of the three universities missed a golden opportunity in leadership.\ The congressional hearing proved to be the perfect platform where some of those who conduct hate speech could have been regulated down to political correctness by being told the personal consequences they will ultimately face. Unfortunately, Liz Magill ultimately faced the consequences of losing her job after only 20 months. Hopefully, others in similar positions of leadership will not make the same mistake when it comes to protecting students of all backgrounds from discrimination and harassment. WI

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"Difference Maker") who works with young people every day— even on his job as he gives them haircuts.) They don't just talk. They don't sit around criticizing others. They work to make good things happen. They work to get people registered to vote and assist in getting voters to vote. Unlike other groups, they don't just hold a luncheon or a dinner once a

FORD from Page 31 screening. As a prostate cancer survivor and member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network's (ACS CAN) board of directors, I believe that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer. I know that having equitable access to screening is critical to reducing prostate cancer deaths and saving more lives, especially in the Black community. That's why I'm glad to see that there's a bill before Congress that would help remove cost barriers to prostate cancer screening for men at high risk for the disease, the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act. Introduced by Reps. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.) and Yvette Clarke

JEALOUS from Page 31 proportionate impact of air pollution on the city's residents. According to 2019 figures from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, adult residents of Detroit were 46% more likely to have asthma than the statewide average. And within Detroit, Black residents were hospitalized for asthma three times as often as white residents. And that's just asthma. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says this type of pollution is also known to increase rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological and immune disorders, and other health concerns. And, as McCoy also noted at that Detroit panel discussion, "certain pollutants, when combined, as they are in the air, are worse together than they are alone individually … but we still measure them and regulate them as if they're acting separately.

year and call it quits. They work to inspire others to take action on issues we should all care about. I am especially pleased with the work they do and the inspiration they give to others. Maybe you just want to say thank you when you run into any one of those I've mentioned and anyone you know in your community who is making a difference. These are people who give their time, their energy, their know-

how, and their money because they care enough to take action on issues they care about. They don't just criticize others for what they do or do not do. They get up every day working to bring about the kind of world they want to see. Where do you stand? What are you doing to make a difference? If everybody does a little bit, nobody would have to do a whole lot! I LOVE DOERS! WI

(D-N.Y.) and Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.), this bipartisan bill would waive cost-sharing requirements for prostate cancer screenings for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, focusing on Black men and those with a family history of the disease. If the bill is passed, this means that men at high risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer would be able to get prostate cancer screenings without out-ofpocket costs, such as deductibles, copayments or coinsurances. Our elected officials play a vital role in helping reduce the cancer burden and persistent disparities by advancing public health policies that improve access to prevention and early detection services. As part of ACS CAN's Leadership Summit and Lobby Day, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet

with members of Congress to urge them to support the PSA Screening for HIM Act. Passing this legislation is a crucial step to saving more lives from prostate cancer. It would also help address the unjust and unacceptable cancer disparities in the Black community. Everyone at high risk for prostate cancer who has made an informed decision with their doctor to get screened should have access to that screening without cost-sharing posing an obstacle. My plea to all men — Black men in particular — is to get your regular checkups, talk to your doctor about the benefits and limitations of PSA screening, and urge your congressional representatives to support the PSA Screening for HIM Act. If health is wealth, consider this practice part of your legacy. WI

So, yes, a lot still needs to be done. Especially in terms of how these chemical and particulate pollutants are regulated at the federal level. Still, we shouldn't lose sight of the positive action that states like Michigan are taking right now and the example it sets for other states. There's a lot to be hopeful about in the clean energy bills' impact on public health. The bills also set a powerful example for how to help ensure a just transition away from fossil fuels with strong protections for labor. Part of the clean energy package is the creation of the Community and Worker Economic Transition Office. The office will develop a plan and coordinate efforts to address the impact on workers in the shift from fossil fuels to renewables, helping to ensure that no worker is left behind. By delivering historic federal action in the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration has already given states a

powerful way to capitalize on massive federal investments in their economies and a green future for us all. That's exactly what Michigan is doing, and doing it right. In addition to the billions that Michigan has already secured in federal investment dollars, a recent report by the Michigan-based 5 Lakes Energy shows that passing the 100% clean energy legislation could mean over 160,000 additional quality jobs over the next decade and $7.8 billion more in investments by 2050, which is more than twice what Michigan would expect to receive without enacting these policies. Thanks to the IRA, states now have an unprecedented opportunity to address the harm done by climate change while also jumpstarting economic development, creating jobs, moving towards energy independence, improving the health and lives of their residents, and leading on environmental justice. WI

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56 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2023

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