Capture the Moment

CAPTURE

For more photos, visit www.washingtoninformer.com the moment JOHN WALL FAMILY FOUNDATION'S TURKEY GIVEAWAY Washington Wizards point guard, John Wall, hosts a turkey giveaway and handed out free hot meals to families in Southeast on behalf of the John Wall Family Foundation in partnership with Henry’s Soul Cafe. The Foundation also gave over $500K to families struggling with rent payments. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

planned for me to get more music out and do more things. I hadn’t had it out before COVID came. There were things that still needed to be done. So, with “Rising Star” for example, we pretty much finished that at my home. We didn’t want to let COVID stop us. There was room to grow, and we were just like, “we’re not going to let this stop us.” We weren’t going to be negative about it, and we wanted to get our music out. We wanted to get our message out. So, we did it at home. We did the visuals, that video for “Rising Star” at my house. So, it kind of hindered us a little bit, but I’m so grateful because we still pushed through. We still got it done. Even with “God Flow,” it was very minimal contact with people. We are still very heavily social distancing in my family. It was a little difficult, but with God’s grace and his permission, we got it done. It worked out.

Zenger: When you look at the positive and negative that social media can attract, how do you approach your navigation to that world?

Rekeshia Bennett: Oh my God. That’s such a good question. I get so much anxiety from social media — even before I decided to pursue my music wholeheartedly. But just with everyday regular social media, it’s one of those things that gives me so much anxiety. But what I do now, I post because I am trying to get more traction on my music and me as an artist. But I post and walk away. I tell my husband or somebody else, “You can look at it, and tell me what I need to do and not do, but I don’t want to look at it.” It’s so hard to say that because you need to, right? You need to look at it to see what you’re doing, and it takes so much out of you to look at it. It’s just such a hard place for me mentally sometimes to be in. But I’m doing it. I’m using my social media platform right now to promote the music and get the message out there. Hopefully, it works out.

Zenger: You have an amazing voice, and you pick amazing production, but there are always intangibles that go along with being an artist. What are some of the intangibles that you feel you’re gearing toward or working on?

Rekeshia Bennett: Just being more comfortable in myself — trying not to get too much into my own head. Everyone has struggles and their way of doing things, and this is my way. I keep telling myself that this is my way of getting my testimony out there. This is my way of teaching. I’m one of them type of people that want to help. I want to help. But how do I help in my way, and this is my way. This is what I know how to do, so let me do it in this way. I’ll continue to learn through so many great, great, great artists. I’m such a big fan of a lot of musicians, so I’m always willing to learn and always willing to work.

Zenger: I appreciate the time. I love your message and your music and wish you continued success. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Rekeshia Bennett: Follow me on all my social media platforms and look out for more music from me in the future. Thank you! (Edited by Stan Chrapowicki and Allison Elyse Gualtieri)

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5 Rakeshia Bennett's new album cover. (Courtesy photo) 5 Washington Football Team running back Antonio Gibson led the way with 20 carries for 115 yards, including three touchdown runs against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr./The Washington Informer

SPORTS from Page 43

lead on their first offensive drive by way of a Greg Zuerlein 33-yard field goal.

However, the Burgundy and Gold answered right back after Smith led a 12-play, 70-yard drive capped off by a five-yard touchdown run by Gibson.

Just five plays later, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton threw a 54-yard bomb to Amari Copper to retake the lead, 10-7.

Washington Football Team Kicker Dustin Hopkins booted a 23-yard field goal to tie the game up with a little over seven minutes remaining in the half during a tightly contested slugfest.

The Burgundy and Gold defensive unit stood tall the next possession, forcing a turnover on downs after Dalton threw an incomplete pass intended for speedster CeeDee Lamb.

With excellent field position on the Dallas 19-yard line, Smith capitalized on the opportunity and found tight end Logan Thomas for a 5-yard touchdown.

After Zuerlein knocked down a 32-yard field goal near the end of the half, Smith took a first-half lead into the locker room and his team took complete control over the game in the second half, holding Dallas to just three points the rest of the way.

Washington held Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott to just 32 yards and forced a fumble on the Cowboys' first possession in the second half, which Hopkins converted into three points.

Zuerlein's field goal two drives later was the last time Dallas found any success the rest of the way.

Near the end of the third and for the remainder of the game, Washington's defensive forced two more turnover-on-downs scenarios, a punt, and a score when defensive lineman Montez Sweat made a spectacular interception. Sweat leaped in the direction of a Dalton throw and subsequently took it to the house from 15 yards out.

Washington's stellar play put them temporarily at the top of the NFC East as they prepared to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers Dec. 7.

Pittsburgh's defense has been nearly impenetrable this season and is ranked top five in the league (as of Nov. 1) and leads the league in sacks.

However, McLaurin is currently leading the league in receiving yardage (963) and, with Smith tossing him the rock, will test Pittsburgh's defense. Smith has guided the Burgundy and Gold to two consecutive wins after the team lost Kyle Allen to injury. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever be here two years later full circle," Smith said after the big win on turkey day. "I'm so appreciative of so much and so thankful to be here...the opportunity to still be doing this and enjoying every minute of it."

Gibson is showing poise as one of the best rookie running backs of the draft averaging 4.6 per carry, and is just behind Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Kansas City) and James Robinson (Jacksonville) in total rushing yards (645) for rookies. "Thursday on Thanksgiving is about as big of stage as it gets, and it was good to see our guys handle it...I thought they handled it well; I thought they played well," said Rivera. "The stage didn't seem to be too big. I do know next week is going to be a little bit different; it's a different kind of a stage, but it's a different kind of opponent, but we'll see how we handle that."

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