The Washington Informer - December 14, 2017 by The Washington Informer

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Brazile Stands Firm on Critique of Clinton’s Failed Campaign

Jones Stuns Moore in Crucial Alabama Senate Race Democrats Now Trail GOP 51-49, Seeking More Wins in Future

Anger, Frustration Fuel Published Musings of Former DNC Chair By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer In a tightly-contested, wire-to-wire race in the Alabama special election for Senate, Democrat Doug Jones defeated controversial Republican candidate Roy Moore. The unofficial results had the race as close as 49.7 percent for Jones and 48.6 percent for Moore. Alabama voters found themselves forced to choose between a Republican who’s perceived as a racist and accused of child abuse or, a Democrat who has earned a reputation for prosecuting members of the Ku Klux Klan. The contest also developed as a test of where the Deep South stands today and whether President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and endorsement

ALABAMA Page 34

5 Doug Jones won a closely-contested Senate race in Alabama on Tuesday, Dec. 12. /Courtesy photo

D.C. Extends Feds’ Window for Health Care Enrollment By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer Americans have until Friday, Dec. 15 to obtain mandatory health coverage through exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare. But despite the federal marketplace limiting its open-enrollment period to just six weeks, the District’s state-based health insurance exchange will give city residents an extra month to comply. People in most states use HealthCare.gov, the federal insurance marketplace, to apply for health insur-

Donna Brazile, 57, a proud New Orleans native and nationally-respected political strategist, has long exuded a passion for encouraging young people to vote, assist in the strengthening of the political system and to cast their hats in elections for public office, she herself first becoming interested in politics at the age of nine after

BRAZILE Page 40

ance. The federal exchange opened only on Nov. 1, leaving just a sixweek window for enrollment. But in 15 states, including D.C. and Maryland, residents can sign up through their state’s online marketplace, which in some cases provides more time for enrollment. D.C. Health Link, the District’s ACA marketplace, has offered a three-month open enrollment period which began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. In 2017, ACA covered 12.2 million Americans, but health insurance

ACA DADLINE Page 40

5 Donna Brazile /Photo courtesy of the National Press Club

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

Now Published by Dr. Charles Vincent

Her Legacy Continues.

In memory of Mickey Thompson Vincent, Founder and Publisher.

Dr. Charles & “Mickey” Vincent

Hon. Brandon Todd (Council Member, Ward 4 Hon. Muriel Bowser (Mayor of the District of Columbia); and Dr. Marilyn Brown (Event Hostess).

The 2018 Political Season in Washington DC Begins

The 2018 re-election effort for Mayor Muriel Bowser held one of its inaugural events at the home of Dr. Marilyn Tyler Brown in the Hawthorne section of Washington. To the chants of “Four more years”, Mayor Bowser outlined her administrations many achievements. The event was well attended, the food was great, and the sprit of Christmas was all around.

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

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law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said. Camp Springs Businesswoman totheVeterans had come togetherExtends to bring a Hand Among programs Marlow

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sense ofIt uniformity in Holmes the way about wants to see implemented are took Angela a year to work on her father’s When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, paperwork to receive 100 percent of his disability benefits afold daughter told her the father survivors are treated. moreAir rights for He victim's families ter he served for 20 years in the Force. retired in 1977. of her daughter threatened her “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicShe’s now on a crusade to help other military veterans through life, and the life of their child, story, her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assessher consulting business, Creative Proposal Dynamics Group. she knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further Holmes held a grand opening for her office Dec. 5 at the Air done. Out of her frustration said about Marlow. training for law enforcement Force Sergeants Association International headquarters on Auth with law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecalso plans providetion veterans information housing, of the situation, she decided to who Road. reads She Marlow's booktowill Act and mandatory on counselhealth assist in preparing documents that will start the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” Shecare saidand shewill “puts thethem ing for batterers. enable to the receive benefits for stress disorder. paign. case in suchthem a way, average “If post-traumatic we are ever going to eradi“I can see get thisit.”asShe a service neededcate in domestic Prince George’s “It seems to be a vicious cycle person said at the violence,County,” we must she said. “Military personnel like to keep things to themselves. that won't turn my family end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin.They they are supposed to be the but weboth mustthealso loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help feel people begin to have a diaWe provider need to address vic-prothem help because preserve our freedom.” shared her story/Courtesy with the audi- loguevide 5Angela Holmes photo about domestic violence.they helped tim and the batterer,” Marlow ence at the District Heights Also present at the event was said. Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would also like to see Leadership for Prince Council onNew May 7 at the District Heights wife of JohnGeorge’s Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise Municipal Center. The sympo- who was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children in After twosponsored straight years chair,life Prince George’s County sium was byserving the asutive terms without parole public and private schools. She Councilman Derrick Leon Davis (D-District 6) of Upper Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for hisMarlrole in feels children need to be educatboro passed Dec. 5 to the ViceBeltway Chairwoman Center of thethecitygavel of District Sniper Dannielle attacks in ed about domestic violence. Glaros as new chair. of Riverdale who rep-is Heights andcouncil’s the National Hook-Glaros 2002. Mildred Park Muhammad “We have to stop being pasresents District 2, will lead the all-Democratic forTrauma, 2018. Up of Black Women. the founder ofcouncil After the sive-aggressive with poor chilMarlow hasTodd written a book, Councilman Turner (D-District 4) of Bowiethat will helps serve the as an organization dren about domestic violence,” “Color Me Butterfly,” is a thesurvivors vice chairman. Glaroswhich becomes first person from her district of domestic violence Marlow said. story generations of Her in 20about years four to lead the council. for next year inand priorities their children. Marlow has worked to break domestic The book is “I lived inhousing fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse in her family, clude theviolence. fiscal year 2019 budget, addressing challenges inspired by her own experiences, years inzoning fear is ordinance. a long time.“We It is and is confident the policies she and reviewing the more than 50-year-old and her grandmother, an stop easy here,” thing Glaros to comesaid. out is pushing for will start that havethose madeoftremendous strides. Wenot won’t her hercollective daughter.workof,” said.established but our process. “Themother legacy and of our hasshe been She said everytotime she reads Mildred Muhammad “I plan to take these policies to commitment the county runs even deeper, so it’s game onsaid in and Dannielle excerpts from book, she still people who want to help a 5Derrick CongressLeon andDavis implore them to legislative yearher 2018.” /Courtesy photo can not believe the words came domestic violence victim must Glaros change our laws,” Marlow said. from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliwon the 2007 National “Best victim's and understand cies are passed.” Frosh Endorses Bakerthefor MDlife, Governor Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III received my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm going an endorsement from Maryland’s top prosecutor: Attorney General lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI Brian Frosh. In a video released Dec. 6, Frosh praised Baker’s work Elaine Davis-Nickens, presiwhen they both served in the Maryland General Assembly more dent of the National Hook-Up than 20 years ago. “When he took office, the county was strugof Black Women, said there is no gling. Crime was up, foreclosures were at a record high and the consistency in the way domestic county was engulfed in a scandal,” Frosh said. “The county is now violence issues are dealt with by thriving, unemployment is down, crime is way down. Rushern has the ability, the intelligence and the experience to make Maryland a better state.” Baker has been endorsed by other politicians that include Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), state Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-District 25) and Prince George’s County Councilman Derrick Leon Davis (D-District 6) of Upper Marlboro. 5Rushern L. Baker, III /Courtesy photo

“

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these Capital City Go-Go on the Move policies to Congress and The Washington Wizards announced Friday, Dec. 1 to name the team’s G League affiliate Capital City Go-Go, inspired by the Disimplore to change our trict’s signature music genre. The team will play 24 homethem games next year at a new state-of-the-art venue on the former St. Elizabeths campus in Southeast. The arena, which will also be laws. I used will not stop until as a Wizards practice facility and home of the WNBA Washington Mystics, will be owned and operated by Monumental Sports these policies are passed. and Entertainment founded by local business mogul Ted Leonsis.

Events DC will partner with Monumental Sports to not only promote the G League team but also concerts and other programs. Paul Trantham “The fact that we’re going to be in Ward 8 [will] be a catalyst for the city,” said Events DC president and CEO Greg O’Dell, “both in terms of driving development there, but also driving jobs for residents across the city, specifically for Wards 7 and 8, but across the river as well.” 4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com Roy Lewis, Demetrious Kinney, Daniel Kucin, Jr., Mark Mahonny, CIRCULATION Lateef Mangum

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D.C. Recognized as Top Ten Climate Action City

Seeks to Eliminate Greenhouse, Gas Emissions Effects By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer The District received another accolade for its innovative longterm commitment to combat climate change. As one of 10 cities honored Dec. 5 at the fifth annual C40 Cities Bloomberg Philanthropies Awards ceremony, D.C. won the Cities4Tomorrow award for its heralded Climate Ready DC plan. “Cities are helping nations reach the goals they set under the Paris Agreement, including in the U.S. because cities share common challenges, each of these winning projects has the potential to improve lives around the world — while also improving our odds in the fight against climate change,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, who serves as C40 President of the Board and the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change. “Congratulations to all the winners.” The awards ceremony, which took place at the North American Climate Summit in Chicago, highlighted 10 urban sustainability projects from around the world that represent the most ambitious and innovative efforts by cities to tackle climate change. “We’re proud to receive this important recognition for Climate Ready DC — the District’s

down payment on building a more climate resilient city,” said Tommy Wells, director of the Department of Energy and Environment. “We are honored to be recognized among so many leading cities who are taking local action for global results.” The award comes on the heels of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s announcement on committing to make the city carbon-neutral and climate resilient by 2050. By joining dozens of other C40 member cities in committing to becoming net-zero, D.C. looks to build on its Sustainable DC and Clean Energy DC goals to cut carbon emissions 50 percent by 2032. The District’s previous goal was an 80 percent reduction by 2050; now, the city will develop and implement a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100 percent in that same time frame. “Washington, D.C., is proud to be one of the many cities across North America — and around the globe — that is making climate change a top priority,” Bowser said. “Today, by making this pledge, we are backing up our DC values with action. It is in the best interest of our country’s safety, economy, and future to take climate change seriously, and we will not let federal inaction hinder our progress.” WI

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5 D.C. wins C40 Cities award for its commitment to combat climate change. /Courtesy of DC.gov

Join Washington Informer Charities for Nats Winterfest, returning this December 16 and 17 to the Washington Convention Center. Winterfest will again feature two days of fun, including games, children’s activities and special appearances by your favorite Nationals players, coaches, mascots and Santa! Don’t miss the highlight of the holiday season.

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Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to Winterfest to benefit Washington Informer Charities and win a chance to meet a Nationals player. Gifts can be dropped off at the Toy Donation area near the main stage. Each individual that donates a toy(s) will receive one entry form, and 10 donors will be randomly selected to meet with a Nationals player, take pictures and receive autographs. There is no limit to how many gifts a fan can donate. However, fans will only receive one raffle entry per donation per day. The meet and greet will take place late in the afternoon on Saturday, and each winner may be accompanied by one guest. Toy Drive December 17, 2017 to benefit DC Housing Authority For More Information or to Purchase Tickets, Visit nationals.com/winterfest NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Enter by 12/16/17. Open to legal residents of DC, MD, VA, DE, WV, PA and NC who are at least 18. 10 prizes will be awarded. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. Enter at the Winterfest will call table in the Convention Center or at the booth in Winterfest where

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 5 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

AROUND THE REGION

WEEK OF DEC 14 - 20, 2017

Source: Black America Web

DEC 14

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.

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1833 – William Augustus Hinton, a doctor and professor who was the first black to publish an academic textbook and developed the “Hinton Test” for diagnosing syphilis, is born in Chicago. 1934 – African-American teacher and businesswoman Maggie Lena Walker, the first female bank president of any race to charter a bank in the United States, dies in Richmond, Virginia, at 70. 1943 – Jazz musician Thomas “Fats” Waller dies in Kansas City, Missouri, of pneumonia at 39.

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1976 – President-elect Jimmy Carter nominates Andrew Young as ambassador to the United Nations. 2000 – Colin Powell is appointed by President George W Bush as the first African-American to serve as secretary of state. 2003 – President George W. Bush signs H.R. 3491, the National Museum of African-American History and Culture Act, which authorizes the creation of a Smithsonian Institution museum.

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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.

DEC. 20

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-year-old 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., of complications due to AIDS at 49. WI

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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.

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.

1865 – The 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery in the U.S., is ratified. 1946 – Stephen Biko, anti-apartheid activist, is born in Ginsberg Township, South Africa. 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.

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By Sarafina Wright

Rep. John Lewis decided not to attend the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum opening because President Trump was invited, calling the president’s presence an insult. What are your thoughts? CRAWFORD CONLEY / CANTON, NORTH CAROLINA

Why show up for a vile, underhanded crook? He has no clue what he will be looking at, or the tremendous sacrifice of the those who bravely faced down people who wanted them dead. Congressman Lewis is a living example. There will be pastors there to greet him, I’m sure.

LYNN CROSS /

Trump will make the event all about him. “I’m the greatest civil righter of all time, Martin called me, lots of people don’t know that but it’s true!”

GEORGE HAYES /

John Lewis not going to the [opening] is unfortunate. He is one of the most famous civil rights figures in the history of our country. Like the Olympic skier who says she’s not representing the president but the people of America, John should go. It’s not about the president, but what the museum represents. I hope he decides he’s above his personal feelings and changes his mind.

DENISE LESTER / WASHINGTON, D.C.

Rep. Lewis is correct! Trump has done absolutely nothing for Black Americans but belittle and insult us! He has no respect for Black Americans, whatsoever. Other than a photo op, and an attempt to make himself look good for the media, there is no reason that he should be there. A total disgrace.

BARRY JACKSON / KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Donald Trump showing up at that Civil Rights Museum is like the devil showing up in church. He doesn’t deserve to share the same space with Congressman and civil rights icon John Lewis.

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 7 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

AROUND THE REGION By D. Kevin McNeir / WI Editor/@dkevinmcneir

The World According to Dominic Why I Always Dreaded those Childhood Trips to Alabama The election for Alabama’s seat in the Senate has been resolved. And in what many see as a stunning upset, the Republican candidate, the highly-controversial Roy S. Moore has lost as an ominously dark cloud hovered over his head alleging his numerous sexual encounters and acts of improper behavior years ago involving several women and at least one underage girl. His opponent, Doug Jones, representing the Democratic party, has defeated the Trump-endorsed former judge, narrowing the GOP majority in the Senate to just two seats. Yes, the citizens of Alabama – the state where a seamstress took a stand on public buses, where four little girls lost their lives in their families’ church at the hands of extreme racists, where the nation watched as innocent protesters were mercilessly beaten while exercising their rights on a once innocuous bridge and where voters chose a staunch segregationist publically endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan, George Wallace, for governor, presumably in clear support of his mantra, “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” – have had their say. Now what? As the election reached the homestretch, polls showed that some 50 percent of the voters were less concerned about the allegations against Moore, if they even believed in the validity of those charges, than other issues that include: standardized test scores that are among the nation’s

lowest; infant mortality rates that have reached their highest numbers in 10 years and with black infants death rates twice as high – even 30.3 percent higher in some parts of the state – than white infants; jam-packed, violence-wracked prisons bursting at the seams at 159 percent beyond their intended capacity; tuberculosis, diabetes and heart disease that have surged to percentages which some health experts describe as “pandemic:” and a poverty rate that’s the fifth highest in the U.S., hovering near 17 percent. Of course, Moore has refused to concede and has demanded a recall which is his right given the small margin of victory by Jones. Meanwhile, the people of Alabama continue to suffer. During my childhood, my family, like the legendary “birds of Capistrano,” would return to rural Alabama every summer to the town where my father was born and raised, Camden, about an hour away from Selma. I looked forward to the summer trip about as much as I liked going to the dentist. But my kicking and screaming amounted to very little. Not with Dad running the show. To be clear, it wasn’t the fact that the small village whose downtown was a whopping four blocks in length didn’t have a McDonald’s, or a movie theater, or an indoor public basketball court, or a roller skating rink, or a bowling alley or a center for the arts or a quality restaurant or a swimming pool that allowed “coloreds” to dive in. No, what

made me dread those annual trips was the unavoidable specter of racism that colored every word, every action, every moment, every city and every citizen. Restaurants often refused to serve us and cashiers, rather than risking the chance of touching my mother’s hand when she handed over her money – would throw the change back at her with disdain. White drivers passing by my grandfather’s farm would yell obscenities at us – the worst being hurled at my sister, my mom, my aunts and my female cousins. Yet, on Sundays those same white Alabamians would smile with prayerfully-clasped hands eager to showcase their evangelical zeal as they proclaimed their love of Jesus – whether they had time to remove their sheets or not. Since the death of my grandfather during my teens and then my father’s death when I was 25, I have not gone back to the family homestead. I have not taken my two children or my two grandsons to cast their gaze on the birthplace of our patriarchal ancestors so they could better understand our roots. I suppose I’ve been somewhat afraid of how I would feel and what I might find, if I were to step back in time and revisit Camden, Selma, Montgomery, Mobile and Birmingham. But given the state of affairs and the numerous inequities that Blacks still face, more than 50 years since the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I think I’ll just be content with my memories – and not make any new ones.. WI

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Howard University Students Bring Holiday Cheer Gifts Send Joy to D.C.-Area’s Children By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer It is a huge task, but 700 children in the District will enjoy the holidays a little bit more when they receive gifts from the annual Angel Tree Project. The initiative is coordinated by the 100-member Chapel Assistants group at Howard University’s Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. For 18 years, this holiday project has received donated gifts and financial contributions from Howard University campus organizations, alumni and worshippers at Rankin Chapel. Donations have been collected since October. The Angel Tree Project is coordinated by Howard juniors Samantha Jenkins, a psychology major/ business assistant minor from Dallas, and Miracle Cantzlaar, a biology major/psychology minor from the Bronx borough of New York City. As time for distribution comes closer, Jenkins and Cantzlaar an-

ticipate the reaction from children who will receive gifts. “Oh, I’m thinking we’re just trying to bring some gifts,” Jenkins said. “But then I realize these gifts bring the holidays to them.” The gifts, which include toys, sports equipment and books, will be delivered to seven D.C. Public Schools, one day care center and two homeless shelters. “I can’t wait for a kid open a note with one of the gifts and see their excitement,” Cantzlaar said. To ensure enough help with the massive gift-giving project, Jenkins and Cantzlaar reached out to more than 600 former Chapel Assistants from Rankin Chapel. “Once a Chapel Assistant, always a Chapel Assistant,” Jenkins said. The Angel Tree Project is one of the many ways that the role of the Chapel Assistants has expanded over the years. Bernard L. Richardson, dean of Rankin Chapel and associate professor for Pastoral Care and Counseling, started the Chapel Assistants group when he came to

the historic chapel in 1993. As a unified campus activity, the project seeks to show others that the Chapel Assistants go beyond helping with the Sunday Rankin Chapel worship service. “It’s a collaborative effort, not just a Chapel Assistants project,” Cantzlaar said. “We reached out to Howard University students, alumni,

faculty, anyone who wants to help.” To promote the need of gifts for 700 children and to recruit for volunteers, announcements were included in campus publications and radio interviews were done. Project coordinators desired to show that Howard University is giving back to the D.C. region. This is Jenkins’ second year with

the Angel Tree Project. She knows that everyone will have warm memories from this years’ experience. “Kids just tell it like it is,” Jenkins said of sharing gifts with deserving children. “In five seconds, you can become a child’s best friend and that is so amazing.” Gifts will be delivered by month’s end. WI

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5 Naala Johnson (left) and Pearl Damanica, chair of the Angel Tree Project, present gifts to students at Garrison Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in Northwest. /Photo by Roy Lewisw

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5 Brandon Greene, and Pearl Damanica Chair, give some of the thirty five gifts to students at Garrison Elementary School, on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in Northwest. /Photo by Roy Lewis

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 9 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

AROUND THE REGION CAPTURE THE MOMENT

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5 Ms. Lever, an enthusiastic shopper at the BZB Holiday Gift Art Show, makes a purchase from a vendor during the annual weekend shopping event held at Shiloh Family Life Center in Northwest on Dec. 9. The shopping extravaganza continues through the weekends of Dec. 15 and Dec. 22. /Photo by Roy Lewis

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AROUND THE REGION

Grieving Families Turn Tragedy into Opportunities for Others By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer It has been two months since Meltony and Brandy Billie stood outside the Art Institute of Virginia Beach to announce the creation of a foundation and scholarship named after their daughter Ashanti, who wanted to pursue careers in the culinary arts. Ashanti, 19, a graduate of Dr. Henry A. Wise High School in Upper Marlboro, moved in August to the Virginia Beach area, where she enrolled in the institute and worked at the Blimpie sandwich shop on a Navy base in Norfolk. But on Sept. 29, the body of the young woman was found behind a church in Charlotte, North Carolina. A task force led by the FBI, Navy and law enforcement officials got underway, and a retired Navy veteran, Eric Brown, was soon arrested in connection with her disappearance. But instead of focusing on their pain, her parents focused on forming The Ashanti Foundation, their attempt to create a legacy on behalf

of their daughter. “With this organization, we will be offering one scholarship each year to a student from her high school to attend the Art Institute at Virginia Beach and study culinary arts,” the parents said in a statement. “Our plan is to offer this scholarship beginning for the fall term of 2018.” All over the Washington area, people have turned the loss of loved ones into promise through donations to medical societies, creating foundations and even donating their loved ones’ remains for medical research. Edgar Brookins also knows the pain of losing a child. Last month, the general manager of the Washington Afro-American newspaper buried his 25-year-old daughter Ciera, who died of lupus. “She was my baby girl,” said Brookins, who decided to turn his daughter’s death into an opportunity to host a recent fundraiser that raised more than $4,000 for the Lupus Foundation of America. “My son wanted me to celebrate my birthday that was coming up and I

didn’t want to. But then I said let’s have a birthday celebration to raise money for the [foundation].” Brookins was expecting a turnout of about 100 people for the event at the Camelot in Upper Marlboro, but roughly 200 showed up and donated $4,000, four times the goal. “It was empowering and it inspired me to move on with my life,” said Brookins, who himself is battling prostate cancer. “It was honor to see so many people. I didn’t know so many people cared.” In November 2016, the journalism world lost Gwen Ifill, 61, cohost of PBS’s “News Hour,” who died of cancer. Ifill was a former reporter for The New York Times and The Washington Post. She switched to television in the 1990s and covered politics and Congress for NBC News. Last month Simmons College announced that it was renaming its school of journalism as the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts and Humanities in honor of Ifill, who graduated from the college with a

communications degree in 1977. In addition to the Simmons honor, there are plans to begin a scholarship in her name at the Metropolitan Baptist Church. “Gwen was always for educating young people and her family told the church that she wanted that to continue after she was gone,” said the Rev. William Lamar, pastor of Metropolitan, who preached Ifill’s funeral. “At a time when real news is called fake and lies are called real news, it is refreshing to think of how Gwen was about addressing truth.” In 1951, Henrietta Lacks became an unknowing source for research after her tumor was biopsied during treatment for cervical cancer at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. As a result of the research, famed scientist George Otto Gey propagated the cell line named after Lacks known as HeLa, which is still used for medical research and the basis of an Oprah Winfrey-backed movie. But despite the scientific gains, Lacks’ eldest son, Lawrence, and his

5 Edgar and Ciera Brookins. /Photo courtesy of the Brookins family

son have mixed feelings about her contributions to medical research. “We are proud that HeLa cells have helped so many people,” said Ron Lacks, Lacks’ grandson. “There was a $40,000 scholarship in her name, but my dad is getting old and they have never done anything for our family.” WI

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 11 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Prince George’s Teachers Union Critical of School Board’s Structure By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill The Prince George’s County teachers’ union is railing against the current 13-member school board structure, particularly the appointment three members by the county executive and another person by County Council. The union will make its case for an all-elected school board Tuesday, Dec. 19 at its headquarters in Forestville. The union maintains that when all school board members are elected, rather than appointed, there’s more accountability with students and parents, ensures the superinten-

dent adheres to school policy and improves communication with the entire community. “We need at least a board to check the CEO on the administrative policies of teachers and the budget. Right now, we don’t have any recourse,” said Theresa Mitchell Dudley, president of teacher’s union. “We’ve got restorative practices going. Finally got a pay raise for teachers they haven’t had in a while, but it’s been a fight. You shouldn’t have to fight so far for someone who says they believe in you.” The union commissioned the National Education Association to publish a report on why all 13 school board members should be elected, but also to create a citizens

advisory council to offer suggestions on a myriad of school-related topics. Currently, ad hoc committees are created that lack consistency and historical context, according to the NEA document. The 12-page report highlights seven other school systems nationwide with at least 101,000 students from the 2014-15 school year, but countywide populations from the 2016 Census such as neighboring Montgomery County, Maryland, and nearby Fairfax County, Virginia. The document mentions the population in Broward County, Florida, of 748,000. However, last year’s Census puts it at 1.9 million. The median household incomes listed in the document are slightly less than figures from 2016 Census, except Broward County at $66,000. The Census recorded the figure at $52,954. Montgomery, Broward, Fairfax and the other county school systems — DeKalb and Gwinnett in Georgia, Shelby in Tennessee and Wake in North Carolina — all have elected school boards. “The chain of responsibility makes the superintendent accountable to board members elected by local citizens, thus putting the public in public schools,” according to the NEA report. “Voters in all these counties have the ability to choose each and every member of their school board. If this is standard practice elsewhere, why is it not in Prince George’s?” The proposal mirrors a similar

5 The joy of learning. /Photo courtesy of the Prince George’s County School Board

effort led by state Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-District 26) to introduce legislation when the General Assembly reconvenes next month to ensure all 13 members are elected. Prince George’s board has a 14th member, designated as a high school student, but that person is chosen by a student government association and cannot vote on budgets, school closings and personnel items. There must be a two-thirds vote to adopt policies and other matters, or at least nine members instead of not a simple majority. The current structure was approved by the state legislature in 2012, led by County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, to institute more responsibility to the county

leadership. Part of the vote also incorporated the name change of superintendent to CEO. Besides the teacher’s union, the county’s NAACP has expressed displeasure with the structure and leadership by schools system CEO Kevin Maxwell. Baker has continued to support Maxwell and his administrative team. The local civil rights organization requested a meeting with Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan this month to request state intervention to further investigate why an audit revealed some high school seniors who graduated the past two years had grades changed and high absenteeism. For the full version of this story, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI

Children’s Outpatient Center Coming to Prince George’s County By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill For decades, Children’s National Medical Center in northwest D.C. has serviced hundreds of thousands in need of intensive care and other specialty services. Prince George’s County residents can receive care closer to

home within four years at a $35 million outpatient center at the Woodmore Towne Center in Glenarden. The 60,000-square-foot building managed by Children’s National Health System will offer services that include dermatology, speech, orthopedics and even a sleep lab. “We’ve take care of about

5 A rendering of Children’s National Outpatient and Specialty Center, s scheduled to open in 2020 at the Woodmore Towne Centre in Glenarden. /Photo by William J. Ford

12 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

23,000 children a year from Prince George’s County, now those kids won’t have to travel,” said Kurt Newman, president and CEO of Children’s National, who added 2,000 county children received operations last year. “It’s really cool for these families to get their care right here.” Children’s National has expanded its reach within and outside the D.C. region with clinics, community-based centers and other specialty care services that include two in Southeast, one in Northwest and one in Annapolis. Next year, a clinic may open in the historic Takoma Theater in Northwest. Hospital, state and county officials held a groundbreaking on Dec. 6, next to the land that will be adjacent from Hampton Inn and Suites and Wegman’s. The mixed-used development welcomed a Nordstrom Rack in September. Meanwhile, Prince George’s

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officials have touted its own medical-oriented business. Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States plans to bring 850 employees on a 49-acre complex near the New Carrollton Metro station next year. The company serves about 150,000 people in the county with clinics and centers in Largo and Camp Springs. Kaiser, one of the nation’s largest health care providers, will become part of a $1 billion transit-oriented development project in New Carrollton scheduled for completion in the next 10 years About 10 miles south in Largo, more than 100 officials celebrated a new $543 University of Maryland Capital Regional Medical Center to service resident in Prince George’s and three counties in southern Maryland. The 11-story building will provide cancer and trauma centers, behavioral health services and teach future medical professionals.

The hospital, slated to open in 2021, will operate near the Largo Metro station and situated around thousands of residential units, a hotel and other businesses are under construction in the nucleus of Prince George’s. Part of the push for medical care stemmed from challenges with behavioral health, cancer and high risks of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The county health department produced a report last year that stated about two-thirds of county residents are either obese, or overweight. In 2014, Black adults had the highest obesity rate at nearly 39 percent. “We talk about how important of Children’s National being right here in Prince George’s,” said county Executive Rushern L. Baker III. “To have Children’s a stone’s throw away from the new medical center in the developing area of Glenarden is really fantastic.” WI

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY MGM Brings Jobs, Revenue to Prince George’s in Year One

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

After much glitz, glamour and the rings of slot machines, MGM National Harbor celebrated its first full year in Prince George’s County on Friday, Dec. 8. The $1.4 billion casino resort made several initiatives to become a good neighbor in the county, with two major goals: hiring minority businesses and ensuring as much as half its workforce be county residents. “We are seeing that it is a grade-A facility,” said the Rev. J. Allen Chandler, chair of the Local Development Council, which recommends where money should be designated in neighborhoods within a threemile radius of the resort. “One thing we continue to strongly advocate for is there be complete transparency in how the funds are being used.” According to MGM officials, here’s a breakdown on some current figures: • Spent nearly $159 million in contracts with 62 minority businesses from the county; • Made $6 million in renovations and other improvements to the former Thomas Addison Elementary School in Oxon Hill slated to open next year as a county community center; and • About 47 percent of the 3,700 employees are county residents that expect to reach 50 percent by 2021. “A year ago, there were 3,700 jobs that didn’t exist and now they are here. That is a big deal,” said Kerry Watson Jr., vice president of government affairs for MGM who graduated from Largo High School and is a former county police officer. “We have just outperformed and we are really proud of that.” Watson said a major figure comes from MGM’s contribution of more than $167 million in the Maryland’s Education Trust Fund, which the state calculates and distributes for Prince George’s Public Schools. One major concern from residents near the resort is traffic, though Chandler and county officials said traffic has flowed

much smoother since the grand opening last year. But Brenda Taylor, a Fort Washington resident says it’s definitely increased, especially on the major thoroughfare of Route 210. Fortunately for Taylor, she manages her cleaning company, TaylorMade Solutions, from home. One of her clients: MGM. “Before [MGM built] the casino, they made a lot of promises to hire people in the county and hire businesses in the county,” said Taylor, whose minority business has 15 employees. “I know there are a lot of employees who work at MGM and live in P.G. County, so I know [MGM] has kept their promises that way.”

FUTURE COUNTY IMPACT

Monitoring traffic near the resort will continue to be a top priority in the county, especially with road construction work along Route 210 near completion. Brad Frome, who manages economic development and public infrastructure in the county executive’s office, said in an email Friday there’s been a proactive approach to devise a traffic plan to decrease minimal disruptions. Residents can sign up to receive emails on major events at http://bit.ly/2A5YzqG. Since MGM moved in the county, it’s become the county’s top taxpayer with an estimated $32 million for this fiscal year, said Tom Himler, budget director for the county executive’s office, who added that about $7.1 million has been generated this fiscal year to use in communities directly affected for activities such as summer youth employment, renovations along Route 210 and grants to nonprofit organizations. The county revenue could gradually increase, based on figures from the Maryland Gaming Commission. The six casinos in the state generated $130.5 million last month, with MGM number one at $50.6 million. The casino has brought in the most revenue among the six operations since March, according to the commission. The more than six million

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visitors have not only spent time inside the 125,000-square-foot casino, but also stayed at the 300-room hotel and frequent the resort’s spa and salon, conservatory and more than two dozen restaurants and retail stores. The 3,000-seat MGM theater will end the year with a two-day show Dec. 20-21 featuring Bruno Mars, who appeared as one of the first acts last year. The last concert of this year will star Maze featuring Frankie Beverly on Dec. 29. Two days later on New Year’s Eve, the resort will pay homage to the 1980s with the Deloreans Band. “MGM National Harbor has created an international tourism draw to Prince George’s County,” Himler said. WI

5 MGM National Harbor celebrated its one-year anniversary with fireworks and a color-changing waterfall on Friday, Dec. 8 in Oxon Hill, Md. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

The DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA) REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS – INGLE FAMILY DEVELOPERS The DC Housing Finance Agency (DCHFA), located at 815 Florida Ave, NW, Wash., DC, intends to establish a slate of qualified Single Family Developer firms from which the Agency’s Housing Investment Platform (“HIP”) may enter into joint ventures or fee developer contracts to develop for-sale single family housing in the District of Columbia. For the detailed RFQ visit our website at www.dchfa.org or contact Keami Estep at (202) 777-1600. Deadline for submission of responses is Friday, December 29, 2017 @4:00pm ET. Questions deadline is Friday, December 15, 2017 at Noon.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 0004-2018 PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT SERVICES FOR THE DCHA JOB ORDER CONTRACTING (JOC) PROGRAM The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires Professional Consultant Services for DCHA’s Job Order Contracting (JOC) Program. SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available at the Issuing Office at 1133 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300, Office of Administrative Services/Contracts and Procurement, Washington, DC 20002-7599, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, December 11, 2017 and on DCHA’s website at www.dchousing.org. SEALED PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Contact Lolita Washington, Contract Specialist at (202) 535-1212 or by email at lwashing@dchousing. org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 13 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

BUSINESS Poor, Middle and Working Classes Slammed in Tax Reform

Obamacare, Medicaid Further Decimated in New Legislation By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The Republican tax reform bill that passed through the Senate is an insult to the middle class who will pay more taxes under “this scheme while the super-rich and big corporations get a windfall,” said Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, one of many Democrats to lash out at the measure. “Congress should be working in a bipartisan way to make our tax system simpler and fairer, but the Senate Republican plan does just the opposite,” Casey said. The Senate narrowly passed tax reform legislation in the early morning hours of Dec. 2 with no Democratic support. The measure was approved just before 2 a.m. in a 51-49 vote, and it now heads to conference, where House and Senate nego-

14 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

5 GOP tax reform hurts the poor, as well as the middle and working classes. /Courtesy photo

tiators will work out the differences in their bills, according to CBS News. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) was the only Republican to vote no on the measure. Last month, the House bill also passed with no Democratic support. Republicans gave Democrats and the public just a mere couple of hours to examine the complex piece of legislation before passing it. “Not a single member of this chamber has read the bill,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor before the bill passed. “It would be impossible.” The Senate bill permanently lowers the corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 20 percent. Tax rates will also be cut for individuals, though their tax cuts will expire after a decade.

The bill keeps the same number of individual tax brackets, although it changes what those brackets are, according to CBS News. The Senate bill also repeals the individual mandate under Obamacare, something conservatives in Congress have long wanted. The House version does not touch the individual mandate. The Senate bill, like the House bill, limits state and local income tax deductions to property taxes, with a cap of $10,000. The Senate bill increases the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000. Republicans — with the help of a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence — approved a provision from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), which expands a tax break for 529 contributions to K-12 schools. The Senate shot down an amendment from Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) to further expand the child tax credit in exchange for a corporate tax rate increase from 20 percent to just under 21 percent. The Senate bill is expected to add more than $1 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years, according to a Joint Committee on Taxation anal-

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ysis. The D.C-based Center for American Progress said the plan gives corporations a permanent tax cut while raising taxes on millions of families. They called the plan a windfall for the richest Americans: In 2027, nearly 62 percent of its benefits would accrue to the top 1 percent. Yet, many families would end up paying more at tax time. And because the bill would increase the deficit by more than $1.4 trillion over the next 10 years, it would trigger automatic cuts to important government programs — including $15 billion in cuts to Medicare in 2018 — resulting in additional burdens on working and middle-class families. The Senate majority bill also threatens access to affordable health insurance by eliminating the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate, which would drive up premiums by 10 percent in 2019, according to the CAP. Also, under this bill, all other changes on the individual side of the tax code expire after 2025, with one exception: changing the inflation measure used by the tax code to the chained Consumer Price Index. This change actually raises

taxes on individuals, since tax brackets, credits, and other provisions would grow slower than under current law, according to the CAP. According to the Tax Policy Center, even when benefits to individuals from the bill’s corporate tax cuts are included, 87 million families making less than $200,000 nationally would experience a tax increase under the Senate tax plan by 2027. Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) simulations provide state-level estimates on how many families would pay more in taxes under the Senate majority plan in 2027. “The bill rewards companies who outsourced jobs by giving them a big tax cut and may actually encourage more outsourcing in the future,” Casey said. “What’s worse is that this tax plan will trigger $25 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare unless Congress acts. Now, after creating a huge hole in the deficit by giving tax cuts to the super-rich, top Republicans are saying they are planning to go after Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.” Adding insult to injury, the bill also includes a partial repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which will result in 13 million Americans losing their health care while premiums increase for families across Pennsylvania by an additional 10 percent per year, Casey said. “That’s wrong and I will fight against it,” he said. “I will continue to fight for real bipartisan tax reform that helps the middle class. What passed [Saturday] is a big Republican giveaway to corporations and Republican corporate donors.” WI

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BUSINESS

Business Exchange

Why are Blacks Reluctant to Pursue Reparations?

by William Reed Ask blacks about the best ways to reduce racial inequality, and you’ll get a plethora of answers based on approaches for reducing racism, but nary a word about getting paid debts owe us from slavery. Everybody is talking about racism in America, but it’s rare anyone says a word about slavery and debts due us from that crime against humanity. The only man saying anything about the damages incurred on Blacks by slavery, was Rep. John Conyers — 30 years ago. Take a look at the truth: The best approach to reducing racial inequality is to get paid debts owed us from slavery and its aftermath. Advocates of reparations are bidding Conyers farewell and seeking new and vibrant leadership regarding an apology and reparations due us for slavery. Beginning with more than two centuries of slavery, Black Americans have been deliberately abused in this nation. It’s time for the nation to pay restitution. Conyers was supposed to get “proper payback” for descendants of slaves, but he and other entrenched members of the Congressional Black Caucus spent more time enriching them-

selves than taking care of their neglected constituents. Conyers pushed civil rights early on, but as he grew older, he fumbled and bumbled on the issue. Slavery existed in North America for 245 years. Its aftermath is in force to this day; however, contemporary blacks are more enthralled with assimilating in America than justice. Now, let’s say that for generations, your family and families like yours have been damaged by this country’s prejudiced political and economic system — by law and widespread practice, with the intent of benefiting families not like yours — those are the “white privileged” that should pay for slavery and harm it’s done. Conyers didn’t do a masterful job enabling reparations. Blacks must coalesce around leadership that seeks justice. While most members of the Congressional Black Caucus shy away of legislating and advocating for Blacks’ interests, Rep. Steve Cohen — a white man — is the one most likely to pick up the gauntlet for reparations. Representing Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District, which includes the western three-fourths of Memphis, Cohen has served that overwhelmingly Black district since 2007 and is Tennessee’s first Jewish congressman. It was not Conyers, but Cohen, that got the House to pass a resolution apologizing for slavery and Jim Crow. The Black Caucus’ leadership has got America into the shape it’s in. The CBC seeks mainstream district members like Reps. Mia Love from Utah and Will Hurd from the majority-white 23rd District of Texas, while rebuffing Cohen’s attempts to join, though more than 60 percent of the people in his Memphis-based district are black.

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After Cohen replaced Harold Ford Sr. and Jr. in Congress, he took on more Black issues than the father and son ever had. Why are blacks resistant to pursue reparations justice? In their political alliances, Blacks dance on heads of snakes, while they eschew legislation to secure reparations. When it comes to pursuing justice and leadership, many blacks are

more consumed with seeking affirmation and social acceptance in mainstream America. They should step away from partisan ideologies and tune into more focused activities to get just due. Sources of prejudice and discrimination are often rooted in particular historical and social contexts, and are shaped by institutional structures and practices.

Blacks have bought into the American way of life and its values and traditions. Instead of seeking to be paid, Blacks have bought into “big government” ideologies and tangent. Forget marches for government funding and assistance. We can get it all — between $6 and $14 trillion — if we organize for proper reparations. WI

Death & Taxes

By Aimee D. Griffin Esq.,

It has been said that the only thing certain in life is death and taxes. With that said, there are different ways that people approach those two things. When acknowledging the threat of death we know that there are people who participate in extreme sports such as Waterfall Kayaking and Ice Climbing as well as those people who play it safe and would not consider risking life through jay walking. When it comes to taxes, there are those who openly share their tax avoidance techniques and some who avoid showing their taxes in general (#45). There are those who quickly run to the tax preparer at the start of the return season and those who neglect to file taxes at all. Each approach has a consideration and a consequence, whether it is positive or negative. Challenging death through extreme sports will create a greater probability of not being able to buy new life insurance or possibly having your life insurance claim denied. Within the insurance industry this category of activity is called “hazardous avocations”. Those folks who may feel compelled to live on the edge or test the limits should factor the costs of living on the edge for not just themselves but their families. If insurance has already been secured, your life insurer can’t raise your rates until renewal time and can’t cancel your policy after the “contestable period”. Most of us live life more securely within the bounds of safety. There are those who take steps to delay the inevitable through healthy living and preventative medical care. Yet, even though it is unavoidable we don’t know the exact date or time which makes planning “just in case it happens tomorrow” practical. Having an estate plan in place does not (as a person said to me this week) make something happen. Taxes, too, are not the most pleasant reality. Yet strategic planning is the best approach. Most of us appreciate the services that are afforded us through the tax structure however we do not want to pay more than our fair share. We want to pay what the law requires. The Bible reminds us that “to whom much is given much is required”. While that may be challenged by the current federal administration I would say that there is more planning that is required for those who have more. Tax planning needs to be strategic. The more complex your financial situation is the more strategic you need to be. During this time of year we think about strategic giving for tax purposes. More and more people are giving to charity for altruistic reasons because they simply caring for the mission of the charity and are pleased with the tax benefit. There are more and more people who are not only giving to charity but creating a Foundation or Trust to direct the giving while leaving a lasting legacy. While you cannot deduct your donation of professional service to a charity there are some other things that you may be able to deduct in the spirit and activity of giving. Unreimbursed travel to do charity work may help lower taxes if you itemize deductions. Many of my friends travel both domestically and internationally to complete mission work. The deduction qualifies only if there is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation or vacation in the travel. For a person who has a side hustle in the entrepreneur space, there are tax benefits that need to be exploited for every advantage. Starting and growing a business is difficult, get all of the benefits that you can. Of course, we will conclude with considering how to insure that your estate plan avoids or minimizes any taxes possible. Setting up appropriate or available Trusts or other entities may serve you well if there is a taxable estate left behind. This is the great disclaimer. Talk to a professional to make great moves. Invest in a trusted advisor to make great things happen. Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 440, Washington DC 20015 www.thegriffinfirm-PLLC.com, 202-379-4738

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NATIONAL Black Women of Power Reject Victim-Blaming in Sexual Harassment Cases By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Even as Alabama Republican Roy Moore faced serious and years-old allegations of sexual assault by multiple women, the controversial judge won the support of the RNC, President Donald Trump and many voters in his Senate race this week against Democrat Doug Jones. From Moore to Harvey Weinstein, sexual harassment and allegations of assault have dominated headlines as hundreds of women — and male actor Terry Crews — have come forward

16 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

with complaints. In many of the cases, including Moore, Weinstein, actor Dustin Hoffman, TV host Matt Lauer and business and music mogul Russell Simmons, many years had elapsed before assertions were made. Weinstein was fired from his company and now faces a criminal probe. Lauer was fired from NBC, Simmons stepped down from his companies, and Hoffman and Moore continue to deny accusations. A laundry list of other high-profile individuals in Congress, Hollywood, the sports world and corporate America

5 Boston City Councilwoman Ayanna Pressley /Courtesy photo

5 Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief /Courtesy photo

have also either resigned, been suspended or terminated after allegations from the past have been uncovered. That has led some questioning whether individuals should be forced to step down or be excluded from seeking political office when an allegation is made years or decades after the incident. “My first thought when thinking about alleged victims of sexual abuse and harassment coming forward decades after the fact, is that when the act took place there was not a strong willingness to protect women at that time,” said Broward County (Fla.) Commissioner Barbara Sharief. “Maybe they felt they couldn’t express those things at that point in time. I believe that today, so many women are coming for-

ward because the times have changed and there are more laws in place to protect women who have experienced harassment and abuse,” said Sharief, who in 2013 became Broward County’s first African-American female and Muslim mayor. In general, the tolerance for this type of behavior is changing and has been changing over the past 20 to 30 years, Sharief added. “Based on my own personal experience of an older man sexually harassing me in 1988, I spoke up immediately and at that time nothing was done and it was dismissed and minimized,” Sharief said. “So I feel this wave of women coming forward now is just a sign of the times and that people are taking this seriously and that this behavior cannot and should not be tolerated.” Still, too many it’s rather stunning that, particularly in the case of Weinstein, those who’ve come forward include such superstars as Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd, Cara Delevingne, and the now-very vocal Rose McGowan. Yet, they remained quiet for decades until a little-known model named Ambra Gutierrez took on the powerful Weinstein. Gutierrez first gained notoriety in 2015 when she went to authorities to complain that Weinstein had sexually assaulted her during a private meeting in his office. Some tabloids at the time implied she was an opportunist looking to exploit a wealthy film producer, and she said she struggled to find work. It wasn’t until two months ago, when the New York Times published a bombshell report detailing a plethora of allegations against Weinstein, that Gutierrez saw vindication. “I’m very happy to see the world changing into something good,” Gutierrez told the New

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5 D.C. Council member Anita Bonds /Courtesy photo

5 Model Ambra Gutierrez was the first to take on Harvey Weinstein. /Courtesy photo

York Daily News. D.C. Council member Anita Bonds (At-Large), who has long campaigned for civil rights, social justice and women’s equality, said allegations shouldn’t be discounted based on how long it took for an accuser to speak out. “The issue of inappropriate behavior between two persons continues as a primary focus of conversation — we are in a pivotal moment and many women say ‘thank goodness’ for the #MeToo movement which is what many of us believe is long overdue,” Bonds said. “People question, ‘Why speak out now for an abuse 40 years ago?’ To which I ask, is there ever a time when a traumatic experience becomes less traumatic? No. “The experience is real the pain is real,” said Bonds, who earlier this year authored the Campus Sexual Assault legislation to help bring voice to the victim. “There is no place for sexual harassment, abuse, or assault in modern society. Both women and men should be judged on their merits.” For the full version of this story, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI

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USDA Prods Farmers to Participate in Agriculture Census By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

5 Hubert Hamer /Courtesy photo

The Census of Agriculture has begun and the top administrator at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in Southwest said it’s vital that farmers respond, regardless of the size of their farm or the color of their skin. “The Census is very important,” said Hubert Hamer, the first African-American administrator in NASS’ long history. “It’s an operation that’s conducted every five years and it’s the most comprehensive set of information in the United States right down to the county level, so it’s very important for decision-makers, producers and the like, and it’s the widest set of information available across every county in the country.” The current undertaking counts as Hamer’s first census since being named administrator more than a year ago. “The Census of Agriculture is very good for trends,” he said. “You can think about measuring the structure of agriculture and the amount of land

involved, and the number of individuals. It measures across all values of sales, the demographic makeup of individuals and the producers involved. It also looks at new and emerging trends coming into agriculture.” Among those trends is an uptick in black farmers. “We want to fully represent agriculture, and to do that, we have to have all of the information from all groups,” Hamer said. Between 2007 and 2012, census figures revealed a growth among a number of demographics. “Looking at the African-American community, we have almost 45,000 black farmers in the United States, which is up 12 percent from 2007,” Hamer said. African-Americans represent about 1.4 percent of the nation’s 3.2 million farmers, he said. The Census of Agriculture highlights land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, and other topics. The 2012 Census of Agriculture revealed that over three million farmers operated more than two million

farms, spanning over 914 million acres, according to a NASS news release. That represented a four percent decrease in the number of U.S. farms from the previous census in 2007. However, agriculture sales, income and expenses increased between 2007 and 2012. That telling information and thousands of other agriculture statistics are a direct result of responses to the Census of Agriculture, officials said. “Today, when data are so important, there is strength in numbers,” Hamer said. “For farmers and ranchers, participation in the 2017 Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future and their opportunity to shape American agriculture — its policies, services and assistance programs — for years to come.” NASS defines a farm as any place where $1,000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year. “We certainly hope the producers, farmers and ranchers providing the information use it for decision-making at the local level,” Hamer said.

“There’s a lot of interest on the state and local level by legislators to develop farm policy to make sure that if we have a disaster, we have a baseline of information to help support claims for disaster assistance.” Hamer, a former farmer himself, grew up on a small livestock and row crop farm in Benton County, Mississippi, a long way from the bustling city life of the District of Columbia. Like the agriculture trends that continue today, Hamer left the family farm to go to college, he noted in his bio posted on the NASS website. “I maintained my roots in agriculture with NASS by collecting and providing agriculture data to all those who serve farmers and rural communities,” Hamer said. “The Census of Agriculture remains the only source of uniform, comprehensive, and impartial agriculture data for every county in the nation. “As such, Census results are relied upon heavily by those who serve farmers and rural communities, including federal, state and local governments, agribusinesses, trade associations, extension educators, researchers, and farmers and ranchers themselves,” he said. WI

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INTERNATIONAL Compiled by Lauren Poteat / WI Contributing Writer

LagosPhoto Creator Talks International African Art

LagosPhoto, the first and only international arts festival of photography in Nigeria, is well underway with their eighth edition. Lasting an entire month, creator Azu Nwagbogu, currently stationed in Bamako, Mali, sheds light on his creative festival and relays the power and importance of beautiful African art: Washington Informer: Hello, Mr. Azu, I’m so excited to be interviewing you. Tell me, where does your inspiration for photos and art come from? Azu Nwagbogu: H i Lauren, thank you. I am not the artist or photographer, but the curator, and my job is to shape a narrative that I feel is prescient, timely and responsive, by working with artists and photographers. The theme for the eighth edition of LagosPhoto is “Regimes of Truth,” and I wanted to explore the notions of post-truth in contemporary society and photography’s role in this very urgent global issue. WI: How does art transcend race, gender, culture and geographics? Azu: That’s a great question and one worth contemplation. Art should never be censored because it is one of the safest spaces that allows us to negotiate, advocate, discuss and interrogate the most controversial issues in society without judgment. There is no culture, social class or social situation where art is something of a luxury. Collecting can be expensive and luxurious, but participating should be as free as possible. WI: As a curator, what would you say makes a good artist/photographer? Azu: Talent, curiosity and emotional involvement in the subject. WI: What do you hope to accomplish with this annual festival? Azu: My aim is to host the world in Lagos and present stories about the continent in a way that does justice to the people of the continent. A common humanity. Traditional Help Buttons

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WI: Great answer. Why is experiencing art on the mother continent so important and what role does African art play in our daily lives?

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Azu: There is so much misinformation about Africa and photography has been used to reinforce negative stereotypes. Ultimately however, we as Africans need to utilize these same tools to present another image of Africa — first for ourselves and then for the rest of the world, who are sometimes willfully ignorant. Our best artists are proud to exhibit their work in the U.S. and Europe and are conditioned to think of this as progress, so it is important that we control that narrative. In the past, Africans have been denied the ability to host cultural and artistic events for various reasons, so the rest of the world should be eager to show work, especially work made in relation to Africa or in Africa.

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Azu: Right now I am one of the curators of the 11th edition of the Bamako Encounters Festival, where I was invited by the chief curator, Marie-Ann Yemsi, as an exhibition presenter. WI: Great news. Thank you again.

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December Greetings From DC Office on Aging

Laura Newland DC Office on Aging Executive Director I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We’ve been hard at work planning the Mayor’s Annual Senior Holiday Celebration on December 13th at the D.C. Armory. The theme this year, Together We Thrive, celebrates community and the vital role all of us play in making sure D.C. is a place where people of all ages and abilities can thrive. And what better time is there to celebrate the power of community than during

the holidays? I hope you’ll join us, and I hope you’ll walk away feeling more connected than ever to the thousands of residents, hundreds of community organizations, volunteers, government agencies, and businesses who are all coming together to celebrate just that—togetherness. But community doesn’t just exist when it’s time to celebrate. Here in D.C. our community shows up for each other every day. I’ve always said that the District is a big, small town—a place where neighbors look out for neighbors, citizens are engaged, and government is truly of the people and by the people. This past year, we’ve seen students from D.C. Public Schools take a break from their studies to create thousands of handmade Valentine’s Day cards for homebound and isolated seniors. Notes of kindness, love, and support from students ranging in age from 4 – 12 years old were delivered across the city, and some were even hand-delivered by the Mayor herself!

And it’s not just the kids looking out for our older residents. Our seniors are vital to building these strong communities and instilling in all of us what it means to be a Washingtonian. We’ve seen more enthusiasm for volunteer opportunities and more residents coming to our office to complete Ambassador training to learn how to serve as a resource for isolated seniors in their own neighborhoods. Seniors are also using their creativity to help a great cause. Several of our Senior Wellness Center participants are currently hard at work creating unique handmade quilts and blankets for children and babies transitioning out of homeless shelters and into long-term housing. We’ll be proudly displaying some of these quilts at our Holiday Celebration this month before they are donated.

Last month, Mayor Bowser launched “Home for the Holidays,” a city-wide effort to secure permanent homes for 400 of the District’s most vulnerable households. This is an enormous community effort requiring landlords, residents, and stakeholders to work together to identify safe, stable, and affordable housing for families and individuals, many of whom are seniors. If you’d like to help, we’re accepting donations of new or gently used kitchenware, toys, housewares, and professional clothing that will help families transform these houses into a home. You can bring items to the Adams Place Day Center at 2210 Adams Place, NE. For more information on contributing, contact homefortheholidays@dc.gov. So this year’s Holiday Celebration is an opportunity to celebrate what

we have done together as a community, and what we continue to do every day for ourselves, and for each other. Thank you for looking out for each other. Thank you for being an example of Washingtonians coming together to accomplish extraordinary things. Remember, the holidays can be a lonely time for many. Reach out to your neighbors, spread kindness, and continue to show up for one another. Wishing you a peaceful and happy holiday season.

Ms. Senior America Pageant Carolyn Slade Harden from New Jersey was crowned Ms. Senior America. The 73-year old is a singer and former business executive who has worked with Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and other professionals over the years as a recording artist. Ms. Senior D.C. Francis Curtis Johnson competed for the title of Ms. Senior America in Atlantic City in October, accompanied by two busloads of supporters from the District. Curtis Johnson was one of 37 women from across the country competing in this annual event held at the Resorts Hotel. During the week of activities, Ms. Senior D.C. presented her talent, where she portrayed a disc jockey for a senior radio program, WFRJ 67.5 FM, and shared her gift of impressionism as she took calls from two senior women in a comedic skit. She also presented her philosophy of life, displaying elegance, grace and poise in her gray sequined evening gown. Ms. Senior D.C. is 68 years young, and is still employed as an assistant in the private sector. She also served for two terms during the Clinton White House. The MC Steppers performed during each day of the three-day long pageant, performing a different number each day. The first two days, the MC Steppers performed

Ms. Senior America Carolyn Slade Harden pictured with Ms. Senior D.C. Frances Curtis Johnson after the crowning.

tributes to Prince. For the finale, the group wowed the crowd with a mix of Uptown Funk and 24 Karat Magic. Also participating during the events were Toni Jackson, Ms. Senior D.C. 2014 and Billie LaVerne Smith, Ms. Senior D.C. 2016, who joined queens from several states as part of the National Queens Choir. The National Senior America Alumni Club held elections during the week, and Ann Thomas, Ms. Senior D.C. 2006, was reappointed as a member of the Board of Directors. Shirley Rivens Smith, Ms. Senior D.C. 2009, was reappointed as Parliamentarian. The District of Columbia was definitely represented during this year’s Ms. Senior America Pageant. Congratulations again to all participants.

20 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

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HEALTH

U.S. Senate Chaplain Galvanizes Faith Leaders in Trying Times By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer Neither the snow nor freezing temperatures dampened the spirits of nearly 200 pastors and community leaders Saturday at the Mathews Memorial Baptist Church in Southeast, where Senate Chaplain Barry Black offered a word of hope. As the 62nd chaplain of a Congress in which Republicans outnumber Democrats in both chambers, Black stands as a spiritual voice who does much than offer well-crafted invocations. On Saturday, he crossed the Anacostia River to preach and inspire a diverse group of pastors and community leaders that upstaged scrambled eggs, grits and fried apples at the Ward 8 Faith Leaders Network. As leaders from the Anacostia Coordinating Committee, the East of the River Clergy Police Community Partnership and the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative listened, Black began by saying,” You have to be careful what you ask for.”

Black, a native of Baltimore who attended Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, talked being a victim of discrimination in Alabama and in the Navy, where he eventually rose to the rank of captain. “You have to get ready to suffer, that’s where we go from here, praise God,” Black said. “George Patton said, for every ounce of perspiration expended in preparation and training, you save a gallon on the battlefield. You have to be disciplined. Mathew 16 says, if anyone come after me he must deny self and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Rev. Donald Isaacs, head of the East of the River Clergy Police Project, said the event was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1967 book, “Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community.” Isaacs said the groups are also organizing a march for next year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination, which the faith leaders will lead. “I want 50 ministers be at the front to lead that march,” said

Isaacs, adding that church must return to the days when pastors were drum majors and the march toward freedom and social justice. “Often we get so busy doing church work we don’t do the work of the church, and that is going beyond the walls of the church to help the community,” Isaacs said. The room was filled with white and Black faith leaders, Catholic priests and a Muslim imam. Rev. Joan Buchanan, interim pastor of Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, offered the opening prayer. “I’m really hopeful that we can come together with the faith leaders in this community and strategize on how we can come together for the future,” said Rev. Perry Moon, executive director of the Far Southeast Collaborative. In addition to challenging people to suffer, Black also said people must humble themselves, serve others, sacrifice and be honest and optimistic. “We have to be honest about

5 Chaplain Barry Black /Photo by Hamil R. Harris

ourselves, Black-on-Black crime,” said Black, who added that while he grew up on welfare in Baltimore and had to fight with gangs, there was a woman who took him into her home and served him hot meals. Even though the Republicans control Congress and have been pushing a conservative agenda, Black said he remains “ optimistic,” about the future on Capitol Hill because every week he convenes a bipartisan group of lawmakers who have Bible study and pray together. “How you travel is just as important as your destination,” he

said. “Be humble or stumble. Pride goes before destruction. Nonviolent, direct action is a humble approach, it’s not a suicide approach.” Black concluded his message by addressing the question of the event’s theme — “Where do we go from here? — with five key points: “Be on the road to optimism because God is still on the throne. Be willing to suffer. Be honest about what we need to do. Be willing to sacrifice. Be that drum major who is willing to serve.” WI

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 23 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

EDUCATION New Tech Lounges Take Off for D.C.’s Youth and Seniors Wards 5 and 7 Residents to Benefit

By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer Two computer labs in Ward 7 and one in Ward 5 specifically tailored for at-risk youth got a complete renovation in hopes to serve as model for how residents interact with technology in recreation centers across the city. D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced the unveiling of three new tech

lounges with the first launch at Deanwood Recreation Center in Northeast on Thursday, Dec. 7. Each lounge will have a separate launch event to showcase its complete remodel to the community this December. “The old concept of a computer lab is dead,” said DPR Director Keith A. Anderson. “Our new tech lounges are more comfortable and vibrant with bigger screens, and faster inter-

net speeds; making them destinations for technology, learning and fun as opposed to just a place to check email.” The new tech lounges are located at Deanwood, Riggs LaSalle and Hillcrest Recreation Centers. Each lounge boasts a 65-inch Smart TV, iPads and computers with 27-inch monitors. The décor includes cocktail tables and armless, low back chairs, with sofas and lounge chairs for a more sociable setting. “A tech lounge is a public room in which to sit, relax and interact with technology,” said Michael Tucker, DPR public affairs specialist. “There is nothing cold about this environment, even the new paint on the walls and carpet on the floor serve a purpose in creating the feel of the room.” The visual backdrop of the interior incorporates color-coordinated carpeting and accented walls with graphics. Recreation centers housing the lounges have Wi-Fi connection for better connectivity and the new computers have an e-gaming capacity. Beyond computers, tech lounge entertainment ranges from video games to board games.

5 First- and second-place winners of the Video Game Tournament at the launch of the new Tech Lounges at Deanwood Recreation Center in Northeast on Dec. 7 / Photo by Kenneth Stewart/DPR

DPR wanted to start their new wave of innovative computer labs in the areas of the District that need it the most. “This is just the beginning of our tech lounges,” Tucker said. “We want to make a difference in the community, starting with Ward 5 and 7 and connecting with at-risk youth. Dean-

Ballou Students Back Ousted Principal Amid Attendance Scandal By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer The tradition of the D.C. Council’s Committee on Education Youth Roundtable, which began more than 10 years ago, has long given District residents under the age of 21 a platform to speak on any issue they feel affects their education. This year’s roundtable coincidentally coincided with an ongoing attendance scandal at Ballou Senior High School, and students took the opportunity Friday to defend their principal, who has been temporarily removed from her post and their school. The students testified that lack of teachers and the use of unqualified substitutes, a punitive attendance policy, poor record-keeping and several other issues affect their education at the school. But they did not blame their principal, Yetunde Reeves for the issues that face the school. “We cannot go to a single class with discussing the issue and what should have been done,” said Ballou senior Ashley Good, 18. “We as [students at Ballou] feel as if our opinions have not been taken into consideration.” She said the investigation has caused a major disruption with-

in the school. D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson removed the principal at Ballou Senior High School from her post last week amid allegations that the school graduated students who were chronically absent and others who could not proficiently read and write. But students and alumni have rallied to protect the removed principal. Reeves had served as principal of Ballou since 2014, but was been removed from the school and reassigned to another unspecified function until the internal school system and Office of the State Superintendent of Education investigations have been completed. Another student said the abrupt removal of the Ballou principal has put a damper on school morale. “Dr. Reeves encouraged us to reach higher standards through her demonstration of integrity, motivation and her kindness,” said Ballou junior Francesca Thornton, 16. WAMU and NPR reported that the Southeast school’s administrators pressured teachers to pass students and allowed seniors who did not meet graduation requirements to get diplomas. The move to reassign Reeves came days after Wilson announced his support for Reeves

24 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

at a press conference. “We take this issue very seriously, and we know that policies must be explained clearly and implemented with fidelity,” Wilson said in a press release. “This investigation will restore integrity to the process by providing students, parents, and the broader community with answers.” DCPS named Ballou alumnus Willie Jackson, the current principal of Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School, as the interim principal of Ballou until the investigations are complete. He will return to Phelps once a permanent principal for Ballou is selected. Ballou students and alumni took to social media to defend Reeves, many using the hashtag #I’mWithHer, modeled after the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign slogan. “[Reeves] stands with Ballou and now it’s time for [Ballou] to stand with her,” said Tamika Hampton in a Facebook post after calling her one of the school’s best leaders. Others felt the removal was fair. “I see the current investigation as a win-win,” Karen Yvonne Lucas wrote on Facebook. Reeves gets to keep a job through the investigation while

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the school remains under the direction of Jackson. “Improvements will be identified and monitored for our kids, and equity will have to be once we push forward from this,” Lucas said. City officials have said it is too early to judge worried that Ballou students would feel targeted. “We are on the outside looking in,” said Council member David Grosso (I-At Large), who chairs the roundtable committee. “We want to make sure that the students at Ballou are not treated any differently than students in any other part of the city.” He also said that while it is important to determine who was responsible for the attendance practices reported from the school, people should not be too quick to judge the school or its principal. Fellow Council member and committee member Robert C. White (D- At Large) said he believed similar practices most likely took place at other schools and the current investigation into Ballou alone is “too narrow.” Amya McKoy, a junior at the school, agreed. “It always feels like Ballou will be the poster child for what DCPS fails to do,” Amya said. WI

wood, for example, had a barely-used teen room that was drab and uninviting. The most it was used for was to charge cellphones. “Our new tech lounge launched on December 7 at Deanwood brought in over 60 kids, which means they were off the street and doing something constructive in a safe environment,” he said. During the day, the lounges are focused on helping seniors navigate new technology. After 3 p.m., they become a safe teen tech hub. The new concept speaks directly to youth while still being accessible to seniors, DPR said. “During the day we see a lot of seniors, so it is very important to have them connect with new technology and this allows them a comfortable setting to do so,” Tucker said. “We have staff to help them and some facilities like Deanwood have computer training for seniors. We are looking to add more programming and are excited at what’s possible in this new space.” The next Tech Lounge launch events are Thursday, Dec. 14 at Riggs LaSalle Recreation Center in Northeast from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. and Dec. 21 at Hillcrest Recreation Center in Southeast. “This is an effort to move DPR facilities forward,” Tucker said. “This is a way to bring the community inside our recreation centers to experience the many resources and activities available. The plan is that each new facility, like Marvin Gaye Recreation Center in 2018, will include a tech lounge and there are more tech lounges to come at our current sites.” WI

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Oil and Natural Gas Industry Offers Higher Wages for Black STEM Professionals By Freddie Allen NNPA Newswire Editor-in-Chief

The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, recently hosted a panel discussion focused on increasing diversity and inclusion in STEM careers and in the oil and natural gas industry. The panel discussion coincided with the release of a new RAND report titled, “Postsecondary Education and STEM Employment in the United States.” The report, which was prepared for API, examined national education trends and the relationship between degree attainment and employment and wages, specifically in STEM fields. Jack Gerard, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, noted that the oil and natural gas industry contributes to the production of the energy efficient screens found on windows, the paint on the walls in our homes and offices, the fiber composites in the carpet, and the plastic components in smartphones. “We have to make our industry more relevant in those conversations, so that rising generations realize that there are vast opportunities up and down the continuum,” said Gerard. “So, we don’t scare them with the STEM conversation, but we teach

them that everything that they do is grounded in this industry and the opportunity within that space is very significant.” Gerard continued: “If we can work on this together, we’re going to see a lot of opportunities out there, because people will start making those connections between [the oil and natural gas industry] to things they take for granted and to well-paying careers.”

(TOP) (From left-right) Dr. Calvin Mackie, a motivational speaker and founder of STEM NOLA, Spencer Overton, the president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and Jack Gerard, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, talk about diversity and inclusion in the oil and natural gas industry, during a panel discussion at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA) (BOTTOM) (From left-right) Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA; Dr. Calvin Mackie, a motivational speaker and founder of STEM NOLA; Spencer Overton, the president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; and Jack Gerard, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, pause for a photo a during a panel discussion about diversity and inclusion in the oil and natural gas industry at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

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Today the natural gas and oil industry supports nearly 10.3 million American jobs. Many of these well-paying jobs, which are all along the skills continuum, require a background in one or more of the STEM disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. In the coming decades, the industry could create almost two million job opportunities. Ensuring that our industry’s workforce is comprised of the best talent from all regions, all demographic groups and every skill level is essential to creating the innovations of the future and continuing an energy renaissance that has made the United States the world’s leading producer and refiner of oil and natural gas. Visit us at PowerPastImpossible.org.

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DECEMBER 2017 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Washington, D.C. 20032 Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 news@washingtoninformer.com www.washingtoninformer.com

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It’s apropos that as we move through the holiday season, one in which many Blacks suffer from the “holiday blues,” that this health supplement addresses the problem of mental health while offering our readers ways to both recognize this challenge and to find ways to promote healthier outcomes. Research has long indicated that African Americans already face premature death due to health disparities that include higher rates of some cancers, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. But race and racism also significantly contribute to Blacks’ higher propensity to mental health distress. And because our community tends to assert that “only white people can afford to be human, be vulnerable and seek mental health care,” we are often prone to ignore the signs or to avoid treatment and therapy. Centuries-old archetypes project Black women as having nerves of steel and bodies that can withstand anything. As for Black men, we’re expected to push on and persevere, no matter what, until we simply drop dead or just give up. However, as Keith Washington, Ph.D., president of the Association of Black Psychologists emphasizes, “Racism

and our response to it kills us more than anything.” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health states that Blacks are 10 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than non-Hispanic whites. Research shows that as many as two-thirds of people with depression do not seek treatment and that Blacks are less likely to get treatment than non-Hispanic whites. And while the church is more often the place Blacks turn for mental and emotional relief, the average clergy person is ill-equipped to help one handle most of the “madness” that comes our way each day. Messages abound suggesting that we need to “pray harder,” or “have more faith” if we want to be healthy and happy. But the problems are often more severe than we realize and therefore require the assistance of trained professionals. As the theme for this supplement innocently states: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – the title from a popular song by the a cappella singer Bobby McFerrin released in the late 80s to rave reviews – such simple messages should not lead us to wallow in de-

pression and mental anguish. Rather, we should look for ways to “promote more positive mental health” – the second part of our theme. Sometimes, just knowing that you are not alone can make a difference in the healing process. We must, in effect, “open up to open up.” Further, we must not allow the stigma of mental health found so prevalently within the Black community to deter us from looking for and accepting help. So, are you ready to live beyond the pain? Are you tired of experiencing various cycles of depression throughout every decade of your life? And, are you willing to claim release from mental health issues so that you can reclaim your freedom? If so, we hope and pray that this supplement will put you on the road to recovery. You may also wish to visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness website for valuable resources, or call 800-950-NAMI. Finally, go to africanamericantherapist.com to find Black therapists in major U.S. cities, including the District. There’s nothing wrong with seeking help. You are not alone. Help is available that will provide you with a greater focus on methods that promote a life of psychological well-being. Enjoy the rest of your life. Enjoy today! HS

“Research has long indicated that African Americans already face premature death due to health disparities that include higher rates of some cancers, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. But race and racism also significantly contribute to Blacks’ higher propensity to mental health distress.”

www.washingtoninformer.com / DECEMBER 2017 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT

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Supporting More Positive Mental Health at the Workplace Stress in the workplace is a costly problem in America and around the globe. /Courtesy photo

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer Clinical depression has become one of the country’s most costly illnesses, according to Mental Health America [MHA], a more than 100-year-old community-based nonprofit located in Alexandria, Virginia. In October, the organization collaborated with the Fass Foundation to release a report called, “Mind the Workplace,” which included findings from a twoyear research project launched to understand more about mental health concerns in the workplace. The report found that depression ranks among the top three workplace problems for employee assistance professionals, following only family crisis and stress. Further, three percent of total short-term disability days are due to depressive disorders – 76 percent of those cases representing female employees. Officials at MHA say they recognize the psychological impact that workplaces can have on their employees. Millions of employees spend a large part of their lifetime at work, increasing the effect that workplace environments can have on psychological well-being, researchers found. MHA’s research, which counts as part of an ongoing commit-

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ment to uncovering workplace disparities and addressing the psychological needs of the workforce, also found that disengaged workers can contribute upwards of $450 to $500 billion a year in losses in productivity. “We know that employees who are overstressed and under-supported can significantly impact the people around them and a company’s success,” said Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of MHA, in a published statement. “Interestingly, our research found that recognition overall was more important than salaries in employee satisfaction – which means even small companies with limited budgets can improve workplace health and productivity by focusing on the individual in addition to the bottom line,” Gionfriddo said. Officials at the National Alliance on Mental Illness [NAMI] in Washington, D.C. have also provided assistance, suggestions and contacts for those suffering from workplace depression and other mental health-related problems at their place of employment. The nonprofit has launched a new video titled “Stigma Free Company” which they said could be used independently or while working collaboratively with a NAMI state organization or affiliate. The video provides information about mental health and walks participants through a group discussion to determine

ways to improve workplace well-being. Even, across the continent, workplace mental health has emerged as a major issue. In the United Kingdom, six in 10 people say poor mental health affects their concentration at work, according to the London-based MQ, which stands for mental health quality of life. Further, 70 million work days are lost in the U.K. each year because of poor mental health with $105 billion pounds lost each year to the economy. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, the leading cause of disability, with many of these people also suffering from symptoms of anxiety, according to the World Health Organization [WHO]. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion each year in lost productivity. Unemployment serves as a well-recognized risk factor for mental health problems, while returning to, or getting work tends to be protective. On the other hand, a negative working environment may lead to physical and mental health problems, harmful use of substances or alcohol, absenteeism and lost productivity, the WHO said. Workplaces that promote

mental health and support people with mental disorders are more likely to reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and benefit from associated economic gains, WHO officials add. MHA officials said, if left untreated, depression can be as costly as heart disease or AIDS to the U.S economy, costing over $51 billion in absenteeism from work and lost productivity and $26 billion in direct treatment costs. What’s more, depression tends to affect people in their prime working years and may last a lifetime if untreated, health experts say. “While much of the results of our research show that many people are dealing with high levels of stress, low engagement or specific mental health concerns, the results also pointed to some low-cost options that could make things better,” Gionfriddo said. “Not everything is about money. Workplace perks can go a long way in creating a healthy environment with higher levels of job satisfaction and employee engagement. Workplace challenges can be turned into opportunities if companies incentivize employees with workplace perks, particularly those determined to have the largest influence on workplace health,” he said. Harassment and bullying at work are some of the most commonly reported issues and often trigger work-related stress, said WHO officials who noted that

DECEMBER 2017 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

work-related risks to mental health also include: inadequate health and safety policies within a company; poor communication between employees and their managers; employees’ limited participation in decision-making or control over work; low levels of support for employees; inflexible working hours; and unclear tasks or organizational objectives and goals. “It’s important to create a workplace that prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of employees,” said Dr. Enes Kingman, who has worked in psychiatry for 27 years. “Yes, money can be saved, but more importantly, so can the well-being of humans which should be a priority for all.” The World Economic Forum notes that a healthy workplace can be achieved if there’s a concerted effort to protect mental health and reduce work-related factors. A healthy workplace which focuses on mental health promotes: adaptation to fit different needs; a greater balance between work and home life; the encouragement to address all mental health problems regardless of cause; the inclusion of research from comparable companies in efforts to provide support; a commitment to both providing support and directing employees toward avenues where they can secure additional help; and getting employees more involved in the workplace and supporting career development and creativity. With those steps, “a lot can be achieved,” Kingman said. HS

Facts About HIV/AIDS: Are You at Risk?

Submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia Since the 1980s, HIV has been a major health concern across the globe. People all over the world need to learn about the risks and dangers of the virus. That is especially true in the District, which has the highest lifetime risk of getting HIV and AIDS in the country. Statistics show people living in D.C. have a one in 13 chance of being diagnosed with the disease in their lifetimes. The good news is that there is hope. Modern medicine is better able to treat HIV, and more information than ever before is available about how to avoid it. World AIDS Day on December 1 is dedicated to teaching people the truth about the disease, but you can learn all year long. Do your part to reduce your risk and increase awareness about HIV and AIDS.

HIV AND AIDS

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. This virus attacks the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off diseases. Over time, HIV can destroy the cells

in your body that protect you from infections. There is currently no cure for HIV. Once you are diagnosed, you will have the infection for life. AIDS is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This is the final stage of HIV. People with AIDS have had their immune systems badly damaged by HIV and are less able to fight infection. They are at higher risk of being diagnosed with other diseases, like pneumonia, the flu, and certain cancers. Without treatment, life expectancy with AIDS is one to three years. Not everyone who has HIV will develop AIDS. A person can live with HIV for a long time without knowing it. It can take 10 years or more for HIV to become AIDS. During that time, a person may not have any symptoms. With the right medicine, it is possible for someone with HIV to live nearly as long as people who are HIV-negative. The most important factors are being diagnosed early and following your treatment plan.

HOW HIV SPREADS

HIV is spread by certain bodily fluids. Blood, semen,

pre-seminal fluid, breast milk, and vaginal and rectal fluids can all contain the virus. If a person with HIV engages in any activity that exposes those fluids, he or she could spread the infection. The two most common ways people get the virus are through sexual contact and drug use with shared needles. Sexual activity: Unprotected sex with an infected person is one of the most common causes of HIV infection. Most of the fluids that carry the virus can be exposed during sexual activity. If those fluids are able to enter the other personâ€™s body, the virus may spread. Anal sex is the highest-risk sexual behavior, followed by vaginal sex. It is rare but not impossible to get HIV through oral sex. Using condoms and practicing safe sex can greatly reduce the risk of transmission. Drug use: Sharing needles or syringes can lead to the spread of HIV. Blood and other bodily fluids can stay in the needle and pass from one person to another. Even if the needle has not been used recently, it could still contain the virus. HIV can live for up to 42 days in a used needle.

In addition, there are some less common ways to contract HIV. For example, HIV-positive women can pass on the virus to their children through birth. Blood transfusions, being bitten by a person with HIV, or contact between open wounds and HIV-infected fluids can also spread the virus. While it is possible to get the disease from one of these methods, they all are rare. Some groups are at a higher risk to get HIV. Statistics show you may be at a higher risk if you are: n Gay, bisexual, or a man who has sexual contact with other men n African American n Hispanic or Latino If you are not in one of these groups, you still could be at risk. No matter your risk level, taking steps to stay safe can reduce your risk of infection.

PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

There are many things you can do to prevent the spread of

HIV. And if you have the virus, there are treatment options available. n Practice safe sex: Using condoms correctly every time you have sex can greatly reduce your risk of getting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Reducing the number of sexual partners you have can also lower your risk. You can avoid certain activities, like anal sex, which carry a higher risk than others. n Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): PrEP is a medicine that can lower the chance of getting HIV in a person who is at high risk. The medicine can stop the virus from taking root and spreading in a person. PrEP is not for everyone, and is reserved only for certain highrisk people. For example, if you are HIV-negative but have a partner with HIV, you may be eligible for PrEP. n Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): This medicine is for people who may have recently been exposed to HIV. It can prevent infection after a recent exposure. It must be taken as soon as possible if you think you are at risk. PEP is for emergency use only, up to 72 hours after exposure. If you think you have been exposed to HIV due

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE H-4 to unsafe sex, drug use, or sexual assault, contact your health care provider right away. n Antiretroviral therapy (ART): If you have been diagnosed with HIV, there is still hope. There are medicines you can take called ART, which can help manage the virus. By taking medicine, taking care of your body, and getting help from your provider, it is possible to live a healthy life with HIV.

BE TESTED, BE SAFE

There is no way to know if you have HIV without being tested. Just because you feel fine does not mean you don’t have the virus. People with HIV may not show any symptoms for years. During that time, they could accidentally spread the virus to others without knowing. This is why having an HIV test is so important. You have many options for being tested in the District. To find a testing center near you, you can: n Visit gettested.cdc.gov n Text your ZIP code to

“Since the 1980s, HIV has been a major health concern across the globe. People all over the world need to learn about the risks and dangers of the virus. That is especially true in the District, which has the highest lifetime risk of getting HIV and AIDS in the country.”

KNOW IT (566948) n Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) These testing options are confidential. No one will know you were tested or your status. Whether you have HIV or not, you should always practice safe sex. Using a condom every time you have sexual contact is important in stopping the spread of the disease. There are resources for free condoms available in the D.C. area. Go to www.rubberrevolutiondc. com to learn more. If you have questions or concerns, AmeriHealth Caritas

District of Columbia is here to help. You can contact our Member Services department at any time if you have questions or need help making an appointment. Call us at 1-866842-2810. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, AIDS. gov All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model. WI

Know the myths about HIV/AIDS There are a lot of false ideas out there about HIV and AIDS. Sometimes it is hard to know if something is real or just a rumor. Get the facts about HIV here and help spread the truth. THE MYTH: You can get HIV/AIDS by being around someone with the disease. THE TRUTH: You can’t get HIV by hugging, shaking hands, or touching someone with the disease. You also cannot get it from breathing the same air, sharing a toilet, or touching the same objects like doorknobs. THE MYTH: You can catch HIV from mosquitos. THE TRUTH: It is not possible to get HIV from mosquitos, ticks, or other insects. THE MYTH: You can tell someone is HIV-positive by looking at him or her. THE TRUTH: The only way to tell if someone has HIV or AIDS is through an HIV test. THE MYTH: Straight people cannot get HIV. THE TRUTH: All people, regardless of sexual orientation, can get HIV.

I got a gift card for taking care of my health. You can too. You can get a $25 gift card if you: • Are an AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia member

Rewards Program

• Are 12 – 21 years old • Get an annual physical exam

Visit www.amerihealthcaritasdc.com/giftcard to learn more.

Note: Member cannot get more than $50 in incentives each year. AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

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DECEMBER 2017 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

Tools to Help Teens Navigate their Emotional Landscape Submitted by Children’s National Health System As any parent of a teen can tell you from experience, the emotion centers of teen brains are developing rapidly in adolescence, but impulse control is less developed – meaning a teen’s ability to employ good planning and judgment may be impaired. Even more worrying are the statistics that teen girls face a high risk of depression and that teen boys are more likely to take risks that most of us seasoned adults wouldn’t. Parents can help teens navigate this important time first and foremost by establishing a trusting bond before you and they are hit by their teen years – or as soon as possible if they’re already there. By showing them that you are a caring, open and nonjudgmental

resource, you can help them learn the skills to get through sticky situations, and make it through their teenage years as a healthy young adult with few bumps in the road. And if you need help figuring out how to help them, there are many resources available, starting with your child’s pediatrician or at a Children’s National Health System primary care center, including at THEARC. Here are some tips to get you started, from Children’s psychologist Eleanor Mackey, Ph.D.: • Make time to chat: Set the stage for your kids to come to you by letting them know you will listen and be there. Make sure they understand they don’t face punishment if they come to you with tough stuff. The best message is, “I’m here for you, and you can talk to me.” • Use open-ended questions:

Active listening skills are key here. Restate what your teen has told you, follow it up sincerely with an open-ended question like, “Wow, how have you been handling that?” It empowers them to think through the situation and know they can navigate it. • Make a safety plan: Make sure your teen knows they have a “free pass” or “out” to text you to be picked up from any sticky situation, no questions asked. Consider establishing code words for when things are ok and when they aren’t, so they know how to remove themselves from an uncomfortable situation without losing face with friends or facing punishment. • Take your child seriously and reserve judgement: Heart-

break and hurt will happen and teens don’t always tell their parents about it. This is a chance for you to let them know you are available to listen. When they do talk, don’t brush aside adolescent moodiness or “young love” as insignificant—it feels big to them! • Don’t fret about freedom: Know your teen and how independent they can be and show good judgment. If possible, give him or her a little bit of space to try their own way and test their independence. Evaluate what works, and if something doesn’t work, take a step back. Some kids are very responsible and others aren’t. • Trust your gut: If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t—which means it’s a good time to step in and help them by

practicing your active listening skills. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Parenting is a big job, and none of us are experts at it. If your teen is inconsolable or you are concerned about his or her behavior, there are people who can help, many of them close to your neighborhood. For example, pediatricians at Children’s National Primary Care Center at THEARC are trained to assess basic mental and behavioral health of children as part of routine well-child visits. If needed, the center also offers onsite mental health providers including social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists who are specialists in helping children, teens and families learn new coping skills and how to talk to each other. An expanded Children’s primary care center will open at THEARC in early 2018, making more of these expert support services available for more kids and families. HS

STRONGER IS THE BEST CARE FOR KIDS, RIGHT IN SOUTHEAST D.C.

The trusted top care you already know and love at Children’s Health Center at

THEARC is moving just across the campus to a bigger and better location! Our brand new location at THEARC will feature more space, doctors and programs

that help kids to get the best care close to home. Because at Children’s National, we don’t just help kids grow up. We help kids GROW UP STRONGER.

Convenient hours (including evening and Saturdays) for: Urgent care and illness visits

Check-ups, school and sports exams for children and teens Dental check-ups Newborn exams and breast-feeding support Hearing and vision screening

Immunizations and flu shots for daycare and school Evaluation and counseling for behavior, emotional and learning problems Special programs for childhood asthma and obesity and other childhood illnesses

OPENING EARLY 2018 AND ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS.

Children’s Health Center at THEARC 1801 Mississippi Ave SE, 1st Floor Washington, DC 20020 For more information: 202-436-3060 ChildrensNational.org

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CHILDREN’S NATIONAL IS #1 FOR BABIES Children’s National is proud to be named #1 for newborn intensive care in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals survey and ranked among the Top 10 children’s hospitals overall. What makes us the best choice for care in the nation’s capital? Expertise that’s focused on children’s unique needs and support for every family. At Children’s National, we want every child to GROW UP STRONGER.

Learn more about top-ranked care for children at childrensnational.org/usnews 1-888-884-BEAR

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DECEMBER 2017 HEALTH WELLNESS & NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT / www.washingtoninformer.com

‘I Can’t Stop Talking About Myself’

Celebrated Actress Jenifer Lewis Tenacious at Her Craft while Managing Bipolar Disorder

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer When Jenifer Lewis enters the room, her energy immediately takes over. That voice and that smile tell everyone, you’d better hold on tight. We’ve seen her in the Broadway musical “Eubie.” She formerly sang with The Harlettes, Bette Midler’s back-up singers. She proved memorable in the Lifetime film “Jackie’s Back.” Now, Lewis can be seen weekly as the grandmother on the hit TV series “Black-ish.” But even as a young child, Lewis felt destined to become a star as she recalls in her recently-released memoir, “The Mother of Black Hollywood.” After all, she’s always had a built-in audience that included her mother, grandmother and aunts each of whom have consistently

cheered her on. Lewis has long exuded a sense of confidence, recognizing what she has to offer and being keenly aware of how to land a desired gig. She credits her mother for instilling in her a good work ethic. Still, deep inside, she says she sometimes heard a voice whispering to her that caused her both anxiety and doubt. But she ignored it. “As long as there was a stage, I was ready,” said the multi-talented entertainer. Her talent and belief in herself could not be disputed during her recent visit to the District during which Lewis promoted her autobiography and participated in an interview before a live audience at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Northwest. What had been slated

The in-demand actress Jenifer Lewis has never been one to shirk from “telling it like it is.” /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

as a one-on-one conversation morphed into a 40-minute, one-woman performance filled with funny life stories about navigating the jungle of Hollywood, moving anecdotes about working through her bipolar disorder and heartfelt reflections about losing many friends to HIV/ AIDS. It was while filming the popular mini-series “The Temptations” that Lewis says she couldn’t take it anymore. Demons she’d battled for years and tried to nurse with alcohol could no longer be contained. “I had had enough,” she said. “I called my therapist in Los Angeles and said, ‘I’m ready, I’m sick, please

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help me.’ Those were the hardest words I ever said.” Lewis admits she often tried to ignore her disorder or manage it on her own by going to spas, drinking wheat grass or juicing – all while refusing to take her prescribed medication. She eventually realized she should not stop taking the meds because as she admits, “I nearly lost her mind.” Working with her therapist to face her bipolar disorder, Lewis also discovered she suffered from a rarely-discussed addiction: sex. “If you want to get well, then do what’s necessary,” she said. It’s part of testimony that Lew-

is shares with her peers and with younger entertainers when they appear be in trouble. So, with a heart filled with love for others, she says she instinctively pulls others aside and offers them her help. “But, if they ain’t ready, there is nothing you can do,” she said. “The only thing you can really do is live your best life. You’ve got to keep it moving. The fight is too big.” When it comes to addressing mental health issues in the Black community, Lewis knows there has long been a stigma associated with confronting such problems. She acknowledges the work that some Black churches have initiated which includes hosting regular meetings and providing opportunities for counseling. As for Jenifer Lewis, she’s keenly aware that remaining busy sits at the top of the list for ever-growing fan base. What’s next? She’ll provide her recognizable voice for a Disney animated series called “Big Hero Six” in which she’ll bring life to a character called Professor Granville. She said she’s having a ball playing the animated figure but notes unabashedly that Black-ish stands as “the cherry on top” of her career. However, whatever Lewis takes on, the supreme diva promises to always “keep it real.” “I don’t leave a room unless everybody is laughing,” she said. “That’s how I roll.” HS

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Getting the Care You Need When You Need It, Closer to Home Submitted by Children’s National Health System Finding the right pediatrician for your kids can be tricky. The doctor you choose for your child must be at the right location, offering the right services, at the right hours to fit in your busy schedule. It’s an important decision, and one that you should not make lightly. Many pediatric practices will let you set up an appointment to meet a doctor before you bring your child for the first appointment. The primary care doctors at Children’s National Primary Care Center at THEARC offer a few pointers to consider

when choosing kids’ pediatricians: • A pediatrician should always ask questions about your child’s general health, health history, and growth and development. A really great pediatrician also checks in on his or her school performance, emotional health, and general safety questions about home hazards, sleep positions, and car seats, for example. • Convenience. Is the doctor’s location convenient for you? What services are available so you don’t need to make multiple stops--dental check-ups, prescription refills, sick or urgent care visits. Make sure the location offers flu shots and

other vaccinations on site. • Know the hours of operation and how they work for your schedule. If you need early morning, late evening, or weekend appointments, be sure the provider you choose has that option. If you have to take off of work for routine check-ups, keeping the appointments can be hard. Ask if the office offers medical advice by phone or video. • Do you and your child feel comfortable with your care provider? Be sure that any care provider you take your child to creates an environment where both you and your child feel safe enough to ask

questions and talk about worries. This is especially important for parents of teens—find a doctor whom your teen might feel comfortable asking sensitive personal questions. • Check to see if the pediatrician is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If so, the doctor is board certified in pediatric medicine and keeps up to date on current medical knowledge in the field. Soon, parents and families in Ward 8 will have even more high quality options for kids’ primary care. Children’s National Health System’s Primary Care Center at THEARC will be expanding its lo-

cation in early 2018, which means more access to the kind of care and expertise that every parent wants for their kids. THEARC location will offer services such as dental care, urgent care, vaccinations, and mental health services in one location, with early morning, late evening, and even weekend hours to meet the needs of more busy families. The single most important thing for parents to remember when searching for a pediatrician is to trust your gut. You’ll know when you find the practice that works for you and your child. HS

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Yoga Can Yield Many Unknown Benefits D. C. Couple Finds Inner Harmony for the Body and Soul

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer The sweat that comes from hot yoga does a body good for healing and focus. At least that’s what students at Bikram Hot Yoga hear from its founders and owners, Omekongo Dibinga, Ph.D. and Kendra Blackett-Dibinga. The couple leads a team of instructors for their three yoga studios located in Riverdale, Takoma and Ivy City. They received start-up funding for Bikram Hot Yoga through the Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc., a non-profit community loan fund based in the District since 1987. Health benefits from yoga continue to be embraced by people of all ages with 14 styles available for discerning health advocates. Bikram Hot Yoga Studio features hatha yoga in a 105-degree room with 40 to 50 percent humidity. Also offered: hot

Pilates in a 95-degree room with 40 percent humidity; and Nidra yoga, a relaxing, meditative-style of yoga done in a non-heated room. Omekongo and Kendra say they gained an appreciation for the benefits of yoga from their individual aches and pains. As a former fitness Omekongo Dibinga and Kendra Blackett-Dibinga pose in harmony at trainer and runner, Kendra began their Ivy City yoga studio. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter experiencing knee problems and A key benefit from yoga: the vitality, maintaining a balanced mehad have a screw inserted. A friend touted the benefits of hot yoga say- achievement of body and mind tabolism; reducing weight; supporting that it enabled her to discon- calmness which contribute to overall ing cardio and circulatory health; improving athletic performance; and tinue arthritis medication. Kendra wellness. “To focus and stay in a yoga pose, that providing greater protection from says she immediately tried hot yoga is a form of meditation,” Kendra said. “I injuries. and quickly shared the benefits with Testimonials from Bikram Hot her husband, Omekongo, who had can tell when someone is distracted beYoga clients who started classes with been seeking ways to manage lower cause they will lose their balance.” According to the American Os- specific health issues routinely point back, groin and knee pain. teopathic Association, yoga has to improved wellness. And while Once on board with hot yoga, many health and healing benefits medical professionals do not cite Omekongo became trained to be including: lowering blood pressure, yoga as a substitute for treatment one of the first hot Pilates instructors in the DC area. Hot Pilates focuses reducing insomnia; increasing flex- directed by licensed physicians many on strengthening muscles and the ibility, muscle strength and tone; students have claimed to achieve a improving respiration, energy and decrease in blood pressure, weight body’s core.

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loss, overcoming depression and being able to reduce the amount of medications they once took. “We have students who have been in physical therapy or treated by a chiropractor,” Omekongo said. “Their movement has greatly improved. We even have a chiropractor who comes to classes at our studio.” Omekongo and Kendra have been married for 22 years and have three children ages 11, nine and two. They say that between co-owning a business and raising three young children, they have seen parallels between yoga and managing day-today life. “How do you stay focused to get things done?” Kendra asked. “I found with yoga, I became more focused. What once took me five hours to do, I am now able to complete in a couple of hours.” HS RIVERDALE PARK | 301-699-1300 6202 Rhode Island Ave., Suite 200, Riverdale Park, MD 20737 IVY CITY | 202-288-5745 1510 Okie St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 TAKOMA PARK | 301-270-4777 7324 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912

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Physical Activity Behind Positive Mental Health By Brittany E. Tillman, CHES Have you ever heard of the phrase, if you don’t mind, then it doesn’t matter? You put your mind to it and you can conquer any challenge. A positive mental state is a great place to reside and revisit when challenges of today can become quite overwhelming. One of the most effective ways to a keep a positive mental state of health is physical activity. Physical activity can enhance mental health factors such as, decreasing depression, reducing anxiety, improving mood, lowering stress, positively impact attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), improve memory and sleep. Research states that physical activity can directly affect a stronger sense of mastery or control over your life. Wow, could physical activity be an effective natural alternative prescription to mental health challenges without the side effects of pharmaceutical medication? Yes, of course. Studies prove that mild depression can be treated with physical activity in contrast to antidepressant medication. Furthermore, it can prevent relapsing associated with depression. Physical activity can break the habitual cycle of negative thinking by promoting calmness. In addition, during physical activity a chemical in the brain known as endorphins are released by the body. This morphine like chemical gives a person an energetic and positive boost alongside of reducing the perception of pain. Physical activity also can be used as an anti-anxiety treatment. For someone dealing with the challenges of anxiety physical activity can relieve stress and ten-

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sion, boost mental and physical energy and provide a sense of well-being by interfering with the constant worry. Medications like Ritalin and Adderall are used to treat symptoms of ADHD, yet physical activity can reduce the symptoms without the host of gruesome side effects. There are three neurotransmitters in the brain (that function as chemicals) such as, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin which are elevated as a result of physical activity. As those brain chemicals elevate they improve symptoms of ADHD, such as, concentration, motivation, memory, and mood. Engaging in physical activity doesn’t have to be boring or time consuming. Try activities like 15-mintue walks in the park, yoga, boxing, kickboxing, social activities with friends, or clean the house. When you are at work consider exploring your work building or the outdoor scenery at work, engage in social groups at work, join a committee, walk the stairs to relieve stress and if a gym is available near your job or on site look into becoming a member. Another scientifically validated tool to help cope with stress, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and depression is meditation. Take a moment at your desk, or designated rooms in your home and work to practice deep breathing and relaxing meditative techniques. Lastly, another option is to invest in super cheap stress relievers, such as, stress balls or what helps you get back to the place of calm and ease. Keep these stress relievers in your house, at work, in your car and other places you tend to frequent. As discussed there are numerous natural methods of improving mental health. Try and see which method best fits your needs to sustain a positive mental state of health. HS

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL We Salute Simeon Booker: A Veteran Reporter Who Risked All for the Truth The story of the Civil Rights Movement has been chronicled and retold by hundreds of thousands of reporters, scholars, preachers, teachers – even parents, grandparents and next-door neighbors. But very few risked their very life to uncover and share the truth behind the fight for civil rights like veteran reporter Simeon Booker did – the former Washington bureau chief for both Jet and Ebony magazines where he worked his craft to perfection for more than 50 years. Booker, who died Dec. 10 in Solomons, Maryland, at the age of 99 and bore the distinction of being the first full-time Black reporter for The Washington Post prior to joining Johnson Publications (the parent company for the weekly Jet and month Ebony magazines) in 1954, bravely accepted the assignment of traveling to the South from where he sent his reports that eventually reached millions of Black readers from coast to coast. He intuitively reached out to a grieving Mamie Till-Mobley after the heinous murder of her son, Emmett, in the summer of 1955, standing beside her at Emmett’s funeral, becoming a trusted friend and later braving all in order to travel to Mississippi where he covered the trial of the 15-year-old boy’s accused murderers. Booker had never been to the Deep South prior to the trial but he soon experienced the constant dangers it held for all Blacks, regardless of age. Still, he refused to return to the North or abandon his assignment until an all-white jury found Emmett’s killers not-guilty. Booker, years later, professed that he had always had but one compelling ambition: “to fight segregation on the front lines.” In fact, he would say, “I wanted to dedicate my writing skills to the cause [because] segregation was beating down my people.” And so, Simeon Booker remained on the front lines, in the clear aim of numerous, untold potential assassins, including the Ku Klux Klan. During one interview, he recalled that in order to escape death at the hands of the Klan, he had to hide in a hearse in order to secure a quick getaway and escape unscathed. The stories he covered, the reports he filed and the terrible examples of man’s inhumanity to man, would all bear his byline – and later become staples of the chronicled history of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. Day or night, he wrote down the names, the places and the chains of events that both shaped and changed America forever – also paving the way for Blacks to secure a modicum of equality in a country that claimed to be the “land of the free” but which has yet to live up to such lofty rhetoric. We thank our brother, Simeon Booker, for his many sacrifices, any of which could have easily resulted in a slow and painful death, and we salute him because of the courage he exhibited both throughout his career and his life. WI

Building a New Black Wall Street Along with the ongoing anxiety many Ward 8 residents are experiencing as a result of their increasingly gentrifying neighborhoods east of the Anacostia River, there is also a feeling of anxiousness for the amenities that similarly appear to be well on their way. The purchase and current renovation of the old Curtis Brothers Furniture Store on Martin Luther King, Jr Avenue by the Ward 8 Family Strengthening Collaborative is not only making way for a new job training center but the building will also become the home for the newest and first location in Southeast for Busboys and Poets, the popular sitdown restaurant owned by restauranteur, politician and radio talk-show host Andy Shallal who has opened five other Busboys in the District, Maryland and Virginia. Sit-down restaurants are an anomaly in Ward 8 with only three others including IHOP, Georgina’s (formerly Player’s Lounge) and Art-drenaline Cafe located in the Anacostia Arts Center on Good Hope Road. What’s also common among the three restaurants is that they are all Blackowned – a growing phenomenon among the new businesses that have located along the Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King corridors. This discovery has awakened residents and business owners, as well, to a new identity they are heralding as D.C.’s New Black Wall Street, an historical WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

TO THE EDITOR Students Real Victims in Ballou Saga I really feel sorry for the Ballou High School students who work very hard to graduate on time. Now because of this scandal, all of their hard work and their diplomas are tainted. I’m sure some who graduated didn’t deserve to, but with one broad swipe, all those who attended classes and worked so hard to fulfill their requirements are left to defend the work they did. Who do we blame? I will tell you who to blame: us, the parents. Yes, parents, we have to shoulder most of the blame. Just because we may have had a bad experience in school doesn’t mean our children will experience the same thing. We have to make sure our children are ready to go to school and that they actually go to school. Schools cannot raise our children for us! Next, I blame D.C. government for continuing the so-called union busting tactics of Adrian Fenty and Michelle Rhee of tying teacher evaluation to student achievement. That is definitely a recipe for disaster, the kind

reference to areas around the country where Black business districts have thrived. These young, mostly millennials, Black entrepreneurs are not only pushing products or services but they’re doing it with a cultural statement, as well. The area’s first bookstore, Mahogany Books, opened earlier this month in the Anacostia Art Center where a sit-down restaurant, an African-influenced clothing boutique, two vintage stores and a back-therapy center promote identity and culture. They are all Black-owned. Up the hill in Congress Heights

of disaster we now see being played out at Ballou High School. James Holland Washington, D.C.

Informer Outdoes Itself

Exceptional issue, that’s all I can say about your Nov. 30, 2017, edition of The Washington Informer, exceptional. The kind of coverage you provide to some of the very important issues concerning Blacks, not only in and around the Washington, D.C., area but also around the world, is exceptional. I know you and your staff feel you are only doing your jobs of putting out a newspaper, but for some of us in the community we see The Informer as a very valuable link to what is happening around us, which is presented to us in a very high-quality, thought-provoking manner. Thanks for all you do, and please continue your good service. Janice Shell Washington, D.C.

where a host of barber shops, a beauty salon, an athletic shoe store, several non-profit organizations, a cultural and performing arts center and The Washington Informer are located – all Black-owned – enlarge the landscape of Black entrepreneurship and job opportunities for local residents. Georgia Avenue is another corridor with a large contingent of Black-owned businesses, but in Ward 8 the Black-owned businesses are more concentrated and offer a greater presence, according to Ward 8 Council member Trayon White. When Black people complain

about gentrification, it is largely due to a genuine concern over displacement caused by the impact the process creates. But a few pioneering entrepreneurs have defied what others feared and put their stakes in the ground to serve the community. And the community is responding positively. There is a transformation taking place in Ward 8 that folks are proud to call the New Black Wall Street. These businesses will remain for many years to come, as will the residents old and new who will patronize them. WI

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 27 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

When Will There Be Zero Tolerance for Racism? Congressman John Conyers was the first politician to leave his job after the #MeToo hashtag galvanized women to speak up about sexual misconduct, harassment and more. Too bad that impetus did not float up to the top, when an avowed grabber of women’s genitals was elected to lead this country. Too bad, too, that the many members of Congress who have paid accusers out of a taxpayer-funded slush fund

have not been unmasked. We know some of the names. Texas Rep. Blake Farenthold (R) arranged to have his former communications director paid $84,000 (more than three times the $27,000 Conyers is said to have paid). He has not resigned, nor have Congressional Republicans, including leader Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), called for his resignation. He says he will pay the money back. Right. As a woman I am cheered by the #MeToo movement, although I am also chagrined by the myopia about women of color and sexual harassment/rape/more. In 1944, Recy Taylor was viciously raped by seven

Guest Columnist

white men who never paid a price. Our civil rights icon, Rosa Parks, was an NAACP investigator in this case, as chronicled by Danielle McGuire in her book, “At The Dark End of the Street: Black Women, Rape and Resistance” (Vintage, 2010). And the first case in which the Supreme Court ruled that sexual harassment was a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was brought by an African-American woman, Michelle Vinson, in the case Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson (1986). The high-profile white women who are talking about workplace sexual harassment and assault really need to

acknowledge the many ways that African-American women have been systematically abused and systematically ignored — and sometimes conspired against — by their white “sisters.” Perhaps I quibble, but this overwhelming stand against sexual misconduct (and more — getting nude in front of your staff is not misconduct, nor is forcible kissing, nor is grabbing by the you know what) makes me wonder when there will be a similar groundswell against racism and racial harassment in the workplace. Numerous cases of nooses being displayed in workplaces have

been reported in the last decade, so many that a law journal published an article titled, “Does One Noose in the Workplace Constitute a Hostile Work Environment? If Not, How Many?” One isolated incident is not enough, the article opines. What about one unwanted kiss, one abusive grope? Why do nooses get to be seen as “jokes,” while unwanted kissing is seen as an occurrence of zero tolerance? I’m not ever, ever, ever going to excuse sexual perfidy (and more) in the workplace, but I do wonder why

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By Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.

Passing the Baton

If you are like me, watching the Summer Olympics has always been a family affair. One of my favorite competitions to watch was track and field. Seeing legends like Florence Griffith Joyner and Carl Lewis made us so proud as they seemed to effortlessly run around that track and win the gold medals. The relay race was always thrilling because, while

each individual runner had run their hearts out, the Olympians had to work as a team when passing the baton to the next runner if they wanted to win; failure to get that handoff right could make the difference between a win or a loss. After seven and a half years at Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), I was recruited to lead one of the world’s largest associations, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and will assume the position of SHRM president and CEO next month. As announced at

Guest Columnist

our 30th anniversary awards gala, I am passing my TMCF baton to an actual runner in real life, Dr. Harry L. Williams, president of Delaware State University. I am proud of the work our team accomplished under my leadership at TMCF. While it is true that we raised over $100 million, including a record-setting $42 million-plus investment from Apple and a $26 million gift from Koch Industries and the Charles Koch Foundation, the thing that was always most important to me as TMCF’s president

and CEO was Human Resources. We had to have the right team. Every morning I came into the office knowing we had extremely talented people who were motivated to help HBCUs thrive. Whether it was our TMCF campus coordinators and talent & acquisition teams working directly with our students, our government relations team advocating for Black colleges on Capitol Hill and in the White House, or our revenue team making incredible partnerships and securing millions of dollars for the Black college community via

TMCF, our people represented the best in the business. That is precisely why I had to ensure this handoff to Dr. Williams was orderly, transparent and smooth. There are several reasons why TMCF’s board of directors found Dr. Williams to be the best candidate to lead our organization. His proven track record of successfully raising multi-million dollar investments and gifts at Delaware State University, coupled with his enviable

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By Odie Donald II

Strong Apprenticeship Programs Key to Closing Wage Gap breathtaking. However, as many have noted, this growth has not been equally beneficial to all residents. Over the past few decades, many American inner cities have seen an economic resurgence. Buoyed by millennials and people’s desire to shorten their daily work commute, neighborhoods and communities that were all but pronounced dead two decades ago now find themselves flush with new businesses and residents. This is no more evident than here in the District of Columbia, where the economic recovery of the city has been nothing short of

While policymakers and advocates search for answers and solutions to this problem, there is one time-tested and proven tool that should be a key part of any workforce development strategy-apprenticeships. Introduced in the 14th century, apprenticeships combine onthe-job training with classroom instruction, teaching workers the practical and theoretical aspects of highly-skilled occupations. Apprenticeship programs can be

28 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

sponsored by employers, labor groups, or employer associations.

education system and job readiness for high wage sectors.

Traditional apprenticeship programs have been primarily relegated to labor fields, such as carpentry or pipefitting, but there are a growing number of companies offering them in high skill/high wage fields, such as IT and engineering.

Urban policymakers should make a strong investment in funding apprenticeship programs that help those from their most underserved communities enter into career fields with strong earnings and growth. By providing strong hands on training in high wage/high growth fields, such as tech or entrepreneurship, policymakers can help residents who may not have received adequate educational preparation build key job skills and find stable employment.

While we understand that the wage and employment gaps cannot be completely closed until the educational and systematic inequalities in this country are addressed, strong apprenticeship programs can help bridge the gap between the shortcoming of our

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Furthermore, in a political en-

vironment where big initiatives can often be hard to implement, apprenticeship programs have long had bipartisan support. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that over 91 percent of all apprentices retain employment upon completion of their apprenticeship. Here in the District of Columbia, we have committed to increasing the number of registered apprenticeships through our Apprenticeship DC initiative. In September of this year, we awarded approximately $400,000 in grants to local businesses and

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WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Lee Saunders

The False Slogan of Right to Work: An Attack on Worker Freedom Today’s economy is rigged against working families and in favor of the wealthy and the powerful. That’s not by accident. CEOs and the politicians who do their bidding have written the rules that way, advancing their own interests at the expense of everyone else. Now, they’re trying to get the rigged system affirmed by the United States Supreme Court.

In a few months, the justices will hear a case called Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, which would make so-called “right-to-work” the law of the land in the public sector, threatening the freedom of working people to join together in strong unions. The powerful backers in this case have made no secret about their true agenda. They have publicly said that they want to “defund and defang” unions like the one I lead. They know that unions level the economic playing field. They know that unions give working people the power in

Guest Columnists

numbers to improve their lives and communities, to negotiate a fair return on their work while keeping the greed of corporate special interests in check. Union membership is especially important for communities of color, historically providing a ladder to the middle class, helping them earn their fair share of the wealth and the value they generate. More than half of African-Americans make less than $15 per hour. But belonging to a union is likely to lead to a substantial pay raise and superior benefits. African-American

union members earn 14.7 percent more than their non-union peers. The union advantage for Latinos is even greater: 21.8 percent. When unions thrive, everyone benefits. Wages, protections and labor standards for all working people rise. In New Jersey, my union has set up a training fund that provides young people a pathway to high-demand nursing careers. The result is not just good jobs, but a better health care system. In Minnesota, teachers’ unions speak up together to make sure their students get the

resources they need to succeed. Meanwhile, right to work isn’t just anti-union; it actually has its roots in the racial brutality of the Jim Crow South. The misleading term was coined by a Texas oil lobbyist named Vance Muse, an unapologetic white supremacist who thrived on pitting workers of different races against each and feared that they would find solidarity with one another. “From now on,” Muse once said of unionization and workplace integration, “white women and

SAUNDERS Page 50

By Rep. James E. Clyburn

Don’t Delay, Sign Up for Affordable Health Care Today for you. Don’t delay, enroll today.

The deadline to enroll or modify health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act is December 15. So, time is running out. Despite what you may have heard, the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land, and everyone must have health insurance or pay a penalty. Go to www.healthcare.gov to find a plan that works

Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to ensure all Americans have access to affordable quality health care, which ought to be a basic human right. Since becoming law, the ACA has provided health insurance for more than 20 million people who did not have it before its passage. When Congress was considering the Affordable Care Act, I spoke on the House floor and

Askia-At-Large

called the legislation the “Civil Rights Act of the 21st Century.” I gave it that moniker, because the ACA outlaws discrimination against sick people and their families. It outlaws discrimination against women, closes the Medicare “donut hole” and allows adults up to age 26 to stay on their parents’ policies. I strongly believe that access to affordable, high-quality health care should be a right for all, not a privilege solely for the wealthy and well-connected.

Despite the current administration’s ongoing attempts to undermine the law, sign-ups for 2018 have outpaced most expert predictions. To date, more than 2.5 million Americans have already chosen plans. This is a great showing and proves Americans want affordable health care. Discounts and subsidies are still in place and may be better than last year. In fact, 80 percent of healthcare.gov enrollees will be able to purchase a plan for $75 or

less per month. As the Chairman of the Democratic Faith Working Group in the U.S. House of Representatives, I have been working with faith groups from across the country to spread the word and articulate the good work about the ACA. This outreach has engaged the faith community in promoting sign-ups during this open enrollment period through

CLYBURN Page 50

By Askia Muhammad

Alabama, Mississippi … Damn!

The lyrics of the song introduced at Carnegie Hall in 1964 by the genius Nina Simone are just as true today as they were 53 years ago: “Alabama’s got me so upset, “Tennessee made me lose my rest, “But everybody knows about Mississippi, goddamn…” Alabamians actually boast, when folks complain about that state’s worse-than-Third-World living conditions: “At least we’re not Mississippi.”

Indeed, in every demographic category — infant mortality, life expectancy, literacy, etc. — Alabama ranks 49th of 50 U.S. states in every bad measurement. Only Mississippi has a lower quality of life than Alabama. But this month, in a bit of role reversal befitting only the Jim Crow South, Alabama stands to elect a creepy judge who would have been lynched several times for the behavior he’s accused of with girls as young as 14, if he were black. In Mississippi, a black man simply looking at a white woman could get lynched for a crime known as “eyeball rape.” But Roy Moore, a Bi-

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ble-thumping holy moralist who was removed twice from his position as chief judge of the Alabama Supreme Court, stood as a formidable candidate for the U.S. Senate, when he should have been run out of the state like Richard Pryor’s character “Mudbone” who had to leave the South to save his life. President Trump has a part in this drama. After backing his Republican opponent in the primary, The Donald has now gotten on board, endorsing and campaigning via robocall for Moore, who has been accused by eight women — whose accounts were corroborated by 30 more witnesses — of predatory, abusive sexual

behavior 34 years ago when the women were girls, between the ages of 14 and 18. White Republicans back Moore, even those who claim that evangelical Christian teachings and beliefs guide their lives. They would rather have a pedophile who professes the 10 Commandments, rather than a Democrat, or any other kind of liberal. Inside a recreated jail cell where civil rights workers were imprisoned in the 1960s, there was a checker board. It was made of bread given to inmates at the state prison, the red pieces were marked with blood from the beatings the innocent volunteers

endured. Near there, the president spoke. “The Civil Rights Museum records the oppression, cruelty and injustice inflicted on the African-American community,” 45 said. “The fight to end slavery, to break down Jim Crow, to end segregation, to gain the right to vote, and to achieve the sacred birthright of equality here. And that’s big stuff. That’s big stuff. Those are very big phrases. Very big words.” But the Pres was snubbed by many officials. Jackson Mayor Antar Chokwe Lumumba, Rep. Bennie Thomp-

ASKIA Page 50

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 29 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LIFESTYLE Maryland, Virginia Among Most Charitable in U.S. By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The latest World Giving Index shows that Americans are among the globe’s most generous people, ranking fifth out of 140 countries. U.S. donors in 2016 (the most recent year available) gave more than $389 billion to charity, with 72 percent of the funds coming directly from individuals, according to the National Philanthropic Trust. However, according to the District-based WalletHub,

Americans do more than reach in their pockets to help others. They also contribute their time — and plenty of it. Nearly 63 million people volunteer in the United States, serving a combined total of 7.9 billion hours per year, the equivalent of $184 billion worth of service. WalletHub officials said, in the spirit of inspiring altruism, they’ve determined the most charitable of the 50 states (excluding D.C.) by comparing them across 14 key indicators of charitable behavior.

5 Maryland and Virginia are among the most charitable states, according to a new survey. /Courtesy photo

The data, which ranks Maryland No. 2 and Virginia at No. 7, set ranges from volunteer rate to share of income donated to share of sheltered homeless. Best known for its high Mormon population, Utah ranked first for overall and earned points for having the highest volunteer rate, highest percentage of donated income and highest percentage of population who donated time.

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WalletHub defines charitable as volunteering and service and charitable giving. Researchers also looked at factors such as community-service requirements for high school graduation and public charities per capita. Utah was followed by Maryland, Minnesota, Wyoming and Wisconsin. Completing the top 10 were Washington, Virginia, South Dakota, Georgia and Oklahoma. Illinois was the top state for percentage of the population who donates money. West Virginia was No. 1 for the percentage of population collecting and distributing food, while Vermont has the highest charities per capita, according to WalletHub. Hawaii received the lowest overall ranking, also coming in last for percentage of people collecting and distributing food. When asked how the current GOP tax reform plan might affect charitable giving, experts said there could be various factors involved. “Certainly, those taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions may give less due to the lack of incentive in the proposed system,” said Siri Terjesen, the dean’s faculty fellow in entrepreneurship and director at AU Center for Innovation at American University in northwest D.C. “I don’t think individuals will stop giving, especially in the current situation with the improved economic environment. “My hope is that individuals will become more selective with

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 12/11/17 5:10 PM

their gifts and do the research in advance of making donations,” said Terjesen, who added that it’s her hope that charities will become far more transparent in publishing data on their websites about their expense ratios, and manage even more actively to this — with the result of becoming more efficient and focused on their missions. Dennis Anderson, a professor at Marshall University in West Virginia, said the GOP tax plan discourages and diminishes charitable given. He said the biggest challenges facing U.S.-based charities in the current economic environment is “competition, donor fatigue, and determining the authenticity of the charity.” Dr. Richard Waters, an associate professor in the school of management at the University of San Francisco, said his view on the tax reform plan as it pertains to charitable giving is that it likely would reduce the number of individuals filing itemized taxes since the standard deduction has been proposed to be doubled. “Currently only 30 percent of U.S. households prepare itemized filings,” Waters said. “But keep in mind,90 percent give. People are already giving, albeit at lower gift levels, to nonprofits without itemizing it on their taxes. “From what I’ve read about the proposals, the biggest impact would come from the elimination of state/local taxes, since that’s by far the largest segment that’s filed,” he said. For the complete rankings and more information, go to www.wallethub.com. WI

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LIFESTYLE

Holiday Activities Abound at The Wharf

All-Day Festivals, Snowfall, Ice Skating By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer Celebrate the holiday season with a boat parade, a 45-foot tall Christmas Tree and a host of festive events on the waterfront at D.C.’s newest premier destination. The Wharf in Southwest will be open all month long with holiday programming for the entire family including all-day festivals on the Piers, snowfall, ice skating and fireworks. Since opening its first phase on Oct. 12, the mixed-use, waterfront neighborhood has featured various free outdoor concerts and seasonal events such as Pumpkin Palooza and Thanks for Giving. The winter events kicked off with the lighting of The Wharf’s 45-foot tall Christmas Tree followed by the 26th Annual District Holiday Boat Parade – a holiday tradition and a magical night of illuminated boating where over 60 participating boats floated down the Potomac River with an eye-boggling display of fireworks as the finale of the parade.

The Wharf will also host a First Night of Hanukkah Celebration, Nog Fest and Christmas Caroling. The free events will stretch along the waterfront as well as the piers and will include music, festive decor, s’more making, crafts, seasonal beverages, guaranteed snow fall and festive fun that include photo ops with jolly Old St. Nicklaus himself. In addition to the five holiday-themed events, The Wharf has opened D.C.’s first ice skating rink on the pier. The Wharf Ice Rink is open every day through mid-February.

WINTER EVENT DETAILS

Nog Fest: An afternoon to enjoy a mug of your favorite seasonal drink or sample other tasty winter beverages at The Wharf’s Winter Waterfront Beer & Wine Garden. Saturday, Dec. 16, 1 - 4 p.m. The Wharf’s Wharf Street and District Pier Admission: Free

5 Bobbi Lancaster, fire pit attendant at The Wharf in Southwest, keeps things “fired up” during the new family-friendly center now featuring holiday activities. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

Saturday at The Wharf • Live Music by White Ford Bronco • Seasonal Waterfront Wine and Beer Garden on District Pier • Make your own reindeer antlers crafts at District Pier • Games: Mechanical reindeer ride, snowman bowling and more • Drink specials with participating restaurants: The Brighton, Kirwan’s Irish Pub, Velo Café, Kith and Kin, Pearl Street Ware-

house, Whiskey Charlie and Hanks Oyster Bar Christmas Caroling and Pictures with Santa Claus: An evening to enjoy the sounds of the season featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Visitors can also enjoy s’mores at the fire pit and visit The Wharf’s illuminated Christmas Tree. Saturday, Dec. 23, 6 - 8 p.m. The Wharf neighborhood along

Wharf Street from Blair Alley SW to 7th Street SW Admission: Free Saturday at The Wharf • Live Performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC • Photos with Santa at The Wharf’s Christmas Tree • S’mores at The Wharf fire pit For more upcoming events visit www.wharfdc.com/upcoming-events. WI

TV One Cancels Roland Martin’s ‘NewsOne Now’ By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The only news program geared toward African-Americans is no more. TV One is canceling Roland Martin’s morning show “NewsOne Now” due to budget cuts. “They called a meeting on Wednesday [Dec. 6] and told the staff they were canceling the show,” a source told the New York Post’s Page Six. “They’re having significant financial problems and they have to scale back.” TV One interim General Manager Michelle Rice reportedly announced the decision in an internal memo: “After four years of award-winning programming and distinguished service to our viewers as the only black daily newscast on television, the network has made the difficult decision to suspend the production of NewsOne Now as a daily morning news

show. While we will continue our long-standing partnership with Roland Martin to ensure his important voice can be heard across all Urban One platforms examining issues of importance to the black community, we regret this decision adversely affects several of our valued colleagues whose positions will be eliminated with the suspension of the show.” The last live show is scheduled for Dec. 21, the memo said. Martin and staffers were stunned by the decision to end the show, which had just expanded to two hours in September, Page Six reported. “There were lots of tears. ... The staff was completely caught off guard,” the source said. Neither Martin nor his producers returned calls to The Washington Informer seeking comment, but Martin confirmed the news in a subsequent tweet. TV One management also did not return messages.

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The news caught many off guard, including several high-profile contemporaries who took to social media to voice their displeasure. “Maybe if the viewers make enough noise, TV One will reconsider canceling Roland Martin’s NewsOne Now,” said journalist Jawn Murray. “The only news show geared toward African-Americans — and ditch the dozen or so black crime shows they air.” Tariq Nasheed, film producer and media personality, simply tweeted, “Damn…TV One just canceled Roland Martin’s NewsOne show.” Gregory H. Lee Jr., editorial director of NBA.com and former president of the National Association of Black Journalists, called the decision “just crazy.” “Roland Martin morning show had real substance and covered the issues of our community,” Lee tweeted. WI

5 Roland Martin /Courtesy photo

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 31 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LIFESTYLE 20:t. 7

Church For Black Men Coming to D.C.

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s�., o� :t. 7., 20:1. 7., � 5 PM This celebration shares the joy of the season through a choreographed presentation of dance, drama and music featuring nationally renowned and local artists.

Performances by: Jay/a Anderson, Nationally Ranked Competitive Dancer Gwendolyn Briley-Strand, Actor, Film, Theatre & Television Francese Brooks, National Recording Artist & Kennedy Center Peiformer Marie Little, Vocalist and FBC First Lady Donnell Owens, Praise and Worship Leader ElderJason Woods, Anointed Saxophonist Harold Watson, Accomplished Instrumentalist FBC Combined Choir, FBC Liturgical Dance Team,

FBC Youth and Young Adult Choir

32 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer In 2018, Black men in the District will have a new kind of church, strictly ran and attended by them. Black Lives Matter activist and Christian pastor Jomo Kenyatta Johnson announced Monday, Nov. 27 that he has founded a new denomination of at-home churches, aptly named “Church For Black Men.” “With Black Lives Matter Savannah I was one of the founding members and I’m directing it until Jan. 31, so that I can focus on Church For Black Men,” Johnson said. “The vision came last year but took some time to formulate.” Johnson spent four years in the predominantly White Presbyterian Church of America, which ultimately led him to Black Lives Matter and then a ministry that centered Black men. “So I’m one of few African-Americans who graduated from Westminster Seminary. That kind of thrust me into this upper-class, White conservative Christian bubble,” he said. “That kind of exposed me to interacting with Caucasians in a ecclesiastical sense.” A few years ago, the Presbyterian Church of America hired Johnson to start a Black church in Savannah, Georgia, but he ran into a few problems. “I was hired by White Presbyterians to start a Black church,” he said. “As I began to form relationships with this white church, I realized they didn’t really want a Black church, they wanted, if I could use the terminology, a ‘White-Black’ church. “They wanted upper-class blacks without socio-economic issues,”

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5 Jomo Kenyatta Johnson, pastor and founder of Church For Black Men, is bringing a new ministry to D.C. /Courtesy of Jomo Kenyatta Johnson

Johnson said. “That kind of created a divide and showed me that they didn’t want Blacks with problems. They wanted the Herman Cain, Ben Carson types.” Johnson said that he had been basically a Black guy working for a White church, which sparked some critical thinking. “Eventually that didn’t work out and that really kind of left me to understand what direction I should go in,” he said. “If the church wasn’t the route to reach people, how could I still help? That’s what led to my involvement in Black Lives Matter. Working with Black Lives Matter Savannah really allowed me to engage and interact with people who I normally wouldn’t. “I had been in a conservative Christian bubble,” he said. “Not a lot of LGBT relationships or with poor African-Americans. Advocating for the people that we did it allowed me to wake up and broaden my perspective.” Johnson said that after a year of

trying to work with churches in the area with little success, he figured out why Black men primarily between 18-34 weren’t coming to church. “I discovered that the reason that Black men primarily weren’t coming to church was because the church was focused on money, secondly a ‘come to us’ model. That model is not quite biblical,” he said. “The idea and hypothesis for Church for Black men is you’re not meeting in a building, but you’re actually meeting at homes, then you’re removing the financial aspect where there is no offering and then, thirdly, you’re able and willing to speak on political things that often times lead to Black oppression. “Those three factors led to the formation and the desire to launch a denomination church for Black men,” he said. Johnson who pastored Philly Open Air Church from 2010-2014 in Philadelphia, will deliver the livestream broadcast message to his virtual congregants and the house-host will then facilitate a discussion and application of the message. “We’re training individuals to open up their homes in various cities,” he said. “Once they’re trained, we help them to recruit people to open up their homes for time of discussion, meeting, eating and fellowship.” Church for Black Men will launch its first Sunday Home Meeting on Feb. 4 in D.C., Memphis, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta. Johnson emphasized that Church for Black Men has no connection with Black Lives Matter, but some of its principles. “My experience with them has allowed me to formulate some of the ideas we have,” he said. “One of the things where there is a connection between Black Lives Matter and us is that we are LGBT-friendly.” WI

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D.C. Council Passes Law Limiting Shelter Access for Homeless By Lauren Poteat WI Contributing Writer Homeless populations in D.C. may be getting hit with even more bad news just days before the holidays. On a 10-2 vote, the D.C. Council on Dec. 5 passed legislation that would require homeless people to provide documentation proving previous D.C. residency before entering the city’s shelters. The Homeless Services Reform Amendment Act has been described by city officials as a series of necessary and largely technical reforms to ensure that homeless individuals and families have access to shelter in dire emergencies, but are otherwise steered to more permanent housing options that offer them more stability and are less expensive for the city. However, the most the controversial portion of the bill has been the legal requirement that D.C. provide homeless individuals and families space in a shelter on nights when the temperature falls below freezing, making the capitol only one of three jurisdictions in the country to have this.

“We want to make sure we are serving District residents first as a priority, and we need the law to allow us to do that so that we’re not trying to meet a larger national and regional affordable housing need but we are first focusing on residents who have no other place to go,” said Laura Zeilinger, director of D.C.’s Department of Human Services. Councilman Trayon White Sr. voted against the bill originally proposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. “More than half of the population of families in our families shelter come from Wards 7 and 8,” White said. “I voted against this bill because it’s a bad bill. It took 11 amendments suggested by at least six members. I could not see how his bill would fundamentally make homeless services better. The District was quick to put hundreds of thousands of dollars to declare D.C. as a sanctuary city, but services for our own legal residents are neglected every day.” David Grosso (I-At Large), who also voted against the bill, agreed it was a bad choice. “We are a city that has lots of

money in savings,” he said. “At some point we all have to take a deep breath and draw a line, and we need to invest [money] in people. I think we have an obligation as elected officials to stand up for the people who most need us to stand up for them, and that means we need to be investing in homeless services.” With an estimated 7,000 homeless people living in D.C., including 1,100 families, the fate of many disenfranchised residents remain in the air. Council member Brandon T. Todd (D-Ward 4) was absent during the Dec. 5 vote. WI 5 D.C.’s Homeless Services Reform Amendment Act passed on Dec. 5. / Courtesy of humanevents.com

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could still win over voters. Trump campaigned hard for Moore, recording robo-calls for the former judge and convincing the Republican Party to financially back him. Still, as of early Wednesday with Trump predictably distancing himself from Moore, the defeated judge refused to concede. “Realizing when the vote is this close, it’s not over,” Moore said. “And, we still got to go by the rules about this recount provision. It’s not over and it’s going to take some time,” he said. However, Trump took to social media to say he should never have supported Moore. “The reason I originally endorsed Luther Strange and his numbers went up mightily, is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election. I was right,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him.” The president did congratulate Jones. “Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard-fought victory. The writein votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win,” Trump said. “The people of Alabama are great, and the Republicans will have another shot at this seat in a very short period of time. It never ends!” On social media, #RoyMoore trended all day on Twitter with some straight-forward and emotional posts. “That White Supremacist #RoyMoore rode in on a horse to vote. Kudos to him,” said Greg Carr, chair of Howard University’s Department of Afro-American studies and frequent guest on “NewsOne Now” on TV One. “As White Supremacy dies, this is what it looks like. It won’t go without a fight. Bannon. Trump. Moore. All of their comrades and enablers. They’re daring humanity to respond,” Carr added. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) had the following post retweeted more than 30,000 times. “Another #RoyMoore supporter just called my office posing as an @ AP reporter. Once their cover was blown they started screaming; called me and my staff the n-word and other racial slurs,” she said. “I won’t be intimidated. I won’t stop speaking out. You will not shut me down. Believe it,” she said. The Rev. Tony Lee, pastor of Community of Hope AME Church in Temple Hills, Maryland, traveled to Alabama to support a friend committed to mobilizing voters. “In the black belt of Alabama with my sister @mslatoshabrown and her team,” Lee said. “They have been doing an amazing job getting folks to

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“Congratulations to Doug Jones on a hard-fought victory. The write-in votes played a very big factor, but a win is a win.” PRESIDENT TRUMP these polls #Alabama.” Already facing numerous accusations of pedophilia, Moore in recent weeks further aligned himself with the old South with racially-insensitive comments. When asked by a reporter to explain the last time America could be viewed as great, Moore didn’t hesitate to respond with vitriol that seemed to out-Trump the president’s comments during his time on the campaign trail. “I think it was great at the time when families were united – even though we had slavery. They cared for one another,” Moore said. “People were strong in the families. Our families were strong. Our country had a direction.” Later, he added: “The greatness I see was in our culture, not in all our policies. There were problems. We had slavery; we’ve overcome slavery. We’ve had prejudice; we still have prejudice. But we’ve turned the tide on civil rights. And we’ve done a lot of things to bring this country around and I think we can still make it better.” Moore’s wife, Kayla, even got into the controversial fray. One day before the election, Kayla Moore argued that her husband should not be viewed as a bigot. “One of our attorneys is a Jew,” she said. “Fake news would tell you that we don’t care for Jews. And I tell you all this because I’ve seen it and I just want to set the record straight while they’re here,” she said. “We have very close friends that are Jewish and rabbis and we also fellowship with them,” she said. Moore has never been one to avoid controversy. Even before the allegations of pursuing sexual relationships with teens, Moore emerged as the most controversial major-party Senate nominee in recent memory, according to CNN. He found himself booted in her previous position as an Alabama Supreme Court chief justice after refusing to remove a two-ton statue of the Ten Commandments he’d ordered

placed on state property. He later got the job back at the behest of voters, but then lost his post once again in 2016 for refusing to institute the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage. The Republican candidate has said homosexual activity should be illegal and argued against removing segregationist language from the state constitution. One of Moore’s accusers said he molested her when she was 14. Another says he tried to rape her. But, Trump and the GOP still threw their support behind him. Fifty percent of voters said the allegations against Moore were definitely or probably true, while somewhat fewer, 44 percent, saw them as definitely or probably false, according to preliminary exit polls results reported by ABC News. A majority of voters, 54 percent, said the allegations served as a minor factor or not a factor at all. Trump managed only a 47-48 percent approval-disapproval rating in typically Republican Alabama. Those who “strongly” disapprove of the president’s work in office, moreover, outnumbered strong approvers by 8 points, 40 percent to 32 percent. For Democrats, Jones’ win trims the Republican Senate majority to 5149, effectively dealing another tough blow to Trump. Many seemed confident going into Tuesday’s election believing that Jones could pull off the victory which most saw as good vs. evil and freedom fighter vs. bigot. Jones, an attorney and prosecutor, served as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, and earned significant acclaim for prosecuting the remaining Klansmen responsible for the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four African-American girls in 1963. In addition, he secured an indictment against the Olympic Park Bomber. “Thank you, Alabama,” Jones tweeted late Tuesday, adding that his victory resulted because of voters from Jewish, Latino and Black communities and the hard work of his campaign volunteers. “This campaign has been about the rule of law and about dignity and respect,” he said during his victory speech. “No matter what zip code you live in, this has been about making sure everyone gets a fair shake. There are important issues facing this country. And I want to make sure that we can find common ground for all of our citizens. Alabama has been in the crossroads in the past, usually we’ve taken the wrong road. Today, you took the right road.” WI Staff Writer William J. Ford contributed information to this story.WI

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LIFESTYLE

Horoscopes DEC 14 - 20, 2017

wi book reviewA

ARIES Your focus continues to be on exploring new opportunities and making fresh discoveries. By looking at it with fresh eyes, you may find reasons to want to explore it further. There might also be some unexpected encounters coming your way that are like a breath of fresh air. Finally, the new moon on December 17 encourages you to step out confidently. Lucky Numbers: 3, 34, 51

“We’re Going to Need More Wine”

TAURUS The deeper issues of life could continue to be on your mind and encourage conversations with those who can act as trusted advisers or confidants. There may be changes that you’re eager to see happen, you might need to take stock, especially when it ties with the sun on Tuesday. And while your social life shows great promise, you might be drawn to reflect and act on issues that will take your life forward. Lucky Numbers: 13, 26, 44

by Gabrielle Union c.2017, Dey St. $26.99 ($33.50 Canada) 263 pages

GEMINI With your sector of relating continuing in focus, the coming week could see you networking and perhaps reviewing ideas, projects, or even decisions. You might need to unpick a promise or contract that requires adjustment due to recent events. On Saturday, it might be just as well to expect the unexpected, as an invitation could lead to a sizzling encounter. Lucky Numbers: 9, 16, 50 CANCER Issues associated with your job and wellness matters continue to dominate. It pays to be watchful, especially if dealing with important documents. Jupiter is happily ensconced in your leisure sector for the coming months, so all kinds of activities get a boost. Long-term relationships and new romance can see the flame of love glowing brightly. Lucky Numbers: 35, 47, 57

We’re Going to Need More Wine By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Here’s to us. A toast to our years together, our friendships, things we’ve done and laughs we’ve had. Here’s to us — together forever. We need to do this more often. We need to stay in touch. As author Gabrielle Union says, “We’re Going to Need More Wine.” When she was still a small child, Gabrielle Union knew how life kept score. She was born in Omaha but her parents moved the family to Pleasanton, California, about an hour from Oakland, when Union was in second grade. Her father was intent on “keeping up with the Joneses” with the move, but he didn’t quite accomplish that: he’d chosen a “nearly as good” neighborhood, but it wasn’t good enough. For much of her childhood, Union “felt real green on being black.” She spent junior high trying to fit in with the white girls at school and wishing for a boyfriend; in summertime, she stayed with her grandmother in Nebraska, trying to catch up on “being black.” It was there where she finally realized that “black boys like me.” It took time for her to like herself. As with many girls, Union says that she didn’t know much about her own body, which was troubling, but she learned over time with (and from) her peers. She fought her natural hair and “learned to apologize for my very skin” because she was darker than her mother and sisters. She was told that she was “funny,” when she really wanted to hear that she was pretty. That finally happened when a white boy went from “JUSTASFRIENDS” to temporary boyfriend, and Union lost her virginity. It was bittersweet — their romance didn’t last long at all — but there it was. Stealing boyfriends, though … that could be problematic. So could marrying a man when you see big issues even before the wedding. So could a TV part, when you’re literally the first Black person to appear on the show. So could working at a retail store, and a man with a gun walks in … I have to say that I didn’t like “We’re Going to Need More Wine” at the outset. The introduction feels awfully familiar, in a forced-friendship kind of way, as though it was trying too hard to make me like it. My advice: skip it. Or read it last. Whichever — you’ll like the rest of the book so much better because author Gabrielle Union is worth getting to know on more casual terms, with stories that will make you laugh, sigh and nod in recognition. But beware: Union writes in a manner that makes you feel as though you grew up in the same neighborhood, but she also doesn’t seem to be someone who holds anything back. While that candor is refreshing, it can also be explicit, profane and painful to read. And yet — you’ll learn a few things in “We’re Going to Need More Wine”: about Union, about celebrity, surviving, and about responsibility. If that sounds like the book you want to read next, then here’s to you. WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEO The love bug may continue to keep you enthralled with the planetary setup highlighting dating opportunities. You might feel a need to make a decision on Friday. If so, consider leaving things as they are for now, as your outlook could change over coming weeks. With both flamboyant Jupiter and dynamic Mars in your home zone, you might be ready for a holiday get-together. A new creative project could beckon. Lucky Numbers: 15, 27, 45 VIRGO You might need to reconsider a decision that involves other family members. With tactful Venus involved, you could find that others respond favorably to any changes. This can also be a time of reunions. It feels good to reconnect with those who you haven’t seen in while. A lively connection between the sun and electric Uranus can see you benefiting from an unexpected gift. Lucky Numbers: 6, 7, 28 LIBRA Be sure to give yourself plenty of time if you have deadlines to meet. It’s best not to leave everything until the last minute. There’s good news on Friday, though, as Mercury conjoins Venus, which could see you connecting with a person who reminds you of someone from your past. Because of this, you may get on exceptionally well. Sunday’s new moon could coincide with a golden opportunity. Will you grab it? Lucky Numbers: 5, 10, 42 SCORPIO The focus on your personal financial zone continues. Take stock of your situation and see what you can do to improve it. Mercury continues to spin backward until December 22, so go easy when purchasing big-ticket items. If you have no option but to buy them, keep receipts and paperwork. The good news is that with upbeat Jupiter continuing in your sign, some spectacular opportunities could come your way. Lucky Numbers: 22, 55, 59 SAGITTARIUS This is a great time to attend to personal goals and interests. Don’t rush any decisions, though, changes may need to be made anyway. You might do better to research your options in the meantime. You may also want to look into an idea that you rejected but that now seems very appealing. Discussing this with others can help you decide whether to go ahead or not. Lucky Numbers: 11, 20, 29 CAPRICORN You may still have a desire to take time out to reflect and recharge. If this is the case, you’re on track, because a continued focus on your spiritual sector encourages this. And with Mercury spinning backward, this can also be the perfect time to resolve issues that may have dragged on for some time. A new moon on Sunday could encourage you to take up a practice such as meditation that can help you relax deeply and encourage peace of mind. Lucky Numbers: 13, 18, 30 AQUARIUS Your social sector continues to look upbeat, encouraging you to make a few changes and consider moving in new circles. And with Mercury retrograde, you might also find that old friends come back into the fold, bringing a chance to carry on where you left off. However, with a very potent focus on your career zone involving expansive Jupiter and dynamic Mars, things are certainly looking up in this area. Meanwhile, Sunday’s new moon encourages you to move in new social circles. Lucky Numbers: 4, 16, 30 PISCES There’s a lot of activity in your goal sector that can indicate a time of goal setting, whether it’s related to your career or a personal ambition. With Mercury presently retrograde, hold off signing contracts or committing to major deals if possible. If you can’t, you could find that changes occur that alter the original terms and conditions considerably. There are times, though, when this can work in your favor. Sunday’s new moon could inspire you to take the first step toward a personal ambition. Lucky Numbers: 23, 24, 27

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 35 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

SPORTS

Georgetown Downs HU 3 Howard forward Cameron Lewis drives past Georgetown center Jessie Govan during Georgetown’s 81-67 win at Capital One Arena on Dec. 7. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

5 Howard guard R.J. Cole drives past Georgetown guard Trey Dickerson during Georgetown’s 81-67 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Dec. 7. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

4 Georgetown center Jessie Govan shoots over Howard forward Cameron Lewis during Georgetown’s 81-67 win at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Dec. 7. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

Lady Bison Defeat St. Francis Brooklyn 4 Howard guard Asia McCants drives past St. Francis Brooklyn guard Amy O’Neil during Howard’s 72-69 overtime win at Burr Gymnasium in Northwest on Dec. 9. /Photo by John E. De Freitas 4 Howard guard Tariah Johnson drives past St. Francis Brooklyn forward Maria Palarino during Howard’s 72-69 overtime win at Burr Gymnasium in Northwest on Dec. 9. /Photo by John E. De Freitas 5 St. Francis Brooklyn forward Abby Anderson takes on Howard guard Sarah Edmond during Howard’s 72-69 overtime win at Burr Gymnasium in Northwest on Dec. 9. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

36 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

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Redskins Eliminated From Playoff Contention By Daniel Kucin, Jr. WI Contributing Writer After a resounding loss to the arch-rival Dallas Cowboys last week, the sputtering Washington Redskins had an opportunity to rebound on the road Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers in a matchup where both teams were still mathematically in the hunt for a playoff spot. However, the Redskins defensive unit must have had a severe case of jet lag, and they never posed a threat in a 30-13 drubbing by Los Angeles, dropping Washington to 5-8 on the season and officially ending any postseason hopes. “It is disappointing and some-

thing that I didn’t expect to see two weeks in a row,” Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said about being blown out by the Cowboys and the Chargers in consecutive weeks. “I’m at a loss for words. We let our fans down, and we’re disappointed.”

Aside from a nine-play drive in the second quarter that ended with a 23-yard touchdown pass to tight end Vernon Davis, quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Redskins couldn’t get much going offensively. The Chargers held Cousins to only 151 yards passing and rookie running back Samaje Perine to 45 yards on the ground, while the Redskins allowed wide receivers Tyrell Williams and Keenan Allen to combine for 243 yards receiving and running back Melvin Gordon accounted for 78 yards rushing by game’s end in a dominant effort. “I felt like I prepared the way that I always have, but for a variety of reasons, we didn’t get what we wanted,” Cousins said. “We never really found any rhythm. We didn’t have explosive plays and couldn’t

convert on third downs.” Inversely, the Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers took advantage of the Redskins secondary early and often, jumping out to a 13-0 first-quarter lead. After Davis’ touchdown cut the score to 13-6 (the PAT attempt failed), Rivers uncorked a 75-yard bomb to Williams as he streaked past cornerback Josh Norman for a touchdown and a 20-6 lead. Los Angeles (7-6) effectively ended matters near the end of the third quarter on a flea-flicker when Rivers launched a 51-yard pass to Allen, who made a diving catch at Washington’s one-yard line. Gordon punched it in on next play, putting the Chargers up 30-6. Rivers came out of the game early in the fourth with his team comfortably ahead, finishing 18of-31 for 319 yards and two touchdowns. “I was with Philip for many years when I was in San Diego,” said Redskins defensive coordinator Greg Manusky. “Just from the

knowledge of the game, he knows where has got to go with the ball. He is very effective getting the ball out of his hands, and from a pressure standpoint, he knows where the pressures are coming. Over that long period of time that he has been playing, he understands that, and he does a great job of it.” Chargers backup quarterback Kellen Clemens replaced Rivers and threw a late fourth-quarter interception to Bashaud Breeland, who returned it for a largely inconsequential 96-yard touchdown. The game was a tale of two teams going in different directions. After starting the season 0-4, Los Angeles has won four straight games and seven of its past nine, and is tied for the best record in the AFC West. Meanwhile, the Redskins have lost four of their past five, outscored by a combined 68-27 in the two most recent losses. With little more than pride on the line, Washington will return home to face the Arizona Cardinals (6-7) on Dec. 17. WI

5 Washington Redskins tight end Vernon Davis (85) had two receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown in a 30-13 road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 10. /Photo by aniel Kucin, Jr. 4 (Far Right) Washington Redskins running back Samaje Perine (32) rushed for 45 yards in a 30-13 road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 10. /Photo by Daniel Kucin, Jr.

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one candidate promised to build a playground in her neighborhood. And while she’s worked on every presidential campaign from 1976 to 2000 and bears the distinction of being the first African American to manage a presidential campaign (Al Gore, 2000), it’s her appointment as the former interim chairperson of the Democratic National Committee [DNC], first and very briefly in the spring of 2011, then again from July 2016 through February 2017, that may be the reason why she’s recently received an inordinate amount of both criticism and praise – particularly from members of her own party after publishing her critique of Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 campaign for president. Since the release earlier this year of her book, “Hacks: The Inside Story of the Break-ins and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in the White House,” she’s traversed the country, sharing insights about her time as the DNC chairwoman and defending her analysis of what transpired during her tenure – and why, according to her inside perspective, Clinton lost to the least likely GOP candidate, Donald Trump. She continued to remain adamant about her criticism and the

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advocates fear actions by the Trump administration, which has failed to make good on promises to repeal the law, could result in more uninsured Americans and cause higher premiums. “While some elected officials want to take away our health care, we want all residents to get covered and stay covered,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Health care is a right, not a luxury, and here in D.C., we are doing everything we can to protect that right.” The Trump administration narrowed the 2018 open-enrollment period to six weeks, down from last year’s 12-week session. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services halved the budget for navigators, people who help consumers sign up for health insurance, and reduced the ACA advertising budget by 90 percent to $10 million. District officials said they will not be discouraged by federal cuts to the program.

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

challenges she faced as the DNC chair when she spoke before a packed audience on Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the National Press Club in Northwest. When referring to the many critics of her book including current DNC Chair Tom Perez who still asserts that several of her more controversial claims stand “without merit,” she said (her critics can) “go to hell.”

She spoke about the intense pressure she faced as DNC chair, further noting that she did indeed once consider invoking her power to remove Clinton from the presidential ticket after she fainted while making an appearance in New York City – replacing Clinton’s running mate for vice president (Virginia Senator Tim Kaine) with a Joe Biden – Corey Booker (New Jersey Senator) ticket for the Democrats. Brazile further asserts that few understand the overwhelming odds she faced in terms of being effective in her position, describing her tenure in terms of the emotional stress she endured, as “worse than Hurricane Katrina.” Still, her explanation of some of her claims in her book have met The Bowser administration launched its #GetCovered #StayCovered campaign efforts, which they hope will remove barriers to obtaining health insurance and encourage all residents to sign up or re-enroll for coverage through the exchange. Four major insurance companies — Aetna, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Kaiser Permanente and United HealthCare — proposed health plan offerings through the D.C. Health Link marketplace, with a growth filed plans from 171 to 177 last year. While the number of smallgroup plans saw no change, in the individual market, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Kaiser Permanente offer 26 plans for individuals and families in 2018. “The ACA has enabled thousands of District residents to have affordable, secure, quality health insurance” D.C. Health Link Executive Director Mila Kofman. “We are commited to maintaining these gains and moving toward 100 percent coverage.”

with stark opposition and outright denial of her alleged “facts” from leading members of the DNC, most notably in their reputing her musings over whether the primaries had been rigged so Clinton would emerge victorious over Bernie Sanders and if Brazile had really had her hands tied after the Clinton campaign [Hillary for America] and the DNC embarked in a secret tryst involving fundraising procedures and the outcome for which they hoped after their agreed upon redirection of those funds. Some say that Brazile’s book is little more than an angry woman attempting to get even – a sort of self-vindication narrative. And given the concluding sentiments in her book, one could easily agree with such criticisms. Ironically, both in the opening and conclusion of “Hacks,” Brazile reveals that she’s sitting by the telephone – first waiting for thanks and praise from Clinton for her efforts during the convention and campaign, and later, from a relatively small HBCU that would ask her to give the university’s commencement speech when Brazile’s calendar stood adrift with plenty of openings. In the final analysis, history will prove whether Brazile hit the mark or if she purposely led her readers down a road replete with dishonest, poorly-phrased assertions. WI

More than 96 percent of District residents are covered, giving the city some of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation. As one of only four state marketplaces in the country to launch on time in 2013, D.C. Health Link currently provides health insurance to approximately 18,000 residents through the individual marketplace and more than 76,000 people through the small-business marketplace. With the federal enrollment period half as long as it was last year, 3.6 million Americans have enrolled for insurance so far through HealthCare.gov, compared to 4 million at the same time last year, according to Centers for Medicaid and Medicare. The average increase in premiums across all insurers for 2018 is 15.64 percent for individuals and 7.26 percent for small-group plans, according to the D.C. Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking. Residents can shop for and compare health insurance at DCHealthLink.com. WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RELIGION

THE RELIGION CORNER

The Griffin Firm, PLLC

Do Secret Favors for Others So that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. — Matthew 6:4 With Christmas just about a week or so away, this is the time to remind yourself how important it is for each of us to do secret favors for others. Why secret, you ask? Read the scripture above, which talks about how giving must be in secret, then your Father will reward you. Do your giving in His name and not in your own. Years ago — in fact, it was about 45 years ago — I gave a co-worker a very expensive gift, then told everybody about it since it cost more than everyone else’s gift, so I could get the credit of having given the lady such a nice gift. The credit wasn’t mine anyway, because I wouldn’t even have had the money to buy the gift if I have not been blessed with such a good government job. Humility escaped me! My giving was so I could tell the world that I had given such a nice gift. Wrong! Learning from our mistakes is key! Now, 45 years later, I do truly understand the importance of giving and keeping my mouth shut. It is much better for my Heavenly Father to give to me, unexpectedly because I gave without any expectations. To go out and tell the world that I gave you some food that you needed, and for me to tell that to anybody who will listen is ridiculous! Let each of us Mt. Zion Baptist Church

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give from our hearts and keep out mouths closed. Allow the Father to reward you because you gave genuinely. Don’t just believe what I’m saying — take a look at what the Holy Bible says, in many Scriptures: Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. — Luke 6:38 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. — Proverbs 11:24-25 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. — 2nd Corinthians 9:7 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as

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with Lyndia Grant the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. — Matthew 6:1-34 Scripture proves the need for us to give in secrecy. Give because it is the right thing to do; give even more at this time of the year. There are many right around us who could use our help! Amen! WI

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Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor

The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

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

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

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.

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

“A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold”

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

www.mtzbcdc.org

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RELIGION

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 43 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration No. 2017 ADM 989

Administration No. 2017 ADM 1291

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001299

Administration No. 2017 ADM 000663

Administration No. 2017 ADM 000146 Thelma M. Johnson Decedent

Edward Wolterbeek Decedent

Glinda D. Vardaman Decedent

Dorothy A. Reid aka Dorothy Reid Decedent

Graham Monk Decedent

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

Clark J. Hymes, Esq., whose address is 1032 15th Street, NW, Suite 1050, Washington, DC 20005, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edward Wolterbeek who died on January 2, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Bridget T. Dorsey, whose address is3473 Massachusetts Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Glinda D. Vardaman who died on July 29, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Terrika R. Bailey, whose address is 1236 Canal Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy A. Reid aka Dorothy Reid who died on August 4, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Graham C. Monk, whose address is 5713 6th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Graham Monk who died on April 9, 2008 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017

Jennifer C. Concino, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #700, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thelma M. Johnson who died on July 1, 2016 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 (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 May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Bridget T. Dorsey Personal Representative

Terrika R. Bailey Personal Representative

Graham C. Monk Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Clark J. Hymes, Esq. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration Number 2017 ADM 160 Estate of

Robert B. Hazelock aka Robert Bruce Hazelock aka Robert Hazelock Deceased

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been

filed in this Court by Angela Hazelock Mack for

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001295

Administration No. 2017 ADM 866

Pearlene E. Glover Decedent

Leamon Farrior Decedent

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

Angela Glover Burgess, whose address is 1616 Monroe Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Pearlene E. Glover who died on May 11, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Dwayne Farrior, whose address is 3533 Glenmore Ave., Baltimore, MD 21206, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Leamon Farrior who died on March 21, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017

Angela Glover Burgess Personal Representative

Dwayne Farrior Personal Representative

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Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001318 Yvonne Harvey Decedent Valerie Edwards Antonoplos & Associates 1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

Washington, DC 20011

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017

complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is

filed in this Court within 30 days from the date

of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth.

Admit to probate the will date October 5, 2016

exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses.

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017

1342 Sheridan Street, NW Petitioner/Attorney

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister

TRUE TEST COPY

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

Angela Hazelock Mack

one or more personal representative. Unless a

Donte Taylor Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

44 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

Jennifer C. Concino, Esq. Personal Representative

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Donte Taylor, whose address is 7703 Starshine Drive, District heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Yvonne Harvey who died on May 4, 2016 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 May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

standard probate, including the appointment of

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017 ADM 001245 Dorothy Lawson Edmonds Decedent Tanya A. Harvey, Loeb & Loeb LLP 901 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 300 East Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Robert W. Edmonds, Robin E. Hudson and Wendy R. Hicks-Powers, whose addresses are 4923 8th St., NW, Washington, DC 20011; 319 Wagoner Dr., Fayetteville, NC 280303; 126 Weldin Park Dr., Wilmington, DE 19803, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Dorothy Lawson Edmonds who died on July 12, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Robert W. Edmonds Robin E. Hudson Wendy R. Hicks-Powers Personal Representatives TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration Number 2017 ADM 001351 Estate of Helga M. E. Bailey Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Eliot Borders and LaShawn Jefferson for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative.

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Edward G. Varrone, Esq. 910 17th St., NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

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Administration No. 2017 ADM 001103 Jean Courard aka Jean Andre Louis Courard Decedent Kisha L. Woolen, Esquire Tobin O’Connor & Ewing, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, #700 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney

Mary Carolyn McRae Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Daniel D. Smith, whose address is 161 Fort Evans Road, NE, #345, Leesburg, VA 20178, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jean Courard aka Jean Andre Louis Courard who died on February 26, 1996 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: November 30, 2017

Carolyn A. McRae, whose address is 2326 Woodbark Lane, Suitland, MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Carolyn McRae who died on July 22, 2016 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Carolyn A. McRae Personal Representative

Daniel D. Smith Personal Representative

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001053

TRUE TEST COPY

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001220 Vernice Y. Bunting Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Benjamin Kyler, whose address is 7412 Gambler Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Vernice Y. Bunting who died on December 15, 2005 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 May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Benjamin Kyler Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Administration Number 2017 ADM 1383 Estate of Celia Pinzon-Morlock Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate. Appoint an unsupervised personal representative.

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

Administration Number 2017 ADM 1339

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001289

Administration No. 2017 ADM 1019

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001023

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001006

Estate of George Dounias Deceased

William Chester James Decedent

Isaiah Robinson, Jr. Decedent

Laureta B. Butler aka Laureta Beatrice Butler Decedent

Frances Elaine Cole aka Frances Cole Decedent

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

William Conrad James, whose address is 611 Galveston Street, SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William Chester James who died on September 30, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before May 30, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before May 30, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Maxine Robinson and Emily Frazier, whose addresses are 3629 Shenandoah Drive, Beltsville, MD 20705 and 410 Zelma Avenue, Capitol Heights, MD 20743, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Isaiah Robinson, Jr. who died on June 24, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 7, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 7, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Andrea D. Hawkins, whose address is14209 Kenlon Lane, Accokeek, MD 20607, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Laureta B. Butler aka Larueta Beatrice Butler who died on December 26, 2016 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 7, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 7, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

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

Washington Informer

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Andrew Dounias and George A. Dounias for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. Admit to probate the will date December 18, 2001 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 Andrew Dounias 3465A Marigold Place Waldorf, MD 20602 Petitioner/Attorney TRUE TEST COPY

Date of first publication: November 30, 2017 William Conrad James Personal Representative

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Date of first publication: December 7, 2017

TRUE TEST COPY

Maxine Robinson Emily Frazier Personal Representatives

Anne Meister Register of Wills

TRUE TEST COPY

Washington Informer

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

Date of first publication: December 7, 2017 Andrea D. Hawkins Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michelle L. Cole, whose address is 202 Oakbluff Dr., Raeford, NC 28376, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Frances Elaine Cole aka Frances Cole who died on June 5, 2016 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 (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 7, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 7, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 7, 2017 Michelle L. Cole Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 45 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017 ADM 001335 Sarah Rowe Hayden Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Gamble L. Hayden, whose address is 1643 Roxanna Road, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sarah Rowe Hayden who died on July 25, 2016 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 7, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 7, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 7, 2017 Gamble L. Hayden Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills

LEGAL NOTICES

Administration No. 2017 ADM 1313 Joan M. Mahoney Decedent Kisha L. Woolen, Esquire Tobin O’Connor & Ewing 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, #700 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Maya Mahoney, whose address is 607 Little Street, Alexandria, VA 22301, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joan M. Mahoney who died on October 11, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 7, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 7, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 7, 2017

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration No. 2016 ADM 1361

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001394

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001371

Administration No. 2017 ADM 1367

Minnie Farmer Mitchell Decedent

Nettie Adams aka Nettie B. Adams aka Tot Adams Decedent

Alberta L. Scott aka Albert Scott Decedent

Hubert Alexander McNeely Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kenneth Mitchell, whose address is 222 Bayshore Drive, Orlando, FL 32805, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Minnie Farmer Mitchell who died on May 9, 2016 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 7, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 7, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 7, 2017 Kenneth Mitchell Personal Representative

Edwards G. Varrone, Esq. 910 17th Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Harry Adams, whose address is 2230 Alice Avenue, Apt. 303, Oxon Hill, MD 20745, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nettie Adams aka Nettie B. Adams aka Tot Adams who died on September 5, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Candice Scott, whose address is 1001 Chillum Road #109, Hyattsville, MD 20782, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alberta L. Scott aka Alberta Scott who died on October 19, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Candice Scott Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Harry Adams Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration Number 2017 ADM 001389

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001362 Vincent`e Edward Tillman Jr. Decedent

Estate of Yakub Deceased

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

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Bakara Johnson for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate. Appoint an unsupervised personal representative.

Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Bakara Johnson 6210 Belcrest Rd. #1408 Hyattsville, MD 20782 Petitioner/Attorney

Maya Mahoney Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

46 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

Tannia Shanelle Tillman, whose address is 5523 Hunt Place, NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Vincent`e Edward Tillman Jr. who died on September 14, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Tannia Shanelle Tillman Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Bradley McNeely, whose address is 3542 Sophia Court, Woodbridge, VA 22193, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Hubert Alexander McNeely who died on February 8, 2011 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Bradley McNeely Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

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

Johnny M. Howard 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 402 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017 ADM 001347 Patricia A. Dading Decedent Kisha L. Woolen, Esquire Tobin O’Connor & Ewing 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW #700 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Michele E. Edwards, whose address is 2716 Cortland Place, NW Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Patricia A. Dading who died on November 2, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Michele E. Edwards Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017 ADM 001352 Minnie Leola Donaldson aka Minnie Lee Davis Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Anthony Clinton Wilson-Broome, whose address is 652 Morton Place, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Minnie Leola Donaldson aka Minnie Lee Davis who died on March 21, 2016 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Anthony Clinton Wilson-Broome Personal Representative

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LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017 ADM 001392 Virginia Lee Harris Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Stephanie Denise Hayes, whose address is 5904 K Street, Fairmount Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Virginia Lee Harris who died on June 27, 2017 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Stephanie Denise Hayes Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2017 ADM 001360 Lillie Pearl Fields Decedent

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2007 ADM 222

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Wallace R. Fields, whose address is4307 Dario Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lillie Pearl Fields who died on November 8, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Wallace R. Fields Personal Representative

Johnnie Mae Gardner Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Mary Gardner-Jenkins, whose address is 3374 Highwood Dr., SE, Washington, DC 20020 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Johnnie Mae Gardner who died on May 18, 1998 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before June 14, 2018. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before June 14, 2018, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: December 14, 2017 Mary Gardner-Jenkins Personal Representative

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48 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

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MALVEAUX from Page 28

community-based organizations that target the IT, construction, and infrastructure industries. Apprenticeship DC promotes both pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship workbased learning models. Over the next year, we will work with local business owners and com-

munity advocates to build upon this effort and target resources to maximize the number of apprenticeships available for our communities. Through this initiative and the D.C. Infrastructure Academy, we hope to prove to Washingtonians that we are committed to ensuring that all District residents are able to

participate in District’s growing economy. As officials and policymakers in other urban areas deal with their own economic gaps, I hope that they will take a look at what we have done here in the District with our apprenticeship programs and embrace this model as a strong workforce development tool. WI

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our diversity is one of our critical differentiators. I am optimistic that TMCF, under Harry’s skillful leadership, will continue to lead, inspire, engage and encourage our HBCU students, faculty and alumni to show how much HBCUs matter. While I’m leaving my role as president and CEO of TMCF, know I am not fully leaving our HBCU family as I will continue to serve on the distinguished TMCF board of directors, and hope to have your continued support as I strive to lead SHRM in the spirit of excellence with intentional leadership to make a real global impact. We have plenty of work to do and I am excited to continue running this race. WI

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and highly effective bi-partisan state and federal legislative strategy, made Harry the top choice of a slate of nearly 200 professionals we considered. Harry will inherit a fiscally sound, programmatically strong and well-respected organization and that is something we should all celebrate. After worrying for years about the future of the HBCU, I am seeing some real signs that things are looking up. One of the main things I am optimistic about is the increasing diversity and growth of our campuses. When you look at the data, enrollment at the 101 HBCUs (47 of which are TMCF member-schools, making up roughly 300,000 stu-

dents) is up about three percent over the prior year. I asked our research and analysis team to dig deeper and they found a 27 percent increase in Hispanics or Latino students attending our institutions and a 26 percent increase in non-residential foreign (immigrants) students attending in 2015-16. This data proves the HBCU value proposition is real. Students are coming to our schools from all over the world, because they see the tremendous opportunity to receive a quality education, in many cases in the STEM fields, at an affordable cost. I have often said we are not EBCUs (Exclusively Black Colleges and Universities), but (HBCUs) Historically Black Colleges and Universities;

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TAYLOR from Page 28

noose laid on a Black employee’s desk or displayed in a workplace. There should never be another intimidating Confederate flag flying in a Black person’s face. There should never be another opportunity for an employee (or fellow student, or faculty member) to talk about picking cotton. There should never be another blackface performance, anywhere. And there should never be another person who talks about zero tolerance around workplace sexism to accept any whisper of workplace racism. If John Conyers had to go, so should Franken. Otherwise, we have accepted a racial double standard that is untenable. WI

Photo

we can wink, nod and grin about racial workplace misbehavior while we stand our ground about gender. I wonder why so many say “just kidding” or “didn’t know” when they are racially insensitive, and nobody calls it, but they are willing to call it on gender. If you look at the Senate and the House of Representatives, the paucity of people of color as senior staff is amazing, as documented by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. Surely, there is no shortage of highly qualified African-Americans and Latinos who could work for Congress. Why aren’t members of Congress calling each

other on their racial myopia? Perhaps racism and racial harassment are a little more complicated than sexism and sexual harassment. Half of the population, after all, is female, and while women’s rise up the hierarchy in corporate America, politics, the media and entertainment is slow, it has been steady enough that powerful women are now able to call men out on their misbehavior, with women demanding resignations of (some) misbehaving men. Too few white men and women, at the same time, have been willing to apply the same “zero tolerance” to employment matters regarding race. There should never be another

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white men will be forced into organization with black African apes whom they will have to call brother or lose their jobs.” By contrast, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who made the connection between racial and economic justice central to his philosophy, saw through the “false slogan” of right to work. “Wherever these laws have passed,” he said, “wages are low-

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er, job opportunities are fewer and there are no civil rights.” It was during a labor struggle — a strike by AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis, Tennessee — that Dr. King was assassinated in April 1968. To mark the 50th anniversary, AFSCME has launched a grassroots education and mobilization campaign initiative called I AM 2018, to honor the courage and carry on the legacy of both Dr.

King and the sanitation workers. The Janus case and the pursuit of right to work is all about people with substantial money and power hoarding even more money and power for themselves. It is strong unions that create greater freedom and opportunity for everyone, helping working people of all races get a fair shake, a strong voice and a chance to achieve the American Dream. WI

Time is running out for you to enroll in the Affordable Care Act. If you have questions or need help, there are many people willing to assist you. Go to the website, www.healthcare.gov or you may be able to find in-per-

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native event at another location. “I believe that Trump’s presence is a distraction,” Lumumba said. “His policies don’t reflect his statements that this is a movement thatPage will1bring people 8/20/15 11:24 AM

together. Trump has not demonstrated a continuing dedication to the ideals the civil rights movement upholds. I didn’t want to share the stage with Trump.” So even as worrisome as Mississippi has been lo these many, many generations, in 2017, Alabama just might be even more loathsome a place than Mississippi, with this implacable white political mindset which literally has made what everyone knows to be “evil fair seeming,” as the Scriptures describe their wicked behavior. What is amazing about this contemptible set of circumstances — 45 is “draining the Washington swamp” and filling it with alligators — is the brazenness, the open contempt for any kind of common decency these characters exhibit. Moore and 45 grew up about the same time, thousands of miles apart from each other, but both grew up to be dangerous sexual predators, who grope and feel women at will, and who lie about as quickly as they take their next breath. If I may paraphrase Miss Nina Simone here: Alabama, Mara-Lago, Mississippi, goddamn! And I mean every word of it. WI

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50 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

CAN’T GET ENOUGH WI NEWS? VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR EVEN MORE INFO ON OUR COMMUNITY! WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

MACY’S MONEY FOR EVERY $50 YOU SPEND

IN STORE NOW-12/18 & ONLINE NOW-12/17. GET UP TO $40 MACY’S MONEY. SEE BELOW.

THURS, DEC. 14-MON, DEC. 18

TIME. TO. SHOP.

OF GIFT SPECIALS + THOUSANDS MORE SPECIALS IN STORE & ONLINE

FREE SHIPPING ONLINE WITH $25 PURCHASE.

Valid 12/14-12/16. Exclusions apply; see macys.com/freereturns

OFF

TILL 2PM 12/14-12/16 OR TILL 3PM 12/17 OR TILL 2PM 12/18

YOUR PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE ON SELECT SALE IN STORE AND SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE ONLINE: CLOTHING & HOME ITEMS. USE YOUR MACY’S CARD OR THIS PASS. MACYS.COM PROMO CODE: SHOP25 SEE MACYS.COM/DEALS FOR ONLINE EXCLUSIONS

% OFF ALL DAY

ON SELECT SALE IN STORE & SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE ONLINE: CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES & JEWELRY EXTRA 15% OFF SELECT SALE IN STORE & SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE ONLINE WATCHES, COATS, SHOES, SUITS, DRESSES, LINGERIE, SWIM FOR HER; MEN’S SUIT SEPARATES & SPORT COATS & HOME ITEMS. USE YOUR MACY’S CARD OR THIS PASS 12/14-12/18/2017. MACYS.COM PROMO CODE: SHOP SEE MACYS.COM/DEALS FOR ONLINE EXCLUSIONS

EXCLUDES ALL: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters, Everyday Values (EDV), Last Act, Macy’s Backstage, specials, Super Buys, athletic clothing/shoes/accessories, baby gear, reg.-price china/crystal/silver, cosmetics/ fragrances, designer handbags, designer jewelry/watches, designer sportswear, electrics/electronics, furniture/mattresses, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, select licensed depts., previous purchases, restaurants, rugs, services, smart watches/jewelry, special orders, special purchases, select tech accessories, toys, 3Doodler, American Rug Craftsmen, Anova, Apple Products, Ashley Graham, Avec Les Filles clothing, Barbour, Brahmin, Breville, Briggs & Riley, Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, COACH, Demeyere, Destination Maternity, Dyson, Eileen Fisher SYSTEM, Fitbit, Frye, Global Cutlery, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Judith Leiber, Karastan, kate spade new york, Kenneth Cole shoes, Kiehl’s, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, Levi’s, littleBits, Locker Room by Lids, Marc Jacobs, select Michael Kors/Michael Michael Kors, Michele watches, Miyabi, Movado Bold, Natori, Nike swim, Original Penguin, Panache, Rimowa, Rudsak, Sam Edelman, Shun, Spanx, Staub, Stuart Weitzman, S’well, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, The North Face, Theory, Tommy John, Tory Burch, Tumi, UGG ®, Vans, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wolford & Wüsthof; PLUS, ONLINE ONLY: kids’ shoes, Allen Edmonds, Birkenstock, Chanel, Hurley, Johnston & Murphy, Merrell, RVCA & Tommy Bahama. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new Macy’s account. Extra savings % applied to reduced prices. Purchase must br $25 or more, exclusive of tax & delivery fees.

TIME 2 SHOP PRICES IN EFFECT 12/14-12/18/2017. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE AND OTHER SALE PRICES NOW THROUGH 1/2/18, EXCEPT AS NOTED. HOW MACY’S MONEY WORKS: We’ll give you $10 Macy’s Money for every $50 you spend, up to a $40 Macy’s Money Reward Card in a single transaction. EXCLUDES THE FOLLOWING PURCHASES: Apple Products, tech watches/jewelry/accessories, gift cards, furniture, mattresses, rugs, Macybed, services & fees, sales tax, phone & live chat orders, leased depts., restaurants, international orders, e-gifting, online backorders.USE YOUR MACY’S MONEY REWARD CARD in stores & online 12/19-12/24/17. May not be redeemed for cash, used to purchase Macy’s Gift Cards or applied as payment or credit to your credit card account. If a purchase used to accumulate Macy’s Money is returned, your return may result in a reduction of the value of your Macy’s Money Reward Card and/or a reduction of your total refund amount. The remaining balance of your Macy’s Money Reward Card will reflect the Macy’s Money amount you qualify for after deducting the returned item(s) from your original purchase amount. N7110010

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DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017 51 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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THANK YOU FOR A MONUMENTAL YEAR.

DISCOVER MORE AT MGMNATIONALHARBOR.COM 52 DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2017

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