The Washington Informer - February 15, 2024 by The Washington Informer

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Serving Our Community in the DMV

Vol 59 No 18... February 15-21, 2024

Councilmember Robert White Mulls Future of Housing Affordability during TOPA Tour By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

For nearly 40 years, Marlene Frost has been a tenant at what was then known as Portner Place, a 48-unit, garden style affordable housing community located near the bustling U Street corridor in Northwest. More than a decade ago, as gentrification swallowed portions of the U Street-Shaw community, Frost and her fellow Section 8 tenants were able to stop the sale of their apartment with the rights they secured through D.C.’s Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, also known as TOPA. As she lives comfortably in her humble abode, Frost continues to reflect on the meaning that Portner Place holds for her and at least three generations of her family.

5Vice President Kamala Harris addressed a group of Black history descendants at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Feb. 13. (Shedrick Pelt @sdotpdotmedia/The Washington Informer)

A group of Black history descendants and family members visiting the District kicked off a two-day

WHITE HOUSE Page 60

TOPA TOUR Page 26

Local Tech Entrepreneurs Share Love Story and Talk Support, Engagement, Next Steps

Douglass-Washington Descendant Says Meeting Will Culminate in Major Plan

convening that will more than likely culminate in a plan intended to collectively take their ancestors' work to the next level. On Tuesday, Feb. 13 during an event at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the White House’s Office of Public Engagement (OPE) commemorated what’s been documented as the

“I was just getting out of high school, getting ready to go to college,” Frost said as she recounted moving in with her mother during the 1980s. “My family is very close. Siblings loved to come over with lunch and we got together for birthdays. My mother set a strong foundation for how a single parent raised six children.” Through TOPA, Frost and others assigned their right of first refusal to Somerset Development, a self-described socially responsible developer. Somerset, in partnership with Jonathan Rose Company, demolished and reconstructed Portner Place in a manner that allowed all of the original tenants to return to and live comfortably in newly developed units. In 2018, D.C. Mayor Muriel

CELEBRATING BLACK LOVE: ANGEL N. LIVAS AND YUSUF HENRIQUES

White House Commemorates Historic Gathering of Black History Descendants By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Black History Month Section Page 29

By Bousaina Ibrahim WI Contributing Writer

5Angel N. Livas and Yusuf Henriques have used their impressive individual skills to build even stronger businesses and lives together. (Courtesy Photo/ Andre – DrezDigitalz)

Love surrounds Angel N. Livas and Yusuf Henriques, an entrepreneurial couple who were engaged on New Year's Eve and celebrated their love with an exclusive event at Northwest, D.C.’s The Park at 14th on Feb. 2. Their partnership shows the breadth and possibilities of love, faith, and collaboration. Individually, the two have accomplished a lot.

Livas has made her mark in the media and entertainment industry, amassing over 20 years of success. She is a Tedx motivational speaker, best-selling author, award-winning media executive and the founder and CEO of ALIVE Podcast Network, the first and only Black woman-owned proprietary podcasting mobile application. Former Army combat medic, Henriques is a technology and health founder who has established five com-

Celebrating 59 years. Your credible and trusted source for Black news and information.

LOVE STORY Page 26

2 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

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COMPILED BY STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER

Mahomes’ Magical Comeback: Chiefs Triumph in Super Bowl OT Thriller After Usher’s Star-Studded Halftime Show

giance Stadium crown with a blistering solo on “U Got It Bad.” Will.i.am then joined Usher on “OMG,” and Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, and Ludacris helped close Usher’s set with “Yeah.” The Chiefs got the ball to start the second half, but they didn’t solve the 49ers. At least not at the start. However, the Chief’s defense figured out Purdy, and the trick plays punctuating San Francisco’s first-half dominance, and Mahomes worked his magic. “With all the adversity we’ve been through this season to come through tonight. ... I’m proud of the guys,” said Mahomes, who earned his third Super Bowl MVP award. “This is awesome. Legendary.” The 28-year-old Mahomes becomes the fourth starting quarterback to win three Super Bowls — joining Brady, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, and Troy Aikman — and second youngest. “I am going to celebrate tonight, celebrate at the parade, and then work my way to get back in this game next year,” Mahomes said. “I am going to do whatever I can to be back in this game next year. Three-peat.” WI

Maybe it was Usher’s star-studded halftime show that inspired the Kansas City Chiefs and their superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the second half to win their third Super Bowl in four years with a thrilling 25-22 OT victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas. Whatever it was, at Super Bowl LVIII Mahomes again proved why he’s worth every penny of his mega $500 million-plus contract. Mahomes helped Kansas City overcome a stifling 49ers defense and San Francisco’s potent offense after being stifled in the first half. The Chiefs trailed 10-3 at the half, and it appeared they couldn’t figure out how to break through the 49er’s defense, while the Chiefs’ own defense had all kinds of trouble limiting Brock Purdy and his offense. While they gathered in the locker room after two quarters, Usher took center stage and not only whipped out all of his classic hits but brought out several A-list superstars to punctuate the Apple Music Halftime Show. Alicia Keys joined with her hit, “If I Ain’t Got You,” and the collaboration “My Boo,” and chart-topper H.E.R. rocked the Alle-

Hip-Hop Icons Head Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Black Artists Celebrated in 2024 Nominee List

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $55 per year, two years $70. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Washington, D.C. 20032 Phone: 202 561-4100 Fax: 202 574-3785 news@washingtoninformer.com www.washingtoninformer.com

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

4 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

In a harmonious blend of iconic lyrics, Eric B. & Rakim's timeless declaration in "Paid in Full," (1987), A Tribe Called Quest's rhythmic wisdom from "Can I 5 Hip-hop icons Eric B. and Kick It?" (1990) and Mary Rakim of a A Tribe Called J. Blige's soulful anthem Quest (Courtesy Photo) "No More Drama," (2001) and intertwine to create a symphony of hip-hop musical mastery. Showcasing a diverse lineup of influential artists, the trio of hip-hop icons join a list of artistic royalty in the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Indeed, the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul’s” impassioned 2001 plea for liberation from turmoil has always set the stage among hip-hop and R&B royalty. At the same time, Eric B. & Rakim's poetic verses on pursuing success resonate powerfully in rap. A Tribe Called Quest's laid-back groove and infectious call to action infuse the narrative with unity and self-expression. Hip-hop has taken a front

seat in the Hall, which has become a celebration of popular music from all genres. Other than hip-hoppers, Black artists and bands are truly celebrated among the nominees. The complete list of nominees comprises Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Eric B. & Rakim, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Jane's Addiction, Kool & the Gang, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, Sinéad O'Connor, Ozzy Osbourne, Sade, and A Tribe Called Quest. The 2024 induction ceremony will stream live on Disney+, with an exclusive airing on ABC at a later date and availability on Hulu the following day, officials announced in a news release. John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, expressed enthusiasm for the diverse list of nominees, emphasizing the impactful contributions of hip-hop artists. "This remarkable list reflects the diverse artists and music that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors and celebrates. These hip-hop artists have created sounds that have impacted generations and influenced countless others," he stated. WI

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s Hospitalization Reignites Controversy Over Transparency Amid Health Concerns

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is back in the spotlight as he was urgently admitted to an emergency hospital on Sunday afternoon for symptoms related to a bladder issue, just weeks after his previous hospitalization. The 70-yearold cabinet official’s decision to withhold information from the White House about his earlier health episode has triggered a renewed wave of criticism and scrutiny. Last December, Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had a procedure called a prostatectomy on Dec. 22. On Jan. 1, he developed complications and was taken to Walter Reed by ambulance on Jan. 1, where he

was initially admitted to the intensive care unit. He remained at Walter Reed until Jan. 15 and then worked from home until Jan. 29, when he returned to the Pentagon. The latest incident, detailed in a report by USA Today, saw Secretary Austin move to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment—the announcement, made by Pentagon press secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder disclosed that Austin is undergoing treatment for symptoms indicating a severe bladder issue, raising concerns about the gravity of his health condition. Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com WI

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During Medicaid Redetermination, Local Service Providers Push for Smoother Application Process By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

Officials at D.C.'s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) are in the midst of Medicaid redetermination, the process by which the District’s Medicaid rolls receive an update that’s more than three years in the making. With redetermination scheduled to end this summer, DHCF officials say that the majority of District residents have renewed their coverage. By the end of 2023, 283,631 District residents were enrolled in Medicaid, a DHCF spokesperson told The Informer. That figure represented a decline from 311,332 that the agency recorded in May. Within that seven-month period, more than 27,000 enrollees failed to submit renewal paperwork or were found to no longer be eligible for Medicaid, the spokesperson said. However, for some service providers, like Abraham “Abe” Plaut, there’s more to the picture when it comes to that decline, especially with what he described as inadequate communication between DHS and DHCF. Plaut also mentioned DHS’ refusal to provide receipts or confirmation for Medicaid recipients who submit renewal materials inside the physical dropbox at DHS service centers. “You’re going to get conflicting information,” said Plaut, a coordinator at Bread for the City’s medical clinic. “DHS thinks people are insured, but DHCF says they’re not.” Plaut told The Informer that, since October, he and his colleagues at Bread for the City’s Northwest and Southeast locations have met dozens of clients, many of whom with incomes at 250% or below the federal poverty line, who unknowingly lost their Medicaid coverage or are struggling to renew their coverage. Those in the first group didn’t know about their change in status until they attempted to secure medicine and medical treatment, Plaut said. Many of these clients, he added, aren't receiving letters about Medicaid redetermination. When it comes to those actually

going through recertification, he pointed out that District Direct, DHS’ online benefits portal, sparks confusion among applicants about when their coverage is ending versus when they are due for recertification. The application process, Plaut said, can be just as arduous, especially for English language learners and those who are turning 65 years old. He told The Informer that, as of Feb. 12, Bread for the City’s legal clinic has 43 cases related to Medicaid and Alliance health insurance eligibility issues that haven’t been resolved yet. “Delays are going on well past the 45-day timeline and recertifications that are submitted well in advance of a deadline are not processed correctly,” Plaut said. “We have cancer patients who are turned away from treatments and diabetics who are forced to start rationing their insulin. All the worst-case scenarios are happening with our patients.”

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the Medicaid rolls. That amount represented an increase of more than 50,000 people who enrolled during the pandemic. Due to the automatic renewal that occurred throughout the public health emergency, they hadn’t been kicked off, despite some of them not meeting the eligibility requirements. The DHCF spokesperson told The Informer that, since last spring, 220,000 out of the 311,000 have been given renewal dates through December 2023. Out of that 220,000, 175,000 have coverage that are pending renewal or have been fully renewed. Meanwhile, many of the 45,000 people remaining through December are expected not to be renewed, the spokesperson said, due to lack of eligibility or having left the Dis-

MEDICAID Page 8

5 Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels.com

DHCF ANSWERS QUESTIONS ABOUT OUTREACH STRATEGY

A DHCF spokesperson told The Informer that residents receive renewal packets at the address stored in the agency’s database. Residents, they added, then have the option of filling out the renewal and submitting it through the mail or dropping it off at a DHS service center. They could also use District Direct, via desktop or mobile app. The timeline for application completion varies based on eligibility group. The DHCF spokesperson said that processing an application for those designated as “modified adjusted growth income,” or MAGI, takes 45 days. Members of that group receive a 60-day notice before renewal is due, along with a 30-day notice and another notice once renewal isn’t done. Meanwhile, non-MAGI receive a 90-day notice with a complex renewal application. When Medicaid redetermination started in April, the District had 311,000 people -- nearly half of the District population -- on

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 5

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black facts

FEB. 15 - 21, 2024

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

independence from the United Kingdom. 1965 – Civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson is shot by an Alabama state trooper during a peaceful voting rights march rally in Marion, dying eight days later. 2006 – Speed skater Shani Davis becomes the first Black athlete to win an individual gold medal in the Winter Olympics.

FEB. 19

1919 – W.E.B. Du Bois organizes the first Pan-African Congress. 1940 – Music legend Smokey Robinson is born in Detroit. 1992 – John Singleton becomes the first Black director to be nominated for an Academy Award with his debut, "Boyz n the Hood." 1997 – Virginia's House of Delegates votes unanimously to retire the state song, "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny," which glorifies slavery.

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1965 – Famed singer Nat King Cole dies in Santa Monica, California, of lung cancer at 45. 1968 – Henry Lewis becomes the first Black to head a major U.S. symphony orchestra when he takes over the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.

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1857 – Frederick Douglass is elected president of Freedman's Savings and Trust Company. 1923 – Blues singer Bessie Smith records her first single, "Down Hearted Blues," which was later included in the inaugural National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. 1972 – Wilt Chamberlain becomes the first player in NBA history to score 30,000 points.

FEB. 17

1936 – Pro football great and civil rights advocate Jim Brown is born in St. Simons, Georgia. 1942 – Political activist and Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P. Newton is born in Monroe, Louisiana. 1963 – Basketball legend Michael Jordan is born in New York's Brooklyn borough. 1982 – Influential jazz pianist Thelonious Monk dies of a stroke in Englewood, New Jersey, at 64.

1895 – Famed social activist and abolitionist Frederick Douglass dies of a heart attack in Washington, D.C., at 70. 1900 – John Frederick Pickering receives patent for the airship. 1927 – Sidney Poitier, the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, is born in Miami. 1937 – Grammy-winning singer Nancy Wilson is born in Chillicothe, Ohio.

FEB. 21

1933 – Singer/songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone is born in Tryon, North Carolina. 1936 – Civil rights leader Barbara Jordan, the first Southern African American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives, is born in Houston. 1940 – John Lewis, longtime U.S. congressman and and renowned civil rights leader, is born in Troy, Alabama. 1961 – Inventor Otis Boykin patents an improved electronic resistor. 1965 – Civil rights activist Malcolm X is assassinated in the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan at 39. WI

FEB. 18

1931 – Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison is born in Lorain, Ohio. 1965 – West African nation Gambia declares its

6 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

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MEDICAID from Page 5

trict. By June, when Medicaid redetermination is expected to end, a great number of Medicaid enrollees would be up for their second renewal after the public health emergency ended. They acknowledged that, despite efforts to spread the word about Medicaid redetermination, the agency has had trouble reaching the housing insecure, those who possess a burner phone, those who used the address of a local shelter on their enrollment paperwork, and others who, for whatever reason, don’t want to be found. Melisa Byrd, DHCF’s state Medicaid director, explained her agency’s strategy to overcome such hurdles. “We’re working with our federally qualified health centers that are working with homeless folks,” Byrd said. “We’re working with some of the housing providers in the District as well, and connect with folks, person by person.”

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CONCERNS PERSIST ABOUT DISTRICT DIRECT

Throughout the Medicaid redetermination process, D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson (I-At large) has asked questions about the effectiveness of District Direct. Navigating the online application process, she said, is leaving Medicaid recipients in a state of limbo that threatens their coverage. Henderson said she continues to hear from constituents whose benefits had been terminated while

5D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson, chair of the Council Committee on Health, is one of the local leaders concerned about the effectiveness of District Direct, the D.C. Department of Human Services’ online benefits portal. (Ja’Mon Jackson/WI File Photo)

DHCF processes their Medicaid renewal paperwork. WIth what she estimated as 20,000 applications still pending, Henderson told The Informer that she worries if DHCF and DHS will be able to facilitate Medicaid redetermination without federal interference. “I’m confident that DHCF doesn’t want D.C. to be in a position where the government needs to stop doing renewals because too many people are being kicked off the rolls who shouldn’t be kicked off,” Henderson said. “Deputy Mayor Turnage is monitoring it but I’m having concerns about the timely keep-up of applications that require attention.” Byrd pushed back against the notion that DHCF didn’t process renewal applications in a timely fashion, calling delays in processing updates more of a “recent phenomenon” that occurred with the increase of renewals between June and December of last year. Even with what she described as the learning curve that new enrollees and case workers initially experienced with electronic renewal, Byrd said that Medicaid redetermination has been, for the most part, a success in the District. “It’s important to look at the totality of where we are with renewals,” Byrd said. “We’re in the top 10 [of jurisdictions in the U.S.] that renewed. We had times when we ran into challenges. Once we identify them, we let folks know about them. Making that quick action to fix it and make sure we’re addressing it is a complicated process.”

A SOCIAL WORKERS ASKS FOR MORE OPTIONS

In December, Ashley Moore, a social worker at Bread for the City, testified at the D.C. Council’s Committee on Health and Committee on Housing’s performance oversight roundtable. While Moore described District Direct as a “game changer” for assisting people applying for benefits, she raised concerns about functionality. Qualms included repetitive application questions that confused applicants about whether their application was completed, inconsistent recertification notifications and glitches in DHCF’s Medicaid portal, a lack of clarity around whether uploaded documents have been stored, and repeated requests for verification. While Moore didn’t count District Direct out as a resource for Medicaid redetermination, she told The Informer that it shouldn't be the end all, be all. “It’s important to get that tool in people’s hands,” Moore said. “You can connect on your account and see what DHCF sees. You can see your notices and when you have a recertification due. But it shouldn’t be a total replacement for in-person help,” she added. “We send people down to DHS but we have no idea of what happens because people don’t get receipts. They’re not being helped or they’re being redirected to District Direct.” Read more on washingtoninformer.com. WI @SamPKCollins

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Dignitaries Gather in D.C. to Celebrate the Life of Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia By Lafayette Barnes, Sr. WI Contributing Writer

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5 His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, president of the Republic of Namibia died after a lengthy battle with cancer on Feb. 4. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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5 (Seated) Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Weaver, Margaret Mensah-Williams, Dr. Cassandra Gould of Faith Leadership Strategies and reading of the obituary by Margaret Mensah-Williams, Ambassador at the Embassy of the Republic of Namibia to the U.S. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

PO) Representative at the United Nations and to the Americas was critical to Namibia achieving its independence.” During the celebration, H.E. Koby Koomson from the Republic of Ghana, the former Ambassador to the Republic of Namibia and the United States, described his close friend Geingob as a man who loved being around ordinary Namibians. Koomson once asked President Geingob if he ever felt threatened in Namibia traveling without an army of security. Accordingly, Geingob replied “Any president who is afraid to engage and associate with his own people does not deserve the right to seek the mandate from the same people to be their president.” Dr. Gloria Bozeman Herndon, who helped organize the ceremony, honored Geingob by reading “When Great Trees Fall" by Maya Angelou and thanked UDC president Edington for his support in hosting the celebration of Geingob’s life and legacy. WI

condolences to Dr. Geingob’s family and the Namibian people. Mayor Bowser’s message recognized that “Dr. Geingob fought against the injustice and brutality of apartheid, and his role as the South West People’s Organization (SWA-

Ambassador Margaret Mensah-Williams of the Embassy of the Republic of Namibia was joined by leaders of the African diaspora and Washington diplomatic community to celebrate the life of His Excellency Dr. Hage G. Geingob, president of the Republic of Namibia. Geingob, who served as president since 2015, died in Namibia after a lengthy battle with cancer on Feb. 4. The celebration was held at the University of the District of Columbia’s (UDC) Theater of the Arts on Saturday, Feb. 10. “With the passing of H.E. Dr. Geingob, the people of Namibia have lost an icon of the liberation struggle, a diplomat par excellence, a true democrat, and distinguished leader who was dearly admired and loved by people from all walks of life,” said Ambassador Mensah-Williams. President Joe Biden and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser sent letters of

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AROUND THE REGION

From JBAB to Gallaudet: Nation’s Capital Represented in Super Bowl LVIII ASL Community Says Not Enough Representation of ASL Performers By Jada Ingleton WI Intern The D.C. area showed up and showed out for Super Bowl LVIII, which kicked off at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb. 11. From performers, to influential Washingtonians taking in the action, the District was well represented during the 58th “big game.” Members of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and U.S. Space Force Honor Guard, based at D.C.’s Joint Base Anacostia- Bolling (JBAB), helped begin the night in a salute to the nation. U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Airman 1st Class Ryan Ross and U.S. Space Force Honor Guard Tech Sgt. Brandon Lightburn served as the ceremonial guardsmen for the special night in football. “We’re exceptionally proud to have two of our sharpest ceremonial guardsmen represent us on such a public stage,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Peter Mask, commander of the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, in a news release. “We take an immense sense of pride in representing the United States Air Force and United States Space Force for the nation and we are honored to be able to showcase the military precision and professionalism of our airmen and guardians to the world.” This was the first year a guardian carried the Space Force flag during the Super Bowl. “It’s an honor to be the first-ever guardian to carry the Space Force flag at the Super Bowl,” said Lightburn. “This is what we as a unit train for on a day-to-day basis so I’m very excited to showcase what we can do with the world.” Ross also weighed in on the enormity of the moment. “I feel beyond blessed to be given this opportunity,” said Ross.

GALLAUDET GRADUATES SHOWCASED IN PREGAME SHOW, ASL COMMUNITY CALLS FOR MORE REPRESENTATION

In addition to JBAB represent-

ing D.C., two Gallaudet University alumni served as sign language interpreters for the ASL pregame performances. Daniel Durant, who graduated in 2015, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” with Reba McEntire, while Anjel Piñero, a 2022 alumna of the Northeast, D.C.-based university, accompanied Post Malone to sign “America, the Beautiful.” Actor, dancer and choreographer Shaheem Sanchez joined Andra Day to sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and also performed the ASL Halftime Show, only in its second year of existence. The pregame and halftime shows are produced by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), LOVE SIGN, and the NFL After the game, CBS found themselves under fire with viewers and members of the Deaf community after failing to showcase either segments during the Super Bowl. On Feb. 11, actress Marlee Matlin slammed the network in a post on X (formerly Twitter), saying she was “absolutely SHOCKED,” CBS introduced Deaf performers during the pregame show, but then did not show “even one second (or more) of their performance.” According to Axios, data shows that of the 32 national anthem performances since 1992, most ASL performers received 8% or less screen time; and in the span of 30 years, only two interpreters have appeared for the full length of the national anthem, Matlin being the first. In 2023, Bowie State University’s Justina Miles went viral on social media for her signed renditions during Rihanna’s halftime performance. Last year’s Super Bowl was the first time a Deaf woman performed at the halftime show, and Miles left a reigning impression, earning 16 million views on a TikTok post of her performance. In a press conference held on Feb. 9, 2023, the Bowie State cheerleader explained how important it was to share that moment with the world, and “to really bring that empowerment to millions and millions of Black Deaf people all over the coun-

try who've never really seen that before.”

TONY LEWIS JR. REPRESENTS IN THE STANDS

In January, activist Tony Lewis Jr., told The Informer that the Washington Commanders gifted him with two tickets to this year’s big game when he was honored as the 2023 Changemaker on Dec. 31. At that time, he proudly declared he’d be bringing his wife Jessica Lewis. After the Super Bowl, the D.C. native and co-author of “Slugg: A Boy’s Life in the Age of Mass Incarceration,” took to Instagram, sharing that he and his wife enjoyed their time in Las Vegas and at the game. “The energy in Las Vegas this weekend was out of this world,” he wrote. WI

5Ceremonial guardsmen from Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling were part of the Honor Guard presentation at the beginning of Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, Feb. 11. (Courtesy Photo) 4As part of his 2023 Changemaker Award from the Washington Commanders, D.C. native activist and author Tony Lewis Jr. and his wife Jessica Lewis went to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Courtesy Photo/ Instagram)

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 11

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

SECED CARDONA VISITS BSU, TOUTING MENTAL HEALTH EFFORTS

Bowie State University, the first HBCU established in Maryland, hosted Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona during National School Counseling Week where he spotlighted efforts to improve mental health in education. He particularly touted two grants that will help the university continue their efforts to recruit Black teachers. Last year, Bowie State University received a $5 million grant to expand the supply of mental health professionals in high-need schools across the nation and a $1.5 million August F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program Grant to recruit and prepare students at Mi-

nority Serving Institutions to help address teacher shortages in highneed schools. New Baden Library Opens, County Hires First Black Chief Librarian On Feb. 6, the Prince George’s library system celebrated the grand reopening of the newly-renovated Baden Library, fresh with new additions that will greatly enhance the library’s services. The Maryland State Library Agency's Public Library Capital Grant Program contributed more than $2 million in funding for design, construction and furnishings for the project. “The Baden community was a driving force in bringing this library space to fruition, “ said Megan Sutherland of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. “The old location had been in operation for nearly 50 years. We are serving double the size of our predecessor, we’ve added a community garden and a meeting room.”

5Pictured at Baden Library re-opening: Councilman Sydney Harrison (D- District 9), Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Interim COO for Public Services Megan Sutherland, and Prince George’s County Memorial Library System CEO Dr. Mark Winston. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

The County also welcomed Dr. Mark Winston, the first Black CEO of the Prince George’s County Library in the organization’s 78 years of operation. He attended the Baden Library opening, meeting with community members and Councilmember Sydney Harrison (D- District 9). “It is a pleasure and an honor to assume the role of CEO of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. I am very enthusiastic about working with such an impressive staff and dedicated Board in building on the library’s success in providing library services for the community,” Winston said. “It is humbling and motivating to

think of my appointment as a milestone.” Winston was the executive director of the J. Lewis Crozer Library in Chester, Pennsylvania prior to this position. He also served as the development officer and head of adult services while at Crozier Library. He has also worked at the libraries for Valdosta State University, the University of Arizona and Widener University’s Wolfgram Memorial Library. He served as assistant chancellor and director at Rutgers University, and previously taught at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Rutgers University. WI

CONGRESSMAN IVEY SECURES $11 MILLION FOR ROAD SAFETY

5The Residences at The Six, a new mixed-use development in Hyattsville, will offer amenities including a top floor pool and electric vehicle chargers. (Anthony Tilghman/ The Washington Informer)

12 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

Nearly three months ago, two children were hit and killed by a driver on their way to Riverdale Elementary School. The victims’ family said there was no organized process for pickup and dropoff, including no crossing guards. To help prevent such a tragedy from occuring again, Congressman Glenn Ivey (D- District 4) secured $11 million to improve road safety, including nearly $10 million for Mount Rainier to implement their Vision Zero plan and $768,000 for Riverdale Park and Edmonston to develop transit that is more pedestrian and biker friendly. He announced this funding at a press conference on Feb. 5 at

Thomas Stone Elementary School alongside Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Weidefeld and the Mayors of Mt. Rainier, Riverdale Park, and Brentwood. “Too often, aging infrastructure contributes to accidents that cause serious injuries and even death for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians,” said Ivey. “These funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which we fought to pass, will upgrade our roads, make them safer for our communities, and shorten commute times for the millions of hardworking Marylanders who depend on public infrastructure every day. They will enable our local partners to improve safety and accessibility on roadways across our state.” Crossing guards are under the purview of the Prince George’s Police Department. Police Chief Malik Aziz said the backlog is largely due to failed drug tests among applicants. Now, 18 year olds and individuals without driver’s licenses can apply to help fill the countywide shortage of crossing guards. WI

NEW APARTMENTS COMING TO HYATTSVILLE

A new mixed-use development called the Residences at the Six, is coming to Hyattsville’s 6400 America Boulevard, not far from The Mall at Prince George’s. At least 75% of the 316 apartments will be reserved for families making less than $2,500 a month, or $30,000 annually. Some of the advertised amenities include a fitness center, sunfilled courtyard with grills and exercise space and an outdoor pool on the top floor. There is also a focus on environmentalism and sustainability. This will be Prince George’s first apartment complex certified Gold under the National Green Building Center, and electric vehicle chargers are included in the parking lot. The Residences at the Six is less than half a mile from the Hyattsville Crossing Metro, giving residents easy-to-access public transportation options for their daily commute. This development is expected to open this summer.. WI

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

GOV. WES MOORE DELIVERS SECOND STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) gave his second annual address to the General Assembly on Feb. 7, further outlining his administrative priorities and announcing some of the greatest accomplishments of his first year of governance. Chief among those achievements: a renewed relationship between the majority Democratic General Assembly and the governor, job creation, and reduced crime. He also discussed what he and his colleagues had learned from touring the state and listening to a variety of stakeholders. “One year later, we still have work to do. We learned a lot of lessons, and some hard lessons. And solving big problems can’t happen overnight. But let’s be clear: Change is happening. And today: The state of our state is strong,” said Moore. “I’m proud of what we’re doing. But I’m most proud of how we’re doing it. The executive and the legislature are working together again. We chose to sweat the details of governing, knowing that

our constituents deserve nothing less. And by moving in partnership, we’ve helped make life easier for the people we serve.” He established his State Plan, setting key metrics for success for the remainder of his first term. Addressing child poverty, the racial wealth gap, public safety, housing affordability, and economic competitiveness will be among his primary legislative focuses in the next few sessions. His plan to implement measurable goals for state government is inspired by similar efforts by former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s 2010 “One Maryland” plan, and a plan by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D). Moore has emphasized governmental transparency during his administration. He further discussed his plan in greater detail with thousands of state employees during a virtual meeting on Feb. 8. WI

SPEAKER JONES PROPOSES JUVENILE LAW CHANGES, OPD TESTIFIES AGAINST BILL

Public safety has become one of the most contentious issues in the

5Following the passage of multiple subcommittee bills to redirect education funding, Prince George’s County Superintendent Dr. Millard House (pictured) spoke against the proposed changes and said they threatened hundreds of jobs. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

5Maryland Gov. Wes Moore gave his second annual address to the General Assembly on Feb. 7, announcing some of the achievements of his administration’s first year and setting metrics for success in the future. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

General Assembly, with crime seen constantly in the news and on social media by constituents. States Attorneys and some Democrats in Annapolis are proposing rollbacks to legal protections granted to minors over recent years. However, a powerful legislative leader is not in support of some of these proposed changes and will instead propose improvements to the juvenile justice system. “I brought this bill forward because our juvenile system is clearly failing a small set of children who are repeat offenders. They are not monsters or teen villains. They’re children and they are increasingly calling out for our help because they are not getting the services they need,” said Speaker Adrienne Jones (D- District 10) when testifying in support of HB814, which she is sponsoring. “I know this bill is going to disappoint both sides of the debate, and I’m comfortable with that reality. What I’m not comfortable with is the way the debate around this bill has been framed. In fact, I’m incredibly disappointed. We aren’t going to deny children their constitutional rights.” Eighty people signed up to testify against the bill, including Maryland Public Defender Natasha Dartigue. The Office of the Public Defender believes that establishing best practices in consultation with

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various stakeholders is the best outcome to improve public safety and reduce incarceration. “All the evidence shows that incarcerating children makes them more likely to be arrested for new offenses, not less. Yet the legislation introduced today will see thousands more children, disproportionately from Black and brown communities, incarcerated every year,” said Dartigue in a statement about the proposed bill. “Meanwhile, it demands no accountability from a public safety system that has allowed community-based supports to dwindle and disappear over the past decade and is compromised by poor, or non-existent, inter-agency communication and cooperation.” WI

ALSOBROOKS PROPOSES EDUCATION FUNDING CHANGES, BOARD OF EDUCATION OPPOSES

With the Blueprint for Education’s new funding mandates and a critical budget shortage, some Prince George’s leaders are pursuing a way to stretch existing education funding. Under Maryland law, jurisdictions are required to provide school systems with funding that is

equal or greater to the amount provided the previous year. Two bills that would allow the county to receive credit for tax revenues generated by certain sales and uses of energy and telecom services were passed in a Prince George’s House Delegation subcommittee. “They need to provide worldclass education, which is what the Blueprint does,” said Appropriations Committee Chair Ben Barnes (D- District 21) while defending the bills. “It demands world class education and funding to reach world class education. But if we’re going to demand that of them, of the state, we have to give them tools to actually make that match. And actually having an antiquated law out here that requires that they provide world-class education, and then money above that, isn’t realistic.” While some legislators do support this plan to allow budgetary flexibility, the Board of Education and particularly the school superintendent stand opposed to the proposed changes. “What we learned is that this could be potentially a $64 million cut for the school district,” said Prince George’s County Public Schools Superintendent Millard House II just after both bills passed the subcommittee. “It could mean hundreds of jobs, and require cuts to significant programs.” WI

FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 13

BUSINESS ir efs By James Wright / WI Staff Writer

D.C. EMBRACES AI

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser recently signed a Mayor’s Order outlining actions that the District government will take to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in government services. Bowser also announced D.C.’s Artificial Intelligence Values Statement and Strategic Plan, which will ensure that the District’s use of generative AI is in line with the administration’s vision of the city. “We are going to make sure D.C. is at the forefront of the work to use AI to deliver city services that are responsive, efficient, and proactive,” said the mayor. “With these guiding values, we will make sure that when we use AI, we are responsible, and we use it in a way that aligns with our D.C. values.” In pursuit of the goals with the aid of the D.C. Office of the Chief Technology Officer, the order outlines the following actions: • Defining AI values • Establishing an Advisory Group on AI Values Alignment • Convening an AI Taskforce • Setting AI Benchmarks for District Government “The Office of the Chief Technology Officer is at the forefront of finding safe, equitable ways to harness the power of AI in government services and how D.C. government—and the people we serve—can benefit from this new

technology,” said Stephen Miller, D.C. interim chief technology officer. “I look forward to the potential of AI in improving government services for the benefit of all residents in Washington, D.C.” WI

MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Officials with the U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced the formation of the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Council with the appointment of key Black entrepreneurs serving on the panel. The Advisory Council is a product of The Minority Business Development Act of 2021 and is tasked with advising and assisting the MBDA in their mission to promote the growth of minority owned businesses. “The Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Council is a critical lever of MBDA’s role as a leading authority for minority and underserved businesses,” said Donald R. Cravins, the outgoing under secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. “We have selected 19 leaders from the public and private sector with proven experience advancing opportunities for the businesses we serve. Their

5 D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser recently signed a mayoral order outlining actions around the District’ approach to artificial intelligence. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

leadership and influence will be invaluable to MBDA’s impact and mission to create a strong, equitable economy that gives American a shot at building a successful building.” Members of the council will serve a two-year term and may be reappointed. The council is composed of nine private sector members and one representative of federal agencies that support business formation, labor development, monetary policy, national security, agriculture, transportation, and housing. Black private sector members include Ron Busby, president and CEO of U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.; Harry E. Johnson, Sr., president, and CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation; Janice Bryant Howroyd, CEO of ActOne Group and David Steward, chairman and founder of World-Wide Technology. WI

AMAZON LOCKERS PROGRAM

The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has expanded its Amazon Lockers Program, adding two additional lockers at police stations in Northwest. Residential package thefts have been an ongoing nuisance impacting neighborhoods citywide, with

14 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

thefts occurring year-round. In 2022, MPD piloted the Amazon Lockers Program at the Sixth District’s main station and substation, making the District the first city in the country to install community Amazon lockers outside of police stations. The program has expanded to the Second District, located at 3320 Idaho Avenue, NW, and the Fourth District, located at 6001 Georgia Avenue., NW. When residents order on Amazon, they have an option to have their items delivered to a locker in their area. “We have to look at all crime, not just violent crime or property crime,” said Fifth District Commander Sylvan Alteri, who created the program while as an inspector in the Sixth District. “We have to look at anything that’s affecting the community and the people who live here.” There is an Amazon locker located east of the Anacostia River at the Sixth District substation at 2701 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. WI

EMPOWERHER SUMMIT

The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation will hold the EmpowerHer Summit, on March 8 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the MGM Na-

tional Harbor Hotel in Oxon Hill, Maryland. The event will feature women entrepreneurs celebrating International Women’s Day. The call to action is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” Event officials say the summit is more than a conference but a vibrant gathering of women from various cultures, industries, and backgrounds, coming together to share, learn, and inspire each other in entrepreneurial journeys. For more information, call 301583-4650. WI

HUMAN RIGHTS TRAINING

The D.C. Office of Human Rights (OHR) announced recently that it will hold its Human Rights Liaison Training Program 2.0 on Feb. 21 from 1-3:30 p.m. The OHR invites anyone who is interested in the training to participate. In this training, attendees will learn about the role of the agency; D.C.’s journey to become a model human rights city; rights and protections in the District as a resident, employee, or visitor; and how to file a complaint with the agency. For more information, visit ohr. dc.gov. WI

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New County Bill Aims to Support Local Black Businesses By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter A new bill before the Prince George’s County Council, introduced by Councilmember Krystal Oriadha (D- District 7), would create a start-up fund for Blackowned businesses. The legislation is meant to both help businesses get off the ground and expand. This bill wouldn’t require any new county spending; it would mandate that funding for existing businesses entities is more inclusive of local, Black-owned businesses. "We have the Economic Development Corporation, it already exists. We have dedicated funds that are all about building local businesses, helping them to expand and investing in startups, but what we don't have is a concentrated effort that says we're

going to support Black business owners,” said Oriadha. “And so that's what this legislation does. It says 25% of that fund needs to be dedicated to businesses that are 51% or more Black-owned.” Oriadha said that while examining her inner Beltway district, she saw a lack of business owners that looked like her. She has also launched a Digital Green Book, highlighting Black-owned businesses and other cultural staples within the County. This bill was recently introduced, and will be voted on in coming weeks. An Annapolis bill proposed by Delegate Tiffany Alston (D- District 24) would allow lobbying and government relations work done by minority-owned businesses to count towards the state’s minority business enterprise (MBE) requirements under certain circumstances. WI

5 Councilmember Krystal Oriadha is sponsoring a bill to improve the County’s investment into Black-owned businesses. The bill would not mandate any new spending. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)

BUSINESS The Annual National Black MBA Association Conference Set to Empower in Washington, DC By DC Black MBA The 46th Annual National Black MBA Association Conference is set to ascend in Washington, DC, from September 17th to 21st, 2024. This premiere event, known for its dedication to empowering professionals and fostering excellence within the Black business community, promises to be a beacon of inspiration and opportunity. Organized by the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Headquarters, this year's conference holds the theme "AFFIRM: Driving Excellence, Empowering Transformations." This powerful theme encapsulates the mission of the association, which is committed to affirming the excellence of 5 DC Chapter President, Dr. Black professionals while providing them with the skills, resources, and con- Carletta S. Hurt, in Philadelphia at nections to move them towards greater success and economic wealth. the 45th annual conference The Washington, DC Chapter of the NBMBAA (DC Black MBA) is taking the helm as the host for the event, ensuring attendees experience the best that the nation's capital has to offer. As part of the conference, the Washington, DC Chapter is rolling out a series of engaging events to welcome participants and showcase the vibrant culture of the city. Kicking off the festivities on Tuesday, September 17th, is the Welcome Reception - A Taste of DC. This event promises to tantalize the taste buds with a sampling of the diverse culture that makes Washington, DC a desired destination spot. "Hosting the 46th Annual National Black MBA Association Conference in Washington, DC is a tremendous honor for our chapter," says Dr. Carletta S. Hurt, President of the Washington, DC Chapter. "We are thrilled to welcome over 10,000 Black professionals to the nation's capital, where they will experience the rich tapestry of culture, opportunity, and innovation that defines our city. This conference represents a pivotal moment for our community to come together, affirm our collective excellence, and drive transformative change in the business world and beyond. We look forward to showcasing the best of what Washington, DC has to offer and creating an unforgettable experience for all attendees." Beyond the social events, the core of the conference lies in its empowering agenda, featuring keynote speeches, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to equip attendees with the tools, insights, and connections needed to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape. From leadership development to entrepreneurship, from corporate strategy to social impact, the conference offers something for professionals at every stage of their career journey. In addition, the conference serves as a platform for corporations, organizations, and academic institutions to engage with top talent, showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth. By bringing together thought leaders, industry experts, and rising stars, the conference catalyzes meaningful dialogue and drives positive change within the business community. As the 46th Annual National Black MBA Association Conference draws near, anticipation is running high among professionals eager to immerse themselves in a week of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. With its compelling theme, engaging events, and impactful programming, the conference is poised to affirm the excellence of Black professionals and ignite transformations that will shape the future of business and beyond.

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 15

NATIONAL Disturbing Disparities in Homicide Rates Highlight Urgent Need for Action on Black Women’s Safety By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The extreme and enduring differences in murder rates between Black and white women in the United States have been highlighted in a new analysis published in The Lancet medical journal. The new report, experts and activists note, serves as an eye-popping reminder of Malcolm X’s wellknown observations on the struggles Black women in America endure. In one of his most famous lectures delivered over 60 years ago, Malcolm X declared, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” Those words continue to echo today and are especially meaningful as this new data has revealed disturbing trends in vio-

16 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

lence against Black women. The Lancet’s report, released as African Americans observe Black History Month 2024, analyzed homicide rates among Black women aged 25 to 44 across 30 states. The study, based on data collected between 1999 and 2020 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, highlights a stark reality: Black women in this age group are disproportionately murdered compared to their white counterparts. In 2020, the homicide rate among Black women was 11.6 per 100,000, a stark contrast to the rate of 3 per 100,000 among white women. This disparity has remained virtually unchanged since 1999, prompting concerns about the efficacy of ongoing efforts to address racial and structural inequities. The study revealed disturbing trends at the state level, with racial inequities in homicide rates

5A new analysis by The Lancet medical journal shows extreme differences between murder rates for Black and white women in America. (Courtesy Photo)

increasing in 11 states since 1999. Wisconsin emerged as the state with the highest racial inequity, where Black women aged 25–44 were 20 times more likely to die by homicide than their white counterparts in 2019 and 2020. In Alaska, Black women had three times the homicide rate of white women from 1999 to 2003, and twice the homicide rate of white women from 2019 to 2020. Of the 30 states included in the analysis, eight states (Oklahoma, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas) had no change in the disparity across the 20 years of inclusion. In six states (Indiana, Georgia, Maryland, Nevada, Alaska, and Virginia) the disparity decreased, with the larg-

est decrease in Maryland, where the homicide rate among Black women was four times higher than among white women from 1999 to 2003, decreasing to two times higher from 2019 to 2020. For 10 states (Arkansas, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Missouri, New York, South Carolina, and Wisconsin), the disparity increased. One of the key findings of the research is the increase in firearm-related homicides, with women in the USA having more than two times the odds of firearm-involved homicides from 2019 to 2020 compared from 1999 to 2003. This trend is disproportionately concentrated among Black women in every region of the country. “Notably, Black women are murdered six times more often, on average, than their white peers,” the researchers wrote. “Further, Black women residing in the Midwest and Northeast were more likely to be killed with a firearm than Black women residing in any other area of the country. Importantly, we found the greatest inequities are in areas of the country where concentrated disadvantage is pronounced. This finding is a crucial initial step towards developing targeted solutions to reduce inequitable homicide rates among Black women.” The researchers stressed the urgent need for action to address these disparities, suggesting that enacting federal legislation to re-

duce gun access is a crucial step. Additionally, they have urged policymakers to tackle long-standing structural factors contributing to elevated gun violence by implementing sustainable wealth-building opportunities, developing mixed-income and affordable housing, and increasing green spaces in communities where Black women predominantly reside. Lead author Bernadine Waller, a postdoctoral psychiatry research fellow at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center, expressed her disappointment at the lack of comprehensive research on this issue. Waller emphasized the devastating impact of high homicide rates on families, especially considering that many Black families have women as heads of households. Approximately 45% of Black women have experienced stalking and physical and sexual violence in their lifetimes, with an estimated 51% of Black female adult homicides related to intimate partner violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The Lancet’s report underscores the urgency of addressing deeply entrenched issues to ensure the safety and well-being of Black women in America. “Our findings underscore pervasive racial inequities in homicide rates among Black and White women aged 25–44 years across 30 US states between 1999 and 2020,” the authors concluded. WI

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Congressional Black Caucus Yet to Outline 2024 Legislative Priorities Amidst National Focus By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Traditionally, caucuses declare their legislative priorities early in the year, and legislators in Maryland and Virginia reflect this norm. However, a notable silence surrounds the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in Washington, as they have yet to disclose their legislative agenda for 2024. Black Maryland lawmakers unveiled a comprehensive package of measures last month, aiming to address critical issues such as health, housing access, minority business opportunities, education, and criminal justice reforms. Meanwhile, across state lines, The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) remains resolute in opposing Republican initiatives that seek to curtail voting rights. Caucus members

said these attempts are based on unsubstantiated claims, stirring fears and resentment. Now in mid-February, despite repeated inquiries, CBC Chair Steven Horsford and other members have not provided insight into the specific initiatives they plan to pursue. A CBC spokesperson mentioned the members' current focus on highlighting President Joe Biden's legislative victories, such as the bipartisan infrastructure deal. While emphasizing the importance of maintaining the Biden-Harris administration and preventing the potential return of former president Donald Trump, who is facing 91 felony charges amongst a myriad of legal challenges, the CBC has remained reserved on outlining detailed new priorities for the African American communities they represent. WI

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Cameroon President Concerned About Rising Youth Migration

Cameroonian President Paul Biya has expressed concerns about the obsession of young people in the country to emigrate, The New Times, Rwanda’s largest daily newspaper, reported on Sunday, Feb. 11. "The growing desire of a fringe of our youths to emigrate to other 5 Cameroonian President Paul Biya climes is increasingly a cause for concern, especially when it becomes an has expressed concerns about the many obsession and even affects people who are well integrated into their local young people in the country who desire to communities," Biya said in a televised message geared toward the youngemigrate. (Courtesy Photo) er generation on Saturday evening. He said Cameroon, "like many others around the world" is facing difficulties but migrating "at all costs" was not the solution. "You should know that while you yearn to leave, many foreigners are trying to settle in Cameroon, thereby confirming that ours is a hospitable country and a land of opportunities," he said, adding that emigration was full of "illusions and perils." Last month, airport security officials in the country's commercial hub of Douala said Cameroonian civil servants especially nurses, teachers and security forces were emigrating at an "alarming" rate. Biya's speech came on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrated annually on Feb. 11 in the Central African country. A lower-middle-income country with a population of over 27 million, Cameroon is located along the Atlantic Ocean and shares its borders with the Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Nigeria. Cameroon is endowed with rich natural resources, including oil and gas, mineral ores, and high-value species of timber, and agricultural products, such as coffee, cotton, cocoa, maize, and cassava. Much of the area of present-day Cameroon was ruled by powerful chiefdoms before becoming a German colony in 1884 known as Kamerun. After World War I, the territory was divided between France and the United Kingdom as League of Nations mandates. French Cameroon became independent in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year, the southern portion of neighboring British Cameroon voted to merge with the new country to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. Having enjoyed several decades of stability, Cameroon has, in recent years, been grappling with attacks by Boko Haram in the Far North and a secessionist insurgency in the Anglophone regions. Since September 2017, this situation has displaced more than one million internally and around 470.000 refugees have sought shelter in Cameroon. WI

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Fewer Babies Being Born in Jamaica

Jamaica's total fertility rate (TFR) has declined significantly from 4.5 births per female between 1973 and 1975 to 1.9 in 2021, contributing to a decrease in the country's population estimate, The Jamaica Gleaner reported on Sunday, Feb. 11. This is one of the findings of the Reproductive Health Survey Jamaica (RHS) 2021, which was officially disseminated to the public by the National Family Planning Board (NFPB) at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Friday. 5 Professor Affette McCaw-Binns, “Age specific fertility rates fell in all age groups except 25-29 years and probably sexual and reproductive health and epidereflects a delayed start to childbearing into their late 20s, while women completed miology expert. (Courtesy Photo/JIS) their education,” said Professor Affette McCaw-Binns, a sexual and reproductive health and epidemiology expert who was presenting the findings. The TFR is the average number of children that is expected to be born to a woman over her lifetime. A fertility rate of 1.9 is below the replacement level of 2.1, which is the average number of children that a woman would need to produce to keep the population constant, Professor McCaw-Binns explained. She noted that in 1983 when the National Population Policy was developed, it included the goal of achieving replacement level fertility by providing high quality family planning services. RHS 2021 was a household survey of 3, 224 females and 1,784 males of reproductive age, 15 to 49 years, with data collected between August 2021 and April 2022. Forty-six percent of the respondents were resident in rural areas, 32% were in urban centers outside of the Kingston Metropolitan Region (KMR) and 22% were domiciled within the KMR. Sixty-one percent of participants were in a union (married, common-law or visiting relationship) while 39% were not. WI

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 19

HEALTH Health Care Advocates Unveil Historic Obesity Bill of Rights

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter

In efforts to create a supportive ecosystem for people facing chronic obesity nationwide, an influential collective of public health groups, aging experts and leading consumer advocates introduced the Obesity Bill of Rights. The goal of the bill is to protect the dignity and autonomy of those battling obesity. Spearheaded by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) alongside the National Consumers League (NCL), the initiative sets a plan of action to reframe obesity care in employer, federal, and state policies. Inspired by a yearlong effort of research and community feedback, the Obesity Bill of Rights is a landmark effort in targeting how the health care industry and legislators alike will ad-

dress the chronic, but yet commonly undiagnosed disease. “Our aim with the Obesity Bill of Rights is to designate quality obesity care as the inherent right of all adults, empowering those with the disease to demand unbiased treatment, regardless of their size or weight,” Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League, said in a statement. The legislative proposal outlines eight key fundamental rights designed to ensure proper care and protection for individuals with obesity including proper diagnosis, screening, counseling, and sufficient treatment under medical guidelines, while obliterating ageism and weight bias across the healthcare system. Statistics show that out of 108 million adults who are living with obesity, only 30 million have been

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20 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

5 Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity scientist at Harvard Medical School joins health care advocates to unveil the Obesity Bill of Rights In Washington, D.C. (Courtesy Photo)

diagnosed, and only 2% of those individuals who are eligible for anti-obesity prescriptions have actually received medical treatments. Further, officials highlight bleak outcomes for cases of untreated obesity, leading to over 230 medical conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, and diabetes. Dorothea Vafiadis conducts obesity town halls across the country to garner deeper analysis behind the experiences and concerns of individuals with obesity. As senior director for the National Council on Aging, Vafiadis shared the sentiments of many obese Americans, many of whom felt invisible and hopeless from a lack of support and proper treatment within medical spaces. “Many people with obesity feel stuck because they don't get the care that they need, and especially people of color, but older adults with obesity face both ageism and weight stigma. In Jackson, Mississippi, at a faith based organization, we had an older adult man stand up and say, ‘We live sick and we die quick,’ as he had lost several relatives to diet related obesity, all dying around the age of 50,” Vafiadis told The Informer. “It was very powerful to hear the stories of older adults and their search for information to be recognized, to get the care that they need and to feel supported.” The Obesity Bill of Rights highlights the severe disparities in chronic

obesity seen in communities of color, particularly among the Black American community. Nearly 48% of African American adults are clinically obese, with 37.1% of men and 56.6% of women, compared to 32.6% of white Americans. The Office of Minority Health reports that roughly 4 out of 5 African American women are overweight or obese, while in 2018, 1.3 non-Hispanic Black people were more likely to be obese as compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts, largely explaining why obesity is deemed a national crisis. Contrary to the common biases of people with chronic obesity, Dr. Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine physician scientist and staunch supporter of the Obesity Bill of Rights, told The Informer that beyond poor eating habits, pathophysiology explains the root of chronic obesity, as food intake is regulated in the brain. Stanford emphasized the crucial importance of reducing stigma and bias towards patients managing obesity in medical spaces, as obesity shows to be a complex chronic disease largely influenced by a multitude of factors including food insecurity, trauma, and psychological triggers outside of the common focus on dietary habits. “A lot of people talk about biological or medical reasons, age related changes. Those menopausal changes, perimenopausal changes

will affect you. Genetics and epigenetics, something about us being Black [people] may affect us. Different medications that are prescribed to us, [or] sleep deficit may affect us, but, we don't ever hear about those things,” said Stanford. She considered mental health as a contributing factor to many obesity struggles. “What was mom's stress? What was her obesity? What were all of mom's issues, when she was going through pregnancy? What is your trauma history? Are you dealing with emotional coping issues? We haven't talked about those issues.” The Obesity Bill of Rights has received a collective of endorsements from 36 leading organizations, including the American Nurses Association, the Academy of Nutrition, and the Obesity Action Coalition. Likewise, the collective’s efforts are publicly backed by prominent policy makers such as Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI), and Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), who are also leading the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) to push expansion of access to obesity treatments across the country. “Obesity is a chronic condition - not a personal or moral failing. We need to ensure our health care system treats it as a disease, so that Americans with obesity can access holistic, high-quality care that meets the full spectrum of their needs,” Moore said. WI

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HEALTH NATIONAL HEART HEALTH MONTH, VALENTINE’S DAY

Black Americans Disproportionately Affected by Heart Disease, Heart Healthy Practices Matters of the Heart: Emotional Health Contributes to Heart Health By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter February marks American Heart Month, recognizing important lifestyle tips to encourage positive health outcomes, and staying alert to the many symptoms and conditions of heart disease, as it is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to research and data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, Black Americans are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than their white counterparts and 40% more likely to have high blood pressure. Moreover, Black women are seemingly at greater risk for pre-symptoms of heart disease, as they are 60% more likely to have high blood pressure, compared to non-Hispanic white women. When discussing heart health and particularly heart disease, cardiologists and health care advocates commonly underscore the dire importance of learning how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the event a person nearby may need the emergency lifesaving procedure. Interventional cardiologist Dr. Quinn Capers shares the value of knowing what to do amid a cardiac emergency to potentially save someone else’s life. “I'd say in general in the United States, regardless of the race of the community, the knowledge of proper CPR is low. And that's why for so long, the American Heart Association and other organizations have worked on trying to educate people about how to do proper CPR in the community. And the Black community is probably even lower,” Capers told The Informer. “And so [when done properly], those chest compressions [are so important]. It actually keeps the blood going to your brain and to your vital organs until the ambulance arrives, and they can take over. What also is

very important is public defibrillators. It delivers a shock to the patient's heart, it can jumpstart the heart and get it going again.” Getting up and staying active is imperative to maintaining a balanced health and reducing the risk of heart disease. Taking daily walks, eating fruits and vegetables, choosing lean meats over fried foods, and limiting intake of fats and sugar are all great ways to contribute to heart health.

LOVE AND HAPPINESS AFFECT THE HEART, TOO

With the celebration of Valentine’s Day there are many advertisements and discussions about love and matters of the heart. However, heart health is ultimately affected by mental and emotional health. Studies show that married men often live longer than single men, given they have the constant care of a wife ensuring they are eating properly, and attending to their doctor’s appointments to uphold their well-being. However, on average, married women live shorter lives than single women, often associated with carrying the load of caregiving for everyone around them, while often neglecting themselves. “Married men live longer than single men. And we're pretty sure that that is because your wife is usually saying to you, ‘Honey, did you make your appointment? Did you take your medicine?’ And that keeps us alive. Unfortunately, the corollary to that is that married women do not live longer than single women,” Capers said. “So I'd say to all the husbands out there, your wife is loving you and she's keeping you alive longer, so return the favor.” WI Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 21

OUR

EARTH

EPA Announces Stricter Standards for Soot Pollution By Kayla Benjamin WI Climate & Environment Reporter

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tightened its regulations for fine particle pollution, or soot—a harmful and sometimes deadly form of air pollution that disproportionately impacts Black Americans. Environmental and public health advocates hailed Tuesday’s announcement as a win for both health and justice. The EPA estimates that the change will prevent around 4,500 premature deaths nationwide in 2032—when states must start meeting the new standard. Regulations limiting fine particle pollution had not been updated for 12 years. “This new standard… will save lives based on scientific evidence. That is the bottom line,” said Dr. Doris Browne, a physician and former president of the National Medical Association, in a statement. According to the EPA’s analysis of air quality data from 2020 through 2022, the District and every county in Virginia and Maryland currently meet the new standard. Like many federal rules, the specifics can sound incomprehensibly technical: the “annual health-based national ambient air quality standard” for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) will now be 9 micrograms per cubic meter, instead of 12 micrograms per cubic meter. But for LaTricea Adams, who leads Black Millennials For Flint, the change is “personal.” “When my great grandparents landed in Memphis from Texas in the 1940s, they came to a once-thriving Black community called the Riverside Community, which is now overburdened with extreme air quality pollution as an oil refinery is in the middle of this ma-

22 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

jority-Black neighborhood,” Adams said on a press call Tuesday. “Shortly after I was born, I suffered from severe sinus infections which later transitioned into lifelong chronic asthma,” Adams continued. “Both my grandmother and great grandmother suffered from chronic asthma as well. And December 2022, my father, also from the Riverside Community, died at only the age of 65 years old from a heart attack, which has a direct connection to air pollution.”

A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH

Soot pollution is made up of tiny

5 ((Courtesy Photo/Pixabay, via Pixels)

pollution include wildfire smoke, fossil fuel-burning power plants, industrial factories and busy roads. “Otherwise healthy children can now have onset of asthma and respiratory issues by spending time living, going to school… by [high-traffic]

“As counties and cities find themselves in nonattainment, this grave mistake will drive investment away from the United States, derail permitting and weaken the economy for all,” the manufacturing lobby group said. particles—about one-thirtieth the width of a hair—that can make their way into people’s lungs and bloodstream. Researchers have linked fine particle pollution with a whole host of health harms, including cancer, strokes, asthma attacks, heart attacks, lung issues and infant mortality. Seniors, children and pregnant women face particularly high risks. Studies suggest soot in the air causes between 85,000 and 200,000 early deaths in the U.S., and people of color experience significantly more exposure than white people. Common sources of fine particle

thoroughfares,” Nsedu Obot Witherspoon, head of the Children’s Environmental Health Network, said at a Feb. 8 panel on environmental hazards and young people’s health. “That’s just unacceptable.”

PUSHBACK FROM INDUSTRY—AND FROM SOME ACTIVISTS

Several major business groups have opposed the more stringent regulations, warning that the stricter limits will prevent economic growth

and eliminate manufacturing jobs. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the biggest business lobby in the country, said in a statement that the new rule would “grind permits to a halt.” The National Association of Manufacturers called the standards “radical.” “As counties and cities find themselves in nonattainment, this grave mistake will drive investment away from the United States, derail permitting and weaken the economy for all,” the manufacturing lobby group said. The Chamber of Commerce estimated that around 18% of U.S. counties (over 500 nationwide) would not currently meet the new standards. However, the EPA’s own analysis identified just 59 counties that would not be in compliance. One major difference? The EPA looked at air quality data from 2020 to 2022, so this year’s unprecedented wildfire smoke problems didn’t impact the results. States can ask the EPA to exclude wildfire smoke from their data, though the agency doesn’t always grant those requests. Advocates for stronger clean air

protections have pushed back against the industry narrative, arguing that previous changes to environmental regulations have not caused the economic fallout routinely predicted by business leaders. The EPA projected that compliance with the stronger soot rule could cost industry up to $590 million annually in 2032— but it could save up to $46 billion in healthcare costs and prevent up to 290,000 lost workdays. On the other side of the spectrum, some environmental justice and public health groups, including WE ACT for Environmental Justice and the American Lung Association, expressed disappointment that the agency had not gone further with the regulation. Based on a 2022 report from a scientific advisory committee to the EPA, activists had hoped to see the new standard set at 8 micrograms per cubic meter instead of 9. “We won’t stop fighting until we stamp out all forms of air pollution that make our communities sick and cut our lives short,” Anastasia Gordon, WE ACT’s federal policy director, said. WI

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By Asha Taylor WI Intern

Outdoors, students can connect with their neighborhoods, allowing children to identify transferable skills from lesson plans into their everyday lives. “Every day I feel like there is an opportunity for me to learn how much the outdoors can really save us and nourish us,” Mintz told The Informer. “Once you allow children to move, address their social and emotional wellbeing, [then] their levels of engagement and the kinds of questions that children have when they’re outside are amazing.” Outdoor learning benefits children’s mental, emotional, and physical health. According to research from the National Wildlife Federation, 78% of children who spend regular time in unstructured outdoor play are better able to concentrate and perform better in the classroom. Also, 75% of students who spend regular time outdoors tend to be more creative and better at problem-solving in the classroom. Environmental education prompts collaboration with group work, cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills, nurtures community involvement, and active citizenship, ultimately creating positive memories and expanding learning capabilities for students. Throughout the school year, UAS partners with schools in all eight wards, like C.W. Harris Elementary School in Ward 7 to foster trust between the organization and teachers to continue lesson plans in outdoor settings. Last week, in partnership with C.W. Harris, Urban Adventure Squad took students on an hour-long walk around their school’s garden and rain garden to learn about the impact of rain on the pollution of the Anacostia watershed. Using sign language of the letters ‘P’ and ‘I’ students were encouraged to identify pervious and impervious surfaces to learn about how pollutants travel into the watershed.

5 Children engage in arts and crafts activities during outdoor lessons. (Courtesy Photo)

E B R ATIN

District of Columbia resident Elana Mintz is dedicated to uplifting the spirits of students, staff and parents through the joys and instructive benefits of outdoor learning. With Urban Adventure Squad (UAS), a non-profit organization devoted to empowering D.C. youth through environmental exploration, students are integrated into their communities and spend quality time outside as they learn. Mintz, founder and executive director of the non-profit, moved to Washington, D.C. by way of New York in 1994. The District is where she started her family and Mintz explored the city with her children by walking along local bridges, waterways, and neighborhoods. “Once I started thinking through Urban Adventure Squad, a lot of that [inspiration] emerged from having my own children and figuring out what I wanted their public education to look like, and what I wanted their time outside of school to look like, because none of that outdoor learning was happening,” said Mintz. This year, Urban Adventure Squad celebrates 10 years of educating D.C. youth by using the city as a classroom. Four pillars of the UAS teaching model are focused on leveraging community resources, meticulous curriculum development, hands-on and physical learning, curiosity, and fun. The non-profit offers full-day programs, year-round, to elementary school students covering subjects such as science, history, math, art, engineering, and writing. Middle school students are also provided with special half-day programs with curriculum-aligned lessons. Mintz explained UAS successfully sustains itself with the help of volunteers, donations, and private grants to spread outdoor learning opportunities throughout the District. This school year, the National Recreation Foundation supported UAS with a grant to develop an outdoor learning culture in D.C. Public Schools.

THE BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR LEARNING

Within each garden, students were able to acknowledge how trash and toxic chemicals pollute local riverways. The goal of UAS is to motivate students to learn in an environment that feels safe, relaxed, and welcoming, while creating an outdoor learning culture that is equitable and sustainable for public schools. “Outdoor learning done equitably is possible in every single public school in the United States, and in order to do that you have to overturn this idea that we have used to justify how we form our schools,” said Mintz. WI Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

The Urban Adventure Squad Supports Child Learning With Outdoor Programs

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EDUCATION DCPS Budget Raises Questions about Staffing, Pandemic-Era Programming

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

District of Columbia Public Schools’ (DCPS) FY 2025 budget, like that of other District agencies, highlights a post-pandemic environment where officials say they’re facing tough choices amid inflation, increasing teacher salaries, and the desire to fund programming once subsidized by federal dollars. Such challenges during this budget season have compelled DCPS’ central office to recommend that local school advisory teams (LSATs) at each public school cut some full-time positions, the number of which ballooned during the pandemic. “We’re thinking about how to invest differently with less buying power and that will be how schools will think about the budget process with the LSATs,” DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee said. “The budget represents a continued investment in at-risk students,

English language learners and schools with a larger population,” he added. “We’re also committed to continuing the services we provide at neighborhood schools and schools of choice.” In total, DCPS’ FY 2025 budget is $1.36 billion, nearly 80% of which has been allocated to local public schools. District officials said the total amount represents an increase of $181 million from the previous fiscal year. More than 100 District public schools are anticipated to see an increase in their budget, Ferebee said. Per-pupil funding in the upcoming budget increased by nearly 12% while at-risk students, English language learners, and students attending adult schools and other alternative learning environments will receive more allocations. However, officials say that such increases have been absorbed by teacher salary increases, programming once funded by Emergency Elementary and Secondary School

5 District of Columbia Public Schools’ FY 2025, with Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee as superintendent, reflects a post-pandemic environment facing tough choices amid inflation, increasing salaries, and desired funding for programming. (WI File Photo/Ja'Mon Jackson)

Relief (ESSER), the continuation of the sixth grade academies, and device purchases. This news comes as the deadline looms for DCPS to use its remaining ESSER funds, which, per Deputy Superintendent of Schools and Academics Danielle Branson, currently stands at nearly $116 million out of nearly $600 allocated over three years. On Monday, Ferebee said that essential teaching positions won’t be on the chopping block. He instead pointed to central office support roles and school-based COVID-related positions. Those terminations have happened incrementally over the past couple of years, Ferebee told reporters.

LOOKING AT THE BIGGER PICTURE

More than 100 District public schools are anticipated to see an increase in their budget, Ferebee said. 24 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

As the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education continues its school boundary study, Ferebee also attempted to allay concerns raised by parents living near underpopulated schools. “There will be no plans to close any schools,” he said. “We’ll continue the implementation of our road map. There will be strategic investments [like] our focus on mathematics, middle school students making their transition to sixth grade.” With D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) expected to release her FY 2025 budget proposal on March 20, there’s much anticipation about what’s been described as D.C.’s most constrained budget since the 2008 recession. Administration officials cite the Of-

fice of the Chief Financial Officer’s prediction about minimal revenue growth, along with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) fiscal cliff, Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) collective bargaining agreements, and the expiration of federal COVID relief, as exacerbating factors. That’s why the goal for FY 2025, as an official told The Informer on Monday, involves “right sizing” the government. DCPS currently has 8960 full-time school-based employees, including teachers, administrators, support staff and coaches. That number represents an 18% increase over the last five years. Within the same timeframe, DCPS’ student population increased by 2%, officials told The Informer. Local school advisory teams are expected to submit their adjustments to DCPS’ budget by Feb. 23, less than two weeks after receiving the budget. In years past, LSATs have complained about the short time window. Ferebee told The Informer that, this year, he’s focused on ensuring that school leaders are well versed on approaching administrators and LSATs around the guidance for cuts to fulltime positions. When it comes to budget cuts, DCPS central office told The Informer that it has turned its sights toward health technicians, not to be confused with school-based nurses, along with high-impact tutoring support positions. The removal of tutoring support positions wouldn’t affect the high-impact tutoring program, said Ferebee who expressed a desire to

increase focus on math recovery, particularly eighth-grade algebra.

LOCAL EDUCATION LEADERS WEIGH IN ABOUT PROCESSES, TRANSPARENCY

Concerns about the long-term impact of the FY 2025 budget still persist at several District public schools. This is especially the case at elementary schools where student enrollment is anticipated to decline over the next few years. With ESSER funds soon expiring, Dr. Marla Dean, chair of the Ward 7 Education Council said there’s a question of how schools will sustain essential programming. She told The Informer that the budget dilemma threatens efforts to secure high-quality academic resources in schools located east of the Anacostia River. Dean, whose jurisdiction covers more than a dozen public schools, also raised concerns about the future of capital improvements, of which she said there’s a dire need for Ward 7 schools. As it relates to LSATs’ budget deliberation, Dean described the Feb. 23 deadline as disadvantageous to parents and community members juggling several other obligations. Though critical of what she called the D.C. Council’s hasty passage of the Schools First in Budgeting Act, Dean said that DCPS’ inability to submit its budget in accordance with the law shows a lack of interest in en-

EDUCATION Page 25

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EDUCATION from Page 26 suring educational equity. “What are schools going to do to address learning gaps? How will they support families? What’s going to happen with family engagement?” Dean asked. “We’re concerned about equity in technology to support learning at home. We’re concerned about socio-emotional support, not just the academic pieces. They need to be placed in schools that are in the communities that are still being impacted.” As outlined in a D.C. Policy Center study titled “The fiscal future of public education in the District of Columbia,” ESSER funded DCPS’ summer programming, teacher training, support for English language learners and their families, high-impact tutoring, special education, and support for Science of Reading and multi-tiered support systems. On Tuesday, hours before DCPS released the FY 2025 budget, D.C. Policy Center hosted a virtual presentation of the study. Solutions touted in the study include using remaining ESSER funds to meet future needs and sharing resources between local education agencies. While Maya Martin Cadogan, founding executive director of Parents Amplifying Voices in Education, acknowledged D.C.’s precarious economic situation in her remarks at D.C. Policy Center’s event, she pressed for continued investment in District students who are still reeling from the academic and socioemotional effects of the pandemic. “None of what they put into it is wrong, it’s finite,” Martin Cadogan said. “That’s why we’re here. As we examine the fiscal cliff, we can center what matters most and give [young people] the attention in our budgets to be loved.”

GEARING UP FOR A LIKELY COUNCIL BATTLE

Last budget season, Ferebee and Paul Kihn, deputy mayor for education, clashed with the legislative body due to their failure to meet a budget submission deadline outlined in the Schools First in Budgeting Amendment Act. Ferebee said, when it comes to budgeting, he and the council have different approaches. His office, he told The Informer, aims more for equity, rather than stability. The latter, Ferebee said, proves det-

rimental because it funds seats that are no longer occupied and diverts funds away from students in need of support. He went on to tell The Informer that he’s been in communication with members of the D.C. Council about DCPS’ FY 2025 budget, though he declined to specify which members or how many. D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5), one council member confirmed to have received a call from Ferebee in advance of the budget’s release, said that he long warned DCPS against using onetime funds for programs and fulltime staff positions. His concerns this budget season include support for migrant students, the modernization of John Burroughs Elementary School in Northeast, and public safety at McKinley Technology Middle and High Schools, also in Northeast. As it relates to the Schools First in Budgeting Act, Parker said that all District agencies, including DCPS, must follow the law, regardless of how they feel about it. “If data suggests there’s a more equitable approach and the Schools First in Budgeting Amendment Act isn’t working the way it’s intended, then DCPS should send that,” Parker said. “I’m sympathetic to DCPS’ viewpoint about their funding approach but there’s a lack of clarity around their budgeting process so it’s hard to see the impact of investments they’re making in schools.” D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) too confirmed that Ferebee called him about the budget. He told The Informer that, much to his disappointment, Ferebee warned him about impending budget cuts for some District public schools. Mendelson said, with that outcome, he stands prepared to restore funding to schools during the budget cycle. He went on to dismiss any notion that DCPS’ current funding formula ensures equity if it reduces schools’ funding level, regardless of enrollment. “How do we improve schools with declining enrollment if we cut their budget? It’s a vicious spiral,” Mendelson said. “If DCPS releases budgets with cuts to schools, individual school communities are going to be very upset and fight like heck to avoid cuts and restore their funding. We don’t need that turmoil.” WI @SamPKCollins

EDUCATION

5 DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee said some of the many goals in the FY 2025 budget include continued investment in at-risk students, English language learners and schools with a larger population. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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TOPA TOUR from Page 1

to the development or preservation of 16,224 affordable units between 2006 and 2020. That figure represented half of the units that underwent negotiation following a TOPA notice. The largest concentration of TOPA deals, according to the report, took place in Wards 1, 4, and 8, all in correlation with the decrease in D.C.’s affordable housing stock. Community-based organizations supported 421 tenant groups, which the report designated as 45% of all buildings that received notices of sale or more than half of the 20,534 units in the study group. More than 70 developers and purchasers also started or completed TOPA projects during the time period outlined in the report. In recent years, as property values increased in the District, tenants who exercise their TOPA rights found difficulty navigating the process. Success in this realm depends heavily on one’s knowledge of TOPA rights and processes, along with their ability to access community-based organizations and attorneys with expertise in negotiating agreements. Other factors outside of tenants’ control, according to the CNHED report, include funding levels for the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF) and increasingly high interest rates that affect the housing market. The report also highlighted situations in which bad actors pressure tenants into prematurely signing away their rights. Another hurdle concerns the lack of affordable housing financing and predictable financing options. In its report, CHNED recommended the launch of a TOPA task force, the reinstatement of First Right

Bowser (D), residents, and developers celebrated the opening of what’s now known as Portner Flats. Somerset and Jonathan Rose doubled the number of affordable apartments, from 48 to 96 units, priced at 60% of the average median income. They did so through a Planned Unit Development that leveraged the market value of the land to increase the zoning density via the construction of 288 market-rate units on the U Street side of the apartment complex. Somerset and Jonathan Rose also facilitated the extension of tenants’ Section 8 for another 20 years through an arrangement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The “pass through” helped them maintain the affordability of the units during and after the 18-month demolition and construction process. These days, Frost and other Portner Flats residents enjoy a community garden, outdoor landscaped spaces, and a bevy of community programming. “I couldn’t afford it otherwise,” she said. “I had a great experience with the transition. You could come straight off the street. We have the office right on the premises and the elevator helps people with disabilities. Some of the children can come down to the computer room and the gym.”

FURTHER EXAMINING TOPA’S IMPACT AND HURDLES

Since TOPA’s enactment in 1980, tenants throughout the District have used it as a means of purchasing rental properties during sales, preserving affordable housing and preventing displacement. In the process of exercising their “first right of refusal,” tenants have organized tenant associations, made purchase offers and, in several cases, assigned their rights to a community-based organization charged with redeveloping the property in a manner that ensures tenants can stay. Despite what advocates describe as its benefits, TOPA has sparked criticism in recent years, particularly among owners of single-family homes who complained about tenant abuse of the law that led to the delay of property sales. Such complaints led to 2018 legislation that no longer allowed tenants of single-family homes to exercise first right of refusal under TOPA. A report conducted by the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) last November found that TOPA led

5 At-Large Councilmember Robert White (Courtesy photo)

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Purchase Program (FRPP) loans that could be acquired through D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), collaboration with community-based organizations to strengthen tenant association education on TOPA, the enforcement of housing code enforcement to prevent subpar living conditions that compel tenant buyouts, the expansion of access to legal and technical assistance, and an increase of outreach and awareness about TOPA. Earlier this month, D.C. Councilmembers Robert White (D-At large) and Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) joined CNHED on tours of Portner Flats, Maycroft, 11 Nicholson Street, and The Hampshire, four Northwest-based apartment buildings where tenants exercised their TOPA rights. The tour came weeks after White participated in a Committee of the Whole hearing on the District’s inspection system, where he said he attempted to gain some clarity on next steps to address subpar living conditions in privately-owned buildings. By that time, he had been in constant communication with tenants, the Office of the Attorney General, Department of Buildings, and Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA), a council staffer said. As it relates to FRPP, White requested a status update last fall from DHCD on the funding source. His office told The Informer that DHCD told him that while those funds weren’t in use, tenants can similarly access the HPTF and the Oramenta Newsome Predevelopment Loan Fund for preservation of affordable housing. White’s team is currently reviewing FRPP and other DHCD preservation and acquisition-related funding sources to better understand what they described as overlaps and distinctions, a spokesperson told The Informer. During the TOPA tour, White, chair of the council’s Committee on Housing, listened as tenants credited community-based organizations with helping them successfully navigate the TOPA process. He said those organizations, along with OTA, prove essential in increasing tenant and tenant association education about TOPA. After the tour, White told The Informer that his priorities involve taking CNHED recommendations seriously and better assessing how those recommendations, specifically tenant support and education, can help White’s office achieve its broader housing goals. Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com WI @SamPKCollins

5 Local couple Angel N. Livas and Yusuf Henriques recently celebrated their engagement at The Park at 14th in Northwest, D.C. on Feb. 2. (Courtesy Photo)

LOVE STORY from Page 1 panies, including IndyGeneUS AI and IndyGeneUs Institute. Through these ventures, he is dedicated to creating the world’s largest block-chain encrypted repository of indigenous and diasporic African clinical data, with his precision genomics company. Impressive solo, the pair firmly believe they are stronger together. Their relationship is full of love, faith, laughter, and encouragement. Livas expressed her gratitude for having someone who supports her wholeheartedly. “I love having someone who just gets you, and is genuinely supportive and wants to see you thrive and succeed,” said Livas. The power couple both graduated from Howard University in the early 2000s, but they didn’t cross paths until nearly 20 years later, well into their trailblazing work.

MEANT TO BE MORE THAN BUSINESS PARTNERS

On a mid-fall afternoon in 2021, Henriques scheduled an afternoon meeting with Livas to discuss the possibility of her joining his team to translate complex messaging around genomics and healthcare for underrepresented populations. Henriques said their lunch conversation quickly extended into nightfall. “I’m real cerebral, so [I appreciate] having someone who can be in my space, not just in our spiritual connection or emotional connection, there’s also that intellectual connection,” Henriques recalled. “After that 12-hour session, we went and ran it back the next morning.” From the very start, it was clear that the two were meant to be more than business partners. Henriques explained that their connection was like yin and yang. He joked that he’s “rough around the edges,” and Livas responded sweetly, “I smooth it out.”

When it comes to their professional growth and collaboration, Henriques likened it to the “iron sharpens iron” saying. Livas proudly shared that she is chief communications officer for his company, IndyGeneUS AI. She explained that her fiance is more mission-focused and will walk into a room with targets and outcomes in mind. But since their relationship began, she’s been showing Henriques the value in building relationships and having people in your corner. “As an entrepreneur, a lot of times you do feel isolated, you do feel alone. And you feel like ‘Oh, my God, am I on the right path? Am I doing all the right things?’ I’m that voice of encouragement, like, ‘No, you got this, this is what you're supposed to be doing. This is what you're destined to do,’” said Livas. Henriques added that he never did a vision board until he saw Livas’ and wanted to help her bring her dreams to fruition. For him, supporting her and being positive reinforcement to reach her goals is very important. He pours back into her with his technology expertise by showing her new and innovative ways to scale her media-tech ventures. Next week, the ALIVE Podcast Network turns two years old, and Livas thanks Henriques for guiding her to build a proprietary app. This unique platform celebrates the growth and importance of Black storytelling, as people seek out content that empowers and represents them authentically. According to Edison Research, 75% of Black monthly podcast listeners seek out content that focuses on Black storytelling. “When it comes down to money and getting folks to believe in the vision, you’re going to need a battle buddy,” said Henriques. WI Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATING BLACK VISUAL ARTISTS AND STORYTELLERS

4 From photographers such as Addison Scurlock to literary artists like Zora Neale Hurston (pictured), Black visual and storytellers have creatively crafted narratives that have shifted society’s understanding of Black life and culture. (Courtesy Photo/ Library of Congress, 1937

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Mimi’s Musings: Black Visual and Literary Artists Curate Culture, Empower Worldwide

D.C. Plays Major Role in Journey for Many African American Artists, Storytellers By Micha Green WI Managing Editor While many creatives have showcased works and started trends that have influenced culture, African American visual and literary artists have crafted narratives that have shifted society’s understanding and appreciation of the beautiful complexities of Black life and culture. As the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the founders of Black History Month, celebrates “African Americans and the Arts,” as its 2024 theme, The Washington Informer has taken a deep dive into the importance of Black artists. This week, we’re celebrating Black visual artists and storytellers, and highlighting their deep connections to Washington, D.C. While the District is a great place to view and take in free national art, it also possesses a lot of local Black visual arts history. For instance, early 20th century photographer and entrepreneur Addison Scurlcok captured both D.C.’s Black elite and activities in

the streets; and painter Sam Gilliam was known as the “dean” of the District’s arts community. From photos, to quilts, paintings and sculptures, visual arts, for Black Americans, have always created a pathway to boldly share African American narratives with the masses without saying a word. Black art has historically spoken for itself as a form of African Americans representation and sometimes intentional artivism. “You can’t sit around and wait for somebody to say who you are. You need to write it and paint it and do it,” artist Faith Ringgold once said. Ringgold’s work has been featured throughout D.C., and some of her art will be included in an upcoming show at the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery this May. Further, stories have always been critical to Black people, even before the ancestors’ arrival to the Americas— rooting back to the African griot. From the groundbreaking work of

Phyllis Wheatley, credited as the first published African American, to children’s author Eloise Greenfield, literature has the power to influence change and empower others. Moreover, many literary works live forever. As is the case with Wheatley, who was first published in the 1760s, the words and stories from back then still inform, entertain, and inspire readers to this day. Historically, Black writers have been intentional with their words and often write to expand readers’ ideals of the intricacies of African American people and narratives. In the words of Zora Neale Hurston, a celebrated writer whose time in the nation’s capital was integral to her literary journey: “It’s no use of talking unless people understand what you say.” Join us as we celebrate the lives and legacies of historic Black visual and literary artists, whose works continue to influence viewers and readers to this day. WI

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATING BLACK VISUAL ARTISTS: LOCAL ARTIST’S LEGACY CONTINUES IN D.C. AND BEYOND

Sam Gilliam: A Pillar of African-American Art and Community By Andrew S. Jacobson WI Contributing Writer

Throughout Washington, D.C. and beyond, Sam Gilliam was celebrated as a pioneering African-American artist, illuminated not only through his groundbreaking work but also through stories from various people about his impact. Gilliam, who was born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1933 and died in the nation’s capital in 2022, was affectionately called the “dean” of the District’s arts community. Narratives shared by friends, art collectors, and District residents offer a rich and multifaceted view of Gilliam's influence that extend far beyond his contributions in his artwork. Attorney J. Larry Fraizer recounted his relationship with Gilliam, beginning with an art exhibit encounter. "I met Sam at an art exhibit, and

then he invited me to come to his studio," Fraizer said. This meeting blossomed into a friendship, marked by art purchases and collaborative projects, revealing Gilliam's generosity and his stature in the D.C. art scene. Fraizer's story underscored Gilliam's approachability and his commitment to nurturing the community, whether through advising on art acquisitions or engaging in initiatives to support local artists. His anecdotes revealed a side of Gilliam that went beyond the artist to showcase his generosity and deep engagement with the D.C. art scene. Whether advising on art acquisitions or collaborating on community projects, Gilliam's dedication to the local art community was evident. His mentorship and advice to emerging artists underscored his role as a supportive and accessible figure in the art world. Bennie Johnson, former Smithso-

nian's Anacostia Community Museum board chair, reflected on Gilliam's enduring legacy. "Sam was always innovating the work, always pushing forward, inviting, challenging, and bringing people along to push those new ideas," Johnson noted. Highlighting Gilliam's significant breakthroughs in post-war American art, Johnson emphasized Gilliam's innovative spirit and his contributions to the community through mentorship and support, often carried out quietly and without seeking attention. Neighbor Barry Caldwell shared a more personal and unexpected connection to Gilliam's work. "We won it at a School for Friends auction... We didn't frankly know what we were doing, but we liked it," Caldwell explained, detailing how he and his wife unwittingly acquired a piece of Gilliam's art.

Caldwell’s story evolved from an accidental art acquisition to a deeper realization of Gilliam's presence in his own neighborhood, illustrating how the artist’s influence permeated even the most personal spaces of District residents' lives. Caldwell's subsequent discovery of living in close proximity to both Gilliam in Crestwood, and the realization that he was surrounded by the artist’s museum-quality works in his own neighborhood, underscored a profound, albeit unintended, personal connection to the artist. This realization brought a deeper appreciation for the piece Caldwell had acquired, embedding Gilliam's legacy not just in the grandeur of museum halls but in the intimate spaces of community and home. Gilliam emerged not just as a figure of artistic innovation but as a beacon of mentorship, generosity, and unexpect-

5 Sam Gilliam was celebrated as a pioneering African American artist, affectionately called the “dean” of the District’s arts community and received the Distinguished Honor award from Mayor Bowser in 2021. (WI File Photo/ Roy Lewis)

ed connections, whose impact was felt in both grand and intimate ways across the District. Read more on www.washingtoninformer.com WI

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 29

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Washington Gas Celebrates Black History Month We are honored to celebrate Black History Month. Each week during February 2024, we will profile one of our employees and share in their own words what Black history means to them. Shreen Morrison Manager, Corporate Accounting Black History Month holds a profound significance for me, serving as an annual journey of reflection, celebration and advocacy. We are more than our past in this country as the enslaved. It is a time to emphasize the resilience, accomplishments and cultural richness of the African American community, acknowledging its pivotal role in shaping our collective history. Black History Month is an opportunity for introspection and a commitment to fostering positive change in both personal and professional spheres. One of the fundamental ways I celebrate Black History Month is through education and community service. I believe that spreading awareness by educating all community members about the accomplishments of Black leaders, artists, scientists and activists is crucial in dismantling stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive society. Celebrating goes beyond acquiring knowledge; it involves active engagement in the community throughout the year. Volunteer events play a crucial role in translating understanding into action. Alongside my family and friends, I volunteer for community service projects that inspire a sense of responsibility, empathy and motivation and specifically emphasize the transformative potential of collective action to contribute to a more equitable and united society. It is essential to encourage allyship as we actively work towards a more inclusive future. When multiplied, small acts of kindness and involvement create a ripple effect that fosters a sense of community. In the workplace, initiatives promoting inclusivity are vital for fostering a diverse and equitable environment. Employee resource groups (ERG) provide a platform for networking, mentorship and cultural exchange. In 2018, I was one of the co-founders of the African American Resource Council (AARC), I understand the significance of ERGs in driving positive change. AARC's founding mission, centered on creating a cultural shift that fosters trust, transparency and better inclusion, has been instrumental in promoting cultural awareness and providing opportunities for African Americans within the company. AARC's core values, encapsulated by the 4Cs--culture, community, communication and cultivation--drive the initiatives for its members. These values emphasize the importance of building a workplace culture that values diversity, creating a supportive community, fostering open communication and cultivating opportunities for professionals to reach their full potential. Additionally, I believe companies should implement policies that address unconscious bias and promote equal and fair opportunities in leadership. Black History Month is a time for reflection, celebration and action. By educating ourselves and others, engaging in volunteer events and actively promoting inclusivity in the workplace, we can collectively contribute to a society that values diversity and equality. Let us embrace Black History all year, not only as a commemoration of the past but as a catalyst for positive change in the present and future.

CELEBRATING BLACK VISUAL ARTISTS: BETYE SAAR AND FAITH RINGGOLD

Age Is Just a Number for Two Women Who Continue to Produce Art In Their 90s By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

The intricate images Betye Saar and Faith Ringgold create are a form of storytelling at its finest. Saar, 97, is known for her sculptures, particularly those with found materials, a technique called “assemblage.” She would visit thrift stores or find things on the street, then take those items back to her studio and assemble them to create a new sculpture. "I am intrigued with combining the remnants of memories, fragments of relics and ordinary objects, with the components of technology. It's a way of delving into the past and reaching into the future simultaneously,” said Saar, according to an excerpt featured in The Art Story. Ringgold, 93, has captured periods of American history, especially the Black Power movement. Ringgold is also famous for her quilt works. Relaying the complexities of the African American experience is an important aspect of Ringgold’s work. “Art is a form of experience of the person, the place, the history of the people, and as black people, we are different. We hail from Africa to America, so the culture is mixed, from the African to the American,” Ringgold told Ebony in 2013. “We can't drop that. It's reflected in the

music, the dance, the poetry, and the art.” In 2022, art by Ringgold and Saar were exhibited in “Meeting on the Matrix” at the David Driskell Center on the campus of University of Maryland College Park. Though they have individually been included in numerous exhibitions throughout their careers, the Driskell Center showcase was the first time Ringgold and Saar’s works were featured exclusively in an exhibition. The exhibition was curated by Ph.D. students at the university. Curlee R. Holton, former professor, director, and artist-in-residence at the Driskell Center, said “most of these works were already in the David C. Driskell collection,” said. “Young scholars being involved with this access is just phenomenal.” Though the Driskell Center exhibition has closed, there are other places in the D.C. area to view works by Ringgold and Saar. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. features“The Trickster,” a 1994 mixed media assemblage by Saar. Ringgold’s work will be included in an exhibition called “Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women” at the Smithsonian Renwick Gallery from May 31 through January 5, 2025. WI @bcscomm

5 Two prints from Faith Ringgold’s “Jazz Series” were exhibited at the David C. Driskell Center in 2023. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

CELEBRATING BLACK VISUAL ARTISTS: VIEW WORKS BY BLACK ARTISTS AROUND THE CITY

Impactful Art Exhibitions in Abundance at DC Areas Galleries By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Throughout the D.C. area, art lovers can find galleries and exhibits that celebrate Black excellence and history, and are free for the public to enjoy.

SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY CELEBRATES WOMEN, HIGHLIGHTS BLACK ARTISTS

The portrait of Oprah Winfrey at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery was considered one of the biggest art unveilings in 2023. Winfrey’s likeness was painted by Chicago artist Shawn Michael Warren and is a part of the Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection. The unveiling coincided with the opening of “The Color Purple,” which was co-executive produced by the media mogul. Overwhelmed by her completed portrait, Winfrey found herself breathless at the unveiling. “The view was so beautiful. The light was so perfect,” said Winfrey. “I stepped back and did a rewind to ensure that I was alive and breathing and it wasn't just in a dream.” Winfrey’s painting coincided with the opening of the Portrait Gallery’s 2023-2024 edition of “Recent Acquisitions,” where images of women are featured through various media, from painting, sculpture, works on paper, and photographs to time-based media. Works of art are either created by women or feature women who have had a global impact. Portraits of women include artist Ruth Asawa, singer Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, actress Greta Garbo, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, artist Shigeko Kubota, actress and dancer Carmen de Lavallade, artist Nellie Mae Rowe, astronomer Vera Rubin, artist Betye Saar, photographer Ming Smith, and entrepreneur Madam C. J. Walker. This exhibition will be on display until Oct. 27. “I was glad that the museum was able to get a larger and more colorful photograph because that resonates with a younger audience,” said D.C. resident A’Lelia Bundles, great-great-granddaughter, and official biographer of Madam. More information on the “Recent

Acquisitions” and the Oprah Winfrey portrait are available at npg.si.edu. WI

‘WE WHO BELIEVE IN FREEDOM: BLACK FEMINIST DC’ AT MLK LIBRARY

Black women as advocates is the theme of “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC.” The exhibition is presented by the National Women’s History Museum at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in downtown D.C. Curated by historians Sherie M. Randolph and Kendra T. Field, the powerful images feature 23 women who have been in the forefront of Black feminism. A few women highlighted include Pauli Murray, Lucy Diggs Slowe, Ella Baker, June Jordan, and D.C.’s representative in Congress Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton. This exhibition is on view until Sept. 15 during regular hours at the library. More information on this exhibition is available at womenshistory.org. WI

“DAVID C. DRISKELL & FRIENDS: CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND FRIENDSHIP”

From the creative legacy of David C. Driskell (1931–2020), renowned artist, educator, curator, scholar, and historian, a compelling exhibition, “David C. Driskell & Friends: Creativity, Collaboration, and Friendship,” opens at The Driskell Center Gallery on Feb. 26 and runs until May 24. Featuring more than 70 artworks by 35 prominent African American artists and original archival materials, “Driskell & Friends” brings to life Driskell's profound commitment and support for his interpersonal connections with other artists. African American artists that will be featured include Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Aaron Douglas, Loïs Mailou Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Alma Thomas, Kara Walker, and many more. “ Driskell & Friends will be the first exhibition in The Driskell Center’s newly renovated campus gallery at the University of Maryland-College Park Campus.

“We are excited to welcome these works of art back to campus,” said Assistant Director of Exhibitions & Programs Dr. Abby R. Eron. “This exhibition showcases the significance of Driskell’s professional and personal networks, which included some of the most eminent artists of the 20th century.” Visit the David C. Driskell Center website for more information. https://driskellcenter.umd.edu WI

5 On May 13, 1968, Welfare Rights Organization marchers were photographed by W.H. Spradley. This photo is from the exhibition “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC,” currently at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. (Courtesy Photo/George Mason University Libraries 3 DC resident A’Lelia Bundles, Madam C. J. Walker’s great-greatgranddaughter and official biographer, stands with her personal photo of Madam in front of a recent acquisition at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer) CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATING BLACK VISUAL ARTISTS: SHOWCASING BLACK EXCELLENCE THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Addison Scurlock’s Legacy of Capturing Local Life, Black Culture Continues By Kayla Benjamin and Micha Green WI Climate and Environment Writer and WI Managing Editor

Though born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1883, Addison Scurlock moved to D.C. after high school and eventually established a business in the nation’s capital that beautifully chronicled the history of local Black life and excellence. His great-grandson, Juvaughn Scurlock, said he has always been inspired by his ancestor’s work and 3 Addison Scurlock, founder of D.C.’s legendary Scurlock Studios was renowned for capturing Black elites and important moments in African American life and culture. (Courtesy Photo)

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32 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

legacy. “I loved how nuanced my great-grandfather's work was,” said Scurlock’s great-grandson, who has worked in many artistic roles, such as a photographer, stylist, creative director and now in the beauty industry. The modern-day multihyphenate artist said his great-grandfather photographed Black elites, but also took his photography to the activism streets. “He photographed the elites– there was actually a time where it was said that you weren't elite, or a Black elite, until you got your photo taken by the Scurlocks. But he also liked to capture the riots and all the craziness that was going on in the city. So it wasn't all glamorous,” Juvaughn Scurlock told The Informer. “I just always think about that when I think about my work. And I want it to have deeper meanings.”

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From 1901 to 1904, Addison Scurlock apprenticed under a white photographer Moses P. Rice, in order to learn the ins and outs of the photography craft. In 1904, he opened the first Scurlock Studio in his parent’s home on S Street NW. When his family moved to Florida Avenue in 1906, the studio relocated there as well; then the same happened when the Scurlocks moved to T Street NW. At the famous Scurlock Studio located at 900 U Street NW, which opened in 1911, the entrepreneur created a display case with his work that attracted the many people who passed by his establishment in the heart of the U Street corridor, then known as D.C.’s Black Broadway. Scurlock’s journey to photography fame came with a sense of pride and emphasis on Black excellence. Prior to Scurlock, people such as abolitionist, orator, and author Frederick Dogulass, emphasized the importance of photography for

African Americans. Douglass, who also lived in Washington, D.C., was the most photographed American of the 19th century. “What was once the special and exclusive luxury of the rich and great is now the privilege of all. The humblest servant girl may now possess a picture of herself such as the wealth of kings could not purchase 50 years ago,” Douglass once said. With early 20th century photographers such as Scurlock capturing Black artists, entrepreneurs, activists, scholars, celebrations, church events and more, photography became a major way of showcasing African Americans in a positive light and capturing the nuanced nature of the Black culture. In the 1930s, the entrepreneur’s sons Robert and George Scurlock, joined the family business, the latter of which is Juvaughn Scurlock’s grandfather. Throughout the business’ 90year history, notable African Americans including W.E.B. Du Bois, Madame C.J. Walker, Carter G. Woodson, Marian Anderson, Mary Church Terrell, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., sat for a Scurlock Studios portrait. While the business’ founder died in 1964 at the age of 81, Scurlock Studios continued until Robert Scurlock’s passing in 1994. Juvaughn Scurlock told The Informer how he carries the legacy of his ancestors today. “It makes me feel proud to be Black, just knowing all that they accomplished and how strong they were,” he said of his great-grandfather, grandfather and great-uncle. The local creative emphasized he comes from a long legacy of Black storytelling greatness. A lot of people even don't know this, but my grandmother was actually one of the first… fashion editors at the Afro [American] Newspapers.” Juvaughn told The Informer he’s proud to walk in the Scurlock family legacy. “[My ancestors] accomplished a lot and so it just makes me feel proud,” he said. “It makes me feel like anything is possible.” WI

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATING BLACK STORYTELLERS: A 'PHENOMENAL WOMAN’ WHO INSPIRED THE MASSES

Honoring The Life And Legacy of Maya Angelou By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter

Nearly a decade since her death in May 2024, author, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, remains one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary literature. The late, great renaissance artist, whose name alone exudes the fabulous qualities described in her famous poem “Phenomenal Woman,” built a legacy that has left an indelible mark on the world. Angelou, originally named Marguerite Annie Johnson, was born April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the second child born to Bailey Baxter Johnson, a practicing dietician, and Vivian Baxter Johnson, who was a nurse. Angelou was given the nickname of ‘Maya’ by her older brother, also named Bailey. At 3 years old, Angelou and her

brother were sent alone by train to live with their grandmother, Annie Henderson in Stamps, Arkansas. She developed a sense of rejection from her mother from being sent away for reasons she could not understand at such a young age. Throughout her adolescent years, Angelou underwent a tumultuous period of sexual abuse, and became quite withdrawn from others, and in turn, she developed a deep love for reading, literature, and a keen sense of observation. Despite the extreme trials of her young life, Angelou said her grandmother ultimately inspired her to find her voice and manifest her dreams. Before her claim to fame, Angelou found herself in a series of transitions. She became a mother to her only son, Guy Johnson, worked a series of jobs in the night life---specifically strip clubs-- and later grew into other styles

of dance and activism. During an interview with photographer and writer Linda Wolf, Angelou explained why she poured her truth into her work: to offer young people compassion for themselves amid their life journey. “I wrote about my experience because I thought too many people tell young folks, ‘I never did anything wrong. Who, Moi? Never I! I have no skeletons in my closet! In fact, I have no closet,’” Angelou told Wolf. “They lie like that, and then young people find themselves in situations and they think, ‘Damn, I must be a pretty bad guy. You know, my mom or dad never did anything wrong, so I’m pretty bad,’ and they can’t forgive themselves and go on with their lives.” In 1959, Angelou met the novelist John Oliver Killens who encouraged her to move to New York to focus on her writing career. Her life would eventually take a climactic turn for

the best when she joined the Harlem Writers Guild, rubbing shoulders with notable African American authors, and eventually becoming published for the first time. A multitalented writer and performer, Maya Angelou made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by a Black woman with her 1969 memoir, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” She read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning,” at the first presidential inauguration for Bill Clinton in 1993, staking her claim to notoriety and literary fame both nationally and internationally. Today, Maya Angelou, who died at the age of 86, is one of the most honored and celebrated writers of her era, leaving a timeless collection of work. WI

5 Celebrated author Maya Angelou’s work and legacy continues as an inspiration for people worldwide. (Courtesy Photo)

“I wrote about my experience because I thought too many people tell young folks, ‘I never did anything wrong. Who, Moi? Never I! I have no skeletons in my closet! In fact, I have no closet,’” Angelou told Wolf.

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 33

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

CELEBRATING BLACK STORYTELLERS: FROM THE GRIOT, TO PHYLLIS WHEATLEY AND FREDRICK DOUGLASS

The Prevailing Legacy of African-American Storytelling By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

For African Americans, storytelling remains an essential tool for recording history and instilling pride in the generations to come. Though this tradition started orally on the African continent with the village griot, it gained significant meaning

in the United States, where the enslaved mastered the language of the oppressor and carved out messages of their own. For centuries, the powers that be depended, in part, on misinformation about African Americans to legitimize chattel slavery and perpetuate an economic system that kept, and continues to keep, a large segment of the

African-American population at the bottom of the totem pole. In taking pen to paper, African Americans of the colonial period and beyond raised the consciousness of the masses, color notwithstanding, while providing a perspective that helped organizers secure the rights many enjoy today. Two African American sto-

rytellers, Phyllis Wheatley and Frederick Douglass, personified this tradition. Indeed, their contributions took African-American storytelling to the next level, much to the benefit of the collective. Phyllis Wheatley: Black America’s First Published Poet By the time she died in 1784, Phyllis Wheatley achieved acclaim as the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry and accumulate earnings from her writing. Her accolades set the foundation for the genre of African-American literature. Wheatley’s poetry, as explained by prominent Wheatley scholar John C. Shields, was influenced by her personal beliefs and the literature she read under the tutelage of her enslavers. She incorporated classic Latin literature, Christianity, and African spirituality in her works. The first two elements cemented her appeal to educated white men as she advocated for her freedom and that of other enslaved Africans. Scholars say Wheatley published as many as 145 poems in her 31 years of life. Her works, initially published in London then the United States, include “To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty,” which she addressed

to King George III. Another poem, titled “On being brought from Africa to America,” chronicled Wheatley’s enslavement and transport from modern-day Senegambia to the American colonies. During the American Revolution, Wheatley wrote poetry in solidarity with the American colonists. Later, she successfully defended her poetic prowess during court proceedings that brought her before, among several figures, Massachusetts Governor Thomas Hutchinson and Lieutenant Governor Andrew Oliver. She included a court-issued attestation of that victory in the preface of her book, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.” Throughout her life, and well after her death, Wheatley gained several admirers. Jupiter Hammon, another African-American poet, wrote an ode to her. In 1838, Isaac Knapp, an abolitionist printer, published “Memoir and Poems of Phillis Wheatley, A Native African and a Slave. Also, Poems by a Slave,” which was an anthology of Wheatley’s poetry and that of George Moses Horton, an enslaved poet from North Carolina. Even with Wheatley’s widespread recognition by presidents

STORYTELLING Page 35

5 Phyllis Wheatley was a barrier breaking African-American woman to publish a book of poetry and accumulate earnings from her writing. (Courtesy Photo)

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such as George Washington and other prominent figures, Wheatley had a strong detractor in Thomas Jefferson, who declined to acknowledge her poetic works and that of other Black poets. That of course didn’t stop Wheatley from achieving acclaim as the “most famous African on the face of the earth,” as French Enlightenment writer Voltaire expressed in a letter to a friend.

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abolitionist leader in Maryland and New York. The more he indicted chattel slavery, orally and through the written word, the more he challenged the false notion that African Americans couldn’t function independently. In 1852, Douglass delivered a speech titled, “ What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” what historian William S. McFeely considered one of history’s best antislavery orations. In his latter years, Douglass published “The North Star,” an abolitionist newspaper. The author and abolitionist, who lived in Washington, D.C. during his life, also wrote two other autobiographies titled “My Bondage and My Freedom” and “Life and Times of Frederick Douglass.” The former delved more deeply into Douglass' transition from enslavement to freedom while the latter explored Douglass’ life during and after the Civil War. Today, Douglass’ legacy lives on in the untold number of schools and landmarks named in his honor, as well as living descendents who continue to preserve his memory. Of course, no one can forget the volumes of speeches, articles and books that Douglass wrote in support of a noble cause. WI @SamPKCollins

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5 The legacy of celebrated author and abolitionist Frederick Douglass lives on through much of the great orator and freedom fighter’s literary works. (Courtesy Photo)

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FREDERICK DOUGLASS: THE LION OF LITERACY

Frederick Douglass wore several hats as an author, abolitionist and statesman. In 1845, he published his first autobiography, “Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave,” after white Northerners expressed skepticism that a man with his oratory skills could have once been enslaved. That book, which became a bestseller, fanned the flames of abolition and further solidified Douglass’ legacy as a 19th century figure of great significance. Douglass, born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in the early 19th century, spent his early years on a plantation on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. After moving to Baltimore at the age of 12, Douglass learned how to read while living with Thomas and Sophia Auld. As Sophia Auld taught Douglass how to read against her husband’s (the master) wishes, Douglass came to embrace literacy as the pathway to freedom. Soon after she ceased lessons and hid all literary material from Douglass, but he continued his education in secret. He learned to read from white neighborhood children and while watching the men he worked with as they wrote. An anthology titled “The Columbian Observer” shaped Douglass’ views about freedom and human rights. Those ideals followed him as he charted his path to freedom, of course with the help of Anna Murray, a free Black woman whom he would later marry. After escaping from slavery, Douglass emerged as a national

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATING BLACK STORYTELLERS: FROM BUSBOY TO CELEBRATED POET

D.C. Plays Major Role in Langston Hughes’ Life and Career By James Wright WI Staff Writer

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While Langston Hughes is noted for his contributions and writings for the Harlem Renaissance, the District played a large role in his road to his notoriety as a writer and poet. “The Selected Letters of Langston Hughes” edited by Arnold Rampersad, David Roessel, and with the assistance of Christa Frantato, reveals scores of letters written by Hughes to friends throughout his lifetime. The book provides insight into Hughes’s life in the nation’s capital.

HUGHES BEFORE D.C.

Hughes was born in 1901, in Joplin, Missouri, and proceeded to live in a series of small Midwestern towns before graduating from high school in 1920 in Cleveland. He started writing in high school and continued at Columbia University. He also wrote while traveling in Mexico, Europe, and West Africa before coming to the District in November 1924 to stay with his mother.

LIFE IN THE DISTRICT

In a December 14, 1924, letter to Harold Jackman, a Black arts curator of the Harlem Renaissance, he wrote about living in the District. “I continue to work low-wage jobs while I explore the blues, jazz and other African American forms of verse,” he said. In the 1924 letter, Hughes mentions working in advertising on commission for a Black newspaper, the Washington Sentinel briefly. A January 13, 1925, letter to Jackman revealed new employment. “I have a new job with Associated Publishers,” Hughes said. He had a position as a personal assistant to Carter G. Woodson, the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and editor of the Journal of Negro History. Hughes said he liked the job.

5 Langston Hughes, worked as a busboy at the Wardman Hotel in Northwest, D.C., in 1925, an opportunity that led to fame and continued literary success. (Courtesy Photo)

“I think I will be unboxed here forever,” he said. An October 9, 1925, letter to photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten reported Hughes talking about his new job as a busboy at the Wardman Park Hotel, saying “it is a new job with longer hours, but I have the whole afternoon off.” In December 1925, famed poet Vachel Lindsay visited the District and stayed at the Wardman Park Hotel. While staying there, Hughes managed to slip three of his poems to Lindsay. So impressed, Lindsay publicly declared he discovered “a poet as a busboy” at the hotel.” District-based restaurant and bar owner Andy Shallal has consistently said Lindsay’s affirmation of Hughes served as a reason for the name of his chain, Busboys & Poets.

HUGHES IN D.C. IN LATER YEARS

After receiving recognition by Lindsay, doors opened for Hughes

as a poet and writer. He became internationally renowned for his writing and his progressive views on civil rights and other social issues. His writing was often controversial, dealing with subjects many didn’t wish to discuss. In 1953, Hughes had a short stay in the District when he was subpoenaed by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations by U.S. Sen. Joe McCarthy on whether they had Communist leanings. In a March 28, 1953, letter to Claude Barnett, he said he told the committee that he had never been a member of the Communist Party. In a letter a day later, he praised District civil rights attorney Frank D. Reeves “for the hospitality of his house during his stay in D.C.” In 1963, Hughes came to the District to receive an honorary doctorate degree from Howard University. He died due to complications of prostate cancer on March 22, 1967, in New York City. WI @JamesWrightJr10

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CELEBRATING BLACK STORYTELLERS: A LOCAL WRITER EMPOWERS CHILDREN THROUGH BOOKS

Eloise Greenfield Taught Black Kids to Love Themselves, Cherish Their Culture How Living in D.C. Continued to Inspire the Author By Micha Green WI Managing Editor For children’s author Eloise Greenfield, racism didn’t instill hatred or self-loathing; it inspired her to spread love and empower others through a literary celebration of Black culture. With books like “Honey, I Love and Other Poems,” (1978), Greenfield’s work, even after her death in August 2021, continues to encourage African Americans of all ages to love themselves, cherish their experiences and find joy. “Children need to know, and to see in books, the truth—the beauty, intelligence, courage, and ingenuity of African and African American people,” Greenfield said in a 2018 speech when accepting the American Library Association’s Coretta Scott-King– Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award.

D.C. INSPIRES GREENFIELD’S LITERARY JOURNEY

Born in North Carolina, and growing up in Washington, D.C. during the Great Depression era, Greenfield was exposed to both the beauty of the booming Black culture in the District, while also witnessing and experiencing the realities of systemic racism and oppression. “We moved from North Carolina to Washington in 1929, when I was a few months old. Although schools, theaters, and restaurants were segregated, public transportation (streetcars) and public libraries were not,” Greenfield told Collaborative Classroom in 2018. The author was amazed how jobs varied for African Americans in D.C. “For most of my childhood,

my father worked for the federal government, driving a truck in Washington to pick up and deliver items. Some people were unemployed, but there were also domestic workers, laborers, restaurant owners, public school teachers and officials, doctors, dentists, musicians and other entertainers, Howard University professors, preachers, and many others,” the author explained. On her ninth birthday, Greenfield and her family moved to the Langston Terrace housing projects in Northeast, D.C., which served as a source of inspiration and community. The Langston branch of the public library opened a few steps from my house; and with so many children in close proximity, there was almost always a friend who could come out and play.” Throughout childhood, Greenfield loved music and took piano lessons. She graduated from D.C.’s Cardozo High School in 1946 and attended Miner Teachers College, (now University of the District of Columbia) until 1949. As a mother and wife, Greenfield worked as a clerk-typist in the U.S. Patent Office where she often felt uninspired and experienced discrimination.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

“Then and there, I decided to make that my mission,” said Greenfield in a 2013 interview with The LA Watts Times. “I wanted my books to enable Black children to realize how beautiful and smart they are.” Greenfield died in Washington, D.C. in August 2021 after suffering a stroke. She was 92. Growing up in the D.C. area in the early 1990s, Greenfield’s work was part of the soundtrack of my childhood. My mother read her poems and stories to me, and her picture book “Honey, I Love,” (1995), illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist, remains one of my favorites. It’s a beautiful reflection on life’s simple, but treasured times and a reminder to celebrate the things we love– including ourselves. In 1995, Greenfield signed a copy for me, writing a handwritten note that encourages me to this day. “To Micha, Wishing you joy.”

5 Eloise Greenfield was committed to empowering Black children through her literary works. (Courtesy Photo)

I contend Greenfield’s wish was for all Black children to find joy to carry with them into adulthood. “I wanted to write books that inspired and uplifted [Black chil-

dren],” Greenfield told The LA Watts Times in 2013, “that made them laugh and be happy.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

GREENFIELD’S MISSION TO EMPOWER BLACK CHILDREN

The District continued to be inspirational as Greenfield developed her craft and style, and as a member of the D.C. Black Writer’s Workshop, the author found her voice. It was during a 1971 session with the organization, when Greenfield realized the lack of books geared toward Black children.

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 37

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

CELEBRATING BLACK STORYTELLERS: A BARRIER-BREAKING AUTHOR, JOURNALIST, SOCIAL SCIENTIST

Zora Neale Hurston: A Trailblazer in Literature in Anthropology who Inspires Today D.C. and Howard Helped Form Hurston into Groundbreaking Writer, Social Scientist By Bousaina Ibrahim WI Contributing Writer Zora Neale Hurston life and important contributions to American culture, continues through her writing, folklore and anthropological work. However, Hurston’s journey into becoming a celebrated author and anthropologist is one of resilience, bravery and barrier breaking, much of which she was inspired to do while spending time in Washington, D.C. Before she made it to the nation’s capital, Hurston was born in Notasulga, Alabama on Jan. 7, 1891; but Eatonville, Florida, where her family moved while Hurston was a toddler, was always her home. The town was the first all Black incorporated municipality in the history of the United States. The author’s childhood environment clearly illustrated Black

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people as leaders, educators, and storytellers. Her own father, John Hurston, served as mayor three different times and helped write some of the town's laws that still exist today. Her mother, Lucy Hurston, was a Sunday school teacher, who died when Hurston was only 13. The loss of her mother was a significant marker in the writer’s life journey. In fact, Hurston would not return to finish high school until she was 26; to qualify for free public schooling, she would present herself as 16 and continue to pose as 10 years younger for the rest of her life. Her literary journey, or her first “jump at de sun,” as her late mother encouraged, was at Howard University in 1919. Hurston did not believe she could make it to the university, “the capstone of Negro education in the world,” as

5 (Courtesy Photo/ Carl Van Vecthen, 1938)

she called it. But once she set foot on campus, she would leave a lasting impression. “It was here at Howard when there was rebirth in a new era of her life, where she began becoming the Zora we know today,” said

Rae Chesny, director of the Zora Neale Hurston Trust. Hurston began her trailblazing work in the co-founding of the student newspaper The Hilltop in 1924, alongside anthropologist Eugene King. Her legacy at Howard and The Hilltop continues to this day. As part of the publication’s centennial celebration on Feb. 3, Hurston was honored as an inaugural member of the Hilltop Hall of Fame. The talented writer published her first story, “John Redding Goes to Sea”, in Stylus, Howard’s literary society’s magazine in 1921. Her barrier breaking in educational environments didn’t stop in D.C. She continued writing, and began pursuing a degree in anthropology at Barnard College. In 1928, She would become the first Black person to graduate from the liberal arts college in New York.

Collecting Cultural Artifacts and Narratives, Sharing Stories with the World Hurston’s powerful presence transcended academia, and she made her way into the same rooms with Black thought leaders like W.E.B Du Bois and poet Langston Hughes. Gaining recognition in the first half of the 20th century, Hurston would become the most prolific and successful Black woman writer during the Harlem Renaissance. “Zora Neale Hurston became an acclaimed novelist, writer, [and] trained anthropologist, who pioneered the collection of cultural artifacts of Black people, not only around the very racist American South, but around the world,” Chesney explained. Curiosity drove Hurston’s work.

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EDITORIAL

Usher Used His Super Bowl Performance to Celebrate the Beauty of Black Culture Usher’s highly anticipated Super Bowl LVIII performance on Sunday, Feb. 11, turned out to be a more than 12-minute, high-energy, star-studded set, filled with loads of the singer’s hits such as “My Way,” (1997), “Caught Up,” “Confessions,” “Yeah” (all 2004) and “OMG” (2010) With appearances from Alicia Keys to sing she and Usher’s celebrated duet “My Boo,” to will.i.am., H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, and Ludacris, the singer brought out heavy hitters to help perform some of his celebrated bangers. However, in addition to celebrities, Usher, during Black History Month, featured important aspects of African American life, history and culture. Jackson State University’s (JSU) marching band Sonic Boom of the South performed with Usher during the big game. Already a lauded band among those in the know– Usher’s Super Bowl show offered the HBCU (historically Black colleges and university) an opportunity to perform as part of football’s biggest night. In addition to the Sonic Boom, Usher also brought out two members of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity to dance alongside him as he performed his 2008 song “Love in this Club.” Using their signature red and white canes, the brothers showcased classic moves and further exposed audiences to the Divine Nine, and Kappa Alpha Psi, which was founded on January 5, 1911. Usher brought precious pieces of Black culture to the masses. According to Nielsen on the Tuesday after the Super Bowl, Usher’s performance averaged 129.3 million viewers (a 7% increase from Rihanna’s 121 million last year) making it the most watched halftime show on record, the Associated Press reported. From an HBCU marching band to the classic Kappa canes and shimmy, audiences across the nation and globe were able to briefly tap into the deep history, culture and breadth of African American performance practices and traditions. WI

TO THE EDITOR

Beyoncé’s New Country Records Serve as a Reminder of the History of Black Country Artists

When record-breaking Grammy artist Beyoncé Knowles-Carter announced two new songs, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em” on Sunday, Feb. 11 during the Super Bowl, she not only excited fans, she was making a statement, freedom fighting and offering a lesson for audiences. Black artists have always been important innovators in country music. Despite many mainstream representations of the genre from the past and today, historically Black artists have been at the forefront of country music. The first person– not just first African American, but first artist ever— to appear on the Grand Ole Opry was a Black musician named DeFord Bailey, inducted into the Country Hall of Fame in 2005. From Bailey, to fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Charles, and celebrated country music legend Charley Pride, African American artists have been standouts within country music and proven as trailblazers for the genre’s sound, style and all-around culture. In 2024, Knowles-Carter is singing in honor of the hardworking, unheard or underappreciated Black artists who came before and even after her. “It's been umpteen summers, and I'm not in my bed. On the back of the bus in a bunk with the band. Goin' so hard, gotta choose myself. Underpaid and overwhelmed. I might cook, clean, but still won't fold. Still workin' all my life, you know, only God knows,” sings the celebrated singer, wife and mother. Using the journey of an undervalued, struggling artist “16 Carriages,” shares a tale of resilience despite tough times– a narrative familiar to many late and current Black country artists. “Sixteen dollars, workin' all day. Ain't got time to waste, I got art to make. I got love to create on this holy night. They won't dim my light, all these years I fight,” the Houston, Texas-born artist sings. In “Texas Hold ‘Em,” the singer is staking her claim in country music. “This ain't Texas, ain't no hold 'em, so lay your cards down, down, down, down, oh. So park your Lexus and throw your keys up and stick around,' round, 'round, 'round, 'round. And I'll be damned if I cannot dance with you. Come pour some sugar on me, honey too,” Knowles-Carter declares in the upbeat country tune. With songs such as “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Knowles-Carter is reminding listeners of the long history of Black country music artists. Further, she's declaring African American artists’ importance to the country canon and music overall. WI

I’m still reeling about the death of legendary radio host Joe Madison. What a talent and what a voice who unapologetically stood up and for our people. His impact is undeniable, and his legacy will live on. Sleep peacefully, Black Eagle. Sherman Hardman Washington, D.C.

It’s always great to see photos of young people - from the very little to the college students - on the pages of the Washington Informer. We always hear about the negative narratives, but I’m glad you all recognize the positive! Gerry Anderson Washington, D.C.

Readers' Mailbox The Washington Informer welcomes letters to

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the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to news@washingtoninformer.com. or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 39

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Julianne Malveaux

Congressman Troy Nehls — Rash, Brash, Out of Control

Republican Congressman Troy Nehls (R-Texas) attacked his colleague, St. Louis Congresswoman Cori Bush (DMo.), with rash, brash and out-of-control language. It happened at the end of January, but somehow, his attack stuck in my craw. I am tired of unprincipled attacks on Black women, and more than that, I am tired of the casual use of racist tropes to demean us. The misogyny that Black women experience of-

ten goes unanswered. I've had enough. Congresswoman Bush is being investigated for her use of campaign funds. After numerous death threats, she has chosen to use those funds, which are not federal funds, to hire security to protect her. One of the security officers she has hired is her husband, who has worked as a security guard. She has done nothing illegal, although anyone would say the appearance is challenging. One investigation has found that she has done nothing wrong. The second investigation will likely see the same thing.

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Troy Nehls, clearly a virulent racist, was asked what he thought. He described Cortney Merrits, Cori Bus s husband, as a "thug." Really? Nehls is a disgraced former police officer fired for mishandling evidence. He served our country as an Army reservist and was an elected sheriff in Fort Bend, Texas, from 2013 through 2021. He ran for office planning to address issues of health care for veterans. So why is he attacking a fellow veteran, Cortney Merrits, as a "thug"? Does he only have concerns for veterans when they are white? Should he not have respect for

a colleague's husband, who served our country and put his life on the line? A deep dive into Mr. Nehls' background reveals him to be a deeply flawed, indeed unsavory individual and an undistinguished member of Congress who needs to know how to keep his mouth shut. Nehls did not stop at attacking Cori Bush's husband. He went on to call her "loud" and to say that if she "toned it down," she would not have experienced the death threats that require her to have private security. Loud? Cori Bush was not elected to be quiet. She

has been a tireless advocate, a Black Lives Matter leader, and a vocal member of "The Squad," a force for social and economic justice. Loud? I wish she were louder and more vocal because she speaks our truth. Some are upset that she has called for a cease-fire in Israel, and in her reelection campaign, she has attracted opponents who disagree with her stance. She increasingly represents the progressive voices who are disgusted with the loss of 25,000 or more Palestinian lives because of Israel's

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David W. Marshall

Those Concerned About Biden's Age Should Be Equally Concerned About Trump's

Respect has to be earned. So far, many within the Democratic Party feel Vice President Kamala Harris has not earned that respect. More than a dozen Democratic leaders in key states were candid about their assessment of Harris. The vice president's tenure has been underwhelming, they said, marked by struggles as a communicator and at times near invisibility, leaving many rank-and-file

Democrats unpersuaded that she has the force, charisma and skill to mount a winning presidential campaign. The selection process for any vice presidential candidate is never made by the voters. It is the presidential nominee, with the help from a vetting team, who selects the person they feel will bring the most balance and electability to the ticket. While critics of Vice President Harris sometimes view her as being unprincipled and unqualified, many understand she was originally chosen because of her race and gender. In April 2020, more

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than 200 Black women who are leaders and activists within the Democratic Party signed an open letter to the presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden calling him to select a Black woman as his running mate. "It is a fact that the road to the White House is powered by Black women and Black women are the key to a Democratic victory in 2020," they wrote. The following month, about a dozen of the women who signed the letter made the case directly to Biden

in a conference call. Their pitch was about timing, history and strategy. They believed a Black woman would help Biden win the White House. They were correct. The candidate for vice president again holds special significance in this year's November election. The likely rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump raises the question of age and mental ability to a new level of concern. Mental competency should be a major issue giving that Biden, 81 and Trump, 77 are the two oldest men respectively to have been elected

president. As the American electorate is faced with making a four-year investment in the leadership of our nation and the free world, we should do so having comfort over Biden's and Trump's long term ability to adequately serve mentally and physically. It is beyond the issues of political ideology, ageism or gaining the political upper hand. Those who have concerns over Biden's age should have equal concern about Trump's. In recent

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Dr. Sheldon Fields

Black Maternal Health and Infant Mortality Crisis Is Avoidable

For the first time in over 20 years, the infant mortality rate has increased in the United States, rising to 3% in 2022 according to CDC data. This troubling trend is not impacting everyone equally. Black infants face up to double the risk of dying in comparison to Hispanic and white babies. This data has sent shockwaves through the medical community

and underscores the harsh realities for Black mothers and babies. Fortunately, there are common-sense solutions hiding in plain sight that could start saving more lives — a process that begins with infant nutrition. Maternal health and infant mortality remain prominent topics on Capitol Hill and beyond. Last spring, Congress reintroduced the Momnibus Act that includes critical investments aimed at addressing racial maternal health disparities. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has unveiled a comprehensive proposal to address this "crisis

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head-on." Another step in the right direction would be swift passage of Rep. Morgan McGarvey's legislation increasing access to human milk, which is proven to save young lives. Black infants have the highest mortality rate in the United States. Many factors contribute to this chilling statistic, ranging from socioeconomics to access to quality healthcare. But we can start to protect Black preemies by expanding Medicaid and commercial insurance reimbursements for human milk-derived human milk fortifier. It may sound like a complicated topic

— but here's why it is critically important to turning the tide on Black infant mortality. Not only are Black babies more than twice as likely to die compared to White babies, they are nearly four times more likely to die from complications from very low birth weight (VLBW). One of the most common causes for death among premature babies is called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a disease of the bowel that can be fatal. The risk of NEC can be significantly reduced when babies are fed

exclusively human milk. But many NICUs are not able to offer this nutrition to fragile preemies. Instead, most NICUs offer supplements — called fortifiers — that are made of cow's milk instead of human milk. This can be problematic because cow's milk is a foreign protein that can be difficult for a preemie to digest, resulting in infections like NEC. Despite medical research, this nutrition is not readily available because of insufficient Medicaid and commer-

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist Simply the Best!

This is Super Bowl time! I have been blessed to know many of the best in sports. I want to remember some of them during this Black History Month. First, I had the honor of knowing the one and only Dick Gregory who was a master at many things. He was a health guru, a comedy genius, a civil rights and human rights icon, and a track star. Most

of all, he was a friend to so many. He could make us feel better. He could make us feel special. He could make even those who wanted to be enemies laugh. He was a great motivator, and as he was leaving this earth a few years ago, he warned us to "Wake Up and Stay Woke." In these troubling days, we sure need to do that. His work inspired us to vote in every election. He was simply the best at motivating us to be our best selves at all times. I had the pleasure of counting among my best friends Eddie

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Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq. (Ret.) Robinson. Excellence has always been associated with his name. He was a football coach at Grambling State University. You might say that he made men out of so many boys who came to Grambling by being their example of what a man should be like. He produced the best. Among them were Paul "Tank" Younger, Willie Davis, Doug Williams, Mike Williams, Charlie Joiner, Willie Brown, Buck Buchanan, Ernie Ladd and so many more — at least 80 who joined teams in the National and American Football Leagues. In

1985, he tied Bear Bryant's record in victories for the all-time winning coaching record. My Prairie View friends may not forgive me for mentioning this but they had to feel a little bit of pride again in 1985 when Coach reached his 324th career win, putting him on top as the winningest coach, causing him to receive more awards than any coach in history. He began each meeting with his players drilling into them the importance of education and, unlike many others, most of his players graduated! He was simply the best.

I knew women track stars. Among them was Wilma Rudolph, who was my neighbor for several years. As a student, I met her in Nashville. What's so great about Wilma is that she had to overcome a serious disability to become the star that she was. She was a world champion record holder in the Olympics. She won several gold medals. In the 1960s she was known as the fastest woman in the world. She earned so many complimentary names for her talent.

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Marc H. Morial

NFL's Head Coaching Ranks Starting to Look a Little More Like the League They Lead grow from here." — Jonathan Jones, CBS Sports

"It's hard to tell what, if any, trends will emerge from this hiring cycle. Maybe the emphasis on diverse candidates will continue. Maybe team owners have opened their minds to defensive-minded coaches. Perhaps the 'leader of men' model will continue. Nothing has been solved, per se. But there's cautious optimism the league is in a place to

Two years ago this week, I met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with my fellow civil rights leaders, to discuss the failure of the "Rooney Rule" to diversify the ranks of the league's head coaches. At that time, despite nearly 20 years under a requirement that teams interview at least one candidate of color for head coaching and senior football operation

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positions, only one of the NFL's 32 head coaches was Black. Brian Flores had just been fired after three seasons as Miami Dolphins head coach and was suing the NFL and several teams for racist hiring practices. Thanks in large part to our advocacy, the 2024 season will begin with nine head coaches of color, including six Black coaches. It's a far cry from the parity we continue to seek in a league where more than half the players are Black, but it is significant progress

for which Commissioner Goodell, team owners and senior leadership should be acknowledged. The first move of the year to replace a white head coach with a coach of color came from Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who has been outspoken about inequality and prejudice. He recently founded the group, Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, and endowed a Chair in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Massachusetts General Hospital. He downplayed the significance

of Jerod Mayo becoming the Patriots' first Black head coach, saying "I chose the best head coach for this organization." But Mayo acknowledged the moment: "What I will say, though, is I do see color because I believe if you don't see color, you can't see racism. … It does matter so we can try to fix the problem that we all know we have." On cue, anti-racial justice activist Stephen Miller, a former advisor

up the air for the 91 million people who live in counties that experience unhealthy spikes in daily soot pollution. The most impacted communities? You guessed it: communities of color and low-income communities. It is the same old awful yet unsurprising story: redlining, racist zoning practices, and other factors have put Black and low-income neighborhoods near or downwind from the sources of air pollution. Fenceline commu-

nities near ports, highways, and power plants are disproportionately exposed to higher-than-average levels. Addressing soot pollution in our air has a unique urgency for these communities that bear the hardest brunt. The new EPA standard will directly save an estimated 4,500 lives per year. It will prevent 5,700 new cases of asthma each year. As for the economic benefits, it will result in 290,000

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Ben Jealous

Big Polluters vs. Our Kids

Far too often, big polluters feed us the lie that we have to choose between clean air or a healthy economy. Last week, the Biden-Harris administration made a big move that shows Americans do not have to choose. The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) released updated protective air quality

standards that will save both lives and money. Simply put, if you work outdoors, have a child with asthma, or an elderly family member with a cardiopulmonary disease, this new standard will make it easier to breathe. The new National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter, or soot, are a big deal. Soot is one of the most dangerous and prevalent air pollutants. It enters the deepest parts of our lungs and bloodstream where

it causes asthma, heart attacks, and premature death. Moms Clean Air Force, a self-described "Mompartisan" group founded to protect children from air pollution and climate impacts, notes that "air pollution can lead to premature births, lower birth weight, and neurocognitive impacts as particulate matter can reach the developing fetal brain." Soot is created by coal plants, diesel vehicles, and factories. And this new rule is expected to clean

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JEALOUS Page 62

FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 41

LIFESTYLE WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV! By Ra-Jah Kelly WI Contributing Writer This week features a diverse lineup of events, starting with a virtual discussion on equitable artist compensation and a documentary screening on systemic injustices at the Newseum. Attendees can learn about FAFSA updates at a Capital One Café workshop, enjoy Jamila Woods' "Water Made Us” tour at The Howard Theatre, and engage in mental, literacy, and spiritual wellness at Afro House: Spirit Fest. The weekend continues with Natural Hair Fest DC Metro celebrating natural beauty and a fundraiser at Busboys and Poets to combat intimate partner and domestic violence. Remember, there’s always something happening in the DMV on the Washington Informer Calendar to keep your spirit-- and social life-- lit.

THURSDAY, FEB. 15

Social X Change: Supporting Artists through Organization Finances Time: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Free w. registration Virtual

Join DC Collaborative for an informal peer discussion on advocating for artists’ pay from organizations. This event is intended to foster meaningful conversations around the opportunities and challenges of supporting equitable compensation for artists. "Silver Dollar Road" A Community Screening and Panel Discussion Time: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. | Free w/ registration Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 Join a screening and panel discussion of "Silver Dollar Road," a documentary by Academy-Award nominee Raoul Peck, exploring the Reels family's struggle against predatory real estate practices and systemic injustices in North Carolina. Panelists include Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), director and screenwriter Raoul Peck, journalist Lizzie Presser, and Marcus A.R. Childress. The discussion will address heirs' property law, discrimination, and barriers to wealth, highlighting a broader national issue. The screening and discussion is followed by a reception with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails.

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

FAFSA Workshop Series at D.C. Anacostia Capital One Café Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Free Capital One Cafe Anacostia, 1203 Good Hope Road SE, Washington, D.C., 20020 For the first time in decades, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has been updated to increase access to student aid and make the application process easier.

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To support students and families through the new process, Capital One is hosting a series of workshops at its D.C. Anacostia Café in partnership with the National College Attainment Network (NCAN). During the events, NCAN volunteers will help students walk through the process, answer questions, and discuss the recent changes to the application. NCAN will provide laptops as needed, along with snacks and beverages. Jamila Woods Water Made Us Tour Time: 8 p.m. | $27.5+ The Howard Theatre, 620 T St NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 In 2023, Jamila Woods released her long-anticipated album, “Water Made Us” and the tour is coming to The Howard Theatre. Uwade opens.

SATURDAY, FEB. 17

Afro House: Spirit Fest 2024 Time: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Free w/ registration Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20020 The Anacostia Arts Center will focus on mental health, literacy, and spiritual wellness by hosting Afro House: Spirit Fest, a day-long festival. The event will feature live performances by local creatives, a creative marketplace, among other activities, exploring how to empower oneself in a challenging world.

her street singing, guitar playing, and roots music, blends elements of blues and punk reminiscent of Robert Johnson and Bad Brains. War, who has released nine albums, including "Anarchist Gospel," "Simple Syrup," and "Shell of a Girl," explores themes of love, exhaustion, and disappointment in her music. Notable songs include "Lucid Lucy," "If It Wasn't Broken," and "Like Nina." Brian Dunne will open.

SUNDAY, FEB. 18

Natural Hair Fest DC Metro 2024 Time: 10 a.m. -6 p.m. | $25 Holiday Inn Washington Capitol, 550 C Street Southwest, Washington, D.C., 20024 Natural Hair Fest DC Metro celebrates natural beauty, featuring live product demos, discussions, and special guests. It promotes natural, organic, and vegan hair and skincare, and supports those

embracing their natural hair. Marking the start of the 2024 Tour de Naturelle’, it's a key event for emerging brands in 24 U.S. markets. Decreasing Intimate Partner/ Domestic Violence Deaths | A Fundraiser Time: 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. | $40+ Busboys and Poets, 5331 Baltimore Avenue, Hyattsville, Maryland, 20781 The Institute for the Prevention & Eradication of Violence, Inc. (IPEV) is hosting a fundraiser at Busboys and Poets in Hyattsville to support an upcoming conference this October on preventing intimate partner and domestic violence deaths in the DMV area, titled “A Call to Action: Stopping Death By Intimate Partner/Domestic Violence.” The conference will feature speakers, including government officials and survivors, offering solutions and resources for combating this violence. WI

Sunny War Time: 7 p.m. | $19+ Songbyrd, 540 Penn Street Northeast, Washington, D.C., 20002 Los Angeles-based folk-punk musician Sunny War, known for

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DC Jazz Festival Bass Team Share Skills Between Generations By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) recently announced new jazz residences. Bandleader, maestro of the bass, and NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter, along with talented Washington, D.C. bassist Corcoran Holt are the 2024 DC Jazz Festival’s Artists-In-Residence. Carter, 86, is a three-time Grammy winner and five-time nominee. He holds the Guinness Book of World Records distinction as the most recorded bassist in recorded music history. A native of Washingtonian, Holt, 41 is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and was in the DC Youth Orchestra Program. He earned his B.A. from Shenandoah Conservatory and his M.A. from Queens College in New York. Both his degrees are in jazz studies. He is now an assistant professor at Arizona State University. This intergenerational combination is an attractive jazz performance and education opportunity for DCJF, area jazz lovers, and students. "I'm thrilled that Ron Carter

and Corcoran Holt will join us as artists-in-residence for the DC Jazz Festival’s 20th anniversary, said Sunny Sumter, president and CEO of DC Jazz Festival. "It is a celebration that promises to be enriched by their incredible musical contributions."

MUSIC ARTISTS AND EDUCATORS BEYOND COMPARE

Carter’s history with jazz is unprecedented. A member of trumpeter Miles Davis’ critically acclaimed Second Greatest Quintet during the 1960s, Carter, with pianist Herbie Hancock, the late saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and the late drummer Tony Williams created magic with their sound. Carter has performed with jazz greats such as Sam Rivers, Freddie Hubbard, Duke Pearson, Lee Morgan, McCoy Tyner, Andrew Hill, Horace Silver, George Benson, Stanley Clarke, Roy Hargrove, Wallace Roney, Christian McBride, and many more. Carter is a distinguished professor emeritus from the Music Department of The City College of

New York. His career was captured in the 2022 PBS documentary “Ron Carter: Finding the Right Notes.” Holt is an internationally renowned bassist. Like Carter, he has performed alongside other top jazz talent, including Hargrove, Curtis Fuller, Jimmy Heath, Carmen Lundy, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller. For the past few years, he has toured globally as bassist in the quintet headed by NEA Jazz Master Kenny Garrett. Holt has often returned to DC to perform at Takoma Station, a longtime jazz spot and Flavor Garden, both located in Northwest, D.C. The Artist-In-Residence program for DCJF was designed to create deeper connections between artists, the festival, and the jazz community. During the residency, artists serve as guest curators, collaborate with other artists, participate in master classes and interviews, and support DC Jazz Festival education community engagement activities. Find out more about DC Jazz Festival and its 20th anniversary year at: dcjazzfest.org. WI @bcscomm

LIFESTYLE

4 Bassist Corcoran Holt, who regularly performed with NEA Jazz Master Kenny Garret, is an artist-in-residence for the 2024 DC Jazz Festival. (Courtesy Photo)

REVEALING THE UNTOLD STORY OF VISIONARY D.C.EDUCATOR

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TEMPESTUOUS ELEMENTS BY KIA CORTHRON DIRECTED BY PSALMAYENE 24

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ORDER TODAY! 5 Bassists Ron Carter and Corcoran Holt will serve as the 2024 DC Jazz Festival’s Artists-In-Residence. (Courtesy Photo/DC Jazz Festival)

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 43

LIFESTYLE

Artist to Celebrate ‘Homecoming’ in New Exhibit, Dialogue

Cross Currents Bridges Art and Dialogue from San Francisco to D.C. By Andrew S. Jacobson WI Contributing Writer

5 February James’ inaugural D.C. solo exhibition, “Homecoming (I’m Coming Home), opened on Feb. 10 at CulturalDC Mobile Art Gallery at Randall Recreation Center, in Southwest, D.C. (Courtesy Photo)

After a 16-year artistic sojourn in Los Angeles, February James is returning to her D.C. roots. “Homecoming (I’m Coming Home),” which opened Feb. 10 at the CulturalDC Mobile Art Gallery at Randall Recreation Center in

Southwest, D.C., James explores oil pastel and watercolor, explore topics such as personal identity. themes of authenticity and facade, “We are excited to work with resonating with the "Cross Currents" February James on this important exhibition's exploration of identity. exhibition, her first solo exhibition Her work provides a perfect segue in the District. We are welcoming into some of the themes highlighted her back to Washington, D.C., in San Francisco. with this accessible exhibition and Ossei-Mensah’s chat with James a celebration to match our excitepromises to explore the artist’s pracment about her work,” said Cultice, her sources of inspiration, and turalDC Executive Director and the significance of her return to D.C. Curator Kristi Maiselman, The curator’s global experience in The homecoming vibes were real organizing exhibitions, paired with as the Feb. 10 opening included his commitment to redefining perfood trucks, sounds by DJ Groovy ceptions through contemporary art, Gene, and a performance by the make him the ideal interlocutor for Eastern High School Marching this dialogue. Band. This artist talk in D.C. not only In “Homecoming (I’m Coming serves as an extension of the "Cross Home), James, whose work is also Currents" exhibition, but also excurrently on display at the Rubell emplifies the broader conversation Museum DC, examines the jourabout cultural fusion and identity in ney from adolescence to adulthood art. It underscores the interconnectthrough the lens of friendships, enedness of these narratives across difvironments and habits. ferent cities and communities. On Feb. 15 curator Larry OsJust as "Cross Currents" brought sei-Mensah will chat with the arttogether nationally renowned artists ist, diving deeper into her work from diverse backgrounds in San and journey. Francisco, this conversation in the Ossei-Mensah, knows a lot nation’s capital highlights how artists about using art to explore life and like James contribute to arts educacultural themes. tion and dialogue, while heightening “Cross Currents," co-curated by D.C.’s positioning as an art and culOssei-Mensah and Micki Meng, is tural hub. a vibrant art exhibition at studio WI and art space Four One Nine in San Francisco, California. The show, which closes Feb. 16, is intended to capture the essence of Black and Asian cultural synergy, but the conversation doesn't stop in San Francisco. With intersections between “Cross Currents,” and “Homecoming (I’m Coming Home),” the conversation between James and Ossei-Mensah is poised to further the curator’s hope to bridge connections across the country. 5 February James’ inaugural D.C. solo exhibition, James’ ethereal por- “Homecoming (I’m Coming Home), opens on Feb. 10 traits, executed in CulturalDC Mobile Art Gallery at Randall Recreation Center, in Southwest, D.C. (Courtesy Photo)

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LIFESTYLE

Samia Gore: Redefining Wellness and Entrepreneurship for Black Women By Andrew S. Jacobson WI Contributing Writer

Washington, D.C.’s Samia Gore's visionary leadership in the wellness industry is not just about creating a successful brand, it's about challenging the status quo and ensuring that Black women see themselves represented in spaces previously not designed with them in mind. "When I founded Body Complete Rx seven years ago, it was because I didn’t see anyone who looked like me in this space creating supplements with [Black women] in mind,” Gore said. Body Complete Rx (BCRX), offers plant-based, organic supplements. When BCRX was featured at the Vitamin Shoppe, Gore’s brand became the first Black owned and founded supplement to be carried by the store. “Seven years later, [it’s] a testa-

ment that we belong here,” Gore, who is fresh off of an engagement as a guest speaker at Harvard Business School, beamed. This sense of belonging and representation is at the core of Gore's mission with Body Complete Rx. In collaboration with a fellow Washingtonian, renowned nutritionist Dr. Ruby Lathon, Gore has ensured that the brand's commitment to quality and wellness reflects in every product BCRX offers. Lathon, whose expertise was also featured in the Netflix film "What the Health!", emphasized the brand's dedication to superior, plant-based ingredients. "What I like about BCRX is that we're really committed to quality ingredients and leaving out the things that are inferior or cheap just to make a buck," Lathon told The Informer. Gore stands out as a Black woman founder in a field that doesn’t

typically look like her, however her product also stands out in the wellness industry for its insistence on organic, vegan, and non-GMO ingredients. Gore and Lathon have set a high bar for what consumers should expect from their supplements. The brand's approach to wellness is encapsulated in its innovative products, like the plant-based pea protein that Dr. Lathon highlighted for its health benefits over traditional whey protein. "It doesn't cause the inflammation and bloating and all the other things that come along with that," Lathon explained. The brand's innovative approach extends to its probiotics, which feature more than 14 strains of beneficial bacteria, and its hormone balance products which are infused with Ashwagandha, among other ingredients. These products reflect Body Complete Rx's holistic view of wellness,

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aimed at providing more than what customers are asking for, because, as Dr. Lathon put it, "we know what we really need." Gore's journey, from sharing her personal transformation to building a thriving business, is a testament to her resilience and commitment to empowering Black women. Through Body Complete Rx, Gore is fostering a community where Black women can prioritize their health, mental well-being, and entrepreneurship goals. WI

5 Samia Gore is founder of Body Complete Rx. (Courtesy Photo)

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LIFESTYLE

Akua Allrich Sings with the Voice of her Ancestors By Bousaina Ibrahim WI Contributing Writer

Music lives in Akua Allrich’s spirit and the ancestors guide her artistry along the way. Throughout the span of her busy day, vocalist, composer, and educator Allrich can be heard rhyming her words with ease, humming the indigenous tunes of Miriam Makeba or belting out impeccable lyrics of Ella Fitzgerald. “When I’m singing, I become a bridge of energy and message. I try to be a conduit of message for my ancestors and the universe,” said Allrich. Audiences can witness Allrich tap into the ancestors in her return to Baltimore’s Creative Alliance for “Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba Tribute,” on Feb. 16, which she’s been performing there since 2008. Allrich said she’ll be “singing for royalty” that night. Not only is she excited to take the stage, but she told The Informer that the show will honor the artistry and lives of the legendary singers, including Nina Simone’s who was born on Feb. 21. However the week of the performance is also significant as her late father Kwame Agyei Akoto was born on Feb. 14. Allrich didn’t always intend to sing on stage, but she wasn’t far from the

proach to music has always been about being a vehicle of spirit,” said Allrich. With her father’s guidance and a community that embraced her talents, Allrich followed in her father’s footsteps in many ways. She graduated from Howard with a performing arts degree in jazz studies and later returned to her alma mater for a master’s in social work with a focus in mental health. “I talk to my students about the things that we've gone through as African people and how we've used music to get us through it. It is healing. It's also a conduit, by which we can actually live and enjoy this existence as human beings,” Allrich explained

arts growing up. A D.C. native, dancing, drumming, playing piano, and learning from her magnetic father, an internationally celebrated jazz musician, author, and educator, was key to Allrich’s formation.

KWAME AGYEI AKOTO: ALLRICH’S FATHER, SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

Akoto was a talented saxophone player and studied music education at Howard University. He later started the band Nation: Afrikan Liberation Art Ensemble with his wife and Allrich’s mother, Akua N. Akoto, as well as Akili Ron Anderson and Kehembe Eichelberger. The group released their first album, “Rise, Vision, Comin” in 1976. It is filled with spiritual jazz intertwined with Pan-African rhythms to deliver a positive and communal message through poetry, vocals, instruments, and visuals. “It was about telling stories and telling our stories. They were empowering African people from a broad spectrum to honor the fact that we are African people, even separated by waters, we are African people,” Allrich told The Informer. The band members all hailed from

5 D.C. native Akua Allrich will be performing “Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba Tribute at Baltimore’s Creative Alliance on Feb. 15. (Courtesy Photo)

Howard, and their music centered on honoring their African ancestry using a holistic Black arts concept to deliver their sacred message. In a dedicated effort to establish a Black studies track at Howard, the group was a leading agent during the university’s 1968 student sit-ins. Akoto demanded the music studies offer jazz, and the university complied, bringing on legendary jazz master Donald Byrd. It was her father’s efforts that pioneered Howard’s jazz program– the same one from which Allrich would later graduate.

The legendary band members later founded NationHouse, where Allrich serves as a director of programs and teaches music at one of the oldest independent African-centered schools in the nation. With its founding in July 1974, the visionary institution is celebrating its 50th year. Her father is one of Allrich’s biggest musical influences. It’s clear how much Allrich loves and emulates Akoto, who died in 2019. “He was my first music teacher. He was my first piano teacher, and his ap-

The Church of R&B: Exploring Rhythm and Blues’ Rich Legacy Through a Unique Club Songs About Cheating Set the Stage for a Fun Night of Jams, Conversation By Ra-Jah Kelly WI Contributing Writer It was a Sunday and there was singing, shouting, and clapping, but it wasn’t quite church. However, those

gathered at Songbyrd Music House in the early afternoon on Super Bowl Sunday were there in the name of music, specifically themonthly meeting of The R&B Club. Founded by Markus K. Dowl-

5 FAshley-Dior Thomas, Justin Tinsley, and Julian Kimble, founders of The R&B club on Sunday, Feb. 11. (Markell WIlliams/The Washington Informer).

46 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

ing, Justin Tinsley, Julian Kimble, and Ashley-Dior Thomas in February 2018, the club was created as a “monthly book club-style meetup” with themes that over the years have ranged from classic R&B albums and artists' catalogs, to rhythm and blues producers, and, most recently, in an ironic nod to Valentine’s Day, “Songs about Cheating.” “We came back after the pandemic strong,” said Ashley-Dior Thomas in an exclusive "Let’s Talk" interview. “We do a different theme every month, and [February], usually reserved for love, will feature a little twist with our theme being R&B songs about cheating.” During the event, while hosts Tinsley, Kimble, and Thomas played songs from a co-curated Spotify playlist on

stage, with the help of a roving microphone, club members discussed songwriters’ motives, the quality of artists' renditions, music video plots, and, of course, sang along. For many, the event, which is purposefully not streamed, is also about fostering community. Tori Collins, 44, who lives in Southeast D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood, has been attending The R&B Club since 2018. “The pandemic kind of shut it down for a period, but as soon as it started back, I was here,” said Collins. “It's a family, right? It just gives you the time to talk about artists and producers. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com

HOW ALLRICH TAPPED BACK INTO HER MUSICAL ROOTS

After starting a family and working at her mother’s medical practice, Allrich’s husband urged her to start singing in 2008. She did background work inconsistently, but it wasn’t until she was 28 that Allrich began singing professionally. She released her first jazz album, “A Peace of Mine”, in 2008. The album showed the full range of the singer’s voice: from her soft honeyed lilts to her soulful tones that seem to come from somewhere beyond her body. Allrich teamed up with her musical partner Kriss Funn, a bassist, composer and Peabody Conservatory professor, to start the group Idol Beings.. The pair began their friendship in 1997 as students at Howard and always made music together “in a way that made sense.” The duo’s title is a play on words; instead of being “idle,” they create music and aspire to become idols. They’ve recently released an EP titled “Universe” together. Allrich said it was an opportunity for the two to explore other genres outside of their jazz traditions. It incorporates blues, and rock-and-roll, and features Tyler Leak, a dynamic drummer. Funn said making music with Allrich is always exhilarating because she leads with her voice and ideas, but is open to being inspired by the music and flow with the sounds.. “Akua embodies the soul of many that come before her. You can hear a pinch of your favorite vocalist, no matter the time, period, genre, or continent in her performances,” Funn told The Informer. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 47

Oobleck gets it name from a book by Dr. Seuss. In the book, sticky green gobs of goo fall from the sky. They call it Oobleck.

Use the code to discover the name of the book.

Replace

Is it a liquid?

The corn in the __ it beco

Or is it a solid?

Oobleck acts like both a liquid and a solid! Make some yourself and feel this crazy substance!

TRY THIS:

STUFF YOU’LL NEED:

After your Oobleck is well mixed, gen tly

• 1 cup of cornstarch • ½ cup of water • Food coloring (just for fun) • A bowl • Your hands

feel the top.

What does it feel like?

Next, pick up a handful of Oobleck and squeeze it into a ball. What does it feel like now?

DIRECTIONS:

a bowl. If you 1. Measure ½ cup of water and pour into the water. have food coloring, add a few drops to your bowl. 2. Measure 1 cup of cornstarch. Pour into minutes to 3. Mix the water and cornstarch for 10 take turns with to t wan t migh make it just right. You a partner. s. ce experiments; understand ards Link: Conduct simple scien

Stand

Can you pick up any other liquids and make them into a solid ball?

suspension

Can you find your way through this slimey Oobleck maze?

Open your hand with the Oobleck ball sitting on your palm. What happens?

A= B= C= D=

E= H= K= L=

M= N= O= P=

R= S= T= W=

Standards Link: Language Arts: Follow simple written directions.

ACTS BALL BOWL CRAZY CUP DROPS FEEL HAND LIQUID MIX OOBLECK OPEN POUR SOLID WATER

Z C J O W A T E R O

C N E P O H Q O Y D

X U L L A B R V Z B

S K P N C O L F A Y

D Q D N T W I E R H

Corn f billions ________ When wat flows a starch, ________ This make as particle

When a force is particles l mixture and

As soon as the water grains ag becomes _

I R P M S L Q E C A

L X O H I Y U L J K

O E U P W X I V P L

S N R I S B D W S D

Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

Par

Where does Oobleck fit?

Make a two-column chart. Title one column LIQUID and the other SOLID. Look through the newspaper and find things that are a liquid and a solid. Write the names of things you found in the column where it belongs.

Particles when

Standards Link: Conduct simple research; sort items by qualities.

Oobleck Advertisement Look for an advertisement in the newspaper that you like. Rewrite the advertisement to make an ad to sell Oobleck.

It’s raining Oobleck! Can you find at least 10 differences between these two pictures?

Standards Link: Language Arts: Write persuasively.

Standards Link: Find similarities and differences in common objects.

Frozen Findings Using all five senses, write a description of ice.

Standards Link: Language Arts: Write using descriptive details.

KID SCOOP IS SPONSORED BY

48 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

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With hund Kid Scoop features six high-intere activities fo school! Get sample tod

wi book review "If You See Them: Young, Unhoused, and Alone in America" by Vicki Sokolik c.2024, Spiegel and Grau $30 / 336 pages Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer You've looked everywhere. In the closet, beneath the sink, in the corners of drawers and storage areas. You've opened totes, then taken your search outside, turned the garage upside-down, and checked every square inch of the back yard. Nothing. That confirms it. As author Vicki Sokolik says in her new book "If You See Them," America's teens may be affected by a hidden problem. Vicki Sokolik loved to volunteer. Growing up in a household of means in a palatial home, she knew she was lucky. She never went without and, years later, neither did her teenagers, both of whom were taught generosity and the spirit of giving. It was a good lesson, then when, as they were delivering holiday meals to families near their Florida home one winter, Sokolik met a woman who reluctantly revealed that she was employed but couldn't afford permanent housing on her salary. Sokolik was touched. She swung into action, befriended the woman, taught her financial basics, and helped her find housing. Eventually, the woman asked Sokolik to move on, to find someone else to help. And so she did: Sokolik's son was a compassionate soul. He worried about a classmate who seemed to have little to nothing and again, Sokolik seized the chance to help. Alas, it didn't work out but the experience taught her and her family something important. Some teens in America are in crisis. Officially, they're called "unaccompanied homeless youth," but the reality is harsher: they're kids who were kicked out or chose to permanently leave home for a variety of reasons. Because they weren't removed by social workers or the state, they're not eligible for welfare or any other assistance programs. They stay with friends or distant relatives that will have them, or they sleep on park benches. They get by, and they fall through the cracks. Few people notice them, says Sokolik, because they do a good job at staying hidden but she knew those kids were out there. And she was going to do something about them … For as long as there've been kids, there have been kids without a place to eat, shower or lay their heads at night. The thing, says author Vicki Sokolik, is that those she writes about in "If You See Them" don't want you to see them. That seems odd until you know their reasoning, and Sokolik helps with that. She shows readers how this nationwide issue happened and what's being done about it, through memories of her own life, work, family, and essays written by the "kids" she helped who are now adults. Dip in, and see how easy their tales are to read, even despite that many of them will make you wince. Still, without spoiling things, you can expect happy endings among the sad stories. You can also expect your heart to be shattered. This book is a gently urgent call to arms, a plea for attention, and a good read altogether. When you care about kids, "If You See Them" is a book to look for. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE FEB. 15 - 21, 2024

ARIES It's OK to be the first one out of the gate. It can be a bit intimidating, but to the shy people in the room, it's refreshing to have someone like you, someone confident enough to take the plunge. Activity and avidity are key themes on Monday and Tuesday, but Wednesday and Thursday are defined by roadblocks. You don't mind an obstacle, though. It gives you a chance to show what you're made of. On Friday and Saturday, communication is crucial. Lucky Numbers: 17, 25, 34 TAURUS You can't figure out what gear to be in on Monday. Do you want to fly down the highway? Do you want to go slowly enough to appreciate the wildflowers along the way? On Tuesday, your indecision translates to the commercial realm. Do you want to buy such and such or do you want to shop around? On Wednesday and Thursday, you barely have to make any decisions whatsoever. Friday is defined by a lack of both charisma Sunday brings equilibrium. Lucky Numbers: 22, 24, 35 GEMINI Maybe what you need to do is draw up a list of some sort. Get organized. This is what you're feeling on Monday and Tuesday, and as tedious as spreadsheets and the like sound, putting things in order may relax you. Wednesday and Thursday are charged days. You and your friends are happy, garrulous and driven. But Friday is a bit dull. Communicating with family will be hard. But luckily, this weekend, especially Sunday, will be blissfully effortless. Lucky Numbers: 29, 39, 55 CANCER You feel like two people at the week's outset. One of you has a lot of energy and is set on tackling problems that have absolutely nothing to do with you. The other is deeply interested in your own interior life,. Finding some balance is necessary. A big purchase defines the middle of the week. It's funny how striving for balance sometimes brings about extravagance. Toward the end of the week, you catch up with friends, focus on the small things, and just generally try to be at your best. Lucky Numbers: 12, 17, 37 LEO You're sensitive on Monday and Tuesday, but you're also remarkably productive. Even good friends won't be able to tell what's going on under your exterior of extreme efficiency. And no time would be better than Wednesday or Thursday to do so since warmth and radiance will figure prominently. The money issues you'll have to deal with on Friday and Saturday may put you on edge, but Sunday will be soothing and social. Lucky Numbers: 18, 22, 34 VIRGO You have everyone's contact info, and you have the social capital to make things happen. You're the one to organize this get-together, which likely involves a combination of friends and family. With the stress of the week, you might find yourself taking a walk to clear your head and release some of the pressure on your shoulders, but by Friday, people are going to be thanking you for all you've done. Being the center of the social orbit is not easy, although it can be fun. Plus, knowing you've introduced great people to one another will be one of the thrills of your week. Lucky Numbers: 3, 19, 57 LIBRA You're a driven person, and sometimes you get frustrated when things don't progress as quickly as you'd like them to. There are good things on the horizon. Let the world deliver them to you when it's ready. Friends crowd every room you're in on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, most of the voices you hear are in your own head. Your tirelessness is an amazing quality, but let yourself sleep in on Saturday. Sunday promises to be fantastic. Lucky Numbers: 2, 3, 21 SCORPIO Your intuition is as good as any compass on Monday. You can tell where you're heading, but you wouldn't be able to articulate it to anyone else. On Tuesday, you draw on your intuition again to connect with someone on a deep level, but Wednesday and Thursday are superficial and frustrating. The boss is being crazy. Other than keeping your head down, what can you do? Sunday might be a drag. Lucky Numbers: 36, 41, 45 SAGITTARIUS It's no one's fault. Your energies are just mismatched. You proceed through the world with a certain personality, a distinct style, and the clash you experience on Monday and Tuesday is just a minor and perhaps fleeting incompatibility with someone. Wednesday and Thursday are incredible days. Friday returns you to the same sort of struggles that defined the beginning of the week. By Sunday, you're smiling because you mean it. Lucky Numbers: 4, 9, 13 CAPRICORN If you could be anywhere else on Monday and Tuesday, you would be, but you can't. And since you're here, you might as well face the music. The situation is not nearly as fraught as you might think, and you may actually have fun dealing with things, in the sense that it's a challenge. Wednesday and Thursday are not piece-of-cake days either, but it's nothing you can't handle. On Friday placing a phone call to someone you miss terribly is a great idea. Lucky Numbers: 1, 8, 23 AQUARIUS Get things done: Cross them off the list and move on. Such is Monday and Tuesday. This productivity likely comes from you ignoring some deeper emotional question, but when you're being so efficient, you almost don't care where it comes from. Toward the middle of the week, you have plenty of time to duly consider your feelings. A discovery, probably personal, awaits you on Thursday, and Friday and Saturday conspire to make you feel more grounded than you've felt in quite a while. On Sunday, you have a mind-blowing conversation with a brand-new friend. Lucky Numbers: 7, 11, 55 PISCES Even holding a lantern in front of you won't help you see better right now. It will illuminate the fog and make the glare brighter. If you can stand to sit in the dark on Monday and Tuesday, do it. Consider keeping the lights dim on Wednesday too. Flowers, poetry, and music figure on Thursday, but Friday and Saturday are less floral and more frantic. And if you do feel overwhelmed, take solace in the knowledge that Sunday will be fun and regenerative. Lucky Numbers: 9, 13, 15

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 49

SPORTS D.C. Council Presents Proclamation to Boxing Announcer Henry 'Discombobulating' Jones Jones Considers Legacy, Next Generation of Announcers By Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer With Black History Month underway, one barrier breaking boxing announcer received wellearned honors. Henry "Discombobulating" Jones, celebrated as a trailblazing Black ring announcer, was recently acknowledged with a proclamation at the "Next Up" boxing card on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast, D.C. Jones has been inducted into the Washington, D.C. Boxing Hall of Fame, the Rochester (NY) Boxing Hall of Fame and his recent honor was a proclamation from the District of Columbia City Council. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award, which he was awarded on the nomination of Khaliah Ali, daughter of former boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.

50 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

"I have been on this journey for 35 years," said Jones whose voice and delivery is tailor made for the profession. "I still remember when I first started in 1988 after I had tried and failed at a lot of things that didn’t work out. I tried to work as an actor, play-by-play commentator and even as a comedian and had eggs thrown at me one night.” There have been some people instrumental in his journey, such as his sister, Ibena. "I had learned how to use words effectively by studying the entire dictionary. I always said that words have power. Then my sister bought a thesaurus for me. That played a role in his name becoming, "Discombobulating." Jones noted, "I listened to various ring announcers, and I decided to come up with something that was unique and different. Thus, the “discombobulating”

5Boxing announcer Henry “Discombobulating” Jones was presented with a proclamation by the D.C. Council on Feb. 10. (Abdullah J. Konte/The Washington Infomer)

part of the legacy was born. Despite his love for the sport, Jones said he didn’t even consider ring announcing at the time because he had never seen a Black man famous for it. That was when he received encouragement from another important person on his journey. “A friend of mine told me, ‘That’s why you need to go for it and become the first African American to break through that barrier,’” said Jones, who admitted that most of his early years in the business came without any pay. “I started out doing it for free, because I knew it was valuable to get the experience and the exposure, and I knew the money would come in the end. A lot of young guys just want the money right now, but you have to develop a passion for what you do… it eventually pays off.” The next step in his journey came courtesy of J.D. Brown, a former boxing promoter in the District. "He gave me my start," declared Jones. "He said that he wanted me to be the ring announcer for Main Event. Still, despite his rapid ascension, there were roadblocks until he met Michael Buffer, the iconic boxing ring announcer. Jones said learning from Buffer, known for the popular phrase “Let’s get ready to rumble,” helped him develop his own unique style. By 1995, Jones had stamped his own official announcing phrase,

“Are you ready to do this? Well, let’s step to this!” But unlike Buffer, Jones faced discrimination in the business because of his skin color. Jones said he didn’t get the shot he deserved to announce a major fight until 1998 when Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson, demanded in his contract that Jones serve as his announcer for a fight aired on ESPN. “I have a ton of respect for Mark, the best flyweight champion ever. He put his career on the line for me and I will forever be grateful for such a gesture,” Jones said. Gary "Digital" Williams, a journalist and long-time public address announcer, gives big props to Jones. "Mr. Jones is a trendsetter," said Williams. "What he has done for Blacks in the sport of boxing as a ring announcer is phenomenal. He has been like a mentor, big brother to me. Any honors that he receives are well deserved." Sharif Salim has known Jones for the length of his career. Well respected in the boxing community, he has managed several amateur and professional boxers in the DMV for many years. "I remember him when he did his first fight," recalled Salim. "We go way back. You could tell back then that he was going to be special. When you consider what he had to go through and yet still has managed to be a credit to the profession. He has set a standard

for excellence. It is a remarkable achievement." At-Large City Councilman Kenyan McDuffie (I) spearheaded the efforts of recognizing Jones with the recent proclamation. "Among the greats who have contributed to our world-renowned boxing legacy is Henry Jones, one of the finest ring announcers in the sport of boxing," noted McDuffie "I was honored to celebrate Henry's contributions to the sport of boxing at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, as thousands from across the region joined in the celebration of his accomplishments." When asked his thoughts on the recent honor, Jones said, "It is humbling when you are honored for something that you love doing and the work you have put in. I have been blessed to be able to achieve these awards." Despite the work he has put in and his high-energy level, Jones admitted that he has begun to consider retirement sometime in the future. "I obviously can't do this for another 35 years. So I am planning to have auditions for ring announcers in the next few months. I will focus on the East Coast primarily,” Jones told The Informer. “This will be an opportunity for young Blacks to get an opportunity to learn what it takes to be a respected ring announcer in the profession. I would like to leave this behind as part of my legacy." WI

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CAPTURE the moment

5 Howard University President Dr. Ben Vinson III attends the centennial tribute to The Hilltop, held at the National Press Club on Feb. 3. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) 3Media mogul Cathy Hughes, namesake of Howard University’s School of Communications, poses with friends at the reception for The Hilltop newspaper. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

3Lucy Anne Hurston, niece of Zora Neale Hurston at The Hilltop’s 100th anniversary at the National Press Club on Feb. 3. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer) 6Anchor Derricke Dennis was the master of ceremonies for The Hilltop Centennial Gala on Feb. 3, held at the National Press Club in Northwest, D.C. (Roy Lewis/ The Washington Informer)

5Hilltop Editorial Advisor Keith Alexander, Howard University Professor Emeritus Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa, and ABC News’ Derricke Dennis at The Hilltop Centennial Gala on Feb. 3. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 51

RELIGION Howard University School of Divinity Welcomes Gilbert as new Dean Son of Theological Pioneer By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer The Rev. Dr. Kenyatta R. Gilbert, a nationally recognized scholar and author of four books on social justice and homiletics will be installed on Saturday, Feb. 17, as the dean of the Howard University School of Divinity. Gilbert, named to the position in June 2023, will officially replace Dr. Yolanda Pierce, who began serving as the new dean of the Vanderbilt Divinity School last July. “The entire Howard University community is proud to welcome Dr. Gilbert to his new position as dean of the School of Divinity. His 17 years of dedicated service to the university has prepared him well in addressing the needs of our students and leading the School

52 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

of Divinity into the future,” said former Howard president Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick in a statement in June 2023. “I also want to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Yolanda Pierce for her contributions as the first female dean of the School of Divinity for the past six years. ” Gilbert came to Howard as an adjunct professor in 2006 and has continued to blossom as a theologian, preacher and civil rights and social justice leader. He has been featured in media outlets that include PBS NewsHour, Sojourners, Word & Way, Religion Dispatches, and The Conversation. “I felt a real strong sense of calling to come to Howard because there was an element of unexpectedness,” Gilbert told The Informer. “I was taking the train to Union Station from the Northeast

5 The Rev. Dr. Kenyatta R. Gilbert will be installed as the new dean of Howard University School of Divinity on Feb. 17. (Courtesy Photo/Howard University News Service)

every Friday to teach a course and after 13 weeks a full-time position came open,” Gilbert said. “They had a full search and the next thing you know I was offered an assistant professor position on a tenured track.”

JOURNEY TO DEAN

The journey to dean of Howard’s School of Divinity has required a lot of hard work and balancing. From teaching while working on his doctorate, to serving as an assistant pastor of Peoples Community Baptist, and being a father of

three daughters, Gilbert’s career has given him a heart to recruit and develop a new generation of pastors and faith leaders around the world. Gilbert comes from a legacy of educational greatness. His father is Baylor University’s first African American graduate, the Rev. Robert Gilbert, and his mother Mrs. Elwayne Y. Gilbert is an alumna of Paul Quinn College. Gilbert earned his bachelor’s in political science from Baylor University in 1996 and then attended Princeton Theological Seminary, where he earned both a master of divinity and doctorate of philosophy degrees in practical theology, specializing in homiletics. He was ordained as a Baptist minister and preached at congregations in Texas, his home state, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Kenya. He is the author of "Exodus Preaching: Crafting Sermons about Justice and Hope," "A Pursued Justice: Black Preaching from the Great Migration to Civil Rights," "The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching," and "Just Living: Meditations for Engaging our Life and Times." He has been married for more than 25 years to Dr. Allison Blow Gilbert, a pediatrician, and together they have three daughters: Olivia, Ella, and Ava.

In 2011, Gilbert founded The Preaching Project, a transformative ministry dedicated to empowering ministers for effective service within African American churches and communities. He serves as the director of the Black Congregations Resource Center at Howard University and the general editor of the Preaching, Theology, and Culture book series published by Fortress Press. Gilbert is also a member of the editorial board of homiletics, a peer-reviewed journal sponsored by the Academy of Homiletics. He also has been inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. International Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College in 2022. Most recently he was awarded the Diamond Award for Excellence in Leadership from the Not Alone Foundation. Beyond his professional endeavors, Gilbert said another one of his other goals is to connect with the community at large. On Sunday, Feb. 11, he preached at the Washington National Cathedral during HBCU Day, where he preached a sermon “Hate what is evil and cling to what is good,” inspired by the New Testament scripture Romans 12:9. “My mission is to have a diverse student population,” Gilbert told The Informer. “Right now we are senior heavy. I want to prepare (a new generation) of ministers to enter Black churches that are fiscally astute.” Gilbert told The Informer he also wants to raise money to offer scholarships for potential students who often are lured by “white conservative,” schools, not because of a faith tradition, but because that are often more affordable. He also has global goals for Howard’s program. “Right now we have no Africa education program,” he said. “There is no internship program so there is just an abundance of opportunity.” Noting the importance of Howard School of Divinity, Gilbert said he is looking forward to serving in his new role. "Theological education matters. It always has and always will. So, I am humbled and excited by the privilege to serve as the next dean of the world’s preeminent historically Black theological school,” said Gilbert. WI

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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Most Names on a War Memorial in the World

"So the last will be first, and the first last." — John 20:16 KJV The African American Civil War Memorial Wall of Honor, which lists the names of 209,145 Black soldiers and their white officers, was recently recognized by Guinness World Records as having Most Names on a War Memorial. Now, we have reason to celebrate the extremely arduous job of entering the hundred of thousands of names into a database. Frank Smith, founding director of the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, sought congressional authority and partnered with the D.C. government and the public to raise the money to build the Memorial Wall of Honor. "We have worked hard since 1991 to research the names and place them on stainless steel plaques for all to see and the Guinness recognition makes the recognition worldwide." Smith said in a statement. "At a time when America is debating the great values of democracy, it is good to have international recognition for the USCT, many of whom gave what President Lincoln would call 'Their Full Measure' in defense of Freedom and Union in the American Civil War." Brianne Nadeau, D.C. Council member in Ward 1 where the monument is located, called the Guinness recognition "truly great for our own institution that so comprehensively recognizes the Black Union soldiers and their white allies of the Civil War. Now the entire world may fully understand its importance." The African American Civil War Memorial Wall of Honor, located at Vermont Avenue and U Street in northwest Washington, sits on federal

land and is under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. The memorial is accompanied by a museum that sits across the street and is currently closed for a $8 million renovation scheduled to be completed this fall. As the project director, appointed by then-D.C. Council member Smith, the mastermind behind this historic idea, I was honored by the National Park Service with the first-place award for typing the most names into the Wall of Honor database and I was also responsible for coordinating volunteers to work for months getting all names entered into the computer database. Volunteers came to help from churches, sororities (particularly Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha and AKAs) and the National Council of Negro Women. Plus, D.C. Council members sent out recruitment memos throughout the various wards of the city, soliciting public volunteers. The volunteers worked from boxes of records sent to us by the Family Search Library, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Those records were sent to the library in Utah by the National Archives and Records Administration, headed by the late Dr. Walter Hill, working in partnership with the National Park Service headquarters, and the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS), a database introduced by National Park Service officials to the African American Civil War Memorial during the early days of planning construction for the "Spirit of Freedom" memorial. Other information on the site includes histories of Union and Confederate regiments, links to descriptions of significant battles, and selected lists of prisoner-of-war records and cemetery records, which will be amended over time. The CWSS is a cooperative effort between the National Park Service and several public and private partners aiming to increase understanding of this decisive era in American history by making information about it widely accessible. Smith, who during the planning and implementation phase was also the D.C. Council member representing

Ward 1, was adamant about having the names of these Black soldiers indisputably authenticated. He worked with the National Park Service, asking if these Black soldiers and sailors could be input into the new system first. The National Park Service agreed, and Smith and his board of directors and staff were off and running! After several meetings, Dr. Smith was introduced to John Peterson, who at the time was responsible for the Civil War Soldier System, which contained information about the men who served in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War. That's who I worked with for the entire time — John Peterson, a man of integrity and honor! The blessing for us was that they agreed to begin this project by placing all of the names of the United States Colored Troops into the Civil War Soldier System, since it was a smaller number (209,145, including the white officers). After many months of data entry, the proofreading by the National Park Service began. The names were engraved on to metal plaques, installed on the Wall of Honor and later unveiled before a record crowd — now they are in the Guinness World Records! We were quite a dynamic partnership, which later included Robert Stanton, the 15th and first African American director of the National Park Service. He was approved by the Senate and sworn in on Aug. 4, 1997. All of us worked together on behalf of the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation, Inc. With the historic Guinness World Records recognition, the African American Civil War Memorial Wall of Honor is now authenticated as THE war memorial containing the most names of any war memorial in the world. Congratulations! The Guinness recognition can be viewed at https://www. guinnessworldrecords.com/ world-records/763643-mostnames-on-a-war-memorial. WI

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RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor 9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724 Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Blessed Word

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Church of Living Waters

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849 Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00 AM 5th Sundays: 9:30 AM 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 PM www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

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

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax)

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

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

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

Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

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

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

54 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

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

Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 AM Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 PM Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00 PM Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org / “God is Love”

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Third Street Church of God

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

Campbell AME Church

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

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

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

www.livingwatersmd.org

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

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

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

Rev. Terrance M. McKinley Senior Pastor

Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church

Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration

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

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

All Nations Baptist Church

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

Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor

Crusader Baptist Church

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

Emmanuel Baptist Church

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

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

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

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!

623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 / Fax (202) 483-4009

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

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

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661 Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

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

Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church / Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org / emailus@gmchc.org

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

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

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

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RELIGION Zion Baptist Church

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church

Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Rev. Lance Aubert Imterim Pastor 1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM

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

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

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

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

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

New Commandment Baptist Church

8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240

13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

Promised Land Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

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

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

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

Dr. Joseph D. Turner Senior Pastor

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

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

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

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

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

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

The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

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

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

Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

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

Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

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

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Israel Baptist Church

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

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Website address: www.mmbcdc.org

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

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

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

401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331

602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 / Fax: (202) 289-4595

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday

Service and Times Adult Sunday School: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Youth/Young Adult Sunday School 12:00 PM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM

2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

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

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

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

Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 55

LEGAL NOTICES There is now pending before the District of Columbia Superior Court an action, Case Number 2023 CAB 004133, seeking damages for conversion, forgery, invasion of privacy, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious damage to credit. A copy of the action is available in the Clerk’s office of the court. A written answer, including any claims or defenses must be filed with the District of Columbia Superior Court Civil Branch, 500 Indiana Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001, within 21 days of being served.

Donnell Barnett and Trina Fields are excited to announce the birth of their daughters Trina Mechelle Fields, born on October 11th 2006 at 2:08pm weighing 6 lbs 10.8 oz and 20 3/4 in at Providence Hospital 1150 Varnum Street NE Washington DC 20017 Deja Mechelle Barnett, born on September 18th 2009 at 2:17am weighing 6 lbs 13 oz and 19 in at Providence Hospital 1150 Varnum Street NE Washington DC 20017 Trinity Monet Barnett, born on December 20th 2020 at 7:26am weighing 7 lbs 4.7 oz 20in at Washington Hospital Center 110 Irving Street NW Washington DC 20010 with witnesses Pameula Barnett, Darnell Moore and Quinzella Williams

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2024 ADM 000059

2024 ADM 000024

2024 ADM 000047

Estate of Wanda Anita Oates

2024 ADM 000027

Nathaniel Bacon Decedent

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Delois A. Simpson Decedent

Steve Larson-Jackson 1629 K Street NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

Estate of Larry Turner aka Larry Paul Turner

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Christopher Caple for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of 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: 2/1/2024 Christopher Caple 551 Regent Place NE Washington, DC 20017 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Linda Wilson-Gaskins, whose address is 17209 Aspen Leaf Drive, Bowie, MD 20716, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nathaniel Bacon who died on May 3, 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 8/1/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/1/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/1/2024 Linda Wilson-Gaskins Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Alice Paterick Paxton for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of 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 dated May 9, 2017 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise 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: 2/1/2024 Alice Paterick Paxton 2354 N. Oakland Street Arlington, VA 22207 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

Suren G. Adams, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC 4201 Northview Drive, Suite 401 Bowie, MD 20716 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Cynthia D. Simpson, whose address is 5126 Kansas Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20011-3215, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Delois A. Simpson who died on July 20, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/1/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/1/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/1/2024 Cynthia D. Simpson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000015

2024 ADM 000018

2024 ADM 000028

2023 ADM 001534

2024 ADM 000083

Anna Danuta Staszewicz Decedent

Pamela Lipscomb Decedent

Kenneth Howard Washington Decedent

Anna Mae Reynolds Decedent

Howard J. Walsh III, Esq. 7101 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 1200 Bethesda, MD 20814 Attorney

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

Sarah J. Goodman aka Sarah Jane Goodman Decedent

Alexandria Davis & Asha Gardner, whose addresses are 1655 Flatbush Ave., Apt B608, Brooklyn, NY & 1736 Upshur St., NW Washington, DC 20011, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Pamela Lipscomb who died on 10/15/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/1/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/1/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Derek Washington, whose address is 7152 Boxwood Ct., Bryans Road, MD 20616, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kenneth Howard Washington who died on December 4, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/1/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/1/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Lorraine Natalie Reynolds, whose address is 136 Jefferson Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anna Mae Reynolds who died on November 28, 1982 without a Will. 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 8/1/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/1/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/1/2024

Alexandria Davis Asha Gardner Personal Representative

Derek Washington 7152 Boxwood Ct. Bryans Road MD 20616 Personal Representative

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Howard J. Walsh III, whose address is 7101 Wisconsin Ave #1200 Bethesda MD 20814, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anna Danuta Staszewicz who died on June 24, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/1/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 3/1/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/1/2024 Howard J. Walsh III Personal Representative

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56 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

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Date of first publication: 2/1/2024 Lorraine Natalie Reynolds Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

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Sharon Legall 1325 G Street NW Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Fred Vick Clark, whose address is 5311 Barker Place, Lanham MD 20706, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sarah J. Goodman aka Sarah Jane Goodman who died on September 24, 2006 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 8/8/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/8/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/8/2024 Fred Vick Clark Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2024 ADM 000022

2024 ADM 000037

2024 ADM 000040

2024 ADM 000034

2023 ADM 000084

Conchita A. Brown Decedent

Thelma W. Taylor aka Thelma Washington Taylor Decedent

Mildred Chappelle aka Mildred Chappelle Williams Decedent

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

Mahsa Alaeian Legal Counsel for the Elderly 601 E Street NW Washington DC 20049 Attorney

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

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Marla A. Freeman Boyd, whose address is 20810 Shifting Sand Lane, Richmond, TX 77407, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mildred Chappelle aka Mildred Chappelle Williams who died on 7/15/2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/8/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/8/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Dorothy J. Bartley aka Dorothy Janette Bartley Decedent

Della Davis Parker Decedent

Mack C. Allen, Esq. 3300 Wheeler Rd., SE Washington, DC 20032 Attorney

Mahsa Alaeian Legal Counsel for the Elderly 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049 Attorney

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

Sarah M. Love, whose address is20 Stonegate Court, Mt. Pocono, PA 18344, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy J. Bartley aka Dorothy Janette Bartley who died on December 6, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/8/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/8/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Lonnie D. Parker, Jr., whose address is 809 Adrian Street, SE Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Della Davis Parker who died on July 31, 2014 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/8/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/8/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/8/2024 Sarah M. Love Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 2/8/2024

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Lonnie D. Parker, Jr. Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

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Washington Informer

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Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 45 Leona Felecia Bennett Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Nathan Leon Bennett Fleming, whose address is 5047 Sheriff Rd NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Leona Felecia Bennett who died on November 19, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/8/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/8/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/8/2024 Nathan Leon Bennett Fleming 5047 Sheriff Rd, NE Washington, DC 20019 Personal Representative

Washington Informer

Date of first publication: 2/8/2024 Gregory P. Brown Personal Representative

Joseph H. Sisney, III, whose address is 1625 Monroe St., NE Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thelma W. Taylor aka Thelma Washington Taylor who died on July 13, 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 8/8/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/8/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/8/2024

Date of first publication: 2/8/2024 Marla A. Freeman Boyd Personal Representative

Joseph H. Sisney, III Personal Representative

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

2024 ADM 000075

2023 ADM 1474

2024 ADM 000071

2024 ADM 78

Stephen K. Wiggins Decedent

Mary Ruth Gordon Decedent

Brenda Lee Coleman-Marbury aka Brenda Lee Coleman aka Brenda Lee Coleman-Hansbury Decedent

William E. Newman Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Karma A. Ester, whose address is 4071 Yellow Stone Loop, Dumfries, VA 22025, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stephen K. Wiggins who died on May 27, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/15/2024 Karma A. Ester 4071 Yellow Stone Loop Dumfries VA 22025 Personal Representative

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Gregory P. Brown, whose address is 9663 Santa Monica Blvd., #248, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Conchita A. Brown who died on February 12, 2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/8/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/8/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

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Carmen Jones Mitchell, Esq. 510 Rock Lodge Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

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

Patricia A. Johnson, whose address is 3910 18th St., NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Ruth Gordon who died on March 16, 2019 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 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Kyre JaNise Coleman, whose address is 1253 Carrollsburg Place, SW, Washington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Brenda Lee Coleman-Marbury aka Brenda Lee Coleman aka Brenda Lee Coleman-Hansbury who died on 10/7/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Derrick K. Newman, whose address is 13103 Larkhall Circle, Fort Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William E. Newman who died on October 19, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/15/2024

Patricia A. Johnson Personal Representative

Kyre JaNise Coleman 1253 Carrollsburg Place, SW Washington, DC 20024 Personal Representative

Derrick K. Newman 13103 Larkhall Circle Fort Washington, MD 20744 Personal Representative

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 57

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2024 ADM 79

2024 ADM 000076

2023 ADM 001160

2024 ADM 000068

Gregory Tyreno Pryor Decedent

Bruce A. Colbert Decedent

Betty Lou Wilson Day Decedent

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

Tish Ann Dildy-Harris aka Tish Dildy-Harris Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kenan R. Manley, whose address is 4329 Dubois Place NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bruce A. Colbert who died on 12/05/2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Diana Pryor, whose address is 2002 Tobacco Rd, Augusta GA 30906, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gregory Tyreno Pryor who died on July 6, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/15/2024 Kenan R. Manley Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 2/15/2024 Diana Pryor Personal Representative

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Antonio S. Boyd, whose address is 5437 C Street SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tish Ann Dildy-Harris aka Tish Dildy-Harris who died on June 2, 2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/15/2024 Antonio S. Boyd Personal Representative

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NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Lorraine Day-Hunt, whose address is 1713 Shamrock Ave Capital Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Betty Lou Wilson Day who died on November 30, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/15/2024 Lorraine Day-Hunt Personal Representative

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Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION 2024 NRT 000004 Ernest Thomas Greene Name of Deceased Settlor NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST Ernest Thomas Greene whose address was 3050 Military Road, NW, Apt 567, Washington, DC 20015 created a revocable trust on June 4, 1999, which remained in existence on the date of his death on February 3, 2023, and Margaret H. Greene, whose address is 3050 Military Road, NW, Washington DC 20015, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to Margaret H. Greene at 3050 Military Road, NW, Apt 567 Washington, DC 20015 The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expense of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances. Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before August 15, 2024 (6 month after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1) February 3, 2024, (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2) August 15, 2024, (6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification. This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d). Date of First Publication: 2/15/2024 Margaret H. Greene Signature of Trustee

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

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

2024 FEP 000008

2024 ADM 000095

2024 ADM 85

2024 ADM 91

September 23, 2023 Date of Death

Rupert W. Grant Decedent

Frances L. Anthony Decedent

Geraldine Dubois Decedent

James Larry Frazier, Esq. 918 Maryland Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

James Larry Frazier, Esq. 918 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

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

David Nicholas Vogan Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Charles E. Vogan, Jr. and Judith Vogan Boone whose addresses are 5500 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, Virginia 23509 were appointed personal representatives of the estate of David Nicholas Vogan, deceased, by the Circuit Court for Williamsburg/ James City County, State of Virginia, on January 17, 2024. Service of process may be made upon Dr. Dylan DelliSanti 1315 Queen Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 1311 Delaware Avenue, SW, Unit S328, Washington, DC 20024-3930 (Cooperative Apartment). Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice. Date of first publication: 2/15/2024

Gloria Grant, whose address is 7544 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rupert W. Grant who died on August 23, 2014 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 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Charles E. Vogan Judith Vogan Boone Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 2/15/2024

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Gloria Grant Personal Representative

Washington Informer

Rita L. Twiggs, whose address is 7505 River Road, Suite 2E, Newport News, VA 23607, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Frances L. Anthony who died on January 14, 2024 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 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Derrek Reese, whose address is 2945 Marsala Ct., Lake Ridge, VA 22192, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Geraldine Dubois who died on 12/22/06 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 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/15/2024 Derrek Reese Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 2/15/2024

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Rita L. Twiggs Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

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58 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

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LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2023 ADM 00128 Mumbi Grace Fuller aka Mumbi Grace Mogaki Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Lucy Sandra Mumo, whose address is 14801 Cartagena Dr., Gainesville, VA 20155, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mumbi Grace Fuller aka Mumbi Grace Mogaki who died on May 6, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 2/15/2024 Lucy Sandra Mumo 14801 Cartagena Dr. Gainesville VA 20155 Personal Representative

Washington Informer

2024 ADM 000090 Douglas E. Burrell Decedent Matthew F. Shannon, Esquire 1420 N Street, NW #203 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sherrie Hairston, whose address is 7223 Mason Street, District Heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Douglas E. Burrell who died on December 17, 2023 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/15/2024. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/15/2024, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024 59

WHITE HOUSE from Page 1 largest gathering of Black history descendants on the premises. For two hours, public officials recognized the families while highlighting the Biden-Harris administration’s accomplishments in the realms of civil rights, racial diversity, and opportunities for Black Americans. The occasion marked the beginning of what Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., a direct descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, called the group’s continuation of their ancestors’ legacies. “When we speak with our collective voice, our moral authority will be hard to impugn,” Morris said. Through his organization, Frederick Douglass Family Initiative: Abolitionism and Antiracism, Morris invited the families to the District to celebrate Douglass’ chosen birthday of February 14. OPE extended the White House invitation to the families as part of an effort to foster future collaboration, a Biden-Harris administration official said. The group of 15 people included those who trace their lineage back to or claim relation with Douglass, Washington, Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, President Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, Emmett Till, Malcolm X and Jesse Jackson. Below are the names of other descendants, family members: • Michelle Duster, author of “Voice of Truth” and descendant of Ida B. Wells • Ernestine Wyatt, artist and descendant of Harriet Tubman • Sheila McCauley Keys, author of “Our Auntie Rosa” and descendant of Rosa Parks • Marvel and the Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr., cousin of Emmett Till and president of Preserve Roberts Temple • Attallah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X • Madison Lanier, great(x6) granddaughter of President Thomas Jefferson & Sally Hemings • Shannon Lanier, Great(x6) grandson of President Thomas Jefferson & Sally Hemings • Carter Lanier, son of Shannon Lanier • Chandra Lanier, wife of Shannon Lanier

60 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

• Johnathan Jackson, congressman and son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson • Ashley Jackson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson's daughter • Dan Duster, great-grandson of Ida B. Wells • Nettie Washington Douglass, Booker T. Washington's granddaughter • Douglass Washington Morris, III, Nettie Washington Douglass’ grandson On Tuesday morning, hours before the event, the group toured the U.S. Capitol and learned about the history of transit while at Union Station. They also laid the foundation for serious conversations about the country’s most important issues. “When you see where we are in this country, people talk about healing and reconciliation but we can't start talking about that until we have truth telling,” Morris said. “With the spirit of our ancestors, we can be a healing balm.”

LOOKING BACK: A BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS

Upon entering the space on Tuesday, guests saw a slideshow on the right side that featured images of Jackson, Wells, Washington, Till, Hemings, Dred Scott, George Floyd, and other Black history figures. They later listened as Roderick Giles & Grace sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing” along with a series of spirituals. In his remarks before Biden-Harris administration officials, Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members, and other guests on Tuesday, Morris recognized his mother and reflected on the gravity of the moment. He also looked back on his childhood, during which he learned about Douglass and Washington while sitting at the feet of elder family members who spent time with them. As co-founder and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives: Abolitionism and Antiracism, Morris has been leading the charge for the construction of the first Frederick Douglass Museum Center in Rochester, New York. He said that project, anticipated to be completed in five years, will highlight a period of Douglass’ life that’s

not widely chronicled. In regard to his ongoing collaboration with the other Black history families, Morris said he has expectations about an outcome that would produce similarly impactful results. “What will our great-great grandchildren say about us?” Morris told audience members on Tuesday. “When nefarious forces pose a threat to our democracy, our descendants will look at this time to see if we were on the right side of history,” he continued. “History lives in each of us but the future depends on how we carry it forward.” Other speakers included Vice President Kamala Harris (D), OPE Director Stephen K. Benjamin, Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory, CBC Chair Rep. Steven Horsford (D- Nevada 4th District), and Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Alabama 7th District). Each speaker examined the moment in the broader context, giving thanks to Black historical figures who paved the way for their professional success. They also addressed what they described as the violent revision of U.S. history. Mallory said part of her job in quelling those forces involves preserving historic infrastructure, including the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Atlanta home and the visitor’s center named in his honor. Earlier, Benjamin, former mayor of Columbus, South Carolina, touted the Biden-Harris administration’s historic appointments, including that of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Horsford later paid homage to the CBC, which currently has 60 members, the highest number since its founding. Harris, the nation’s first Black female vice president, likened the ongoing civil rights battle to a relay race in which ancestors pass a baton to the current generation facing new hurdles. In her remarks, she noted an executive proclamation President Joe Biden signed last summer to establish the Emmett TIll and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Mississippi and Illinois. She also evoked Wells’ name as she recognized members of the Black Press as truth tellers. “It's imperative that we understand where we come from to understand where we are going,” Harris said. “We honor the descendants and our collective roles of leader-

FORCE from Page 1

5 Descendants of great African Americans leaders, such as Ida B. Wells and Frederick Douglass, met at the White House as part of a two-day convening to discuss plans to collectively continue their ancestors’ work and legacies. (Shedrick Pelt/The Washington Informer)

ship. We owe them a great sense in terms of duty.” Sewell, whose Alabama district includes Selma, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa, said she came to understand her calling while gleaning wisdom from civil rights era veterans. Their example, she told audience members on Tuesday, allowed her to make history in her own way. “It’s because of the sacrifices of

those who came before us that this little girl from Selma can become Alabama’s first Black congressperson,” Sewell said. “Each generation must fight to preserve progress and advance it. We say thank you for the timeless work to preserve the legacy of your ancestors at a time when extremists seek to erase our history and roll back our progress.” WI @SamPKCollins

ZORA from Page 38

In 1937, she wrote her masterwork, “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, in seven weeks. The celebrated novel continues to be assigned and studied by doctoral scholars and high schoolers alike. Hurston died in the St. Lucie County Welfare Home after suffering hypertensive heart disease in 1960. Despite her significant contributions to America’s literary canon, she would lay forgotten in an unmarked grave in Fort Pierce, Florida. Thirteen years later, a young Alice Walker would come posing as her niece, hoping to learn more about the writer, to whom she felt connected. She finally marked Hurston’s grave, naming her “A Genius of the South.” Hurston’s work inspired Walker, Toni Morrison, and generations of Black women writers who wanted to remember and create a world that honored Black people and their memory, culture, and storytelling. In 1975, Walker published “Searching for Zora” in the Ms. Magazine. “There’s still more to discover of Zora and all the good influence that she had in the world,” Hurston’s niece told The Informer. WI

“It’s fitting that as a social scientist, Zora, who was concerned with questions, inquiry and resolution of problems was a journalist, anthropologist, and contributor to understanding the social world around her,” said Lucy Anne Hurston, Hurston’s niece. In her anthropological work, Hurston returned to Florida to study Black folklore that lived in the minds of the elders of the South. Her approach made her a revolutionary social scientist, and one of the first to look deeply at African American trance activities and Southern folktales. In 1927, she wrote “Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo’” about Kossala, the final survivor of the last known ship ever to bring enslaved humans from Africa to the U.S. Her interviews revealed Kossala’s memories of home and the passage to America. Rejected by publishers during her lifetime, excerpts of “Barracoon” weren’t published until the 2003 biography “Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston,” by Valerie Boyd, and the full book wasn’t published until 2018.

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MALVEAUX from Page 40 "response" to the Hamas Oct. 7 attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to wipe Palestinians out of Gaza, and the United Nations has advised Israel to stop targeting civilian lives. Cori Bush is saying nothing more than any conscientious human being is saying. Tone it down? No, turn it up! Nehls' comments about Congresswoman Cori Bush are inflaming, and his description of her as "loud" reminds me of the 1918 lynching of Mary Turner, a young Black woman who protested the murder of her husband and threatened to press charges against the white men who killed him.

MARSHALL from Page 40 weeks, both men had their moments of verbal gaffes during speeches. In a speech, Trump confused Nikki Haley for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Biden had his own mix-up when confusing the names of French leaders Macron and Mitterrand. Truthfully, a 39-year-old can make the same mistakes. But any type of misstep becomes fair game in the world partisan politics and politicalcampaigns. Republican strategist Scott Jennings said Vice President Harris is now "squarely" a campaign issue, in wake of a special counsel report on President Biden's retention of classified documents. The report from special counsel Robert Hur concluded no charges should be brought against the president, but noted Biden had problems with memory and recall. The report portrayed Biden as an elderly man with "diminished capacities," including memory loss, claiming Biden could not recall which years he served as vice president or when his son, Beau Biden, had died of brain cancer. The president's mental competency is a medical issue. Special counsel Hur is not a doctor, nor is the Department of Justice investigation a phys-

FIELDS from Page 40 cial insurance reimbursements. Rep. McGarvey's bill would solve this problem by covering human milk-derived human milk fortifier in all 50 states. Clinical evidence shows that NICUs have stronger clinical outcomes when infants have access to an exclusive human milk diet. Fewer illnesses are reported, including NEC, and preemies have a better chance of staying healthy and growing strong enough to go home. There is a growing body of evi-

She was described as "mouthy" — or, in other words, loud. Because she had the nerve to confront white men, she was lynched. She was nine months pregnant when she was killed, hung by her ankles, doused with gasoline, and set on fire. She was under such physical distress as she was lynched that she expelled her fetus, which rabid and soulless white men then stomped to death. Most of our nation's 5,000 known lynchings were of Black men, but as many as 100 Black women were lynched, and Mary Turner is one of them. She was lynched as an example. Don't speak up, Black women, or you will suffer consequences. Don't confront white men, or we will knock you

down. Mr. Nehls invoked a dangerous racist trope, and he has yet to apologize for his language. He isn't likely to apologize because it is open season on Black people, and these racist tropes play well with his crowd. He helped the Capitol Police barricade the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, but has since written a book supportive of the 45th president. He fits right in with the racist crowd that has nothing but disdain for Black people (except Tim Scott) and Black women. Nehl's racist rant is rash, brash and out of control. We must respond to him forcefully and throw our enthusiastic support behind Congresswoman Cori Bush, an American patriot, activist and she-ro. WI

ical or mental exam. Therefore, the issue of mental competency should not creep into a judicial case without medical confirmation or relevancy. Republicans are now seizing on the report to attack Biden and Harris. Democrats are already skeptical about Biden running for reelection. CBS News polls showed 39% of Democrats feel Biden should not run again. Overwhelmingly, his age has become the reason. The number of Democrats who lack confidence in the vice president's electability is growing with many preferring that Harris not be on the ticket with Biden. The relationship between a president and vice president can be a simple or complex partnership. The main reason former president Obama chose Biden as his running mate was Obama's resume was thin in the area of foreign policy. Biden was a longtime member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was viewed as an experienced voice in foreign affairs. The two men maintained an effective partnership throughout the Obama-Biden years. The same was true with Bill Clinton and Al Gore until the Monica Lewinsky incident. The partnership between Pres-

ident Franklin Roosevelt and Vice President Harry Truman was more complicated. Truman was not "Roosevelt's guy," so he was kept in the dark on a number of critical issues. Although the Roosevelt-Truman ticket won a comfortable election victory, Roosevelt didn't trust Truman. After Roosevelt's unexpected death, Truman was vice president for only 82 days before becoming president. During his few weeks as vice president, Truman rarely saw Roosevelt. Truman received no briefing on the development of the atomic bomb or the unfolding difficulties with the Soviet Union. History shows that Truman successfully rose to the monumental occasion after being thrown into the fire. Asked on CBS' "Face the Nation" whether she was prepared to serve as commander in chief in case Biden became unable to carry out his duties, Harris said: "Yes, I am, if necessary." There is always the possibility that Harris could ascend to the highest office and become the first women to serve as U.S. president without being elected. We can only hope that like Truman, Harris can overcome the doubts and rise to the occasion with confidence and success. WI

dence on the health benefits associated with breastmilk. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization have cited reduced respiratory, ear and gastrointestinal infections after six months of breastfeeding. Accordingly, Black premature infants who are most susceptible to life-threatening illnesses should have access to human milk, regardless of a mother's ability to provide it, to promote live-saving nutrition. Our members are on the front lines every day and witness firsthand

the benefits of proper nutrition for preemies and newborns. On behalf of our members, we urge Congress to pass Rep. McGarvey's bill and remove barriers for Black babies. The Black maternal health and infant mortality crisis can be summed up simply: The deaths of our mothers and infants are largely preventable. While the solutions to save more lives are complicated, Congress can improve infant nutrition and strengthen the safety net for our most vulnerable and precious babies. WI

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There are many reasons to read The Washington Informer...

Each week you’ll get news from The District of Columbia, Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, and Northern Virginia. You will discover Arts and Entertainment, Social Tidbits, Religion, Sports, People’s Viewpoints, Letters to the Editor, Classified Ads and more! And best of all… No crime, no dirty gossip, just positive news and information each week, which is why… The Washington Informer is all about you! Name....................................................................................................... Address................................................................................................... City, State, Zip......................................................................................... Phone number (daytime)......................................................................... Yes! I want to subscribe for: n1 year/$55.00 n 2years/$70.00 Method of payment: n Check Enclosed n Visa/MasterCard Credit card number.................................................................................. Signature

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Among them are The Flash, The Black Gazelle, The Tornado and The Black Pearl. She became the most highly visible Black woman in America and abroad. She was a strong role model for many of us and is considered a women's rights pioneer. She taught so many how to succeed despite a handicap. That's what Delta women so often do! In the past few days, the world honored one who also was simply the best. I'm talking about Kobe Bryant. He motivated a new generation of young people to be Black and proud. He was so good that he became a Los Angeles Lak-

MORIAL from Page 41 to Donald Trump, filed an EEOC complaint against the NFL, trying to keep the league from fixing the problem we all know we have. Miller is calling for the same thing the National Urban League called for two years ago: elimination of the Rooney Rule. However, we were seeking a better way to achieve equal opportunity for candidates of color. Miller is seeking to eliminate opportunities for candidates of color. Since we met with Commissioner Goodell, the NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to require teams interview at least two external minority candidates for head coach and general manager jobs. As we noted at the time, the effect of the

JEALOUS from Page 41 fewer lost workdays per year and bring as much as $46 billion in net health benefits in 2032, when the standards are in full effect. Reducing air pollution and protecting the air we breathe are moral obligations not just to our children but to future generations. EPA Administrator Michael Regan recognized as much when he told reporters the new standard would "shape the world our children will inherit tomorrow." Given the undeniable health and economic benefits of stronger soot standard, and the moral imperative of protecting our kids' health and futures, you would expect passing the new standard to have been a slam dunk. But the updating of the soot stan-

er for life. He didn't just play the game. He defined it. His motto was "Leave the game better than you found it." He did just that. He and his daughter, Gianna, died in a tragic helicopter crash in 2020, but before that, he inspired so many. He's a legend and is the

subject of three planned statues at the Star Plaza in Los Angeles. Who could ever forget his 81-point game? He was a five-time NBA champion. He played with others who were great, but he is still SIMPLY THE BEST! WI

In the past few days, the world honored one who also was simply the best. I'm talking about Kobe Bryant. He motivated a new generation of young people to be Black and proud.

rule as it had existed was for team decision-makers to regard interviews with candidates of color as an extraneous step, rather than an integral part of the hiring process. The coach that Mayo replaced, Bill Belichick, inadvertently proved the ineffectiveness of the Rooney Rule and triggered Flores' lawsuit when he texted Flores to congratulate him on being named head coach of the New York Giants — three days before Flores was scheduled to interview for the job. Belichick thought he was texting Brian Daboll. Not only had the Giants already decided to hire Daboll before even interviewing Flores — presumably to comply with the letter, if not the spirit, of the Rooney Rule — but the team

already was sharing the news. The league also created the Coach and Front Office Accelerator, which allows diverse candidates for positions across the NFL to network with club owners and executives and participate in personal and professional development workshops. A federal judge ruled in July that Flores, now defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, may proceed to trial with his claims against the NFL, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans, but must pursue his claims against the Dolphins through arbitration. Regardless of the outcome of Flores' legal action, he has helped propel the league toward equity and opportunity. WI

dard faced fierce opposition. We must recognize that opposition for what it was: outrageously immoral. Big polluters and their allies fought tooth and nail against the improved soot standard. They relied on the same misinformation they have used for years, which has never once come true. They made up fake obstacles to complying with improved standards. For example, they tried to use wildfire smoke as a reason why certain jurisdictions would not be able to comply with the new standards. But the EPA has clearly stated that soot from wildfires can be discounted from regulatory decisions. The fossil fuel industry and other polluters grasped at every straw they could. But we know that protecting clean air leads

to stronger economies, better health outcomes, and is simply the right thing to do. More than 600,000 people submitted public comments to the EPA last year in support of stronger standards. The Biden-Harris administration deserves credit for heeding the call. The opposition from big polluters is a reminder that there will always be those who try to stop us when we reach for a better future. That even goes for something as basic as cleaner air and the longer life expectancies, economic opportunity, and healthier bodies that come with it. It is also a reminder of our moral obligation to keep fighting to make sure the benefits of the new EPA standard reach the communities that need them most. WI

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BALTIMORE.ORG/CIAA For local print ads, we must include host and sponsors logos (see attached Afro 11" x 19.5" and Baltimore Times 9.66" x 9.66" ads for reference). These ads will also be used as the base for resize. We've reached out to Erik for the design files and will forward once received. 64 FEBRUARY 15 - 21, 2024

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