36 minute read
Black Facts
AROUND THE REGION
The Wright Way: Foundation Helps D.C. Homicide Victims, Brokers Peace
Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Independence Day 2020 is one of those days that’s in Sade Wright’s memory.
The District-based activist held a cookout with guests that included Ward 8 Councilman Trayon White.
The event was festive, with friendly conversations, music and delicious barbecue, helping Wright’s high-profile friends and family members delight.
“Then all of a sudden, everyone’s phones started going off and the next thing you knew, everyone had left,” Wright recalled.
Text messages had been sent to the Councilman and the other guests, alerting them to 11-yearold Davon McNeal’s shooting death.
The shooting occurred on Cedar Street Southeast, which had been the subject of a round-the-clock watch by the Metropolitan Police Department because of a previous shooting earlier that week.
Wright, who started the Wright Family Foundation just a year before Davon’s murder, immediately organized a drive-by event to honor Davon.
About 30 cars lined the Southeast streets, driving from The Big Chair in Anacostia to MPD’s 7th District station in Buena Vista.
During the drive-by memorializing Davon, Wright said someone informed her of the murder of another Southeast resident, Dawaun Simmons.
Affectionately known as “Woosie” Dawaun, 17, was killed two months earlier, but Wright simply cried upon learning about the murder.
“We have a saying with leaders in Southeast,” Wright revealed. “We say, ‘put the guns down, pick the children up.’”
She and her husband, Duane Wright, fund the family’s foundation and all its philanthropic efforts. Wright noted that grant applications have failed, and donations are almost non-existent.
“We are supported by the community and that’s it,” Wright remarked.
But it still has not stopped the foundation from organizing tributes to the fallen, assisting victims’ families, providing thousands of meals for those in need during its Feed the Streets program.
The foundation also has hosted toy drives for children, gun giveback events and assisted those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Wright insists that she has routinely tried to engage MPD’s hierarchy on several occasions to help police relations in the community and assist in brokering peace.
“I have gone to the police station, and I have asked the commander to talk to us and have a relationship with the community,” Wright said.
“These officers cannot just come into the community and drive around, see these Black boys and just jump on them. That is why they do not respect them. That’s why they run.”
Wright’s family has endured its share of violence and loss.
A cousin was murdered in 2006 at his home in Maryland, and in 2016, Duane Wright’s brother, Rashawn, was shot and killed in Southeast.
“I had to sit at his murder trial and watch the murderers get off,” Sade Wright recalled. “So, when I see these juveniles being killed, it’s upsetting. It is why I had to do something.”
Wright, who once suffered a stroke, has lived all her life in Southeast.
She said she could easily relate to young ones growing up there today.
“I used to be a bad girl. I used to always like to fight,” Wright noted.
“Things are not like they were when I was growing up, so when I see these young girls and guys in the area, I feel like we need to, and we can, make a change in the community.
“That is what made me want to give back so that I can show my community that there are other ways than the way we are currently seeing things done.”
The Washington Informer has started a series called, “Black Lives Lived,” where we will profile African American homicide victims. In bringing the stories of unsolved Black victims of crime, we hope to show that these are real people, with real families, who loved and cared about them. We also hope the profiles will help preserve their dignity and legacy and perhaps lend a hand to MPD in bringing those responsible to justice. If you’d like your loved one featured, email us at stacybrownmedia@ gmail.com
To support the Wright Family Foundation, a nonprofit, you can use $WFFGIVEBACK at (202) 6073804. You can also visit https://www. instagram.com/wright_family_foundation/ WI
Twitter: @StacyBrownMedia Facebook: StacyBrownMedia
5 Sade and Duane Wright (Courtesy Sade Wright) 5 Sade Wright (Courtesy Sade Wright)
ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY® VIRTUAL FESTIVAL THE 2021 BLACK HISTORY MONTH
CELEBRATING THE 95TH ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY THEME The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity
Monday, February 1, 2021 FREE COMMUNITY EVENT - OPEN TO PUBLIC
Announcement of the Black History theme and Introduction of ASALH’s Inaugural Virtual Black History Month Festival
Saturday, February 6, 2021 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST FREE COMMUNITY EVENT - OPEN TO PUBLIC
From the Continent to the Americas: Foodways, Culture and Traditions in the African American Family
Wednesday, February 10, 2021 FREE COMMUNITY EVENT - OPEN TO PUBLIC
Presentation of the Inaugural ASALH Book Prize
Wednesday, February 24, 2021 FREE COMMUNITY EVENT - OPEN TO PUBLIC
Diving with a Purpose
Sunday, February 28, 2021 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST FREE COMMUNITY EVENT - OPEN TO PUBLIC
ASALH Prince George’s County Truth Branch Event Featuring a conversation with Dr. Bernice King
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Marquee Event Saturday, February 20, 2021 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST (TICKETED EVENT: $50.00) Finding Our Roots in African American History
A Conversation with… Henry Louis Gates and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham Acclaimed for his scholarship, his documentary films about African, Afro-Latin, and African American History, and his popular television series, “Finding Your Roots,” Henry Louis Gates, Jr., has brought fascinating African American family stories to the wider public. The Black History Month Festival in 2021 is proud to feature a conversation between ASALH’s national president Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who will share his thoughts and motivations in popularizing Black History through the heritage of African American families and communities and their search for roots.
ASALH BRANCHES WILL HOST VIRTUAL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH ASALH BRANCH EVENTS CAN BE FOUND AT ASALH.ORG/BRANCH-EVENTS
ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN LIFE AND HISTORY THE FOUNDERS OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH WWW.ASALH.ORG | 202-238-5910 | #ASALH #ASALHFAMILY #ASALHFAM #ASALH2021
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JAN 14 - 20, 2021
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MBE/DBE Certi ed | Woman-Owned Business JAN 14 1916 – Fiction writer John Oliver Killens is born in Macon, Georgia. 1940 – Famed civil rights leader Julian Bond (bottom right) is born in Nashville, Tennessee.
JAN. 15 1908 – Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Black Greek-letter sorority, is founded at Howard University. 1929 – Iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta. 1998 – Civil rights activist James Farmer is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.
JAN. 16 1871 – Jefferson Long becomes the first African American from Georgia to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. 1920 – Sorority Zeta Phi Beta is founded at Howard University. 1941 – The War Department announces the creation of an all-Black fighter squadron to train at an airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama. 1967 – Lucius D. Amerson, the first Black sheriff in the South in the 20th century, is sworn in at Tuskegee, Alabama.
JAN. 17 1759 – Quaker businessman and abolitionist Paul Cuffee is born in Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts. 1942 – Boxing legend and civil rights activist Muhammad Ali is born Cassius Clay in Louisville, Kentucky.
JAN. 18 1966 – Robert Weaver is sworn in as the first secretary of Housing and Urban Development, becoming the first African American to be appointed to a U.S. Cabinet-level position.
JAN. 19 1918 – American businessman and publisher John H. Johnson, founder of the Johnson Publishing Company and the first African American to appear on the Forbes 400, is born in Arkansas City, Arkansas. 1961 – The PGA of America removes its "Caucasian-only clause," opening the door for all players to participate in professional golf tournaments.
MUHAMMAD ALI
JAN. 20 1847 – William R. Pettiford, founder of the Alabama
Penny Savings Company, is born in Granville County,
North Carolina. 1870 – Hiram R. Revels is elected by the Mississippi legislature to fill the Senate seat once held by Jefferson Davis, the former president of the Confederacy. Revels is the first African American ever to sit in Congress. 1954 – Chicago advertiser W. Leonard Evans Jr. founds the National Negro Network, the first Black-owned radio network in the country. 1986 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed as a federal holiday for the first time. 2001 – Colin Powel (top) is sworn in by President George W. Bush as U.S. secretary of state, becoming the first African American to hold the position. 2009 – Barack Obama is inaugurated as the first Black president of the United States.
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BY SARAFINA WRIGHT
A growing number of congressional leaders are calling for President Trump to be removed from office in the wake of the U.S. Capitol riot, either by impeachment or by invoking the 25th Amendment, less than a week before President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated. What are your thoughts?
LAKISHA TYLER /
ATLANTA, GEORGIA I hope they impeach him instead. That way he loses all his presidential benefits.
LETTA PERDUE /
ATLANTA, GEORGIA He needs both. The 25th will get him gone ASAP. And impeachment will assure he'll never be eligible to hold public office again!
STEPHANIE HAWKINS /
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY Give him a two-piece! Invoke the 25th and impeach! He needs the book thrown at him and he should absolutely not receive any presidential benefits when he is thrown out of office!
TINA SIMS /
PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS If he can get impeached, he should. He doesn't deserve a penny. Too much water under the bridge and we are definitely tired of drowning. IF YOU WANT QUALITY WORK, JUST CALL!
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WASHINGTON, D.C. A second impeachment would be better, since it would strip him of a Secret Service detail, $1 million in travel allowance a year and a pension of $200,000 a year. He deserves none of that.
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Dr. King’s Words Hauntingly Prophetic for an America in Crisis
It’s hard to believe that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism and the eradication of racial discrimination, was assassinated almost 53 years ago.
But what cannot be disputed is the relevance of his often-prophetic writings and political thought – much of which remains underappreciated and rarely examined except by those within the community of scholars.
When King died at the age of 39, I was an eight-year-old boy – blessed and fortunate enough to be living in a loving, two-parent, middle class household in Detroit. At the time, the mission of Dr. King and the ministry to which he devoted his life had little significance to me.
In fact, it would be nearly three decades later before I would secure the knowledge, as a seminarian in Atlanta at the Emory University Candler School of Theology, to fully comprehend King beyond the more typical, romanticized version of his life.
During the summer prior to King’s tragic death, Detroit had reached the boiling point – exploding in racial turmoil after Blacks had become fed up with a mostly-white police department that harassed, humiliated and abused our men, women and sometimes children.
And while my parents and older sister understood the danger around us, I was kept in the dark – safely ensconced in a cocoon of Black love.
Shortly after King’s death, efforts began by a multi-racial contingency to make his birthday, January 15, a federal holiday. It would take the herculean efforts of thousands of Americans before President Ronal Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983 and it would first be observed three years later.
However, just as we see hundreds of thousands of Americans today refusing to accept the defeat of Donald Trump and the victory of President-elect Joe Biden – hanging on to conspiracy theories and unable or unwilling to put their personal prejudices and desires aside for the good of our democracy, many Americans were adamant in their refusal to accept the MLK Day.
At first, some states resisted observing the holiday, giving it alternative names or combining it with other holidays. It would not be until 2000 when MLK Day was officially observed in all 50 states.
Yes, change can indeed be difficult.
This year, Dr. King’s birthday will be celebrated, as the law prescribes, on the third Monday of the month, which is January 18. And once again, The Washington Informer, under the direction of our publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes, will lead our city in celebrating his life and legacy.
There will be differences from previous King Day celebrations not only because of the still deadly COVID-19 pandemic but because of fears that the winds of violence have not yet dissipated after last week’s assault on the U.S. Capitol by right-wing insurgents.
I recommend that you read King’s “Stride Toward Freedom” – his influential account of the Montgomery bus boycott which offers an original story of African-American nonviolence, the Civil Rights Movement’s adoption of “the principle of love” and of King’s realization of its power.
As one writer notes in a recently-published collection of essays about the philosophical writings of King, ‘To Shape a World: Essays on the Political Philosophy of Martin Luther King, Jr.,’ “Christ furnished the spirit and motivation, while Gandhi furnished the method. But King’s ‘pilgrimage to nonviolence’ was marked by moments of doubt.”
Like Christ and Gandhi, King would also lose his life at the hands of a world obsessed with violence and hatred of “the other.” Yet, somehow and despite his fears and doubts, Dr. King stayed the course.
As we celebrate Dr. King and honor the sacrifice he made for Blacks, our nation and the world, we should remember that he bore a cross which many of us would never consider hoisting upon our own shoulders. WI
AROUND THE REGION
Council Chairman Mendelson Explains Consolidation of Education Committee
Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer
During a recent legislative session, the D.C. Council unanimously approved the consolidation of its Committee on Education into the Committee of the Whole, where issues concerning the District’s public and public charter schools will share space with a bevy of other topics.
Despite pushback among some constituents in the weeks preceding the vote, Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) described his recommendation as one that would better allow him and his colleagues to scrutinize instruction of nearly 100,000 K-12 students.
“I want to use oversight to press the public schools to move faster and further in closing the achievement gap and ensuring quality schools throughout the city, not just in certain neighborhoods,” Mendelson told The Informer.
Mendelson later outlined issues he would focus his attention on during upcoming oversight hearings, including D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Lewis Ferebee’s reopening plan and what he described as the school system’s abnormally high teacher turnover rate.
“It’s quite possible that my colleagues have a number of bills in their mind, but I’m convinced that improving education is a function of the classroom,” Mendelson said. “We don’t need to pass a law to suddenly get better teaching. We need to ensure we have better teachers, and the Council has a role in that through the oversight process.”
In another move that irritated some District residents, Mendelson removed D.C. Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) and Trayon White (D-Ward 8) from the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, and replaced them with Councilmembers Brooke Pinto (D-Ward 2) and Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5).
Mendelson’s other recommendations, made after extensive meetings with other council members, involved the merging of the Committee on Government Operations and the Committee on Facilities and Procurement, creating a special committee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and assigning oversight of cultural agencies, the Office of Cable Television, and District public libraries to the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs.
Over the last couple of years, the Committee on Education, under then At-large D.C. Councilmember David Grosso (I), worked closely with the Committee of the Whole.
As part of that arrangement, the committees held joint hearings and the Committee of the Whole, which includes all 13 council members, marked up pending education legislation.
Education committee hearings during that two-year period focused on distance learning, the public library system, charter school transparency and curbing truancy. Within that same time, legislation originating from this committee centered on the creation of an education data auditor and
MENDELSON Page 36
5 Phil Mendelson (Courtesy photo)
AROUND THE REGION
Quest for D.C. Jail Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Continues
James Wright WI Staff Writer
While hundreds of advisory neighborhood commissioners took the oath of office on Jan. 2, District 7F07, which encompasses the D.C. Jail, did not have someone sworn-in to take that position but efforts are underway to fill the seat.
District law stipulates no commissioner vacancies will be filled outside of the election cycle during a public health emergency. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public health emergency in the city in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Even though the public health emergency continues, Tyrell M. Holcomb, a commissioner who served as the chairman of the 7F commission in 2020, said this year there will be an active effort to get a resident to fill the seat.
“It is my understanding some apartments will be built in the near future and we are hoping to get one of those residents to fill the position,” Holcomb said. “We should have voices of men and women who are in the D.C. Jail and the women’s shelter.”
Holcomb said 7F07 encompasses the Hill East site which houses the former D.C. General Hospital and is primed for economic development. Hill East will be a state-of-the-art complex that will have 262 residential units and over 12,000 square feet of retail on one parcel and 100 permanent supportive housing units for low-income residents and 12,000 square feet of retail space on another parcel opening in the near future.
He said the request for proposals to build the parcels have been issued by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
Holcomb said when the projects are complete and if 7F07 stays intact during this year’s redistricting process, a commissioner could be a Hill East resident. Until then, Holcomb said, an inmate of the D.C. jail could be the commissioner.
The 7F07 seat came into being as a result of the 2010 decennial census. The area used to be in Ward 6 as a part of the 6B commission.
However, since its formal inception in 2013, no one has filled the position. Interest in the issue increased in July when the D.C. Council passed a law allowing D.C. Jail inmates, regardless of criminal charge, to vote in District elections.
Some inmates, most notably first-degree murder inmate Joel Caston, sought to fill the position in the Nov. 3, 2020 general election. However, none had success due to technicalities or errors with paperwork, D.C. Board of Elections officials said.
Former 7F04 Commissioner Charlene Exum represented her district for 10 years until Jan. 2. Exum agreed with Holcomb that the seat should be filled.
“That seat has been vacant too long,” she said. “In the absence of a commissioner, we represented their interests. If it is an inmate at the jail serving as the commissioner comes through, that will be good.”
However, Exum said Ward 7 needs to retain 7F07 and not let it go back to Ward 6.
“We are aware Ward 6 leaders’ interest in getting it back because of the economic development that will take place there at Hill East,” she said. “We should not let it go; it belongs to Ward 7.”
Community leaders such as Charles Thornton, chairman of the D.C. Corrections Council and former director of the District’s Office of Returning Citizens, have called for 7F07 to have a commissioner and preferably with an inmate. Eric Weaver, the founder and chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens, supports Thornton’s idea.
“It will allow the residents of the jail to become more politically involved,”
5 Tyrell M. Holcomb serves as an advisory neighborhood commissioner on the 7F commission. (WI File Photo)
Weaver said. “It will also add more voices to the returning citizens movement. I think it could lead to residents who leave the D.C. Jail to go back into the community to run for commissioner in their neighborhood or even the D.C. Council.” WI @JamesDCWrighter
PRINCE young and adult males who not only reside in Camp Springs, but throughout the southern part of Prince George’s GEORGE'S COUNTY County. Residents in the area known as “South County” have long clamored for more quality-of-life resources and support in boosting the tax base from residential and commercial developments. Some major projects produced in the northern and center part of the county include Woodmore Towne Center in South County Looking for Glenarden, a mixed-used development called Riverdale Park Station near the Resources and Respect University of Maryland in College Park and Konterra Town Center in Laurel. 5 Giles Mulligan, general manager of Sheehy Ford in Camp Springs, Md., presents $2,000.00 to John E. Bailey IV and his wife Titania’s non-profit organization, Arch of The county plans to open its biggest Knowledge, Inc. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer) William J. Ford “This is great to have, but we still hospital, the $543 million University WI Staff Writer have work to do,” John Bailey said of Maryland Capital Regional Medi- L. Baker III labeled the area “down- of homes and businesses is “a twoThursday, Jan. 7 inside the dealership’s cal Center, this spring in central Prince town Largo.” edged sword.” She said the number one
During the coronavirus pandemic, showroom in Camp Springs. George’s next to the Largo Town Cen- Baker also encouraged transit-orient- problem is flooding. John H. Bailey IV helped provide food Bailey plans to step down in May as ter Metro station. ed development, which would enhance “We could use the development to the homeless, toys for children and president of the Camp Springs Civic RPAI US Management plans to residential and commercial properties along (Route) 210, but you can’t pave other community endeavors for Camp Association. He said it will allow him build 3,000 residential units and 1.2 to be built next to Metrorail stations over everything for development withSprings. to not only focus on his nonprofit, but million square feet of commercial and mainly located within urban settings in out doing some mitigation to not ex-
The efforts of Bailey and his wife, Ti- also encourage new leadership to help office space on land adjacent to the central and northern Prince George’s. acerbate routine flooding,” said Cavitt, tania, received the attention of Sheehy the Camp Springs community com- hospital. The property known as Cap Although South County has hun- who’s lived in Fort Washington since Ford. The company donated $2,000 to prised of 20,000 people. Capital Centre Blvd. would become dreds of acres of open land, Sarah Cav- 1977. “There is a downside to heavy couple’s nonprofit organization called One goal for his nonprofit will be called Carillon. itt, president of the Indian Head Area development.” “Arch of Knowledge Inc.” to provide mental health support for Former County Executive Rushern Action Council, said the development Prior to voters approving two atlarge seats in November 2018, held by Council Chair Calvin Hawkins II and Alcohol Tax Proposed to Decrease Health Disparities in Md. Mel Franklin, council mainly had two members representing thousands of residents in southern Prince George’s.
William J. Ford In contrast, residents who live in care for municipalities in his district ty Research Communities, will mirror The two main council members
WI Staff Writer neighborhoods and municipalities such Capitol Heights, Fairmount the state’s former Health Enterprise who solely represent that area are Mosuch as the city of Greenbelt have Heights and Seat Pleasant. They are Zones. The four-year pilot program nique Anderson-Walker (D-District 8)
A recent Rand Corp. report higher incomes and growing popula- located inside the Beltway. ended in 2016 with an annual $4 of Fort Washington and Sydney Harrihighlighted Prince George’s Coun- tions. “If we add this proposal to it, we’re million budget to reduce health dis- son (D-District 9) of Upper Marlboro. ty’s summarized how residents in Del. Jazz Lewis (D-District 24) of in a place (to) preventing the racial parities among race in geographic ar- Residents such as Maurice Fitzgercommunities inside the Beltway Glenarden gave a startling statistic: and ethnic disparities that plague our eas, cut health care costs and improve ald said limited representation make such as Suitland have lower in- there’s a16-year life expectancy gap be- community,” he said. “A number of access in underserved communities. it more difficult and time consuming comes, experience a decrease in tween Suitland and Greenbelt. In oth- our municipalities stand to benefit…” This current proposal seeks to es- to push for “resources and projects we population and adult primary-care er words, people who live in Suitland A similar bill has been filed in the tablish $14 million in each of the first deserve.” physicians and specialists operate may die sooner. state Senate by Sen. Antonio Hayes two years and about $22 million an- Twenty-four of the county’s 27 munear county hospitals outside the “As a basic principle, that should (D-Baltimore City). The bill num- nually thereafter. nicipalities are located in the central
Beltway. mean that everyone gets high quality, ber, SB172 at https://bit.ly/2L7AydL, Because bar and restaurant owners and northern part of the county. affordable health care no matter where would allow colleges and universities, have been hurt by the ongoing coro- Some of these incorporated towns they live, no matter their zip code,” he nonprofit hospitals, nonprofit organi- navirus pandemic, the tax wouldn’t and cities are equipped with local fire, said. “It’s time for us to expand access zations and local governments to ap- affect them for two years. However, public works and transportation deto quality care now.” ply for the money. the tax would be passed along to those partments and even a mayor to serve as That’s why Lewis and his fellow Barron and Hayes have the support who buy alcohol and retail stores. a local leader. District 24 partner, Del. Erek Barron, of more than 250 groups, including The Maryland State Licensed Bev- The other three municipalities in are pushing for legislation increase the Johns Hopkins University in Balti- erage Association already noted in South County are the towns of Eagle state’s alcohol tax from nine percent to more. its journal this month 1.pdf (mslba. Harbor, Forest Heights and Upper 10 percent. “We understand that health place org) the group doesn’t support a tax Marlboro (portions of Upper MarlThe goal would be for the money matters. Place shapes where we go, increase. boro located in District 6 are representto establish grants toward health cov- who we see, where we learn, where we “Customers tend to shop with their ed by Council member Derrick Leon erage, community outreach efforts, eat and what services we have access feet. It won't take them long to figure Davis). Some of the unincorporated substance abuse programs and other to,” said Johns Hopkins University out that some of our surrounding locales include Accokeek, Brandywine, societal needs in underserved commu- president Ron Daniels during a vir- states have a lower tax burden,” said Fort Washington and Oxon Hill. nities. tual press conference Friday, Jan. 8. attorney and association lobbyist J. Residents in unincorporated comWith the county’s new regional “We know that addressing needs and Steven “Steve” Wise. munities rely on regional services from medical center in Largo scheduled to equity is not only possible, but highly If approved, the law would go into the county such as police, fire and enviopen this spring, Barron said adding feasible.” effect Oct. 1. WI ronmental needs. (Courtesy photo) this incentive would help boost health The program, labeled Health Equi- @jabariwill SOUTH Page 36
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Hogan Proposes Stimulus, Tax Relief Package
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan proposes a $1 billion economic stimulus and tax relief package Jan.11 that would provide money for specific residents in need and benefits for small business owners.
However, the governor’s proposal, labeled “RELIEF Act 2021,” must be approved by state lawmakers who began the annual 90-day legislative session Wednesday, Jan. 13.
He made the act emergency legislation so that once approved and signed into law, checks can be sent and tax credits can immediately kick-in as the state continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
“We will ask both houses of the legislature to act on it immediately so that I can sign it into law…and get these much needed dollars out the door and into the pockets of those who desperately need it,” Hogan said Monday, Jan. 11 during a press conference at
William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
Although Del. Kris Valderrama left her previous employer several years ago, her emotions flow when she recalled to use sick and vacation leave to care for her late ailing mother when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
That’s why Valderrama (D-District 26) of Fort Washington will once again introduce state legislation for thousands of Maryland workers to receive paid family leave.
State Sen. Antonio Hayes (D-Baltimore City) has a similar bill scheduled for a hearing Jan. 28 before the Senate Finance Committee. As of Tuesday, Jan. 12, a hearing hasn’t been scheduled the State House in Annapolis.
The state proposes to offer $450 for individuals and $750 for families to benefit about 400,000 people.
Marc Nicole, the state’s deputy budget secretary, said one of the stipulations to receive the money are for those who qualified for earned income tax credit in 2019 and those eligible for it in 2020.
According a summary from the governor’s office, here’s a breakdown of annual household earnings for those who may qualify: •$50,954 ($56,844 married filing jointly) with three or more qualifying children. •$47,440 ($53,330 married filing jointly) with two qualifying children. •$41,756 ($47,646 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child. •$15,820 ($21,710 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
“These are the lowest income Marylanders who get that,” Hogan said at the State House in Annapolis. “It would be in addition to and separate for Valderama’s bill before the House Economic Matters Committee.
“This bill is very near and dear to me,” Valderrama said. “A lot of us can use the benefits of this bill. This could or would be [an] extreme benefit.”
The coronavirus pandemic forced last year’s Maryland General Assembly to end early, which caused hundreds of bills to not receive formal approval that included paid family leave.
The proposed legislation labeled Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, or “Time to Care Act,” allows an employer to receive time off to care for a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or a family member from the federal [stimulus funding].”
Another part of the governor’s proposal aims to provide $300 million in tax relief for small businesses.
Each of the estimated 55,000 businesses would receive a sales tax credit of up to $3,000 for four months for total of $12,000.
The act proposes to provide unemployment tax relief for small businesses to halt any tax hikes during this year. According to a summary, it protects a business against any tax increases if a business owner received a state loan or grant during the pandemic.
Hogan said some of the money comes from budget savings that includes $100 million from the state’s Rainy Day fund.
Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Adrienne Jones released a joint statement thanking the Republican governor in speaking with them for several months on a COVID-19 relief plan.
“This session, Democrats are focused on getting families and small that’s a legal guardian of the worker. Adopted children, stepchildren and grandchildren are also covered.
Workers can provide assistance for family member in the military that includes spending up to 15 days with a service member “on short-term temporary rest and recuperation leave during the period of deployment.”
To help fund the program, it would be supported through a state-administered insurance pool equally split between both employee and employer.
It’s estimated an “average worker” would pay $3.62 per week out a paycheck.
According to the legislation, low wage workers are proposed to receive up to 90 percent of their weekly pay when using paid family leave. Higher income workers would receive about 50 percent of weekly pay.
Partial wage replacement would stem between $50 to $1,000 per week for a maximum period of 12 weeks.
An employer must provide written correspondence of the updated leave policy such as ability to request time off within five business days.
5 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announces a $1 billion economic stimulus, tax relief package during a press conference Jan. 11. However, the plan must be approved by the state legislature. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)
businesses back on their feet; getting students back to school as soon as possible; and ensuring our seniors are safe so 2021 can become the year of rebuilding and recovery,” the presiding officers said. “We look forward to the
A poll conducted last month by Opinion Works of Annapolis showed about 88 percent of 1,011 registered surveyed support paid family and medical leave.
The poll conducted between Dec. 11-26 showed 68 percent “think [the $3.62] cost is less than or about what you would expect” to pay.
“To being moral, logical [and] practical, paid leave is affordable and beneficial to businesses in the governor working with us to accomplish these goals and demonstrating for the country what the true value of bipartisanship can be.”
WI
Paid Leave Legislation Returns to Annapolis
5 Del. Kris Valderrama during a virtual press conference Jan. 8. (Screen grab: Courtesy of Maryland General Assembly)
@jabariwill business community,” said Aaron Seyidian of Montgomery County, who founded Well-Paid Maids three years ago to provide housecleaning services in the D.C. area. “I’m skeptical about any business who thinks this is going to burden them.”
To read Valderrama’s legislation labeled House Bill 375, go to https://bit. ly/3seTNlY. wi @jabariwill
BUSINESS
Social Worker Pens Book Highlighting Pandemic of Child Sexual Abuse
Stacy M. Brown fered sexual abuse as children. WI Senior Writer According to the anti-sexual violence organization RAINN, child
“Body Safety Zones Activity and sexual abuse counts as an international Coloring Book” serves as a publica- public health crisis. In the U.S., child tion that Maryland social worker and protective service agencies substantiate therapeutic consultant Terri Johnson or find evidence for a claim of sexual has long wanted to publish. abuse every nine minutes, RAINN
“It’s been a book that I’ve been writ- officials said. ing in my heart for about 30 years,” Johnson’s book follows a school Johnson said. “When I was young, I social worker and students discussing started noticing violations of young the four “body safety zones” – mouth, people, including myself, in terms of chest, private parts, and bottom. The not feeling like my body belonged to characters also share ways to tell adults me.” “no” if they’re made to feel uncomfort-
She said she became protective of able and also suggest that boys should her younger siblings and cousins, and also speak up. later offered counsel to many who suf- “Sometimes, a person who touches children will tell them lies or things that are not true, such as … ‘This is a secret, so don’t tell anyone.’ Don’t trust them, friends, tell a trusted adult,” Johnson writes in the book.
“I have had a lot of clients in my private practice share with me the devastation of sexual abuse,” Johnson recalled.
“My spirit was unsettled. Children are my favorite people and sexual abuse is a pandemic that is silent and ignored. It was hard for me to get people to spread the word about this book. It’s just a tool to start the conversation.”
The Morgan State and University of Maryland graduate said there’s a lot of information available to the public about child sexual abuse. However, Johnson pushes prevention over intervention.
“You have to prevent child sex abuse and the devastation that comes with it,” Johnson said. “It’s a violation of not just your body, but your soul. There is a lot of anxiety, depression, relationship issues, sexual health issues and identification issues like ‘Who am I,’ and “Where do I fit.’ There’s a lot of uncertainty.”
“I’m a proponent of prevention, so what better way to empower little people than with information and let them know that adults have to respect their bodies?”
At 32 pages, the book includes a glossary of terms and a resource page featuring child advocacy organizations.
“In the book, I didn’t name actual body parts. That’s why it’s ‘zone,’” Johnson said.
“But in the back of the book, there’s a glossary that encourages parents to give the proper name because that’s how predators capitalize – by giving a private area a different name and normalizing it. Knowing the correct names empowers children. I want to leave parents with a plethora of resources, so they can further educate themselves to see how devastating this can be for children,” she said.
Johnson spent the summer and fall teaching body safety zones to classes at the Arena Player’s Theater in Baltimore.
The book pays homage to the school and Johnson’s great grandmother, Rhoda Lee Jones, who raised her and inspired her passion for children.
“I asked the kids if they want to be a body safety advocate or ambassador,” Johnson noted.
“I shared with them that when you speak up and see something that’s not right, that’s being an advocate. An ambassador is spreading the word
5 Terri Johnson (Photo courtesy Terri Johnson)
and teaching others about body safety zones. Many of the kindergarteners and pre-kindergartners said they want to be ambassadors. They get it,” she said.
A portion of the book’s proceeds will benefit a book scholarship in Johnson’s great grandmother’s name and child organizations that work toward the prevention of child sexual abuse.
To learn more about Johnson, visit her Instagram page @persistenceistheway.
To purchase “Body Safety Zones,” visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/PersistenceistheWAY. WI
Twitter: @StacyBrownMedia
Facebook: StacyBrownMedia
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