The Washington Informer - January 27, 2022 by The Washington Informer

Center Section Vol. 57, No. 15 • January 27 - February 2, 2022

January 2022. Volume 8. Issue 1.

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Demonstrations of Black Creativity in Music

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D.C. Students Hold ‘Walk Out’ with Demands of Stronger COVID-19 Safety Measures in Schools Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Jan. 25, longstanding concerns about insufficient COVID-19 mitigation in D.C. schools resulted in scores of disgruntled students to either stay home or leave their respective school grounds during lunch hour. Young people from at least a dozen public and public charter schools participated in the citywide walkout coordinated by Students 4 Safe Learning [S4SL], a group of DC Public Schools [DCPS] students who continue to advocate for safer learning conditions now and until the pandemic’s end.

Affiliates of the movement said their demands include greater transparency about COVID-19 cases, metrics which would determine when schools should transition to virtual learning, weekly testing of the entire student body and unfettered access to KN95 masks. Some remain frustrated with the dearth of more informative conversations which collectively-advised students, parents, teachers and administrators about the Omicron variant that not only compelled a string of closures in December but revealed discrepancies about the total number of posi-

5 Students protest outside Benjamin Banneker High School in Northwest on Jan. 25 as part of a citywide demonstration by students

WALK OUT Page 34 calling for better coronavirus-related safety measures in D.C. schools. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

Former Md. Rep. Donna Edwards Announces Bid to Reclaim House Seat

D.C. Residents Grow More Vocal with Opposition to District’s Vaccine Mandate

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

James Wright WI Staff Writer

Just one day after former Rep. Donna Edwards announced her plan to represent the 4th Congressional District, she had raised more than $100,000. “I am humbled by the outpouring of support we have received since joining the race,” she said in a statement Friday, Jan. 21. “I’m running because our voices have not been heard, our families and workers have been left behind and our children have not been a priority. I want to fix that. I couldn’t sit on the sidelines anymore, I’m ready to go back to fighting for our country and using my Congressional seniority to deliver results for our district on day one.” Edwards, elected in 2008, remains the first and only Black

EDWARDS Page 13

5 A march was held Sunday, Jan. 23 on the National Mall by the Children's Health Defense with the focus on putting a stop to vaccine mandates. (Anthony Tilghman/ The Washington Informer)

Some District residents say they’re uncomfortable with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s executive order mandating that patrons of certain establishments must have a vaccination card for entry or not be served. “I don’t support government mandates and especially in the areas of health,” said Aristotle Theresa, an attorney who lives in Ward 8. Theresa attended the “Defeat the Mandates” rally that took place on the National Mall on Jan. 23.

Theresa said political progressives in their quest to eliminate the coronavirus pandemic have gone too far with the mandates. As of Jan. 15, anyone in the District who wants to go to a restaurant, bar, nightclub, brewery or fast-food establishment that offers seating must have proof that they have had at least one shot of a coronavirus vaccine. Known as a vaccine mandate, businesses can be penalized by the District government for not following the order. Additionally, District government employees, especially those in the pub-

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CONTENTS HEALTH

BLACK FACTS

NATIONAL

BUSINESS

Around the Region........................................................................4-11 Prince George's County........................................................... 12-13 Business.......................................................................................... 14-15 National.......................................................................................... 16-17 International...................................................................................... 18 Health..................................................................................................20 Education............................................................................................ 21 WI Bridge.................................................................Center Section OpEd............................................................................................. 23-25 Lifestyle......................................................................................... 26-31 Sports.................................................................................................. 33 Religion............................................................................................... 35

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COMPILED BY WI SENIOR EDITOR D. KEVIN MCNEIR AND WI SENIOR WRITER STACY BROWN

Mosaic Theater Offers Free Tickets to Play, ‘Dear Mapel,’ for D.C. Seniors The D.C. Black History Celebration Committee [DCBHCC] and The Mosaic Theater are collaborating to present the District’s senior community with the opportunity to attend a free play, “Dear Mapel,” written by Psalmayene 24, on February 10 at 11 a.m. The play takes the audience from Park Slope, Brooklyn to Washington, D.C., on a journey through Psalm’s adolescence and major life milestones, often accentuated by the absence of his father, Mapel. The Mosaic Theater has allotted 100 tickets to DCBHCC for seniors (55+). Those interested in attending should contact The Mosaic Theater at 202-399-7993, ext. 2 and indicate your desire to attend the “Senior Matinee.” WI

Supreme Court Ruling Could End Affirmative Action at America's Universities

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

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes STAFF D. Kevin McNeir, Senior Editor, Copy Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/ Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Assistant Photo Editor Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor ZebraDesigns.net, Design & Layout Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Tatiana Moten, Social Media Specialist Angie Johnson, Circulation REPORTERS Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, Timothy Cox, Will Ford (Prince George’s County Writer), Hamil Harris, Curtis Knowles, Daniel Kucin, D. Kevin McNeir, Dorothy Rowley, Brenda Siler, Lindiwe Vilakazi, Sarafina Wright, James Wright PHOTOGRAPHERS Shevry Lassiter, Roy Lewis, Jr., Robert R. Roberts, Anthony Tilghman

4 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

The Supreme Court said it will reconsider race-based affirmative action in college admissions. The January 24 announcement reveals that the Court could eliminate campus practices that have widely benefitted African-American and Hispanic students. Policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina remain at the heart of the issue that the Court has agreed to consider. At those schools, a student’s race counts among the criteria used to decide who enters class at those institutions. The Department of Justice had urged the justices to reject the case against Harvard. “The filing from the office of US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar emphasized that lower U.S. courts had extensively reviewed Harvard’s racial admissions practices and found them sufficiently limited to meet Supreme Court precedent as they furthered the school’s interest in campus diversity,” CNN reported. Admissions practices that take account of students’ race, first upheld in a 1978 Supreme Court decision, and reaffirmed in 2003, reportedly have boosted the admission of Black and Latino students for decades. WI

D.C. Health Announces Opening of New COVID Centers in Wards 5 and 6 Mayor Bowser and DC Health recently announced the opening of two additional COVID centers in Wards 5 and 6. The COVID Center in Ward 6 opened January 24 and the Ward 5 COVID Center opened January 25. Days earlier, DC Health opened four COVID centers in Wards 1, 2, 7 and 8 and new centers will open soon in Wards 3 and 4. With extended hours and fixed locations in each ward, these COVID Centers represent the District’s long-term commitment to ensuring health equity and accessibility for all District residents. At all of the COVID Centers, individuals will have access to

vaccinations, boosters and take-home rapid antigen tests as well as a new walk-up testing opportunity that will allow residents to administer and register a PCR test themselves. Updates about the two COVID Centers opening soon in Wards 3 and 4 can be found at coronavirus.dc.gov. All sites will be open six days a week, as late as 9 p.m. and sites will rotate days so that on any day of the week multiple COVID Centers will be open across the District. There are four easy ways to get your vaccine or booster in the District: visit a walk-up vaccine clinic or COVID Center; make an at-home vaccination appointment by calling 855-363-0333; make an appointment with your health care provider; or find other opportunities to get vaccinated by visiting vaccines.gov. For more information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, visit coronavirus.dc.gov. WI

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Former Ward 6 Residents Share Mixed Views About Joining Ward 8 James Wright WI Staff Writer

Former residents of Ward 6 who reside in the Navy Yard vicinity have expressed a variety of perspectives after becoming part of Ward 8 as redrawn boundaries for advisory neighborhood commission districts take shape. Jared Rothstein, who has lived in the Yards Park neighborhood for three years, said he knows very little about his neighborhood’s shift from Ward 6 to Ward 8. “I have read about it in the headlines and I have heard my neighbors talk about it some but really I don’t know what’s going on,” he said while standing in front of the Bluejacket restaurant in Southeast. “I really haven’t looked too deep into what this is all about.”

PROCESS, PROCESS, PROCESS

In the 2021 redistricting process undertaken by the D.C. Council, the Navy Yard area became the newest portion of Ward 8. For many years, Ward 8 sat exclusively east of the Anacostia River. The new western boundary of

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Ward 8 lies on the eastern side of South Capitol Street for several blocks. Nationals Stadium, the Yards Park and the residential buildings in the neighborhood along with the retail businesses and restaurants located within the immediate area now count as part of Ward 8. Rothstein joins thousands of others who represent the second phase of the redistricting process – redrawn commission district boundaries. The districts must have a population of 1,900 - 2,200 people. According to the 2020 census, the Navy Yard neighborhood has 11,036 residents. Added to Ward 8, the Navy Yard area could shrink the Black population of the ward from 91.84% to 78 %, according to estimates released by the D.C. Office of Planning. In Ward 8, the redrawing of the boundaries process continues with Brian K. Thompson, the commissioner for district 8A03, serving as the chairman. D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) asked Thompson to lead the commission. At a virtual meeting of the Ward 8 commission redistricting committee on Jan. 19, Thomp-

RESIDENTS Page 11

Stay Informed!

www.washingtoninformer.com 5 The Yards Park, through redistricting, has now become part of Ward 8. (Courtesy photo)

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1939 – Author and academic Julius Lester is born in St. Louis. 1961 – Renowned opera singer Leontyne Price makes her debut at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. 1972 – Gospel music legend Mahalia Jackson dies in Evergreen Park, Illinois, of heart failure and diabetes complications at age 60.

JAN. 28

1960 – Famed African American novelist Zora Neale Hurston, author of "Their Eyes Were Watching God," dies in Fort Pierce, Florida, at age 69 of complications from a stroke. 1970 – Tennis great Arthur Ashe is denied entry to compete on the U.S. team for the South African Open tennis championships due to his stance on South Africa's racial policies.

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1926 – Violette Neatley Anderson becomes the first African American woman to practice law at the U.S. Supreme Court. 1954 – Entertainment mogul Oprah Winfrey is born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. 1966 – Charles Mahoney, the first Black American delegate to the United Nations, dies,

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1944 – Former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt, the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major American city, is born in the District.

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1865 – The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Consti-

OPRAH WINFREY tution, which outlawed slavery and indentured servitude, is passed by the U.S. Congress. 1919 – Baseball great Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, is born in Cairo, Georgia. 1961 – Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Lee Gravely Jr. becomes first African American to command a U.S. combat ship. 1988 – Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams becomes the first Black starting quarterback in a Super Bowl, winning MVP honors in Washington's 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII.

FEB. 1

1902 – African American writer and social activist Langston Hughes is born in Joplin, Missouri. 1960 – The Greensboro sit-in (bottom), an act of nonviolent protest against a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., begins. 1965 – Alabama officials arrest 700 Blacks as they demonstrate against the state's voter registration requirements in Selma. 1976 – President Gerald Ford officially designates February as Black History Month in the United States. 1978 – The United States Postal Service issues the first stamp of the Black Heritage Series, honoring Harriet Tubman (above), abolitionist and Underground Railroad "conductor."

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1897 – Inventor Alfred Cralle receives patent for the ice cream scooper. 2009 – Eric Holder becomes the first Black person to be confirmed as United States attorney general. WI

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Civil rights leaders and Democrats expressed disappointment at the U.S. Senate’s failure to advance key voting rights legislation and change the filibuster rule last week. With more than 30 states having enacted stricter voting laws since the 2020 election, many are wondering what’s next. What are your thoughts?

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WHUR Radio Pioneer and DMV Legend Joe Gorham Dies at 69 Veteran Broadcaster’s Career Spanned More Than Forty Years D. Kevin McNeir WI Senior Writer

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Tributes continue to pour in following the recent death of Joseph “Joe” Gorham – the legendary radio broadcaster and longtime member of the WHUR, 96.3 staff. He died Sunday, January 23, reportedly while enjoying one of his greatest pastimes, traveling. In a statement posted on the WHUR website, the follow words expressed the feelings of his friends and colleagues who remain. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of one of our esteemed and beloved forever WHUR family members, ‘Joe’ Gorham. Joe retired from WHUR in 2018 but was still a regular in the building and at events and was always proud to be a WHUR family member,” said WHUR General Manager Sean Plater. “You could always count on Joe to be present and to give it his all. His decades of service to this station is something that we honor today and we know that he touched the lives of many throughout his hometown of Washington, D.C,” Plater said. In a career of over 40 years which reached listeners throughout the East Coast, Gorham’s contribu-

tions to WHUR began in 1979 as a freelance technical producer for the Jerry Phillips Morning Show. He would go on to become a freelance announcer, eventually being promoted to the position of full-time staff performer. In 1991, he left WHUR for new opportunities including a stint at WALR 104.7 in Atlanta. Three years later, Gorham, returned to WHUR to host the weekend edition of the Original Quiet Storm. His next assignment would be as the producer for the D.C. edition of the #1 nationally-syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. Other opportunities would come and with each position, he continued to excel. Many remember his creative side and his love of poetry which he illustrated by hosting a WHUR radio program, “Spoken Word at Joe’s Place.” The platform provided both fledgling and seasoned poets, including Nikki Giovanni, the chance to share their gifts and talents. A first generation Washingtonian, Gorham graduated from Theodore Roosevelt Senior High School and went on to the University of the District of Columbia where he earned a B.S Degree in Library Instructional Systems Technology. He also served honorably in the United States Army. He’s survived by his devoted daughter Michelle and a host of other family members and friends.

He would be described in a WHUR posting as “a self-described foodie” who loved to travel and try out the various cuisines around the world. “One of his last postings was a picture of a bowl of gumbo where he said, ‘Hell Naw, I didn’t make it, but I’m gonna make it disappear,’” the post revealed Darryll Brooks, a well-known and highly-respected concert promoter from the DMV, shared his thoughts about his friend. “Joe was the epitome of a radio guy,” Brooks said. “He was innovative and did things that were new and creative like developing and hosting a spoken word program. He was committed to helping local artists gain greater notoriety in pursuit of their dreams and provided them with a platform on his shows.” “He was a gentleman who was always concerned about the community and forever committed to promoting quality music. He was part of an elite group of people from within the industry who spent time together, regularly and often. Joe was an essential part of the fabric of both the D.C. radio community and the local community of residents. He left a big footprint in the radio communications community and always shared his knowledge as a mentor with anyone willing to learn – students and professionals alike.” Brooks said. WI @mcneirdk

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America’s Mayors Discuss COVID-19 and Voting Rights at Winter Meeting

to the policies of Governor Ron DeSantis (R). “Our governor has limited the ability of municipalities to institute mask mandates,” Messam said. “In government buildings, we can require the wearing of masks but in restaurants, bars, gas stations and retail outlets, masks are at the discretion of the owners of those establishments.” Messam said despite DeSantis’s actions, the city managed to use public transit to see that seniors could get to their doctor’s appointments and coronavirus testing and vaccination sites. City employees also distributed food to residents at several sites in the city.

James Wright WI Staff Writer Nearly 200 mayors from across the country gathered at the Capitol Hilton in the District from Jan. 1821 to talk about the coronavirus pandemic and the recent defeat of voting rights bills in the U.S. Senate. The municipal leaders participated in the 90th winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Acquanetta Warren, the mayor of Fontana., Calif. since 2010, said she attends the winter meeting to catch up on the latest developments regarding urban policies. This year, she wanted to know what her colleagues have been doing about the coronavirus. “Whether we are Democrats, Republicans or Independents, we are all fighting this virus and we are all in together with this,” said Warren, a Republican in her third term. Regarding the Senate defeat of the voting rights legislation, Birmingham, Ala. Mayor Randall Woodfin spoke about it in terms of his city’s brutal history amid the civil rights struggle in the 1960s. “In my city, police dogs and fire hoses were turned on people and children were jailed because they wanted to be treated equally under the law,” he said. “It is a shame that in 2022, we still have to fight for the right of people to vote.” Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott reflected on how the coronavirus has changed the way his city deals with impoverished residents. “Before the pandemic, one-in-four Baltimoreans were on SNAP (the federal food assistance program),” he said. “When the pandemic set in, that number jumped to 25% of people living in Baltimore.” Scott said his administration worked with non-profits to provide 1.5 million food boxes to residents outdoors. The food boxes which consisted of produce, selected meats and some desert went to 80 select sites throughout the city. Michael Hancock, the mayor of Denver, said food insecurity increased in his city as well. “Before the pandemic, 11% of Denverites were food insecure,” he said. “After the pandemic, up to

AROUND THE REGION

5 Acquanetta Warren is the mayor of Fontana, California. (Courtesy photo)

33% of our residents didn’t have enough food to eat comfortably.” Hancock said his administration worked with the non-profit sector to increase food security by partnering with food banks and churches who had nutrition distribution programs through the Denver Emergency Food Relief Fund. He also initiated an effort to ensure 75,000 children had after-school meals. Warren said the pandemic forced Fontana, a city of over 200,000 people in San Bernardino County and part of the Greater Los Angeles area, to pivot to virtual meetings. “Our residents heard in the media that Los Angeles had shut down and advised people to stay in their homes,” she said. “We had to get the word out quickly that it was Los Angeles, not Fontana. We had to keep functioning. We had to make sure our children had the computers and laptops that were needed in order for their education to continue. Many of our firefighters and police officers had to fill in spots to help health care workers care for residents.” Warren started a “Mayor Monday” program so people could contact her on that day if they had any concerns. Miramar, Fla., Mayor Wayne Messam said his city’s response to the pandemic had become stymied due

MAYORS ADDRESS ISSUE OF VOTING RIGHTS

While discussion about the pandemic dominated the meeting, the Senate’s refusal to consider the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 and the Freedom to Vote Act of 2021 generated some discourse. “We are close to our constituents and we know what they want,” Messam said. “We don’t have the luxury U.S. senators have and not produce for the people. We don’t have a filibuster. We must meet the people’s needs and do what they want us to do.” Woodfin said while his state has instituted voting restrictions including banning curbside voting, he will encourage his constituents to vote. Port Arthur, Texas Mayor Thurman Bartie noted how his state legislature has passed tougher voting requirements. For example, voters must now provide either their driver’s license or Social Security number on their mail-in ballots and hours have been reduced for voting centers. “Some of these laws are unjust but we’ll educate our people so they know their options,” he said. “If they have a mail-in ballot, we’ll make sure they have the necessary documents so their ballot will be counted. We will inform our people about voting center hours and what to do if they cannot vote at that time. We will work to make sure people can vote.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

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Mayor Muriel Bowser cut the ribbon on the new 801 East Men’s Shelter on the campus of St. Elizabeth’s East in Ward 8. The ribbon cutting served as another major step toward achieving Bowser’s commitment to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring. The Mayor was joined by DC officials and the “Goodfellas Team.” A tour of the facility shows art by Preston Sampson featured throughout the shelter. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

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WORDS TO LIVE BY “I say this out of my heart – a song must do something for me as well as for the people who hear it. I can’t sing a song that doesn’t have a message. If it doesn’t have the strength, it can’t lift you.”

– Mahalia Jackson

“Movin’ On Up” [1966], died Jan. 27, 1972

10 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RESIDENTS from Page 5 son said new boundaries have to be drawn for the five Ward 8 commissions (A - E) and incorporate parts of Ward 6’s D and B commissions. The group agreed to accept maps drawn by residents and to meet for updates on Feb. 2, Feb. 16 and March 2. The vote for the final map by the committee will likely take place on March 22. Thompson stressed meetings remain open to the public and encouraged the input of the ward’s newest residents.

NEW WARD 8 RESIDENTS HAVE THEIR SAY

Like Rothstein, Sari Edelman confessed she knows little about the changes related to redistricting. “I have to be honest; I just don’t know what is going on,”

said Edelman, walking her pet at the dog park located at Yards Park. “I am new to Washington, D.C. This is a nice area to live in and I would like to stay here for a while.” Edelman joined dozens of people walking their dogs and pushing baby carriages at Yards Park during a cool evening on January 23. Whites comprised the overwhelming majority of walkers including Heather L. Lawrence, who approached the intersection of 4th and Water Street., S.E. with her dog. Unlike Rothstein and Edelman, Lawrence knew about becoming a Ward 8 resident and voiced no objections to the change. “I would like to know what becoming a Ward 8 resident means as far as city services and programs are concerned,” Lawrence said. “The people who live in this neighborhood don’t have the same economic and public safety concerns that people across

AROUND THE REGION

the river have. I know Ward 8 [east of the Anacostia River] has a dearth of sit-down restaurants but that’s not an issue here. But I am encouraged by the mayor’s programs to facilitate more restaurants being built in Ward 8 through the uses of city grants.” Corrie Clark, a Black resident of a residential building, also said she has no problem becoming a Ward 8 resident. “I am just fine with this neighborhood becoming a part of Ward 8,” she said, walking in the area with her male friend. “There’s nothing wrong with Ward 8. I have no problem going across the river to do what I need to do. My new neighbors across the river, of course, are more than welcome to come here.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

4 Brian K. Thompson (Courtesy photo)

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JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 11

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Hogan Presents $58B Fiscal Year With Tax Cuts, Surplus

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

In his last budget presentation as Maryland governor, Larry Hogan released a proposed $58.2 billion fiscal year 2023 budget with a focus on law enforcement, tax cuts and education. The spending plan includes $601 million towards higher education, $383 million for state and local parks and $30 million for the More Jobs in Maryland tax credit program slated to assist 84 small businesses and 3,540 jobs. Two of the biggest items from the Republican governor: a first-year elimination of income taxes for 70,000

low-income seniors at $188 million and $3.6 billion in savings for the state’s “rainy day fund.” The usual black budget books have now become purple – a symbol to show bipartisanship. “We’ve been through a lot together, especially over the last two years as we have tirelessly battled a global pandemic,” he said at the State House on Jan. 19. “I can think of no better way than to begin this last year by presenting a budget which continues to keep the promises we made and builds on bipartisan progress that we have achieved to change Maryland for the better.” According to the spending propos-

al, about $8.15 billion would be allocated for education that includes a record $1 billion in school construction. Some of the education funding includes $144 million to support pre-kindergarten for low-income three-year and four-year-old children, which connects to part of the legislature’s approval for the massive Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education plan. Some lawmakers noticed one major flaw: an omission of $125 million ($99 million to Baltimore City and $26 million to Prince George’s County). Those two majority-Black jurisdictions represent part of the Blueprint of

Wes Moore Takes the Lead in Fundraising ARETHA for Maryland Gubernatorial Race William J. Ford

DISTRICT24 WI Staff Writer Former nonprofit executive and author Wes Moore raised the most money during the past year in efforts to secure the Democratic nomination for Maryland governor. Moore, a first-time political candidate and military veteran from Baltimore, hopes to make history within a crowded Democratic field as the first Black candidate elected governor in the state’s history. According to his campaign finance reports, Moore raised slightly more than $4 million while his running mate, former Del. Aruna Miller of Montgomery County, compiled nearly $773,000 for a total of $4.8 million. The Moore cam-

paign has $3.1 million in the bank. “I am so humbled by the grassroots army of supporters we have seen grow so quickly, drawn to our vision of increased work, wages and wealth for every Maryland family,” Moore said in a statement. “We have a lot of work to do but feel confident about our ability to share our message and not only win in June but bring our people-powered movement to Annapolis.” Comptroller Peter Franchot became the first candidate to announce his candidacy and has reported more than $2 million in the bank. Along with his running mate, former Prince George’s County Council member Monique Anderson-Walker, the campaign has the most cash on hand with almost $3.3 million. Campaign finance reports for the beginning of this year had to be submitted to the state Board of Elections by midnight Thursday, Jan. 20.

12 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

The winner will replace Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, whose second four-year term expires in January 2023. Former Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez raised $2.7 million which includes more than $200,000 in donations from an exploratory committee. Perez has raised nearly $1.5 million cash on hand since officially launching his campaign in June. Another Black candidate who exceeded the seven-figure mark, former U.S. Education Secretary John King, Jr., raised $2.1 million between April 16 and Jan. 12. Along with $314,000 from his running mate, Michelle Siri, their campaign received $2.5 million. And while King spent more than half on campaign staff, travel and other expenses, the campaign still has

RACE Page 16

Maryland’s Future funding formula to help fund low-income schools. Hogan vetoed the multi-billion education plan two years ago but the legislature overrode his veto for the plan to become law. “We made some adjustments because Baltimore City and Prince George’s County have a higher share of students who live in poverty and they needed extra help,” said Del. Jazz Lewis (D-District 24) of Glenarden, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “I guess the governor didn’t see a need to provide that extra help to Baltimore City and Prince George’s County who are taking care of the state’s children, [just] to be clear. That needs to be addressed.” Del. Stephanie Smith (D-Baltimore City), also a member of the Appropriations Committee, said there appears to be “hostility to adequately fund” public education, in comparison to Hogan pushing his “Refund the Police” initiative. “It is striking that he would defund our neediest learners at the same time he’s trying to refund the police,” Smith said. Although public safety would represent 5% of next year’s total expenditures, it could represent the biggest increase at 14% from this year’s spending plan. Hogan wants lawmakers to approve a three-year, $500 million proposal for public safety. The expenditures include: $190 million in salaries and bonuses; $87 million in capital projects; $60 million in grants; $10 million for scholarships and loan repayments for police officers and students pursuing careers in law enforcement; and $9.2 million to continue efforts to modernize the state police vehicle fleet. Locally, the state attorney’s offices in Baltimore City and Prince George’s

5 Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan holds up budget books during a press briefing Jan. 19 after introducing a proposed fiscal year 2023 budget, his last financial presentation as governor before his term expires in January 2023. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

County have been slated to receive $1.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Sen. Malcolm Augustine (D-District 47) of Cheverly called Hogan’s refunding plan “inflammatory,” especially when the state already invests in law enforcement and other public safety agencies. However, Augustine said police reform should be all-inclusive. He has sponsored legislation for the state’s Department of Health to oversee a grant program that involves behavioral health services for mobile response crisis teams. It’s goal: “minimize law enforcement interaction for individuals in crisis.” An additional behavioral services tool supported by Augustine would create a statewide “988” hotline specifically for mental health and substance crises. It would need $10 million to staff call centers and 24-hour accessibility. A “Fund Maryland 988 Campaign” includes agencies from Baltimore City, nonprofit organizations and health care advocates. “I am in support of public safety but I just think it really should be comprehensive and it needs to be in a way that is going to make us all a little bit safer,” Augustine said. The legislature has final approval of the budget but can only cut certain items. The budget must be balanced before the next fiscal year begins on June 30. wi @WJFjabariwill

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

EDWARDS from Page 1 woman elected to represent Maryland on Capitol Hill in the district which encompasses nearly half of Prince George’s County and parts of Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties. The seat became open after Rep. Anthony Brown chose not to seek reelection and run for Maryland attorney general. Edwards became diagnosed with multiple sclerosis [MS] in 2016 while campaigning for U.S. Senate against fellow Democrat and current Sen. Chris Van Hollen who won the seat two years later formerly held by longtime senator Barbara Mikulski. “I feel great,” Edwards said in an interview the same day she officially declared her candidacy. “I probably had MS for about a decade before then. I worked every day and continued to work hard. I have more energy. I do television appearances three or four times a week. I advise philanthropy across the country.” After the love for her son, public service remains in her heart. Her

goals for the district include bringing federal resources from the bipartisan infrastructure bill quicker to the state with funding dedicated for water and sewer. She said it’s important to provide assistance to those impacted by flooding in one part of Prince George’s known as “South County” which routinely experiences high water on streets during heavy rains. She also wants to battle the climate crisis, eliminate health care inequities and level the playing field for small business owners. Before her tenure in Congress, Edwards worked as a lawyer and philanthropist and co-founded the National Network to End Domestic Violence. She helped lead the effort for lawmakers to pass the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. While in Congress, she served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which allowed her to promote funding for additional rail service to connect with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, also known as Metro. She expressed disappointment that

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

the Purple Line, approved to serve as an east-west light rail in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, “has gone over budget and not been built on time.” “But it will provide the connectivity [needed for so long] in this region,” she said. Another of her main priorities, if elected, would be to relocate the FBI headquarters from D.C. to Prince George’s. She fought for the headquarters to come to Maryland which also garnered competition from neighboring Virginia. The project stalled when Donald Trump became president and the proposal eliminated. When Trump became president and her term expired, Edwards decided to travel for three months and 12,000 miles in a borrowed RV named “Lucille.” In her campaign video named after the RV, she talked about meeting people across the country, discussed medication like insulin and the drugs she took for her treatment and “brought my perspective as a Black

woman from Prince George’s County.” The 63-year-old attorney made an unsuccessful run for county executive in 2018 but continued to talk about politics on national TV shows and wrote a column in a local newspaper. She’ll have plenty of competition for the vacant seat with at least two formidable Democratic candidates: Del. Jazz Lewis (D-District 24) of Glenarden and Glenn Ivey, former Prince George’s County state’s attorney. Ivey, 60, released a radio ad Thursday promoting his work as state’s attorney and the creation of a domestic-violence unit. Ivey hasn’t officially filed paperwork with the state but his campaign said he has raised more than $277,000 so far in donations from former and current federal, state and local officials. Lewis, 32, received more than 40 endorsements from similar officials including his former boss, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer

EDWARDS Page 27

5 Former Rep. Donna Edwards. (Photo courtesy Donna Edwards)

Countywide Curbside Organics Composting Collection is Here! Residents who receive County provided services AND opt-in the program will be able to mix their food scraps with their yard trim for the weekly Monday yard trim curbside collection. Food scraps must be placed inside the Organics cart. Only residents who opted-in and received the appropriate program materials may put food scraps curbside for collection. Plastic bags are not accepted. If you received a letter from DoE, Opt-In postcards are on the way! Detailed opt-in instructions are on the postcard. •

Use only one option listed to opt-in: 1. Scan the QR code on the postcard using a smart phone; OR 2. Call the telephone number and provide the requested information. 3. Complete the opt-in form online at www.toter.com/princegeorgescounty

Your program materials will be delivered during the Month of April, in celebration of Earth Month. Households will receive collection materials, including a 32-gallon wheeled cart, a 2-gallon kitchen mini bin, a How-To Guide, a refrigerator magnet, and a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). For additional information about food scraps composting email us at pgccomposts@co.pg.md.us or visit mypgc.us/compost.

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 13

BUSINESS Electronic Vehicles Among the Highlights at 2022 Washington, D.C. Auto Show Innovative Cars, Vans and Buses Designed to Lower Carbon Emissions Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer Upon entering an electric vehicle [EV] briefing at the 2022 Washington, D.C. Auto Show, a full-size electric-powered Metro bus served as the first vehicle on display followed by an informative briefing about the latest trend in personal automobiles. Tom Stricker, group vice president for sustainability and regulatory af-

fairs at Toyota Motors North America, reviewed how things have rapidly changed in the field of electric vehicles. “In 2018, Toyota announced we were aiming at 50 percent of our new vehicle fleet globally by 2030 and one million of those would be battery electric vehicles. That has now changed,” Stricker said. He continued, explaining how COVID-19 along with supply chain challenges and shortages of operational

chips have impacted the industry. Still, these issues have not stopped 2021 sales from doubling among battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars. And with the recent surge in gas prices and increased concerns about carbon emissions and global warming, more consumers have begun to take a serious look at EVs.

EV ADVANCEMENT MEETS PUBLIC POLICY

In 2020, electric vehicles saw a 41 percent increase in global sales. Almost every major manufacturer produces at least one form of an electric model. Government leaders and political figures provide more reasons to go electric including tax credits. Additional incentives can be found with President Biden’s Build Back Better plan. Another speaker, White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy, expressed confidence that tax credits for electric cars would survive in a reworked Build Back Better climate and social spending bill. w“I’m not seeing any dispute about the need to continue to make sure that these technologies are affordable and accessible to everyone,” said McCarthy who added he’s optimistic about a growing market for EVs.

5 Toyota’s BZ4X electric car was unveiled at an electric vehicle briefing held during the Washington, D.C. Auto Show. The show will be at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center until January 30. (Robert Roberts/The Washington Informer

“The transportation sector is the largest source of climate pollution in our country and a major contributor to poor air quality,” he said. “EVs just don’t help us reach our air quality goals. When you drive one of these things, you want one.”

WHAT IS AN EV?

Charging an EV correlates to the type of vehicle one owns. The three categories of EVs, which include hybrid-electrics (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and battery electrics (BEVs), have recently

entered the mainstream automobile market at an accelerated rate. And an EV can be found to fit almost any taste. In a separate Auto Show pavilion, visitors experienced a range of EVs. Options ranged from luxury brands like the 2022 Karma GS6, 2021 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid and McLaren’s Artura, to well-known brand names like Ford Mustang Mach-E, 2023 Subaru Soltera and Toyota BZ4X which would be unveiled at the Auto Show.

AUTO SHOW Page 15

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14 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

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Ruby Bridges to Pen Children’s Books About Civil Rights

BUSINESS

The Illustrated Work Will Describe Her Role in the Movement Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer Civil rights legend Ruby Bridges will release a children’s picture book later this year entitled “I Am Ruby Bridges.” For the first time, Bridges will share her story from the perspective of her six-year-old self, providing an intimate look through a child’s lens at her experiences and the role she played in the Civil Rights Movement. At the tender age of six, Bridges became the first Black student to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary school in Louisiana. Based on these pivotal events in 1960, Bridges embraces her role in the movement and the meaning of her name by using the picture book to build a bridge between all people and pave the path for future generations. A glossary in the back will help children learn the definitions of keywords throughout the book. “’I Am Ruby Bridges’ is my most personal book yet,” Bridges said. “It’s not just about my experience integrating schools. It’s also about the innocent ways that a child sees the world. Writing as my six-year-old self, reminded me how differently kids interpret things than adults do.” “Children are much better at finding humor in everything, and even in times of great challenge, that’s what this book really does. It allows young kids to learn history in a fun way, which

AUTO SHOW from Page 14 Also on display at the Auto Show, there’s Hyundai’s 2022 Tucson Hybrid, ranked #1 by U.S. News and World Report in the hybrid and electric SUV class.

KEEPING UP WITH EV MARKET

Supporting EV sales growth in EV requires investments that yield an increase in electric chargers. Franchised auto dealers report their willingness to spend $3 billion installing electric chargers, purchasing electric equipment, parts and tools and investing in training sales and service staff. “Auto dealers are not just all in. We are essential to the widespread adoption among mainstream consumers,” said Mike Stanton, president and

is something that I’m very passionate about,” she said. Bridges’ story of courage comes to life with vivid images created by NAACP-nominated artist Nikkolas Smith, who illustrates the book. Widely celebrated for his focus on “Artivism,” Smith creates art that sparks important conversations around social justice in today’s world, Bridges said. “Nikkolas Smith is the perfect illustrator for this book. He’s so creative and has the same limitless imagination as a child. Working with him has been a terrific match. It’s like he plucked images straight out of my head and put them on the page. His art is so real and it comes from the heart. I know kids are really going to respond to it,” Bridges added. Smith said he, as a Black child growing up in the South and after seeing Norman Rockwell’s Ruby Bridges painting on the wall, considers it is an immense honor to now have the opportunity to illustrate the picture book about the civil rights icon. “I was always one of the few Black faces in my elementary school and I knew that Ms. Ruby was a huge reason why there was any progress at all,” Smith said. “It is such an honor to be a part of this project. She is an American hero and has been a lifelong [hero] of mine.” “It was a surreal moment at the start of this project, being able to talk with Ms. Ruby and get an understanding

of that time in her life through her six-year-old eyes. Both being from the South, we connected on many topics from Louisiana grandmas to racial tension in the search for justice and equality,” he said. Two additional picture books written by Bridges, “Dear Ruby Bridges: Letters from Kids Speaking up for a Better World” and “A Talk with My Teacher,” will be published in future seasons by Scholastic. “It has been 22 years since we

published Ruby’s landmark book, ‘Through My Eyes.’ Now, Ruby is recounting her momentous story, for the first time ever, from her point of view as a child,” said Liza Baker, vice president and publisher of Scholastic imprint Orchard Book. “Nikkolas Smith captures Ruby’s story with tenderness and poignancy. This marks the continuation of a publishing partnership between Ruby Bridges and Scholastic that will endure for years to come,” she said. WI

(Photo courtesy of Scholastic)

CEO of the National Automobile Dealers Association. EVs have moved beyond something for the future. They’re now a part of our lives. Educating consumers counts as the road to success in achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere according to McCarthy. “We have the opportunity of a lifetime right now. You realize how fun [EVs] are and are less expensive to make,” said McCarthy about consumer EVs. “We know they give our families and children a chance to live healthier. There is no doubt in my mind that the future of transportation is electric.” The Washington D.C. Auto Show continues at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center until January 30. For more information, visit: https:// www.washingtonautoshow.co WI

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JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 15

NATIONAL Are House Dems Jumping off Titanic Before It Sinks, Or Just Retiring? Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

It’s not unusual that the sitting president’s party sees more Congressional departures during the midterm elections than its counterpart. And with critical pieces of legislation failing and President Joe Biden’s dismal approval ratings, it appears more Democrats in the U.S. Congress believe it prudent to throw in the towel. To date, 28 House Democrats have announced that they will retire or seek other offices rather than run for re-election. Thirteen Republicans said they wouldn’t return. And with more retirement announcements sure to come, the

odds continue to favor the GOP for retaking the House in November. Caught in the middle – President Biden’s agenda. While some officials, like California Rep. Karen Bass and Florida Congresswoman Val Demings have opted to seek different offices, questions abound over whether the retiring Democrats view the midterms as the sinking of the Titanic or if they’ve simply chosen it’s time to vacate public life. “It’s a combination of things – some are retiring because of redistricting in their states, some are from relatively safe districts who aren’t retiring because they’re worried about re-election, but just because they don’t have anything, in particular, they think they’re likely

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5 Calif. Democratic Rep. Karen Bass is among the growing number of members of Congress who are not seeking reelection in 2022. (WI File Photo)

to accomplish next Congress,” said Robert G. Boatright, a professor, and chair of the Department of Political Science at Clark University. “A few Democrats are leaving because of fears about the 2022 general election but not many,” Boatright demurred. However, he submitted that “many of these Democrats probably anticipate that Republicans will gain the majority in 2022, but it’s not really a matter of their own re-election.” Reportedly, 26 of the outgoing members come from states that have completed redistricting, leav-

ing seven potentially competitive seats open, all in districts represented by Democrats. Jeff Le, a political partner with the Truman National Security Project and a former Congressional House staff member under two Democrats, argued that there are at least two components to the departures. The writing on the wall component and Congressional gridlock, he explained. “But I would add another point related to COVID policymaking burnout. Many mayors across the country, including the mayors of Seattle and Atlanta, surprised pun-

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dits by not seeking re-election,” Le observed. “Municipal leaders have been feeling that weight in the COVID era. Members of Congress I’ve spoken with have also felt that weight and this could also explain the departures, which includes emerging House political stars such as Rep. [Stephanie] Murphy of Florida and Rep. [Cheri] Bustos of Illinois.” Dr. Terry Namkung, a 21-year Air Force veteran and a Republican candidate for Virginia’s 3rd District, said he experienced firsthand how the economy and inflation have affected all Americans. “I believe these retiring members of Congress are seeing that as well and they understand that Americans are looking for a change,” Dr. Namkung stated. “In the Air Force, there is a term for ineffective, lame-duck leaders: ‘ROAD,’ which stands for ‘Retired on Active Duty.’ I think this applies to many of these retiring members of Congress, which is why they are doing the right thing by stepping aside to allow for fresh ideas and different faces,” he said. WI

RACE from Page 12 $1.2 million cash on hand. Former nonprofit executive Jon Baron raised about $420,000 but he and his wife placed a $1.7 million loan toward the campaign. The loan remains what Baron has in the bank. The remaining Democratic candidates who filed campaign finance reports include: • Former Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, who ran for governor in 2014, had $428,000 from a previous account and raised $509,000 between Jan. 14, 2021 to Jan. 12 of this year. He now has $393,000 cash on hand. • Former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III and his running mate, Montgomery County Council member Nancy Navaro, count as the only team to use the state’s public financing system. The campaign cannot accept individual donations which exceed $250. It has raised nearly $129,000 and has $63,000 on hand. • Laura Neuman, who formed a campaign committee last month and officially announced her gubernatorial campaign last week, raised nearly

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RACE Page 26

NATIONAL

Social Media Use, What’s Trending Expected to Remain Long After Pandemic’s Ends Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer At the start of the pandemic, social distancing, staying at home and lockdowns forced just about everyone to shelter in place. Work and school transitioned from in-person to remote while concerts and entertainment shows came to a halt, movie theaters closed and Hollywood found itself unable to shoot new episodes of our favorite television shows. These unprecedented events left many to rely on the internet – specifically social media – for entertainment. Now, as year three of the pandemic begins with many having returned to in-person work and school, restaurants reopening and people flocking to concerts and sporting events, social media trends will likely dominate our conversations, regardless of how long COVID-19 remains a force. “The COVID-19 era openness and authenticity have become trademarks of social media,” said Harriet Chan, co-founder, and Q4 AMTRAK PRINT 1_Washington marketing director at the people search website, CoCoFinder.

“The pandemic has amplified existing trends like remote work and online shopping and another trend that has accelerated is the reversal of social media as a place of perfection,” Chan said. She noted that social media posts became less artificial and romanticized during the pandemic. “Houses were a mess, kids were home and misbehaving and no one wore makeup,” she said. “And it made it to social media. The raw, unpolished side is appealing and will stay. The idea of the perfect influencer is gone.” COVID-19 impacted “every walk of our lives,” said Lynda Fairly, a co-founder of the Numlooker marketing firm. As the pandemic wore on, keeping up with social media trends became normal, she said. “When most of the world was following full or partial lockdown, social media feeds were filled with creative content. Videos of people doing cooking, art, or other hobby work were in abundance,” said Fairly who also pointed to a “huge surge” in motivational speakers on various platforms. Informer (outlines).pdf 1 7/7/21 “People were talking about mental wellness and health more openly.

5 Good or bad, many people are certain to continue to monitor social media trends even when the pandemic ends. (Photo courtesy Make A Website hub)

However, content spreading positivity and self-love received the most attention,” she said. “It worked because when the pandemic happened, the 10:33 PM world needed positivity. So the short content reached its all-time peak and

forced Instagram to launch Reels.” With Facebook, Instagram and Twitter battling over an ever-growing user list, TikTok appeared to captivate the younger generation as well as healthcare and other professionals. “Many of those people used it as a platform to voice their frustrations in a fun manner. However, others used it to bring across a much more serious message which often revolved around getting vaccinated, wearing masks and other health advice from licensed doctors,” said Linnea Labs, an executive at Pearl Lemon PR. “There was a huge trend of professionals jumping onto TikTok to share advice. Labs asserted that there were many licensed doctors, teachers, flight attendants, emergency room staff, nurses, lawyers and more all sharing their professional advice,” Labs asserted. Trending topics usually took the proverbial edge off for much of a stressed-out world. But some trends will live in infamy, Labs recalled. “There was also the other side of social media that posted more problematic content such as licking ice cream and putting them back on the shelves

and other disgusting content that manifested due to people either being bored or dumb or both and thirsting for content,” she said. Rahul Mohanachandran, who also works in marketing, said a hot trend during the pandemic remains the “try this at home” videos and guides. “With lockdown restricting people to their homes during the pandemic, content like this became very popular on social media and even celebrities released such videos,” Mohanachandran reflected. The increased focus on social commerce also counts as one of the more significant trends according to Jonathan Zacharias, founder of GR0. “More and more, companies and apps alike are eliminating the middleman and instead focusing on direct consumer purchases within social media apps themselves,” Zacharias said. “In five years, I expect social media mediums to emulate eCommerce shops’ homepages and have even more customization options for brands. This will encourage direct purchases without even entering the company’s website.” WI

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Ivorian Prime Minister Announces Social Plan for Youth Patrick Achi, prime minister of the Ivory Coast, recently announced the launch of a vast social aid plan during a visit to the north of the country. The plan covers the regions bordering Mali and Burkina Faso where jihadist groups are trying to recruit young people. The visit to the town of Tougbo took place under high security and a heavy military presence. “We all know that the deepest cause of most crises and instability in our subcontinent is idleness, which someone said is the mother of all vices. It pushes certain despairing young people, attracted by a mirage of easy gains, to carry out destabilizing acts,” Achi said. “These acts we’re implementing will, both today and in the months to come, allow all these young people and all women to build a decent life and well-being by having access to basic social goods and a durable insertion into

professional life.” Tougbo and its surroundings have experienced several extremist attacks and the region is classified as a red zone. WI

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18 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

New Hotel to Open on Paradise Island in 2024 Noted producer and singer Pharrell Williams and David Grutman of Groot Hospitality will partner with Atlantis, Paradise Island, on a new resort that will be called Somewhere Else. It’s expected to open in 2024 at the site of Atlantis’ The Beach in The Bahamas. In a statement sent out to staff, Atlantis explained that The Beach resort will be “redeveloped” into Williams’ and Grutman’s signature hotel and that the hotel will mark the duo’s next milestone in hospitality development. An additional statement explained, “The property (which is adjacent to Atlantis and which will take over the current site of The Beach) is set to offer a unique and immersive experience, blending Grutman’s ability to create highly memorable hospitality platforms with Williams’ dynamic, genre-spanning artistry.” Williams and Grutman have already had success collaborating on a Miami-based restaurant called Swan and The Goodtime Hotel, also in Miami, according to the statement. Somewhere Else will feature 400 rooms and suites along with “top-tier dining venues, lushly landscaped grounds, an oceanfront beach, multiple pools and recreation areas, luxury amenities and live entertainment.” The refurbishment is being led by Shawn Sullivan of the Rockwell Group. Grutman said in the statement that the resort is being designed to be “one-of-a-kind.” “Not only will it offer a major extension of the unforgettable and high-energy experiences we deliver with Groot Hospitality but also a clear focus on nature and restorative elements,” Grutman said. WI

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JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 19

HEALTH American Red Cross: National Blood Crisis May Put Patients At Risk RC Teams with the NFL for Super Bowl Tickets to Increase Donations Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer The American Red Cross says it’s facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in more

than a decade. In recent weeks, the Red Cross had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types and limited blood product distributions to hospitals, the organization said

on Jan. 11. At times, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs have not been met. “Dangerously low blood supply levels are posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available,” the Red Cross said. “Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent further delays in vital medical treatments, and donors of all blood types – especially type O − are urged to make an appointment now to give in the weeks ahead,” they said. With January being National Blood Donor Month and the current crisis, The Red Cross and the NFL have partnered, urging individuals to give blood or platelets to help reduce the national blood shortage. Those who give blood, platelets, or plasma in January will automatically get a chance to win a getaway to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.

In addition, those who donate blood to the Red Cross will be entered to win a home theater package and a $500 e-gift card as an extra perk. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.

PANDEMIC CAUSES NUMEROUS CHALLENGES

The Red Cross continues to confront relentless challenges due to COVID-19, including about a 10% overall decline in the number of people donating blood as well as ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. Additionally, the pandemic has contributed to a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges. “Winter weather across the country and the recent surge of COVID-19 cases are compounding the already-dire situation facing the blood supply,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross.

“Please, if you are eligible, make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the days and weeks ahead to ensure no patient is forced to wait for critical care,” Dr. Lasky said. In addition to blood donors, the Red Cross said it also needs the help of volunteers to support critical blood collections across the country and it’s offering more health-related information to donors, particularly African Americans. As an example, the Red Cross now screens all blood, platelet and plasma donations from African-American donors to help those with patients within that group with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion remains an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease. In addition, blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity, and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease, the Red Cross said. wi

The Winter Olympics in Beijing begin on February 4. This week, Kid Scoop readers will find Beijing on a map of China and meet the mascots for this year’s Games. Each week, Kid Scoop brings students interactive games, activities, puzzles and more in a bright & bouncy, award-winning feature kids and their family members can enjoy together. PUBLICATION DATE HERE

Publication Date: 2-3-22

20 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

MARCH 4 LIFE 5 The March for Life anti-abortion rally was held in Washington, DC on Friday, Jan. 21 in Northwest. People from around the country converged on the Naation's capital in a march down Pennsylvania Avenue ending at the U.S. Supreme Court. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

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EDUCATION STAR Rating System Sparks Contention among State Board Members Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer The D.C. State Board of Education [DC SBOE] recently approved a resolution that the Office of the State Superintendent of Education [OSSE] will take into consideration as it mulls how to revamp the DC School Report Card, a tool District parents use to determine where to enroll their children. One aspect of the DC School Report Card that incited debate among state board members concerned the STAR rating system which served as a primary indicator of a school’s performance. Depending on how students scored on standardized tests, their school’s rating could fall anywhere between one and five stars. While schools that score in the bottom five percent qualify for dedicated federal funding, other schools with low STAR ratings often find themselves without similar support. Opponents of the STAR rating system, like Ward 8 DC SBOE Representative Dr. Carlene Reid, argued that it overwhelmingly placed Ward 8 schools in the bottom five percent by not highlighting indicators of growth that painted more of a holistic picture of school performance. In emphasizing her support for dismantling the summative STAR rating, Reid said she relied on what parents and teachers in her community told her, even as interest groups attempted to convince SBOE members that parents valued the simplicity of the STAR rating. “We wanted something meaningful for our students [so] I pulled out what families said they valued like academic growth, school climate, length of teachers’ time on staff, languages spoken in the building [and] not the current emphasis on testing proficiency,” Reid said. “I saw clearly what Ward 8 values.”

A QUESTION OF HOW TO RATE SCHOOLS

In addition to dismantling the STAR rating, DC SBOE’s resolution, approved on Jan. 19, recommended that the DC School Report Card dashboard should clearly outline the following indicators of school performance: school climate, equitable school growth, well-rounded education, teacher retention, experience and diversity and proficiency. If OSSE follows through on these recommendations, parents visiting the report card dashboard will be able to choose indicators of interest to see where District schools measure in those areas. They will also be able to rely on measurements of student growth and secondary indicators, including student safety, reading growth and school programming. While they joined their state board colleagues in unanimously passing the entire resolution, DC SBOE members Jacque Patterson (At-large) and Jessica Sutter (Ward 6) opposed the removal of the summative STAR rating. Teachers watching the Jan. 19 proceedings drew parallels between Patterson and Sutter’s viewpoints and that of Democrats for Education Reform - DC who, in a testimony about the STAR rating, advocated for more equitable measures within it. Sutter remained steadfast in her assessment, saying parents rely on the summative rating for a quick overview of school performance. She added, in response to concerns about bias, the state board should’ve explored changes to the STAR rating that benefitted atrisk student populations. “The current rating unfairly penalizes schools that serve a lot of students with disabilities. But if we had a different rating that measured academic growth, it would’ve been a way to help parents glance at the school report card

and see if schools are serving students well,” said Sutter who recently became DC SBOE president. “I’m skeptical that getting rid of the rating [in totality] would change things. It’s important for OSSE to collect data on how the changes influence parents using the tool. We won’t know if [the change] does what the board wanted,” Sutter said.

RECOMMENDATIONS SEVERAL MONTHS IN THE MAKING

If OSSE follows through on the state board’s recommendations, they would enter a process through which the federal government approves the changes. State board members have discussed many of the recommendations over the last few years. Community engagement, which has happened since before the pandemic, has most recently involved the collection of survey data from teachers, administrators, parents and community members. In the parent/community survey, more than 80 percent of the 567 participants identified as parents. Black people accounted for 32 percent of parents while white people accounted for 55 percent. Ward 7 and 8 each had

5 A screenshot of the DC School Report Card dashboard state board members proposed. (Courtesy photo)

representation of 10 percent among survey respondents, which in part compelled their SBOE representatives to rely more heavily on input they gathered at community meetings. Among teachers and administrators, the majority surveyed either worked at the elementary level or in a District public school. As Ward 3 DC SBOE Representative Ruth Wattenberg explained, staff members at District schools often struggled to escape the pressure of ensuring students scored high on tests to improve their STAR rating. Overall, Wattenberg said the data

provides enough insight to trigger changes within the DC School Report Card. “I am very hopeful that OSSE will take our recommendations seriously. This was a unanimous vote, even with [the debate] about the summative rating,” Wattenberg said. “This was a strong message that poor, misleading and biased information is not helping. It’s pushing schools to pressure staff to push testing and do test prep. It’s not healthy for our schools and students.” wi @SamPKCollins

Apply today to DCPS and public charter schools for school year 2022-23 at MySchoolDC.org

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February 1, 2022: Grades 9 – 12 March 1, 2022: PK3 – Grade 8 APPLICATION SUPPORT: 202-888-6336 info.myschooldc@dc.gov

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JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 21

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THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM Cyan,

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Yellow,

Black

January 2022. Volume 8. Issue 1.

Demonstrations of Black Creativity in Music

Point your camera here.

@WIBRIDGEDC

info@wibridgedc.com Advertise with us. Email us.

editor-in-chief & creative director :

Lafayette Barnes IV Lafayette Barnes IV copy Editor : Sam P.K. Collins Photography : Bunmi Abari, Cool Kids Vinyl Layout Design : Lafayette Barnes IV cover art : Graphics by Kahimii Vanzego Contributing Writers : Priscilla Ward, Candace Dane, Morgan Fykes, Lafayette Barnes IV managing Editor :

letter from the editor Happy New Year! Thank you for sticking with us through it all. We are proud to be able to continue to serve you fresh content about the excellence that we discover in the DMV. This month we are bringing you more examples of Black excellence in the DMV music world. Inside you will find album reviews by dj, designer, and photographer ByChandlerAshton, updates on a new music video series with Cool Kids Vinyl, an extended interview with the new and first Black presiddent of The Levine School of Music, Jeffery Tribble Jr., and an introduction to a new kind of record company, The KDG Guild. Just a reminder...Black magic can not be defeated. (Never forget.) And, as always, get in touch. We are always looking to feature and collaborate with you. Reach us on our website or contact me directly at lafayette@wibridgedc.com.

Control the Narrative, Save the City. Lafayette Barnes IV

listen up! album reviews by chandler ashton

9th Dimension Ascension God Zeus & Kasey Jones "9th Dimension Ascension" is a spiritual awakening in music. Kasey Jones is a "lyrical MC" that possesses the delivery and cadence to get his message across. God Zeus' tries out diﬀerent styles and shines by collaborating with someone who's skill’s he honestly respects. Their collaboration between was produced by Sparkheem, Trill800 & Mannyveil and more. This 10 song project includes “Crop Circles" which exempliﬁes the album’s theme of “connection”. God Zeus - "I do it for my family, I do it for my wife, the knowledge in tune, Imma live a crazy life".

4 Pack (EP) Bucky Malone Bucky Malone returns with his 4 Pack (EP). Inspired by the Sega Genesis Game “6Pak”, the melodic flows and colorful instrumentation by Roninsrealm gives you the feeling of being in a video game. Malone said when he first heard the beat, each song sounded like a level being complete. The title “4Pack” influences the cover art and some bangers include “Triple S“ and “McFly“. Don’t forget to check his ne single “Fr“. new

DFFRNT Vish Vish released his ﬁrst EP, “DFFRNT” with production and sounds by Nimbus. The quickly rising uptown D.C. artist has been crafting his narrative for himself and feels that he’s just well…DFFRNT. The EP embodies his culture, growing up in D.C., always being the oddball and gives the listener a chance to view him through an authentic lens. The eights songs EP includes “Better Things” with D.C. super superstar Light Show and “Love Me Now“ with up-n-comer 3OhBlack.

written by : It’s Chandler Ashton

CLOSING UP SHOP Matt Talley, 29, is the founder of Cool Kids Vinyl, a record shop that occupies the second ﬂoor of Maketto on H Street NE. Talley, a manager at the restaurant, retail, and coﬀee shop is utilizing where he’s at to expand his Cool Kids Vinyl business. His latest addition is “Closing Up Shop,” a digital performance series. “Trying to take advantage of Covid, I thought creating online content would be the best bet, instead of having [in-person] events,” he says. Talley has worked at Maketto for almost four years and leaned into his experience to develop the concept last summer. “I didn’t want to interfere with dinner service or anything involving Maketto, so I thought let’s do these live performances when Maketto closes, so we named it, ‘Closing Up Shop,’” he shares during a recent phone interview with The Washington Informer Bridge. written by : Priscilla Ward | @macaronifro

Featured in the first episode is saxophonist, composer, and singer Kenneth Whalum. “Even beyond Jazz, he’s dope. He comes from a linage of Jazz musicians like his brother [Kirk Whalum]. He has production credits on Mac Miller’s album [“Swimming”] and works with Big K.R.I.T. ooen,” he says. “A lot of people don’t know about him, so I’m hoping that people get a little bit more acclimated with him through the episode.” Talley notes, the first season of the series will also include performances by Rob Stokes, NAPPYNAPPA, Rahiem Supreme, and freejacob. The series is teased on the Cool Kids Vinyl Instagram account (@coolkidsvinyl), and the full episode appears on the Cool Kids Vinyl YouTube account. Episodes are directed by Jus Yusef, produced by Talley, and music is done by Ceez Neckmusik. “Episodes will vary in length from 2-5 songs, which I think will keep the consumer on their toes,” he says. “You may watch an episode that is one shot, one performance, or you may watch an episode that is 15 or 20 mins, and it’s 3 songs.” Each episode will include an outro of the artist performing some sort of closing up shop activity, adding a signature stamp to the series. Whalum’s episode closes with him counting the cash register drawer. Ultimately, Talley would like for the series to include both national and local artists. “Right now we’re in talks with including The String Queens and Stalley on the next season,” he says. Also helping to build traction around the digital performances is a monthly newsletter, playlist, and the Cool Kids Vinyl online store, where books, records, and more are available for purchase. Talley’s fluid, yet strategic approach to curation is a testament to years of dedication to his craa.

Jeffery Tribble is the newest President & CEO at Levine Music. Levine Music is a preeminent center for music education in Washington DC and a community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music. Levine was founded in 1976 in memory of Selma M. Levine, a prominent Washington attorney and an amateur pianist who took particular delight in encouraging young musicians. Jeffery is the first African American President and CEO in Levine Music’s history. I’ve known Jeffery for a minute from socializing in DC and was excited for the opportunity to chat with him about his new role. written by : Morgan Fykes | @morganfykes

Welcome to The Cise Pavilion: KDC Guild’s Debut Project is an Invitation

One May 2020 morning, CEO Kristopher “KC” Malone called his friend – and now partner -- David Brescia-Weiler to pitch an album concept based on a dream he’d had the night before. Though neither had any experience making an album, KC knew that if anyone could help bring his idea to life, it was David. The two met as teens in Woodrow Wilson High School’s theater program. David, 29, stayed in the spotlight post-graduation. “P “Pre-pandemic I performed every week at the Washington Improv Theater for seven years. During Covid I was feeling an empty space where I used to be able to express myself creatively. To just do weird experiments, create with other people, collaborate. So of course, I was excited to have a creative project to work on.” The dream placed KC at a carnival. As he moved through the rides and games, he saw people he knew, but none of them recognized him. When he awoke, he didn’t know what it meant just yet, but he knew it had the makings of a cinematic project. He tapped David as the creative director to help him parse out the narrative, and together they peeled back layers of the dream to arrive at a concept they named Cise Pavilion. If you’re a DMV native old enough to rent a car, you already know the meaning of “cise” (also written as “sice”). But for the transplants and the kids: “cise” is a slang term meaning to hype something up, usually to the point of taking it too far. Here, KC and David invoke the term as a regionally speciﬁc form of clout. The album explores clout as a hell of a drug, following a protagonist through a trippy carnival that takes place in the Cise Pavilion. “We wanted to show this carnival as a metaphor for life and for all the clout chasing that’s going on in the world. When it’s in your favor, you can be cised up to the point where you feel on top of the world and when you’re not, you can feel meaningless. It’s almost like fool’s gold... [Read the full article online at www.wibridgedc.com] written by : Candace Dane | @candace.dane

LET’S ET’S L WORK WORK are you interested in sales, marketing/pr, audio/visual production, and/or journalism. CONTACT US: INFO@WIBRIDGEDC.COM

CONTROL THE NARRATIVE. SAVE THE CITY.

EDITORIAL

COVID-19 Exposed a Nation Divided

Since COVID-19 took over the world more than two years ago, the impact on lives and the government’s response have been nothing short of conflicting. With hundreds of thousands of deaths all across the country, the demand for a government response grew louder. But it was former president Donald Trump who threw caution to the wind and set the stage for a pandemic that swept the country like wildfire and continues to inflame the attitudes of Americans today. “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China. It’s going to be just fine,” he told Americans back in February 2020. His optimism or stubbornness to deal with the deadly problem allowed him to speak more untruths, including “It’s going to disappear. One day, it’s like a miracle; it will disappear.” In the meantime, federal and local governments issued mandates to close non-essential businesses and require masks. At the same time, health organizations worked feverishly to create vaccines to stop the virus's spread and save lives. It appeared to be working until the virus mutated, resulting in a milder case of the Delta variant but a more contagious case of the Omicron variant. As a result, Americans still live with mask mandates, social distancing, more vaccinations, booster shots and a growing hostile climate. No one can adequately predict when the pandemic will be over or “disappear.” Its longevity has given rise to an aggressive movement among anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers and anti-government officials protestors who oppose efforts to keep people safe. While the virus is more severe in adults than in children, COVID-19 is causing preventable suffering among youngsters, with about 1.9 million children ages 5 to 11 diagnosed with COVID-19, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths. Too many children are suffering from depression, aggression and suicide. Meanwhile, parents' mean-spirited responses to COVID-19 restrictions and virulent attacks, even against teachers, exacerbate the suffering children are experiencing. Some would have believed that a pandemic would bring people together, not tear them apart. This virus has shown just how divided the nation is, and no vaccine will fix it nor a mask that will disguise it. There’s much work to be done. WI

Suicide of Regina King’s Son May Bring Critical Attention to a Rising Problem among Young Blacks The recent news confirming the death of Ian Alexander, Jr., the only child of award-winning actor Regina King, was met with expressions of condolence throughout the entertainment industry and across social media. But the cause of his death, suicide, and his age, just 26, have only added to her grief. The family has asked for “respectful consideration during this private time,” choosing not to elaborate on the details behind his tragic and untimely death. However, it does underline a significant and disturbing trend among Black youth – one which reveals an increase for Black girls that stands at twice that for Black boys. Suicide now represents a devastating problem among Black youth with researchers and mental health professionals anxious to understand why and how to best address it. In a paper published on September 8, 2021 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, researchers extracted disturbing information from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] databases. The numbers are shocking: 1,810 Blacks between the ages of five and 17 died by suicide between 2003 and 2017. Janelle Goodwill, a psychologist and social worker at the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, while not involved in the research, said the numbers counter the long-held assumption that suicide rates among young white individuals are higher than those among young Black people. Further, because the paper only analyzed data through 2017, it does not include figures for the COVID-19 pandemic. A CDC study published in August 2020 reported that in late June of that year, more than one quarter of young adults had contemplated suicide within the past 30 days.

TO THE EDITOR Through the Editor’s Eyes I must say every week; I thoroughly enjoy the editor’s column, “The World According to Dominic.” Last week’s “My Neighbor Murders His Wife Due to Finances, Reminding Me to Cherish Everyday Life” was no different. What a take on such a heinous act. I really felt as if I was there with you when you saw the story on the news, Mr. McNeir. I look forward to your book/writings in the future.

Flying High Rest well to Tuskegee Airmen General Charles McGee, who lived a long and fruitful life going on to glory at 102 years old. As many of our elders from the days of civil rights and Jim Crow continue to cross over to the other side, we must remember them and hold their legacy up like it’s our duty because it is. B. Morgan Scott Silver Spring, Md.

Danny Baldwin Washington, D.C. Clearly, King’s son Ian needed help – help that either he never received or that no one recognized he needed. But one thing is certain: we must find a way to reduce, if not eliminate, the stigma related to mental health treatment that has long persisted in Black communities and families. In addition, we must be willing to encourage our youth to share their concerns without fear of what or how we may feel.

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Then, we must get them the professional help they need. Collectively, we can eradicate the pernicious message of “worthlessness” that has been drummed into the heads of Black youth so that young Blacks in America will know that “their lives are full of meaning and purpose.” That’s a message that should undergird the Black Lives Matter movement. WI

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Julianne Malveaux

The Maladjusted Madness Of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

From the third Monday of January, the federal holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, through the end of February, Black History Month, Dr. King will be quoted, lionized, referenced and deified by the kleptomaniacs who sample Dr. King as blatantly as hip-hop artists sample classic Motown. He will be taken out of context, a moral giant whose words are often distorted by the moral midgets who can only quote one or two lines from his "I Have A

Dream" speech. As the battle around voting rights rages in the United States Senate, there are likely those who have forgotten how dedicated King was to voting rights and how often he risked his life for the right to vote. As people celebrated Dr. King's birthday on Jan. 17, few will remember how long it took for the day to become a holiday. Thousands thronged to Washington, D.C., every cold January from King's death until Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday" song propelled the federal holiday from a concept to a reality in 1983. How many remember the warrior Congressman John Conyers, the in-

defatigable leader who rallied folks to advocate for a holiday, also tirelessly introducing reparations legislation every congressional session from 1989 until his 2017 retirement from the House of Representatives? Many now view the King holiday as a day off work, not a moment of civic reflection. Some retail establishments even make a sale date out of it. On Jan. 17, the King holiday, USA Today listed "the 48 best MLK Day sales to shop right now." Turning the King holiday into the ultimate capitalistic playground captures our nation's ambivalence with King. While he struggled to free people from the

Guest Columnist

predatory capitalistic bondage of the "thingification" of life, many in our country have embraced his legacy as another shopping opportunity. As long as we embrace only the surface King, we can smooth out his edges, ignore his passionate opposition to the Vietnam war, forget his searing criticism of poverty, and turn him into a kumbaya King. King elevated the "creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority in a country that encourages conformity." He spoke of this maladjustment, often, in his speeches, about preferring to be a "drum major for justice" than a follower of consumer trends. He spoke of

the "audacity," the temerity, the nerve, the sheer madness of believing that in a capitalist economy, people could eat, learn and thrive. King's commitment to maladjustment was partly his dissatisfaction with the status quo, but some psychiatrists suggest that his embracing maladjustment may also have had to do with the several depressive episodes he had. It takes nothing from his legacy but instead elevates it when we speak of the depression that King may have experienced. He attempted suicide twice as a teen and was occasionally

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Marian Wright Edelman

Remembering Robert Holland Jr.

On Dec. 22, Robert Holland Jr. passed away. Bob was a corporate groundbreaker, a marvelous fellow Spelman College Board of Trustees chair, and a wonderful role model and philanthropist who always wanted to open doors for others. He was especially dedicated to making sure more young people had the chance to follow his example and pursue

their own dreams. He grew up in Albion, Michigan, with devoted parents who were not formally educated themselves but prized education for their five children. His close-knit neighborhood also encouraged his academic success: "When grades were issued, everybody knew you were carrying a report card. I learned very, very quickly: Do not bring bad grades through the gauntlet." He wanted to study engineering, but the guidance counselor at his segregated high school suggested he

Guest Columnist

apply only to trade schools. When he tried to apply to the Air Force Academy his school refused to forward his transcript. But that didn't stop him from finding a way to reach his goals. A college professor he met at a track meet encouraged him and gave him a list of universities offering engineering programs and scholarships. Bob only had enough money for two application fees, so he decided to apply to just the first and last schools on the alphabetical list: Cal Polytechnic and Union College. This was how

he ended up leaving Michigan for the first time in his life to take a 26hour bus trip to Schenectady, New York, to enroll at Union. He said later, "That was not the last blind journey I would take, but the first of many." Bob quickly proved his high school's bigoted low expectations wrong by excelling at Union, where he was class president all four years, a three-letter varsity athlete, and the recipient of a special prize given annually to a senior of exemplary "conduct and character." He followed his B.S.

in mechanical engineering with an MBA from Baruch College and then began his groundbreaking career in business. Among his many trailblazing roles he was an associate and the first Black partner at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company and became the first African American CEO of a majority owned franchise company after being appointed CEO of Ben & Jerry's. During the year he was

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Roger Caldwell

2022 Will Be a Great Year for Blacks and People of Color in America

With the election of President Biden and Vice President Harris, they have quickly delivered for the American people, while helping our country recover from a pandemic, and an economic crisis. It is very easy for the Republicans to talk about what the Biden team has done wrong, but with the passing of the American Rescue Plan and the Biparti-

san Infrastructure Law, their first year in office has been extremely successful. These two pieces of legislation will rebuild the economy and put money in the pockets of hardworking American families. Many businesses received stipends from the government, and many Americans were able to keep their businesses in the black and afloat. The American Rescue Plan was passed in March 2021, and it provided stimulus aid for families, state, local areas and tribal nations.

24 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Many have forgotten the $1,400 stimulus check every family got for each family member and the expanded tax credit for each child. President Biden and the Democrats delivered big for America, but everyone has appeared to have forgotten, especially the Republicans. The economy under President Biden is doing extremely well, and the Democrats must blow their horn loud and clear. "Today, America is the only leading

economy in the world where household incomes and the economy as a whole are stronger than they were before the pandemic, even accounting for price increases," says President Biden. When Americans look at the president's Cabinet, there is a diversity of people of color, which is an accurate representation of the country. This is the first reason that in 2022 Blacks and people of color will operate and grow successfully: because the economic track record is the strongest in 50 years.

When leadership reflects people of color, America is in a better place for opportunity and progressive ideas for Black people. Whether you're looking forward to them or dreading them, the midterm elections will take place in November 2022. There will be more Blacks and people of color running for office than ever before in the history of America, and there will be more millions in circulation than ever before.

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Gary A. Puckrein

Applying a Patient Risk Model to Drug Pricing Reform

The Biden administration and Congress have made clear the importance of investing in community well-being with passage in the House of Representatives of the Build Back Better Act and the now signed-into-law bipartisan infrastructure bill. Transportation, education, child care, broadband access, clean air and water, and affordable housing are all deemed priorities for the use of public resources. But contrary to the administration's

focus on equity issues, this act would actually deter efforts to protect underserved communities and hampers innovation critical to patients. Washington is squandering the opportunity to optimize a golden era of medical progress by supporting discriminatory drug price "negotiation" provisions. These would reduce access to stateof-the-art medicines while elevating the patient risk for hospitalizations, emergency room visits, disabilities and death. The legislation would impose an excise tax on drug companies that do not comply with the negotiation process, starting at 65% to a maxi-

Guest Columnist

mum of 95%. With the government able to name its own price by force of law on specific drugs, the market will no longer have an incentive to invest in medical breakthroughs. Health systems should be designed to assess patients' risks for acute events like COVID-19, respiratory infections and heart attacks, devote resources to reducing that risk and improve quality of life. The Build Back Better Act restricting access to care in the name of short-term financial savings is neither good for the American people or a wise financial investment. Politicians striving to attain or keep

office can get guaranteed applause by promising to dramatically cut the cost of prescription drugs. This political drumbeat is increasingly reflected in continued policy efforts such as the Build Back Better Act that link drug prices in the U.S. to those of other nations that employ government price controls. We are not a command economy, but such legislation would give the federal government command power to control drug prices in the United States. With the power to control prescription drug prices is the power to determine investments in medical innovations. Is that what

we really want; is the transference of our ability to innovate from the marketplace to the government good for America. Indeed, the only purpose of our health care system is to conserve life by reducing patient risk. We can distort that purpose with implications for generations yet born by our failure to appreciate the investment we are making in arresting the illness that have constrained our lives, rich and poor. If we believe that short-term financial gains are more important than mit-

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Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

Black America Salutes CEO Robert F. Smith for Accelerating Racial Equity and the Spirit of Giving

Today we are witnessing an increased spirit of giving to help underserved communities across the United States. The Black Press of America acknowledges and takes public note of both the responsibilities and the opportunities for corporate leaders to be "thy Sisters and Brothers' Keepers." Good social corporate responsibility matters. This is particularly true in com-

munities of color, which continue to be mired in poverty and insufficient access to transformative economic improvement opportunities. One of the key indicators of economic advancement and sustainability in today’s global marketplace is the extent to which effective community-based organizations have access to equity funding and high-tech innovations. With 2021 behind us and preparations and commitments now being made for 2022, we are revisiting the progress accomplished by a

Askia-At-Large

leading African American entrepreneur and corporate leader, Robert F. Smith, who is helping to increase racial equity funding and bridge the digital divide in six southern cities where a large percentage of African Americans now reside: Atlanta, Birmingham, Memphis, Houston, New Orleans and Charlotte. Earlier last year, we highlighted the game-changing initiative that we launched, along with PayPal CEO Dan Schulman and BCG CEO Rich Lesser, called the Southern Communities Initiative. This

initiative is "a catalytic effort to coordinate and accelerate racial equity funding, programming, and convening organizations in six Southern communities that are home to approximately 50% of the African American population." According to information recently posted on Smith’s dedicated website, we were pleased to learn that the Southern Communities Initiative already has identified, embraced and activated the following local leadership appointments and activations in those six states.

There are four racial equity pillars for the initiative: Wealth Creation — supporting Black-owned business growth and access to capital; Housing — providing access to resources that enable home ownership at fair rates and terms; Education/Workforce Development — creating advancement opportunities via formal education/skills training for minorities; and Health Equity‚ eliminating health disparities through equal access to quality,

even help identify the perpetrators— whom we know because they live next door to us — because we don't want to snitch, even when thuggish, out-ofcontrol youth murder the innocent, the unarmed, sometimes right before our eyes. We see the blurry pictures and the cars on the TV news and recognize the perpetrators. They are driving the $40,000 cars that some adult purchased, yet no one will come forward to get their armed and dangerous offspring off the streets.

We are justifiably contemptuous of the Mitch McConnells, and the Joseph Manchins of the world, as if they are able to force people to not vote simply by making it harder for them to vote. No matter how "fair" we might want the system to be, it never has been, and, as long as white folks are in charge of our affairs, it will never be fair to Blacks. But if voting is all that those desir-

CHAVIS Page 42

Askia Muhammad

Biden Haunted by Ghost of Trump

Exactly one year after Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. became the 46th president of the United States, yet another Great White Hope has begun his descent from the heavenly expectations of Black folks in this country, into the reality of increasing levels of race hatred being shown by more and more and more white people every day. But instead charting a course to

reach freedom and justice independent of the fiendish slave masters who continue to inflict punishment right up to this very moment, Black folks and their mainstream leaders simply condemn the greedy whites clinging to and trying to revive their 160-year-old "Lost Cause," never charting an independent course, and rarely challenging the neo-liberal establishment, in which Blacks have finally begun to win important positions. The painful reality is, whenever Black folks play by the rules established

by white folks, and then begin to succeed, the rules get changed, in order that the outcome always favors the white man's interests. Now the game is "Joe Biden and the Democrats will save us." The U.S. criminal in-justice system is a classic example of this madness. Although our neighbors like "Eggy," and "Juney Boy" kill far more Black babies, children, and adults than cops (about 2,500 compared to 200 in 2020), we'll march all over the country to protest a Black killing by a white cop, but won't

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ASKIA Page 42

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 25

LIFESTYLE Karine Jean-Pierre Guides Diverse, Collaborative and Confident White House Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer On the first anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration, the White House teemed with dignitaries, guests and what appeared to be a larger press corps. And while that and the enormous Secret Service presence blocking off about a five-block radius on and around Pennsylvania Avenue constituted the norm, something different, even special, seemed to characterize the 46th President and his staff and cabinet. “Representation matters. We’ve seen that from the first day of this administration when the president signed an executive order to deal with racial inequity and to make sure we saw diversity and inclusion across the board in the federal government,” said White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. With a light-up-the-room smile and oozing with confidence, JeanPierre exudes why it won’t be long before the current administration earns the respect of the world. “We’re living in a polarized country right now and the one thing that the president talked about when he was running was making sure he was the president for all,” Jean-Pierre said.

RACE from Page 16 $110,000. The former Anne Arundel County executive changed her political affiliation from Republican to Democratic in 2020. She also represents the only woman in the Democratic primary seeking the governor’s seat. • Ashwani Jain, a former official in the Obama Administration, raised more than $100,000 and has $43,500 in the bank. He has promoted his campaign as a volunteer unit. • Jerome Segal filed documents

She struck a confident tone despite strong GOP opposition to the administration’s policies and a media that relentlessly highlights any shortcomings. “It will take more than a year to get to the other side of that so that it’s not so polarizing and so we can actually get our message through to the American people,” said Jean-Pierre who understands adversity but also embraces perseverance. At 44, Jean-Pierre has a unique window into politics and movements and represents one who never had anything handed to her. Facing a hard-knock life in their native Haiti, her parents welcomed their new child into the world in Martinique, immigrating to the U.S. during her childhood. Her father began working as a New York City cab driver, something he still does, albeit on a part-time basis. Her mother began has long worked as a home healthcare aide. “My parents came here looking for a better life,” Jean-Pierre said. “They heard of the opportunities here but it was a catch-22 because you came here for opportunities and you also come here as a Black family. It was hard for them and like so many families across this country, they lived live paycheck to paycheck.” stating he doesn’t plan to raise or spend $1,000. He founded the former Bread and Roses Party. Among the Republican candidates, former state Department of Labor Secretary Kelly Schulz raised nearly $1.5 million starting in April 2021. She currently has $1 million cash on hand. “This amount raised will surpass any previous fundraising of a non-incumbent Republican in the governor’s race and puts us in a commanding financial position against any candidate

26 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

Still, Jean-Pierre acknowledged her parents’ pride in her accomplishments including her making history last year as just the second Black woman to take the podium and lead a White House press briefing. “It was truly an honor and one of the things we all recognize and say is to not to forget the shoulders that we stand on. So I certainly remember Judy Smith, [the first Black woman to lead a White House briefing],” JeanPierre said. “I wouldn’t be in this position but President Biden made that decision to put me in this administration. To do the work that we are doing and knowing that I have so many folks out there who are proud of me makes me proud.” In many ways, her parents feel they’ve reached their dreams through her, Jean-Pierre offered. “They came from an impoverished country but left to get a better life for their kids,” she said. “For them, they feel they have reached their dreams because of my successes. But without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. They told me I could be whatever I wanted to be and do whatever I wanted to do.” While her parents encouraged JeanPierre to become a doctor or lawyer, she worked in politics in New York, served in the Obama administration and served as a spokesperson for MoveOn, the advocacy group and political action group. She also taught campaign management at Columbia University’s graduate-level for nearly six years. “I’ve seen it all,” she said. “Even when I was teaching, my students would ask how I got to work at the White House. I tell them to follow your passion, what you believe in and it will all come together if you do. So keep following and believing your heart and what excites you every morning and what you believe is making change. It will come.” Jean-Pierre also pointed to the victories achieved by the Biden-Harris that emerges from the Democratic primary,” said Allison Meyers, Shulz’s finance director, in a memo. “In the upcoming months, we will continue to aggressively fundraise and build a formidable campaign to win in November,” she said. Del. Daniel L. Cox, who represents portions of Carroll and Frederick counties and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, raised $393,000 with $271,000 cash on hand. Along with other state elected officials, Cox cannot fundraise during the 90-day legislative session in

5 Karine Jean-Pierre with WI Senior Writer Stacy Brown. (Stacy Brown/The Washington Informer)

administration which include improving foreign relations including working with Haiti and nations in Africa. She said the bipartisan infrastructure bill also counts as a significant win for the administration. “It became law after the president brought the two sides of the aisle together and did something that Congress talked about and past presidents talked about but were not able to get done,” she said. “That bill not only fixes roads and bridges but makes broadband accessible and affordable for all Americans. she said. She said Biden’s Build Back Better bill would continue to invest in America including more investments for historically Black colleges and universities. Meanwhile, she points to the American Rescue Plan which helped put money in the pockets of the poor and working-class, significantly

reduced child poverty and has led to more than 75 million Americans become vaccinated against COVID-19. Jean-Pierre vowed that President Biden and Vice President Harris will continue to battle for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and Voting Rights, adding that she couldn’t be more pleased with the state of the administration. “The single-most thing that inspires me about the administration, one of the things I can say about this president and vice president, is decency,” Jean-Pierre decided. “They respect people and understand what people are going through and they truly want to deliver. They saw Black and Brown communities were always left behind and when we talk about our economic policy, we bring everyone in, and that makes me proud.” WI

Annapolis which ends April 12. Cox’s running mate, attorney Gordana Schifanelli from Queen Anne’s County, has $7,500 in the bank. Perennial candidate and former state Del. Robin Ficker, who emphasized his campaign to cut the state’s sales tax by 2 cents from the current 6 cents, placed a $1.1 million loan to the campaign. He still has $910,000 cash on hand. As of Sunday, Jan. 23, a campaign finance report was not listed for Joe Werner of Baltimore County. Early voting in the primary election

begins June 16 until June 23 with Election Day scheduled for June. 28. Because Maryland holds closed primaries, only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote except for nonpartisan offices such as school boards. David Lashar, an information technology executive from Annapolis, will run for governor representing the Libertarian Party. His campaign finance report shows $7,900 in the bank. WI @WJFjabariwill

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LIFESTYLE

Amazon Strikes Gold with ‘Hotel Transylvania: Transformania’

The Anacostia Community Museum Welcomes Asantewa Boakyewa By Anacostia Community Museum

Animated Adventure Addresses the Benefits of Embracing Diversity D. Kevin McNeir WI Senior Editor Before the pandemic, visits with my grandson, Jackson, would always include our sitting together to watch animated films which garnered his attention while sharing important lessons about life. And while it’s been two long years since I’ve seen him, I still look for movies that he and I can discuss during our video conversations. Recently, Amazon Studios released the fourth and final installment in the “Hotel Transylvania” franchise, subtitled “Transformania,” and I found it to be an absolute delight. If you’re looking for something that’s funny, beautifully animated and certain to keep your little ones glued to the screen, this movie is the answer. And adults will like it too. I’ve already watched it twice. In the film, Dracula and his sonin-law, Johnny, who have an awkward relationship because of their very distinct ways of seeing and embracing the world, find themselves transformed into a human and monster, respectively. After recognizing what’s happened, the two must embark on a dangerous journey to South America in order to find a rare crystal that will allow them to revert to their original forms before their transformations become permanent. Adding to the challenge before them, time remains critical, particularly for Johnny whose transformation will eventually render him a raging, mindless monster. As the story unfolds, which opens during the 125th anniversary and celebration of Hotel Transylvania, viewers will learn how the transformation occurred and why

(Courtesy photo)

Dracula so adamantly opposed his daughter’s husband. Johnny’s unique, if not unorthodox way of living and embracing the world leaves Dracula fearful of the future both for his family and his beloved hotel. Many of the voices in the film, released exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, and which include Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Buscemi and Fran Drescher, will be familiar to viewers of all ages. These, and other actors, provide the voices for Dracula and his family and close friends who team up to save the day. Ultimately, Dracula learns a critical lesson about Johnny, who despite his stark differences, helps his father-in-law realize both how he has misjudged the young man and why we all benefit when we see the best in people and in life instead of assuming the worst. Critics have given mixed reviews on this film but I thought it was wonderful. Where else can you see monsters hitting the dance floor to do the cha-cha slide? WI

EDWARDS from Page 13 (D-Maryland). According to a campaign finance report, Lewis has nearly $40,000 cash on hand. During the 90-day legislative session in Annapolis, state lawmakers aren’t allowed to fundraise. “I think it is good for the voters to have a choice and paint a contrast,”

I am Asantewa Boakyewa. I am a sixth generation Washingtonian, attending primary school at one of the nation’s oldest independent African-centered schools, Ujamaa Shule. I graduated from DuVal High School in nearby Prince George’s County, Maryland and am an alumna of Morgan State University. I began my professional career at Johns Hopkins University working on the Diaspora Pathways Archival Access Project, a project that sought to preserve and make publicly accessible the archives of the Afro-American newspaper. It was from this transformative experience that my interest and work in museums, public history, and public art were cultivated and launched. Since Johns Hopkins, I have held curatorial, research, and administrative appointments at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, Georgetown University, American University, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. My work is rooted in African American art and history with interest in artists, stories, and histories that underscore communal bonds and highlight collective power. I am deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in museums. I joined the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum in August 2021 as Associate Director of Collections & Exhibitions, overseeing the curatorial, research, and collections units of the museum. I am passionate about building on the historic legacy of John Kinard, Louise Hutchinson, and those visionaries of the recent past to contribute to change leadership and innovation now as the museum charts a new path forward. Innovation is underway at the museum on many fronts, from expanding our exhibits and programs beyond the museum’s walls to making our collection more publicly accessible and centering environmental justice as a vital part of everyday life. What I am most excited about is situating the museum’s exhibitions, collections, and research

Lewis said. “We have the chance to choose a progressive leader to move us forward and not back.” Former Del. Angela Angel of District Heights, a domestic violence survivor, also launched a campaign with plans to push for universal pre-kindergarten and improve the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor. Similar to Edwards, she wants to also

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programs to support amplifying the role of a community-based museum in the twenty-first century. Expanding the community-collecting approach that the museum pioneered by harnessing existing relationships that museum staff have built over decades, while also forging new introductions to those who have never knew of or engaged with the museum before. Expanding the role of a community-based museum also means inviting the community to have a voice in evaluating our successes and where we can improve. It means broadening the scope of the stories we help share and inviting new and equitable voices. It is about creating through our exhibits in the museum, outdoors, online and across the city immersive visitor experiences that are multi-dimensional. Where people -whether they are from Anacostia, the greater region, or not, can see themselves and their stories and feel a sense of connection—even when those stories expose deep injustices. In this current pandemic era, the way we gather and share as families, as communities has been so drastically upended. I am invested with my colleagues and with you the public in making sure that the work produced by the Anacostia Community Museum for and with our neighbors near and far can feel like our collective cultural home.

fight to bring the FBI headquarters to Prince George’s. As of Friday, Lewis and two other candidates have officially filed: James Levi Curtis, Jr., a Democrat in Upper Marlboro, and George McDermott, a Republican from Forest Heights in Prince George’s. More candidates will undoubtedly file before the Feb. 22 deadline.

Edwards believes her experience represents the best fit for the district. “I can be a valued leader in furthering the interest of our congressional district and our state,” she said. “I want to stay focused on my record and looking forward to what our needs are and how I can be the strongest advocate in the field.” WI @WJFjabariwill

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 27

aseball Hall of Famer, Jackie Robinson probably changed baseball more than any other player—not by skill alone, but by who he was as a person.

A Timeline of Ending Segregation n 1947, Jackie Robinson was ahead of his time when it came to ending segregation in Major League Baseball. Use the code to find out the order in which the following were integrated.

U.S. Armed Forces are integrated

Segregated schools declared illegal

Biographical information on today’s page verified by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: baseballhall.org

hen Jackie started school he found something he was very good at—sports. He liked to play hard. He liked to win. He found out that by winning in sports he got respect from the white children. He liked this feeling and vowed he would always work hard to gain respect.

The last Major League Baseball team is integrated Standards Link: History: Students know that a timeline records significant events in chronological order.

In baseball, defined as t

A batting a player’s ab average ove be good, an a nearly un last player t enough at b batting cha Williams o who hit .40

Jackie Rob average of 100 of all ti

The baseba newspaper practice ma following t

How do you

The baseball knocked some words out of this story. Find where each word belongs.

Standards Link: Civics: Know instances in which political conflict in the U.S. has been divisive and reasons for this division [e.g., civil rights struggles].

y the time he was in high school, Jackie led the football, basketball, baseball and track teams. In 1938, when he was a student at Pasadena Junior College, Jackie led his college teammates to victory in a track meet and a baseball game held 40 miles apart on the same day! Help Jackie get to the baseball game from the track meet.

ILLEGAL PASADENA BROTHER RESPECT MAJOR BRANCH FIRST DODGERS MOVIE SKIN JACKIE MILES ROOSEVELT POSE ROBINSON

J A B R R O J A M T

L B R O T H E R L A

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

fter college, Jackie went into the Army. Rickey said to Jackie … When he got out he signed on with a baseball team in the Negro Leagues. At that time, black players were not allowed in the all-white Major Leagues. Then, on October 23, 1945 Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, asked Jackie Robinson to play for the Dodgers beginning in 1947. He said it would be difficult to be the first man to end segregation in Major League Baseball. Standards Link: Civics: Know that civil rights efforts strived to reduce discrepancies between ideals and the reality of American public life.

What do you think he meant by that?

Standards Link: Writing Applications: Write responses to text.

Standards Link: Writing Applications: Write summaries of text.

Select a photograph in today’s sports pages and try to imitate and hold the pose of a person in the photograph. Then, have a friend or family member give it a try. Standards Link: Physical Education: Use a variety of basic non-locomotor skills.

Leadership

What are the qualities of a good leader? Who do you know that is a good leader? Why do you think of that person?

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28 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

How do you a batting av

• Batting av digits. • If you hav place a ze .25 becom • If you hav two zeros .3 become • If you hav look at the determine third digit .30119 be .2348 bec

How do you average?

Action News What made Jackie Robinson great is not only what he accomplished for himself, but what he made possible for other people. Search the newspaper to identify individuals who are working to make life better for other people. Name the individuals and then summarize their actions and the possible benefits to others.

• Always sa number. • Say the fi number. • Combine digits to fo For exam .274 = two .309 = thr .075 = oh

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• Batting A divided by BA = H/A • If you hav the same a for 5 at ba • To determ 1/5 divide denomina Then say • 3 for 8 or • 1 for 4 or

How do you batting ave

• Add the h together a both game the sum o the at bats • 1 for 4; 3 1 + 3 = 4, + 5 = 9, th hits 4 by t four for n • 0 for 2; 3 f • 2 for 3; 1 f

Standards Lin the relationship calculate probl decimals and p the nearest 1,0

Editor and Fashion Industry Icon André Leon Talley Leaves a Lasting Legacy

In a Field Dominated by Whites, the Black and Gay ‘Genius’ Clawed His Way to the Top D. Kevin McNeir WI Senior Editor André Leon Talley, the talented and sometimes enigmatic fashion editor who broke his industry’s glass ceiling with his meteoric rise from the segregated South to the upper echelons of Parisian couture, died Tuesday, Jan. 18 in White Plains, N.Y at the age of 73. His death followed several health challenges according to his friend Darren Walker, the president of the Ford Foundation. “André Leon Talley was a singular force in an industry that he had to fight to be recognized in,” said Walker, describing him as a “creative genius” and noting his ability to shape a persona for himself out of “a deep academic understanding of fashion and design.” Talley, who towered over many of his colleagues at 6 feet 6 inches tall, also dominated most rooms in which he entered because of his being an enigma: the only Black editor in an industry known for its elitist and white membership. His personal style of dress would also help to define Talley who often adorned himself in capes, furs, gloves and elaborate headpieces. He worked his way to the top with jobs that included: receptionist at Interview magazine under Andy Warhol; Paris bureau chief of Women’s Wear Daily under John Fairchild; and creative director and editor at large of Vogue under Anna Wintour. Most recently, he served as a judge on “America’s Next Top Model and counted former first lady Michelle Obama, top designer Oscar de la Renta and supermodel Naomi Campbell as close friends. Talley, known for his commitment to his faith, could often be seen in the pews at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, accompanied by a cavalcade of his celebrity pals.

Openly gay and rarely able to secure romantic relationships due to his commitment to his work, he died without survivors. Born Oct. 16, 1948, in Washington to Alma and William Carroll Talley, he would be raised from the age of two months old by his grandmother, Bennie Frances Davis in Durham, N.C., who worked as a maid at the men’s campus of Duke University. He majored in French studies at North Carolina Central University and received a master’s from Brown University. One reporter suggested that for Talley, fashion served as both an inspiration and a disguise – his form of camouflage against the racist barbs he often experienced including being derogatively referred to as “Queen Kong.” In his memoirs, he said it eventually dawned on him how he had overcome life’s many obstacles. “The blinders I had to keep on in order to survive,” he wrote. “The idea of a Black man playing any kind of role in this world seemed an impossibility,” he said, referencing his formative years in the South. “To think of where I’ve come from, where we’ve come from, in my lifetime, and where we are today, is amazing. And, yet, of course, we still have so far to go,” he said. WI @mcneirdk

LIFESTYLE

Empowering Black Communities Means Ensuring We Can Make Our Own Decisions with Dignity By Marcela Howell It is no secret that our institutions and health care systems have long failed Black people. We see this in the sky-high rates of Black maternal death, infant mortality, and poor health outcomes across the board. And now, we await one of the most consequential Supreme Court rulings that could push one of our health care options entirely out of reach for Black communities across the country. Access to abortion is deeply connected to the health and economic security for individuals and families. Now is the time for bold action so that the Supreme Court does not deny another of our rights. Since 1973, Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land, and while abortion remains legal in all 50 states, it has never been widely accessible for Black communities, especially those of us working to make ends meet. In 2021 alone, 108 abortion restrictions were enacted, with the impact falling hardest on Black and Brown people. For decades anti-abortion lobbyists and politicians have actively worked against us by denying us the agency to determine and control our futures. The ugly truth is that abortion bans are rooted in white supremacy and anti-Black racism, and are, by design, crafted to harm Black people. Bans are not about protecting our mothers, children, and communities, but further controlling, marginalizing, and disempowering us. Throughout much of its history, the mainstream feminist movement ignored the needs of Black communities. In 1994, Black activists responded to this by creating a visionary framework –– reproductive justice –– which is defined as “the human right to control our sexuality, our gender, our work and our reproduction – the right to have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and healthy communities.” While activists of color have historically practiced reproductive

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Abortion rights rally at the Supreme Court, Jackson Women's Health v. Dobbs. Photo credit: Shala W. Graham

justice through our grassroots organizing, campaigns, and broader social justice work, naming it has helped further focus on the needs of our communities as mainstream leaders have failed to recognize the unique challenges that Black women in particular face when trying to obtain abortion care. Whether it’s traveling long distances because abortion is not accessible in our communities, the inability to pay for abortion care, or facing racism from health care providers who are not invested in supporting our health and well-being, the consequences are steep. Abortion justice is only one part of our liberation, and we must view it within the wider context of racial, economic, and environmental justice. The same challenges that prevent people from accessing other vital services also arise when people need an abortion. Abortion funds across the country have been a lifeline for countless communities as they help eliminate the geographic, financial, and other barriers to accessing care, but this should not be our reality when abortion is legal in all 50 states. As other states move to pass copycat bills modeled after Texas’

6-week abortion ban, we need to urgently change course. Abortion is rooted in freedom. When abortion is available and affordable, we are more able to make our own decisions about whether and when to start or expand our families. This gives us the opportunity to make important decisions about our health, to care for our families, to pursue our dreams, and to live in thriving communities. When abortion is accessible, we see its positive impact for generations, but when it is pushed out of reach, it causes irreparable harm to the emotional, financial, and physical health of those who are forced to carry a pregnancy against their will. Even If the Supreme Court upholds Roe later this year, it will still not be enough. From the grassroots activism on the ground to the politicians making decisions about what we can and cannot do with our bodies, this is why we need to support efforts to ensure all people have real access to abortion. Abortion care that is covered by insurance, that is nearby, and without unnecessary waits, or asking neighbors to spy on us, or any other efforts to interfere with our decisions. In short, access to abortion care, just as other health care, should not depend on where we live or who sits in power in our state capitals. Black women have always been visionary leaders at the helm of all forms of social justice in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. We have fought for a better, brighter future because we know it is our birthright. This is why we continue to demand that our elected officials do more for us –– to make abortion accessible and affordable to all who need it. Abortion access is about much more than our legal rights; it is about our humanity, dignity, and freedom –– and we deserve to be free. Marcela Howell is president and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda. Follow her work on social media at @BlackWomensRJ.

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 29

30 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

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LIFESTYLE

wi book review "The Last Slave Ship" By Ben Raines c.2022, Simon & Schuster $27.99 / 307 pages "The Black Joke" By A.E. Rooks c.2022, Scribner $29 / 400 pages Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer You can only imagine. There was fear, of course, but also pain and a feeling of suffocation. Surely, there was a sense of embarrassment when clothes were lost and bodily smells were unavoidable. Outrage, too, that was surely present, but you can only imagine. If you're compelled to know, read these two great new books about the ships of the Middle Passage. Not long ago, the news was buzzing with a very unexpected discovery: the remains of the Clotilda, a 160-year-old ship, were discovered in Alabama waters, half-burned but in good enough shape for its discoverers to know what it was and the importance it held … "The Last Slave Ship" by Ben Raines begins the tale of those ruins in 1860, when more than five decades had passed since the importation of slaves from Africa had become law. Still, Timothy Meaher was a betting man. Meaher wagered that he could somehow send the Clotilda across the ocean, and back with human cargo, without getting caught. History, of course, didn't allow that. But this isn't just a tale of a white man and a ship. It's also a story of warfare, the capture of 110 people, and their sale in Africa by a king who showed no mercy and who almost re-captured the slaves-to-be to resell them. It's a story of peril and politics, and it extends to the descendants of the captain and his cargo today. "The Last Slave Ship" is an action-packed, whip-smart true account that's filled with science, history, and compassion. Readers will devour it. A nice companion to the Raines book is "The Black Joke" by A.E. Rooks. In the time between Napoleon's fall in France and the very height of Queen Victoria's reign in England, the Black Joke sailed the Atlantic on behalf of England to end the slave trade — not just in Great Britain, but on both sides of the ocean. Until its capture by the Royal Navy in 1827, the Black Joke was a notoriously fast slave ship that shuttled humans from Africa to parts elsewhere. The Brits knew exactly what to do with it, once they had possession of the ship: they recycled it, making the Black Joke into an important part of their anti-slavery fleet and a speedy way to capture slaving vessels and free the people aboard them. Like "The Last Slave Ship," "The Black Joke" is full of action and heroism, but in a different way: the former includes the recovery of an important bit of U.S. history, while the latter is a wider story, both in scope and geography. Readers will be happy (and very well-informed) to read one, then the other, in quick succession. Once you've done that, you may want more information so check with your favorite bookseller or librarian. They have many more stories of slave ships at their fingertips, including firsthand accounts from many points of view. All you have to do is ask and you'll find more similar books than you can imagine. WI

horoscopes

JAN 27 - FEB 2, 2022

ARIES You might feel a need to shake up your daily work and streams of cash flow when the week begins. Your inclination to strike out on your own and act impulsively is even stronger than usual, and you might even get the sense that if you don't make your move now, you'll have trouble doing so down the road. Gather the facts before diving into a whole new venture. Lucky Numbers: 8, 16, 23 TAURUS A burst of confidence makes you want to open up about your sexiest desires at the start of the week. Being assertive and self-assured comes more naturally, so make a point to open up to your significant other or a potential partner now. The direct communication can be followed by sultry, spark-provoking action. Later, the cosmos offers you a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues, brainstorm, and pitch passion projects that could lead to a new stream of cash. Lucky Numbers: 8, 21, 42 GEMINI Playful, lighthearted, and fun self-expression comes naturally when the week starts. Take advantage by flirting up a storm with the object of your affection or putting work on the back burner temporarily to enjoy the company of dear friends. Lucky Numbers: 17, 27, 33 CANCER When the week begins, you'll do well to look back on any self-reflection you've had in the last few months about the boundaries in your relationships. You'll now be able to apply what you've been thinking about to everyday life while also putting your nose to the grindstone to get ahead on joint projects with your romantic partner or a business colleague. Later, you feel like you can take on just about any uphill battle, especially when working alongside someone you trust. Lucky Numbers: 5, 33, 53 LEO You'll be feeling especially generous and warm-hearted at the start of the week. Take advantage of it by going with the flow instead of making stringent plans, opening up your heart to loved ones, reveling in their company, and maybe even showering them in small, thoughtful, or even extravagant gifts. This vibrant, passionate moment was made for you. Lucky Numbers: 8, 17, 26 VIRGO At the week's start, your drive for physical and emotional connection is at an all-time high, and you're sure to want to share this with someone special. Whatever you've been daydreaming about, you can make a reality. Just speak your truth! Later, you might need to map out time when you can work on an artistic endeavor by yourself. That's because there's an increased possibility that you might have to deal with miscommunication and negativity while working with others now. Lucky Numbers: 1, 8, 30 LIBRA Relaxation, romance, and excitement come naturally early in the week. You can make the most of the moment by enjoying one-on-one time with your significant other or a potential partner, ideally doing something unusual like taking an impromptu weekend trip. Later, disagreements and misunderstandings with loved ones might give you quite the headache. Lucky Numbers: 6, 17, 27 SCORPIO The start of the week is an ideal time to work with your significant other or friends toward an ambitious goal. Whether you want to raise money for charity or throw a party, you've got this. Later, you might be inspired to propose a lofty project to higher-ups but run into a bit of confusion along the way. You have an opportunity to embrace your wildest, most imaginative ideas, but it could be tough to nail down specifics and a step-by-step game plan at the moment. Lucky Numbers: 20, 23, 45 SAGITTARIUS You'll be looking back on any money-related lessons you've learned over the past six months when the week begins. You might very well have your priorities more in check now than you did back then, so bear that in mind as you push ahead on your most ambitious hustles. Later, you might be compelled to plan a special get-together with loved ones or want to dive into an involved project related to your home. Lucky Numbers: 34, 39, 42 CAPRICORN You've likely been reflecting on your progress on personal goals, and at the start of the week you could feel a bit of pressure to get back to work. Make sure you don't push yourself to take on more than is reasonable. Your work ethic is always on point, which makes it even easier to turn your vision into reality. Lucky Numbers: 11, 31, 55 AQUARIUS You might be caught off guard by an intense craving for a deep physical and emotional connection with your significant other or a potential partner early in the week. Sharing your needs with your special someone can set the stage for sexy sparks to fly. Later, you could be driven to take on work you've never done before but that feels like a positive challenge for you mentally. Lucky Numbers: 36, 47, 54 PISCES Prioritizing one-on-one time with your special someone can be extra satisfying for you emotionally and physically when the week begins. Stay close to home if you can and revel in exchanging the details of your deepest desires. Later, getting a grip on the facts related to an important project might prove especially challenging. Lucky Numbers: 10, 15, 34

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JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 31

Washington Gas – Financial Assistance Options for You WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Washington Gas is committed to supporting our customers who are experiencing financial challenges and have trouble paying their gas bill. We are here to help. Our Washington Gas Cares program is designed to connect customers with several energy assistance programs and a variety of flexible payment plans. Our team is prepared to help you manage the challenges of paying your utility bill and we stand ready to connect you with an energy assistance option or a payment plan that fits your budget — simply visit www. washingtongascares.com. “Washington Gas is dedicated to the communities, families, neighbors and individuals we serve. It’s part of who we are and what the Washington Gas Cares initiative is all about ─ to lend a helping hand when customers can use it the most,” said Blue Jenkins. “Our team stands ready to support customers facing difficult decisions when paying their bills. We can identify the right energy assistance option and payment plan that fits a customer’s budget and schedule during a time of need. Customers can also contact us directly. Let us help you today.” The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can explore options and find a solution best suited for you.

GET HELP

• LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP): The federal government distributes funds to the District of Columbia which, in turn, provides grants to qualified applicants to help them pay their

energy bills. For assistance on LIHEAP, RES or a payment plan, call 844-WASHGAS and select option 2. Please note that wait times may be extended due to the higher call volume.

Fund (WAFF) to help families in need pay their heating bills.

• WASHINGTON AREA FUEL FUND (WAFF): Founded by Washington Gas and administered by The Salvation Army, WAFF has traditionally paid for all types of fuel to heat families’ homes during the winter season. Washington Gas pays the administrative fees of the fund so 100 percent of WAFF contributions go to those who need assistance. All WAFF assistance is available annually between January 1 and May 31. If you need assistance, visit WAFFHelp.org to receive details on the location and phone number for the office in your area.

• Deferred Payment arrangements are available for up to 12-months, or 24-months for customers receiving energy assistance with no down payment required. • Budget Plan spreads the cost of winter heating over the entire year. We calculate your average monthly payment based on historical natural gas usage, adjusted for normal weather and projected gas costs. • Payment Extension Plan are available for residential customers only and allows for the extension

• RESIDENTIAL ESSENTIAL SERVICE (RES): Eligible households may qualify for a discount on a portion of the natural gas they use each month during the heating season from Nov. 1 to Apr. 30. To be eligible for the RES discount, customers must: • Use natural gas as the main source for home heating; and • Be certified by the Department of Energy & Environment as eligible for LIHEAP.

Washington Gas is committed to supporting our customers who are experiencing financial challenges and have trouble paying their gas bill.

There are many payment options available to assist with managing your Washington Gas bill:

of the payment due date. • Automated-Payment Plan allows you to sign-up to pay your bill automatically every month on your payment due date.

WAYS TO PAY

• Online - Log in to our eService Center, eservice.washgas.com, to view or pay your current gas bill quickly and securely.

• Phone - To pay your bill with your personal checking account, credit card or debit card, call 844-WASHGAS (844-9274427). • 7-Eleven - Make quick and easy cash payments at any local 7-Eleven store by using the bar code located on the back of your Washington Gas bill.

WE’RE HERE TO

HELP YOU WASHINGTON GAS CARES

GIVE HELP

• Customers can provide aid to those struggling to pay their bill through an act of kindness. For example, our Gift of Warmth program allows customers to help pay a gas bill for their friend, neighbor or fellow customers. • Customers can also donate to the Washington Area Fuel Fund. More than 35 years ago, Washington Gas and The Salvation Army created the Washington Area Fuel

FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS There are several payment options available to help manage your Washington Gas bill.

RECEIVE PAYMENT ASSISTANCE If you’ve fallen behind, please let us help you. There are proven payment assistance programs available to help you manage your Washington Gas bill, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

ENERGY SAVINGS RESOURCES We offer rebates on high-efficiency natural gas equipment, helping to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills.

Learn more, visit www.washingtongascares.com

Customer Service: 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427) Natural Gas Leaks/Emergencies: 911 and then 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427)

32 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

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SPORTS Up Close and Personal with ‘The Coach,’ Butch McAdams Native Washingtonian Brings Excitement to Sports Talk Radio Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer “Oh, oh, oh, oh.. All the shorties in the club (let me see you just back it up . . . “ In case you didn’t know, these words serve as the opening by musical group V.I.C. for In and Out of Sports, a sports talk show on WOL radio, hosted by The Coach, Butch McAdams. But the Coach, who has hosted the show since 2010, did not begin his career in radio. He started out

as a teacher and coach at Maret High School. After making it big as a successful high school basketball coach at the private school in Northwest, he moved to the radio industry. “I have always liked radio and followed the careers of some of the greats in the business. So, when the opportunity came, I did not hesitate.” “It was rare because I had no experience with broadcasting or with radio," said McAdams, a native Washingtonian and graduate

5 Butch Adams (Courtesy photo)

of Mackin High School and the University of the District of Columbia. "WOL had changed to talk radio and they were looking for someone to do sports. (The late) Dallas Gratsky, who had a relationship with Ms.(Cathy) Hughes recommended me,” he said. Added Mike Jones, who was in the marketing department back at WOL, "When we initially met back in 2009, Coach and I talked about the show from a community standpoint," said Jones, who is

now the Foster Jones Group. "He's done a fantastic job in that regard, especially telling out story and serving the community. In and Out of Sports was originally aired on Friday evenings, but eventually moved to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. After establishing credibility on the local level, the show grew in stature and expanded to include national sports figures and guests. But McAdams said that despite the growth, the mission never changed. "It has always been our mission

Wizards on the Move

3 Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) is run over by a Celtics defender during a loss against the Boston Celtics 116 - 87 at Capital One Arena in Northwest on Sunday, Jan. 23. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer) 3 Bradley Beal (3) fights to get past the defender during the Wizards' loss to the Boston Celtics 116 - 87 at Capital One Arena on Sunday, Jan. 23 in Northwest. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

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to tell our story. No one can tell it like we can,” he said. Over time, McAdams began to expand his network of contacts and it resulted into the show attracting guests from around the country. "It started out as a local show but as time progressed, we were able to broaden our network. We began to get more and more guests nationally,” he said. In and Out of Sports has had thousands of guests that range from coaches on all levels, athletes, media professionals, politicians, community activists, business people and even medical professionals. On a recent show, McAdams featured a veteran sportswriter, David Elfin, who is advocating for a former NFL player, Larry Brown to be considered for the NFL Hall of Fame. He followed up with the nominee himself in the next segment. Brown, who played for the Washington Football team, had an interesting story about how he played and had a highly successful NFL career despite not being able to hear out of his right ear. But this is what makes In and Out of Sports unique. McAdams followed with a guest who was an audiologist who specialized in that area to explain the challenges of being deaf. "The knowledge and commitment of The Coach make for information and exposure to the world of athletics that you will only find on his radio shows and podcasts. His is the best and most informative sports show in the business,” said Cathy Hughes, CEO of Radio One. In an effort to expand the show and its audience, In and Out of Sports recently started a weekly podcast on Monday and Tuesday that features mostly legends and pioneers. "We try to mix it up as much as possible,” McAdams said. “So, the podcasts allow us highlight the contributions of some of the greats who have contributed to sports.” A stalwart in the District, McAdams remains in high demand as master of ceremonies for sports award banquet program. “We like to say that we are on the pulse of the DMV. You can't be that if you remain in the studio and not get out in the community,” he said. WI

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 33

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lic health, public safety and mayoral agency sectors, have been required to be immunized. Lila Anderson, a resident of Southwest Florida, learned of the mayor’s order due to traveling to the District for the rally. “Last night, I went to get something to eat at a restaurant with a friend here in the city,” she said. “When we approached the employee posted at the front for seating asked me for proof of vaccination. I told her I had none and she said we would have to leave. We turned around and walked out of the restaurant. I really couldn’t believe it.” Anderson said anyone who wants to get vaccinated should have the right to do so but governments do not have the right to force people to do so. “People are the better judges of what should go into their bodies,” Anderson said. “They know what they have to do to be healthy. They should answer to God for what they do, not the government.” District resident Shaka Sankofa, also opposed to the vaccine, takes a tougher line. “My brother passed away taking the vaccine,” Sankofa said. “After his death, I conducted deeper research into the

tive COVID-19 cases officials found during test-to-return activities earlier this month. “Students stress about not knowing if they’re going to encounter COVID and with the lack of transparency, we don’t know how much administrators are telling us,” said a Banneker Academic High School student and SFSL affiliate who requested anonymity. “They’re super secretive about the information that students and parents should [be able to] access. It’s stressful worrying about coming into close contact with the virus and bringing it home to family members. We have to choose between our health and education,” the student said. Over the last few weeks, students in school districts across the U.S. have walked out in opposition to leaders’ decision to continue in-person learning amid the Omicron variant. Last week, students in neighboring Montgomery County, Md. walked out in demand of virtual learning. Public school students in Chicago, Denver, New York City and Portland have taken a similar course of action. Tuesday’s protest reportedly took place at Banneker, Dunbar High School, School Without Walls, Duke

vaccine. I found there are questionable chemicals in the vaccine. I have also found vaccinated people tend to spread the so-called virus.” Sankofa has become affiliated with an organization, Brothers of the DMV, which advocates natural remedies to fight the coronavirus. In literature he distributes publicly, it says Vitamin C and D, as well as zinc, remain better suited to fight symptoms of the coronavirus than the vaccine. When asked about the numerous public health experts and physicians who attest to the potency of the coronavirus vaccine, he expressed exasperation. “They’re being paid to say what they say,” Sankofa said. “They are the puppets of the hierarchy that is pushing people to get vaccinated.” Brandon Smith, a resident of Northern Virginia who routinely frequents the District, believes people should

get vaccinated but remains opposed to mandates. “I don’t support the mandate that is here in the city,” he said. “The government shouldn’t tell me what I should or should not do. I think what the government should do is put principles in place that make sense to the majority of the people.” Chanelle Mattocks, a District mother with 10 children, has received publicity in the past for her advocacy against lead poisoning in the city’s public housing facilities. She said people should stand up against any type of vaccine mandate imposed by the District government. “You don’t need proof of vaccination to go to the grocery store so I cook for my children,” she said. “We don’t eat out.” When asked about her children’s schools, she notes most of her children attend charter institutions which tend to be more flexible regarding anti-coronavirus practices. Mattocks said one of her children, an 11th grader who attends a D.C. public school, has had no problems. “None of my children are vaccinated,” she said. “I know my rights and I am not afraid to assert my rights and the rights of my children.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

Ellington School of the Arts, Wilson High School and Columbia Heights Educational Campus [CHEC] in Northwest, along with McKinley Technology High School and Ron Brown Preparatory High School in Northeast. It followed an hours-long meeting between teachers and administrators at Anacostia High School in Southeast about safety concerns. Data compiled by DC Health shows that, as of Jan. 19, District schools have recorded more than 6,000 positive COVID cases this academic year, with public and public charter schools accounting for 90 percent. Wilson High School and Capital City Public Charter School in Northwest count among the schools with the highest number of cases. Overall, three-in-four cases involve students. Several weeks ago, DCPS announced its expanded surveillance testing program in which PK-3 and PK-4 students would be tested weekly with all DCPS students required to submit COVID-19 test results upon their return from break in February and April. Not long after, the D.C. Council passed legislation requiring 24-hour notice about COVID-19 cases in public schools, regular asymptomatic testing of at least 20 percent of the

student population and the dispatch of COVID-19 coordinators. However, the development of COVID-19 metrics that determine, across the board, when schools pivot to virtual instruction, continue to incite great debate. DCPS Chancellor Lewis Ferebee and D.C. Council Chairperson Phil Mendelson (D) have spoken against them, even as students, teachers and at least one council member continue to demand such a system. The issue of how to best help students has occupied the D.C. State Board of Education whose leadership includes three student representatives. Juliana Lopez, a student representative and a junior at CHEC said interactions with her peers more-often revealed that students desire consistent communication with and assurance that administrators will consider their feelings about going to school during the pandemic. “We want to see action and we want to receive an update about our concerns,” Juliana said. “Most of the time, we don’t see actions [in response] to our concerns or we don’t even receive an update. A meeting leads to another meeting but we want to see some follow up.” WI @SamPKCollins

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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Only When It is Dark Enough Can You See the Stars

No matter who you are, there will be some dark days in your life. Our Heavenly Father set things up that way. The problem is, too many misunderstand the darkness. They assume it will never leave. Not true — nothing is permanent. Everything changes. During the darkest night, you will see the stars, but in a few hours, daylight will show up again. Stars in this column represent hope — hope for the college education you want for yourself or your children, hope to sustain your marriage, hope for a new and better job after getting let go through no fault of your own. Stop crying, and look up to the stars — they are always there. Even when there are clouds, those stars continue to shine! When you're flying, and the airplane reaches its highest altitude, if it's nighttime, you will definitely see the stars, even if there is a tremendously bad storm going on below. Each star represents hope for your future. Know that the Lord God created you for a purpose. He sent you to this earth to get a specific job done. Stop shedding tears and look inward to hear God's voice. Allow Him to order your steps. Some of the most successful entrepreneurs, authors, inventors and others have come along during a time when all hope was lost, and there was darkness all around them. Get a new reality, and just know that this change will not happen overnight. It will take months, maybe even years, but simply believe and allow the Heavenly Father to order

your steps as you make progress all along the way. Begin to create those dreams you have been holding onto. Les Brown once said it this way: "The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, determined to carry out their dream." About 20 or so years ago, I was attending weekend classes at Trinity University in Washington, D.C. I can remember so vividly the pain I felt about my life, a failed marriage, a husband who chose not to pay child support, changed his name at work, changed his birthday to my birthday, and got a new Social Security

Having a college education has truly made a difference. We should keep learning, as long as we are able to do so.

number — all to avoid paying child support for three lovely children we had together during the 17 years of an abusive marriage of choking and physical abuse. I forgave him years ago, because he had PTSD from being a U.S. Marine, and earned a Purple Heart for his fighting in Vietnam. Though I was an honor student in high school and for many years, I felt I could make it without a college education, since I had gotten A's in English and was an excellent writer with great command of the English language. Let me assure you how wrong I was. Having a college education has truly made a difference. We should keep learning, as long as we are able to do so. Those were extremely dark days. During this time, though, I finished my education at Trinity University, earning my B.A. degree in communications and my master's degree a few years later — two very exciting days for a graduation. This determination gave me the opportunity to experience taking the telescope of life to get a good look at God's beautiful stars, out there for all of us to see and enjoy! Keep pushing through life's storms until you can see the stars. Each star can represent an obstacle you had to overcome. Count them all joy! WI

(301) 864-6070

www.jmlaw.net

(301) 864-6070

jmccollum@jmlaw.net

Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness / Senior Pastor Rev. Ali Gail Holness-Roland / Assistant & Youth Pastor 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

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JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 35

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724

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

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 of Life Church

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

Church of Living Waters

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., / Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 / Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00 AM Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30 AM 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00 AM Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30 PM Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00 AM “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

Third Street Church of God

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

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior 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)

5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM

1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 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 E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org 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

Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher 421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School: 10:15 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM Children’s Church: 11:15 AM Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com

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

Twelfth Street Christian Church Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org / E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

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”

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

St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Services and Times Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM

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

headline and photo for Mount Olivet LIF - MALCOLMXLutheran Church DAY

901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

36 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703

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

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

themcbc.org

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital”

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor

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

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM

Crusader Baptist Church

Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

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

All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 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 Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Israel Baptist Church

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Baptismal Service: 1st Sunday – 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday – 11:00 AM Prayer Meeting & Bible Study: Wednesday -7:30 PM “Where Jesus is the King”

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

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Richard B. Black Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288

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

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

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

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

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"

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

New Commandment Baptist Church

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

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

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

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

Rehoboth Baptist Church

Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074

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

Service and Times Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"

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

Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

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

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

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

Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958

Shiloh Baptist Church

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Dr. Joseph D. Turner / Senior Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 8:00 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM New Member’s Class: 9:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00 AM Church School: 9:45 AM Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00 PM Saturday Bible Study: 11:00 AM Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00 AM “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

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 “

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

Christ Embassy DC

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Friday Evening Service: 7:00 PM ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com

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

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

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

9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4288

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

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

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

Service and Times First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 AM Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 AM and 10:55 AM Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 AM Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 PM

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

Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist

Service and Times Sunday Worship 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

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor

Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

Rev. Dr. Jerryl V. Moody Pastor-Elect

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

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

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Service and Times Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

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

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 37

LEGAL NOTICES

In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: " Eddie J Green Jr© ", I am that I am: " Eddie J Collier- Green Jr© ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “EDDIE J GREEN JR ", corp.sole Dba.: “EDDIE J COLLIER-GREEN JR ", corp.sole Dba.: " EDDIE J GREEN JR© ", " EDDIE J COLLIER-GREEN JR© ", having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Estados al-Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: " Eddie J Green Jr© ", " Eddie J Collier-Green Jr© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " bosco da indigo© ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: STATE OF OHIO : STATE FILE NUMBER: 1989133604, " EDDIE J GREEN JR© ", " EDDIE J COLLIER-GREEN JR© ", is as a special deposit order conveyed to "Eddie J Green Jr Trust© ","Eddie J Collier-Green Jr Trust© ". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " bosco da indigo©, nom deguerre: " Eddie J Green Jr© "," Eddie J Collier-Green Jr© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : "Eddie J Green Jr Trust© ","Eddie J Collier-Green Jr Trust© ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.!

In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: " Jessica Maria Lewis© ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: " LEWIS, JESSICA MARIA© ", corp.sole Dba.: " JESSICA MARIA LEWIS© ", having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: " Jessica Maria Lewis© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " ablaa fawziya bayyacht© ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: State File Number 0109260-1982, " JESSICA MARIA LEWIS© ", is as a special deposit order conveyed to " Ancestral Freedom Lineage Trust© ". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " ablaa fawziya bayyacht© ", nom deguerre: " Jessica Maria Lewis© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : " Ancestral Freedom Lineage Trust© ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

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

LEGAL NOTICES

2021 ADM 000934

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 ADM 1030

Maggie Miller Decedent

Clarence Johnson aka Clarence Henry Johnson Decedent

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

Colline Silvera Robinson Kirlew & Associate PC 7731 Belle Point Dr. Greenbelt MD 20770 Attorney

Emmille Woodfork, whose address is 1346 4th Street, SE, #328, Washington, DC 20003, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Maggie Miller who died on 2/15/2021 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 July 13, 2022. 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 July 13, 2022, 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: January 13, 2022 Emmille Woodfork Personal Representative

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Clarence Henry Butler Jr., whose address is 1424 T Street SE, Washington DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Clarence Johnson aka Clarence Henry Johnson who died on January 5, 2021 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 7/13/2022. 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 7/13/2022, 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: 1/13/2022 Clarence Henry Butler Jr. 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

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIVIL DIVISION

2021 ADM 001645

2021 ADM 001648

2021 ADM 001662

Marjorie B. Neal aka Marjorie Bailey Neal Decedent

Sybil Hebert Decedent

Deborah Ciardo aka Deborah Longhi Ciardo Decedent

Law Office of Robert P. Newman Robert P. Newman, Esq. 801 Wayne Avenue, Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

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

Lauren A. Jenkins, Esq. Offit Kurman, PA 7501 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1000W Bethesda, Maryland 20814 Attorney

Jeffrey Neal, whose address is 8333 Grubb Rd., Apt. 103, Silver Spring, MD 20910, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marjorie B. Neal aka Marjorie Bailey Neal who died on 10/26/21 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 7/13/2022. 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 7/13/2022, 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: 1/13/2022 Jeffrey Neal Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Aris Hebert, whose address is 3456 21st Street SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sybil Hebert who died on 7/26/2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 7/13/2022. 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 7/13/2022, 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: 1/13/2022 Aris Hebert Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

38 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2019 ADM 001011 Estate of Parker Jones Sr. aka Parker D. Jones Sr. aka Parker Dunford Jones, Sr. NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Barbara Jones-Jenkins 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: January 13, 2022 Barbara Jones Jenkins/Julius P. Terrell 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

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

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alessia Blythe Ciardo, whose address is Via Pulica 5, 50031 Barberino di Mugello FL, Italy, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Deborah Ciardo aka Deborah Longhi Ciardo who died on 9/19/2021 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 7/13/2022. 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 7/13/2022, 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.

IN RE: DEBORAH WARD : AND DAVID WARD, : Plaintiffs. : Case No. 2021 CA 003690 R(RP) : : : : Judge Heidi M. Pasichow AMENDED1 ORDER OF PUBLICATION In accordance with D.C. Code §§ 19-301, 19-306, 16-3301, and 13-341, the object of this proceeding is to convey by deed the following real property situated in the District of Columbia: Square 3736, Lot 0109, also known as the property located at street address 685 Oglethorpe Street, Northeast, Washington, D.C. 20011; and assessed for taxation to Plaintiff Deborah Ward. The Complaint states, among other things, that Plaintiffs Deborah Ward and David Ward are the only surviving children and heirs of David W. Ward, and the subject property descended to Plaintiffs in fee simple pursuant to D.C. Code §§ 19-301 and 19-306. Pursuant to D.C. Code § 13-341, it is this 30th day of December 2021,

Date of first publication: 1/13/2022

ORDERED that notice be given by the insertion of a copy of this Order in the Daily Washington Law Reporter and The Washington Informer, both having a general circulation in the District of Columbia, once a week for three (3) successive weeks, notifying all persons interested in the real property described above to virtually appear in this Court on February 18, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. To log in to the virtual courtroom, please follow this link https://dccourts.webex.com/meet/ctb516 or dial the toll-free number 1(844) 992-4726 or (202) 860-2110 2, enter Meeting ID 129 776 4396#, press # again to enter the Courtroom.

Alessia Blythe Ciardo Personal Representative

Heidi M. Pasichow Associate Judge

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

1 This Order was originally issued on December 27, 2021 and stated that the Initial Scheduling Conference was set for January 28, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. Based upon the Court’s grant of Plaintiff’s Motion for a Continuance, the Initial Scheduling Conference has been postponed until February 18, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. in virtual courtroom 516.

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

In God We Trust. Declaration ov Nationality. Notice ov White Flag Surrender. Notice ov Special Appearance: i am that i am: " Virgil Morgan Butts, Virgil-Morgan Butts © ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the living beneficiary and heir ov: “VIRGIL MORGAN BUTTS, VIRGIL-MORGAN BUTTS, & BUTTS, VIRGIL MORGAN, et al," corporate sole D.b.a.: " VIRGIL M BUTTS, VIRGIL BUTTS, V MORGAN BUTTS, & V M BUTTS © ", having reached the age ov majority, be aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores ov Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, be duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree [sub]scribes, a moorish American; not a Citizen of The U.S. nor The United States; i declare & proclaim permanent and unalienable, allegiance to the Moorish Empire, Estados al-Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, the Constitution for the united States ov North America, 1789 / 1791, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions ov 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples], and all natural laws governing moors, i do hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith, a moorish American. i am that i am: "Virgil Morgan Butts, Virgil-Morgan Butts, & Virgil M Butts © ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall know to be: " virgil-morgan butts bey © " in red ink, in capitis diminutio nolo. Know; fidelity to my lawful consort, crystal-felita bey, whom i wed in holy matrimony on Gregorian calendar day 31, accounting month May, year 2019, under authority ov the almighty divine creator Allah, upon this land, know to be al morocco, by way ov delaware republic. Notice ov White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister ov The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice ov: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice ov Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice ov Bailment Merging ov Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title and interest in the property, Re: COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: STATE FILE NUMBER: 101705-1969 " VIRGIL MORGAN BUTTS© ", is as a special deposit order conveyed to "el hammett butts divine Trust©". All property ov the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order ov the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " virgil-morgan butts bey©, in red ink, in capitis diminutio nolo Nom De guerre: " Virgil Morgan Butts, Virgil-Morgan Butts, & Virgil M Butts © ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit ov: "el hammett butts divine Trust © ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets ov any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is including but not limited to: discharge and set off ov any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, & judicial proceedings ov every other State. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES In God We Trust. Declaration ov Nationality. Notice ov White Flag Surrender. Notice ov Special Appearance: i am that i am: " Crystal Felita Laws, Krystal Felita Laws, Kristal F. Laws & Crystal-Felita © ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the living beneficiary and heir ov: “CRYSTAL FELITA LAWS, KRYSTAL FELITA LAWS, KRISTAL F. LAWS & CRYSTAL-FELITA, et al," corporate sole D.b.a.: " CRYSTAL F LAWS, KRISTAL F. LAWS, CRYSTAL LAWS, KRYSTAL LAWS, KRYSTAL F LAWS & CRYSTAL-FELITA© ", having reached the age ov majority, be aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores ov Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, be duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree [sub]scribes, a moorish American; not a Citizen of The U.S. nor The United States; i declare & proclaim permanent and unalienable, allegiance to the Moorish Empire, Estados al-Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, the Constitution for the united States ov North America, 1789 / 1791, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions ov 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples], and all natural laws governing moors, i do hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith, a moorish American. i am that i am: "Crystal Felita Laws, Krystal Felita Laws, Kristal F. Laws & Crystal-Felita© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall know to be: " crystal-felita bey © " in red ink, in capitis diminutio nolo. Know; fidelity to my lawful consort, virgil-morgan butts bey, whom i wed in holy matrimony on Gregorian calendar day 31, accounting month May, year 2019, under authority ov the almighty divine creator Allah, upon this land, know to be al morocco, by way ov delaware republic. Notice ov White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister ov The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice ov: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice ov Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice ov Bailment Merging ov Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title and interest in the property, Re: COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA: STATE FILE NUMBER: 18906-R, & 104201-1964 " CRYSTAL FELITA LAWS, &, KRYSTAL FELITA LAWS© ", is as a special deposit order conveyed to "el wesley laws divine Trust © ". All property ov the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order ov the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " crystal-felita bey©, in red ink, in capitis diminutio nolo Nom De guerre: " Crystal Felita Laws, Krystal Felita Laws, Kristal F. Laws & Crystal-Felita© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit ov: "el wesley laws divine Trust © ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets ov any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is including but not limited to: discharge and set off ov any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, & judicial proceedings ov every other State. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 ADM 001651 Robert Kweku Abam Yaasi Decedent Joey N. Ofori, Esq. 11215-B Lockwood Drive Silver Spring, MD 20901 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Francesca Yaasi and Joana Oteng Yaasi, whose addresses are 6846 Lost Thickett Dr., Houston, TX 77085 & 1511 Laurel Wood Way, Frederick, MD 21701, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Robert Kweku Abam Yaasi who died on September 9, 2021 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 7/20/2022. 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 7/20/2022, 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: 1/20/2022 Francesca Yaasi Joana Oteng Yaasi Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance : I am

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

juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and

2021 ADM 001416

Janice Marie Stewart Decedent

In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. that I am: " Tony Shawn Lewis© ", in full life, in propria persona, sui heir of: " LEWIS, TONY SHAWN© ", corp.sole Dba.: " TONY SHAWN

northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands,

the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish

American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent,

and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States

of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration

Colline Silvera 7731 Belle Point Dr. Greenbelt, MD 20781 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS

LEGAL NOTICES In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender.

Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am:" Christopher

of majority, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my

tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as an: American National, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare

permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to the united States of

America, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, and all natural laws governing We the People, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality

Brenda Carroll, whose address is 5016 Silver Hill Ct., Apt. 102, District Heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Janice Marie Stewart who died on March 9, 2020 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 July 20, 2022. 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 July 20, 2022, 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.

in good faith as a: " Ohioan ". I am that I am: " Christopher

of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be

Date of first publication: January 20, 2022

the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " aadil

Brenda Carroll Personal Representative

on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: " Tony Shawn Lewis© ", from

this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction,

shall be known as: " aadil aahga muhammad© ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally

Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public

Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: Health,

Pennsylvania Department Of; COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; State File Number: 048157-1979, " TONY SHAWN LEWIS© ", is as a special deposit order conveyed to " Nml

and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of aahga muhammad© ", nom deguerre: " Tony Shawn Lewis© ", as a

incorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled

my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: "

de combat ", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of yhwh's covenant: Law of the People, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of

Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This

order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all

deposit order conveyed to " Bender Family Trust© ". All property returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " christopher foster© ", nom deguerre: " Christopher Ladonta Foster© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to

special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : " Nml Family Trust© ", an Inter Vivos Un-

TRUE TEST COPY

an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank ,

LEGAL NOTICES In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am:" Deanne Sophia Lorne © ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: " LORNE, DEANNE SOPHIA © ", and “JERNIGAN, DEANNE SOPHIA “, corp.sole Dba.: " DEANNE SOPHIA LORNE © ", DEANNE SOPHIA JERNIGAN © ”, having reached the age of majority, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as an: American National, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to the united States of America, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, and all natural laws governing We the People, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: " Israelite ". I am that I am: " Deanne Sophia Lorne © ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " dana bit ashayah © ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as " hors de combat ", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of Ahayah’s covenant: Law of the People, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: N/A : N/a , " DEANNE SOPHIA LORNE © ", “DEANNE SOPHIA JERNIGAN © “, is as a special deposit order conveyed to "Deanne Lorne Trust © ". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact , as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " dana bit ashayah © ", nom deguerre: "DEANNE SOPHIA LORNE ©” and “DEANNE SOPHIA JERNIGAN © ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : " Deanne Lorne Trust © ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank , nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

/ donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This

deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off,

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

2022 NRT 000001

with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfac-

In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance: I am that I am: "Jadili Damu Johnson© ", in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: " JOHNSON, JADILI DAMU© ", corp.sole Dba.: " JADILI DAMU JOHNSON© ", having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: " Jadili Damu Johnson© ", from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: " jadili damu johnson el© ". Notice of White Flag Surrender: as "hors de combat", pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND ( HAGUE, IV ), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: California Department Of Health: 104-75-280185, " JADILI DAMU JOHNSON© ", is as a special deposit order conveyed to " Heal And Feel Trust© ". All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: " jadili damu johnson el© ", nom deguerre: " Jadili Damu Johnson© ", as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: " Heal And Feel Trust© ", an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente. Notice of Reference: 0112358-13

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 ADM 001699 Estate of Bertha J. Boone aka Bertha James Boone NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Dannie J. Boone 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 January 26, 2007 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise Date of first publication: 1/27/2022 Stephanie L. Royal, Esquire 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #440 Washington, DC 20015 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 ADM 001626 Roberta Boone Decedent Colline Silvera Robinson Kirlew & Associates 7731 Belle Point Dr. Greenbelt, MD 20770 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Kirksty Jacqueline Prescott, whose address is 2325 West Longview Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Roberta Boone who died on 9/9/2021 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before July 27, 2022. 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 July 27, 2022, 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: January 27, 2022 Kirksty Jacqueline Prescott Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Diane Della-Loggia Name of Deceased Settlor NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST Diane Della-Loggia whose address was 3525 Chesapeake St., NW, Washington, DC 20008 created a revocable trust on July 28, 2005, which remained in existence on the date of her death on September 23, 2020, and Nicholas A. Mueller, whose address is 21806 Princeton Street, Hayward, CA 94541, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to the following: Valerie Edwards at Antonoplos & Associates, 1725 DeSales St., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036 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 June 20, 2022 (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), September 23, 2021 (one year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2) June 20, 2022 (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: January 20, 2022 Nicholas A. Mueller Signature of Trustee TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022 39

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2021 ADM 001649 Gary Fitzpatrick Decedent Louvenia Williams, Esq. 9701 Apollo Drive, #301 Largo, MD 20774 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ronald A. Fitzpatrick, whose address is 81824 Contento, La Quinta CA 92253, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gary Fitzpatrick who died on October 16, 2021 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 7/27/2022. 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 7/27/2022, 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: 1/27/2022 Ronald A. Fitzpatrick 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 2020 ADM 000666 Rachel M. McCrea Decedent Kathlyn Scott, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Sean McCrea, whose address is 923 4th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rachel M. McCrea who died on March 27, 2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 7/27/2022. 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 7/27/2022, 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: 1/27/2022 Sean McCrea Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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MALVEAUX from Page 24 hospitalized for nervous exhaustion, which Tuft University professor of psychiatry Nassir Ghaemi suggests is evidence of manic-depressive tendencies. He explores King and other leaders in his book, "A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Link Between Leadership and Mental Illness" (Penguin Books, 2012). In 1967, some of his inner circle spoke to Dr. King about his depression and suggested he seek help. But with the FBI racist psychopath J. Edgar Hoover bugging his offices and bedrooms, King could not be sure of confidentiality, even from a trusted therapist. Further, there was such stigma about mental illness that vice presidential candidate Thomas Eagleton was dropped from the McGovern ticket when his bouts with depression were made public.

EDELMAN from Page 24 being considered for the Ben & Jerry's role, the company was holding a widely publicized contest inviting anyone interested in being their CEO to submit a 100-word application explaining why they wanted the job. Bob had already been identified as a candidate, but still provided a poem called "Time, Values, and Ice Cream" describing his own experience being kept out of segregated ice cream parlors as a child. As he said in a speech at Wake Forest University years later, "I am not looking for sympathy or a badge for the challenges of my childhood; I share it to provide some con-

CALDWELL from Page 24 In Florida, Val Demings' campaign will raise over $60 million and other races of color will raise between $10

2022 will be an exceptional year for Blacks and Africans on many different levels, and the opportunities will expand and grow exponentially.

Imagine the derision King might have encountered when, at the nadir of his popularity (with 72% of whites and 55% of Blacks disapproving of him), he sought help for mental health. Today, mental health professionals estimate that as many as 5 million Black men experience depression. Most do not seek help. We need to see Dr. King as brilliantly accomplished and marvelously human, with all the imperfections that come with humanity. To be maladjusted is to be discontent. Activists are, by nature, discontent. They want our nation to be better, to be the democracy it pretends to be. They want our country to be fairer, to provide opportunities for everyone, not just the wealthy. Dr. King's dear friend Rev. Joe Lowery said, "to achieve social change, you have to be maladjusted. All of the leaders of the movement were a little crazy, including Martin."

We must embrace Dr. King and his maladjusted madness in all of its complexity. We must examine the burden of leadership, the mental health challenges so many leaders face, and the ways we must prioritize self-care even as we struggle for social and economic justice. It is not the kumbaya King, but the brilliantly imperfect one, that ought to be our role model. WI

text to show, as my parents would say, 'what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.'" Bob served on many corporate and nonprofit boards, including serving at Spelman for 25 years, where he was a treasured colleague and friend. He had a lifelong dedication to education and providing opportunities for underserved children and young people. As a college student he volunteered at a children's hospital and a camp for at-risk children. He founded the Make-A-Difference Dropout Prevention Program in Detroit, and served on the Advisory Board to the NCAA, the Board of the Harlem Junior Tennis Program, the New York

City Board of Children's Aid Society, and as chair of the Northeast STEM Starter Academy in Mount Vernon, New York. In a 1997 commencement speech at his alma mater Union College, he told graduates: "If you decide to have a positive impact on one poverty-stricken child's life, one each year until you come back for your 35th reunion, you will have a meaningful impact on a body of people the size of New York City. … You can check my math, or you can get busy making a difference." Throughout his life, Bob Holland stayed busy making a difference. I am so grateful for his legacy and service. WI

million and $50 million. The opportunity for Black public relations companies, campaign jobs, and the Black media will be tremendous, with an opportunity to make millions of dollars. In entertainment, Black companies will be given more opportunities to grow their companies and make millions of dollars in 2022. Black professional sports figures, who are making millions of dollars already, will start investing their money with other Black sports and entertainment millionaires and build major corporations, which will operate nationally and internationally. As Blacks in America build major corporations, they will start to invest their money in Africa — the motherland. 2022 will be an exceptional year for Blacks and Africans on many different levels, and the opportunities will expand and grow exponentially.

Buying Black in 2022 will become a grassroots campaign for Blacks in America, and the fight for social, racial, and economic equity will bring Black organization and communities together. Young Black college students will take leaderships roles in political campaigns and will create change. 2022 will be a transformational year for Blacks and people of color, and we will create a new order with the national protection of voting rights, and labor reforms. Vice President Harris, as the first woman and the first woman of color in that office, will create new political power and empower workers to take collective action in the workplace. Finally, the Black family will come together, because we are only as great as the Black family is together. So now pick up the phone, resolve family issues, and remember to love … WI

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igating risk to patients, the objective reality will endorse our decision by raising hospitalizations and mortality. What makes this sledgehammer approach to drug pricing so indefensible is that we live in an age of extraordinary data analysis capabilities that make precision decision-making possible. Other industries use big data to accurately predict how people will vote and where they will shop, but the government is still pursuing prescription drug policies that do nothing to increase access for underserved communities. In actuality, these policies reduce investment meant to treat conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and HIV that disproportionately affect people of color. Take, for instance, the HIV community, which has for decades battled

CHAVIS from Page 25 affordable health care. There are also two racial equity enablers that are part of the initiative: Digital Access – providing access and adoption of affordable high-speed internet solutions for low-income and minority households; and Physical Infrastructure – providing access to affordable, reliable real-estate and civil infrastructure to support minority families and businesses. In each of the six states, there is a well-known community servant and leader who has been designated as the "Community Lead" of the Southern Communities Initiative. In Atlanta, the Rev. Dr. Bernice

ASKIA from Page 25 ing our votes and our loyalty insist it is, why don't Black leaders organize a massive all-hands-on-deck, get-outthe-vote campaign — as if their and our very lives depended on it — the way we turn out to vote for "American Idol," the way we vote for raunchy Tik Tok videos with our eyes? Voting is not technically illegal — yet. These Repugnikkkan legislators in 30 states who have introduced 400 laws to make it harder and harder for Black and low-income people to vote are trying to make it as hard as possible, but they have not yet said it is illegal. Just think about the thousands and thousands and thousands of folks who have given up everything they have at home, then walked thousands of miles for weeks on end from Central Amer-

with health disparities, particularly among people of color who are most likely to be infected by the virus. Black Americans currently account for more than 40% of HIV infections in the U.S. despite only making up 14% of the population. Latinos account for more than 23% of infections despite being 18% of the population. New analyses indicate that current federal policies in the Build Back Better Act will lead to a 21% decrease in investment in HIV research and development, which equates to up to 550 fewer clinical trials over the next six years. Fewer trials mean less scientific knowledge of the disease and fewer opportunities to find a cure. If the Build Back Better Act becomes law, innovations meant to save millions of lives may never reach the patients who need them because of government price negotiations' impact on medical investments. If the

goal is to assist all Americans, then Congress must invest in vulnerable communities and reject proposals that will exacerbate disparities and worsen outcomes. Instead of taking a broad, heavy-handed approach to reducing financial risk without regard to the impact on individual patients, the appropriate model is to make patient health the priority and use the best tools available to manage outcomes. At a time in which historic progress is being made in developing treatments for diseases from HIV to cancer to Alzheimer's, it makes little sense to focus narrowly on cutting drug costs. We should be doing the opposite and increasing our investment in health care. Sustainability is the word for the 21st century. We should not miss a generational opportunity to align advances in medical science with vastly improved population health. WI

King, CEO of The King Center, is the Lead. In Houston, the Lead is LaTanya Flix, senior vice president, DEI at Greater Houston Partnership. In Memphis, there is Sarah Lockridge-Steckel, CEO and co-founder of The Collective Blueprint, while the Lead in Charlotte, N.C., is Janet LaBar, president and CEO of Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. In Birmingham, the Lead is J.W. Carpenter, executive director of Prosper Birmingham, and in New Orleans, it is Judy Morse, president and CEO at Urban League of Louisiana. The philanthropy and corporate leadership of Robert F. Smith is appreciated by numerous recipients and Smith should be applauded for

helping make a difference and providing hope to millions of people in underserved communities. The issues of economic equity and racial justice are still critical for the future of the nation. Yet, the contributions of Smith and others appear to be gaining support because as of today more than 70 major corporate entities have now endorsed the Southern Communities Initiative. The truth is there can be no real racial justice without the reality of sustainable racial equity and economic advancement of communities of color. We therefore, without hesitation, salute Robert F. Smith. WI

ica, to get to the southern U.S. border, hoping for a chance to simply enter this country, with no voting rights promised to them. Can someone prevail upon the millions of Black non-voters already inside the country, who are also considered to be citizens, can someone convince them to be inconvenienced for a few hours on Election Day every two years, if it would mean freedom? Suppose that march to the polls was literally our march to "Freedomland." Would we simply shrug off freedom because slave masters made it inconvenient for us to get it? Would we condemn the video game makers and the sports industry and its television allies for keeping us home on the sofa and not motivated to vote the way we condemn the politicians? I believe that Black leaders are trick-

ing the people, because the fact of the matter is that voting, just maybe is not sufficient to deliver what we need! Maybe necessary, but not sufficient. But no one wants to say that publicly. As long as they can keep blaming the intransigent white bigots for our dilemma, then we can just remain in the same condition and be angry at them, but not ourselves, about it. That mindset is pure madness. Black leadership justifies its existence by constantly criticizing white politicians for not doing enough, but our leaders hardly demand that we do the heavy lifting that is needed to improve our own condition. Now that we have proof positive that the electoral system, as constructed, is not meant for us to prosper, can we admit that and then move on to Plan B or Plan C? WI

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Beginning Saturday, January 15, people 12 and older will need to show proof that they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to enter select indoor venues. By Tuesday, February 15, people 12 and older will need to show proof that they are fully vaccinated.

GOING OUT? MAKE SURE YOU TAKE: Mask Proof of vaccination (actual CDC card, photo/digital record of the card, or a COVID-19 vaccine verification app) ID (people 18 and older will need to present ID that matches their vaccine card)

Proof of vaccination will be required to enter and enjoy:

Food & Drink Establishments

Entertainment Venues & Nightclubs

Gyms & Fitness Facilities

Conference & Meeting Spaces

Find more information at VaxDC.dc.gov. Need a vaccine? Find a walk-up vaccination site at vaccinate.dc.gov.

44 JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2022

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