The Washington Informer - July 17, 2025

Split Votes, Anti-Council Sentiment Fuel White’s Special Election Victory

By Sam P.K. Collins, Will Armstead, Trevor Johnson and Ve Wright WI Staff Writer & WI Interns

With two-thirds of the votes counted, former D.C. Council member Trayon White has all but been officially declared the winner of the special election spurred by his expulsion from the legislative body earlier this year.

More than an hour after the polls closed on Tuesday night, several dozen people from White’s camp, and that of Sheila Bunn’s, spilled out of the building occupied by Players Lounge and Andy’s Lounge, and onto the sidewalk along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in Congress Heights. In what’s either a coincidence, or a show of unity, both candidates hosted their campaign watch party in the same venue, with Bunn’s function occupying Players Lounge on the first floor bar, and White’s event taking place on the top floor

ELECTION Page 48

In First Reading, D.C. Council Approves Slightly Different Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

Debate Continues around Revenue Generation, Initiatives 82 and 83,

Housing Preservation

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

With the Ward 8 seat still vacant, the D.C. Council inched closer to finalizing a Fiscal Year 2026 budget that restores more than $100 million in programming cuts proposed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D).

Some advocates, however, say this budget doesn’t go far

2026 BUDGET Page 48

5Washingtonians are working to preserve the Anacostia Community Museum, after announcements that it was zeroed out of federal funding because of the reduction in the budget of Smithsonian museums. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts)

Metrobus Riders Weigh In on WMATA’s ‘Better Bus Network’

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Crystal Overby knew that her son wanted to obtain a Boys Scouts merit badge in art, and he needed to go to a museum to fulfill one of the requirements for the achievement.

New Letters, New Routes: Some Riders Struggle With, Compliment System Revamp

By Sam P.K. Collins and Maven McGann WI Staff Writer and WI Intern

During the latter part of June, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (WMATA) rolled out a revamp of the

5The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) bus, formerly known as the A4, which rode along several main thoroughfares throughout Southeast, D.C., is now consolidated into the C11. The C bus line stands for crosstown. (WI File Photo/Shedrick Pelt)

5Former D.C. council member Trayon White thanks his supporters and issued a call for unity on the night of July 15 after results showed him commanding the lead in the Ward 8 D.C. Council special election. (Coutesy Photo)

5The D.C. Council is inching closer to finalizing the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that restores more than $100 million in programming cuts proposed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. The second reading and final vote is scheduled for July 28. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

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MAGA Base Turns on

STACY M. BROWN WI SENIOR WRITER

Trump Over Epstein Document Release

A long-simmering obsession with Jeffrey Epstein has erupted into open revolt within the Make America Great Again movement, as prominent conservative media figures and influencers turn their ire toward President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi over what many see as a profound betrayal.

For years, Trump promised to release troves of documents exposing Epstein’s network of powerful associates. During campaign rallies and in social media posts, he stoked speculation that Epstein’s death in 2019 was part of a vast conspiracy to protect elites. Earlier this year, Bondi made a spectacle at the White House, brandishing binders that she said contained explosive information about Epstein’s connections.

But last week, the Justice Department and FBI released a joint memo that directly contradicted those conspiracy theories, stating there was no evidence of a secret “client list” of prominent men involved in sex trafficking. The memo further concluded that Epstein died by suicide, not murder—undercutting Trump’s own claims and years of promises to supporters.

The Daily Mail reported that some of the most prominent pro-Trump voices are now accusing the administration of a cover-up.

According to The New York Times, infighting within the administration exploded into public view during a tense July 9 meeting where FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino were pressed about wheth-

EPSTEIN Page 5

Sticker Shock in America: From Rental Cars to Groceries, Prices Keep Climbing

5Prices across the United States are about 26% higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, making some necessities, like groceries, and luxuries, such as vacations, out of reach for many families across the nation. (WI File Photo)

Prices across the United States are about 26% higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing everything from a weekend hotel stay, to a simple cup of coffee out of reach for many families.

A budget hotel room in Nashville can now cost $500 for the weekend— without breakfast—and a single cup of coffee can cost $7. Rental cars are also commanding premium rates, with four days in a midsize

Toyota Camry easily topping $670. It’s so bad in America that a foreign news organization dug into the pricey details. The Times of London reported that inflation, which began accelerating in 2021, has left American consumers grappling with the most persistent cost increases in decades.

According to NerdWallet data cited in the report, the impact has been felt across every income bracket, fueling a growing sense that even basic experiences are becoming unaffordable.

Eating out has become markedly more expensive, with restaurant prices up 49.3% in the last 10 years. Fast food chains have been forced to raise prices due to wage increases, higher energy costs, and supply chain problems.

A dozen large Grade A eggs averaged $6.23 in March

PRICES Page 18

CBS Agrees to Pay Trump $16 million in Lawsuit

Paramount has agreed to a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump over claims that CBS News’ “60 Minutes” edited an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign.

The New York Times described the matter as “an extraordinary concession to a sitting president by a major media organization.”

Late last year, ABC News agreed to pay $15 million toward Trump’s presidential library to settle a defamation lawsuit over anchor George Stephanopoulos’ inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for raping writer E. Jean Carroll.

As part of that settlement, ABC News posted an editor’s note to its website expressing regret over Stephanopoulos’ statements during a March 10, 2024 segment on his “This Week” program. The network also agreed to pay $1 million in legal fees to the law firm of Trump’s attorney, Alejandro Brito.

Stephanopoulos wrongly claimed that Trump had

been “found liable for rape” and “defaming the victim of that rape.”

Neither verdict involved a finding of rape as defined under New York law.

In the first of the lawsuits to go to trial, Trump was found liable last year of sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. A jury ordered him to pay her $5 million.

Earlier, at a second trial in federal court in Manhattan, Trump was found liable on additional defamation claims and ordered to pay Carroll $83.3 million.

Meanwhile, Paramount said its payment includes the president’s legal fees and costs and that the money, minus the legal fees, will be paid to Trump’s future presidential library.

As part of the settlement, Paramount said that it had agreed to release written transcripts of future “60 Minutes” interviews with presidential candidates.

The company said that the settlement did not include an apology.

WI

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

AROUND THE REGION

Norton Moves to Strip Commission of Fine Arts’ Control Over D.C. Property

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

D.C. Democratic Del. Eleanor

Holmes Norton introduced legislation to curtail federal oversight of land-use decisions in the District of Columbia, continuing her push to expand local authority over the city’s development.

The measure, called the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act, would remove the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts’ (CFA) jurisdiction over the design and review of non-federal property in the District. This includes D.C.owned sites and specific private properties that currently require federal approval before construction or alterations can be made.

The Commission of Fine Arts was established by Congress in 1910 as a permanent body to advise the federal government on public monuments, national symbols, and the architectural character of the capital. Its creation was influenced by the City Beautiful movement and the Progressive Era’s belief that grand civic spaces could improve American life and counter the adverse effects of industrialization.

Over time, the Commission’s authority has expanded through executive orders and federal statutes. Under presidential directives, the CFA reviews plans for D.C.-owned parks and public buildings. The Shipstead-Luce Act of 1930 grants the

EPSTEIN from Page 4

er the Bureau had been blocked by the Justice Department from releasing more information.

After the confrontation, Bongino skipped work July 11 and told associates he was considering resigning, Politico reported.

Trump, asked whether Bongino remained in his post, responded, “I think so,” but added that “he’s in good shape” after speaking with him. Patel, who has previously fueled Epstein conspiracies, posted on social media Saturday, July 12, acknowledging, “The conspiracy theories just aren’t true, never have been.”

Bondi, whose repeated promises

Commission approval power over private buildings situated near areas such as the National Mall, Rock Creek Park, and the Potomac waterfront. The Old Georgetown Act of 1950 also requires CFA review for private projects in Georgetown’s historic district.

Norton said the federal government’s involvement in these processes is no longer justified, as it imposes delays and adds costs to both public and private development. She also criticized the fact that the President appoints CFA members, and they are not accountable to D.C. residents.

“Land-use policies are among the most important priorities for state and local jurisdictions,” Norton said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Whether it is the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the D.C. Zoning Commission, or the National Capital Planning Commission, federal authorities should play no role in D.C.’s local decisions about how to use its own land. Not only is this interference a violation of home rule, it delays and increases costs for public and private development in the District.”

Many people supported Norton’s legislation, with her statement garnering applause emojis in comments and retweets. However, others worry that this bill will be ignored or neglected.

“[The bill] will be added to the pile [and] collect dust,” social media

of disclosures became rallying cries for the movement, is now facing fierce backlash. At the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa, Fox News host Laura Ingraham polled the crowd on whether they were satisfied with the investigation’s outcome. She was met with overwhelming boos.

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly said at the summit, “You either believe that Pam Bondi was telling the truth then, or that she’s telling the truth now, but both cannot be true.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, threatened Bondi’s job, declaring, “Pam, if you can’t do your job, we’ll find someone who will.” WI

user Madison Crum wrote.

The legislation is the third landuse home-rule bill Norton has put forward this Congress. She has also introduced measures to allow D.C. to appoint all members of the D.C. Zoning Commission and to remove the National Capital Planning Commission’s authority over District-owned real property.

“The federal government, including the CFA, whose members are appointed by the president, should not have any authority over D.C. land-use policies and decisions unrelated to the federal presence,” Norton said. “This bill is an important step to increase home rule for D.C. I urge my colleagues to support it.”

WI

5 Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton’s newly introduced bill, the Commission of Fine Arts District of Columbia Home Rule Act, works to remove the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts’ jurisdiction over the design and review of non-federal property in D.C. (WI File

Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

AROUND THE REGION

JULY 17

1862 – Congress passes the Militia Act of 1862, which allowed African Americans to participate as war laborers and soldiers.

1935 – Famed actress Diahann Carroll is born in New York City.

1959 – Legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday dies in New York City at 44.

1967 – Jazz icon John Coltrane dies of liver cancer in Long Island, New York, at 40.

JULY 18

1753 – Lemuel Haynes, an influential African American religious leader and first Black minister to serve for a White congregation, is born in West Hartford, Connecticut.

1918 – Nelson Mandela, former South African president of South Africa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and civil rights icon, is born in Mvezo, South Africa.

JULY 19

1849 – Joseph Lee, who invented machinery for processing food and became very prominent in the food-service industry, is born in Boston.

JULY 20

1967 – The first Black Power Conference is held in Newark, New Jersey.

JULY 21

1864 – The first issue of the New Orleans Tribune — America’s first daily Black newspaper — is published.

1896 – The National Association of Colored Women, which later became the National Asso-

JULY 17 - 23, 2025

ciation of Colored Women’s Clubs, is established in Washington, D.C.

JULY 22

1939 – Jane Bolin becomes the first Black woman to serve as a judge in the United States when she is sworn in as a judge of New York’s Domestic Relations Court.

1946 – Actor Danny Glover, best known for his roles in the “Lethal Weapon” series and “The Color Purple,” is born in San Francisco.

JULY 23

1891 – Louis Tompkins Wright, famed surgeon and civil rights activist, is born in LaGrange, Georgia.

1962 – Baseball great Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the major leagues, is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

1984 – Vanessa Williams is forced to give up her Miss America title amid a nude-photograph scandal. She is replaced by Suzette Charles.

DIAHANN CARROLL (LEFT)

DANNY GLOVER (CENTER)

JACKIE ROBINSON (ABOVE RIGHT)

BILLIE HOLIDAY (RIGHT)

P INT

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

What do you think about the presumptive outcome of the Ward 8 special election?

THOMAS BYRD / WASHINGTON, D.C.

“[Trayon White] was able to garner a majority of the votes but I am disappointed that out of the 50,000 plus registered voters, less than 7,000 came out to vote. I feel that Trayon should have taken a break from public service and returned to politics down the road.”

ELDER WANDA JACKSON OF FAITH TABERNACLE OF PRAYER IN WARD 8 / WASHINGTON, D.C.

“The candidates have a heart for the residents of Ward 8 and we need to wait on the outcome of this election.”

ANTHONY MOTLEY / WASHINGTON, D.C. ”It’s a fool’s paradise and we have to do better with our critical thinking skills in selecting candidates and navigating community issues.”

REV. GEORGE GILBERT SR. / WASHINGTON, D.C.

“The people in Ward 8 deserve a representative of their choice. Ward 8 chose Marion Barry even though the status was against him. Even in churches people pick their own leader.”

STUART ANDERSON / WASHINGTON, D.C., SECOND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE WARD 8 DEMOCRATS AND CAMPAIGN MANAGER FOR SHEILA BUNN

“We will respect the will of the people whether it is Sheila Bunn or Trayon White, but right now it is too close to call. We want to wait until every vote is counted.”

CARL THOMAS / WASHINGTON, D.C.

“Congratulations to Tray, who continues to prove his connection to the community is second to none. “

Our staff is made up of writers, just like you. We are dedicated to making publishing dreams come true. Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made countless authors’ dreams come true.

AROUND THE REGION

Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of D.C. as Bowser Retreats on Sanctuary Policies

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

President Donald Trump has launched an aggressive escalation in his second term, threatening to wrest control of the nation’s capital from its elected leaders in what would be the most dramatic rollback of home rule in half a century.

Speaking during a cabinet meeting Tuesday, Trump floated the possibility of having the White House directly “run D.C.” to tackle crime and oversee city functions.

“We could run D.C. I mean, we’re looking at D.C.,” Trump declared, adding, “We want a capital that’s run flawlessly.”

The Republican president said his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, is in touch with Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat who has increasingly worked to negotiate with the administration.

While Trump was touting federal authority over the city, Bowser was moving to repeal D.C.’s “sanctuary city” law, the Sanctuary Values Amendment Act. The law, approved unanimously by the D.C. Council in 2019, limits how city agencies can cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, requiring a warrant or judicial order for detainer requests and forbidding ICE agents from questioning detainees in local custody. The policy was intended to reassure immigrants that they could report crimes

and seek help without fear of deportation.

Bowser has argued the law should be stripped from the city’s statutes and possibly replaced by more narrowly tailored executive orders.

“It is a misnomer for the city,” she said in May, describing the sanctuary designation as outdated.

However, critics argue that Bowser’s retreat — including her quiet removal of city websites that touted immigrant protections and her decision to dismantle Black Lives Matter Plaza — is part of a larger effort to appease Republicans and avert deeper interference from the Trump administration and its allies in Congress.

Even as Bowser tried to navigate MAGA’s oppression, Trump signaled that her overtures may not be enough to prevent federal intervention. He cited the city’s crime rate and homelessness as justification for possibly seizing control.

“We’ve had a good relationship with the mayor, and we’re testing it to see if it works,” Trump said.

Trump’s remarks came alongside his criticism of New York City, where he labeled Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a “communist” and suggested the White House could exert power there if necessary.

“If a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same, but we have tremendous power at the White House to run

places when we have to,” Trump said.

In Washington, Trump has also intertwined his political ambitions with the fate of the NFL’s Washington Commanders. The team and Bowser have announced a deal to build a new stadium on the site of RFK Stadium, but the Council has delayed approving key legislation. Trump indicated he might personally intervene to secure the deal.

“It’s a very important piece of property,” he said. “So, we’ll see. But if I can help them out, I will. You know, ultimately, we control that; the federal government ultimately controls it.”

D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has already removed most of the stadium legislation from the budget vote and said it likely won’t be revisited until September, prompting concern from Bowser that delays could invite more federal meddling.

“Delaying only introduces risk, and those risks can come in all forms,” the mayor said. “There could be political, economic, there could be some upending of the economy that none of us can foresee, and that’s what risk introduces.”

Meanwhile, House Oversight Chairman James Comer has also signaled interest in intervening.

“James Comer is very interested in the development of RFK, and I’ll leave it at that,” Bowser said. WI

5As President Donald Trump threatens to have the White House directly run the nation’s capital, Mayor Muriel Bowser is working to negotiate with the president in hopes to maintain D.C.’s home rule and deals such as the development of RFK Stadium in expectation of the Commanders’ return to the District. (WI File Photo)

Mayor Bowser Proclaims July 11 as DC Defenders Day

UFL Championship Celebration

Brought Home to the District at the Wharf

By Skylar Nelson WI Contributing Writer

The DC Defenders brought home their first-ever United Football League (UFL) championship title in June, but recently D.C. Mayor Murial Bowser honored the local team with an official proclamation.

“We are so excited to celebrate the Defenders. You’ve given us more reason to say we are the District of champions,” said Bowser. “Today, as Mayor of Washington, D.C., I do hereby proclaim July 11 as DC Defenders Day in Washington, D.C.”

Keeping momentum going, the Defenders took the celebration from the Mayor’s Office on July 11 to the District Wharf on July 12, where the minor league team celebrated delivering a record-setting performance in the title game against the Michigan Panthers, walking away with a 58-34 victory.

Further, the Defenders became the first team in UFL history to score 50 points in a championship matchup.

The championship celebration held Saturday afternoon featured a meet-and-greet, photo opportunities

with select players, a live DJ, and chance for fans to see the UFL trophy up close.

The event drew crowds eager to be a part of a moment that was decades in the making.

“It’s a big win for us because we haven’t had a football championship in a while,” said Defenders fan Willis Rodriguez. “So it’s a great thing for the city.”

The Defenders’ championship victory is the first football title for the District since the Washington Football Team Super Bowl win in 1992, ending a 32-year dry period. For many the Defenders’ triumph signals a renewed energy in the football culture that runs deep in Washington.

With their historic win, explosive offense, and growing fanbase, the DC Defenders have established themselves as a team to watch next UFL season.

“D.C., thank you for everything,” said defensive end Malik Fisher.

“Every season, every game, every roadtrip anybody made, anytime you watched on TV, we appreciate y’all.”

WI

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5Members of the DC Defenders posing for a team photo at the Championship party at the Wharf in Southwest, D.C. on July 12. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

AROUND THE REGION

Savannah State University’s Dr. Kisha Cunningham Aites, associate dean of the College of Education, has been named the Dr. Thelma Thomas Daley Distinguished Professor Endowed Chair for 2025 - 2027 by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The prestigious $200,000 national award was presented by Delta Sigma Theta, during the sorority’s convention in Washington, D.C. on July 10. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Sheila Bunn reading the latest news in The Washington Informer. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

decades-old bus system with the goal of improving frequency and reliability.

However, less than a week into what’s known as Better Bus Network Redesign Project, several bus riders, including one who once used the bus to pursue their K-12 education, said the changes are more than they can bear.

“The first bus I took was the wrong one. I’m now 30 minutes late,” Southeast, D.C. resident Adariah George said on the morning of July 3 while on her way to her job at a local summer camp.

5A Metrobus celebrating Earth Day in April 2024. As of late June, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has rolled out Better Bus Network Redesign Project, a revamp of the decades-old bus system. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson) BUS from Page 1

George, a 18 year-old newly minted alumna of KIPP Legacy College Preparatory Public Charter School in Southeast, said she has used the Metrobus throughout much of her educational career. In recent years, the A bus line, which touched Anacostia Metro Station, Livingston Road, Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE and Southern Avenue SE, counted as her go-to routes of choice.

Those routes, now consolidated into C11, run similarly to what was formerly known as the A4, A8, P6 and the 35. However, George said the fewer stops and somewhat of a new route threw her into a state of frenzy.

“They’re taking buses away from where I’m close to, so now I have to go further for a bus stop,” George said about the new route, noting she knows of other youth in the D.C. metropolitan area who have had similar experiences. “You have to leave out earlier because it’s going all around everywhere except straight to a certain destination, so it just takes longer to get everywhere. It’s less accessible from certain areas.”

AS CHANGES GET UNDERWAY, WMATA OFFICIALS ENGAGE RIDERS

On June 29, WMATA launched the Better Bus Network, its first systemwide overhaul of the Metrobus system in half a century.

The redesign changed the name of every route, removed more than 500 stops, and restructured schedules. The first letter of each route is now dictated by its direction (C for crosstown and D for downtown) or destination (A for Virginia’s Alexandria City and Arlington County; F for Fairfax County, Virginia; M for Montgomery County, Maryland; and P for Prince George’s County, Maryland).

The names of limited and express

AROUND THE REGION

routes end with X.

Additionally, buses on 11 new routes are scheduled to run every 12 to 20 minutes throughout the day, offering more frequent service for high-traffic stations. The new bus system also aims to better connect riders to L’Enfant Plaza in Southwest, and Maryland’s Downtown Silver Spring and National Harbor.

WMATA officials say the Better Bus Network, intended to increase bus frequency and service as well as produce clearer routes, follows years of community engagement, rider surveys, and transit data. Days into the bus system revamp, they reported what they described as minor issues, including missing signs at bus stops.

Earlier this month, WMATA officials availed themselves to residents and tourists using the regional transit system.

Randy Clarke, WMATA general manager and CEO, acknowledged that the transition has been harder for some than others. He expressed plans to engage residents in August as students and families prepare for the new school year.

“You generally hear more from people that are not as happy as people that are happy, but we are monitoring that very closely,” Clarke told The Informer. “Most people that take the bus are residents of our region, and once they learn the new trick, they’re good to go.”

A VARIETY OF VIEWPOINTS ABOUT THE BETTER BUS NETWORK

While, to some WMATA officials, the short -term discomfort pales in

comparison to the overall goal of the Better Bus Network, bus riders throughout the D.C. metropolitan area are struggling to navigate their communities.

For instance, a D.C. government employee who requested anonymity said they felt out of place on the new bus system.

“It feels like we’re part of some big experiment that nobody explained to us,” the D.C. government employee said.

Joshua Boone, a native Washingtonian who’s taken the Metrobus more than half of his life, experienced a similar change for what was formerly known as the A4.

“I prefer the old one because I had just moved to Southwest and was finally getting that bus route down,” said Boone, an IT specialist. “Now I gotta just do a little more adjusting.”

For Boone, young people would count among those most affected by the Better Bus Network.

“Some don’t have cars, most don’t have credit cards for Ubers,” he said. “They’re the ones who have to figure it out the hard way.”

Much to Boone’s amazement, the newly named bus line still drops him off in front of his apartment building. Until he gets his slightly adjusted route down pat however, he continues to lean on WMATA’s online trip tools as a guide.

It’ll let you know how many minutes until it comes,” Boone said. “I think it has been pretty accurate the last few times I’ve used it”

Elleanore Hancock, a Southeast resident who rides the bus daily, said she doesn’t understand why WMATA changed the entire bus system WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Prince George’s Political Updates

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

RETURNING CITIZEN ALONZO TURNER-BEY NOW HEADS PRINCE GEORGE’S REENTRY EFFORTS

Alonzo Turner-Bey, who served time in juvenile incarceration and more than 30 years in prison, was brought to tears when he was appointed to lead the Returning Citizens Affair Division (RCAD) for Prince George’s County.

After spending years helping individuals return from prison and transition into housing and employment, Turney-Bey plans to continue that mission of service throughout the county.

“The mission is to make sure that we provide as much services and needs for the people of Prince George’s County from the disadvantaged population— help them get food stamps, get Medicaid so they can go to a doctor. If they need a GED, to help them go to school. Help them find job training, and help them find jobs that can give them a meaningful opportunity at living a respectful and productive life,” Turney-Bey told The Informer. “We want to make sure we don’t leave any stone unturned.”

Turner-Bey is ecstatic to work in this role alongside County Executive Aisha Braveboy, who he has called a transformational leader for her work in giving second chances to the formerly incarcerated.

“I began doing my work in reentry before my release. I would help

men on the inside look for treatment programs, transitional housing, and jobs,” he said. “I want the people of Prince George’s County to know: if you’re coming home, we’re here to help you become a better version of yourself.”

He credited his time working as a Peer Recovery Specialist at the Bridge Center at Adam’s House in developing his abilities for this job, and credits numerous mentors, including Walter Lomax, Curtis Monroe-Bey, LaTasha Ward, and his father, for the many lessons and inspiration they have offered him over the years.

“The reentry advisory board, we talked about making a direct office to the county executive. The effort was led by returning citizens and one of the first leaders was a returning citizen. Now we have Alonzo leading that effort,” said Ward, also noting that Turner-Bey helped to pen legislation for others incarcerated as children with more opportunities for release.

She said Turner-Bey’s journey underscores one of Prince George’s many priorities.

“This county does believe in second chances,” she said.

WI

GOVERNOR OFFERS BUYOUT FOR STATE WORKERS

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) is employing several measures to balance the state’s budget amid reduced federal spending and mass layoffs of federal workers by the Trump administration.

A state hiring freeze was already announced and some vacant state

positions will also be eliminated. Now, as part of his plans to cut $121 million from the state budget, thousands of state workers have been offered a buyout of $20,000, plus an additional $300 for each year of service for fulltime workers who have worked at least two years in the executive branch.

Moore cited “a federal administration that continues to harm Maryland’s people and the economy” and the worst financial situation for Maryland since the Great Depression as reasons for the buyout option, also known as a voluntary separation program (VSP).

“In order to manage within the adopted Fiscal Year 2026 budget, it is necessary to launch a voluntary separation program that will allow State employees to voluntarily separate from State employment in exchange for certain severance benefits,” read his executive order to authorize the VSP process.

Higher education and judiciary employees were excluded from the VSP.

This buyout would also cover six months of paid state health benefits and pay out unused leave and compensatory time. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 4.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Em-

3Alonzo Turner-Bey, a returning citizen who served more than three decades behind bars, is ecstatic to lead the Returning Citizens’ Affairs Division in Prince George’s County. He previously worked as a Peer Recovery Specialist at the Bridge Center. (Courtesy Photo/ Alonzo Turner-Bey)

J. Edgar Hoover Building to the Ronald Reagan Building in Northwest, D.C, the fight over the next FBI headquarters continues.

While Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was disappointed with the overall impact of the congressional funding bill; he was able to pass an amendment 15-14 to maintain funding for the Greenbelt site when Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted with the Senate Appropriations Committee.

ployees Council 3, representing over 25,000 state workers, criticized the buyout option and noted other ways of trimming the state budget without reducing the state government’s ability to provide services.

“We want to reiterate that responsible decision-making around both cost-saving and revenue-raising measures must prioritize preserving our state services and the jobs of the workers who make them happen,” read a statement from the union. “That includes eliminating costly contracts, in-sourcing services where needed, addressing other inefficiencies, and closing corporate tax loopholes to raise much-needed state revenues.”

For more information on the buyout option, visit dbm.maryland.gov.

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SENATE COMMITTEE NARROWLY PASSES AMENDMENT TO MAINTAIN FUNDING FOR FBI GREENBELT SITE

Despite the Trump administration’s announcement to relocate the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from the dilapidated

“I, for one, would like to know that this analysis has actually been going on for more than just a couple months. That there’s actually been that effort to ensure that if we’re going to move forward, this is the right place and it’s the right place, not for a Trump administration, not for a Biden administration, not for a Jon Ossoff administration, but this is the right place for the FBI,” said Senator Murkowski before casting her deciding vote.

Maryland legislators, including Van Hollen, have been ardent on bringing the headquarters to Greenbelt, especially since the site was officially selected by the General Services Administration (GSA) last November.

FBI Director Kash Patel, who called the existing building “unsafe for the FBI’s workforce,” cited the planned relocation to the Ronald Reagan Building, which formerly housed the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as the most “cost-effective and resource-efficient” way to carry out the FBI’s mission.

“The administration has also not provided any information around the total cost of the project or whether it will meet the Bureau’s security needs,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “That’s why I was pleased the Appropriations Committee passed my amendment on a bipartisan basis to prohibit the administration from using these funds for any purpose other than the relocation of the headquarters to Greenbelt, Maryland.” WI

Prince George’s Local Updates

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

LAUREL MAYOR ENACTS SUMMER YOUTH CURFEW

Beginning on July 11, Laurel Mayor Keith Sydnor enacted a summer-long curfew for those under the age of 18 between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. every night.

“Over the past 4th of July weekend, we had several incidents throughout the state. We already had a curfew in place, but we enhanced it with my recent executive order,” said Sydnor in an interview with WUSA9. “The goal is to keep our kids safe.”

He also highlighted the Safe Summer Nights program, which offers recreational activities for families throughout the summer.

The exceptions to the curfew include: being accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; when returning directly home within one hour following school; religious or voluntary association events; public entertainment such as movies or concerts; or when leaving to or from work.

The Laurel Police Department has been tasked with enforcing the curfew in accordance with city laws and procedures.

Sydnor emphasized that the purpose of the youth curfew is to promote safety in Laurel.

“As Mayor, the safety of our young residents is a top priority. This temporary curfew is a proactive step to ensure our community remains safe and secure during the busy summer season,” he said in a statement. “We urge parents and guardians to speak with their children about the curfew and support our efforts to foster a safer Laurel.”

Laurel Councilmember Kyla Clark, who has previously advocated for local curfews, is looking forward to further partnerships with Sydnor to prevent crime.

“I firmly believe that implementing this curfew will help restore a sense of normalcy to the city of Laurel and keep both our kids and our residents safe,” Clark said in a statement.

While some Laurel residents have

applauded the decision as a means to keep residents safe, others decried the decision.

“This is a short-sighted and temporary fix,” Laurel resident Tia Jones wrote in a Facebook post. “Policing our kids is not the solution; access to safe and fun events that are free or low cost will keep kids from mischief.”

For additional information on Laurel’s youth curfew ordinance, visit cityoflaurel.org. WI

FORESTVILLE STATE POLICE BARRACKS TEMPORARILY RELOCATING TO COLLEGE PARK

The Maryland State Police’s Forestville barracks are soon scheduled for demolition and replacement, after several troopers spoke out about disrepair and deteriorating conditions.

Videos showed rain pouring in through an electrical socket and a rat infestation surrounding the building.

“The Maryland Department of State Police, along with its state partners, is pleased to announce that a brand new, state-of-the-art Forestville Barrack is scheduled to begin operations in southern Prince George’s County in Spring 2028,” according to a Maryland State Police statement. “With funding provided for by the Moore-Miller administration, the new barrack will remain at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Forestville Road, the very same site that has served the citizens of Prince George’s County since 1970.”

The existing building is scheduled to be demolished later this year and current barracks personnel were relocated roughly a dozen miles away to the College Park Barrack, beginning on July 14. They will still maintain their assignment on Routes 4, 5, 202, 301, and 50 along with I-495.

Despite the move, the Maryland State Police reassured residents that safety would not be impacted.

“Rest assured; public safety services will not be impacted,” according to the statement. “Staffing is not being reduced, and troopers will continue to provide uninterrupt-

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

4Maryland State Police at the Forestville barracks have been relocated to the College Park barracks, and fencing has been erected outside of the now-closed Forestville barracks. (Anthony Tilghman/ The Washington Informer)

ed, around-the-clock services to the county.”

State Sen. Nick Charles (D- District 25), who represents the barracks, is thankful to see action taken to improve the dilapidated work space.

“When I saw the videos, I was taken aback,” Charles told NBC Washington. “When you look at the conditions in that building, no one should be working in those conditions. Thank you for releasing that information. It certified why we have to invest in infrastructure in Maryland.”

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S.Y.S.T.E.M.

= Save Your Self Time, Energy & Money

Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce

In today’s fast-moving world, many professionals find themselves overwhelmed—reacting to every issue, juggling countless tasks, and reinventing solutions on the fly. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to face a hard truth: you don’t have a system. You are the system.

At the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, we believe in the power of smart systems—not to complicate your work, but to simplify it. Systems give you back your most valuable resources: time, energy, and money. Whether you’re onboarding new staff, conducting outreach, or making key decisions, systems bring clarity, consistency, and control.

Want to grow without grinding harder? Start by building systems that scale. Document the processes you repeat and identify where automation can save you time. Simple tools, checklists, and digital platforms can help ensure nothing falls through the cracks—and that your organization runs smoothly even when you step away. The more structure you create, the more freedom you gain. Systems empower you to focus on what matters most: innovation, growth, and meaningful connections.

As you reflect on your own journey, ask yourself: what’s one system you’ve built that changed the game for you? Whether it’s a streamlined onboarding process, a customer follow-up workflow, or a personal productivity hack, investing in systems is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Remember, S.Y.S.T.E.M. isn’t just an acronym. It’s a mindset—one that can transform how you work and live.

BUSINESS

Debt and Lower Savings Leave Black Americans Behind in Retirement Readiness

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows that Black Americans continue to face serious challenges in saving for retirement, even as their incomes grow.

The 2025 Retirement Confidence Survey, which included a special oversample of Black workers and retirees, found that the wealth gap remains wide at every income level. Among households earning $75,000 or more, only 33% of Black Americans reported having $250,000 or more in savings and investments, compared with 63% of non-Black Americans.

Debt remains a major obstacle. Sixty-three percent of higher-income Black households said debt is a problem, while only 45% of

non-Black households at the same income level said the same. Nearly half of upper-income Black respondents said debt affects their ability to save or live comfortably in retirement.

While many Black Americans expressed confidence in managing day-to-day budgets, fewer felt prepared to invest or plan for the long term.

The study showed that Black Americans with higher incomes were less likely to have personally saved for retirement—77%, compared with 87% of non-Black Americans.

Retirement experiences also differed sharply. Forty-four percent of Black retirees said they retired earlier than planned because of a health problem or disability, compared with 32% of non-Black retirees. After leaving their main jobs, Black retirees were more like-

ly to work for pay to make ends meet and more often said their retirement lifestyle was worse than expected.

Access to financial advice and planning remains uneven. Just 31% of Black respondents reported currently working with a financial advisor, although nearly half expect to do so in the future. Black Americans were more likely to seek help with reducing debt, creating wills or estate plans, and arranging life insurance, rather than simply determining if they had saved enough to retire.

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The Washington Convention and Sports Authority t/a Events DC is soliciting proposals from qualified firms to provide Supply, Installation, Repair and Maintenance of Air Handler Frequency Drives.  Interested parties can view a copy of the IFB by accessing Events DC’s e-procurement website at https://eventsdc.bonfirehub.com.

Key Dates

IFB Release Date:                    Thursday, July 17, 2025

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Black workers also expressed high interest in innovative retirement products. According to the report, 85% of Black employees with workplace savings plans stated that they were somewhat or very interested in using some or all of their retirement savings to purchase a product that guarantees a monthly income for life. Seventy percent said they would buy an insurance product that begins providing guaranteed income at a later age, such as 80 or 85, a higher percentage than the 59% of nonBlack workers who expressed the same sentiment.

When asked about converting workplace savings into monthly retirement income, Black Americans were more likely to find each of the options appealing. For example, 75% favored a default investment option that includes guaranteed lifetime income features, while 73% liked the idea of an employer-selected platform to help them choose income solutions.

The survey also showed differences in expected sources of income during retirement. Nearly 9 in 10 Black workers and retirees said they expect to rely on Social Security. However, Black retirees were more likely to depend on financial support from family or friends and on disability insurance income, while non-Black retirees were more likely to rely on personal investments and workplace

3 A report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute shows that even as their incomes grow, Black Americans continue to face serious challenges in saving for retirement. (Courtesy Photo)

savings plans.

Participation in workplace retirement plans is increasing, but it remains uneven. Among Black workers earning less than $35,000, 41% reported being offered a workplace retirement plan. That figure rose to 86% for higher-income workers. Across all income levels, approximately 9 in 10 workers who were offered a plan reported being satisfied overall. Satisfaction levels were similar between Black and non-Black workers when they were asked about plan features, investment choices, tools for calculating retirement needs, and fees.

The report highlighted a strong appetite for new plan features that could help address financial vulnerabilities. Eighty-eight percent of Black workers said they would likely use an emergency savings account funded through payroll deductions, compared with 68% of non-Black workers. Black workers also showed more interest in features that would allow student loan payments to qualify for employer matching contributions to retirement plans.

Researchers Craig Copeland and Lisa Greenwald wrote, “Black Americans reported disproportionately lower financial resources, and how they feel about retirement and financial security is clearly impacted by having less resources.”

They said, Black retirees, in particular, are “struggling with higher likelihoods of their retirement lifestyle being worse than expected” and “having to retire earlier than planned because of a health problem or disability.”

However, the researchers concluded that there is hope.

“There are some modifications in the financial system that could help improve their prospects,” they said, “such as increased assistance in balancing competing financial priorities like debt reduction, supporting family, and building longterm savings.” WI

Business briefs

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

M&T BANK ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF PITCH COMPETITION

Tiyana Robinson of Beauty Mogul International, LLC was awarded the $5,000 grand prize in the small business accelerator pitch competition hosted by M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) in partnership with FSC First.

The program aims to equip entrepreneurs with essential skills and guidance to build resilient businesses, drive economic growth in Prince George’s County, Maryland and create generational wealth for their families.

Robinson, founder and CEO of Beauty Mogul International, LLC, created BeautyPro Funnels, the first platform built for solo beauty entrepreneurs that allows booking, marketing, selling, and automating in one place.

With 3.1 million beauty professionals running their own businesses in the

U.S., Robinson saw an opportunity to help them manage and grow multiple revenue streams through one platform.

“This award means growth, it means the future of my brand, it means having an impact on beauty professionals all around the world,” said Robinson.

“M&T Bank and FSC First have been great partners in this program. I’ve learned so much about how to run a business, how to become investable.

This was my first time pitching my business and I’ve experienced so much growth in the eight weeks we’ve been together, and this is just the beginning.”

The competition was the culmination of an eight-week program launched on May 6. This hybrid program, featuring virtual and in-person courses at various county locations, covered topics such as: business planning, capital sourcing, financial management, marketing, and branding.

The program concluded on June 18 with a pitch competition, followed by the announcement of awards, funded by M&T Bank.

Dominyece Gregory of Tuft’n Up

DC, LLC won the second-place prize of $3,000, and Josei Harris of Halema, Inc. won the third-place prize of $2,000.

To qualify, businesses had to be based in Prince George’s County, in operation for at least two years, and in good standing.

Pam Scott, senior relationship manager at M&T Bank, said “we’re honored to collaborate with FSC First in presenting the Business Accelerator Program.”

“This initiative is designed to empower local entrepreneurs with essential resources and guidance to help their businesses flourish. With meaningful mentorship and practical tools, the program supports small business owners in navigating today’s competitive market,” Scott continued. “We’re excited by the strong engagement we had this year and applaud all who took part.”

DCHA LAUNCHES MODERNIZATION PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AREAS

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is launching an in-

tensive renovation and modernization program for 19 public housing communities that will include both unit renovations and upgrades to building systems.

This investment will improve the living conditions in approximately 3,500 units for current and future DCHA residents.

“Our revitalization plan is a promise to our public housing families and the city,” said DCHA Executive Director Keith Pettigrew. “With this investment, DCHA will provide safe, quality, affordable homes for thousands of District families for generations to come.”

The revitalization plan will be funded by $700 million in Industrial Revenue Bonds (IRBs), issued by the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development to DC Housing Solutions Inc. (an affiliate of DCHA), and $70 million of DCHA’s own funds.

The 19 public housing communities that are part of the revitalization plan were selected based on a comprehensive assessment of DCHA’s portfolio. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

THE RIGHT MORTGAGE AWAITS.

5 Keith Pettigrew is the executive director of the D.C. Housing Authority, which is launching an intensive renovation and modernization program for 19 public housing communities. (Courtesy Photo/DCHA)

NATIONAL

Black Lives Matter Celebrates Growth While Challenging Internal Spending, External Threats

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Black Lives Matter (BLM) has reached its 12th anniversary, and the organization’s co-founder and prominent scholar-activist Dr. Melina Abdullah, says the movement is not only growing internationally but also confronting what she described as an unprecedented wave of “fascism and unmasked racism.”

During an appearance on Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known News, Abdullah detailed the recent summit in Los Angeles, where organizers from 51 chapters—including the newly established Black Lives Matter Stockholm—gathered for workshops, tours, an action, and a

celebration at the Center for Black Power on Crenshaw Boulevard.

“This is the largest that Black Lives Matter has ever been,” Abdullah said. “We are now 51 chapters in 2025 and thousands of boots-onthe-ground organizers.”

The summit, which lasted several days, included discussions on the group’s principles and strategy. Abdullah noted that the movement’s work has taken on new urgency as attacks on Black communities intensify.

“I think the world hasn’t seen this level of fascism and unmasked racism,” she said. “I haven’t witnessed a world where African American men from Texas, born and raised, the child descendant of enslaved people,

can be deported.”

Abdullah also described personal moments of fear, including seeing an unknown truck parked in front of her home after delivering groceries to elders in the community.

“I was going, ‘Should I get out my car?’ Because I don’t know who these two men sitting in this truck are,” she recalled. “And will somebody see me if they snatch me up?”

The BLM Grassroots leader announced the release of the organization’s annual action report, detailing initiatives ranging from mutual aid to political advocacy. Among the

With Key Conviction Overturned, Marilyn Mosby Pushes to Fully Clear Her Name

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A federal appeals court on July 11 delivered a split decision in the high-profile case against Marilyn Mosby, the former Baltimore state’s attorney who rose to national prominence before facing criminal charges tied to her personal finances.

In a 2-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit vacated Mosby’s mortgage fraud conviction, finding that the venue for prosecuting that charge in Maryland was improper. The reversal also lifts the government’s forfeiture of her Longboat Key, Florida, condominium, which had been valued at over $900,000.

“I wish her well on her second chance,” social media user William

Washington wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “She earned it.”

However, the court upheld Mosby’s perjury convictions stemming from her withdrawal of funds from her city retirement account during the COVID-19 pandemic. A federal jury previously determined Mosby falsely claimed to have suffered financial hardship in order to access the money under the CARES Act. Prosecutors said she later used those funds to help purchase two vacation properties in Florida.

Judge Stephanie Thacker, writing for the majority, concluded that evidence about how Mosby spent the withdrawn funds was admitted correctly because it helped establish whether she actually faced economic harm.

In a partial dissent, Judge Paul Niemeyer argued that the mortgage fraud charge should have remained intact, contending Mosby’s actions— generating and transmitting false documents while living in Maryland— meant the trial venue was appropriate.

Mosby, who served two terms as Baltimore’s top prosecutor, has repeatedly insisted the case was politically motivated. She had also argued that seizing nearly all of her Florida condo was excessive given the nature of her offenses.

She was sentenced in May to one year of home detention, three years of supervised release, and the forfeiture of 90 of her condominium. Her home confinement concluded last month, and a judge has since ordered the return of her passport and waived addi-

5 Having reached its 12th anniversary, Dr. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter (BLM), says the movement is growing internationally and confronting what she considers an unprecedented wave of facism and racism.

(Courtesy Photo/Speak Out Now)

work highlighted was the successful campaign to free Brittany Martin, who was sentenced to prison for remarks made to police during a 2020 protest in South Carolina.

“This pregnant mother of six, now of seven, was arrested for simply speaking words,” Abdullah said.

“She wound up being ripped away from her family, forced to have her seventh child inside the prison. But we kept fighting, and at the end of 2024, we were able to free Brittany Martin.”

In addition to campaigns for policy reforms like Wakiesha’s Law—re-

quiring 24-hour family notification when a loved one dies in custody— the report describes BLM Grassroots’ youth scholarship programs, food distributions, and international solidarity work.

Dr. Abdullah also addressed internal conflict over financial stewardship within the broader BLM network. She said that while BLM Los Angeles purchased a community building used for mutual aid and youth programs, the Global Network Foundation bought what she called a “$6 million mansion” in Studio City.

“Families of those who have been killed by police and white supremacy have been blocked from being

tional monitoring fees.

Mosby, who once sought a presidential pardon, has been allowed to keep her law license during her appeal.

Representatives for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maryland declined to comment on the appeals ruling, and Mosby’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

While there have been mixed responses about Mosby’s case, some Baltimoreans took to social media to celebrate the former state’s attorney.

“I’m happy for Marilyn Mosby,” one social media user wrote on X.

“She deserves so much better than what this racist system is giving her, not to mention, all of this drama is nothing but retaliation going back to the Freddie Gray murder/prosecution of Baltimore cops.”

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5 Marilyn Mosby, Baltimore’s former state’s attorney, is getting somewhat of a second chance after the key mortgage fraud conviction was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit on July 11. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts)

5 Cheria Askew raises her fist in triumph as the guilty verdict is read for former Minneapolis Derek Chauvin, who was convicted for the death of George Floyd. Black Lives Matter recently celebrated its 12th anniversary. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

Cuba’s Top Diplomat to U.S. Notes Blockade Hurts Black Americans and Cubans Alike AI in the Black Community – More Than Chatting

By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

Cuba’s Deputy Director of U.S. Affairs Johana Tablada offered a sobering but impassioned critique of current U.S. policy toward Cuba, where she called on Americans—especially African Americans—to pay closer attention to the consequences of decades-long sanctions and misinformation.

In an interview at Black Press USA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., Tablada described the current relationship between the U.S. and Cuba as being “at a low point,” marked by “maximum aggression” from the U.S. government.

“It is difficult to describe this as anything but open hostility,” she told Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association representing more than 200 African American newspapers and media companies. “This year alone, since Jan. 20, the U.S. has imposed more than a dozen unilateral coercive measures against Cuba.”

Recently, the Trump administration signed a National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM) regarding Cuba, supporting an “economic embargo” on Cuba and enforcing “the statutory ban on U.S. tourism to Cuba,” and reversing Cuban-American relations that had been advanced by his predecessor.

“This NSPM restores and strengthens the robust Cuba policy from the president’s first term, reversing the Biden administration’s revocation that eased pressure on the Cuban regime,” according to a June 30 White House fact sheet on the NSPM.

The sanctions—from his inauguration in January to the late June NSMP— Tablada noted, go far beyond restricting trade; they include denying visas to Cuban athletes and scientists, interfering with cultural exchanges, and cutting remittances through Western Union.

“The Cuban Olympic Committee’s president wasn’t granted a visa to attend events in the U.S.,” she said. “And this during a cycle leading up

to the Olympics in Los Angeles.”

Tablada specifically pointed to the Trump administration’s reinstatement of Cuba on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism as fraudulent and damaging.

“It’s a designation based on lies,” she said. “And when a country is placed on that list, it becomes nearly impossible to receive oil, medical supplies, or even financial transfers due to global banking fears.”

She drew a sharp contrast between the current state of U.S.-Cuba policy and the optimism that accompanied President Barack Obama’s historic visit to Havana in 2016.

“We had a breakthrough,” she declared. “We were talking and engaging respectfully—even when we disagreed. That’s no longer happening.”

CUBAN CONNECTIONS WITH AFRICA, AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Throughout the 40-minute interview, Tablada spoke fondly of the long-standing solidarity between Cuba and the African American community.

She invoked the legacy of Malcolm X, the symbolism of his 1960 meeting with Fidel Castro in Harlem, and Cuba’s military support for

DC Black MBA

The rate at which Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing is staggering. According to a 2023 MIT report, AI is transforming nearly every aspect of life from how we work and learn to how we communicate and solve problems while also contributing more than $2 trillion to the global economy annually. While the world races to adopt these tools, many in the Black community risk being left behind.

A 2021 Pew Research Center study found that only 58% of Black Americans had access to a desktop or laptop computer compared to 82% of White Americans. The digital divide, a historical barrier to educational and economic equity, is now becoming a chasm in the age of AI. Without proactive steps, the tools intended to advance society could deepen existing disparities. Efforts to introduce AI in everyday language and practice are critical to closing the gap and empowering historically marginalized communities to fully engage.

One way to do this is by helping people understand how AI shows up in our lives already. The technology is as close and far less complex as it may seem. From your phone’s autocorrect, your email’s spam filter, and even in your bank’s fraud alerts, AI is working with and for you. By demystifying how it functions, especially in familiar tasks, the barrier to entry is lowered. “People think AI is futuristic, but it’s already baked into our daily lives—from banking apps to smart TVs. The goal is to move from passive users to empowered creators,” stressed Stefan Youngblood, founder of Black AI Think Tank. A basic starting point is to understand the difference between generative AI and predictive AI. Generative AI, like ChatGPT and DALL·E, creates content such as text, images, or code. Predictive AI powers tools that analyze past data to anticipate future outcomes—like recommendation engines or hiring algorithms. Once people grasp this distinction, the conversation becomes less about fear and more about possibility.

5 Cuba’s Deputy Director of U.S. Affairs Johana Tablada has been calling attention to U.S. policies toward Cuba since the beginning of the second Trump administration. (Courtesy Photo)

5 Stefan Youngblood and Dr. Joy Bollini, leader in AI and algorithmic bias

5 After the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” Joint Center’s 2025 Tax Policy Advisory Committee will work toward a more equitable economy for African Americans and all people. Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad called the launch of the committee an urgent response to policies that risk deepening economic inequality.

(Courtesy Photo/Joint Center)

Joint Center Launches Tax Policy Committee as New Law Threatens to Deepen Racial Inequality

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The D.C.-based Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has formally launched its 2025 Tax Policy Advisory Committee; a move leaders call critical as President Donald Trump’s sweeping budget and tax overhaul reshapes the economic landscape for Black communities.

The new law, signed last week and branded by Trump as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” locks in key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act—tax breaks that analysts say overwhelmingly benefit the wealthy and large corporations—while slashing over $700 billion from Medicaid and cutting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding by nearly a third over the next decade.

According to the Commonwealth Fund, those reductions will trigger the loss of 1.2 million jobs across the country by 2029, with the steepest ef-

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This institution is an equal opportunity

fects in states with high poverty rates and large Black populations. New Mexico, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Arizona are expected to see the most significant proportional job losses as cuts ripple through hospitals, grocery stores, and related sectors.

Joint Center President Dedrick Asante-Muhammad called the launch of the Tax Policy Advisory Committee an urgent response to policies that risk deepening economic inequality.

“This committee will center voices committed to ending racial economic inequality in the tax policy conversation and lay the foundation for a more equitable economy that works for all,” he said in a statement.

The committee includes tax scholars and advocates such as Beverly Moran, professor emerita of Law at Vanderbilt University; Janis Bowdler, former counselor for racial equity at the U.S. Treasury; and Jeremie Greer, co-founder of Liberation in a Generation. The group will guide re-

search and policy recommendations, strengthening the Joint Center’s tax program at a time when, as Senior Researcher Dr. LaToya B. Parker noted, “the stakes could not be higher.”

“Congress is debating the most consequential tax and social policy changes in a generation,” Parker noted. “This committee will play a critical role in reforming a tax code that has too often reinforced inequality and assist in building a fairer system that truly serves all Americans.”

The Joint Center’s recent policy brief, Centering Black Households in the 2025 Tax Debate, underscores that the 2017 tax law—now extended indefinitely—was projected to cost the government $1.5 trillion over a decade without significantly boosting economic growth. Research shows most of the law’s benefits flowed to households in the top 20% of earners, a group in which Black households are underrepresented.

The new reconciliation law goes further, eliminating the estate tax on ultra-wealthy households and imposing work requirements and state funding matches for safety net programs—measures the Joint Center argues will undercut Black families’ ability to build wealth.

gressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), identified economic opportunity, healthcare access, and wealth-building as urgent priorities to close the racial wealth divide.

Analysts project that under the law’s provisions, the wealthiest Americans could see tax windfalls averaging more than $118,000, while the lowest-income households—disproportionately Black and Latino—will lose essential support, experiencing an average 2.9% drop in annual after-tax income. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as 16 million people could become uninsured by 2034.

Asante-Muhammad and Parker, who recently co-authored an oped describing the legislation as “a massive transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich,” say the committee’s work will include advocating for tax reforms that recognize the disparate burdens faced by Black households. The two emphasize that family structures and historical barriers to wealth-building mean African American households pay proportionally more in federal taxes relative to their white counterparts at the same income level.

The policy changes come as the Black Policy Playbook, developed by the Joint Center and the Con-

before dipping to $4.55 by May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Waffle House restaurant chain temporarily imposed a 50-cent

Grocery essentials have spiked in price, The Times reported. Baby wipes that cost $4.99 four years ago now average $6.63, while a unit of dog food jumped from $5.78 to $8.42, according

Lindsay Owens, executive director of the Groundwork Collaborative, said some companies have exploited the situation for profit.

“They decided to see if they could pass along all of their rising costs so that their margins wouldn’t be eaten into,” Owens told The Times. “And when they realized that they could, they decided to go for more.”

“For too long, our current tax code has reinforced economic inequality,” Asante-Muhammad said. “Together, we can ensure our work is grounded in rigorous analysis and community impact.”

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WHAT COMES NEXT

While inflation has retreated from its 9% peak in 2022, The Times cautioned that Americans shouldn’t expect relief anytime soon.

New tariffs introduced by the Trump administration are expected to drive prices even higher in the months ahead.

With costs still climbing, many households are left with tough decisions about which necessities—and experiences—they can continue to afford.

“We’re often seeing the highest demand in the luxury space,” Sally French, a NerdWallet finance expert, said. “People want the hotel that’s going to make for an amazing photo… People are spending more on higher-end things they wouldn’t have done in the past.”

Trump’s New Law Cripples Black Families

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Equity advocates argue the “One Big Beautiful Bill” President Donald Trump signed into law on July 4— celebrated by Republican Sen. Tim Scott (SC) as a milestone of “fiscal responsibility” and “opportunity”— is a sprawling blueprint for further concentrating wealth, destabilizing public schools, and stripping resources from Black communities.

While Scott touted the bill as a transformative achievement for American families, independent analyses and Democratic leaders alike paint a different picture.

“The One Big Ugly Bill hurts everyday Americans and rewards billionaires,” said House Democratic Minority Leader

CUBA from Page 17 liberation movements in Angola and South Africa.

“Cuba is the only country in Latin America that went back to Africa and fought and died to end apartheid,” she said. “That bond with the African diaspora is deep and permanent.”

She noted that Cuban identity and culture are inextricably linked to Africa.

“Our music, our food, our sense of honor—it all comes from Mother Africa. And we have a responsibility to protect that legacy,” she remarked.

‘Provoked Suffering and Hardship’

Tablada called the decades-long U.S. embargo—enforced through a patchwork of laws, including the 1917 Trading with the Enemy Act, the Helms-Burton Act, and the Torricelli Act—an unprecedented and inhumane measure.

“There is no other country in the world that faces this level of comprehensive economic warfare,” she said. “It’s not just unfair; it’s provoked suffering and hardship.”

She added that Cuba has never retaliated with sanctions or actions against the United States, highlighting the one-sided nature of the policy.

The diplomat also pushed back on U.S. accusations of forced labor in Cuba’s international medical missions.

“We operate in 56 countries with agreements supported by the United Nations,” she said. “Yes, those mis-

Hakeem Jeffries of New York.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects the law will add trillions to the deficit over the next decade, driven by permanent corporate tax cuts and expanded defense spending. That debt load will almost certainly trigger future demands to slash Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance programs essential to millions of Black families.

Scott, who is Black, repeatedly claimed that the law delivers tax relief to working people; however, the Tax Policy Center estimates that the wealthiest 1% of households will collect the majority of tax benefits, averaging more than $60,000 per year. By contrast, the average middle-income household—where most Black families fall—will see only temporary, modest reductions, many

sions generate income to fund our free health care system—but calling that human trafficking is a grotesque lie. The U.S. is spending millions to manufacture pretexts for aggression.”

Tablada warned that U.S. policies are even affecting tourism and access to energy.

“Today, the U.S. actively blocks vessels from delivering oil to Cuba. It pressures other countries to deny Cuba tourism access,” she asserted. “And then it blames us for the resulting blackouts and scarcities. This is not diplomacy. This is punishment.”

TABLADA OFFERS CALL TO ACTION

Despite the challenges, Tablada expressed hope in the people of the United States.

“I believe that if Americans—especially African Americans— knew the full truth, they would reject these policies,” she said. “Because they have always stood on the side of justice, from civil rights to solidarity with global liberation movements.”

She extended an invitation for the Black Press of America to work with Cuban journalists to strengthen the exchange of truth.

of which expire in five years.

Among the most dangerous provisions is the permanent expansion of the Opportunity Zone program, which Scott called “maximizing community impact.” Multiple studies, including those by the Government Accountability Office and the Brookings Institution—have found that Opportunity Zones have largely failed to reduce poverty or lift incomes for residents. Instead, they have accelerated gentrification, pushing long-time Black families and small businesses out of their own neighborhoods as investors rush in to extract profit.

The law’s new permanent school choice tax credit has been framed as a lifeline for low-income children, but the reality is that it primarily benefits those who are already able to

“Let’s put Cuba back on the radar,” she said. “The people of both countries want peace, not conflict.”

While Tablada admitted to a lot of challenges, she said she still has hope based on two factors: “Our youth and the truth.”

“When people talk to each other honestly,” Tablada continued, “good things happen.”

As Cuba’s deputy director of U.S. Affairs, Tablada said she would welcome a conversation with President Trump himself.

“Let’s talk. Cuba is not an enemy of the United States,” she said. “Let’s stop the lies and sit down. Every time we’ve done that, progress followed.” WI

ACADEMY OF HOPE ADULT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

afford private school tuition. Public education researchers have warned that this diversion of public funding will deepen educational disparities that trap Black students in under-resourced schools while wealthier families receive tax subsidies.

The repeal of Section 899, a tax provision that imposed penalties on certain foreign-owned corporations, was labeled by Scott as a job creator. Yet tax policy experts agree there is no evidence this giveaway will generate employment. What is certain is that multinational corporations will pocket billions in tax savings, while Black workers are left to hope for trickle-down benefits that rarely materialize.

Even as lawmakers made corporate tax cuts permanent, they allowed the expanded Child Tax Credit—responsible for record reductions in Black child poverty in recent years—to remain expired. In its place, the law provides structural tax advantages to investors and business owners, making it more difficult for Black families to build wealth or afford rising housing costs.

The result is a sweeping law that strengthens systemic inequities under the banner of prosperity.

“[The bill] is the largest attack on health care in American history,” Jeffries continued, before offering a warning based on the legislation becoming law. “More than 17 million people will lose their health care as a result… folks are going to die across the United States of America.”

WI

The Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School in Washington, DC is seeking proposals for Elevator Modernization/ Replacement of Hydraulic with Traction. View the full RFP and submission details at https://aohdc.org/get-involved/jobs/. Proposals are due July 31, 2025.

ACADEMY OF HOPE

ADULT PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

40TH ANNIVERSARY COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN CONSULTANT

The Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School in Washington, DC is seeking proposals from consultants for our 40th Anniversary Comprehensive Campaign. View the full RFP and submission details at https://aohdc.org/get-involved/jobs/. Proposals are due July 31, 2025.

5 While Republicans such as Sen. Tim Scott celebrate President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a milestone for “fiscal responsibility,” House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York (pictured) says the legislation hurts everyday Americans and rewards billionaires. (WI File

Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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White House Hosts African Leaders Amid USAID Cuts, New Economic Agenda

Five Western African Presidents Make Investment Pitches at Multilateral Luncheon

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

After dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Trump administration is seeking to shift to more trade-based economic relationships with African nations. To lay the groundwork for these future partnerships, President Donald Trump hosted the leaders of five West African countries– Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal– at the White House during a strategic multilateral lunch on July 9.

“We have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse, and we’re working tirelessly to forge new economic opportunities involving both the U.S. and African nations,” the U.S. president said during the meeting.

The cuts to USAID, which was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy as the U.S. government’s lead humanitarian and development division, came after Trump and his administration claimed the agency was no longer acting in the interest of America and its people.

Dismantling the humanitarian agency could potentially result in more than 14 million deaths by 2030, according to a study published in The Lancet.

“This will undermine U.S. national security, may subvert Congressional authority and demonstrates a lack of respect for the dedication of the development professionals who serve America’s interest abroad,” said the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) in a statement. “Weakening or eliminating this agency will only help those who seek to undermine American leadership.”

When the current administration initially transferred USAID’s functions to the State Department, it was done suddenly without notifying stakeholders or Congress. Such an action could jeaprodize U.S. international relations.

Regardless, the leaders present at the luncheon were eager to strength-

en their economic relationship with the U.S. by discussing their countries’ assets and vital issues.

“This is a message of interest you’re sending to… the whole of Africa,” said President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of Mauritania to Trump. “All of this is generous on your part. We are receiving this, and we accept this message from you.”

PROPOSALS FOR INVESTMENT

Most of the West African leaders boasted their nations’ abundance of raw materials, encouraging American investors to support them.

Others, specifically Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema and Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye, also highlighted specific initiatives they’d like to see within their countries.

According to the World Bank’s 2025 Gabon Economic Update, the African nation attained a national wealth of USD $105 billion in 2020, experiencing a 35% increase since 1990, and is expected to increase by 2.4% between 2025 and 2027. Gabon’s ample natural resources account for 42% of the nation’s overall wealth.

“We are rich countries when it comes to raw materials, but we need partners to support us and help us develop those resources with win-

win partnerships,” Nguema said. “We also want our raw materials to be processed locally in our country, so we can create value and create jobs for our youth.”

According to the World Bank report, declining inflation in Gabon has contributed to limited employment options, leaving one-third of the country’s population in poverty and 20% of its workforce unemployed.

Nguema also spoke about maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which Gabon borders. The Gulf has traditionally been notorious for piracy incidents such as hijackings and hostage situations due to the concentration of oil cargo. According to maritime risk intelligence company Dryad Global, piracy incidents in the region have increased by 30% as of June 2025.

“You said you have the best military equipment, and that’s what we’d like to have so we can stop maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and we can’t do it alone,” Nguema said to Trump. “We need a reliable and strong partner that is committed and takes real steps, real action.”

One of the initiatives Diomaye wanted to bring to American’s attention was the desire to invest in a digital city. WI

Read more on washintoninformer.com.

5 Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema meeting President Donald Trump and African leaders to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Africa at a strategic luncheon. (Courtesy Photo/The White House, YouTube)

Blues Alley Celebrates 60 Years with a Slate of Music Legends and Rising Stars

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Commemorating six decades of bringing entertaining performances to D.C. and engaging opportunities to artists from around the world, Blues Alley in Georgetown is celebrating its 60th anniversary by honoring legacy, while also working to uplift the future of jazz music.

Through performances, programming and reflection, Blues Alley has organized celebrations highlighting the dinner club not only as one of the premier music venues in the nation, but as a space to build up the next generation of game-changing artists.

“I came to Blues Alley eight years after it opened, so I’ve seen the best music talent. Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, Modern Jazz Quartet, Larry Coryell, Tower of Power and more,” said Harry Schnipper, executive director of Blues Alley. “Because I came after the club opened, I’ve had the benefit of the continuity and sustainability of performers.”

With some of the most celebrated jazz artists over the past 60 years gracing its stage, Blues Alley in Georgetown plans to honor the past and showcase new artists along the way, kicking off this July with performances such as the more than a week of “Decades of Divas.”

The supper club will bring songstresses such as Hazel Mitchell-Bell with her tribute to Nancy Wilson on July 18 and Deborah Bond on July 19 with her mix of jazz, funk, progressive R&B, and British Soul.

Further, music icon Melba Moore returns to Blues Alley on July 24-25, and Jane Monheit brings her sultry voice back to the club on July 26-27.

“We want to honor the legacy of talent that has graced the Blues Alley stage,” said Schnipper. “We’ve done Phyllis Hyman. Coming up are tributes to Nancy Wilson and Roy Ayers. Recognizing legends will continue beyond the official 60th anniversary kickoff in July.”

HONORING THE PAST, SUPPORTING THE FUTURE

For Schnipper, celebrating 60 years starts with paying homage to the people who helped the Georgetown jazz venue gain nationwide notoriety. Affectionately known as “the house that Dizzy built” — referring to trumpeter and National Endow-

ment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Master Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993) — Schnipper said some of this milestone celebration will acknowledge the late musician’s contributions to the local music venue.

The Blues Alley website features a quote from Gillespie weighing in on the venue saying: “Now THIS is a jazz club!”

While the lauded musician wowed fans with his trumpet on the Georgetown stage, his Blues Alley legacy is beyond just performing.

“Dizzy was the one who put Blues Alley on the map in 1977,” said Schnipper. “Without Dizzy, we would not have our nonprofit status, which allows us to create many events throughout D.C.”

Because of that nonprofit status, Blues Alley is able to do more than entertain, but give back.

Because of that nonprofit status, Blues Alley is able to do more than entertain, but give back, with initiatives such as the Blues Alley’s Summer Jazz Camp and its Ella Fitzgerald Vocal Competition. In addition, several community programs keep artists pouring into the Blues Alley, including: Foundation for the Advancement of Music & Education (FAME), Jazz Academy of Music, Inc. (JAM), and the Washington Jazz Arts Institute (WJAI).

Welcoming jazz educators and their students to perform at the club has long been part of Blues Alley’s outreach and work to uplift jazz overall.

In the past, students who were in the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz’s Peer-to-Peer Jazz Education Tours commanded the Blues Alley stage like long-time professionals.

“Besides being one of the most iconic and best-sounding jazz clubs in the world, Blues Alley is serious about jazz education. Through programs like the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra and Summer Jazz Camp, countless young musicians have honed their skills working with some of the best jazz educators in the country,” said JB Dyas, vice president of education and curriculum development at the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. “In addition to hosting the world’s most renowned jazz artists, Blues Alley makes showcasing America’s up-and-comers a priority as well, jump-starting and fostering their careers.”

OFFERING A SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO GROW, SHINE

Throughout its 60-year history, Blues Alley in Georgetown has become known as a place to showcase new talent.

Touting the Washington, D.C. area as a place rich with a lot of talented jazz musicians, Schnipper said the legendary dinner club– featuring some of the most celebrated jazz greats from around the globe— works to offer up and coming artists a chance to perform at the premier venue.

“Earlier this year, we started ‘Emerging Artists Mondays’ to give visibility to talent worthy of wider recognition,” said Schnipper. “So many of my peers that I grew up with think that now, we probably have the greatest amount of jazz talent during this period than we have seen in 50 years.”

Saxophonist Langston Hughes II, who was raised in the DMV area and a participant in FAME and Strathmore’s Artist in Residence programs, has seen his star rise with numerous performances at Blues Alley.

“Playing at Blues Alley has been a huge part of my artistic growth. Each show is a chance to connect with people in a real and immediate way,” said Hughes, who recently received his master’s from the prestigious Juilliard in New York. “There’s something powerful about performing in a space where

so many of my heroes have played and recorded—you can literally feel the energy shift as the music unfolds.”

Performing at Blues Alley, Hughes stands on the shoulders of jazz legends spanning 60 years.

“The audience at Blues Alley feels like a community. Every time I return, I see more familiar faces—people who have been on this journey with me since the early shows years ago. That kind of consistency has helped me grow not just as a performer, but as a communicator,” Hughes told The In-

former. “It’s pushed me to become more intentional about how I tell stories through music and how I engage with listeners.”

He emphasized the power of the historic space.

“It’s a full-circle experience,” Hughes said. “The club fuels the art, the art fuels connection, and the connection keeps people coming back.” Stay on top of upcoming performances, programming and more by visiting bluesalley.com. WI

5 Langston Hughes II performs at Blues Alley in June with his group: saxophonist Hughes, bassist Eytan Schillinger-Hyman, drummer Devron Dennis and guitarist Robert Papacica. Not pictured is keyboardist Lonell Johnson III. (Brenda C. Siler/ The Washington Informer)

HEALTH

Trump Plan to Force Medicaid Enrollees into Farm Labor Would Hit D.C.’s Black Residents Hardest

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A sweeping Trump administration proposal to replace deported immigrant farmworkers with Medicaid recipients is drawing fierce condemnation in the District of Columbia, where Black residents make up a significant share of the program’s enrollees and would be disproportionately affected.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins this week described the administration’s plan in blunt terms, telling reporters that “with 34 mil-

lion people, able-bodied adults on Medicaid, we should be able to do that fairly quickly.” Rollins insisted there would be “no amnesty” for undocumented farmworkers and characterized Medicaid as a reservoir of replacement labor.

Health policy experts and civil rights groups are warning the proposal amounts to a form of coerced work and would be catastrophic for low-income D.C. residents who rely on Medicaid to survive.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s analysis of the American Community Survey, 40.9% of Medicaid enrollees in D.C. are

Black, compared to 36.7% who are White. Another 22.4% fall into other racial and ethnic categories, including Latino and Asian residents.

“This is a policy that explicitly targets poor Black and brown residents of the District,” said a local civil rights advocate. “They are taking a program that exists to guarantee health care and twisting it into a list of people they believe should be forced into field labor.”

While Rollins framed the idea as a way to move toward “100% American participation,” Medicaid enrollees in D.C. are overwhelmingly working-age adults, parents, and children. In 2023:

• 28% of Medicaid recipients were 18 and younger

• 19% were between 19 and 26

• 29% were between 27 and 44

• 22% were between 45 and 64

• 11% were 65 and older

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able to ever use or set foot inside that house,” she said, adding that BLM Grassroots leaders recently visited the property to demand accountability and the return of resources.

“We stood outside with at least six or seven family members and said, return the money, return the resources to the movement so that we can use it for the good of Black liberation.”

Abdullah said that repeated attempts to speak directly with foundation leaders—including letters, calls, and legal filings—have been

Advocates note that many adults on Medicaid already work low-wage jobs that do not offer insurance, care for children or aging relatives, or live with chronic health conditions.

President Trump has also floated proposals to require farmers to house and directly supervise migrant laborers to shield employers from ICE raids, a policy critics say would institutionalize indentured servitude. Rollins’ remarks suggest the administration now aims to go further, using Medicaid as a tool to conscript Americans into agricultural labor.

The White House has not answered questions about how the plan would operate in D.C., where Medicaid enrollment remains a cornerstone of public health and disproportionately serves the communities most at risk of poverty.

Health law experts say no feder-

met with silence or legal counteractions.

“They’ve never spoken with us,” she said. “We would love to speak with them and ask them why they feel entitled to travel in private jets with makeup teams and stand on red carpets wearing couture.”

She described BLM Grassroots’ philosophy of abolition and the need to dismantle systems that profit from Black suffering.

“We have to transform a state that allows for and enables and really sometimes benefits and profits from the murders of Black people,”

al statute allows Medicaid benefits to be conditioned on mandatory employment, and any such requirement would almost certainly face constitutional challenges under the 13th Amendment’s ban on involuntary servitude.

“This is not a workforce strategy—it’s an attempt to rebrand exploitation as economic policy,” said a public health researcher in Washington. “The idea that you can strip people of their dignity and health coverage if they don’t go pick vegetables is horrifying.”

Rollins did not specify how the policy would be implemented or whether Medicaid recipients who refused farm work would lose their benefits. But she was unequivocal about the administration’s intent.

“There are plenty of workers in America,” she said.

WI

Abdullah said.

For H.F. Davis, working on the 2024 Action Report was a way of highlighting the people working hard daily to uplift the Black community.

“Grateful for the opportunity to help chronicle and elevate the important work of everyday organizers from Grassroots chapters and formations across the country,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Black Lives Matter Grassroots IS #BlackLivesMatter.”

The full action report is available at blmgrassroots.org. WI

5People picking fresh vegetables in Beltsville, Maryland. While some Washingtonians appreciate farming for leisure, health and pay, some policy experts and civil rights groups are warning the proposal to replace deported immigrant farmworkers with Medicaid recipients amounts to a form of coerced work and would be catastrophic for low-income D.C. residents who rely on Medicaid to survive. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

BLM

Whitman-Walker Celebrates PrEP Awareness Day

Health Provider Offers Resources, Education and Call-to-Action

By WI Web Staff

Whitman-Walker Health, a leader in LGBTQ health care and HIV treatment in Washington, D.C., used PrEP Awareness Day on July 16 to highlight an underutilized tool in HIV prevention that has proven 99% effective when taken as prescribed.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a medication regimen designed for anyone who may be sexually active or exposed to HIV through sex or injection drug use, including both adults and adolescents.

Since receiving FDA approval on July 16, 2012, the treatment has provided what health officials call a crucial layer of protection against HIV transmission. The medication is available as a daily pill or as an injection administered by a health care provider every two months or twice yearly.

“Whitman-Walker Health has led D.C.’s efforts in implementing PrEP as an effective prevention strategy,” said Juan Carlos Loubriel, senior direc-

tor of community health and wellness at Whitman-Walker Health. “PrEP Awareness Day is our call to action to provide access to and education on this effective medication to prevent HIV in our communities, particularly vulnerable communities.”

BENEFITS OF PREP, USAGE GAP

HIV remains a significant public health challenge, with more than 1.2 million people in the United States living with the virus and thousands of new infections occurring annually.

PrEP has become a cornerstone of comprehensive HIV prevention strategies, offering protection for heterosexual individuals with HIV-positive partners, men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, cisgender women and people who inject drugs.

The medication can also help protect pregnant individuals and their babies from HIV infection while trying to get pregnant, during pregnancy

or while breastfeeding, according to health care providers.

Despite the medication’s proven efficacy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that less than 25% of the approximately 1.2 million Americans who could benefit from PrEP are currently using it.

For Whitman-Walker, such statistics confirm the need for continued initiatives such as PrEP Awareness Day, and continued public education and outreach efforts to ensure that more individuals, especially those in marginalized communities, are aware of and have access to PrEP.

Loubriel emphasized that the medication represents an opportunity for individuals to take control of their sexual and overall health on their own terms.

“If we are serious about ending the HIV epidemic, we must continue to address health inequities and increase access and education to PrEP for everyone,” he said.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

The Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker serves as the District’s hub for community-led research on HIV, including groundbreaking studies on injectable PrEP conducted in partnership with clinical colleagues at Whitman-Walker Health.

Dr. Namrata Shah, medical director of research at the Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker and infectious disease staff physician for Whitman-Walker Health, serves as the lead investigator of the Purpose 2 trial at Whitman-Walker. The trial examines lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injection that Shah says could transform HIV prevention. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5Members of the Whitman-Walker team at an event in October 2022. Whitman-Walker Health, a leader in LGBTQ health care and HIV treatment in Washington, D.C., highlighted the importance of PrEP Awareness Day on July 16. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

EARTH OUR

Maryland Struggles to Meet its Ambitious Climate Goals

By Rachel McCrea Capital News Service

As the planet logs some of its warmest years on record, Maryland is trying to make good on some of the most ambitious climate goals in the country. But the state is struggling to keep up with deadlines it set for itself.

Maryland is halfway to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions — the primary driver of climate change — by 60% by 2031, though progress has been at a standstill since 2020. It has another, more ambitious goal on the horizon: net zero emissions by 2045.

The state is also trying to transition to renewable energy, aiming for half of its electricity to come from renewables by 2030. That includes a significant chunk from solar energy, though experts say reaching these goals is proving difficult.

Federal opposition to state climate action poses a problem, too. In an April executive order, President Donald Trump directed his administration to halt the enforcement of state climate laws, calling them a threat to national security, the economy and “American energy dominance.”

Adding it all up, environmentalists see Maryland’s climate ambitions as laudable — but threatened.

“Maryland is not on track right now for either its renewable energy goals or for its climate goals,” said Josh Tulkin, director of the Maryland Sierra Club. “That doesn’t mean that it can’t be on track, though, because there’s a lot of positive programs that will help improve people’s lives and reduce pollution and help with the climate.”

REDUCING EMISSIONS

Maryland’s plans for emissions reductions are among the nation’s most ambitious — but the state is struggling to keep up with its ambitions.

A 2022 state law says by 2031, Maryland must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 60% compared to 2006. By 2045, it must produce net zero emissions of the gases that cause global warming.

Getting to a 60% reduction by 2031 would require programs to cut emissions of carbon dioxide — the main driver of climate change across Maryland’s economy — and cost $1 billion a year, according to the state’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan.

The state reduced its emissions 30% by 2020, halfway to the 2031 goal, according to Maryland Department of the Environment’s greenhouse gas inventory.

But the state hasn’t made progress since then. Though emissions vary across economic sectors, state officials are expecting to see a slight increase in statewide emissions from 2020 to 2023. This is because transportation emissions — the largest category — have increased 6% since the end of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown as emissions from electricity have dropped 10%, according to preliminary state data.

Meanwhile, the state hasn’t found a source for the $1 billion annual investment needed to reach its emissions goals.

“We don’t have cash coming in the door,” said Kim Coble, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. “So that will slow down the implementation and meeting those reduction

5 An energy-producing windmill at

state needs more such facilities to meet its climate goals.

goals, no doubt about it.”

On top of that, the state just passed legislation to speed up permitting for new natural gas power plants amid concerns about high energy prices. That could worsen greenhouse gas emissions, though natural gas-fired power plants are cleaner than coal or oil plants.

Coble said she believes the state remains committed to its goals, but she’s pessimistic about meeting them on time because of money issues — including the Trump administration’s impact on climate funding.

The federal administration has made cuts to state climate grants and dismissed climate researchers. It’s also started rolling back environmental regulations as it tries to reinvigorate the country’s fossil fuel industries.

“Under the [Joe] Biden administration they had billions of dollars going toward it, and I would have been far more optimistic,” Coble said. “But that money is in jeopardy, and those of us working in this field … don’t even know if it’s going to get deployed and how, what that looks like.”

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Maryland has been moving toward renewable energy for decades,

but as of right now, it’s not on track to hit the goals set by the General Assembly six years ago.

Half of Maryland’s electricity consumption is supposed to come from renewable sources by 2030, according to a 2019 law. Within that half, 14.5% of consumption must come from solar power.

But the state is falling behind.

“At this rate, we won’t meet the 14.5% [solar] carveout by 2030,” Paul Pinsky, director of the Maryland Energy Administration, said at a briefing earlier this year.

He was introducing a report published by the Maryland Energy Administration, which concluded renewables in Maryland and the surrounding region aren’t growing fast enough to keep up with state goals.

Experts also point to issues with the state’s system of incentivizing renewable energy. Electricity suppliers can either provide renewable energy by buying “credits,” or pay a fine that goes to a state fund for clean energy grants.

But in 2023, the latest year for which the state has data, renewable energy credits met less than half of the state’s goal and fines made up the rest. That’s a big drop from previous years, and the state said it happened because it was less expen-

sive in 2023 for electric utilities to pay the fine than to pay for renewables.

A 2024 executive order from Gov. Wes Moore (D) set another goal: 100% clean, in-state energy by 2035. The order told the Maryland Energy Administration to create a plan to get there.

Reaching that goal by 2035 is “extremely, extremely unlikely,” Pinsky said at the briefing.

Maryland is struggling to build renewable energy within state borders for a number of reasons.

It can be expensive and difficult to build large-scale facilities like solar farms in Maryland, said Evan Vaughan, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Coalition’s advocacy arm, MAREC Action. Land constraints, high land prices and a crowded transmission grid complicate such efforts, he said.

A backup in project approvals on the regional electricity grid has also caused difficulties.

“While the state certainly does have a strong and growing renewable energy supply today, it does have some unique challenges,” Vaughan said. “You find … common trends across a lot of the

CLIMATE Page 25

Dan’s Mountain Wind, a wind farm in Allegany County, photographed on July 8, 2025. The

(Courtesy Photo/Katelynn Winebrenner, Capital News Service)

CLIMATE from Page 24

smaller, land-constrained states on the East Coast in particular.”

Another law sets a goal of 8.5 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2031, equal to over half of Maryland’s total energy sales in 2023.

However, that buildout is in peril. The Trump administration paused leasing and permitting for new offshore projects earlier this year. On top of that, Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R) and Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan (I) have asked the secretary of the interior to halt a federally approved project off Maryland’s Atlantic coast. There has not yet been a formal response from the Trump administration.

Without new leases for offshore wind, the state won’t be able to achieve its goal, according to the Maryland Public Service Commission. The Trump administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed in July, will end tax breaks for renewable energy projects such as wind and solar.

Adding it all up, advocates and experts agree Maryland is not

where it needs to be.

“You keep on hearing people say, ‘Maryland is a leader in clean energy,’” said Adam Dubitsky, consulting state director of the Maryland Land & Liberty Coalition, a conservative clean energy advocacy group. “And it is simply not true.”

IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

While some advocates wanted more of a focus on climate or clean energy during this year’s state legislative session, they celebrated the wins that came their way.

Though advocates are still wary about the push to expedite natural gas, they supported other provisions of the final package such as battery storage procurement — which would store energy generated by wind, solar and fossil fuels — and rate reform. The package would also stop trash incineration from receiving renewable energy subsidies and includes new solar siting standards.

Moving forward, “we just have to figure out how we can responsibly deploy as many renewables and as much [energy] storage as possible,”

said State Del. David Fraser-Hidalgo, a Democrat from Montgomery County.

Supporters praised the new solar standards as a way to streamline projects and overcome restrictive county rules, but the standards drew backlash from Eastern Shore Republicans. They asked Moore to veto the bill, saying it could upend agriculture in their districts, but the governor signed it into law.

The package also moved Maryland toward new nuclear energy, which doesn’t produce carbon emissions. Environmental advocates are split on whether nuclear is a boon or a danger, but many lawmakers hailed new nuclear tech as a viable long-term option for clean, reliable energy. Nuclear power already makes up 40% of the electricity generated in Maryland.

“There appears to be an acknowledgement by the majority party and the leadership that we need to incorporate nuclear and natural gas in order to achieve the energy demands that we have in our state, which is a big deal,” said State Del. Jesse Pippy, a Republican from Frederick County who serves as minority whip.

Moore vetoed one of the three bills in the package, which would have set up a new energy planning office. Moore cited costs and overlap with other state agencies as reasons for the veto. The office would have focused on reliability and affordability alongside clean energy goals, and the bill drew praise from both sides of the aisle.

“It’s something that I believe we should have done from the very beginning, before we moved forward with all of our climate change legislation a few years back,” said Carozza, a Republican who represents Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

The governor also vetoed one study of the costs of greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland and one on data center impacts, frustrating environmental advocates.

Carozza said she believes the state should have known more about the cost of different energy sources, including wind, before enacting its climate goals.

“There now is a recognition at the state level that you cannot just depend on renewable energy to meet Maryland’s energy needs or Maryland’s climate change goals,” Carozza said.

OUR EARTH

INCREMENTAL PROGRESS

So, in light of the state’s progress and aggressive goals, can Maryland meet its climate and energy goals on time?

“I am not sure,” said State Sen. Malcolm Augustine, a Democrat from Prince George’s County who serves as president pro tem of the Senate and chair of an energy subcommittee. “But what I do know is that we’re going to work hard to try to achieve that.”

The energy package the general assembly passed this year moves the state in the right direction, he said. It doesn’t mean the state is backing off its goals but finding a “more achievable route.”

The goals remain state law and Maryland still takes climate change seriously, said State Sen. Brian Feldman, a Democrat from Montgomery County and chair of the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee. He was a lead sponsor of this year’s solar siting bill and sponsored the 2019 law that boosted Maryland’s renewable energy goal to 50% by 2030.

But some advocates felt there wasn’t enough of an emphasis on cli-

mate action during the spring legislative session.

“Climate didn’t stay in the conversation the way it should have,” said Tulkin, the Maryland Sierra Club director.

The future is still cloudy for state climate action, though, thanks to the Trump administration’s slew of changes to federal climate and energy policy. Among a host of other actions from the administration, a Trump executive order directs the U.S. attorney general to identify and stop state laws addressing climate change, emissions or environmental justice issues.

Pinsky wrote in response that the move was “worse than irresponsible” and disruptive, accusing the administration of interfering with state matters during a global crisis. Even so, other climate advocates note Maryland is moving in the right direction despite the challenges it faces.

“What we need to do is just keep taking steps forward,” Coble said. “We just keep chipping away at it, and if we continue to take two to three steps forward every year, it is a whole lot better than doing nothing, that’s for sure.” WI

July 10, 2025

There is a 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi (VIN#1C6RR7GT4GS199775), that has been repaired and standing at SA Auto Repair since December 23rd, 2024.

If this is your vehicle, please claim it by providing proof of ownership and you will have to pay for the repair that was done, as well as storage, and bill fees. Please reach out to us within 2 weeks of this posting, otherwise the car will be auctioned. Call 202-320-5030 for additional information or claim details.

5 Gov. Wes Moore has set a goal for 100% clean, in-state energy by 2035. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

EDUCATION

Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Black Excellence: Inside Black Greek Fest 2025

By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer

Members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NHPC)— historically African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine— filled Sandlot Uptown in Northwest, D.C. for the fifth-annual Black Greek Festival on Saturday, July 12, an event celebrating Black beauty, culture, boldness, resilience and unity.

The day-long festival honored the power behind and throughout the Divine Nine and included live DJs, Black-owned food trucks and vendors, games, and giveaways.

As a student at Bowie State University and member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.’s Mu

Chapter, Joshua O., who preferred not to use his last name, told The Informer he was excited to take part in this unified gathering of Black excellence for a number of reasons.

“I came here to spend time with my brothers, enjoy the Black Greek culture and have a good time,” he said.

In its fifth year and Sandlot Uptown debut, Kwame Agyemang, a Black Greek Festival team member, was excited about this year’s festival turnout.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support we received at this year’s Black Greek Festival,” he told The Informer.

“To all members of the Divine Nine who showed up and showed out—we see you and we thank you for all the continued support.

Your energy and unity truly made this event unforgettable.”

Following the purpose of historically Black Greek-letter organizations— to bolster education and uplift African American communities— Agyemang expressed his gratitude for people across the Divine Nine coming together, despite a divided time in the nation. The gathering was not just a party, but a space to empower all those present to keep working toward an equitable and united country and world.

“We want to thank… the broader D.C. community for coming together to celebrate culture, legacy, and Black excellence,” Agyemang said. “It was more than a festival—it was a family reunion, a vibe, and a testament to the power of community.”

HISTORY, POWER OF THE DIVINE NINE: ‘IT OPENED MY HORIZONS’

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, founded on May 10, 1930 at Howard University, includes nine historically African American Greek-letter organizations working toward bettering Black communities through educational, economic, and cultural service activities.

The council consists of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (founded in 1906), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (founded in 1908), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (founded in 1911), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (founded in 1911), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (founded in 1913), Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (founded in 1914), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (founded in 1920), Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (founded in 1922), and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (founded in 1963).

They were created in response to the racial segregation and disen-

franchisement that denied Black students entry into predominantly white sororities and fraternities. Black students, whether studying at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) or predominantly white institutions (PWIs), came together to create these organizations, forging ties all across the country.

Chidera Benedicts, who also attends Bowie State University as a member of Iota Phi Theta’s Mu Chapter, felt that Greek life was a major opportunity to get involved on campus.

“Its made [my college experience] more interesting and more enjoyable. You’re doing a whole lot of things that not a lot of college students get to do,” Benedict told The Informer. “You get to meet a lot of people, connect with different chapters and organizations, and overall it just gives you more of a professional aspect while in undergrad.”

His fraternity brother, Mike A., who only wanted to print his first name, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the wealth of opportunities that become available as a member of the Divine Nine.

“It’s like an enhancement of [the college] experience because [there’s] a lot of opportunities that you may not have seen without it,” he said. “It opened my horizons to [many things] that I hadn’t necessarily seen before.”

5 Attendees enjoy the Black Greek Festival at Sandlot Uptown in Northwest, D.C. on July 12. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

5 As members of Iota Phi Theta’s Mu Chapter at Bowie State University, fraternity brothers Mike A. and Chidera Benedicts emphasize the wealth of opportunities that become available through the Divine Nine. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

from Page 26

As a student at American University, Savannah-Rae Snyder, first felt disconnected from others as she navigated life at a predominantly white institution.

“When I first got to college at my PWI, I was angry [at] the lack of awareness, tone deafness, and passive activism of my peers,” said Snyder, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Nu Alpha Chapter. “I was raised by pro-Black parents that taught me to take everything in the world as a political point. I went through the stages of grief over African Americans’ status in the world, told only through a lens of being conquered.”

Thanks to Nu Alpha Chapter, chartered on April 22, 1976, Snyder was able to find a group that had what she had been searching for.

“I was provided a rich history, heritage, and the glory of struggle and success. Not only did my 22 founders charge me with the good fight, they gave me line sisters as allies and lifelong friends,” Snyder told The Informer. “It made my college career one of determination that was constant.”

DIVINE NINE VALUES BEYOND CAMPUS, IN THE COMMUNITY

Historically Black fraternities and sororities were originally es-

tablished on the principles of educational excellence, racial upliftment, community service, civic action and kinship.

Today, current members work to uphold those values and emphasize their importance to the next generations of fraternity brothers and sorority sisters.

For Joshua O., being part of Iota Phi Theta has encouraged him to become more active in the community and gain leadership experience.

“l’ve been able to do more and be part of the community, culture, [and be] in leadership positions,” he told The Informer. “Going out here, changing the community, bringing [people] together, unites not only Black culture, but us as people.”

Monet Mabrey, a 2024 graduate from Coppin State University and member of Zeta Phi Beta’s Nu Gamma chapter, said being part of a Divine Nine organization not only helped her on campus, but is critical to the woman she is today.

“Becoming a finer woman of Coppin State University really helped me get out of my comfort zone,” she emphasized. “[It] has also helped me get my ‘big girl’ job thanks to my professor knowing [my supervisor] that’s in another Divine Nine sorority. It’s just amazing, you never know what opportunities are out there.”

Having experienced the ben-

EDUCATION

efits of participating in a Black Greek-letter organization firsthand, Mabrey offered advice for those interested in becoming part of the Divine Nine.

“Always remember: scholarships come first,” she explained. “Also, get a GPA that’s five points higher than the one that you need to join the organization that you really want to be a part of.”

While there is a lot of fun and camaraderie that is associated with the Divine Nine, Joshua O. said those interested in being a

member should learn all they can about the work done in each organization, warning of believing false stereotypes of Black Greek culture.

“I only recommend [joining] if you’re hardworking, you have

goals, and you want to achieve them with other people around you,” he told The Informer. “Understand that Greek life is not about partying, it’s more about structure, building, [and being] better than yesterday.” WI

5 Monet Mabrey (Left) and Joshua O. (Right) discuss Black Greek culture at The Sandlot Uptown in Washington D.C. during Black Greek Fest on Saturday, July 12. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

BLACK GREEK FEST

5 Divine Nine members from around the DMV celebrate Black Greek Festival at The Sandlot Uptown in Washington D.C. during Black Greek Fest on Saturday, July 12. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

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A Voice from the Black Pulpit on the IRS Ruling

Throughout history, the Black church has been a crucible of spiritual refuge and political liberation.

From the battle to abolish slavery to voting rights, equal rights, and educational opportunities, Black church leaders have called on God and preached spiritual lessons to raise the conscience of their people, even related to politics. Yet the recent IRS decision permitting churches to endorse political candidates from the pulpit gives many Black religious leaders pause.

For context, the Johnson Amendment—named after then-Senator

“The IRS’s latest proposal may be a setup to further disenfranchise and attack Black churches that have historically been at the frontlines of the civil rights movement...”

Lyndon B. Johnson and enacted in 1954—prohibits churches and other 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations from directly or indirectly participating in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

In 2017, President Donald Trump, then in his first term, reportedly told a group of religious leaders that he would “destroy” the Johnson Amendment. He fulfilled his promise this month when a court order lifted the IRS ban, ensuring Trump’s support from religious conservatives who felt it violated their free speech rights.

On the surface, this appears to be a victory for religious freedom. But why now? Black clergy are confident they know why.

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC), warns, “The IRS’s latest proposal may be a setup to further disenfranchise and attack Black churches that have historically been at the frontlines of the civil rights movement and the struggle for Black political and economic empowerment.”

“I do not trust their word. I do not trust their intent,” declared the Rev. William Lamar, pastor of Metropoli-

MAGA vs. the Monster It Created Conspiracy Lies

Are Now Haunting Trump

The MAGA movement is now devouring itself, and the trigger is the name no one in Trumpworld wants to discuss—Jeffrey Epstein.

For years, President Donald Trump and his allies fueled their rise on conspiracy theories: “deep state” cabals, child sex rings, and coded messages whispered through QAnon threads. These lies, once dismissed as fringe, became central to Trump’s political strategy, transforming paranoia into policy and delusion into doctrine.

But now, with Epstein’s unsealed documents raising eyebrows— and implicating influential figures across the political spectrum— the same mob Trump once stoked is turning inward.

Trump’s connection to Epstein, long buried under layers of denial and distraction, is now resurfacing.

MAGA loyalists, who once hap-

tan AME Church. “We [Black clergy] would be foolish to believe this is being done on behalf of all of us. They will find a way to ensure that we are punished for using this policy the way they will use it. I’m watching and waiting, but I do not trust them because in the end, their policies have always been to place a stranglehold on power – judicially, legislatively, economically, and religiously.”

Black clergy see this shift—driven by a lawsuit from conservative Texas churches—feels less like protection and more like permission rooted in partisan interest.

The Black church has never needed a license to speak truth to power. It’s done so under threat, under fire, and under God. Black clergy have historically demonstrated wisdom in striking a balance that informs the faithful without compromising their autonomy.

A shift in political leadership or a change in priorities could put churches—especially Black churches—right back in the crosshairs of enforcement.

Until there is absolute legislative clarity—not just selective reinterpretation—Black churches should continue to stand on the side of caution, conscience, and community. WI

pily blamed all guilt on Trump’s enemies, are now facing cognitive dissonance. Some even accuse their own of cover-ups, branding former allies as “controlled opposition” or worse.

Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly weighed in on Attorney General Pam Bondi and Trump’s extreme tone shift about the Epstein files at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit.

“You either believe that Pam Bondi was telling the truth then, or that she’s telling the truth now, but both cannot be true,” Kelly said.

It’s a chaotic collapse, showing just how unsustainable a movement built on lies truly is.

This has always been the risk of weaponizing conspiracy: the truth eventually catches up. The tragedy is that while MAGA followers

tear each other apart online, real issues— economic inequality, public trust, and institutional accountability— stay unaddressed.

Trump’s movement unleashed a monster.

Now that monster is staring in the mirror—and it doesn’t like what it sees. WI

“You either believe that Pam Bondi was telling the truth then, or that she’s telling the truth now, but both cannot be true,” Kelly said.

TO THE EDITOR

Jada, thank you for the beautiful article on the play about Sis Clara Muhammad, and the works of Bro. Ibrahim and Sis Carol Mumin and others! Your article means that Sis Clara now will be inside the pages of DC History and beyond. Researchers may come across your article and seek to learn more, and so

the influence traveling far beyond the pages of The Washington Informer - like so many other treasures within your archives.

Best Regards, Ayesha K. Mustafaa, editor, Muslim Journal

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

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

Ben Jealous

Rising Waters Will Not Drown the American Spirit

And it aims to stop dead in its tracks the clean energy transition and the green manufacturing jobs boom the Inflation Reduction Act was already starting to create.

On the Fourth of July, Donald Trump signed his “megabill.” The law boosts the dying fossil fuel industry with tens of billions of taxpayer dollars. It invites an additional 470 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2035 — that’s the equivalent annual emissions of more than 100 million gas-powered cars.

Just hours later, a climate-fueled storm settled over and dumped four months’ worth of rain on Texas Hill Country. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet within 45 minutes. The resulting flash floods killed at least 104 people — at the time of this writing, although that number will go up — mostly in Kerr County. That death toll in-

Policy decisions in Washington, D.C., are setting the stage for a local health care crisis. Recent moves to cut Medicaid and D.C. Healthcare Alliance as well as closing community pharmacies are not abstract shifts. They are direct threats to public health, hitting lower-income and historically marginalized communities first

The pain that millions of Americans will feel from the Republicans’ megabill is real. It may take time for the reality and pain of the new domestic policy to hit, but it will eventually come, and it will not be pleasant. Part of the current pain is knowing that the legislation could have been stopped during the Senate vote.

cludes dozens of young girls attending the Camp Mystic youth camp.

This disaster was not a random event. It was a crisis written by the climate crisis and made far worse by the types of policies being pushed by this administration every day.

Before the absurdly named One Big Beautiful Bill Act landed on Trump’s desk, his administration had already begun gutting America’s frontline defenses against climate disasters — like the Na-

Guest Columnists

tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s climate labs, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

As questions abound about why parts of the flood-impacted region did not receive adequate warning about the floods, Trump insisted that “nobody expected it” and it was a “once in 100 years” event.

But storms like this, as well as increased flooding from the Guadalupe River, were expected — and predicted. The U.S. Geo-

logical Survey — another vital body Trump is trying to eviscerate — issued a report to that effect in 2019. The science is clear: warmer air holds more moisture, intensifying storms and accelerating flood risk. We’re now witnessing the violent proof of these predictions.

According to UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain, “this kind of record-shattering rain (caused by slow-moving torrential thunderstorms) event is precisely that

Page 53

Keys to Saving Working Class Health care in D.C.’s Black Communities

and hardest.

More than 285,000 D.C. residents are covered by Medicaid, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. Recent budget cuts threaten to cut 25,000 D.C. residents off Medicaid and slash payouts to healthcare workers for services. Such cuts will lead to fewer services, tighter eligibility and reduced support for clinics, schools and hospitals.

But the harm won’t be spread equally. The majority of D.C.

Medicaid enrollees live in communities east of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8, where nearly half of all residents are covered. They live in neighborhoods like my own in Ward 8’s Congress Heights. In addition, my neighbors in Wards 7 and 8 already face higher rates of asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure combined with limited access to care. Those with the greatest need are facing the greatest risk.

In early July, the CVS at 3250 Pennsylvania Ave. SE became the

latest pharmacy to shut down. This location regularly served 40,000 residents across Ward 7’s neighborhoods including Penn Branch and Fort Davis. For years, it was one of the only full-service pharmacies east of the river. Residents in these neighborhoods are often left with no comparable alternatives. Pharmacy closures not only inconvenience residents, but also disrupt care. When pharmacies close and Medicaid is slashed, trust in the system breaks down. A gap forms between those who can access basic

care and those who cannot. Last week, I joined a coalition of health care workers, community leaders and organizations to lobby Council members to save the D.C. Healthcare Alliance to protect working-class Washingtonians. We discussed the implications of cutting life-saving insurance from those who need affordable insurance. As D.C.’s only elected healthcare worker, I spoke on the impact of rising healthcare costs

There was hope that Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, would have joined a handful of her fellow Republican colleagues who found reasons within themselves to vote against the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.” In turn, she became the key undecided vote that allowed the controversial bill to clear the Senate after accepting a series of carve-outs that would lighten the impact on her home state. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., opposed the legislation because it included an increase to the debt ceiling.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., objected to Medicaid cuts, saying that Trump is breaking his promise not to push people off the program. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, voted against the bill despite the last-minute doubling of the fund to support rural hospitals to $50 billion. All 47 Democrats or independents who caucus with the Democrats opposed the bill. The three GOP defections created a 50-50 deadlock, resulting in Vice President Vance’s tie-breaking vote. Murkowski may have called

herself making a bad bill better for her constituents with the carveouts and schemes, but after casting the pivotal vote, she asked the Republican-led House not to pass the bill she had just voted for. It was no surprise that Murkowski’s appeals were ignored without hesitation by House Republicans. Despite the carve-outs, Alaskans will still be hurt by the bill. Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association President Jared Kosen says it’s impossible to know how much of the $50 billion rural healthcare

fund Alaska will get. Meanwhile, he expects approximately 34,000 Alaskans will lose Medicaid coverage. Murkowski’s vote was not political; it was a moral vote. She previously admitted that in many parts of the country, “there are Americans that are not going to be advantaged by the bill.” Despite her understanding and acknowledgement of the human toll, Murkowski simply did not have the moral

David W. Marshall

Rep. Oye Owolewa and Kalah Neal

JEALOUS

Guest

Some run for office to serve the people — to help them make their lives better. Trump never got that message. He spent a lot of money those years he was sitting on the sidelines thinking about the damage he could do for the not-sowell-off if he got back in the White House.

He hired Elon Musk to figure

Running for the Money Being Loving Champions for Justice

For people whose hearts are broken by seeing news of parents, families and children suffering anywhere, this has been a difficult week. It was an ideal moment to be buoyed by hopeful news like the messages the King Center in Atlanta shared during their celebration of Be Love Day on July 9, as they invited people to pledge

They came to MacArthur Park on horseback and in riot gear, their faces covered and their weapons out. They were part of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency and the California National Guard. They came with more than a dozen military vehicles, as helicopters swarmed overhead. They came heavily armed

things out for him with DOGE. That caused firing a lot of people from jobs they’d held for years. He didn’t help anyone I know in his first term, and he’s doing even less now. Democracy is threatened and political violence is a major problem under his watch.

He did everything he could to make some quick money for himself and his family. Instead of allowing Elon do all of his destruction in the field, he brought him to the White House to run a car sales lot on the lawn with Tesla cars. Af-

ter Trump got his Tesla, it seems the friendship began falling apart and they began hurling insults at each other.

The insults grew once Elon left the White House and took his boy, who Trump didn’t seem to like hanging around his desk. With all the boy saw, I don’t think any of it influenced him to want to be president of anything!

By the time Elon left, I think some were beginning to prefer Elon to Trump! They’d begun to see what would happen to them

once Trump’s bill passed. In those few days before the vote on the Big Ugly Bill, critics were invited to the White House and when their dear leader finished, I don’t know what he promised, but they were whipped into shape!

They came running out with their dear leader’s demand to pass the bill with their little gifts and whatever promises he made to them, with no change in the fact that among the 17 million Americans were many of their constituents losing their healthcare cover-

age or Medicaid.

Many will have community hospitals wiped out causing them to travel up to 100 miles for healthcare. GOP representatives were seen cheering about all the losses to their constituents they’d been elected to support. Their dear leader was so satisfied that he flew off on a victory tour to the Iowa State Fair and returned to spend an hour on the phone with his dear friend Vladimir Putin, who

Page 54

to Be Love every day in order to create and strengthen the beloved community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned.

As part of the Be Love pledge says: “I pledge to allow love to drive my thoughts, words, decisions and actions, and honor the humanity of every individual. I pledge to speak the truth to power in love. I pledge to focus on defeating injustice and not destroying the person. I pledge to support leaders who demonstrate a love for humanity. I pledge to promote unity and re-

fuse to perpetuate or magnify division. I pledge to demonstrate a life of courage, care and compassion as I boldly confront anything that stands in opposition to love.”

This is a needed path. Later this month, faith leaders and child advocates will gather at Children’s Defense Fund’s Haley Farm in Tennessee, CDF’s own space for building beloved community, for the 2025 Hall-Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry. Named for Rev. Dr. Prathia Hall and Rev. Dr. Samuel DeWitt Proctor, this

is a place where faith, action and joy come together to build a better world, and an experience that helps participants continue the necessary, hopeful, sacred work of pursuing justice and joy for all young people. Ten years ago, the beloved late South African Archbishop and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu sent attendees a video message with a timeless exhortation for this work: “Justice needs champions. Good leaders with the ability to identify the challenges and the tenacity to

address them. Good leaders driven not by personal ambition, but by an innate desire to improve the circumstances of the human family and the human condition.”

Archbishop Tutu continued: “We inhabit a moral universe. Goodness, righteousness and fairness matter. We are born to love — all of us, including Black, Latino and White [children] and everyone else. As members of the human family — God’s family

EDELMAN Page 54

with rifles and other weapons. They came, clearly, ready to rumble, armed to excess. Why?

Local Angelenos, who might ordinarily be hanging out, selling food and toys, or simply enjoying the day, were warned that immigration might be out. Many are too fearful to go out, but a summer day camp for children was operational. Many of the young people attending the camp had parents who were working — camp was summer childcare. Camp counselors took the children inside to

shield them from the chaos. Still, many of the children were frightened. A little girl, interviewed on CNN, wept as she spoke of her fear and the fact that she hoped her mother would come home from work. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass described the military action as “outrageous and un-American.”

Why did more than 90 heavily armed ICE officers, carrying rifles and riding Humvees descend on urban MacArthur Park in an area that is heavily immigrant? This is nothing more than intimidation. It

is manifestation of the reign of terror that the president has ushered in. With no respect for the law and order that he so frequently touts, this impersonation of a human being has authorized a group of outof-control zealots to inflict fear on an entire neighborhood. It doesn’t matter whether residents are legal (which most are) or not. These Gestapo-like “law enforcement” officers can stop anyone who they suspect of being illegal. If the person is not carrying the appropriate identification,

they may be taken to a temporary holding facility. You might be fingerprinted, interviewed or detained. Your belongings (including your telephone) may be confiscated. You will be forced to prove that you are legal, guilty until proven innocent. This is fearful for both legal and illegal migrants, but it ought to be an occasion of fear for all of us. Lots of Black folks could be mistaken as Latino and held. Who really carries their passport

MALVEAUX Page 54

Julianne Malveaux

Guest Columnist

E. Faye Williams

Reign of Terror

Columnist

Marian Wright Edelman

WILLIAMS

Guest Columnist

LIFESTYLE

Things To Do, DMV!

By Trevor Johnson WI Intern

From free outdoor concerts and farmers markets, to handson workshops and vibrant cultural festivals, D.C. is packed with several engaging things to do this week.

Whether looking to dance, learn, explore, or just enjoy the city’s summer energy, there’s something fun to do across the DMV for people of all ages.

Check out a handful of events happening around the city, from jazz in Anacostia to a celebration

of Palestinian cuisine, and more.

Plus, remember, for more information on events and programming around the DMV area, check out the Washington Informer Calendar.

THURSDAY, JULY 17

Rosslyn Rocks Outdoor Music Series

5:30 p.m. | Free Central Place Plaza, 1800 N Lynn Street, Arlington, VA 22209

Looking for live music in the city? Check out Rosslyn’s Central

COMMUNITY COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY, PCS REQUEST

FOR PROPOSALS

Armed Security Services

Community College Preparatory Academy (CCPrep) is re-issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) for Armed Security Services for the 2025–2026 school year due to a low initial response and the addition of new criteria.

To request a full copy of the RFP, please email accounting@ccprep-academy.org, copied to Larry.Palmer@ccprep-academy.org.

Bids that do not address all areas as outlined in the RFP or bids received past the deadline will not be considered.

Send proposal by 12:00 pm, August 1, 2025, via email to accounting@ ccprep-academy.org, copied to Larry.Palmer@ccprep-academy.org.

For additional information, please contact:

Larry Palmer

Community College Preparatory Academy, PCS 1801 U Street SE Washington, DC 20020

Larry.Palmer@ccprep-academy.org

Place Plaza for a free outdoor concert featuring Hungry Hard Luck, a band known for its tribute to Jimmy Buffett.

The set will include a mix of popular hits and lesser-known tracks from Buffett’s decades-long career.

There will be a cash bar on-site, and guests are welcome to bring takeout from nearby restaurants. While the event is free to attend, RSVPs are encouraged.

Archiving for Artists

6:30 p.m. | Free The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st Street NW Washington, D.C. 20009

Learn how to preserve creative work in this hands-on workshop led by archivist and writer Keondra Bills Freemyn, co-director of Black Lunch Table.

Inspired by the “Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest” exhibition, this session offers practical tips for artists, curators, and cultural workers interested in building and protecting their legacy.

FRIDAY, JULY 18

Food and Farm Fridays Noon - 2 p.m. | Free THEARC, 1901 Mississippi Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20020

Get free fresh produce every Friday at THEARC in Southeast D.C., where local farms, the

Capital Area Food Bank, and DC Central Kitchen team up to share fruits, vegetables, herbs, and prepared meals with the community.

Monthly extras include cooking demos, local product giveaways, and job fairs.

Hosted by Building Bridges, this event is all about supporting Ward 8 residents with healthy food and helpful resources.

BOUSTANY: Celebrate Palestinian Cuisine with Sami Tamimi & Michael Rafidi 7 p.m. | $23.31

Bold Fork Books, 3064 Mt. Pleasant Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Join Bold Fork Books for a special evening celebrating the release of “Boustany: A Celebration of Vegetables from my Palestine” by renowned chef and author Sami Tamimi.

Chef Tamimi will be in conversation with Michelin-starred D.C. chef Michael Rafidi at All Souls Episcopal Church to discuss his first solo cookbook, a tribute to vibrant, plant-forward Palestinian cuisine.

Co-founder of Ottolenghi and co-author of “Jerusalem and Falastin,” Tamimi shares more than 100 recipes that honor his roots through colorful, garden-inspired dishes.

From pantry staples to shareable meals, “Boustany” brings Pales-

tinian food traditions to life with warmth and creativity.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

DowntownDC BID And Blues Alley Present: 60 Years of Jazz Legacy at Anthem Row 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Free Anthem Row, 800 K Street NW Washington, D.C. 20001

Join the celebration as Blues Alley marks 60 years with a special live concert in downtown D.C.

Enjoy performances by the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra Quartet, the genre-blending Dana Hawkins Syndicate, and acclaimed saxophonist Brent Birckhead.

This free, open-air event honors the legacy of jazz while also spotlighting its next generation.

Owtside Festival 2025

2 p.m. | $50.00 - $175.10

Gateway DC, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20032

Celebrate the sounds and flavors of the city at Owtside Festival, a one-day event packed with live performances, DJ sets, top food vendors, and interactive games. From local talent to national acts, this festival brings high energy and summer vibes all day long. Whether coming with friends or riding solo, it’s an experience to

5Food and Farm Fridays at THEARC in Southeast, D.C. bring neighbors together with free produce, prepared meals, and local love. (Courtesy Photo/Building Bridges Across the River)

LIFESTYLE from Page 32

not miss.

The event is 21+ only with a valid ID and all ticket sales are final.

SUNDAY, JULY 20

Jazzy Sundays in Anacostia

4 p.m. | Free Anacostia, 1234 Marion Barry Avenue SE Washington, D.C. 20020

Enjoy the rhythm of summer with Jazzy Sundays, a free, family-friendly concert series happening every Sunday through Sept. 7.

Head to Marion Barry Avenue SE for live jazz, delicious food from local vendors, and a relaxed community vibe.

Bring lawn chairs, grab a bite, and unwind with soulful sounds in the heart of Anacostia. Pre -

sented by The Anacostia BID and DCity Smokehouse, this eightweek series is the perfect way to wrap up the weekend.

Litter Cleanup at P Street Beach

10 a.m. - Noon | Free P Street Beach, 23rd Street NW & P Street NW Washington, D.C. 20037

Take part in a local restoration day led by Nick Staten, in partnership with Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service.

This event focuses on clearing litter, one of the biggest threats to the park’s health and water quality. It’s a chance to support the environment, connect with nature, and contribute to a cleaner, safer Rock Creek.

Final details and directions will be shared with volunteers two days before the event. WI

LIFESTYLE

5Jazzy Sundays offers live jazz and neighborhood fun to Anacostia every Sunday through Sept. 7. (Courtesy Photo/Anacostia BID)

LIFESTYLE

MUSEUM from Page 1

So, on July 5, Overby and her 13-year-old son Topey left Waldorf, Maryland to go to the Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum in Southeast, D.C. She took her son to the Ward 8 museum because of her connection to the site.

“I grew up in Southeast,” Overby, 54, said. “To meet the requirements of the art merit badge, he must visit an art museum and write about what that experience is like. I immediately thought of the Anacostia Museum because I have been here several times over the years, and it has a strong cultural and artistic component.”

When Overby learned the latest federal budget supported by the Trump administration has functionally defunded the museum, she shook her head in disbelief.

“We as Black people don’t have a lot of places where we can explore our culture,” she said. “Our kids

need those places. Kids love culture and they should have places to go to learn more about their history.”

Topey, a rising eighth grader in middle school in Charles County, Maryland, agreed with his mother.

“I like this museum,” he told The Informer, “because it shows Black people’s contribution to art and history.”

Overby and Topey are a part of a growing number of people who have expressed concerns about the Anacostia Community Museum since it was announced that it was zeroed out of federal funding because of the reduction in the budget of Smithsonian museums.

Philip Pannell, executive director of the Anacostia Coordinating Council (ACC), shares the sentiments of the museum’s supporters and worries of what can happen next.

“The museum’s budget has been cut at $3 million and unless that changes, there is a proposal that the museum will be blended into

the National Museum of African American History and Culture,” said Pannell, 74. “That would not be a good thing.”

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY MUSEUM

The Anacostia Community Museum was founded in 1967 under the aegis of the Smithsonian Institution at the former Carver Theater in the Anacostia neighborhood.

The museum was designed to bring aspects of the Smithsonian east of the Anacostia River, which was (and remains) predominantly Black. The idea was that the museum would serve as a catalyst for African Americans to visit the other Smithsonian museums on the National Mall.

The Rev. John Kinard was appointed the director of the museum in June 1967. In 1970, the Anacostia Community Museum

became the first Smithsonian entity on a local level to receive federal funding.

In 1971, the museum tapped Louise Damiel Hutchinson as its first historian. The next year, the museum had 10 full-time, permanent staff members with divisions such as the director’s office, education and research and exhibitions.

The museum opened its Fort Stanton location on May 17, 1987, where it presently sits. Also, during this time, the museum adopted a focus on the history and struggle of Black people worldwide.

However, in 2006, the museum changed to its present name and Camille Akeju became its director. Community members have played a larger role in the content offered to the public since the Akeju administration, such as Ward 8 community activist Stuart Anderson.

“The museum allowed me to show an exhibit on the food inequities that exist east of the Anacos-

5 Due to losing funding, Anacostia Community Museum, a staple Smithsonian Institution to the Ward 8 community and District, is at risk of being absorbed into the National Museum of African American History and Culture. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts) MUSEUM Page 35

MUSEUM from Page 34

tia River,” Anderson, 65, told The Informer.

SUPPORT FOR MUSEUM’S SURVIVAL

There have been two public meetings that addressed the issue of the Anacostia Community Museum’s funding.

On June 30, the ACC convened a meeting of interested residents discussing the plight of the museum at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Ward 8.

Pearl Eni, a resident of Northeast Washington, attended the meeting and decided to get involved in saving the museum. She formally joined the Save Our Museum committee with the aim of seeking ways to keep the facility and its operations ongoing.

“The Anacostia Community Museum (ACM) is a special place and working there was a life-changing experience for me,” Eni told The Informer. “I joined the committee to spread love and awareness about this local gem. We want everyone

in D.C. and beyond to know about the ACM. It was created by the Smithsonian Institution as the first federally funded community museum in the United States and its impact is incalculable.”

The museum was also a topic of discussion at the Ward 8 Clergy and Faith Leaders meeting that took place on July 12 at the Young’s Memorial Church of Christ Holiness in Ward 8. Melanie Adams, the director of the museum, spoke on the latest developments.

“I have been the director of the museum since 2019,” Adams told the gathering of 30 people. “We tell stories of the people of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The stories we are telling are hyperlocal.”

She emphasized the 12% cut that the Smithsonian system took in the latest budget proposal, saying “the reduction zeroed out the Anacostia Community Museum… and we lost $3 million.”

Nevertheless, she said there is “an effort to educate people on the Hill of the importance of the museum.”

Further, the museum’s current director agrees with Pannell in that merging the Anacostia site with

the National Museum for African American History and Culture is not an innovative idea.

“I have been the director of the museum since 2019. We tell stories of the people of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia,” she said. “The stories we are telling are hyperlocal.”

The museum’s current director agrees with Pannell in that merging the Anacostia site with the National Museum for African American History and Culture is not an innovative idea.

“The stories from the Anacostia Community Museum are different from those at the National Museum,” she said. “We want to make sure that we are serving the community.”

As part of his community advocacy, Anderson is supporting efforts to preserve the museum.

“I believe it is paramount to push back and stop the effort to shut down the museum that is a positive space for African Americans,” he said. “The museum is a beacon that houses the history of African Americans and the history of the city. The museum has had exhibits that showcase housing,

culture, artistic displays, and the African American experience in D.C. Saving this museum is larger than the Ward 8 community, no other museum in the city speaks to the African American experience in the city.”

Pannell said the ACC will formally announce the convening of the Save Our Museum committee at its July 29 meeting.

The Rev. Wanda Thompson, who serves as the chair of the Ward 8 Clergy and Faith Leaders organization, highlighted the museum’s importance to Anacostia’s residents and legacy.

“The Anacostia Community Museum is a jewel in our community,” Thompson said. “We don’t want to see it gone.” WI

@JamesWrightJr10

5A May 2023 exhibition, “To Live and Breathe: Women and Environmental Justice in Washington, DC,” at the Anacostia Community Museum. (WI File

Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

Era Wine Bar Hopes Third RAMMY Bid is the Charm

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Taj McCoy works hard at being the best literary agent for her clients, trying to get them the best publishing deals, advising them on career paths to authorship and even being an author herself. With all the work she puts into her profession, she takes to Era Wine Bar in Mount Rainier, Maryland in Prince George’s County to relax, refresh and unwind.

McCoy patronizes Era Wine Bar several times a week, to support her friends– co-owners Ka-Ton and Dr. Michelle Grant– while consuming wine and taking her mind off work and what is going on in the world.

“I knew the Grants before they opened Era Wine Bar and I am happy to support them,” said McCoy, 43. “I love it because it is a Blackowned establishment, and I like the type of people they are. They are for the community.”

McCoy is not the only one who seems to resonate with Era Wine Bar, as the establishment was nominated for the Wine Program of the Year for the 2025 RAMMYS, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) annual awards.

The winner of that category, as well as the others, will be announced on Aug. 3 at The RAMMYS Awards Gala held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, D.C.

McCoy notes that this is the third time Era Wine Bar has been nominated for a RAMMY.

“They are beyond deserving to win it this time,” she said.

Era Wine Bar, a

for a 2025

November 2021. The initial desire was to set up the establishment in the District, but after consideration of several factors, they settled on Mount Rainier in a building located on the busy Rhode Island Avenue corridor.

“We live in the neighborhood and wanted to provide some new energy to it,” said Grant, 48.

This exhibition is co-organized by The Phillips Collection and the Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati. Major support for the exhibition tour and associated programs has been provided by the Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Terra Foundation for American Art, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

The presentation of Vivian Browne: My Kind of Protest at The Phillips Collection is made possible, in part, by the Linda Lichtenberg Kaplan Exhibition Fund.

With the generous support of Anne and Gus Edwards and of Reid Walker. Vivian Browne, Bini Apron, 1973, Acrylic on canvas 49 3/4 x 51 3/4 in., The Phillips Collection, Gift of Adobe Krow Archives for Vivian Browne, Los Angeles, 2024

ERA WINE BAR: A DREAM COME TRUE

Mount Rainier residents and wine enthusiasts, the Grants opened Era Wine Bar in fulfillment of a dream.

“When I first met her some years ago, she already had a 100-page business plan,” Ka-Ton Grant said of his wife, who had always wanted to open a wine eatery. “This was her dream. She had sampled wines from all over the world.”

Era Wine Bar formally opened

The husband and restaurateur said customers get to choose between 80-125 different types of wine to consume, “depending on the season,” adding he has discovered trends among his patrons.

“I noticed that when it is hot, people tend to want champagne,” he said. “During the colder months, they favor red wine.”

The menu offers snacks such as welcome dates, an assortment of goat cheese and crushed pistachios, and mixtures like mushroom and artichoke, blackened shrimp and av-

ERA WINE Page 37

5

Black-owned establishment in Mount Rainier, Maryland, is nominated

RAMMYS award for Wine Program of the Year. (WI File Photo/Micha Green)

ocado and Parmesan Fries. There are also such delights as Spanish chickpeas, Grand Cru Burger and panseared Atlantic salmon. There are special plates known as Era Boards that are a combination of meats and vegetables in one serving.

“The Era Boards are foods that are grouped by country,” Grant told The Informer. “For example, the Tour de France is a grouping of French foods.”

He said the menu was put togeth-

er with intentionality.

“We wanted to serve our customers the best foods that complement their wines,” the co-owner emphasized.

PRAISE FOR ERA WINE BAR

Era Wine Bar has received praise for its service and offerings on various media platforms.

Dustin S. of Sterling, Virginia wrote on a July 10 post of Yelp Review “this wine bar is absolutely charming, with an elegant and bright ambiance.”

“Although the brunch menu is small, every dish was flavorful and satisfying,” Dustin S. continued.

“The staff was attentive, and the wine recommendation was perfect. I really wanted to take a bottle with me, but I was traveling. I would definitely return for dinner next time.”

Olivia Harpster also lives in Mount Rainier and enjoys coming to Era Wine Bar for a sip of wine.

She also hopes that the three-time RAMMYS nominee secures a win this year.

“When I think of the owners of this bar, I think of commitment, consistency and curiosity,” Harpster, 36, told The Informer. “The owners here are very knowledgeable about wines. A good wine should tingle your taste buds, and its smell should interest you. They know good wines

FEE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide Fee Development Services to support its Capital Construction and Design/ Development (CCD) operations.

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available

Monday, June 23, 2025, full solicitation documents will be posted to our e-procurement system Housing Agency Marketplace at: https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/requests.html?company_id=506

PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE

Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM

Email Carl M. Edwards, VP Procurement and Contracting (OAS) at cmedwards@dchousing.org for additional information.

and they make you want to say, ‘I want to have this.’” WI @JamesWrightJr10

‘More Than a Trainer’: Sports Documentary Highlights Myron Flowers as a Catalyst for Change in the DMV, Beyond

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

As the 2025 football season is set to kick off in the fall, sports enthusiasts can anticipate excitement on the field and in streaming services with the anticipated debut of “More Than a Trainer,” a feel-good documentary chronicling the life and legacy of esteemed DMV trainer Myron Flowers.

Hosted and executive produced by former Washington Commanders star turned filmmaker Vernon Davis, and directed by acclaimed filmmaker DeShon Hardy, the

5In the forthcoming sports documentary

Than A Trainer,” NFL star turned filmmaker Vernon Davis (right) shines a light on the life and legacy of DMV trainer Myron Flowers (left), uplifting his story of mentorship and resilience as motivation for all viewers. (Courtesy Photo)

5 Ka-Ton Grant, who co-owns Era Wine Bar in Mount Rainier, Maryland with his wife Dr. Michelle Grant, at the 2025 RAMMYS nomination even at The Hamilton in Northwest, D.C. (WI File Photo/ Micha Green)

5 Seasonal wine and drinks in December 2024 at Era Wine Bar. Customers get to choose between 80-125 different types of wine to consume depending on the season. (WI File Photo/Micha Green)

LIFESTYLE

Meet The Washington Informer Summer Interns 2025

This summer, The Washington Informer is proud to welcome a dynamic group of 2025 interns who bring fresh perspectives, energy, and a passion for storytelling to our newsroom. These emerging journalists, photographers, and content creators are learning firsthand what it means to inform, engage, and uplift the communities we serve. Your continued support—through readership, donations, and encouragement—plays a vital role in helping us mentor and train the next generation of Black media professionals. Together, we are investing in the future of journalism and ensuring that our stories continue to be told with truth, integrity, and purpose.

Arianna-Marie Sookram

Howard University, Class of 2026

Legal Communications / Economics

Discover the Unexpected Fellow

Victoria “Ve” Wright

Howard University

Class of 2026

Journalism

Maven McGann

Howard University, Class of 2026

Interdisciplinary Studies / International Affairs

Discover the Unexpected Fellow

Trevor Johnson

Howard University Graduate 2025

Economics / TV, Film, and Journalism

William Armstead

Howard University

Class of 2026

Journalism / Political Science

FLOWERS from Page 37

film honors Flowers’ empowering story as not only a champion of fitness, but a national beacon for life-long betterment, dedicating more than 25 years to molding the minds, bodies and future of athletes throughout D.C. and beyond.

“I’ve seen firsthand how Myron steps up when no one else will,” said Davis in a press release. “This documentary is a heartfelt tribute to mentorship, resilience, and the power of showing up for others. Myron doesn’t just build athletes – he builds men. And the world needs to see that.”

SPOTLIGHTING THE TRAINER ‘THAT’S MORE THAN LIFE’

According to the collaborative duo behind “More Than A Trainer,” sharing Flowers’ story is as much a moment of gratitude as an act of motivation for youth athletes and the world at large.

Amid generating buzz for the hour and 15 minute film, Hardy shared his own testaments to Flowers’ innate and “very intentional” drive to push others to their fullest potential, noting the latter’s life’s work as something much deeper than training a body, but “training a lifestyle.”

“[Flowers] shows you, through his personal experiences in life, how to step out of your comfort zone and be okay with it. Be okay with change, be okay with doing something different, because your end goal is to be better,” Hardy told The Informer. “‘It’s not all about strength, but what is your max in life going to be?’ That’s some of the things he touches on.”

A graduate of North Carolina Central University (NCCU), and former player for the Canadian Football League, Flowers dons two decades worth of direct performance fitness and industry experience, which includes providing facilities management and personal training consultant services for some of the country’s largest fitness chains, as well as training hundreds of athletes – from Division 1 scholars and local youth, to active adults and renowned professionals.

In 2008, alongside former NBA player David Vanderpool, the nationally ranked trainer founded 360 Fit Performance in Columbia,

Maryland, with a philosophy of “changing lifestyles for a lifetime.” Today, 360 Fit stands as the No.1 training group in the DMV region for youth, college, and professional athletes.

“When I went to shoot him at his gym, it was regular people in there – women, kids, men of all shapes, sizes, colors, and they all came in there on a mission, and it was created by Myron,” Hardy said, highlighting the importance of finding “that push” to successfully meet goals. “That’s what [the documentary] is really about – for everybody to say, ‘You know what, I’m going to be intentional with some of the things that I want to do.’ And this is a motivation.”

Throughout the film, Flowers’ enduring influence is touted through the lens of business partners, coaches, relatives, and an allstar lineup of guest appearances, such as: Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel; Washington Wizards forward Saddiq Bey; Gervonta “Tank” Davis, professional boxer and current WBA Lightweight Champion; and multi-time NFL Pro Bowlers and brothers Stefon and Trevon Diggs, among others.

Further, while Hardy highlighted Flowers’ “infectious personality” and authenticity as a recurring topic among participants, Davis added his own personal appreciation for the trainer’s imprint on “how to approach life as a human being.”

The former NFL star lauded the mentor as a “unique individual” with the passion and courage to design a better world, notably by propelling the next generation with advice, job opportunities, and “general ethics” teachings to navigate the real world.

“This is a person that’s more than life,” Davis told The Informer. “I strongly believe that Myron Flowers represents all of that, not just for trainers but for the world, the people.”

OFFERING A NEW INSIGHT INTO THE WORLD OF ATHLETES

Beyond spotlighting the DMV moveshaker, Davis said “More Than A Trainer” offers a pivotal

5Myron Flowers, revered DMV trainer and founder of 360 Fit Performance in Columbia, Maryland. (Courtesy Photo)

FLOWERS from Page 38

opportunity to reshape the culture and mindset of sports, particularly for the young men looking to forge their own paths to greatness.

“As young men, we need to understand that it’s more to life than just training and getting prepared for college, getting ready for the pros,” Davis explained, touting the importance of “being a great human being.” “We didn’t get here primarily off of our ability to go out and catch passes and make tackles. We took what we got and turned it into something. Young guys looking at this doc, they can take that away.”

Hardy furthered this notion with a nod to Flowers’ foundation of resilience, noting the mentor’s 30year journey to owning the gym that now serves as a conduit of growth and reform for Washingtonians. Additionally, the filmmakers hailed the documentary as a way to

“humanize” athletes that are often reduced to a particular scope.

“There are people who are just good at being athletes,” Hardy explained. “Seeing them in different spaces is bizarre to a lot of people… [but] I think it gives them an opportunity to explore that, to explore some of their other things.”

While the film has yet to settle on a streaming destination or premiere date, Hardy shared hopes to debut during the fall football season, in accordance with a series of “redemption stories” for several athletes featured in the documentary, such as the Diggs brothers returning from respective major injuries, and the recent team trades of Samuel and Bey.

As anticipation grows and details solidify, the acclaimed filmmakers and Flowers alike welcome an opportunity to inspire audiences with a story that can instill a bright path forward for all viewers – whether it’s in sports, fitness, or simply

changing one’s life.

“I’m truly overjoyed and humbled by this documentary – it’s a beautiful tribute to the path I’ve walked. Seeing my highs and lows portrayed on film is both surreal and deeply rewarding,” Flowers said in a press release. “This isn’t just my journey– it’s ours, and I couldn’t be more grateful that it’s being shared with the world.”

WI

4Executive producer Vernon Davis (right) hosts interviews with various athletes in “More Than a Trainer,” including professional boxer Gervonta “Tank” Davis (left), with hopes to premiere in the fall. (Courtesy Photo)

The Future Depends

PLUG

multi-year

the

review wi book

Memoirs by Various Black Authors

c.2025, Various publishers

$28-34

Various page counts

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

Sometimes, you just don’t want to know any more. You’ve had it with bad news, up to your eyebrows and no more. So maybe it’s time for some good news. Maybe it’s time for some memoirs, biographies, and the goodness you’ll find inside these great books … What goes better with a warm summer evening than a few tunes? A book about a musician, that’s what, and “From the Shadow of the Blues: My Story of Music, Addiction and Redemption” by John Lee Hooker Jr. with Julia Simon (Rowman & Littlefield, $34) is a great summertime read. It’s the story of a born singer, the son of a sharecropper who struggled and got through it to become a Grammy-winning bluesman. Inspirational and lively, this memoir is as entertaining as are its author’s performances. No doubt, you’ve read some of Toni Morrison’s work and you might be eager to learn more about her long career. In “Toni at Random: The Iconic Writer’s Legendary Editorship” by Dana A. Williams (Amistad, $29.99), you’ll understand about the great author’s somewhat-hidden career, work that many of her fans don’t know much about. Working at the publisher Random House gave Morrison a chance to nourish the careers of many Black authors and, in doing so, she helped change the entire publishing world, making it more open to diversity for readers, both Black and white. With its insight to Toni Morrison’s career and the behind-the-scenes of publishing past, this is truly a reader’s book.

If you can’t help yourself, you have to watch politics, you’ll want to read “Trailblazer: Perseverance in Life and Politics” by former Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun (Hanover Square Press, $32.99). Here, readers are taken back to Braun’s childhood, to see what launched her to success. There were many barriers that Braun smashed through: she made history as the first Black woman elected to the Senate. First woman representing Illinois in Washington. First senator to be appointed as an ambassador (to New Zealand). And even if you’re not particularly a politics-watcher, this book is inspiring and empowering.

And, finally, if you haven’t exhausted your examination of racism yet, “The Science of Racism: Everything You Need to Know but Probably Don’t — Yet” by Keon West (Abrams Press, $28) offers a very different way of looking at the subject. West, who has “always been Black,” argues that we’ve left science out of the topic of racism for far too long. By adding scientific measures to the realities of racism, we can understand the issue a little better, he says, and we might be able to have a different conversation about it.. Go into this book with an open mind; it’s full of examples, thought-provokers, smart words, and ideas. Look closely, and you’ll also find a bit of humor to get you through … If you need additional books on Black history or you want another memoir by a Black authors, then head to your favorite bookstore or library. Ask the friendly face there, and you’ll find lots more.

WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

JULY

17 - 23, 2025

ARIES Dynamic leadership propels ambitious projects forward as Mars amplifies your career sector, bringing recognition through bold decision-making that transforms uncertainty into opportunity while inspiring collective action. Professional networks expand when confident authenticity demonstrates capabilities more effectively than elaborate presentations. Lucky Numbers: 13, 28, 44

TAURUS Artistic refinement generates substantial income as Venus enhances your talent sector, bringing prosperity through skilled craftsmanship that elevates functional objects into treasured possessions worth premium pricing. Romantic connections deepen when genuine vulnerability creates intimate bonds transcending superficial attraction. Lucky Numbers: 7, 19, 32

GEMINI Intellectual versatility creates multiple opportunities as Mercury activates your communication sector, bringing success through adaptive thinking that connects seemingly unrelated concepts into innovative solutions. Educational advancement accelerates when diverse learning methods accommodate varied comprehension styles. Lucky Numbers: 2, 16, 30

CANCER Emotional intelligence strengthens family foundations as lunar cycles deepen your nurturing sector, bringing unity through compassionate leadership that validates individual concerns while maintaining household harmony. Home improvement projects progress when aesthetic choices reflect personal history while accommodating future needs. . Lucky Numbers: 4, 18, 33

LEO Charismatic presence commands attention as solar energy illuminates your performance sector, bringing opportunities through magnetic personality that attracts support while maintaining authentic self-expression. Creative endeavors gain momentum when passionate commitment overrides practical limitations, producing remarkable artistic achievements capturing public imagination. Lucky Numbers: 9, 23, 38

VIRGO Systematic improvements yield measurable results as earth energies perfect your efficiency sector, bringing advancement through methodical analysis that identifies root causes rather than addressing surface symptoms. Professional reputation strengthens when consistent quality delivery demonstrates reliability exceeding promotional claims. Lucky Numbers: 6, 22, 35

LIBRA Harmonious collaboration produces elegant solutions as Venus balances your partnership sector, bringing success through diplomatic mediation that transforms competitive tensions into cooperative achievements. Aesthetic choices influence practical outcomes when beauty considerations enhance functional design while creating emotionally satisfying environments. . Lucky Numbers: 5, 17, 31

SCORPIO Investigative prowess reveals profitable mysteries as Pluto intensifies your research sector, bringing breakthroughs through persistent exploration uncovering hidden patterns governing complex financial systems. Psychological penetration deepens when intuitive perception supplements analytical reasoning, exposing motivational factors influencing market behavior. Lucky Numbers: 8, 24, 41

SAGITTARIUS Global perspective expands practical applications as Jupiter broadens your adventure sector, bringing wisdom through international collaboration deepening appreciation for diverse approaches while identifying universal principles. Educational opportunities advance when theoretical knowledge combines with practical experience, creating comprehensive expertise applicable across multiple industries. Lucky Numbers: 3, 15, 29

CAPRICORN Institutional authority supports lasting achievements as Saturn consolidates your leadership sector, bringing recognition through disciplined construction creating enduring foundations rather than temporary solutions. Executive responsibilities expand when demonstrated competence qualifies for managing increased complexity while maintaining operational excellence. Lucky Numbers: 1, 14, 27

AQUARIUS Revolutionary thinking addresses collective challenges as Uranus transforms your innovation sector, bringing progress through unconventional approaches serving community advancement while celebrating individual creative contributions. Group dynamics thrive when diverse expertise receives democratic consideration within inclusive processes respecting all perspectives. Lucky Numbers: 11, 25, 39

PISCES Intuitive wisdom guides practical compassion as Neptune clarifies your service sector, bringing effectiveness through contemplative practices strengthening worldly engagement rather than encouraging detached withdrawal. Artistic expression achieves emotional resonance when technical skill supports authentic creative vision without overwhelming spontaneous inspiration. Lucky Numbers: 12, 20, 36

SPORTS

Wizards Shine in Summer League, Nationals Draft Franchise Hopeful, Kiki Iriafen Sets Mystics Record, Jayden Daniels Makes Quarterback Ranking Debut, and More

By Skylar Nelson WI Intern

As July reaches its midpoint and the summer sports madness takes hold, the D.C. sports scene is surging, reshaping franchise legacies and setting new bold standards across various leagues.

From the Wizards making waves with a statement performance at NBA Summer League, to the Nationals making promising moves in the MLB draft, and Commanders’ star Jayden Daniels cracking NFL’s top quarterback rankings, it’s been a week packed with milestones and momentum.

With Kiki Iriafen etching her name in Mystics history and the D.C. Defenders celebrating their tremendous championship run, there’s even more excitement building on the horizon.

Here’s everything you need to know from the electrifying week.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS: A NEW DUO ARISES, CENTER SETS

SUMMER LEAGUE RECORD, CAM WHITMORE BACK IN THE DMV

The Washington Wizards kicked off their NBA Summer League action on Friday, July 11 against the Phoenix Suns in Las Vegas, offering fans a first look at what could be the foundation of their rebuild.

Much of the buzz surrounds the franchise’s rising backcourt duo of Tre

Johnson and Bub Carrington, two young stars already showing strong chemistry in practices and games.

Johnson, the Wizards’ top draft pick, is known for his elite scoring ability, while Carrington is emerging as a versatile guard with underrated scoring and playmaking ability. The potential star-studded duo was introduced in last night’s summer league game against the Brooklyn Nets.

“[Johnson’s] a really good rim protector and he anchors our defense when he’s out there on the floor,” said Wizards Assistant Coach J.J. Outlaw.

“To see him have a game like that tonight and really propel us to a win with his energy, his physicality, and his defense was really good.”

While the dynamic backcourt has been the highlight of Washington’s summer league, it was Alex Sarr who made the biggest statement. The No. 2 overall pick in 2024 was looking to bounce back from a rough Summer League debut. After facing criticism for the sluggish start, especially given the expectations on second-year players, Sarr responded boldly on Sunday.

In the Wizards’ 102-96 win against the Nets, Sarr posted 16 points, 12 rebounds, and a Summer League record-tying eight blocks, anchoring the Wizards’ defense and flashing the elite rim protection that drew comparisons to Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert.

“I feel like every game you’re supposed to come out there and be impactful,” said Sarr. “I try to be impactful in winning every game so no matter what happens that’s how I’m gonna play.”

As if the Summer League roster wasn’t intriguing enough, the Wizards turned heads by bringing DMV native Cam Whitmore back home. In a thrilling trade exchange for Whitmore, the Houston Rockets received a pair of second-round picks.

“You know there’s nothing like playing at home,” said Whitmore. “So the fans— definitely I hope so— would be excited to have me. Maybe we’ll see if they pick me…[as] the time goes. Only God knows.”

NATIONALS MAKE SHOCKING DRAFT PICK

SELECTION ADDING A HEAVY-HITTER AND LASER ARM STRENGTH TO THEIR ROSTER

In a bold move that shook up the 2025 MLB Draft, the Washington Nationals selected 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willits with the No. 1 overall pick.

Coming from Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, Willits is a switch hitter with elite defensive potential who was ranked the fifth-best prospect overall by MLB pipeline and the second-highest position player.

“I’m just excited and thankful to the Nationals organization for giving me this chance,” said Willitis. “I wanna thank God for everything…at the end of the day, I’m just ready to get out there and get to work.”

Adding intrigue to Washington’s draft selection is the backdrop of leadership transition in D.C.

3Washington Wizards top draft pick Tre Johnson speaking to the press at the Introductory Press Conference, presented by Cisco Systems, on June 28. (Marcus Relacion/ The Washington Informer)

season still to come, she’s not only on track to shatter the rookie record, but also making a case to become this season’s WNBA Rookie of The Year.

“Once I got here, I literally put my head down and every single day [say] “I’m gonna work,” because playing at this level has been a dream of mine and I don’t wanna allow one thing to just take that dream away from me,” said Iriafen.

JAYDEN DANIELS

Following the departures of Mike Rizzo and Dave Martinez as former general manager and manager, Interim General Manager Mike DeBartolo is now leading the Nationals rebuild.

“We have a lot of interesting, exciting, young pieces to build on. We have a lot more we need to build,” said DeBartolo. “Simply stepping up our game is not enough. I’m excited to bring a fresh approach … and hopefully improve the performance of our players as well.”

KIKI IRIAFEN SETS NEW RECORD IN MYSTICS

FRANCHISE HISTORY

As the Mystics have experienced a season of transition and rebuild in Washington, rookie forward Kiki Iriafen is proving to be a steady force and rising star the Mystics can build around.

Selected as the No.4 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the 6-foot3 standout continued her successful rookie campaign on Sunday, July 11. Iriafen led the Mystics to a hard-fought 74-69 victory over the Seattle Storm.

Veteran Guard Brittney Sykes put emphasis on how rookies like Iriafen help improve her game and ability to make an impact as a leader.

“We call them kids but they’re far from it,” said Sykes. “But they give you superpowers, our rookies give us [the veteran players] superpowers. They feed you energy when you’re down.”

While the organization retools behind the scenes, Iriafen is giving fans a reason to believe in the future of the Mystics franchise. With much of the

MAKES DEBUT ON NFL’S TOP QUARTERBACK RANKINGS, LAREMY TUNSIL MAKES NFL’S TOP 100 LIST, TERRY MCLAURIN’S CONTRACT TALKS STILL ONGOING

Fresh off a thrilling rookie season, Jayden Daniels is already making waves across the NFL.

In ESPN’s latest ranking of the league top quarterbacks ahead of the 2025-26 season, Daniels ranked No. 5 on a list of 10 quarterbacks sitting behind Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jaskson and Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams.

The 2024 Rookie of The Year averaged 274 passing yards per game during the Washington Commanders’ playoff run, tossing five touchdowns with just one interception.

Despite the momentum that the Commanders’ have established this offseason, Washington is still facing critical contract issues. Star wide receiver Terry McLaurin is reportedly seeking $30 million annually in a new contract extension.

McLaurin skipped voluntary OTAs and veteran minicamp making a clear stance on the matter. The recent fouryear $130 million extension (with $90 million guaranteed) signed by New York Jet’s Garrett Wilson further intensifies McLaurin’s case.

“Terry is a fantastic teammate and really puts in the work and spent a lot of time with them already this offseason,” said Head Coach Dan Quinn. “The business side of things— Adam [Peters] and their crew and Terry and his group— let them work through that.”

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CAPTURE the moment

4DC Defenders defensive end Malik Fisher addresses the crowd as part of the team’s July 12 UFL championship celebration at The Wharf. (Marcus Relacion/ The Washington Informer)

5DC Defenders defensive-end Andre Mintz hoisting the UFL trophy on the team bus at the team’s championship celebration on July 12 at The Wharf in Southwest, D.C. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

3DC Defenders Head Coach Shannon Harris holds the UFL Championship trophy as the city celebrated their achievement on July 12. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

6Fans gather to celebrate the Defender Championship during a party on July 12 at The Wharf in Southwest. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

5Defenders super fans celebrating the team’s first championship title on July 12 at The Wharf in Southwest, D.C. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Welcomes New Pastor

32-Year-Old Peterman Now Leads District’s

Oldest Black Baptist Church

By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Northwest, D.C., considered the District’s oldest, independent Black Baptist congregation, has welcomed the Rev. Kevin Lamár Peterman as its new senior pastor.

At the age 32, Peterman is widely regarded as a gifted speaker in the pulpit with many uplifting him as a perfect fit to lead the historic African American congregation that was established in 1839.

“I am humbled and honored to serve a church with such a rich history and prophetic witness,” said Peterman, who succeeds the Rev. Darryl D. Roberts, whose tenure at the church ended in August 2023. “Together, we will continue to live out the Gospel, serve our community, and press forward toward the beloved community envisioned by our ancestors and entrusted to us by God.”

Peterman is a graduate of Howard University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science. He holds master’s of arts in theological studies from Princ-

eton Theological Seminary and a master’s in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania.

“My vision is to build on the legacy that the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church already has,” Peterman told The Informer. “It is important to care for the seniors as well as the youth. We just had vacation Bible school in which 60 young people attended.”

E. Louise White, 89, has long been dedicated to preserving Nineteenth Street Baptist Church’s 185-year history, beginning with its roots, such as how the house of worship was first established in the Foggy Bottom section of Northwest, D.C. Initially located at 19th and I Streets NW, the church moved in 1975 to its current home at 4606 16th Street NW.

White, a retired school principal and longtime educator, said historically, there were many wellknown families at the church who all worked as one— from the family of Dr. Charles Drew, to the children of Nannie Helen Burroughs.

“We were always supporting one another,” White said, before noting a shift in how congregants interact at Nineteenth Street to-

day. “We as a church have lost a sense of family. The Nineteenth Street that I have known has always been persons of different economic status, persons of different political persuasions, persons who are well known, but we were all one family.”

She said she hopes the new pastor will work to bring more unity among the congregation.

“My prayer is like the song: ‘Revive Us Again.’ It’s all about the service of the church and being workers in the vineyard,” she told The Informer.

A SON OF NEWARK’S JOURNEY TO D.C.: ‘I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CITY’

A native of Newark, New Jersey, Peterman was baptized and licensed to preach at the First Baptist Church of Vauxhall in his home state.

He first came to the nation’s cap-

3Some congregants hope to see a sense of family reinstilled in Northwest’s Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, considered to be the District’s oldest, independent Black Baptist congregation.

(Courtesy Photo/ Nineteenth Baptist Church)

ital as an undergraduate at Howard University.

”I came to D.C. to go to Howard and I fell in love with the city,” said Peterman, whose local heroes include former Nineteenth Street Baptist Church pastors like the Rev. Jerry A. Moore Jr., the Rev. Derrick Harkins and the Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, former pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church.

While pursuing his theological education, he served as a pastoral intern at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He also earned specialized certificates in Black church studies and clergy ministerial ethics from Princeton. In conjunction with his regular coursework, he has studied throughout China, Japan, Ghana, and South Africa.

Peterman was later ordained at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, where he served as young adult and social justice minister.

He served as director of strategic initiatives at the Howard University School of Divinity, chief of staff for the Next Step Adult Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. He has also held fellowships with the NAACP Washington DC, the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions, and District of Columbia Public Schools.

The new Nineteenth Street Baptist Church is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Prince Hall Masonry, and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s leading millennial voices in ministry and civic life.

According to the bio released by Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, in 2024, Peterman was inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers and Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College, one of the highest honors conferred upon Black clergy in the United States.

Before coming to Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Peterman served as associate pastor at Shi-

loh Baptist Church in Northwest, D.C. for seven years.

He also was chief of staff for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

In terms of goals in the community, Peterman said he plans to build more affordable housing in the District and wants to raise a $1 million endowment to stabilize the church into the future.

”We joyfully welcome Rev. Peterman’s spiritual leadership, his heart for God’s people, and his vision for ministry,” said Deacon Shawn Davis-Wilensky, chair of the Board of Deacons at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church. “We believe he will honor our rich traditions while guiding us forward in faith, unity, and a renewed purpose.”

LOOKING AHEAD TO PETERMAN’S LEADERSHIP: ‘HE IS A DYNAMIC PREACHER’

Coming to Nineteenth Street with a highly lauded reputation, congregants are looking forward to Peterman’s leadership at the historic church.

“What excites me about Rev. Peterman is that he is a dynamic preacher who has a way of making the scriptures relatable to the issues of today,” said Karen Williamson, chair of the Board of Trustees at Nineteenth Street. “He is a young man but he can relate to church members of all ages.”

While highlighting the excitement about Peterman’s new leadership, White said it is important to remember the proud history of the church in order to propel Nineteenth Street to new heights.

“The challenge for us is to keep going,” she told The Informer. White also emphasized walking by faith as the church starts a new chapter and beyond.

“We have to hold to God’s unchanging hand,” she said, before considering Peterman’s new ministry. “I wish him well.”

For more information visit Nineteenthstreetbc.org. WI

3The Rev. Kevin Lamár Peterman is the new senior pastor of the historic Nineteenth Street Baptist Church in Northwest, D.C. (Courtesy Photo/Nineteenth Street Baptist Church)

As we approach the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington this August, I’ve been reflecting on the civil rights movement while watching National Geographic’s “Genius: MLK/X.” I discovered this fourth season of the biographical anthology series while watching the third season, “Genius: Aretha.”

Seems I couldn’t quite get enough of watching Aretha’s story, which is based on true events, and finally, after watching it hundreds of times, I moved on to “Genius: MLK/X.” What an exciting series. You all ought to watch it.

Based on true events, these top-level shows are produced so well. The stories begin when Malcolm was a regular Black guy, getting in trouble, got locked up, and someone came to the prison and brought him a Quran. I won’t give the details away. The story of Martin Luther King Jr. begins when his father changes his name when he is a young boy at about 5 years old; he becomes Martin Luther King Jr. His father has an epiphany that his son would be famous, and he needed a proper name. The show is simultaneous, going from one story to the other.

I’m not telling you any more about the stories depicted about either of these men. But watching these powerful portrayals remind-

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Watching MLK and Malcolm X Reminds Us Why We Still March the religion corner

ed me that the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington is coming back to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., next month.

While the exact date and events are not yet fully detailed, it will commemorate the original march which was held on Aug. 28, 1963. This march will show its significance for civil and economic rights. Expect related events and discussions focusing on the ongoing pursuit of these rights, including the themes of “Jobs and Freedom” which were central to the original march.

The King Center, for example, will be hosting events including a youth forum and a podcast episode discussing the march’s relevance today.

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place on Aug. 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. That original march advocated for civil and economic rights for African Americans, including an end to segregation and the passage of a strong federal civil rights bill. With the injustices that are still happening in the Black community across America, some 62 years later, some things seem to be going in the wrong direction.

The 62nd anniversary in August will likely involve events and activities to remember the march and its impact, and to address current

issues related to its original goals.

The King Center is planning events, including a youth forum and a podcast episode featuring the Rev. Bernice A. King and Stacey Abrams, to discuss the march’s legacy and its relevance to contemporary challenges.

The King Center will also utilize social media platforms to inspire action and reflection using hashtags like #DreamAgainMarchForward, #WorkingOnADream, #TheKingCenter and #MLK.

Under the current atmosphere in Washington, D.C., echoes of the past are resounding loudly: voting rights are being rolled back, affirmative action has been dismantled, and federal policies threaten civil liberties and democratic norms. The same fights for dignity, justice, and freedom that animated the March on Washington persist.

Just as A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Dorothy Height, John Lewis, Andrew Young, Malcolm X and King once stood against the tide of injustice, a new generation is called to resist. We honor their legacy not by looking back with nostalgia, but by standing up now — with clarity, courage, and collective action — to continue the work of realizing the dream.

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RELIGION

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Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

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

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Purpose

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Promised Land Baptist Church

enough, especially as it relates to the tens of thousands of D.C. residents who will lose health care coverage. That’s why demands continue for the council to increase revenue via taxes on the District’s highest earners.

“Although there were some small changes made, it’s still just really a negative effect on that group of people,” said Nicole Dooley, supervising attorney in the public benefits unit of Legal Aid DC, “when [the D.C. Council] could use revenue raisers to restore that coverage or maintain that coverage for the people who depend on it.”

In her role at Legal Aid DC, Dooley represents recipients of Medicaid, Social Security, SNAP, TANF and other public benefits. On the evening of Sunday, July 13, she counted among those waiting to see if the council would build upon changes the council’s Committee on Health made to Bowser’s budget proposal.

As she recounted, the version of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget approved by the council on Monday, for the most part, maintains the health committee’s adjustments. The only significant changes involve the extension of the Medicaid enrollment deadline from August to October for D.C. residents between the ages of 21 and 26. There’s also a restructuring of the D.C. Alliance Healthcare Plan to make it fee-for-service, as part of what D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) called an effort to be cost-effective.

On Sunday, Mendelson told reporters that dental coverage for residents moved to the Basic Healthcare Plan would be funded via the exchange reserves. However, the council would ultimately maintain Bowser’s proposal to narrow Medicaid eligibility for more than 25,000 District residents.

“My recollection is the cost associated with that was way too high,” Mendelson told reporters on Sunday. “When we had our work session on July 2, I went around the room and asked members for priorities and then decided what we collectively decided was that members would submit to the Budget Office priorities, which we then circulated.”

Dooley maintains that, without adequate health care coverage, residents will experience hardship in other areas of their life.

“Then they rack up [emergency room] bills. They have to divert some of their limited income to that, and then they may not be able to afford their rent,” Dooley told The Informer. “They may not be able to afford food,

proposing a graduated surcharge on wealth-generated income surpassing $350,000, $500,000 and $1 million. (WI File

Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

so it really does kind of trickle down to every other part of someone’s life when they lose health insurance coverage.”

THERE’S STILL A QUESTION OF HOW TO GENERATE REVENUE

During work sessions earlier this month, council members scoured the budget for cost savings, and then, with the guidance of committee chairs, reallocated those savings to restore and increase funding for programs.

With this year’s budget season delays, the council deliberated on the budget closer to the end of the 2025 fiscal year. Mendelson said, with that shift in time, he and his colleagues had a clearer indication of where to find savings across District agencies.

“You’re not gonna find that there’s a big program that has been cut by $100 million in order to fund these improvements,” Mendelson said.

“What you’re gonna see is there were little cuts….We looked at where we could squeeze more.”

In her proposal, Bowser perturbed environmentalists by gutting the Green Bank and repealing net zero, among other things. However, the council restored $15 million in funding for environmental programs, including the Green Bank and the Sustainable Energy Trust Fund.

Between first and second reading, scheduled for July 28, the council will further deliberate on how to spread that allocation among the programs, Mendelson said.

The council also eliminated Bowser’s sanctuary city repeal, and, amid the mayor’s attempt to place unhoused families in congregate housing, approved a version of the Fiscal

ELECTION from Page 1

at Andy’s Lounge, which patrons accessed through a separate entrance.

White, sporting a black Nationals fitted hat, a white collar shirt and a neon green “I’m with Tray” shirt over it, gave remarks a couple times throughout the night. Once inside, amid pandemonium and pouring of librations, White issued a call for unity.

He did so perhaps mindful of the road ahead for a federally indicted council member working with those who expelled him from a legislative body.

Precincts 122, 131, and 132. He didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

With the D.C. Board of Elections yet to have tallied thousands of votes, Bunn’s campaign team celebrated the promise of a victory, if not a confirmation that Bunn effectively conducted what she described as a people-powered campaign.

As her camp, and Ward 8 voters for that matter, await updated reports, Bunn is also giving a clarion call for unity.

Year 2026 Budget Support Act that includes privacy protection for families in congregate housing.

The Fiscal Year 2026 budget doesn’t eliminate Bowser’s proposed repeal of the child tax credit. The council will instead take up that matter on a separate occasion.

On the road to a balanced budget, the council allocated $6 million in revenue collected from the tourism recovery district tax to fund Destination DC, all while delaying Bowser’s proposed elimination of the sunset on the tourism district fee from April 2026 to late September 2027. The budget, approved by the council on the first reading, also strikes down Bowser’s proposal for 80 cents-per-night hotel fees while adjusting D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles registration fees and retaining the funding— more than $800 million via debt service— for the redevelopment of RFK Campus.

On Sunday, Mendelson made note that the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that would ultimately be approved by the council creates a funding mechanism for RFK campus redevelopment via funds collected from the ballpark fee, and not, as Bowser intended, through the use of interest accrued.

“We’re going to use the ballpark fee to pay for debt service in Fiscal Year 28 and 29, and we’ll probably end up borrowing something like $520 million,” a council staffer said. “It’s a matter of interest rates. It’s a matter of capitalized interest. It’s a matter of just sort of philosophy in these types of things where if you have a revenue source for repayment, you should use that source for repayment.”

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Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

“We’ve got to raise the consciousness and the level of thinking and obedience to God to our people because we are under attack and the quickest way to cripple the body is to cut off the head,” White said. “I want to thank everyone who’s been holding me accountable, who’s been praying for me, who’s been encouraging me, who’s been lifting me up. Even those haters, we appreciate you too.”

Though he didn’t provide much detail, White revealed an area of focus upon his return to the John A. Wilson Building.

“We have a strategic plan we laid out for Ward 8 to continue to be inclusive in Ward 8 to make sure everybody has an opportunity in Ward 8 to vote the same in Ward 8,” White said, later extending an olive branch to his fellow candidates. “We got more work to do. So I look forward to working with all the other candidates, all the workers throughout the ward, those who voted for me and those who did not vote for me. This is our community, we must unify.”

A WIN MARRED BY AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AND MAJORITY VOTER OPPOSITION

As of 8:26 p.m. on Tuesday, White commands the lead with 29.46% of the vote. Sheila Bunn is second with 24.13%, while Mike Austin and Salim Adofo are in third and fourth place with 23.49% and 22.17% of the vote respectively.

In total, D.C. Board of Elections received 6,779 ballots— 3,763 mailin ballots and 3,016 ballots cast during early voting and on July 15. White dominated most precincts, while Precincts 91 and 114 went to Bunn and Austin clinched Precincts 120 and 123.

Adofo had a strong showing in

“There’s a lot of work to do on Ward 8 and we will continue to do the work no matter what happens,” Bunn said. “We’ve got to come together. It’s about Ward 8. We don’t have time to play around. The District is in some financial straits and that’s going to hit Ward 8, east of the river, the hardest, so we’ve just got to… make sure that we can make sure that our people are taken care of.”

Austin said that, in light of the heavy anti-White sentiment, he’s preparing for what will likely be another special election.

“The majority of the residents want somebody fresh,” Austin told The Informer. “I’m encouraged by that to know that we’re going to keep fighting when we’ll be here again in a few months.”

Though Austin acknowledged a factor that dampened his chances of victory, he said he still has his sights set on the next go-around.

“There was a vote split, and that benefited the former council member, unfortunately,” Austin said. “But right now, we are focused on talking to the residents and making sure they’re prepared for the next race, because it will be whether it’s a month from now or six months from now, it will be another race, so we’ll be ready.”

During the latter part of last week, Austin’s campaign received a boost when Cora Masters Barry, widow of D.C.’s mayor for life Marion S. Barry endorsed him. That endorsement preceded one given by Ward 8 business owner Darrell Gaston.

It also followed endorsements given by: former Ward 8 D.C. council members Eydie Whittington and Sandra Allen, longtime Ward 8 resident Sandra Seegars, ElectED, and The Capital News.

In a Facebook post, Masters Barry touted Austin’s legislative experience while criticizing White’s decision to run in the special election.

“Trayon’s decision to run again—

5D.C. Councilmembers Brooke Pinto, Zachary Parker and Anita Bonds during a council meeting in June 2024. Parker is

15.

ELECTION from Page 48

knowing he is not welcomed or respected by his former colleagues on the council because of his legal liability and actions — only deepens the harm,” Masters Barry’s letter read.

“Even if he were to win, the reality is this: we could be right back where we started, without a voice on the council, watching our ward’s needs get overlooked. It hurts Ward 8, and we deserve better.”

In her letter, Masters Barry mentioned her late husband, saying that he once encouraged the resignation of a council member accused of taking D.C. government money. She said the late mayor, one of White’s mentors, would take on a similar position in Ward 8’s current situation.

“We all know that Marion believed in second chances, in redemption, and in doing the hard work to come back after a fall,” Masters Barry said. “But, If he was here today, he would also urge Trayon to take some time away from public service, accept accountability, handle his personal and legal challenges, and do what is necessary to move forward in his life with integrity, just as Marion did.”

Weeks before Masters Barry released her statement, Jauhar Abraham, a longtime organizer and grassroots politico who’s standing with White, provided a different take on how D.C.’s mayor for life— and other ancestors— would respond to White’s current legal challenges.

“If he was living, he would be with Tray,” Abraham told The Informer during a campaign rally that White hosted at Giant on Alabama Avenue SE. “If William Lockridge was living, he would be with Tray. If Sheila Bunn’s father [James Bunn] was living, he would be with Tray because they are part of the resistance.”

On the evening before July 4, as

shoppers entered and exited Giant, White, Abraham, and a dozen other campaign supporters stood at the entrance, passing out campaign literature and encouraging people to vote for White. Several feet away, in the parking lot, a giant screen on a black van displayed an image of White with statements like “The FBI Set Him Up!” and “Don’t Be Fooled by D.C.’s Bougie Black Elite,” emblazoned along the bottom.

Abraham said that the council, in its eagerness to silence White, preemptively took on a case that will be handled in court next year. He went on to reveal that he launched a private investigation into council members’ business dealings, calling White’s expulsion part of a larger ploy to further displace Black people.

“He’s a representation of the poor and underserved in this city,” Abraham said about White. “Every time they get on the dais and decide to put $20 million into a dog park or parking lot, as opposed to doing stuff to help poor people, he’s a reminder of the human beings that they are… more than willing to neglect.”

In the human services realm, Dionne Reeder, CEO of the Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative threw her support behind Bunn, a former senior staffer for former D.C. council member Vincent C. Gray and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. That endorsement came after Bunn garnered support from: D.C. Councilmember Robert White (D-At large), former special election candidate Charnal Chaney, Bellevue resident and millennial politico Markus Batchelor, and Anita Shelton, president of DC Women in Politics.

Earlier in the campaign season, Adofo, in his second attempt for the Ward 8 D.C. Council seat, secured

ELECTION Page 52

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5Special election candidate Mike Austin with members of his campaign team outside of the Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center on the night of July

(Sam P.K. Collins/The Washington Informer)

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 594

David Mulroy aka David Dunn Mulroy Decedent

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

Cecily Fernandez, whose address is 3149 Adams Mill Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of David Mulroy aka David Dunn Mulroy who died on 4/1/2025 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Cecily Fernandez Personal Representative

TRUE

of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 606

Sarah Cecelia Robinson Decedent

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

Ramon A. Robinson, whose address is 9171 North Congress St., New Market, VA 22844, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sarah Cecelia Robinson who died on December 4, 2024 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Ramon A. Robinson Personal Representative

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000598

Euzell Maxine Broady Decedent

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

Gina R. Robinson, whose address is 3006 25th Street NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Euzell Maxine Broady who died on December 28, 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Gina R. Robinson 3006 25th Street NE Washington, DC 20018

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

2025 ADM 600

Susan Todd Rich Decedent

Anna L. Nathanson Norris Law Group 600 14th Street NW, 5th Fl. Washington, DC 20005 Attorney

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

Roxann Rich, whose address is 411 Kinross Drive, Newark, DE 19711, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Susan Todd Rich who died on March 29, 2025 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Roxann Rich 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

2025 ADM 620

Frances E. Jones aka Frances Elizabeth Alexander Roger Jones Decedent

Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015

Attorney

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

Sandra L. Tucker and Patricia D. Brown, whose addresses are 216 V St., NE, Washington, DC 20002 & 1511 Elson St., Takoma Park, MD 20912, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Frances E. Jones aka Frances Elizabeth Alexander Roger Jones who died on 3/17/2025 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Sandra L. Tucker

Patricia D. Brown

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

2023 ADM 1394

Vermell Ledbetter Decedent

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

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Vermell Ledbetter who died on 5/8/2023 without a Will. 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq. 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

2025 ADM 637

Hugh Scott Sinclair Decedent

Abby M. Bullock, Esq.

The Elder & Disability Law Center 1020 Nineteenth Street, NW, Suite 510 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

Elizabeth Seltzer, whose address is 13 Twin Brooks Dr., Willow Grove, PA 19090, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Hugh Scott Sinclair who died on March 8, 2025 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Elizabeth Seltzer 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 2025 ADM 604

John Patrick Holback Decedent

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

Mina Stanard, whose address is 1709 S Monroe St., Arlington, VA 22204, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John Patrick Holback who died on May 9, 2025 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Mina Stanard 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

2025 ADM 605

Paz Cohen

Decedent

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

Benjamin C. Van Vort, whose address is 19A Weston Ave., Somerville, MA 02144, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Paz Cohen who died on January 21, 2025 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 1/3/2026. 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 1/3/2026, 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: 7/3/2025

Benjamin C. Van Vort 19A Weston Ave. Somerville, MA 02144

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

2021 ADM 001610

Estate of Rosa Mae Colclough

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Charlotte A. Burton 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 February 21, 1996 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of the witnesses or otherwise

Date of first publication: July 3, 2025

Charlotte A. Burton 5130 7th Street, NE Washington, DC 20011

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPREMECOURTOFTHESTATEOFNEWYORK COUNTYOFKINGS

-------------------------------------------------------------------X

To the

DC20001.

Dated: December 24, 2024 HANNONDE

By: Sherene Palma Attorneys for Plaintiff 445 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 1102 White Plains, NY 10601 917-848-2742

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 00601

Carol A. Jenifer Decedent

Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. ProbateLawDC

1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001

Attorney

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

Kia Walker, whose address is 2150 Village Green Drive, Fairburn, Georgia 30213, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carol A. Jenifer who died on April 4, 2025 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 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2025

Kia Walker Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 00282

Edna E. Tibbs Decedent

Kevin Judd, Esq. 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 900-South Building Washington, DC 20004 Attorney

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

Kevin Judd, Esq., whose address is 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 900-South Building, Washington, DC 20004, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edna E. Tibbs who died on May 17, 2024 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 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2025

Kevin Judd, Esq. 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

2025 ADM 000564

Wilbert Earl Mims Jr. Decedent

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400 Washington DC, 20015

Attorney

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

James Thompson Jr., whose address is 7812 Beechnut Road, Capitol Heights, Maryland 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Wilbert Earl Mims Jr. who died on June 10, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2025

James Thompson 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

2025 ADM 676

Ellen V. Terry aka Ellen Virginia Terry Decedent

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

Katherine Nixon, whose address is 2317 33rd Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ellen V. Terry aka Ellen Virginia Terry who died on February 11, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.

Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2025

Katherine Nixon

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

2025 ADM 000654

Kandra J. James aka Kandra Jeanett James Decedent

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

Beulah E. James, whose address is 507 Oglethorpe St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kandra J. James aka Kandra Jeanett James who died on January 21, 2025 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 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2025

Beulah E. James

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

2012 ADM 349

Glenwood Britt Decedent

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

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Glenwood Britt who died on January 10, 2012 without a Will. 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 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2026

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000705

Arnold A. Smith Decedent

Louvenia W. Williams, Esq. 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 301 Largo, Maryland, 20774 Attorney

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

Ethel Canty Bothuel, whose address is 11256 Torrie Way, Unit K, Bealeton, VA 22712, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Arnold A. Smith who died on July 29, 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 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2025

Ethel Canty Bothuel Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 001009

Therese Wanji Chia aka Therese Wanji Ngassa Chia Decedent

Howard Haley, The Haley Firm PC 7600 Georgia Ave., NW #416 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

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

Joseph Lavela, whose address is 6006 41st Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20782, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Therese Wanji Chia aka Therese Wanji Ngassa Chia who died on April 26, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 1/10/2026. 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 1/10/2026, 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: 7/10/2025

Joseph Lavela

Personal Representative TRUE

Nicole

Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000673

Carolyn Jane Jones Decedent

Yvonne Davis Smith, Esquire 2501 Northampton Street, NW Washington, DC 20015

Attorney

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

Cheryl Ann Clark, whose address is 1258 Howlson Place SW, Washington DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carolyn Jane Jones who died on October 13, 2018 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 1/17/2026. 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 1/17/2026, 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: 7/17/2025

Cheryl Ann Clark 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 2025 ADM 679

Henry Austine Stewart Decedent

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

Frances P. Harrington and Brenda L. Walker, whose addresses are 4209 22nd Ave., Temple Hills, MD 20748 and 2522 Afton Street, Temple Hills, MD 20748, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Henry Austine Stewart who died on April 4, 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 1/17/2026. 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 1/17/2026, 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: 7/17/2025

Frances P. Harrington

Brenda L. Walker Personal Representative

TRUE

of Wills Washington

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000606

David Earl Johnston Decedent

Graner S Ghevargheso 600 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Attorney

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

Robert Johnston, whose address is 1916 Shushan Drive, Ceres, CA 95307, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of David Earl Johnston who died on December 8, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/17/2026. 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 1/17/2026, 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: 7/17/2025

Robert Johnston 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 2025 ADM 000675

Rachel H. Corbie Decedent

Angela F. Ramson Fox Rothschild LLP 2020 K Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

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

Anthony Greene and Alante Corbie, whose address is 12214 Montreat Place, Waldorf, MD 20601, 917 Shepherd St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rachel H. Corbie who died on February 26, 2025 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 1/17/2026. 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 1/17/2026, 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: 7/17/2025

Anthony Greene

Alante Corbie Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000667

Deborah Qusi Ellen Bishop Decedent

Graner S. Ghevarghese 600 14th Street, NW, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20005

Attorney

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

Karly Amanda Ginny Bacon, whose address is 119 Upsal Street SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Deborah Qusi Ellen Bishop who died on October 24, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/17/2026. 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 1/17/2026, 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: 7/17/2025

Karly Amanda Ginny Bacon

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

2025 ADM 000723

Estate of Robert Michael Siegel

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Stephen O. Hessler 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: July 17, 2025

Stephen O. Hessler

1230 D Street, SE Washington DC, 20003

Petitioner/Attorney:

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2025 ADM 680

Fulton C. Mays aka Fulton Clarence Mays Decedent

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

Johnnie M. Mays, whose address is 529 Oglethorpe Street NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Fulton C. Mays aka Fulton Clarence Mays who died on January 22, 2025 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 1/17/2026. 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 1/17/2026, 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: 7/17/2025

Johnnie M. Mays 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 2025 ADM 000647

Stive C. Tchakounte Decedent

Anne S. Quinn Momentum Law Group 9211 Corporate Blvd., Suite 350 Rockville, MD 20850 Attorney

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

Bonaventure Tchakounte, whose address is 219 Nicholson St., NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stive C. Tchakounte who died on July 9, 2021 without a Will and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 1/17/2026. 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 1/17/2026, 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: 7/17/2025

Bonaventure Tchakounte Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

ELECTION

from Page 49

Ward 8 politico and LGBTQ advocate Phil Pannell as a campaign team member.

Adofo, a grassroots organizer and proponent of D.C. government accountability also has endorsements from a slew of Ward 8 advisory neighborhood commissioners, including: Juanita Beltran (8B07); Erica Brown (8D04); Anita Burrows (8E04); Dascha Cleckley (8C03); Tom Donohue, Jr. (8A01); Liam Goodwin (8F05); Marcus Hickman (8B06); Georgette Joy Johnson (8C02); Takema Keyes (8B01); Cassandra Matthews (8D03); Keith Moore, Jr. (8D04); Randell Strickland (8D08); and Gregory White (8C02)

The campaign season hasn’t been without some controversy.

In its endorsement of Austin, The Capital News referenced “lingering questions about financial impropriety, misused funds, and ineffective leadership” that Adofo, Bunn and White face. The article later references “division, dysfunction, and persistent ethics questions” clouding Adofo’s chairmanship of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C.

It also speaks about what’s described as Bunn’s inability to sustain the Bellevue Neighborhood Community Association while serving as vice chair.

Bunn has since fought back, going as far as recently sending The Capital News a cease-and-desist letter in which she describes the July article as defamation that appears to meet the threshold of “actual malice.”

Phinis Jones, owner of The Capital News, based in the Congress Heights Arts and Cultural Center, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jacque Patterson, a senior member of Bunn’s campaign team, said his qualm with The Capital News’ endorsement centered on what he called a lack of clarity about the specific “lingering question” that applies to each candidate.

“That’s reckless writing for the mere fact that you conflate three accusations and you apply them to all three individuals instead of saying ‘This one applies to this individual, this one applies to this one,’” Patterson told The Informer, recounting efforts to secure a retraction from The Capital News.

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Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

JEALOUS from Page 30

which is increasing the fastest in [a] warming climate.”

As for the “one in 100 years” claim, those once-in-a-century extreme weather events are now happening far more often thanks to the climate crisis! Between just 2015-2019, one St. Louis suburb had three major floods and at least two of them were considered “1-in-100-year events.”

It is not hard to see how the climate crisis became a political debate. Decades of anti-science propaganda from the coal, oil and gas industries. Politicians bought and paid for by fossil fuel oligarchs. A current administration with a cabinet full of industry shills.

OWOLEWA/NEAL from Page 30

for uninsured people. I listened to my healthcare-providing colleagues discuss the concerns of managing chronic diseases if D.C. Healthcare Alliance ends. The lobbying group spent two days talking to every Council member’s staff about the need to protect healthcare access for working-class Wash-

Big Oil alone spent a whopping $445 million through the 2024 election cycle to influence Trump and Congress. A staggering figure to be sure, that does not include donations funneled through dark money groups (likely tens of millions of dollars more — at least).

And it still falls short of the $1 billion Donald Trump asked the country’s oil executives to kick in to his campaign — an amount Trump insisted would be a “deal” for the industry because of what he was willing to give them.

But it is high time that our leaders, at every level and of every party, stop kowtowing to a toxic and unnecessary industry built on death, illness and poisoning our communities. It is time they treat

ingtonians. Ultimately, we convinced D.C. Council to consider increasing capital gains taxes for the wealthiest D.C. residents and finding other funding sources to keep D.C. Healthcare Alliance alive. This experience further convinces me that D.C. needs more healthcare workers, especially pharmacists, in office. We providers have

MARSHALL from Page 30 and the entrenchment of inequality that has persisted throughout every previous administration.

courage to stand up for individuals in Alaska and nationwide who will lose their healthcare.

She had 34,000 reasons to vote against the bill: The 34,000 Alaskans and their families who are impacted by legislation that will slash Medicaid, food assistance and public education while simultaneously giving tax breaks to some of the wealthiest Americans is what motivates and inspires Bishop William Barber’s moral message against the immoral actions of those leading our government — including Murkowski’s immoral vote of “conscience.”

Bishop William Barber II is the co-chair of the revived Poor People’s Campaign, a national movement that challenges inequality through moral protest and policy change. In this era when political leaders such as Murkowski often seem more interested in power than principle, Bishop Barber stands as a prophetic voice, calling Americans of all races and political persuasions to reclaim the nation’s moral center.

Barber’s battle is both a moral rebellion against Trump’s America

this crisis as a struggle for survival — a fight for the future our children deserve.

As the people of Texas grieve and the country grieves with them, their pain is our warning.

We are at a crossroads: We can double down on denial and let superstorms, heatwaves, droughts, floods and fires determine our fate. Or we can lead — with science, resilience, courage and a recommitment to our values.

If we harness our outrage and come together to fight like hell for our collective future, we will win. Because when people stand up and demand a safe planet, nothing — not even rising water — can drown the American spirit.

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the firsthand experience needed to guide healthcare legislation. Once we have a healthcare provider on Council, we can begin conversations about PBM reform, Medicare for All and synchronizing drug formularies. All in all, healthcare providers in Council and beyond are key to solving D.C.’s health crisis as we face cuts to services for D.C.’s working class. WI

His movement doesn’t simply resist a sitting president; it challenges the politics of division, intimidation and fear. In Barber’s view, Trump is not the disease; he is the symptom of a nation that never fully confronted its sins. “When politicians and priests bless policies that hurt the poor,” Barber said, “that’s when the prophets have to rise.”

For Barber, this is the prophet’s role: to expose, to indict and to force a moral reckoning in the public square. By grounding resistance in both scripture and strategy, the actions of his movement are shaped by a long tradition of religious protest in the U.S. Barber’s strategy mirrors that of Martin Luther King: not to write legislation personally, but to focus enough attention on a moral crisis that the system must respond.

Barber’s organizing is intentionally multiracial. He reminds us that there are more poor white people in America than any other group, and policies that harm people experiencing poverty are not limited by race.

The low points in our nation’s past often served as a catalyst for

moral movements that pushed America toward a more perfect union. Today, we are definitely at a low point in our nation, and it is time to speak truth to power.

As part of Barber’s Moral Monday movement on July 14, clergy, impacted people and community leaders will visit U.S. Senate offices across the Bible Belt states of the South (Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia and North Carolina). The visits will serve as a sacred action, which is a bold response to an immoral budget and unjust policies that harm the poor, women, children and workers.

The pain imposed on people experiencing poverty is very real, so too is the hypocrisy of lawmakers who have no shame when inflicting the pain on vulnerable people. According to Barber and his movement, House Speaker Johnson and his colleagues do not mind prayer that does not challenge their violent political actions, but they are afraid of praying people who will also become acting people, liberating people and voting people who pray against their policies, thereby putting a light on their ugliness. WI

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WILLIAMS from Page 31 went on to bomb Ukraine the same night!

With endless immunity, dear leader continues profiting from the presidency by advertising Teslas, and selling Bibles, gold watches, tennis shoes, MAGA products, cologne, perfume, cell phones, influence and God only knows what else from the White House!

The bill will make poor people poorer without healthcare, jobs, food and more. All of this is shameful. Now their dear leader has bragged that he now has more

EDELMAN from Page 31

— we were created with equal, infinite worth for interdependence. In conditions of harmony, equity and common purpose, the whole family thrives. God does not use strong-armed tactics to ensure justice is done. God empowers us to do the right thing. It is up to us — you, and you, and you, and me.”

He then shared what he believed was God’s dream for all children: “And God says, I have a dream. I have a dream that all of my children will discover that they belong in one family — my family, the human family — a family in which there are no outsiders; all are held in the embrace of the one whose love will never let us go; the one who says that each one of us is of incredible worth, that each one of us is precious to God because each of us has their name written on the palms of God’s hands. And God says, there are no outsiders — Black, White, red, yellow, short,

MALVEAUX from Page 31

with them? (I just put a picture of mine on my phone. One can never be too careful).

We are living in a maniacal oligarchy where the whims of one man are dictating the ways that we live, especially in blue states like California. The stunt of raiding MacArthur Park, terrorizing children and flexing terrorist muscles circumvents the law. But then almost everything this administration has done, from firing federal workers and Biden appointees to playing with tariffs, to criticizing the head of the Federal Reserve and pressuring him to quit, circumvents the law. In the mind of this deranged commander in chief, there is no law except his law, and

power and gravitas than before!

Hakeem Jeffries reminded his GOP colleagues that draining the swamp looks a lot like them and the tax scam that was jammed through Congress would undermine the quality of life of everyday Americans. He called the budget an “immoral document” and said “We’re getting chaos and corruption. It’s shameful and reckless. People will die due to cuts in this bill. All of us should question what deals were cut in those backrooms.”

Jeffries said Democrats are a

tall, young, old, rich, poor, gay, lesbian, straight — everyone. All belong. And God says, I have only you to help me realize my dream. Help me.”

It is still up to us to use our own hands to help realize this dream. How long will it take? Dr. King himself answered that question in a similar context: “We must come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience. … I come to say to you this afternoon, however difficult the moment, however frustrating the hour, it will not be long, because ‘truth crushed to earth will rise again.’ How long? Not long, because ‘no lie can live forever.’ How long? Not long, because ‘you shall reap what you sow.’ … How long? Not long, because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” How long? Not long, even in this current moment, as long as a critical mass

while he makes it up as he moves along, many of these moves are outlined in Project 2025. What is most outrageous is the differential application of law, and the uneven compassion that is offered to victims of this nonsense. More than a hundred people are dead, and at least another 160 missing, including girls and their counselors who attended Camp Mystic at the Guadalupe River. The president has offered the appropriate condolences and pledged support from FEMA to rebuild the area. The media has talked about the missing little girls in ways that tug at the heartstrings. All the condolences and support are appropriate. But what about the little boys and girls who went to MacArthur Park for their

“Hell no on the big ugly bill, and it will continue to be, but we must press on for the victory for those who need us to do so.” Meanwhile, GOP’s dear leader and DeSantis were laughing about people being eaten by alligators off the coast of Florida!

Don’t forget J.D. Vance cast the vote that could have killed this Big Ugly Bill! Once he called Trump practically everything but a child of God, but did an about-face and gave Trump the victory. He now argues Trump’s case better than Trump himself! WI

among us remains determined to be love and be the partners and champions for justice that immigrant children, children experiencing poverty, children of color and all children, young people and members of the human family need. WI

In conditions of harmony, equity and common purpose, the whole family thrives. God does not use strong-armed tactics to ensure justice is done. God empowers us to do the right thing. It is up to us — you, and you, and you, and me.”

summer camp? Is there support for them? And what about those affected by floods in Kentucky and Virginia, who have not curried favor with this president? Compassion should not be partisan. Traumatized children, regardless of race or immigrant status, must be managed compassionately. In a reign of terror, though, some children are to be cherished and others to be terrorized. The armed raid of MacArthur Park, which yielded not a single arrest, was nothing more than intimidation. Kudos to Mayor Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom for resisting this nonsense. Caution to all of us. We are living in a reign of terror and the mentally impaired are now in charge of our country.

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