WINNER OF THREE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS
D.C. Statehood Activists Gear Up Page 5
Vol. 56, No. 35 • June 17 - 23, 2021
Black Dads Continue to Persevere and Love Their Children Families Prepare to Celebrate Father’s Day on June 20 William J. Ford WI Staff Writer
5 Sinclair Bayard, Sr. with his two daughters, Aleisha, 12 (left) and Ashleigh, 14. (Photo courtesy of Janna Parker)
5 Devon Holmes and his son, Devon Holmes. Jr. (Photo courtesy of Devon Holmes)
When looking up the word “dad” on a Google search, white faces appear in the first series of images, leading many to wonder why Black fathers fail to be presented in equal proportion in photos that illustrate parental love and support. But we found several fathers anxious to discuss the upcoming day when Americans pause to cel-
ebrate dads and who willingly replied to the question, “What does Father’s Day mean to you?” Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, a father with three adult children, constantly travels the state for various functions and said he’s looking forward to spending a quiet day at home this Father’s Day. “For those of us who are married, [the] wife will often ask you
FATHERS Page 44
Senate Passes Bill Making Juneteenth a Federal Holiday
Efforts to Oust Johnson Middle School Principal Dwan Jordon Continue
D. Kevin McNeir, WI Senior Editor Stacy Brown, WI Senior Writer
Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer
It’s been 1983 since the U.S. Congress, followed by the essential signature of then-President Ronald Reagan, approved the addition of a holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to the federal calendar. Now, nearly four decades later, it appears a new entry will be added to the history books after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday establishing June 19 as Juneteenth National 5 Last year, two blocks on 16th Street between K and H Streets in Northwest, Independence Day. became a D.C. destination: "Black Lives Matter Plaza.” People celebrated Political pundits predict that the bill will pass
As the school year comes to a close, teachers and other staff members at John Hayden Johnson Middle School in Southeast remain resolute in securing the removal of the principal they said has lowered staff morale with verbal abuse, intimidation, unethical behavior, and unilateral decision-making. Not long after Dwan Antho-
Must Be Approved by the House and President to Become Law
Ongoing Questions of Connections in DCPS Central Office, Principal’s Questionable Tactics
Juneteenth on the Plaza protesting the murder of George Floyd. (WI File Photo/
HOLIDAY Page 44 Roy Lewis)
ny Jordon assumed the helm at Johnson Middle School last August, the cadre of staff members-turned-activists took their qualms to the DC Public Schools [DCPS] central office. They said their cries have fallen on deaf ears, even with the backing of the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU), D.C. Council Chairperson Phil Mendelson (D), and D.C. Coun-
SCHOOL Page 46
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