5A woman holds up a flag celebrating Juneteenth at the Bryant Street Market in Northeast, D.C. in June 2024. Despite congressional infringement on D.C.’s budgetbudget and federal cuts to diversity, equity and inclusion, Juneteenth festivities are taking place this year throughout the District. (WI File Photo/Cleveland Nelson)
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
Juneteenth festivities are taking place this year amid congressional infringement on District budget autonomy and concerns about the lengths to which the D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will go to ap-
pease President Donald J. Trump.
That’s why for longtime District resident Thomas M. Blanton, any local celebration requires discussion about the tough road ahead for Black people who, to some degree, are facing uncertain conditions much like what
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
NOTE: This is the second of three (or four— depending on whether former D.C. Councilmember Trayon White accepts our invitation for an interview) candidate profiles to be released before the July 15 special election for the Ward 8 D.C. Council seat.
Earlier this year, while in the throes of a campaign for the Ward 8 D.C. Council seat, Sheila Bunn visited Congress, where she and several other District residents organized against Republicans’ decimation of D.C.’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget.
Bunn’s subsequent traversals throughout Ward 8, and other parts of the District, have taken her, as recently as this month, in front of Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. Unbeknownst to her, that’s where her daughter and other young people would issue de-
BUNN Page 44
By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor
Following three weeks of WorldPride festivities and organizations, Pride Month brings reflections on the values of resilience, authenticity and community in the storied evolution of queer culture in D.C.
From birthing the first Black student-led LGBTQ+ organization, to painting floats for the first WorldPride Parade hosted in Washington, local queer leaders have continuously paved paths toward inclusivity, all the while emphasizing these efforts as a means of influencing positive change and equity for all.
“It’s great to celebrate Pride each year with various events, but it’s better to live Pride every day and to live it to the fullest in every aspect of our
lives,” said Philip Pannell, executive director of Anacostia Coordinating Council and longtime LGBTQ+ activist.
For Pannell, since his political beginnings in the first Home Rule Council in 1975, living his pride means advocating on behalf of not only the queer community, but civil rights at large,
5Activists and law enforcement at the June 14 No Kings Day protest, countering President Donald Trump’s birthday and military parade, which continues to draw outrage across the country. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
By Stacy M. Brown and Trevor Johnson WI Senior Writer and WI Summer Intern
President Donald Trump’s extravagant up to $45 million birthday and military parade through Washington, D.C., drew outrage across the country and prompted massive counter protests under the banner “No Kings Day.”
While it was billed to celebrate 250 years of the military, the president’s show of force was widely viewed as self-congratulatory and authoritarian,
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $55 per year, two years $70. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to:
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STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER
As immigration protests erupt across the country in response to sweeping raids and militarized enforcement, rapper Cardi B has joined a growing chorus of celebrities condemning President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
The Bronx-born artist used a conversation on X Spaces to speak directly to fans, revealing her frustration and sense of helplessness under the
current administration.
“Personally, the reason why I haven’t really said anything is because I could say something every single day about it and guess what? Nothing is going to happen,” Cardi B said. “Because Trump do not give one f—k about me or what I gotta say. I personally believe that he doesn’t like me. So, if somebody don’t like you, and they say something or they do something, they’ll be like, ‘Oh word? Now I’m gonna show you.’”
One special media user weighed in agreeing with the celebrated artist and mother.
“She’s right,” X user Bryan wrote. “Donald is always trying to prove he has the upper hand in every situation and will do anything to prove he can do whatever he wants if provoked.”
The Grammy-winning rapper has long used her platform
Tributes have continued to pour in for Ananda Lewis, the former MTV VJ and host of BET’s “Teen Summit,” who passed away on June 11 at the age of 52.
Donnie Simpson, the legendary BET host and radio DJ, shared his heartbreak.
“I just found out that Ananda Lewis has died and I’m absolutely brokenhearted,” Simpson said. “She had tremendous success at MTV and with her own talk show, but she worked with us at BET before all that. She was only 52 and such a lovely woman, who loved her young son so much.”
Actress Holly Robinson Peete paid her respects on X, writing, “Rest well, beautiful Ananda.”
Known for her powerful presence on televi-
sion, Lewis brought intellect, compassion, and charisma to every platform she graced.
A native of San Diego, California, she began making an impact as early as 13 when she volunteered with Head Start while attending the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts. She studied theater, vocal music, photography, and dance from the fourth grade through high school.
After graduating, Lewis attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she earned a degree in history, graduating cum laude in 1995. She spent her college years deeply engaged in youth activism, including volunteering with Youth at Risk and working with the Youth Leadership and Development In-
Two prominent employers operating in the District of Columbia—luxury fitness studio chain Equinox and healthcare provider Capital Healthcare, LLC (AllCare)— will pay more than $117,000 and overhaul their employment practices to resolve allegations that they violated the city’s ban on noncompete agreements.
Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb announced the settlements, which include financial penalties and restitution to affected workers. District law has prohibited noncompete clauses for most employees since October 2022.
“Noncompete agreements harm District workers and businesses across industries by depressing wages, limiting job mobility, and disrupting free and fair competition, and for that reason, they are illegal in the District,” Schwalb said. “Aggressive enforcement of the ban protects workers and ensures a level playing field for all businesses.”
Equinox, which operates three locations in the District, allegedly required 112 employees to sign unlawful noncompete agreements. The company has agreed to
pay $56,000 in statutory damages to those workers and $43,900 in civil penalties to the District. As part of the agreement, Equinox must cease using noncompete clauses for current and future employees in D.C.
AllCare, which runs five clinics in the District, allegedly had 12 employees sign unlawful noncompete clauses and attempted to enforce one against a former worker. AllCare will pay $12,000 in restitution and $6,000 in penalties.
Despite the noncompete complaints both AllCare and Equinox have received strong reviews from Washington area residents.
“I go to AllCare,” one DMV social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter in April of last year. “It’s less individualized, [in my opinion], than a single doctor’s office, but it’s very reliable and the doctors are great.”
Further, one social media user said she tends to gather for impromptu meetings and networking in the sauna at Equinox. WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Community organizers and advocacy groups across Washington, D.C., joined together for an emergency protest on the evening of June 10 in response to a wave of federal immigration enforcement actions and what they describe as a broad crackdown on civil liberties.
The protest was titled “ICE Out!
From L.A. to D.C.,” scheduled for 6 p.m. at Columbia Heights Plaza, 1400 Park Rd NW.
The demonstration was organized by a coalition of groups including the ANSWER Coalition, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), the Palestinian Youth Movement, SEIU Local 500, the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America, and other local organizations.
Rally organizers accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of intensifying raids across the country, including in Washington, D.C., where reports have surfaced of agents appearing at schools and workplaces.
“From Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., we are witnessing a coordinated effort to silence voices and terrorize immigrant families,”organizers said in a joint statement.
The action comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles over the weekend and, most recently, 700 marines.
“In recent days, violent mobs have attacked ICE Officers and Federal Law Enforcement Agents carrying out basic deportation operations in Los Angeles, California. These operations are
to speak on issues impacting working-class Americans and immigrant communities. During the discussion, she expressed fear that her vocal opposition could trigger retaliation.
“He always gives [a] dictatorship vibe,” she continued. “I tried to warn people that this was going to happen. I don’t know anybody anymore in the White House. I don’t know a representative. I don’t know anybody in there. And if I talk about it every single day, he is not going to care. Actually, I feel like if I talk about it every single day, he’s going to deport more people on purpose
essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement, before critiquing California’s Democratic leadership for not protecting citizens. “That is why President Trump has signed a Presidential Memorandum deploying 2,000 National Guardsmen to address the lawlessness that has been allowed to fester.”
Protest organizers say the administration’s actions are intended to suppress dissent and intimidate immigrant communities.
“This is about defending the rights of all people,” the organizers said.
In D.C., demonstrators also pushed back against local measures that they say would increase cooperation between the federal immigration enforcement and the Metropolitan Police Department. They cited concerns that such collaboration would further destabilize communities already targeted by ICE.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has not officially declared a change in policy, but the organizers expressed alarm over what they say are signals from her administration that D.C. police could be permitted to aid ICE in future operations.
The rally aimed to demand an end to deportations, an end to police-ICE collaboration, and the cancellation of the National Guard deployment.
Protesters say the mobilization was not only about immigration policy, but also about defending First Amendment rights, which they argue are under threat by increasing federal enforcement at demonstrations and public events.
to show you. … Like, b—h, I run this country.’”
Protests in Los Angeles this week brought renewed attention to the conditions in ICE detention facilities and the aggressive nature of immigration enforcement under Trump.
Cardi B pointed to the humanity of those affected, asking the president to reconsider the damage being done.
“Have some compassion,” she urged. “They actually have helped America a lot. We wouldn’t like for an American to get snatched up in Russia and get f—–g treated practically like dog s–t. And we’re treating these people like they’re dog s–t, like not even humans.” WI
The Party for Socialism and Liberation, one of the leading organizers of the event, describes itself as a multiracial, working-class party that advocates for socialism in the United States. The group is active in campaigns related to climate justice, anti-police brutality efforts, and U.S. foreign policy.
The June 10 protest followed several others nationwide as communities continue to mobilize in opposition to immigration raids and policies perceived as targeting immigrants and protestors alike.
“We must raise our voices while we still can,” organizers said. “If we fail to defend our rights now, we risk losing them entirely.” WI
JUNE 19
1865 – Blacks in Texas are notified of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued two years earlier, marking the beginning of “Juneteenth.”
1918 – John H. Johnson, editor and publisher of Jet and Ebony magazines and founder of Johnson Publishing Company, is born.
1948 – Actress Phylicia Rashad, best known for her role as Clair Huxtable in “The Cosby Show,” is born in Houston.
JUNE 20
1949 – Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lionel Richie is born in Tuskegee, Alabama.
1960 – Harry Belafonte becomes the first African American to win an Emmy Award for his special “Tonight with Harry Belafonte.”
1967 – Muhammad Ali is convicted in federal court of violating the Selective Service Act by refusing induction into the armed services. He was fined $10,000 and sentenced to five years in prison. Ali, who opposed the Vietnam War, refused to report for service on grounds of his religion of Islam.
JUNE 21
1832 – Joseph Rainey, the first African American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, is born.
1927 – Former Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes, the first African American elected mayor of a major city, is born.
1945 – Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. becomes the first African American to command a U.S. Army Air Corps base.
JUNE 22
1937 – Famed boxer Joe Louis knocks out James
JUNE 19 - 25, 2025
SOURCE:
J. Braddock in the eighth round at Chicago’s Comiskey Park to win the heavyweight title.
JUNE 23
1940 – Sprinter Wilma Rudolph, winner of three gold medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics, is born.
1948 – Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who succeeded Thurgood Marshall as the second African American to serve on the court, is born in Pin Point, Georgia.
1997 – Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X, dies at 61 from burns suffered three weeks earlier in a house fire set by her grandson.
JUNE 24
1936 – Mary McLeod Bethune officially joins the National Youth Administration staff as director of the Division of Negro Affairs, becoming the first Black woman to head a department of a federal agency.
1968 – Police shut down a tent city set up on the National Mall in D.C. by the Poor People’s Campaign, an anti-poverty movement organized by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and led by Ralph Abernathy after King’s assassination. The demonstration, which had gone on for six weeks, brought thousands to the Mall, and nearly 300 protesters, including Abernathy, were arrested once the tent city was removed.
JUNE 25
1941 – The Marine Corps formally integrates after President Roosevelt signs Executive Order 8802 prohibiting racial discrimination in the national defense industry.
1975 – Mozambique gains its independence from Portugal. WI
BY SARAFINA WRIGHT
President Trump’s administration is reportedly considering a significant expansion of its travel restrictions by banning citizens from 36 additional countries, primarily in Africa and the Caribbean, from entering the United States. What are your thoughts on the developments?
PATRICE SCHOFIELD / WASHINGTON, D.C.
T. ZEGBEN / ROANOKE, VA.
So then what happens to the 2026 World Cup Games if some of those countries are taking part in it?
This is a money grab, especially for the Caribbean countries. The boats are registered internationally, and the United States doesn’t benefit from them.
VIC BAM / PROVIDENCE, RI
When Trump announced the travel ban during his first presidency, we called it racist, and folks said, ‘Nah, it’s for safety reasons.’ Eight years later, is it still for safety reasons? Can anyone say what these countries did in the last eight years to be labeled as having security issues? And not European countries? Just countries predominantly inhabited by Black and brown folks. Interesting.
AL PICKENS / MIAMI, FLA.
His hatred for people of color is well-documented. Yet, that same demographic voted for him in 2024 in record numbers.
H. COBB / ORLANDO, FLA.
It’s not a good idea to deter tourists from visiting the U.S., as they are the ones spending the money and keeping everything going. I’m just saying.
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.
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
As many cities across the United States scale back or cancel Juneteenth events due to vanishing corporate sponsorships and shrinking municipal support, the Washington, D.C., region is pushing forward with a full calendar of commemorations aimed at honoring the nation’s second Independence Day.
Across the country, funding gaps and political shifts have caused a retreat from the surge of support that followed the 2021 federal recognition of Juneteenth. In Denver, the city’s widely known Juneteenth Music Festival was shortened from two days to one after more than a dozen corporate sponsors pulled their funding.
“They pulled back their investments or let us know they couldn’t or wouldn’t be in a position to support this year,” said Norman Harris, executive director of the festival, crediting community donors with keeping the event alive.
Colorado Springs saw its celebration relocated to a mall parking lot after losing most of its sponsors. In Scottsdale, Arizona, the city’s Juneteenth festival was canceled altogether after the DEI office was shut down earlier this year. San Diego’s Cooper Family Foundation lost a $25,000 federal arts grant that had been designated for Juneteenth
programming, forcing organizers to personally cover expenses. Bend, Oregon canceled its entire event citing safety concerns and a hostile political environment. West Virginia, where Juneteenth has been a state holiday since 2017, will hold no official state-sponsored events for the first time in years, citing budget and program cuts.
Further, in Austin, Texas, while celebrations remain scheduled, they have been significantly scaled back due to decreased public and private financial support.
But in the nation’s capital and surrounding region, Juneteenth 2025 is moving ahead with a slate of vibrant events and cultural offerings.
In Washington, the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum will host a daylong celebration featuring musical performances, morning yoga, and community art projects.
The ONE DC Black Workers Center and The Lot will kick off their own Juneteenth event at 11 a.m. on June 19 at 2500 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, with fire dancers and a live Go-go band planned as part of the festivities.
At the National Archives, the original Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3— the military order that informed enslaved people in Texas of their freedom—will be on display from June 19 through June 22, offering a rare opportunity for public viewing
of the historical documents.
Across the Potomac in Maryland, a Juneteenth parade will step off in Annapolis on June 21 at 11 a.m., beginning at St. John’s College and ending at Amos Garrett Boulevard. Also, National Harbor will feature a Freedom Day Black-Owned Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Capital Canopy, showcasing local entrepreneurs and artisans.
In Northern Virginia, Alexandria’s Market Square will come alive with music and movement, including a concert by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices, spoken word artists, and traditional dance performances. On June 21, the Charles Houston Recreation Center’s parking lot will also host family-friendly activities including live music, performances, and a moon bounce for children.
“There is soooooo much to do in D.C. this weekend for Juneteenth starting on Wednesday,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
While support for Juneteenth has weakened in many parts of the country, Harris in Denver said community-driven efforts are still making the holiday possible where official support has dwindled.
“Thankfully, there was a wide range of support that came when we made the announcement that the celebration is in jeopardy,” he said. “But it shows how fragile that support has become.”
WI
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
As the U.S. House Rules Committee met today to consider three Republican-backed bills targeting the District of Columbia’s local governance, U.S. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) denounced the measures as “paternalistic” and undemocratic attacks on the will of more than 700,000 D.C. residents.
The bills under consideration would override local D.C. laws on voting, policing, and immigration cooperation.
“Republicans introduced 14 bills or amendments to prohibit noncitizens from voting in D.C. or to repeal, nullify or prohibit the carrying out of D.C.’s law that permits noncitizens to vote last Congress,” Norton said in a statement ahead of the Rules Committee meeting.
One of the bills, introduced
by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), seeks to prohibit noncitizen D.C. residents from voting in local elections. The D.C. Council passed a law in 2022 allowing noncitizen residents—such as green card holders and DACA recipients—to vote in local races, like for mayor or city council. The measure does not apply to federal elections. Pfluger’s bill, H.R. 192, would nullify that law and bar any such local legislation in the future.
“The right to vote is a defining privilege of American citizenship,” Phluger said in May.
“Diluting that right to its noncitizens, whether here legally or illegally, undermines the voices of D.C. residents.
A second bill, introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), would roll back parts of D.C.’s Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. That act was passed
by the D.C. Council in the wake of the 2020 police protests and includes provisions to increase police transparency and accountability, such as limits on use of force, expanded access to body camera footage, and restrictions on the hiring of officers with prior misconduct records. Garbarino’s bill seeks to repeal several of those measures.
The third bill, introduced by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), would nullify D.C. laws, policies, or practices that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. It would require D.C. to honor all requests from the Department of Homeland Security related to immigration detainers and other enforcement measures. The District has enacted sanctu-
ary city policies in recent years, aligning with broader efforts to shield undocumented immigrants from federal deportation operations and to promote trust between local officials and immigrant communities.
Norton said the legislation represents yet another federal overreach into matters that should be decided by D.C.’s local government.
“Despite being fixated on the subject of D.C. elections, Republicans refuse to make the only election law change D.C. residents have asked Congress to make,” she said, “which is the right to hold elections for voting members of the House and Senate by passing my D.C. statehood bill.”
The longtime legislator also criticized the timing of Garbarino’s police legislation, noting that it came just days after House Republicans passed a continuing
resolution that slashed D.C.’s local budget by $1 billion.
“That was an act of fiscal sabotage, which did not save the federal government any money,” she said. “It’s been almost three months since the Senate passed the D.C. Local Funds Act to reverse the cut and over two months since President Trump called for an immediate House vote on it. The D.C. Local Funds Act is still just sitting in the House. Like President Trump and the National Fraternal Order of Police, I call on the House immediately to pass the D.C. Local Funds Act.”
Norton said D.C. has followed its values, the available evidence, and the democratic process in adopting laws to protect the safety and dignity of all residents, including immigrants.
“Congress has no business overturning D.C.’s democratically enacted local laws,” she said, “and should keep its hands off D.C.” WI
Juneteenth Service at the Washington National Cathedral - The Prince Hall Masons United Supreme Council of Washington, D.C., led by Dr. Ralph Slaughter, gathered at the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest to commemorate Juneteenth on Sunday, June 15. The Rev. Canon Leonard L. Hamlin presided over the service that honored the federal holiday and included a reading by Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes (center, second row). This year marked the third year members of the Prince Hall Masons gathered to celebrate Juneteenth the National Cathedral, where stained glass windows commemorate the nine victims murdered 10 years ago on June 17 at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. (Courtesy Photo/Prince Hall Masons)
– Harry Belafonte “Peace is necessary.
https://www
Solomon and Wanda Parker read the Washington Informer. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
Shantavia Craigg works in the Crystal City section of Arlington, Virginia for an internationally known technology company and loves to take her lunch break at the National Landing Water Park close to her employer.
Routinely, she will purchase her lunch at the Queen Mother’s Kitchen restaurant at the park, and if the weather is good, happily waits for her food by sitting in the chairs in the open space.
She confessed she loves the restaurant’s signature chicken sandwiches, which keep her coming back for more.
“I come here a couple of times a week,” said Craigg, 27, on June 9. “I love the sandwiches that are made here, particularly the ‘Elijah Likes It Spicy’ because it has the chicken with a different type of seasoning from sandwiches made at other places and I like the special sauce. Plus, I can add pickles and onions to it. It is a pretty unique sandwich.”
Craigg is not alone in her love of Queen Mother’s Kitchen sandwiches because the cuisine has been nominated in the “Hottest Sandwich Spot of the Year” category for the RAMMYS, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s (RAMW) annual awards.
The winner of that category and the others will be announced at The RAMMYS Awards & Gala that will take place on Aug. 3 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, D.C.
The owner of Queen Mother’s Kitchen is Chef Rahman “Rock” Harper, a nationally recognized entrepreneur, James Beard Award-nominee, author, and podcast host. Harper received national attention when he won the chef competition on the Gordon Ramsay television show, “Hell’s Kitchen” during its third season.
Harper’s reputation as a chef that makes great sandwiches has generated
positive attention for Queen Mother’s Kitchen on such platforms as Yelp.
“D---, this is a good chicken sandwich!” said Maggie A., a District resident in a Yelp review on April 5.
“Got the classic Queen Mother’s with their special sauce. Good size, crisp and juicy, soft brioche bun. Duck fat crinkle fries are extra with a variety of sauces to choose from. Took about 10 minutes or so for my order to be ready.
Water Park is a great place to eat on a nice weather day. Queen Mother’s hits the spot if you’re craving fried chicken.”
Queen Mother’s Kitchen was launched in 2020, with its first location in Glover Park in Northwest, D.C., moving to a location in Arlington before settling down at National Landing in 2023.
Harper, 48, said naming the restaurant “Queen Mother’s” was intentional.
“The position of Queen Mother for many African tribes is considered royalty,” he said. “I named the restaurant Queen Mother’s in a loving tribute to my mother, Carole Harper, and my grandmother. They are queen mothers. I named the restaurant after them and paid homage to Black women and food.”
Harper said the Queen Mother’s Classic Chicken Sandwich is a popular choice among customers. The
Queen Mother’s sandwich consists of brined chicken breast cooked in duck fat and served with Mother Sauce and dill pickles on a toasted Lyon bakery brioche.
The Queen Mother’s is seasoned with such items as Sicilian Sea salt, Spanish paprika, French black pepper.
Ramon Singh, a 30-year-old resident of Arlington, said he comes specifically for the Queen Mother’s sandwich.
“This sandwich is a big deal because it is so popular,” he said. “It is a good quality sandwich. I’ve enjoyed it every time.”
Harper emphasized the chicken he serves customers are free of antibiotics, drugs, genetic modification, pesticides, growth hormones, artificial preservatives, flavorings, and colors.
“The chicken we serve is about six ounces,” he said. “We bake the buns we serve every day, and they are of the premium quality. As far as sauces are concerned, we have a wide range of those because people are fanatical about the sauces. We have mumbo and spicy mumbo sauce because this is D.C., and you must have that here.”
The duck fat cooked French fries, complemented with the restaurant’s special Queen’s Spice, is also a fan favorite.
“People in the D.C. area love the crinkles,” Harper said. “The seasoning that goes on the fries are paprika, garlic, onion, salt, with a touch of sugar and a little bit of tomato sauce, wine and vinegar.”
When asked his thoughts about the RAMMYS nomination, Harper said his sandwiches are hot “and that is cool.”
“We have great chicken sandwiches,” he said. “If we win our category, that is great. If we don’t, that is okay. We will continue serving great food.”
WI @JamesWrightJr10
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
Amid rumors of national ambitions, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) traveled to South Carolina and spoke at the Blue Palmetto Dinner, a gathering of Democratic delegates in the first majority-Black Democratic electorate on 2028’s election calendar.
During this same trip, Moore met with advisors to former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
“Gone are the days when we are the party of bureaucracy, multiyear studies, panels and college debate club rules,” Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor, said in a speech at the dinner.
He also emphasized the need for immediate action to address the needs of constituents.
“We must be the party of action. Urgency is the instrument of change. And do you know who understands that really well? Donald Trump,” Moore continued. “I want to be clear: We can, and we
LEWIS from Page 4
stitute to train young people in leadership, conflict resolution, and parenting.
Her commitment to empowering youth ultimately led her to television. With the encouragement of teenagers she mentored, Lewis auditioned for BET’s “Teen Summit” and became its host.
Her on-screen chemistry with co-host DaJour and her earnest engagement with issues affecting young people helped the show earn an NAACP Image Award in
must, condemn Donald Trump’s reckless actions. But we would also be foolish not to learn from his impatience.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D), the 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee, also spoke at this dinner. Lucy Owens, the Anderson County delegate at the South Carolina dinner, called both Moore and Walz, who has expressed interest in running, “very great candidates.”
While Moore has denied interest in running for president, his past speaking engagements in South Carolina, an upcoming speaking engagement in Detroit, and his national efforts to support Democrats during the 2024 election lead some national commentators and local voters to believe otherwise.
The View host Joy Behar called Moore “presidential” during an interview and asked him directly if he would run. He said no.
“I always say, ‘Watch what they do, not what they say.’ If you are headlining a major event in South Carolina, Nevada, Iowa,
1997 and a nomination for a Cable ACE Award in 1996.
In 1997, Lewis made the leap to MTV. While the move meant leaving a show that was deeply personal, she recognized the opportunity to reach broader audiences.
“I saw MTV not only as access to the masses, but also as an opportunity to be more of the woman I am,” Lewis said.
She went on to host The Ananda Lewis Show, a daytime talk show that debuted in 2001 and further solidified her place as a
New Hampshire, down the line, it probably means that you’re running for president,” said Democratic strategist Jon Reinish, referencing Moore’s traveling schedule.
Moore is one of several rumored presidential candidates, including 2024 Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Jon Ossof of Georgia, Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Md.).
Walz, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, and former Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo have all expressed interest in running for the Democratic nomination.
Vice President Harris is leading in the most recent presidential polling, with Buttigieg and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
voice of insight and authenticity in media. Throughout her career, she remained focused on empowerment and advocacy, often working to uplift others even when the spotlight was no longer on her.
Lewis is survived by her son, who was a constant source of love and pride.
DJ Syndicated Sam said, “Ananda Lewis, you are forever an icon. Sending love to her family & friends in this season of bereavement.”
WI
(D-N.Y.) in second and third respectively.
Despite the Moore buzz, early presidential polling should be viewed with skepticism. Early polling on the 2008 Democratic primary didn’t even include Barack Obama as a potential candidate.
Democratic strategist David Axelrod, best known for his work on the Obama 2008 campaign, said he sees the race as wide-open.
“There is no obvious nominee, so I think there are a whole bunch of people who are then thinking about it and wanting to be in the conversation,”said Axelrod, who admits that a new leader may appeal to Democratic voters. “There’s a lot of interest out there for Democrats, searching for a new leader.
I wouldn’t say it’s desperation, but there’s a thirst for new leadership among Democrats.”
MARYLANDERS CELEBRATE MOORE’S WORK, FIRST LADY SAYS: ‘WE ARE SO FOCUSED ON MARYLAND’
While nothing is official in terms of a presidential run, many Marylanders and people nationwide are impressed by Moore’s leadership as governor.
Western Maryland officials credited Moore’s responsiveness in helping to address a recent flood.
“They have been very hands-on and very helpful going through this process. I think the governor
had some of his staff here as early as Wednesday morning helping us to assess the situation,” said Allegany County Commission President Dave Caporale.
He expressed thanks to the governor for stepping up to assist residents in need.
“I think it was good to have him here so he could literally see what happened. It’s one thing to see a picture of it, but you don’t get the whole true picture of the whole thing until you see it in person,” Caporale continued.
Actor George Clooney mentioned Moore, saying he thinks he is “spectacular.”
“I think [Moore] is a guy that has handled this tragedy in Baltimore beautifully. He does two tours of duty in Afghanistan — active duty,” Clooney said. “He speaks beautifully. He’s smart. He ran a hedge fund — the Robin Hood Foundation. He’s a proper leader.”
Despite the celebrated actor’s support for her husband, Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore said she and the governor are focused on the needs of their current constituents expanding opportunities for Marylanders.
“We are so focused on Maryland. It’s always flattering to hear Mr. Clooney,” she told The Informer in a WIN-TV interview in April. “He is the first Black governor in the history of the state, he’s the 63rd governor, he is the only Black governor in the country, and he is so committed to Marylanders in his work.”
WI
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Writer
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Superintendent Dr. Millard House II announced that he is leaving his position, effective on June 18. Shawn Joseph, co-Director of Howard University’s Superintendent Academy, has been named as the interim superintendent by County Executive-elect Aisha Braveboy (D), who will be sworn in on June 19.
Braveboy (D) expressed thanks for his tenure leading one of America’s largest school systems and stated her commitment to the youth of Prince George’s.
“I’m grateful to Superintendent House for his service to our county’s schools over the last two years. Ending his tenure was, as it should be, a mutually agreed upon decision between the superintendent and the Board of Education,” she said.
Members of Prince George’s County Education Association (PGCEA) voted no-confidence in Superintendent House II during a virtual meeting on June 4, citing concerns regarding the lack of support for educators.
“The children of Prince George’s County cannot thrive in a system where the adults responsible for their education are unheard, unsupported, and disrespected,” said PGCEA President Donna Christy.
Dr. House defends his records against PGCEA’s statements.
“For the last 23 months, I’ve focused on the work, focused on students as we think about academic achievement and growth. The Class of 2024 graduation rate rose to 80%,” he said, while also lauding improvements in teacher retention and reductions in contraband seizures.
“I’m proud of the work thus far. It’s unfortunate that politics can sometimes overshadow the positive work.”
AHEAD OF SUMMER BREAK, TEACHERS RALLY TO ADDRESS CONTINUED CONCERNS
At a recent school board meeting and amid a protracted closeddoor contract negotiation with school leadership, educator Kara Robinson expressed her experiences working within Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and her displeasure with the contract negotiations.
“I teach middle school math. Watching this year’s negotiations and the lack of real response from [Prince George’s County Educators Association (PGCEA)] proposals has made one thing clear: this administration is willing to go to great lengths to devalue and disrespect us,” she said, in a room filled with numerous Prince George’s educators.
Since then, her testimony has been widely shared on social media.
Robinson, who has spent eight years in the school system, explained she only expects to spend two more years teaching in PGCPS. She spoke of the rising expectations for educators, without additional staff support or increased compensation.
Numerous teachers have also stated that outside jurisdictions have higher starting salaries for teachers, making the process of recruiting and retaining young teachers more difficult for PGCPS.
Educators rallied in the rain outside of the Prince George’s County Public Schools offices in early May to demand higher wages and new hires to address ongoing staffing shortages.
Councilmembers Wala Blegay (D- District 6) and Krystal Oriadha (D- District 7) spoke at the rally, in support of the teachers’ demands for better working conditions and pay.
Christy said on May 8 that staffing levels were “dangerously low.”
“We are filling the gap now with conditionally licensed educators, which only requires a degree, a pulse, and passing a background check; then you can have a classroom,” she said.
State education officials, including the Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland, have stated that existing educational staffing shortfalls have been
around for decades. There are an estimated 1,600 teaching vacancies in Maryland, according to a May announcement by Governor Wes Moore (D).
Governor Moore signed a bill to recruit teachers from across the nation, and Maryland will provide $1 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities to create pathways to teaching for former federal workers. Moore said he refuses to “stand idly by” while federal workers are fired without cause.
“This funding helps our federal workers land on their feet, while also addressing the teacher shortage throughout our state. Together, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and protect our people in the face of Washington,” said Gov. Moore said during his announcement on May 27. WI
Indecision carries an invisible yet undeniable cost. When we hesitate, when we stay on the fence, we don’t just delay action—we allow life to move on without us. Opportunities slip through the cracks, relationships lose their spark, and the forward momentum we worked so hard to build begins to stall. Businesses miss moments to innovate. Communities miss voices that could lead. And while we hesitate, the world continues to be shaped—by those who chose to act.
Being on the fence may feel safe, but inaction is a choice too—and it often leads to stagnation. The real growth happens when we commit. When we lean into a decision and choose a direction, we unlock clarity. Commitment fosters movement, and movement builds trust, collaboration, and progress. It’s in that act of stepping forward—imperfect though it may be—that we gain access to new relationships, new possibilities, and deeper impact.
You don’t need all the answers to begin. But you do need to begin.
This week, ask yourself: Where am I hesitating? What am I waiting for? The perfect moment rarely comes—but momentum builds when you act with purpose. Whether it’s joining a new initiative, supporting a cause, launching a project, or simply voicing your ideas, don’t sit it out.
Now is the time to choose courage over comfort. Choose growth over guarantees. Choose purpose over paralysis. Get off the fence. Make the move. Be part of what’s next.
Self-starters Offer Tips and Services of Endurance, Liberation, Philanthropic Support
By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor
Federal shifts in diversity standards and looming concerns over the future of equity are no match for business leaders compelled with the tips and tools to a successful trade, at least according to these Black self-starters leveraging their entrepreneurial status to help others forge paths to economic and communal wealth.
“We don’t need permission. We don’t need validation, we don’t need a corporate initiative to succeed,” said Mick Hunt, a leadership expert hailing from South Carolina. “The future belongs to those who own their narrative, who control their opportunities,
and who move with intelligence, strategy and execution.”
Hunt, founder of the self-improvement podcast “Mick Unplugged,” works to build the future of Black wealth by offering leaders across the nation a blueprint to leadership skills, strategic value, and even gauging how to create an impact in communities beyond monetary value and revenue.
Having grown up a witness to the detriments of financial and emotional spousal abuse, Hunt transformed a promise into a passion for equity, inclusion and achieving sovereignty –not just for himself, and two younger siblings, but for all hustlers breaking new ground to greatness.
“That’s the mark I want to leave,”
Hunt told The Informer, “not only that I talk about it, but I executed and have left a blueprint for anyone who wants to follow and exceed my footsteps.”
Similar to Hunt, a spirit of intention and resilience thrives in the testimonies of English Hudson Consulting company founders Lynn English and Marlissa Hudson, who shared with The Informer their own visions for economic prosperity, cultural reform, and pivoting tribulation to triumph despite the troublesome times.
“We can’t say this is easy, but we can say that we know how to support our community,” English said. “Let’s use some of the solutions we know that work, which is [to] support Black businesses, support one another, rein-
vest in our community, and we will get through this.”
In what Hudson calls “really a love story,” the dynamic duo’s mentor-turned-business partnership emerged in 2021 with the means to empower Black and brown leaders— particularly Black women— to scale reputable enterprises and create lasting impact.
Now, the consulting service works with victim service providers, housing developers, institutes for returning citizens, among other organizations and nonprofits, to teach the values of brand marketing, networking and overcoming oppressive cycles that too often plague communities of color.
“We are creating a live ecosystem of Black liberation, is the bottom line. And there’s a lot that goes into that, but we know it starts with resources,” Hudson told The Informer.
She emphasized the need to strengthen the building blocks in order to lead an enterprise successfully.
“Are there infrastructure and other structural challenges, sure, but nobody taught these folks the back office aspects of running a business, which fundraising is a big piece of, marketing another,” Hudson highlighted. “And then further, once you’ve got a great idea…how do you take it from the creative concept to a business enterprise?”
English noted some of the most strenuous obstacles for Black founders stem from preconceived notions around financial aid, specifically a lack of authenticity or willingness to ask for funds.
Thus, English Hudson Consulting centers initiatives like “Fundraising While Black” to help clients unpack the roots of their financial strains that might stem from a complicated relationship with money.
“When you can get people to focus on some very basic pillars about what’s holding them back and where they want to go,” English said, “we can have a different conversation and help them really about how to move forward.”
For Hunt, part of moving forward means reshaping ideals behind the loss of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and leaning in on “power, and not participation.”
“DEI struggled and we’re getting the pushback because we always looked at it as a program and we didn’t look at it as a pathway,” said Hunt. “The future of Black businesses isn’t tied to corporate handouts – it’s tied to ownership. Stop waiting for a seat at the table to start building your own table.”
Further, in accord with the women of English Hudson, Hunt aims to compel readers with the basics of good leadership in counter to societal norms, extending the foundation of learning that helped align his own passions.
“With the knowledge that we have…we’ve got to be able to pass it down. We’ve got to be able to share because to me, wealth isn’t monetary – wealth is legacy,” he said.
WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced the slate of executive officers for the board of directors for fiscal year 2026 (FY26) that includes African Americans in key positions.
This decision comes after the board’s most recent meeting on May 22.
Black leaders of the board include Chair Ellen Flowers-Fields of the College of Southern Maryland; Secretary Thomas Bundy of the firm Lawrence & Bundy; Treasurer William Roberts of Significance Inc.; Assistant Treasurer Eben Smith of Three/E Consulting Group; and Immediate Past Chair Omar Muhammad of Morgan State University.
Flower-Fields said the new board leadership team will move TEDCO forward.
“Over the years, I have been able to see the continued growth of Maryland’s ecosystem thanks to the work TEDCO does. As the board chair this past year, I am excited to say that the organization’s trajectory has not deviated,” said Flowers-Fields. “Continuing in this position, I am excited to resume guiding the organization’s efforts to create a more equitable and sustainable innovation ecosystem across the state.”
TEDCO is managed by a 19-member board of directors, 14 of whom are appointed by the Maryland governor, two appointed by the president of the Maryland Senate, and two appointed by the speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates – each to staggered four-year terms.
The 19th member is the Maryland secretary of commerce, who serves ex officio. Each member appointed by the Governor is confirmed by the Senate.
Complete with members hailing from across the state – from rural Western Maryland to Baltimore City to the Eastern Shore – and an array of backgrounds, industries and expertise, the organization looks
toward the future, thinking of new ways to continue the momentum and create another year of growth for the state’s entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem.
Flowers-Fields has more than 25 years of experience in workforce development and human capital management and is currently serving as vice president for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at the College of Southern Maryland.
Bundy III is a partner at Lawrence & Bundy, where he regularly represents Fortune 500 companies
across the country in numerous trials, arbitrations and alternative forms of dispute resolution.
Roberts currently serves as the vice president of Strategic Growth at Significance, Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in helping federal agencies improve their financial management and accountability.
Smith is president of Three|E Consulting Group with two decades of business management experience in both the public and private sector.
Muhammad serves as the director and EN-TRE-PRE-NEUR for the Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Center (EDAC) at Morgan State University and serves as the immediate past chair on TEDCO’s board.
“TEDCO’s Board of Directors
continues to bring invaluable expertise and influence to the organization, allowing us to conclude another year with successful growth,” said TEDCO CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “Such collaboration and guidance are essential for continuing our efforts to offer resources and opportunities to entrepreneurs throughout the state’s ecosystem, building up a sustainable, diverse, equitable and merit-driven environment that will allow us to thrive. Together, I am confident we can follow the example of the Moore administration and make this Maryland’s decade.” WI
@JamesWrightJr10
4 Ellen Flowers-Field is the chair of TEDCO. (Courtesy Photo/TEDCO)
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
The Trump administration has reportedly removed at least 500 migrant children from their homes across the United States and placed them into government custody, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.
The children, many of whom were living with family members or other vetted sponsors, were taken during socalled “welfare checks” carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies.
According to CNN, the operations are part of a larger campaign launched shortly after President Donald Trump returned to office, with federal authorities setting up a “war room” inside the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to review data on children who entered the country alone and were later released to sponsors. Officials have used the room to coordinate efforts between agencies, including ICE and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which oversees the custody of unaccompanied migrant children.
Trump officials claim the effort is
5 Activists demand Congress cuts funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on National Day of Advocacy in September 2022. Federal data reveals there are more than 2,500 children currently in Office of Refugee Resettlement custody, and many were taken during welfare checks carried out by ICE. (Courtesy Photo)
aimed at protecting children placed in unsafe conditions or with unqualified sponsors, pointing to cases where children were released to individuals with criminal backgrounds or those involved in smuggling.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the welfare checks have led to the arrests of some sponsors and the transfer of children into ORR custody.
“In the first 100 days under President Trump and Secretary Noem, 75% of arrests ICE made were of criminal illegal aliens,” McLaughlin said in a DHS press release explaining how the department is using unaccompanied minor welfare checks and other methods to capture illegal immigrants. “DHS is continuing to go after the worst of the worst.”
Federal data shows more than 2,500 children are currently in ORR
custody. CNN reported that the average stay has grown significantly, from 67 days in December 2024 to 170 days by April 2025.
Former Health and Human Services officials say new vetting rules— including income requirements, government-issued ID, and DNA tests—have made it far more difficult for parents and guardians, particularly those who are undocumented, to reclaim their children.
In some cases, reunifications that had already been scheduled were canceled. A recent lawsuit details how two brothers, ages 7 and 14, remain in government care because their mother cannot meet new documentation requirements under the revised policies.
Mark Greenberg, a former senior HHS official, stated that the approach puts children in a difficult situation.
“To the extent, the goal is to deter-
mine whether children are in danger or in need of help, this isn’t a good way to do that because it creates fear that anything they say could be used against their parent or family member,” he said.
Immigration enforcement agents reportedly have visited children’s homes and asked about their journey to the U.S., school attendance, and upcoming immigration court appearances. Legal advocates say these visits, which sometimes include the FBI, are not standard child welfare procedures and can create fear and confusion among minors.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the agency’s role, saying, “Protecting children is a critical mission for the FBI, and we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local partners to secure their safety and well-being.”
Multiple outlets noted that the Trump administration has not provided clear evidence that large numbers of children are missing. Instead, it has referenced a Department of Homeland Security inspector general report from 2023 that noted more than 291,000 unaccompanied minors had not received notices to appear in immigration court. Former officials note that these figures do not necessarily indicate that the children are missing; some lacked updated addresses or were affected by administrative backlogs. Within HHS, officials were instructed to expedite policy changes. Former ORR Ombudsman Mary Giovagnoli stated that a senior ICE of-
sparking demonstrations in dozens of cities from Los Angeles and Atlanta to Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York.
NO KINGS from Page 1 “I have nothing against the military… but do I think this parade was about that? No,” said a retired law enforcement officer from Minnesota who attended the No Kings Day counter protest with his son. “We all know who Donald Trump is—it’s ego, its division, it’s about getting more people behind him. He’s disparaged the military over and over again.”
Despite the thick, humid air, people lined the streets, some cheering and shouting chants of ‘USA’ as helicopters flew by, while others protested the Trump administration and stood for equity and justice for all— each standing for a different vision of America.
“The Army keeps us free; you make us strong, and tonight you have made all Americans very proud. With the creation of America’s Army on June 14, 1775, liberty got its shield and freedom got its sword,” the president said after the parade, before issuing what some have called a chilling warning.
“America’s enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you. Your defeat will be certain, your demise will be final, and your downfall will be total and complete.”
While many counter protestors uplifted the work of those in the military, they questioned the president’s intentions for the parade. Laying the
As military tanks were on full display in the nation’s capital, tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets in the District and nationwide, many carrying signs declaring “No Kings in America” and photos of former President Barack Obama—a deliberate contrast to Trump’s spectacle.
In Atlanta, a 5,000-capacity rally at the state Capitol quickly overflowed as thousands more gathered outside
the barriers. Demonstrators across the country accused Trump of attempting to install himself as a de facto monarch, dismissing constitutional norms and democratic principles.
Some marchers wore costumes inspired by popular culture. Jacqueline Sacrona attended a Michigan protest with her daughters dressed as characters from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” while in Philadelphia, Dennis Hannan wore a bedazzled Elvis Presley outfit and carried an American flag. “We’re here to downplay any other kings,” he said.
In Charlotte, police on bicycles blocked demonstrators from moving through the downtown area. Protesters chanted, “Let us walk,” while helicopters flew overhead. In northern Atlanta, tear gas was deployed to prevent marchers from reaching Interstate 285. One journalist was detained. Mexican flags — symbols of solidarity during recent immigration raids — were also present at several demonstrations.
The day’s peaceful resistance was disrupted in Minnesota, where organizers canceled local protests after two Dem-
ocratic lawmakers and their spouses were targeted in deadly shootings in separate incidents early Saturday. Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their residence in Champlin, nine miles away. Gov. Tim Walz called it “a politically
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By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer
Every June, communities around the world observe Pride Month, an unapologetic celebration of strength and resilience for the LGBTQ+ community. While Pride often features parades, parties and events, for some, like young queer Caribbeans Trevonae Williams, Quentin Price and Ananda Welch, the month is about more than merriment, but a time for introspection and self-acceptance, acting as a radical declaration of existence.
“I spent much of my childhood ignoring my queerness because I was socialized to believe I was immoral for my identity,” said Williams, 25, who was born and raised in Jamaica, uses she/they pronouns and identifies as a lesbian, non-binary woman. “Homophobia is unfortunately a cultural norm, almost as much as all the other stuff that Jamaicans take pride in.”
The only sovereign Caribbean nation where same-sex marriage is legal is Cuba. It was officially outlawed in Jamaica in 2011 when Parliament passed an amendment to explicitly deem any union that wasn’t between a man and a woman as invalid.
Same-sex encounters are also outlawed in Jamaica, punishable up to 10 years of imprisonment with hard labor per the country’s Offences Against the Person Act— a piece of legislation that prohibits homicide, assault, rape and other acts the government believes are misdeeds against citizens. To place the potential of two people’s physical attraction to each other within the same caliber as physical harm can put queer Jamaicans in a dangerous situation if they publically share their sexuality.
“I avoided the fullness of my identity for most of my upbringing because the cost, to me, would outweigh my honesty,” Williams told The Informer. “As a teen, being afraid of being disowned, kicked out or publicly shamed was constantly at the back of my mind.”
For 22-year-old Price, a Jamaican-American who identifies as gay, growing up surrounded by those traditional ideals from the Caribbeans side of his family made
accepting his sexuality difficult.
Growing up in Queens, New York, the borough’s extensive diversity gave Price a broad outlook on what the rest of the world looks like. Still, he was also subject to different forms of homophobia from the various communities surrounding him.
“It definitely made me feel like I had to close off that part of myself where I couldn’t fully embrace and walk in that part of my identity,” Price told The Informer.
Despite the anxiety surrounding his sexuality growing up, Price was able to come out to his close friends in middle school, who offered him love, support and comfort.
When he initially came to terms with his identity and began telling others, Price came out as bisexual, but as years went on and he learned more about himself as he matured, he realized he identified more as gay.
As an adult, he continues becoming more comfortable in his queerness, understanding that he will love whoever loves him, and not letting labels or expectations determine where and how he can extend his love. Price has grown to allow the intimate connection with someone’s soul to guide his attraction, and he is grateful to his long-time friends for their everlasting support.
“Being able to have those conversations early on with my chosen family that I still hold close to this day really made a lasting impact on me as they embraced me for who I was and didn’t make me feel less than,” Price told The Informer. “They’ve been with me through every phase of that journey and have always provided
me comfort along the road.”
Similarly, Williams also commends the unwavering support she received from friends for contributing to her path of growth and self-acceptance.
During their freshman year at Howard University, Williams came out to a group of friends, who accepted her proclamation– almost unmoved. Through this interaction, Williams was able to skip past many parts of the inner turmoil many young queer people face, such as self doubt, regret, fear and self-hatred.
“It was a privilege that I’m always grateful for,” Williams told The Informer. “Because of them, I felt less inclined to come out to my Jamaican family because I developed a confidence in my identity that craves familial validation a little less.”
‘ASPECTS
Welch, a 23-year-old bisexual Bajan-American, doesn’t feel the need to come out to the Bajan side of her family because of how taboo the topic of homosexuality may be to them.
In Barbados, intimacy between same-sex partners has been legal since 2022, after the High Court condemned its criminalization by Sections 9 and 12 of the Sexual Offences Act. Regardless of this progress, samesex marriage in the Caribbean country is still banned per the 1979 Marriage Act, which describes marriage as between a man and a woman.
WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
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Officials Warn of Public Exposure Across Transit Systems, Clinic, and School
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
The D.C. Department of Health (D.C. Health) has confirmed a case of measles in an international traveler who recently arrived in Washington, D.C., prompting an urgent warning about potential public exposures in multiple locations across the region. Officials are now notifying individuals who may have come into contact with the virus at key locations in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
The infected traveler arrived at Dulles International Airport on June 8 and was in Concourse A, in transit to the International Arrivals Building, and in the baggage claim area from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. That same day, the traveler rode the Washington Metro Area Transit’s Silver Line Train from the Dulles Airport Station, transfer-
ring at Metro Center Station to the Red Line Train toward Shady Grove Station between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. From there, the person visited the Russian School of Mathematics at 8401 Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase, Maryland, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., before boarding the southbound L8 Metrobus to Friendship Heights between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“Measles is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease that spreads easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes,” the D.C. health department said in a statement.
Virginia health officials noted they are “coordinating an effort to identify people who might have been exposed, including contacting potentially exposed passengers on specific flights.”
As of late May, more than 1,000 measles cases have been recorded in
the United States in the first four months of 2025. In the D.C. region, multiple confirmed cases have already been reported, including at least three in Virginia and three in Maryland, as of earlier this year.
Measles symptoms generally develop in two stages. During the first stage, which begins 7 to 14 days after exposure, individuals often experience a fever over 101°F, along with a runny nose, red, watery eyes, and a cough. The second stage occurs 3 to 5 days after the initial symptoms begin when a distinctive rash appears on the face and gradually spreads to the rest of the body.
A person with measles is contagious from four days before the rash appears until four days after it emerges. Serious complications can occur, including
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pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and death.
On June 12, officials confirmed additional exposure. They said the traveler took the westbound H4 Metrobus to Tenleytown from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and visited MedStar Health Pediatrics at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue NW between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Officials cautioned that anyone who was at the listed locations on the specified dates and times and who has never received a measles-containing vaccine, either the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or a measles-only vaccine available in other countries, may be at risk of developing measles.
“If you notice the symptoms of measles, immediately isolate yourself by staying home and away from others,” D.C. Health advises. “Contact your healthcare provider immediately. Call ahead before going to your healthcare provider’s office or the emergency room to notify them that you may have been exposed to measles and ask them to call the health department to help protect other patients and staff.”
Health officials recommend that individuals exposed to the virus and at risk for developing measles closely monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days following the date of their last exposure. Those who have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine or were born before 1957 are considered protected and do not need to take any action.
“If you have received only one dose of a measles containing vaccine, you are very likely to be protected
3The D.C. Department of Health has confirmed a case of measles in an international traveler who recently arrived in the District, prompting an urgent warning about public exposure in the area. (AI Photo/Fotor/WI)
and your risk of being infected with measles from any of these exposures is very low,” officials said. “However, to achieve complete immunity, contact your healthcare provider about getting a second vaccine dose.”
Health officials are especially urging caution for individuals with immuno-compromising conditions, and suggest contacting a health care provider for questions or if people believe they are developing symptoms.
D.C. Health noted that measles is preventable through a safe and effective vaccine.
“Measles is preventable through a safe and effective MMR vaccine. Two doses of the vaccine are given to provide lifetime protection,” they added.
One person took to X, formerly known as Twitter, begging those in the Washington metropolitan area to get vaccinations after reported cases earlier this year.
“Please get vaccinated for measles, my DMV people,” a social media user wrote on X in March.
However, infants younger than 12 months of age are too young to be vaccinated. These infants, and others who are not vaccinated, are very susceptible to infection if they are exposed to someone with measles.
“If you or your child have not yet received the vaccination, please call D.C. Health or a healthcare provider to get the first of two doses as soon as possible,” officials said.
Health care providers are urged to maintain an increased index of suspicion for measles in any clinically compatible cases, particularly in patients who may have been exposed.
“Health care providers should always maintain an increased index of suspicion for measles in clinically compatible cases, especially if patients were recently exposed,” officials stated. “Measles is an immediately reportable disease. Contact DC Health right away to report any suspected cases and arrange for public health testing.”
For more information or for health care providers to report suspected cases call 844-493-2652 or submit a Notifiable Disease and Condition Case Report Form online using the D.C. Reporting and Surveillance Center, available at dchealth.dc.gov, where there is also testing and infection control guidance.
WI
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
Three prominent civil rights organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), accusing the agency of withholding critical information about its sweeping collection of DNA from noncitizens.
The Georgetown Center on Privacy and Technology, the Amica Center for Immigrants Rights in Northwest, D.C., and Americans for Immigrant Justice in Miami, Fla., say DHS has failed to respond to their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted in the summer of 2024.
The lawsuit, filed in the District of Columbia, comes after more than nine months without what the groups describe as a meaningful response. The original Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request sought details about
how DHS collects, stores, and uses DNA samples taken from noncitizens—a practice the organizations say has expanded the FBI’s criminal DNA database (CODIS) by over 5,000 percent since 2020.
“This information comes at a critical moment in national immigration policy,” the organizations stated in a news release, “where the administration is routinely carrying out enforcement actions—including detention and deportation—against noncitizens without regard for their lawful presence in the United States.”
They further argue that the DNA collection effort, often done under coercive and legally ambiguous circumstances, disproportionately targets people of color.
“The Department of Homeland Security has built out a massive DNA-collection program, quickly becoming the primary contributor of
5Three prominent civil rights organizations are suing the Department of Homeland Security, accusing the agency of withholding critical information about its sweeping collection of DNA from noncitizens. (Courtesy
DNA profiles to the nation’s criminal policing DNA database, CODIS,” said Stevie Glaberson, Director of Research and Advocacy for the Privacy Center. “DHS is doing so despite collecting DNA from people accused of no crime and while operating with none of the constraints that are supposed to be in place before the government compels someone to give over their most sensitive personal information. Americans deserve visibility on
the details of this program, and the department’s lack of transparency is unacceptable.”
It would be a mistake to think of what the administration is doing as immigration enforcement, said Emily Tucker, executive director at the Center on Privacy & Technology at Georgetown Law. “To the contrary, Trump is using immigration powers as the vehicle for the activities of a militarized police force, a weapon he can wield broadly and violently without having to navigate obstacles in the form of transparency, accountability, or oversight.”
Tucker said the DNA-collection program is to instill fear in all those who are against the president’s policies.
“The Department’s DNA-collection program is one piece of a massive dragnet that sweeps in information about all of us not just to fuel deportation–although it does–but primarily to intimidate and silence those who would oppose him,” she continued.
“We’re filing this lawsuit in the hopes to, at the very least, chip away at the obscurity in which this administration is carrying out its most dangerous programs.”
Daniel Melo, senior attorney at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights emphasized why the lawsuit is important.
“As immigration enforcement agencies continue to deploy sophisticated tools to target, surveil, and arbitrarily detain noncitizens,” he said, “the community most impacted by these policy choices has a right to know how, when, and why genetic material is being taken, stored, and used against noncitizens—potentially indefinitely—simply because they were not born in the United States.”
Further, Tucker declared that the program is an assault to people’s rights and justice.
“Secretive government surveillance programs, like the wide scale and unprecedented program to collect and store noncitizen DNA, are a threat to freedom and safety for citizens and noncitizens alike,” Tucker said. “The Freedom of Information Act demands that the government act openly. When the government attempts to ignore this demand, Americans for Immigrant Justice is committed to pursuing transparency and accountability.”
WI
By Mya Trujillo
WI Contributing Writer
In the winter and summer months, when temperatures are at their coldest and hottest, electricity demands increase, causing hikes in utility bills. This summer, D.C. Pepco customers can expect a monthly bill increase of $20.81, or 17.7%, which became effective on June 1, as mandated by the
District of Columbia (DCPSC).
“The supply charge is a passthrough to our customers from our energy provider, which is PJM,”
Lamont Atkins, Pepco director of Governmental and External Affairs, told The Informer. “For us at Pepco, we don’t have any say in what those costs or charges are, so we’re not able to affect making sure [they] stay affordable.”
al transmission organization (RTO) that allocates wholesale electricity to the District and 13 surrounding states. The RTO ensures customers have enough energy available according to supply and demand by administering a capacity auction for the following year. During these auctions, the energy provider accepts offers to distribute energy at the lowest possible costs,
3 Due to a higher demand for energy in the July 2024 PJM Interconnection energy auction, D.C. PEPCO customers will face an increase of almost 18% in their utility bills this summer. (Mya Trujillo/ The Washington Informer)
Informer. “I think going forward, we may continue to see this because of a lack of generation.”
While increased rates may be stressful to consumers, they have various options available to help mitigate the uptick in their monthly energy bills.
tion continues until enough capacity— or the maximum energy a generator can output— is accumulated to meet the reserved energy needed for the following year. Soon after, power providers and utility companies are given the final offer price.
Early Voting: July 11 to July 14, 2025
Early Voting Vote Centers Open: 8:30 am to 7:00 pm Election Day Vote Centers Open: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm Mail Ballot Drop Boxes Open: June 13 to July 15, 2025 until 8:00 pm
• Voted ballots can be returned via the US Postal Service, to any Vote Center, or to a Mail Ballot Drop Box.
• All ballots must be postmarked by July 15, 2025 and received by DCBOE by July 25, 2025.
At the most recent auction, which occurred in July 2024, capacity prices skyrocketed unexpectedly due to an expanding energy demand and a lack of available renewable energy, according to a press release published by the Office of the People’s Council (OPC) on May 22.
“In the next auction coming up in July, it’s anticipated, according to a report that OPC contracted, that the price will probably only go up a dollar for this next capacity auction,” OPC’s Director of Litigation Laurence Daniels told The Informer. “A number of reforms have been put in place to prevent what just happened last year.”
After taking complaints received from OPC and other consumer advocacy groups into consideration, PJM proposed changes that were approved and adopted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). According to Daniels, these reforms will ensure that more supply sources are available, and PJM will improve and hopefully increase the accessibility of renewable energy sources.
To prevent even worse increases in the future, Pepco is trying to create more opportunities for generation inside D.C., as approximately 98% to 100% of the city’s energy is imported from other areas.
“I’ve only been with the company for four years, but this may be the first time we’ve seen such a large increase during the summer because of the PJM supply rate,” Atkins told The
Pepco offers bill payment assistance, including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Residential Aid Discount Program and the Arrearage Management Program.
Residents can also take advantage of alternative energy options, like solar panel installations.
The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) offers Solar for All, which aims to help 100,000 low to moderate-income families enjoy the benefits of solar-powered energy. According to DOEE, “all Solar for All participants should expect to see a 50% savings on their electricity bill over 15 years.”
Other solar energy programs are available.
For long-term Washingtonian Barbara Allen, utilizing Sunrise Solar two years ago was a complete game-changer.
“My Pepco bill would run during the summer between $500 and $600 a month, but my daughter got her solar panels… and she gave me the gentleman’s name,” Allen told The Informer. “He came, he put the solar panels on my house, and my Pepco bill has not been over $90 since.”
Even though solar panels have proven to save ratepayers money, there is still reluctance to trust the alternative energy source, especially among the city’s senior citizen population.
On June 5, at the Hattie Holmes Wellness Center, DCPSC hosted an educational outreach event for seniors called “Flip the Switch.” Ward 3 and 4 residents learned about different options available to them to conserve energy and save money during the summer. WI
Read more on washingtonin former.com.
By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor
Hailing in high demand from Atlanta, The Veritas Schools is coming to Washington in an immersive educational opportunity that promises to reshape classroom culture, bridge the opportunity gap, and propel the next generation of problem-solvers on a global scale.
The announcement comes ahead of the anticipated spring 2026 enrollment, where D.C. scholars have a chance to join the nationally acclaimed debate school donning scholastic excellence and a drive to shape a better world through enhanced opportunities for gifted underserved youth.
“If we want to truly create economic mobility, if we truly want America to continue to be one of the most innovative countries in the world, our collective advancement is contingent upon our ability to train the next generation of ideators, the next generation of innovators, the next generation of change makers,” said institution founder, Brandon Fleming.
At Veritas, that looks like Saturdays in a classroom where, principally,
“scholarship meets culture,” while the curriculum informs a deeper analysis of pressing worldly issues that demand solutions.
“When students step into our environment and they are able to engage and learn in a culture that is designed for their growth, we see that they thrive and their performance accelerates at an exponential pace, and that’s what I didn’t have growing up,” Fleming told The Informer. “We are all commissioned to be the change that we wish to see…and so I’m excited to bring to the DMV area the solution that I’ve created for Atlanta.”
A native of Fairfax, Virginia, Fleming told The Informer he’s spent most of his career building the type of program that he felt was needed when he was younger, noting his story from drug-dealing dropout to award-winning Harvard educator as more than one of resilience, but the testament of a scholar whose needs weren’t met through public school systems.
“It’s very possible for the right seed to be planted in the wrong soil, and it will never bear fruit. That’s what happens with so many of our children in the school system,” Fleming said, “it has nothing to do with their actual potential.”
Thus, in 2017, The Veritas Schools emerged as a conduit of growth for under-resourced students, leading academic curricula that focuses on social sciences, philosophy and debate prep to help scholars compete in the college admissions process and scale a broad impact, even beyond the Saturday school.
Tameka Thomas, head of schools, touted D.C. as a pivotal area to expand on a mission of surging economic mobility and “the power structures that come with it,” noting the vibrant scene of politics, public speaking and debate, and critical thinking that illuminates the city, and in turn, would benefit local applicants.
While sharing her own educational upbringing, Thomas highlighted that, despite being different from Fleming’s, common flaws of the education system can hinder any scholar looking to thrive, a reality The Veritas Schools aims to reroute.
“I can’t help but ask myself…how much more could I have benefited from someone who focused on the student who’s extremely smart, who has all of the ability in the world, but just needs the actual opportunity,” Thomas told The Informer. “We want to make sure that every single scholar that wants to think critically, to dream big, to expand what they’re capable of doing that they have the opportunity to do that.”
One aspect forwarding this mission is the Veritas Debate Institute, donning seven cohorts that have consistently emerged as champions against hundreds of students from over 25 countries in Harvard’s international residential debate program.
“Ward 8 is my home, my community, and my purpose. I’m running for DC Council because our families deserve real investment, strong schools, safer neighborhoods, and true economic opportunity. This isn’t just a campaign—it’s my commitment to fight for the resources and respect our community deserves. I’m fighting for our youth, our families, our seniors, and those who feel like they don’t have a seat at the table. But I can’t do it alone. I want to hear from you. Connect with me at www.bunnforward8.com Together, we can build a stronger Ward 8.” — Sheila Bunn
Thomas underscored that the debate school is a multifaceted approach that can propel leaders in multiple areas of life, from research and diplomacy, to critical thinking and problem solving. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
3 The Veritas Schools is launching its national expansion with a D.C. kickoff in spring 2026, bringing scholarship and culture to the forefront to bridge the opportunity gaps for underserved gifted youth. (Courtesy of The Veritas Schools)
From his 2024 campaign, to the Jan. 20 inauguration, and recent decisions, President Donald Trump and his administration have never made it a secret they are against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Executive Order 14151, signed the day Trump was sworn in for a second term, mandated the removal of DEI-related content from government websites and federal programs. In March, this sweeping order resulted in the removal of historically significant figures, most notably World War II veteran and civil rights icon Medgar Evers, from the educational and Black history sections of the Arlington National Cemetery website.
Recently, and almost to the date of the 62nd anniversary of his assassination on June 12, 1963, Pentagon leaders announced plans to possibly rename the U.S. Navy ship Medgar Evers.
The ship is one of eight Navy vessels named after freedom fighters, including Harriet Tubman, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Cesar Chavez.
According to Defense Secretary Pete Hagseth, this move is part of a
concentrated effort to remove “wokeness” in the military and reestablish “warrior ethos.”
Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi condemned the move as “a disgrace” and “a choice,” not a mistake.
Evers, the first field secretary for the NAACP in Mississippi, was a soldier who fought at Normandy and returned to champion the civil rights struggle at significant personal risk. He embodied American ideals of service and sacrifice.
Congressman Thompson is right. Removing him specifically amplifies the harmful intent: an effort to sanitize public history of contributions by people of color.
“Renaming the USNS Medgar Evers is not only malicious, it is despicable,” said Evers’ daughter, Reena Evers-Everette. “As my mother said, this is an injustice to a man who fought for his country both at home and abroad.”
This move reveals a pattern of Trump: honoring African Americans’ contributions when politically advantageous, but neglecting their ideals to advance his anti-DEI agenda.
This week, the National Archives unveiled two landmark documents—President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and General Order No. 3—marking pivotal moments in America’s pursuit of freedom.
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, freed enslaved people in areas of rebellion.
General Order No. 3, issued on June 19, 1865, extended that freedom to those still enslaved in Texas. It’s why we now celebrate Juneteenth as a national holiday.
But the District of Columbia has its own history of emancipation. On April 16, 1862—months before Lincoln’s proclamation—Congress passed a law ending slavery in D.C., compensating slaveholders in the process. That day is recognized as Emancipation Day in the District and is an official local holiday.
As we reflect on these milestones,
we must also consider where and how our historical records are preserved.
The grandeur of the National Archives reminds us of the importance of safeguarding the nation’s history. But D.C.’s own archival legacy remains hidden—tucked away in a warehouse down an alley called Naylor Court in Shaw.
Plans for a modern, state-of-the-art D.C. Archives building on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) have now been scrapped. Despite some construction already underway, Mayor Bowser’s proposed 2026 budget eliminates funding for the new archives facility. Instead, the building will be repurposed for student housing. The administration proposes using the Charles Sumner School for public access and leasing another offsite warehouse.
Yes, we acknowledge the District’s budget constraints. But cutting this project reflects a lack of vision—and
During his inauguration on the same day of the federal holiday celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Trump honored the fallen civil rights martyr. Yet, many modern activists note his pushback against DEI and work to eliminate parts of Black history is in direct contrast to King’s principles.
In addition, he called Evers a “great American hero” at the 2017 opening of the Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, however, his administration’s latest move devalues the Mississippi leader’s work more than six decades after he was killed in the name of freedom.
By removing Evers, the administration isn’t just erasing a name; it’s undermining remembrance and respect for Black Americans’ role in shaping the nation.
As the nation celebrates Juneteenth and beyond, all Americans— not just African Americans— must speak out against this intentional erasure of Black history and figures who fought for the values of freedom, justice and equity for all.
WI
a failure to honor D.C. residents’ ongoing fight for self-determination. A proper archive isn’t just about documents—it’s about dignity, identity and legacy.
If we don’t value our own history and invest in preserving it, who will?
Restore funding for the D.C. Archives in the 2026 budget. Make our history a priority. WI
The Homeowner Supplement was fantastic! I gathered a lot of valuable information that I will keep in mind for when I start my home-owning journey. I’ll make sure to share with friends and family, too.
Riley Timmons Hyattsville, Md.
Rest in peace to Sly Stone. He was an innovator, a visionary, and an icon. I would say gone too soon, but we all have to go someday. It’s not the amount of time we’re here but the amount of life we’ve lived.
Maurice Sanders Washington, D.C.
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.
Julianne Malveaux
Dyana Williams, Kenny Gamble and Ed Wright founded Black Music Month in June 1979. Also known as African American Music Appreciation Month, it was first officially celebrated by President Jimmy Carter with a White House reception. Carter created a platform to recognize and celebrate music, and many Black music executives held celebrations over
the years to recognize the month. President Bill Clinton issued a presidential proclamation recognizing Black Music Month. His proclamation was “recognizing the importance of African American music to global culture and calling on the people of the United States to study, reflect on, and celebrate African American Music.”
In 2009, President Barack Obama renamed it African American Music Appreciation Month. The Obama proclamation, elegantly written, talked about spirituals lifting voices into the heavens during enslavement, and talk-
“Our findings suggest that Black leaders are required to meet a higher bar for advancement and point to the need to level the playing field for advancing up the organizational hierarchy.” — researchers Seung-Hwan Jeong, Ann Mooney, Yangyang Zhang and Timothy J. Quigley
As a hostile backlash to racial justice
ed about the various genres of Black music including blues, jazz, soul, rock and roll, gospel and symphony. In the 2016 proclamation, one of Obama’s last, the nation’s first Black president said, “African American music helps us imagine a better world and offers hope that we will get there together.”
Now in this Black Music Month 2025, we have lost a musical icon, one whose music was a soundtrack to my teen life. Sly Stone, the frontman for the band Sly and the Family Stone, made his transition this month, and all I could do was reflect on the music,
and gender equality wipes out desperately needed corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, the latest Fortune 500 rankings marked two revealing milestones.
Though only nine of the companies — 1.8% — are led by Black CEOs and just 11% are helmed by women, both metrics are record highs in the 70-year history of the iconic list.
The nine Black CEOs, who are to be congratulated, are:
• Marvin Ellison of Lowe’s
• Thasunda Brown Duckett of
As a Black and Native American woman from California and a fellow Howard alum, who once excitedly watched Ananda Lewis light up the screen on MTV, I was saddened to learn of her untimely passing.
Her talent, warmth and honesty touched many lives. But it was her courage in sharing the most painful
parts of her health journey that left the most lasting impression on me and, I hope, on all of us.
Ananda was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2019. She revealed that she had avoided regular mammograms due to her fear of radiation. When doctors recommended a double mastectomy, she declined, like too many patients facing difficult options and a deep mistrust of the medical system.
Instead, Ananda chose alternative therapies focused on diet, detoxing and emotional healing. But
the lyrics and the meaning of the unifying messages. Who could sit when the DJ was playing “Dance to the Music,” or “I Want to Take You Higher,” or “Thank You Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again”? Who could not think about unity and acceptance when they heard “Everyday People?” Who could not fail to feel affirmed when they heard “Everybody is A Star,” with the powerful line — “I love you for who you are, not for who you feel a need to be”?
Sly Stone mixed genres — funk, soul, rock, gospel and psychedelia. He was ahead of the curve with his multi-
racial band, something not often seen in the late sixties and early seventies. Some of his music became anthems, while others remain summertime/ family picnic staples — like “Family Affair,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime” or “Dance to the Music.” What a joy and inspiration Sly Stone was. Indeed, I can’t think about Sly Stone’s music without humming or getting out of my desk chair to shake my stuff, if only for a minute.
It is unlikely that the current president will issue a proclamation to
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA)
• Toni Townes-Whitley of Science Applications International
• Christopher Womack of Southern Company
• Calvin Butler Jr. of Exelon
• Dave Bozeman of C.H. Robinson Worldwide
• Michael Bender of Kohl’s
• René Jones of M&T Bank
• David Rawlinson II of QVC Group
While Fortune noted in its announcement the significance of wom-
en CEOs breaking the 10% mark for the first time, neither the number of Black CEOs nor its implication were mentioned. In a separate article, however, the magazine reveals that only 28 of the more than 2,000 CEOs represented on the list since 1955 have been Black.
The nine Black CEOs on the 2025 list together represent more than 230 years of corporate executive experience and nine advanced degrees. The companies they lead made up more than $244.76 billion in revenue last year.
The facts are inconvenient for an
administration and its allies who are actively promoting racist lies about “reverse discrimination” and “lowered standards” associated with diversity and inclusion initiatives. In reality, the bar for advancement is significantly higher for women and Black CEOs. While men are more likely to advance directly to the CEO spot from lesser roles like division head, women are more likely to have served as president of a company before making the leap to CEO. And Black CEOs, on aver-
years later, her cancer progressed to Stage 4. By then, surgery and chemotherapy were no longer viable options.
In her final years, Ananda spoke openly about her regrets. In an Essence essay published earlier this year, she said “prevention is the real cure” and urged Black women to educate themselves about their cancer risk.
“If I had known what I know now 10 years ago …” she said. Ananda used her voice to spare others from the pain she endured.
She reminded us that early detection and treatment save lives.
The statistics make that painfully clear:
When breast cancer is caught early at a localized stage, the fiveyear survival rate is 99%.
Regular mammograms can reduce breast cancer deaths by 20–40% for women ages 40 to 74.
Despite having a lower incidence of breast cancer than white women, Black women are 40% more likely to die from the disease.
While Black women have higher
mammography rates overall, they are less likely to complete follow-up diagnostics like imaging and biopsies, contributing to delayed diagnoses and worse outcomes.
These disparities reflect broader systemic issues: mistrust in the medical system, inadequate provider communication, and unequal access to high-quality care.
That’s why our work at the African American Wellness Project (https://aawellnessproject.org/)
After Israel’s latest military attack on another nation, Trump says “I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to ‘Make A Deal!’” That makes the U.S. a partner in this latest tragedy. When will our current U.S. leaders learn that you can’t threaten people, believing your threats will make them do what you alone want them to do?
Israeli and American leaders must come to a place where they understand neither threats nor constant aggressive actions have any place on the road to peace. The world has grown tired of leaders of both nations — especially one who says Israel’s attack on Iran would be a miracle for the stock market!
Trump is applauding Netanyahu’s action against Iran. At the same time, he’s applauding his own efforts to try to tear down Los Angeles for being a city of immi-
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the bill that had been passed by unanimous consent in the Senate and 415-14 in the House to establish Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19, as a federal holiday. Juneteenth marks the jubilant day in 1865 when many of the more than 250,000 people who were
enslaved in Texas finally learned they were legally free. This deliberately delayed news was delivered by federal troops arriving in Galveston after the end of the Civil War, reaching them more than 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, that freed all people who were enslaved in the Confederate states.
Honoring Watch Night, or Freedom’s Eve, on Dec. 31 is a separate tradition in many Black churches and communities that commem-
grants and led by a Black woman. Mayor Karen Bass is doing her best to take care of her city, while Trump has his people igniting fear. He had his secretary of Homeland Security and her agents attack a U.S. senator for simply trying to ask a question!
I applaud the millions participating in “Day of Defiance” and other protests. Our citizens are determined to exercise their constitutional rights. It’s a simple matter of free speech.
How does a man who has had
every opportunity to live a gross life at the expense of others tell us we can’t even voice our objection to the so-called leader of our nation? He spent millions of our tax dollars on an event to prove he’s “A Strong Man” with what he calls a “Big Beautiful Bill” that authorizes him to take whatever he wants while disrespecting the least of these. And he told them they couldn’t even object to the event — and if they did, they would be dealt with harshly!
Using our soldiers to march
through our city, tearing up our streets that we’ll have to pay to replace, then threatening us with what he’ll do if he doesn’t like our objections. This is the same man who a short time ago was telling criminals he loves them for what they did to tear up our Capitol, terrorize our elected leaders and cause people to die. He pardoned them and sent them back to the streets to do whatever destructive thing they want to do — yet he
orates that night in 1862 when enslaved people who were aware of President Lincoln’s intentions gathered and waited for the official news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. But that declaration of freedom was withheld from enslaved people in many places still under Confederate rule for as long as possible. Texas was the last state where the truth was finally revealed, and so we honor Juneteenth because, in my beloved friend and role model Fannie Lou Hamer’s eternal words, nobody’s
ing levels unhealthy for sensitive groups.
The smoke has already arrived. In recent weeks, thick plumes from wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan drifted into the U.S., triggering air quality alerts across the Midwest. Cities like Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago are experiencing hazy skies and dangerous air conditions, with the Air Quality Index reach-
Fire has always helped shape our forests, especially in the West. But those forests have evolved around natural frequencies and intensities of fires. What we are seeing now is new. This early-season smoke is a stark reminder that fire season is no longer confined to the West or wild areas, and more intense and longer-lasting fire seasons are the new normal.
Megan Paxman says she lives
“in a state of constant anxiety every wildfire season.” A mother to a son with asthma in Alberta, Canada, she wrote on the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.’s website about her experience on Mother’s Day 2023.
“My 4-year-old son has been sleepy and unwilling to eat all morning. I notice that the skin between his ribs and at the base of his throat is pulling in between every inhale.”
When Paxman called the local general health information ser-
free until everybody’s free.
Many Black families have celebrated Juneteenth for generations, a tradition that began in Texas almost immediately following the first “Jubilee Day.” In 1968, during the Poor People’s Campaign, tens of thousands of people came to Washington, D.C., for a rally honoring June 19 as “Solidarity Day.” Just weeks after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the Rev. Ralph Abernathy said that rally brought together all of us determined to “fulfill [Dr.
King’s] prophecy of a united, decent America, dedicated anew to the concept of justice for all.” The drive to make Juneteenth a national holiday, led by tireless advocates like Mrs. Opal Lee, was another long-awaited milestone. One hundred sixty years after the first Juneteenth, this year’s celebration is occurring at another inflection point as Americans are grappling with what our nation’s promised freedom really means, and wheth-
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vice, a nurse told her, “get him to the hospital now.”
“The second I get a whiff of that telltale smell, I go into super-watchful mode,” Paxman says. “I’m obsessively checking the local air quality levels and his breathing while watching for haze on the horizon or an orange tint to the light.”
That haze and orange tint are becoming more familiar for Americans from California to the Great Lakes to the East Coast.
As of May 30, the U.S. had
recorded more than 27,700 wildfires this year — 33% more than the 10-year average for this time of year. The devastating fires in Southern California this past January reminded us that the areas threatened directly by wildfires are increasing, with major cities no longer safe. The conditions that gave rise to those fires — including the Palisades and Eaton fires, which destroyed more than 18,000 structures and claimed at
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WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST
WASHINGTON INFORMER'S
By Trevor Johnson WI Intern
With Juneteenth weekend in full effect, and the DMV buzzing with celebrations that honor freedom, culture, and creativity, there’s loads to do around the area this weekend.
From historic parades and vibrant festivals, to health screenings, honey tastings, and poetry gatherings, check out the different ways to make your weekend fun and meaningful.
To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar!
THURSDAY, JUNE 19
Ward 7 Juneteenth Parade 10 a.m - Midnight | Free Penn-Branch Shopping Center, 3202 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Marching through the streets of Ward 7, Washington, D.C. will host its first-ever “official” Juneteenth parade.
The celebration will feature live music, other performances, educational exhibits, a kids’ zone, and something that’s hard for many to resist: free food. Come out to support and experience a historic moment in D.C.’s ongoing march toward greater freedom.
Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival Family Carnival
11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $5 Cabin John Regional Park, 7400 Tuckerman Lane Bethesda, MD 20817
Celebrate Juneteenth with a full day of fun at the Family Carnival, a highlight of the Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival.
Enjoy live performances, a festive parade, carnival rides, games, crafts, great food, and more, perfect for all ages. It’s a vibrant celebration of community, culture, and family fun.
FRIDAY, JUNE 20
Health Screenings and Educational Resources
9 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Free Berwyn Heights Community Center, 6600 Kenilworth Avenue Riverdale, MD 20737
Prioritize your health with a free screening from Luminis Health, open to adults 18 and older.
Get same-day results for blood pressure, glucose, A1C, and cholesterol levels. Based on results, tested guests receive helpful health education and resources.
Pre-registration does not guarantee a screening; services will be offered as time and resources allow.
Honey How?!
3 p.m. | Free U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 2001
Fun fact: The ancient Egyptians once believed bees to be sacred, creat-
3Celebrate D.C.’s sound, soul, and community at the Home Rule Music Festival on June 21, a day filled with music, culture, and connection. (Courtesy Photo/HRMusicFest, Instagram)
DCHFA’s Homeownership Fair
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Free R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center, 2730 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20032
Meet local lenders, real estate professionals, and fellow community members while discovering D.C. programs that support homeownership, credit improvement, and more. This event offers a full day of useful information and resources to help guide you on your path to buying a home.
ed from the tears of the sun god Ra. Now, the whole family can check out the beauty of the critical flying insect at Children’s Garden to celebrate National Pollinator Week and explore the fascinating world of bees.
While sampling various honeys, discover: how flowers attract bees, how bees make honey, and how the nectar the bees collect influences the flavor of honey.
Attendees will also learn about the life cycle and behavior of bees and their essential role in keeping ecosystems healthy and thriving.
SATURDAY, JUNE 21
Home Rule Music Festival 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. | Free The Parks Historic Walter Reed, 1010 Butternut Street NW Washington, D.C. 20012
Celebrate D.C.’s rich cultural legacy at the 2025 Home Rule Music Festival at The Parks at Walter Reed.
This free, family-friendly event features live performances from local artists such as the legendary Backyard Band, New Impressionz, and a soulful Roberta Flack tribute by Imani-Grace Cooper.
Enjoy Afro-funk jazz from the celebrated Plunky & Oneness of JuJu and high-energy West African drumming and dance from Farafina Kan.
With local food vendors, a craft and culture market, and a strong sense of community, the day is guaranteed to offer a celebration of music and culture.
Poetry Gallery: An Open Mic 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. | $12.51
Station 3510, 3510 Rhode Island Ave Mt. Rainier, MD 20712
Let feelings flow at this open mic, an event welcome to poets at any stage in their journey.
Set in an intimate space filled with local art, the night invites spoken word, storytelling, and heartfelt expression. In addition to performances, enjoy complimentary wine, That Sawce Catering food, and evening raffle prizes.
This month’s featured performers are D.C. natives Brandon Douglas and Jenari.
Celebrate Juneteenth, the summer solstice, and Pride through the shared power of poetry and community.
Pride Pawty and Puppy Pawrade 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | $18.92
Bryant St Market, 670 Rhode Island Avenue NE Washington, D.C. 20002
Join the celebration of Pride Month with a fun, pet-friendly event packed with activities for furry friends and pup-parents alike.
During the event, browse goods from LGBT+ owned vendors, enjoy a festive pet parade, and take home giveaways and raffle prizes.
Guests can also contribute to an animal rescue supply drive and treat their furry companions to pup cups and affection.
The event runs indoors, with the parade starting at 4:30 p.m.
The space is wheelchair-accessible, and accommodations are available upon request. WI
Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer
Good peach cobbler can be hard to find. That is no longer the case in the District of Columbia with the opening of Peach Cobbler Factory in the Northwest, D.C., owned by husband and wife duo Kevin and Eboni Wilson.
Located near the Takoma Metro Station on 4th Street, the establishment has grown steadily since its opening on April 19. Further, a shoutout from chef, author, and television personality Carla Hall gave the opening a boost, with an on-location taste test review on Instagram at the new Takoma business.
“Y’all, it’s sweet, the crust is really nice,” Hall said, opening her eyes after savoring the first spoonful. “What I love about this peach cobbler is that the crust is cooked but not doughy. It’s like a dumpling.”
Hall’s review received nearly 12,300 likes on Instagram, which has fueled the early success of the couple’s latest entrepreneurial venture.
The Takoma location is their second Peach Cobbler Factory in the District. The other location opened two years ago at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, near the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. In addition to offering catering, the business also has a Peach Cobbler Factory food truck at Bowie Town Center from Thursday to Sunday.
“It’s just one truck, mostly in Bowie. But it is also available if there’s a special event or something else is going on,” said Eboni.
The Wilsons are native Washingtonians who met when they attended Archbishop Carroll High School in Northeast D.C. Eboni Wilson has been an entrepreneur for several years as a natural hair stylist, while Kevin Wilson is a government contractor. Together, they had been looking for a business they could grow.
“But it had to be fun,” the husband said.
After Kevin Wilson came across the Peach Cobbler Factory national website on Instagram, having seen it in the background of an influencer, the couple Googled the company and discovered franchises were available in D.C.
Now with two franchises in the District, the business has excellent growth potential. Maryland and Virginia currently do not allow franchise businesses, but the Wilsons feel that may change soon.
“When we purchased the franchise, we purchased the District territory,” said Eboni. “That means no one else can open a Peach Cobbler Factory in the D.C.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
D.C.’s
By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer
Before starting a European tour, celebrated gospel singer Cece Winans recorded a “Tiny Desk” concert at National Public Radio (NPR) offices in Washington, D.C., premiering on June 13, in which a standing-only audience heard Winan’s award-winning hits.
Due to the small performance space, there are rules and a lot of nuances that go into bringing ”Tiny Desk” to life.
“It’s a lot divided into three sections,” said Suraya Mohamed, a three-time Peabody Award-winning producer, sound designer and editor. “There’s pre-production, the day of production, and then
the post-production. The biggest thing is that artists obey our rules.”
Along with the NPR staff, there are a few invited audience members. Even though Winans had even though Winans had background singers, it felt like she had a full choir because the crowd knew all the words to her songs.
A Tiny Desk performance usually lasts for no more than 30 minutes, and Winans’ performance included “Alone In His Presence,” “Believe For It,” “Alabaster Box,” “Alright,” “Pray,” “I Am,” and several more songs. In between singing, Winans spread affirming messages, which the audience received with hands raised and nodding heads. The atmosphere was comparable to a midweek worship service.
The performance space for Winans, her singers and her band was in the work area for NPR’s music department among cubicles and desks. There is no elevated stage, only additional lighting, plus video and audio recording equipment. There is also limited amplification for instruments and vocals. That means Winans belted our songs without a microphone. But you could not tell, “Whew, and that was with no amplification,” said the multiaward-winning singer.
Cece Winans’ “Tiny Desk” concert airs on YouTube beginning June 13 at youtube.com. Follow Cece Winans on social media:
IG @cecewinans
FB @official.cece.winans
X (Formerly Twitter) @cecewinans WI @bcscomm
and white stars on a blue background.
The first flag was sewn by hand by a seamstress in Philadelphia in the year 1777. Some say that New Jersey Congressman Francis Hopkinson came up with the idea for how the flag should look, and Betsy Ross made it.
The flag was approved by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777. Americans celebrate that day as Flag Day each year.
Only one of these ags is the real American ag. Can you nd it? Have an adult check your answer.
Can you bring these spools of thread to Betsy Ross? Look through the newspaper for five words that explain ways your dad, grandfather, favorite uncle or a friend is special to you. Put these words in ABC order.
Are you looking for a special way to say “Happy Father’s Day?” Make your dad a flag all his own! It’s simple!
Make a list of words that describe your dad.
Choose the three best words from your list. Find or draw pictures that represent the words you have chosen. Cut out the pictures and arrange them on a letter-sized piece of paper to look like a flag.
Long before cell phones and radio communications, people on ships needed a way to communicate to people on other ships, or on shore – people who were too far away to be reached by yelling. A system of nautical ags was developed, each ag represented a letter of the alphabet and/or a meaning. Fill in the missing vowels to discover what these ag examples mean.
Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.
Look at the advertisments in the newspaper. What makes a great father? Create an ad for your dad (or uncle, grandfather, etc.) that features all the best things about them.
Standards Link: Writing: Use stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing.
“That’s
edited by Damon Young
c.2025, Pantheon
$28 / 256 pages
Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer
Bust a gut.
Laugh your rear end off. Laugh yourself silly, until you almost cried, it’s the best medicine. Had you rolling in the aisles, holding your sides coz they hurt. When something’s funny, you know it but what does humor look like across racial lines? In the new book, “That’s How They Get You,” edited by Damon Young, it might get the last laugh.
When he was a kid in Pittsburgh, Damon Young thought his friend, Var Butler “was the funniest person I’d ever met.” Var didn’t go for nasty humor and he didn’t hurt people who couldn’t defend themselves. Instead, says Young, Var “intuitively knew the power dynamics baked into humor …” And, as he understands now, Var’s humor was honest, homegrown, and not “A richwhite-person thing.”
Says Young, “What makes Black humor Black ain’t the subject matter, because not all humor involving Black people is Black. Sometimes, it’s just humor.”
You don’t have to be Eddie or Martin or Cedric to be funny. You could be like the many authors of the stories in this book.
In “No One Makes ‘Yo Mama’ Jokes After the Funeral” by Hanif Abdurraqib, bad timing can be awkward — but it can also be wholly, perfectly Mama “sung back to life …”
If you’ve ever wanted to change what folks call you, “The Karen Rights Act” by Mateo Askaripour is your story. That woman’s name says it all. Too much, in fact, but only for offending white females.
Nobody but Miss Ruby cooks in Miss Ruby’s kitchen — until Alex Hardy convinces his grandma that he’s capable with a spoon. In “Unmurdered in Grandma’s Kitchen,” his meals for the family hasn’t killed anyone yet.
And if you’ve ever been irritated by a co-worker, then you need to read “The Necessary Changes Have Been Made” by Nafissa Thompson-Spires. When Randolph gets a new job, it seems perfect, until he’s told that his perfect office must now be shared. But his new co-worker definitely doesn’t share his opinions …
Chances are that if you see “That’s How They Get You” on a shelf somewhere, you might grab it, expecting to spend the rest of your day laughing.
And you’d be wrong.
While the personal essays and fiction inside this book are good — very good, in fact; some of them are downright excellent and you’ll want to turn around and read them again on the spot — many of them are not funny.
One essayist even says it: “It’s funny, really. Not ha-ha funny.”
The stories might be about humor or situations that will make you snort. There’s a theme here and it’s clever, sometimes sweet, written in perfectly cynical tones. But will you take off your glasses, wipe your eyes, and call someone to share? Not so much.
Absolutely, read this book. It’s an excellent collection, you’ll enjoy what you find inside “That’s How They Get You,” and you’ll find a whole new group of writers to follow. Just be aware that if you’re looking for ROFL kinds of laughs, it could be a bust. WI
19 - 25, 2025
ARIES Dynamic energy channels into purposeful action as Mars intensifies your ambition sector, bringing success through strategic initiatives that combine determination with diplomatic finesse. Leadership opportunities emerge when competitive drive transforms into collaborative inspiration motivating others toward shared victories. Lucky Numbers: 8, 17, 24
TAURUS Abundant resources flow through careful cultivation as Venus enriches your material sector, bringing prosperity through methodical planning that honors practical needs and aesthetic desires. Relationship stability deepens when genuine appreciation replaces habitual expectations in daily interactions. Creative projects manifest midweek when patient craftsmanship produces lasting beauty rather than rushed completion. Lucky Numbers: 2, 19, 33
GEMINI Intellectual versatility creates unexpected connections as Mercury activates your curiosity sector, bringing insights through diverse conversations that weave scattered information into coherent understanding. Communication skills evolve when authentic listening enhances persuasive abilities more than clever rhetoric. Lucky Numbers: 5, 14, 31
CANCER Emotional intelligence guides protective instincts as lunar cycles illuminate your nurturing sector, bringing fulfillment through creating safe spaces where others express vulnerability without judgment. Intuitive decisions prove remarkably accurate when gut feelings receive equal weight with analytical reasoning. Lucky Numbers: 7, 23, 36
LEO Creative brilliance attracts appreciative audiences as solar energy magnifies your expression sector, bringing recognition through authentic performances that inspire others while showcasing unique talents. Leadership style matures when generous encouragement replaces attention-seeking behaviors in group dynamics. Lucky Numbers: 1, 12, 28
VIRGO Meticulous attention creates systematic improvement as earth energies stabilize your service sector, bringing satisfaction through practical solutions that address real problems with elegant simplicity. Analytical skills deepen when observation precedes judgment in complex situations requiring nuanced understanding. Lucky Numbers: 6, 20, 37
LIBRA Harmonious relationships create win-win solutions as Venus balances your cooperation sector, bringing success through skilled mediation that transforms conflicts into creative collaborations. Aesthetic judgment influences practical decisions when beautiful environments enhance productivity and wellbeing. Financial partnerships thrive midweek when shared resources receive equal consideration within transparent communication frameworks. Lucky Numbers: 3, 15, 32
SCORPIO Penetrating insight reveals hidden opportunities as Pluto transforms your investigation sector, bringing breakthroughs through psychological understanding that uncovers motivations beneath surface behaviors. Professional influence expands when quiet expertise demonstrates competence more convincingly than dramatic displays. Research abilities yield significant discoveries midweek when intuitive hunches guide systematic exploration toward unexpected revelations. Lucky Numbers: 9, 22, 34
SAGITTARIUS Philosophical understanding finds practical application as Jupiter expands your wisdom sector, bringing enlightenment through cultural exchanges that broaden perspectives while honoring local traditions. International opportunities develop when cross-cultural communication transcends language barriers to create meaningful connections. Lucky Numbers: 4, 18, 35
CAPRICORN Structural foundations support ambitious goals as Saturn strengthens your achievement sector, bringing advancement through disciplined effort that builds lasting reputation more effectively than shortterm promotional tactics. Traditional wisdom gains fresh relevance when selective innovation enhances rather than replaces proven methodologies. Lucky Numbers: 11, 25, 38
AQUARIUS Revolutionary ideas serve collective progress as Uranus energizes your innovation sector, bringing breakthroughs through unconventional solutions that address community needs while honoring individual creativity. Collaborative projects flourish when diverse viewpoints receive democratic consideration in inclusive planning processes. Lucky Numbers: 10, 16, 29
PISCES Spiritual wisdom integrates with practical reality as Neptune blesses your transcendence sector, bringing clarity through contemplative practices that enhance rather than escape from worldly engagement. Artistic expression achieves emotional depth when technical mastery supports rather than overwhelms authentic creative vision. Lucky Numbers: 13, 21, 30
As the curtains have now closed on minicamp, the Commanders are heading into a six-week offseason break before training camp kicks off.
Although the players will be getting rest, the fans have a lot to be gearing up for, based on the work put in at minicamp.
“Maybe at some places, throughout the years, the end of a minicamp might have felt like one foot out the door,” said Head Coach Dan Quinn. “What I felt was cool for me to watch from afar, is the connection the team has had for one another.
Check out four players who made waves in the offseason and to look out for in the season ahead.
A former third-rounder, Luke McCaffrey is turning heads this offseason making promise of ongoing production.
Quinn highlighted McCaffrey’s significant growth, including “the detail and footwork” of his elite route running, which was on full display throughout minicamp.
“He is very tough-minded,” Quinn said. “It was so evident of the work that he put in during his time away from here. To see that come to life, I didn’t really need to see what the competitor was. I already knew this guy is an absolute dog.”
The wide receiver beat cornerback Marshon Lattimore in 7-on-7s, se-
cured a sideline reception against safety Tyler Owens, and topped it all off with multiple catch-and-run touchdowns.
With his development clearly turning heads, plus his exciting skills, McCaffrey could potentially become a powerhouse in the offseason and beyond.
With almost a decade into his NFL career, Chris Moore is continuing to make a statement.
The veteran wide receiver secured several highlight receptions throughout minicamp, including deep catches over defensive back Car’lin Vigers and cornerback Trey Amos.
With Noah Brown sidelined, Moore is emerging to be a reliable depth option for Washington. He is truly a contender on offense ready to battle.
Mike Sainristil is proving that he is more than just a rotational piece to Washington’s board. He is making a strong case to be a legitimate starter.
With Lattimore making his return and new additions in the secondary, Sainristil’s versatility and elite instincts are shining on the field.
He broke up a pass intended for wide receiver Deebo Samuel during a two-minute drill and consistently kept pace with top targets.
While his field positioning for this upcoming season is still to be determined, Lattimore is already proving that he can handle the massive hardware that is coming his way.
“I feel good. This year it’s about being able to stack on what happened last year and… to make that second year jump,” said Sainristil. “I think this is a crucial time in my career for what they say about going from that first to second year. So just making sure that
I do everything and anything I can to be a better version of myself.”
Questions arose about Trey Amos’ health during rookie minicamp, amid a back issue that came during pre-draft medicals. This became a key factor into why the cornerback slid to No. 61 overall.
Given Lattimore’s injury history, the concerns were oddly familiar for fans as the offseason progressed.
“Each team has their own medical report and how it goes,” said Quinn. “From our club it was something that we were comfortable with.”
But Amos quickly quieted the noise, shutting down doubts with aggressiveness and a precise style of coverage.
Quinn confirmed the concern with Amos’ back issues. However, the front office remained confident, seeing Amos as a long-term piece to Washington’s puzzle, and he looked ready to make an impact on minicamp as a boundary defender.
While his health became a concern in the start of his career, Amos may have potentially been a draft steal for Washington.
Overall, Coach Quinn is looking forward to training camp at the 20252026 season.
“I love that we came back like really hungry to prove it,” said Quinn. “And that’s I think a good sign as opposed to letting your skills go down or your eyes not as sharp. So to come in with things specific to work on to go get better, that was big for me.” WI
Ahead of Juneteenth (June 19), Watkins Regional Park in Prince George’s County transformed into a day of celebration on June 14, commemorating the federal holiday also known as Freedom Day.
6
By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor
As early as around age 5, Aquil Sudah recalls first becoming acquainted with the 1900 hymn written by James Weldon Johnson and composed by J. Rosamond Johnson “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” or as he prefers to call it, the Black National Anthem.
After starting every morning reciting the lyrics – his version of the pledge of allegiance – at Roots Public Charter School in Northwest, D.C., Sudah channeled that connection again at 16, when he sang the song that gained him acceptance into Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA).
“Of course, at 5, 6, 7 [years old], I don’t really understand the meaning. But as we grow, what you’re introduced to, you’ll start to realize why you were introduced to it,” Sudah, 30, told The Informer.
Thus, he was pleasantly surprised to watch his alma mater’s Wind ensemble perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at his job on June 12, in what he called “a full circle moment” during the Museum of the Bible’s 125th anniversary symposium celebrating the 1900 creation.
“To me, [this] feels special. It feels special, nostalgic, privileged to have known or had that song embedded at 5 years old,” said Sudah, who works as an audio engineer at the Southwest museum. “The concrete [of the song] is something else, the establishment is something else. It’s the movement of the people.”
Sudah was one of several dozens boasting spiritual resonance and personal reflections at the tribute last Thursday, where attendees, performers and workshop leaders from across the
nation immersed in a transformative celebration of culture and the transcendence that bestows art and spirituality.
Featuring musical performances and analysis, the all-day symposium gave a nod to the hymn’s cultural and spiritual roots, while highlighting its presence in modern American history, reminding attendees of all backgrounds that sometimes the bridge to faith is found in the verse of a song.
“That phrase of [‘Ring with the harmonies of Liberty,’] is just so powerful…you have all of these threads throughout society where we’re all moving toward that day when all people have that sense of justice and that sense of arrival,” said Dr. Bobby Duke, chief curatorial officer and director of the Scholars Initiative at the Museum of the Bible. “It really is a message of hope, a message of what’s the world that we can live in.”
Kicking off with a performance from Duke Ellington School of the Arts Wind ensemble, the educational program featured keynote lectures, interactive workshops, and a DESA art installation in recognition of the changemaking paean that evidently stands with generations of African Americans, and even holds resonance beyond the diaspora.
Set against the religious calling of God and pledge for freedom, James Weldon Johnson first penned the poem in Jacksonville, Florida to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. He later enlisted the help of his brother, who was two years younger, to assemble the melody accompany-
ing the poem-turned-anthem.
After helping to curate the seminar of two years in the making, Dr. Stephen Michael Newby, professor of music and Lev H. Prichard III endowed chair in the study of Black Worship at Baylor University, beamed as he reflected on the hymn’s significance at the Museum of the Bible, coupled with the backdrop of a singing Florida Memorial University Chorale.
The composer credited creativity as an universal continuum of all human beings, emphasizing the historic traditions of Black people “pushing the envelope” and elevating genres as a testament to the transgenerational impact of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
“These Johnson brothers, they were transformative,” Newby said. “Every line [of the hymn] has its own beauty, has its own possibilities for new songs, for new ideas, for multiplicity of new genres. We’re just waiting for the generations to take their role, get in line and put that creative brick in the wall to build [it].”
Symposium activities and sessions further explored the cultural resonance of the song, including: dissecting the poetry and musical origins; afternoon workshops such as “Hammond Organ” with Pastor Ovella Davis of Always in Jesus’ Presence Ministries; and spoken word and quilt making, where participants quilted specific lines and verses of resonance that would later be added to a larger communal canvas.
Meanwhile, the “Lifting Our Voices” student art installation – showcasing a multitude of lyric interpretations
from DESA visual artists – demonstrated the intergenerational impact of the arts. The exhibit was coupled with performances by the Howard University Gospel Choir, Washington Performing Arts choirs, and Florida Memorial University Chorale, the very institution where J. Rosamond Johnson composed the song 125 years ago.
“To see the history and be able to be a part of the history is something that’s surreal to me,” said 22-year-old Rashaud Marcelin, who performed with the Florida chorus on June 12.
“‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ that’s our anthem. You can see a lot of people have a lot of pride behind that…behind the legacy.”
For many, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is important for various reasons.
Marcelin said the hymn is “like a prayer in a sense,” touting it integral to his own journey through Christianity.
Newby described the song as an embodiment of three ideals bearing spiritual and cultural relevance: warrior (fighting for justice); witness (“being a signpost for the resurrection spiritually”); and worship, such as recognizing that change-making stems from glorifying someone other than oneself.
“That hymn, that anthem, that song…it examines our current state.
It moves from lament to praise, it moves from observation to exaltation of our God and of our community,” Newby told The Informer. “Let this [story]...lean into a thing that is going to make our humanity better.”
Following the spoken word session, Chicagoan Denise Young told The Informer she thinks the Johnson brothers would be surprised to see the continued celebration of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” assuming the “need” that birthed the hymn would have been resolved more than a century later.
However, with the federal ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and continuous threats against African American education, Young admits the long for liberation persists, though the beauty of the Black national anthem is the fuel to charge forward.
“The wisdom and the intuitiveness and the creative genius behind [James Weldon] Johnson being able to capture our struggle, our suffering, and at the same time our hope,” Young, 57, told The Informer, “everyone can’t do that. Everyone doesn’t understand that they go together.”
Beyond the timelessness of the tune, Duke hopes the symposium exposes a deep understanding that “the Bible is everywhere,” while opening doors for people to connect with the song “in new ways, for a new generation.” WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
This week, the founder/CEO of the Bennett Career Institute, Chet Bennett, is asking the question: “What are you going to do with your kids during the summer this year?”
Take a look at what he is telling Facebook listeners. He said, “The Summer Teens Boot Camp for kids ages 12-17 is open for registration. Participants will be trained each week on unbelievable skills that will give each of them a head start and cause them to stand out among others.”
Bennett repeated, “Now is the time” as Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, which says “To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
This Scripture reminds us that in life, you can let excellent opportunities pass you by. However, it is also a reminder that we should grab hold of those profound chances that come our way, such as this Summer Boot Camp 2025 being offered by BCI! Folks, get your teen signed up and give the Institute a call right away for more information.
“Boot Camp participants will learn lock maintenance for folks who are wearing dreadlocks, they will learn all of the braid styles, they will learn how to put on lashes properly, they will receive a kit, they will receive a uniform and lunch each day.” Mr. Bennett closed by saying, “Let my family train yours!”
The month of May was a very exciting month for BCI. The Washington Post ran a two-page spread, with photographs and an exciting story about their long-running prison program. The company has years of experience working this program for those in your family who are incarcerated, locked up in jail or in prison. Chet Bennett can offer training at BCI@DOC toward licensure. The salons will be called The C Alan Barber Salon at Drew Hall and The C Alan Salon at the Quad.
WITH LYNDIA GRANT
Secondly, in the month of May 2025, the company has been invited to work with Howard University in a partnership with Bennett Career Institute (formerly Bennett Beauty Academy) to launch a full-service hair salon and barbershop on its campus. The salon will be called “The HU Beauty Pavilion Powered by The C Alan Brand,” and will offer services such as haircuts, coloring, styling and other chemical treatments.
Finally, Bennett Career Institute was selected as a recipient of the 2025 Cecreed/BeyGood Scholarship, which will be awarded to support the cosmetology students at BCI.
Bennett Career Institute exemplifies the spirit of BeyGood’s mission — creating pathways to economic opportunity, uplifting communities and fostering excellence through education. BCI came in first place nationally from the top five companies as follows: Cécred x BeyGOOD Fund, 2025 Winners, with Bennett Career Institute heading the list as follows:
• Bennett Career Institute (Washington, D.C.)
• Civella Beauty Academy (Goldsboro, N.C.)
• Cosmetology Institute of Las Vegas (Las Vegas)
• Detroit Extravagant Academy (Detroit)
• Universal College of Beauty (Los Angeles)
Mr. Chet A. Bennett serves as the
founder, vice president and chief executive officer of BCI. He earned his BA in Religion from Morehouse College and holds a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Howard University. With more than 32 years of experience in the cosmetology and barbering industry, Mr. Bennett brings extensive expertise to his role.
Bennett Career Institute cultivates skilled professionals in cosmetology, barbering, instruction, management and makeup artistry. Their comprehensive programs guide students through every aspect of their chosen curriculum, ensuring they are fully prepared to excel in their fields. With proper training and coaching support, students confidently pass their State Board Examinations and embark on successful careers in their areas of expertise.
A family-owned business which was incorporated in the District of Columbia on Aug. 29, 1996, BCI is owned by Joyce A. Bennett, Chet A. Bennett, Roberta A. Bennett and Robert L. Bennett Jr.
Send your teens to the BCI Summer Boot Camp. They are inviting high school graduates who want to join an exciting brand to take a tour of Bennett Career Institute and see the professional salon suites and booths in all of their locations. WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 Fax : 202-338-4958
Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org
All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant
401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331
Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331
Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."
Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org
Purpose
1.Phase 2 Declaration of Nationality Protocol
In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender.
Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “Eric Jevon Kenner Bey”©, formerly known as: “Eric Javon Kenner”©,”&, Eric Jovan Kenner,”© in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ERIC JEVON KENNER BEY”©, &, “ERIC JAVON KENNER”©, &, “ERIC JK BEY”©, &, “ERIC J KENNER”©, &, “ERIC KENNER”©, &, “ERIC BEY”©, “ERIC K BEY”©, & “ ERIC J BEY”© & “ERIC KENNER BEY” ©, &”ERIC JEVON BEY” ©, & “ ERIC JOVAN KENNER”© having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as an: American Moor, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Al Maghreb Al Aqsa, Estados al Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as an: American Moor. I am that I am: “Eric Jevon Kenner Bey©”, “Eric Javon Kenner” © from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “eric javon kenner bey”©, “tau dey”©. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, sound, voice, names, image, & likeness, in all aforementioned property, including, Re: State Of Louisiana Vital Records Registry, Birth Number: 119-1980-039-00353, “ERIC JAVON KENNER”©, is as a special deposit order, conveyed to “The Kenner Tribe Trust”©. All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: “eric javon kenner bey”©, “tau dey”©, nom deguerre: “Eric Jevon Kenner Bey”©, “Eric Javon Kenner”© as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : “The Kenner Tribe Trust”©, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 000539
Marlene W. Beatty Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Robin Chaplin, whose address is 4146 Suitland Road, Apt. 402 Suitland Md 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marlene W. Beatty who died on March 14, 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 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025, 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: 6/12/2025
Robin Chaplin 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 000546
Cherise E. Coleman aka Cherise Coleman Decedent
Law Office of Robert P. Newman
Robert P. Newman, Esq. 801 Wayne Ave., Suite 205 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Troi Coleman, whose address is 715 57th Place NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Cherise E. Coleman aka Cherise Coleman who died on 6/18/2013 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 12/5/2025. 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 12/5/2025, 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: 6/5/2025
Troi Coleman 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 1034
Dianna H. Braxton 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 Dianna H. Braxton who died on 6/1/2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/5/2025. 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 12/5/2025, 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: 6/5/2025
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 000524
Paulette M. Crampton Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Patricia A. Wisdom whose address is 3609 Spring Beauty Court, Powder Springs, GA 30127, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Paulette M. Crampton who died on April 20, 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 12/5/2025. 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 12/5/2025, 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: 6/5/2025
Patricia A. Wisdom 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 000526
James Watson Wood Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Claudette Avis Wood, whose address is 4244 14th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Watson Wood who died on March 3, 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 12/5/2025. 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 12/5/2025, 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: 6/5/2025
Claudette Avis Wood 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 000537
Andrea M. Stewart Coble Decedent
Donald Marlais, Esq 411 10th Street NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Michael E. Coble, whose address is 406 Emerson Street NW, Washington DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Andrea M. Stewart Coble who died on November 18, 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 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 12/5/2025. 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 12/5/2025, 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: 6/5/2025
Michael E. Coble 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 219
Estate of Wanda Ruggiero aka Wanda Sochanski Ruggiero
NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. & Stanley Sochanski 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 unsupervised co-personal representatives
Date of first publication: 6/5/2025
Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #400 Washington, DC 20015
Stanley Sochanski
30 Cherry Street
Walnutport, PA 18088
Petitioner/Attorney:
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 000936
Annette D. Carver
Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Ronald D. Carver, whose address is 726 Somerset Place, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Annette D. Carver who died on December 6, 2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/5/2025. 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 12/5/2025, 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: 6/5/2025
Ronald D. Carver 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 000514
Margaret Delois Brooks Decedent
Andrew T. Richardson, III, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
April Brooks Jenkins and John F. Brooks, whose addresses are 2 Balmoral Dr. East, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 and 833 Barnaby Street, SE, Washington, DC 20032, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Margaret Delois Brooks who died on October 18, 2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/5/2025. 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 12/5/2025, 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: 6/5/2025
April Brooks Jenkins
John F. Brooks
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 000560
Barbara L. Greene Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Stephon L. Greene, whose address is 1700 40th Street SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Barbara L. Greene who died on April 13, 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 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025, 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: 6/12/2025
Stephon L. Greene 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 000555
Paul Hampton Holland Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Maria Holland, whose address is 5205 Jay Street NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Paul Hampton Holland who died on March 3, 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 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025, 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: 6/12/2025
Maria Holland 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 000313
Tinnie L. Cunningham Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Henry T. Bowman, whose address is 2812 Gaither Street, Temple Hills MD 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Tinnie L. Cunningham who died on 3/9/2024 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 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 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025, 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: 6/12/2025
Henry T. Bowman Personal Representative
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000538
Karen Lynn Alexander Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Jaimie Anita Winstead, whose address is 3221 6th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Karen Lynn Alexander who died on April 20, 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 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025, 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: 6/12/2025
Jaimie Anita Winstead 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 000547
William Osborne Porter Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Dwight O. Porter, whose address is 9828 Royal Commerce Place, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William Osborne Porter who died on April 11, 2022 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.
Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025, 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: 6/12/2025
Dwight O. Porter 9828 Royal Commerce Place
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
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 000550
Frimpong Manso Decedent
Aaron Caruso, Esq. 2200-A University Blvd. W Wheaton, MD 20902
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Felicia Manso, whose address is 4503 39th Street, Brentwood, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Frimpong Manso who died on February 10, 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 12/12/2025. 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 12/12/2025, 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: 6/12/2025
Frimpong Manso 4503 39th Street Brentwood, MD 20772
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 FEP 000054
December 16, 2011
Date of Death
Carolyn Williams Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
James Thompson, Jr. whose address is 7812 Beechnut Road, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Carolyn Williams, deceased, by the Register of Wills for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on 5/8/2025.
Service of process may be made upon Jeffrey Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.
The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 4101 21st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.
Date of first publication: 6/5/2025
James Thompson, Jr. Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
PRIDE from Page 1 adamant in effecting change that stems from a right to freedom within.
“When I was doing [activist work], I never realized that this would be breaking ground. To me, it was just a matter of standing for rights, particularly because they affected me as a Black gay man,” Pannell told The Informer, “and so that has pretty much been my posture.”
When Pannell first moved to Washington, D.C. in 1975, he carried with him a heightened sense of leadership and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, due in no small part to his participation following the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion that birthed the Pride Movement in New York.
“Being part of the march and rally afterwards helped sensitize me to the need [to get involved] at a different level than just going to bars and enjoying the social side,” Pannell, 74, told The Informer. “There were things that were affecting the gay community that needed to be addressed in, I would say, the [activism] and political arenas. I became part of that.”
Pannell’s chronicles of justice includes: protesting sodomy laws; tackling HIV/AIDS awareness and legislation; and working in organizations such as the Black Gay Coalition (now the Black Lesbian and Gay Coalition), which he notes was pivotal to LGBTQ involvement in politics and the cultural movement of Black gays and lesbians.
The Ward 8 spokesman further highlighted the power of community collaboration as integral to much of the changemaking culture in D.C. He cites memories of hosting tours to gay bars for previous local officials, including former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, and later partnering with Washington Informer founder Dr. Calvin Rolark, who also founded the United Black Fund, during his street outreach amid the growing HIV/ AIDS epidemic of the ‘80s.
“Rolark helped to fund some of the first street outreach for AIDS, particularly east of the river,” said Pannell. “With funds that I received from the United Black Fund, I was able to buy brochures and condoms, and [I] went throughout the com-
PRIDE Page 43
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Union General Gordon Granger and thousands of Black Union troops encountered in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.
“You can celebrate the day as a day that people gain freedom…and you can use it to talk about what freedom means to people,” Blanton told The Informer. “And you would talk about it all across time, [because] all across the nation, [people] don’t really feel free because of the limitations that are put on our existence.”
On Juneteenth morning, Blanton is scheduled to appear at an event taking place at the African-American Civil War Memorial Plaza on the U Street corridor in Northwest. This function, titled “Juneteenth: Celebrate FREEDOM,” kicks off a six-month countdown to the grand opening of the newly renovated African-American Civil War Museum.
Blanton, who’s assisting museum founder Frank Smith and other members of the National Juneteenth Festival in this endeavor, revealed plans to promote a platform created by Million Man Vote, a movement intended to increase civic engagement among Black men.
In speaking about his focus on Black men, Blanton said that this segment of the Black community stands among the most targeted groups in the U.S., especially as it relates to what he called the weaponization of child support to spur incarceration.
“That’s a legal thing that’s been put on Black men [and] it’s not fair,” Blanton told The Informer. “Any man who doesn’t support his children should be counseled, should be ostracized, should be educated, but to put them in jail for that, there’s no excuse.”
Blanton went on to say that, during these precarious economic times, the stakes are even higher for Black men, and Black people as a whole.
“The fact that we don’t get housing, [and] people who have drug problems are not being given fair treatment for drug problems,” Blanton said. “Those limitations are placed on Black people. [Even] with educational opportunities, we’re not given the job opportunities that most people in society are given.”
In 1980, decades before Congress passed and President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, Blanton, a native of East Texas, moved to the District shortly after lawmakers in his home state made Juneteenth an official state holiday.
In his walk down memory lane, Blanton recounted moments in the
nation’s capital with fellow Texan, the late Baba Oduno A. Tariq, through whom he learned to embrace the greater meaning of this African-American holiday.
“People kind of expected that I would be affiliated with Juneteenth, but it wasn’t clear the value of teaching people about their freedom through that particular mechanism,” Blanton told The Informer. “There are real struggles going on. You don’t need a holiday, but I’ve learned to appreciate it.”
Other elements of “Juneteenth: Celebrate FREEDOM,” include: greetings from Smith; drumming and libations led by Nana Malaya Rucker-Oparabea; remarks from spoken word artist and clergyman Minister Nathaniel Douglas; Angie Whitehurst’s historical reenactment of Civil War figure Elizabeth Proctor Thomas; a community roundtable; and a closing party at Thirsty Thursday on U Street.
Earlier this year, while speaking with veteran journalist Hazel Trice Edney, Smith hinted at another program highlight that pays homage to a special group of Black Union soldiers.
“We will celebrate by assuming a team of readers who are going to read the names of about 6,000 African-American soldiers of the United States Colored Troops who went to Galveston, Texas with General Granger on that fateful day in June to announce to the last holdouts that the Civil War was over,” Smith told Trice Edney.
Smith emphasized the Black soldiers incredible contributions beyond that June day in 1865.
“That the 13th amendment had
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munity, in barber shops, beauty salons, to get that information out.”
While Pannell began to blaze trails in queer rights through political efforts and campaigns, other pioneers like Chi Hughes and Warrior Richardson were making history in Northwest, birthing the first LBGTQ+ organization of any historically Black college or university (HBCU) at Howard University.
Lambda Student Alliance (LSA) emerged in 1979 as a place to foster and build community for queer students, moved in a motion to promote visibility with educational seminars and forums, executive board meetings, and even campus-wide events and parties.
One notable modern advancement beckoning at the hands of Pannell and three other queer activists – Mel Boozer, Ray Melrose, and Gary Walker – is the inclusion of LGBTQ+ voices in continued recognition of the 1963 March on Washington, which succeeded in part to key queer organizer, Bayard Rustin.
The four D.C. activists staged a sit-in outside of then-Del.Walter Fauntroy’s office to advocate for queer inclusion in the march’s 20th anniversary commencement, which ended in the four men’s arrest, but further established an understanding that queer voices are just as pivotal in conversations of civic reform.
passed, and that the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed,” Smith continued in his explanation. “They stayed there for two years to ensure the newly freed people were truly freed and not re-enslaved to the same corn and sugar cane fields that they had been forced to work.”
One-hundred and sixty years later, the African American Civil War Museum faces a hurdle in memorializing the events of the 19th century. The institution counted among those affected by a continuing resolution by House Republicans that froze $1.1 billion allocated for Fiscal Year 2025. The budget maneuver delayed the grand reopening of the African American Civil War Museum, originally scheduled for July 18.
As District residents push back against Republicans, people living and working in marginalized communities are feeling the burn of Trumpian ethnocentrism. Rollbacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DEI) have jeopardized Juneteenth programming this year, including that which the National Endowment for the Arts funded. In West Virginia, Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey signed legislation defunding DEI programming, including that done in commemoration of Juneteenth.
The same phenomenon unfolded in Scottsdale, Arizona, where local legislators also dissolved the city’s DEI office.
In the District, where Black people, just weeks ago, issued a call for unity during D.C. Emancipation Day celebrations, a group of artists, business owners, organizers and community members gelled together what’s known as the “Juneteenth Jubilee: Freedom & Unity Walk.”
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Despite an initial history of backlash, including administrative attempts to restrict the group from chartering as an official organization (which led to members filing a lawsuit), the resilience of LSA’s founding members laid the blueprint for a currently blossoming queer culture across Howard’s campus.
“Coming to Howard meant a safe space, only to find that once I identified as gay, lesbian, or queer, it became not as safe. So, it was a time where––it was the ‘80s. White maleness and all of that was the letter of the day-- heterosexuality,” Annette “Chi” Hughes, LSA co-founder told Black Women Radicals in 2020.
“Here, we were totally different, so to speak, trying to still have a voice and have a say and moving against the status quo. It was character building––we were learning and building our own identity.”
Some storied milestones for LGBTQ+ representation at Howard that stem from the original iteration of Lambda Student Alliance include: electing the first trans person to hold the highest student office of any HBCU; introducing “Queer Studies” in the 2019 curriculum; and organizations, such as C.A.S.C.A.D.E. (the Coalition of Activist Students Celebrating the Acceptance of Diversity and Equality).
“I think CASCADE was hopefully able to stand on our shoulders in building a community at Howard and not just how it felt then when we were rather isolated and closeted,” said Hughes, adding that the people she met from LSA have turned into 40+ year friendships. “Hopefully, a community exists where people feel safer. And a little bit of notoriety. For better or for worse!”
“While we were in jail, there was a conference call among civil rights leaders, including people like Coretta Scott King, Jesse Jackson and Marion Barry…and they voted to name a speaker: Black lesbian poet and writer, Audre Lorde,” Pannell shared. “Our Black civil rights leaders understood that LGBT+ rights are all part of the civil rights agenda.”
Today, the landmark event is celebrated with queer voices at the forefront, including the June 8 International Rally + March on Washington for Freedom that culminated WorldPride.
Additionally, Rustin’s storied impact is continuing to gain national momentum, such as the most recent portrait unveiling of the civil rights pioneer at Union Temple Baptist Church on June 1, which Pannell attended.
For Keyonna Jones, founder and executive director of Congress Heights Arts and Culture Center, the arts is a way to contribute to the District’s queer community and leave her legacy on D.C. culture overall.
Like Pannell, Jones told The Informer advocating for queer representation doesn’t feel like a fight, “it’s just what I do,” noting the importance of a hyperlocal focus that allows the full-time artist to stay engaged in things that she can actually control.
Thus, the owner of Soufside Creative happily welcomed the opportunity to create artwork for the Dia de los Muertos DC (DDLMDC) float during this year’s WorldPride Parade on June 7, noting the experience as a “full-circle moment.”
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motivated assassination.” Authorities said the suspect posed as a police officer, carried “No Kings” flyers, and had writings referencing the victims and other public officials.
The protest momentum was amplified by resurfaced video and audio recordings that critics say further reveal Trump’s authoritarian ambitions.
In one hot mic moment inside the Oval Office, Trump is heard telling El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, “The homegrown criminals are next. Yeah. I said homegrowns are next— the homegrowns. You’ve got to build about five more places. Yeah, that’s fair. Alright? Yeah. It’s not big enough. No, yeah. Come on.”
The exchange raised the alarm over whether Trump was seriously proposing sending U.S. citizens abroad for detention, an idea legal experts say would directly violate the Constitution.
The remarks follow a pattern of Trump admiring autocratic leaders, such as North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
“It is absolutely well-known that these dictators and autocrats are rooting for you to be president again because they’re so clear they can manipulate you with flattery and favors,” former Vice President Kamala Harris warned during the September 2024 presidential debate.
Organizers emphasized that the No Kings movement continues and despite pushback, remains committed to nonviolence.
“We are not loyal subjects,” a protester in Chicago told a local television station. “We are citizens of a democracy, and we’re not going to be ruled by a king.”
While thousands queued at security checkpoints to access the parade, protesters gathered on the side lines, hoisting signs and making their opposition clear.
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ficial, Melissa Harper, was temporarily appointed to lead ORR. Her short tenure was followed by Angie Salazar, another former ICE official who now frequently communicates with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
Trump’s team argues the Biden administration allowed thousands of unaccompanied children to enter the country without sufficient oversight.
The military parade featured musical performances by Noah Hicks, Warren Zeiders, and others, along with speeches from the president and Vice President, J.D. Vance.
“And so to our soldiers, we’re so proud of you, and let me tell you that the way that we honor and respect you is, number one, we never ask you to go to war unless you absolutely have to,” said Vance. “And number two, when we do ask you to go to war, we give you the weapons and the support needed to kick the hell out of the enemy and come back home safely.”
A parade supporter who asked to use the name Kate the Great, celebrated the events of the day, noting the great sacrifices made by those in the military.
“We have a cool country, with a lot of people that have died to make our freedom, to keep us free, and to let us do exactly what we’re doing today— enjoy our country,” she said. “I’m very blessed.”
The No Kings protests, organized by various advocacy groups including Indivisible, the 50501 movement, and American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU), and held nationwide, was a means of Americans speaking out against the Trump administration and its policies.
A person attending the No Kings
Jen Smyers, a former ORR deputy director, stated that all sponsors underwent thorough vetting, including Department of Justice background checks and reviews of the sex offender registry.
“No amount of vetting is a predictor of the future,” she said.
BUNN from Page 1 mands for more direct involvement in local policy and budgetary matters.
That moment, Bunn said, evoked a sense of pride.
“So many young people are doing the right thing, but we only hear about that minority…that are not doing the right thing,” she told The Informer. “So seeing my kid up there expressing herself and talking on behalf of her peers was awesome and amazing.”
King, Jr. Avenue, located just a couple doors down from The Informer.
The storefront served as a barbershop, beauty supply store, grocery store and carryout. It also housed businesses and was a meeting point for Bunn, who served in various capacities, including: advisory neighborhood commissioner, chairman of the Ward 8 Democrats, chairman of the Congress Heights Main Streets, and executive director of the Ward 8 Business Council.
Day protest with a “Stop ICE” sign, who preferred not to be identified by name, noted that “fear” is the message the Trump administration is sending to Americans and people throughout the world.
“But that’s not what real American power is,” the protestor told The Informer. “The true power is its people - not the military. America is about people like us.”
The retiree from Minnesota attended the event to speak up for the rights of his son and all trans people, who have been affected by the Trump administration’s gender mandates– which “recognize women are biologically female, and men are biologically male.”
“My son is trans, and the hatred that’s being expressed is just gross. Yet they claim they want a free country— oh no, they don’t. They want a country the way they want it,” the parent said.
While the retired officer celebrated veterans’ contributions, he said the tax dollars spent at the parade could have helped countless Americans who are facing challenges.
“I’m glad veterans can come out and celebrate what they’ve done, but the money spent on this could’ve helped veterans in need—or that woman, that man, or even my son,” the father continued. “There are much better ways to spend it.” WI
The Miami Herald recently reported that a 17-year-old foster child in Florida was removed from his home in shackles and transferred to ICE custody. The boy and his mother had crossed the border without documentation, but he had been living in a state-supervised foster placement. The case raised concerns about the state’s cooperation with federal enforcement and the message it sends to immigrant families.
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Bunn said, if elected as Ward 8’s next council member, she would carve out a space in the Ward 8 office for a young Ward 8 resident to represent their peers. She described the position as part of an effort to better, and more directly, include youth in policy decisions.
As it relates to her daughter, Bunn advised her and her comrades, the likes of which include D.C. Public Schools alumna Aniya Coffey and D.C. State Board of Education Representative Calique Barnes, to follow through on their 40-day youth-led campaign.
“I charged them to come out of that session with an actual plan on paper,” Bunn said. “Don’t just say you’re going to have meetings, but hold your elected officials accountable. Come out with a plan, come out with some legislative proposals so that we can implement things on your behalf that you’re saying that you need.”
On July 15, Bunn’s name will appear on a Ward 8 D.C. Council special election ballot that also includes: Salim Adofo, Mike Austin, and a beleaguered Trayon White who’s running for the seat he lost when his council colleagues expelled him earlier this year.
If Bunn wins, she will serve out the rest of White’s council term, which ends in early 2029.
Bunn, a lifelong Ward 8 resident and public servant of 30 years, credits her father, the late James Bunn, as a guiding light as she takes aim at the vacant Ward 8 D.C. Council seat.
The elder Bunn, a civic and business leader, died in 2013 having already cemented a legacy as a community builder. He was born in Baltimore and lived in North Carolina before joining the Air Force and setting roots in the District in 1964.
Less than a decade later, after moving to Ward 8, Bunn opened the Bunn Building on Martin Luther
“That is the example that I grew up under,” Bunn told The Informer. “I believe my experience and my love for Ward 8, my knowledge of the council, how it works, how legislation works, how legislation, when implemented, can move the needle in the ward.”
During the earlier part of June, Bunn spoke with The Informer in front of the Bunn Building. She recounted her coming of age on “The Ave” that included time spent at Georgina’s, the spot also known as The Player’s Lounge.
Bunn also reflected on seeing her father work with Parklands Community Center founder Brenda Jones, the late advisory neighborhood commissioner Mary Cuthbert, along with several other community leaders who visited the Bunn Building.
“I grew up right here…watching my father…do for this community what I want to do,” Bunn told The Informer. “Making sure that the residents [and] small businesses had a seat at the proverbial table, making sure that their voices and their issues were heard and addressed.”
If Bunn wins the special election, she’ll be making her way back to the John A. Wilson Building, where she most recently served as D.C. Councilmember Vincent C. Gray’s chief of staff and, before that, D.C Mayor Gray’s deputy chief of staff.
As a staffer in Gray’s office, Bunn immersed herself in the District budget, early childhood education, and health equity. While she touts her involvement in the universal pre-kindergarten legislation that Gray championed, Bunn identified the St. Elizabeths East redevelopment— one of Gray’s other longtime projects— as a landmark of note that continues to benefit Ward 8 residents.
“From that work, we now have Care First Arena. We have Sycamore and Oak incubating 10 Black businesses. We have housing. We also now have the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center,” Bunn said. “That
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celebrate African American Music Appreciation Month. It would likely violate his anti-DEI edicts. We don’t need presidential approval, or anyone else’s for that matter, to appreciate the richness of Black music. The election of this president ought to inspire us to excavate our history, to celebrate the genius of James Weldon and his brother J. Rosamond Johnson. It ought to remind us of those early musicians who took spoons to pots
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age, have accumulated more years of education, advanced degrees and elite education than their white peers, according to research.
The qualifications of Black CEOs generally are so impressive that companies commonly see their stock prices jump in the days after their appointments are announced.
“Put simply, our study suggests that it is not enough for aspiring Black CEOs to be just as good as their white counterparts — they must be substantially better to make it to the helm of firms,” the researchers wrote. “Until this is addressed, the poor representation of Black leaders in firms, and the differential in market returns to their appointments, will likely continue.”
The higher bar that keeps women
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is so important. We aim to equip our community with trusted information, resources, and support to take charge of your health early and confidently.
Ananda’s story underscores how
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was a project very near and dear to my heart that I was able to work on in the mayor’s office. For the first time in eight years, women on the east side of the city can deliver their babies right here in Ward 8 and not travel across town for gynecological services.”
BUNN’S CAMPAIGN MANAGER WEIGHS IN ON STATEHOOD FIGHT
Before local government, Bunn spent 16 years on the Hill as a high-level staffer in D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office, where she helped develop legislation related
to create a beat, or those gospel singers who invoked the sweet chariot coming forth to carry me home. It ought to lift subterfuge, how we used hidden meaning in songs to communicate.
Our nation is under siege. The man who lives in the House that Enslaved People Built has deployed 4,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles against the wishes of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass. His clueless defense secretary can’t say what military operations will be affected by these deployments.
and people of color from advancing up the corporate ladder is not only unjust, it’s bad business. More diverse companies report higher revenue and are more likely to be profitable; the vast majority of companies with strong DEI in their management teams will surpass their financial goals. But, like segregationists who would rather drain their community’s pool than allow equal access for everyone, anti-diversity activists are pressuring companies to scale back or eliminate efforts to remove barriers to equity and inclusion.
My fellow civil rights leaders and I make the risks very clear in a letter we sent to Fortune 1,000 CEOs. “These capitulations weaken businesses and the American economy more broadly. And, these shortsighted decisions make our workplaces less safe and less
very vital our mission is. Her legacy must not be in vain.
If you are a woman over 30, schedule a mammogram. Do regular self-checks. Talk to your doctor. Ask the hard questions. And if you’re unsure where to begin, know that you are not alone. Because
to DCTAG and District budget and legislative autonomy.
Other political and professional experiences include a stint as director of the Consumer Services Division of the Office of the People’s Counsel, and ongoing involvement in local and national Democratic politics.
Stuart Anderson, Bunn’s campaign manager and fellow D.C. Democratic leader told The Informer that, out of all the special election candidates, Bunn stands the greatest chance of helping the District achieve statehood.
He said that she’ll leverage her national influence to move the dial during a critical time that’s fast approaching.
We are in for a fight for our democracy, and the World Bank has said that the world economy will be in worse shape than it has been since the 1960s. And yet I write about music because we need the joy. Enslaved people sang. Incarcerated people sang. Civil rights workers and protesters sang. Because, as President Obama said, “music helps us imagine a better world, and offers us hope that we can get there together.” Let’s celebrate Black Music and Sly Stone this month. Let us savor our music and revel in our rich history. WI
inclusive for hard-working Americans.
“Abandoning DEI will have longterm consequences on business success — ultimately shirking fiduciary responsibility to employees, consumers and shareholders. Businesses that fail to include women, people of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people neglect their financial duty to recruit and retain top talent from across the full talent pool and limit their company’s performance overall.”
The slow progress represented by the Fortune 500 list exposes the lies in the Trump administration’s DEI propaganda. In capitulating to these lies, corporations are denying themselves access to an entire cross-section of talent and expertise, shortchanging their stockholders and customers, and lowering standards of excellence for the entire country. WI
your health is your power and your life is worth fighting for.
Let Ananda’s journey inspire in all of us the urgency to prevent, to empower, and to protect, so that the next Ananda Lewis has more information, more options and most importantly, more time! WI
“From the moment she’s sworn in, she is encouraging people to support congressional races across this country to try to take back the Senate and maintain as much of the House as we have,” Anderson told The Informer.
This mission, Anderson said, sets the District up for a legislative victory within the next couple of years.
“Even though we’re not a majority in the House, we’re in a good space… when it comes to statehood,” Anderson said. “The problem is in the Senate and Sheila understands that…better than any of the other candidates because she spent all those years working with Eleanor Holmes Norton.”
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Get FAA approved maintenance training
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was attempting to lead law-abiding citizens to believe that what he was doing was patriotic!
He has done everything he could to show us how little he thinks of us. He overruled the wishes of the governor and mayor and sent the National Guard to Los Angeles, with a threat to send in the Marines to agitate people. That caused more people to go into the street to protest!
In this period of Trump’s chaos, the Black mayor of Newark was ar-
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er those promises are indeed big enough to cover all Americans. From protests defending immigrants’ rights to those opposing dictators and kings, the struggle to define equality and liberty and justice for all is churning in cities and suburbs and small towns across the country. Where will it go next?
The Juneteenth holiday is not
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least 30 lives — were exacerbated by climate change. That’s how it is around the world as well, where the global area considered “fire prone” is projected to grow by 29% by the end of the century.
Aside from fires’ destructive impacts, the health impacts of wildfire smoke are profound. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from these fires can penetrate deep into the lungs, leading to respiratory issues, heart problems and other serious health concerns. Children, the elderly and individuals with pre-existing conditions are particularly vulnerable. In some areas affected by the recent Canadian wildfires, residents have been advised to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities.
Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, high winds and certain extreme weather events create the perfect conditions for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly. But despite the growing risks, recent decisions by the Trump administration have undermined our ability to respond effectively. Staff and budget cuts to key agencies responsible for forest management and wildfire prevention threaten to leave us even more vulnera-
rested by federal authorities. Children are being terrorized. A Black U.S. congresswoman was not only arrested, but indicted for doing her duty for her constituents. A Black woman mayor had her city illegally bombarded with federal troops — and Trump’s threat to send Marines in on top of 4,000 National Guard!
This all happened before a judge told Trump to back off. We expected an appeal because Trump is not known for respecting the law. Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla
just a historic marker; it’s a mirror that reflects both the resilience and celebratory joy of generations of African Americans and the ongoing need to ensure that rights declared become rights realized. This year’s observance is an opportunity to focus on the day’s full meaning. In the face of sweeping attempts to sanitize storytelling about our nation’s past, commemorating Juneteenth invites honoring the full truth of American history, and
ble and less prepared. Additionally, harmful legislation like the Fix Our Forests Act threatens to weaken environmental protections and prioritize logging over sustainable forest management that could actually help address forest fires.
We need a comprehensive approach to address this crisis. This includes investing in forest restoration, supporting fire-resistant — and resilient — infrastructure, and implementing policies that drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Public education campaigns can also play a crucial role in promoting fire safety and preparedness.
There is no safe level of exposure to wildfire smoke. It is 10 times more toxic to our health than standard air pollution from the burning of fossil fuels. According to multinational studies reported in the science journal Nature, wildfire-specific PM2.5 increased the risk of hospitalization for a range of respiratory illnesses from asthma to the flu. That’s especially true for people younger than 19 or older than 60. Compared to PM2.5 from other sources, wildfire-specific PM2.5 led to a greater risk of hospitalization for all respiratory diseases.
of California was violently manhandled for asking a question at a press conference that impacted his constituents!
ICE has been terrorizing children and their families. Honest working people who’ve been doing work in the country for many years are being uprooted for Trump’s pleasure! Black history is forbidden. When will it stop and who is next for whatever Trump wants? It could be you or me if we don’t fight against his cruel and illegal actions. WI
recognizing that the fight for true freedom is still urgent in the face of new efforts to limit rights for some Americans instead of protecting them for everyone. Will we keep struggling to close the gap between the promise and the practice of justice, and to see that freedom reaches everyone, everywhere, without delay? Once again Juneteenth reminds us above all: Nobody’s free until everybody’s free. WI
Do a quick search online about the impact of wildfire smoke and you’ll see countless articles from public health experts, pediatricians and other doctors about ways to avoid PM2.5 exposure and the signs that indicate you should seek medical care. But isn’t it a better solution to address the actual cause of more, bigger, stronger wildfires and the deadly pollution they bring? To make it so the air is not so toxic that kids with asthma essentially have to shelter in place deep in their homes during the very months they should be playing outside? Communities across the country must come together to demand action. We must hold our leaders accountable and push for policies that prioritize public health and environmental sustainability. The challenges are immense, but with collective effort and determination, we can build a more resilient future.
In the meantime, preparedness is key. Stay informed about local air quality conditions and have an evacuation plan in place. But let’s not forget to support initiatives aimed at eliminating fossil fuels and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Our health, our homes and our planet depend on it. WI
xfinity.com/networkmanagement.
