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VOL. 53, NO. 35 • JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

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UniverSoul Circus Celebrates 25 Years - Page 28

APPLY BY JUNE 30 AT OSSE.DC.GOV

DC Council Prepares for ‘Red-Letter’ Budget Day

Mayor Bowser, Incumbents Win Easily in Primary By William J. Ford, Staff Writer and Tatyana Hopkins, Contributing Writer District residents chose to maintain the status quo. According to unofficial results in the city’s Democratic primary Tuesday, June 19, Mayor Muriel Bowser and five council members easily defeated their opponents. Each won by nearly double the voter output. Although Bowser will have competition in the general election, she’s expected to become the first mayor since 2006 to win a second term in the heavily Democratic city. “I can promise you like I promised you back in 2007 that you can trust me. Nobody’s going to work harder, longer, or stronger than

ELECTIONS Page 44

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

WOMEN OF FAITH RAISE THEIR VOICES

5 On Tuesday, June 19, Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish women of faith gathered at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters demanding the Trump administration stop tearing children away from their parents at the border. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

Supreme Court OKs States to Purge Voting Rolls

By Tatyana Hopkins WI Contributing Writer

5 Mayor Muriel Bowser greets supporters on June 19 at the Shepherd Elementary School in Northwest after casting her vote. Mayor Bowser, seeking reelection, won the D.C. Democratic primary by receiving 82.99 percent of the vote. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

On the eve of the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the landmark case that rendered the preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unenforceable until amended by Congress, the court ruled on another significant case challenging an Ohio voter purge law. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court upheld the law that allows state officials to purge voters from its voter rolls that failed to vote in

two consecutive federal election cycles and failed to respond to a notice delivered by mail. Now, the decision has helped fuel debates around nationwide voter suppression efforts with voting-right advocates worried that it will embolden other states to implement similar laws that will limit eligible voters from minority and low-income backgrounds from exercising their right to vote. Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus

PURGE Page 37

Tuesday, June 26 is shaping up as a potential Red-Letter day in the District with councilmembers set to cast their votes on a number of issues that could have a profound effect on children, seniors and families. It could also be a big day for a new hospital that District officials want to build on St. Elizabeth’s east campus to replace the United Medical Center in Southeast. The hospital funding has been fast-tracked in a move celebrated by Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray. “We’ve got the funding moved up by one year,” Gray said this week. “It isn’t like we need more money, we just need it available to be spent earlier.” Earlier this year, Council passed the city’s 2019 budget, a $14.5 billion package that aims to confront a lot of issues in the District’s African-American community. The Budget Support Act, the final element of the budget, will get its final vote on Tuesday, June 26. It incorporates the legislative changes necessitated by the budget and it must be passed a second time. The Act includes directing the mayor to seek private donations to fund violence prevention and mental health response to shootings, homicides and similar violent incidents. It also allows the few dozen students in each grade who were

DC COUNCIL Page 36

Celebrating 53 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area

Now Published by Dr. Charles Vincent

Her Legacy Continues.

In memory of Mickey Thompson Vincent, Founder and Publisher.

Dr. Charles & “Mickey” Vincent

ARENA STAGE GALA TO HONOR DC MAYOR MURIEL BOWSER AND JESSICA STAFFORD DAVIS Edgar Dobie ( Executive Producer) Molly Smith (Artistic Director) Maggie Fitzpatrick (Board Member : Gala CoChair), Mayor Muriel Bowser, Jessica Stafford Davis, Lavern Chatman(Board Member : Gala CoChair), Judith Batty (Chair, Board of Trustees) Beth Newburger Schwartz

Lavern Chatman (Member, Board of Trustees and Gala Chair)

Jessica Stafford Davis: Recognized as Emerging Leader

Maurice Hines, Master of Ceremonies.

Earl and Amanda Stafford and grandson ( Parents and Son of Jessica Stafford Davis)

Judith N. Batty (Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Arena Stage)

Broadway legend Maurice Hines served as emcee. The gala featured the presentation of the third annual Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to Mayor Muriel Bowser and recognized Jessica Stafford Davis as an “Emerging Leader.” The gala was helmed by event chairs and Arena Stage trustees Lavern Chatman and Maggie FitzPatrick. Judith N. Batty is Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Guests: (Standing) Wendell Felder, Lavern Chatman, (Seated) Lloyd and Ada Johnson

Lawrence Lipscomb, Julia Pollard, Attorney Bridget Bailey Lipscomb.

Social Sightings - THE MAGAZINE Subscribe www.SocialSightings.com Kendra Handy/Editor Dr. Charles Vincent/Photographer Brian Young/Graphic Designer l

Social Sightings-The Column is published in the Hill Rag, DC Mid-City, East of the River Journals, The Washington Informer Newspaper and in the Fairfax, Alexandria, Arlingnton, Loudoun Woman Magazines

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around the region

W I HBreak O T the T OCycle P I C Sof Women Domestic Violence

SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

COMPILED BY STAFF WRITER WILLIAM J. FORD AND CONTRIBUTING WRITER SARAFINA WRIGHT

enforcement.for She said they threat,” she said. Harper, Turner Toplaw Choices All-Star Voting had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow

By Tia Carol Jones

www.washingtoninformer.com

WI Staff Writer

sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are Washington outfielder Bryce Harper When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims and Nationals stricter restraining order policies, (left) ranks second among National League outfieldold daughter told her the father survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families ers chosen to participate in the 89th Major League of her daughter threatened her “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicBaseballpain All-Star game July 17 at Nationals Park life, and the life of their child, story, her own personal to tim, a domestic violence assess- in Southeast. Also, according the voting results reshe knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit to coupled with further 18 by shortdone. Out of her frustration said about Marlow.leased Monday, June training forMLB, law Nationals enforcement stop Trea Turner currently stands among the top with law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protec- five Email comments to: votedbook in hiswill position theand National League. Fans can of the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's tioninAct mandatory counselrburke@ vote for players in the American League. Fans can start the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said also she “puts the ing for batterers. vote for one infield position, one catcher and three paign. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradiwashingtoninformer.com In thecate American fans select “It seems to be a vicious cycle person can get it.” outfielders. She said at the domesticLeague, violence, wecan must that won't turn my family end of the day, the one book playerwill for thelook designated As for at both hitter sides position. of the coin. loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin the Nationals are encouraged to have a dia-organization, We need tofans address both the vic-to go shared her story with the audi- logue about domestic on social media and #VOTENATS. violence. timuse and the batterer,” Marlow ence at the District Heights Also present at theFor event morewas information said. and to vote, go to https://atDomestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow also like to see mlb.com/2ME5RZs. Votingwould ends, 11:59 p.m. July 5. on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise Municipal Center. The sympo- who was sentenced to six consec- awareness among children in sium was sponsored by the utive life terms without parole public and private schools. She Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educatCenter of the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. Maryland residents whoHookseek to vote Heights and the National 2002. Mildred Muhammad is “We have to stop being pasearly have until Thursday, June 21. the Ac- founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilUp of Black Women. cording the state Board of Elections, Marlowto has written a book, an organization that helps the dren about domestic violence,” almost Me 81,460 Marylanders “Color Butterfly,” which cast is a ballots survivors of domestic violence Marlow said. duringabout the first days of early story fourfour generations of voting. and their children. Marlow has worked to break However,violence. these unofficial totals domestic The book is don’t“I lived in fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse in her family, include by provisional absentee voters. inspired her ownand experiences, years in fear is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she Prince George’s registered not the an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that and those of herCounty grandmother, mostmother voters and at 13,861. Montgomery her her daughter. of,” she said. process. County, largest She said the every timejurisdiction she reads in theMildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to In Memoriam state, had 13,214 peopleshe caststill ballotspeople so excerpts from her book, who want to help a Congress and implore them to Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. can believewho thedidn’t wordsvote came far. not For voters early, they domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. Wilhelmina J. Rolark from her.go“Color Me Butterfly” can still to the ballot box and choose be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliThe Washington Informer Newspaper won the 2007candidates Nationaland “Best gubernatorial other state the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” THE WASHINGTON INFORMER InPUBLISHER Memoriam Books” Award. that she may be in “survival and local races on primary Election Day, Tia Carol Jones can be reached NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Denise RolarkSr. Barnes “I was June just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net Tuesday, 26. published weekly on each Thursday. Wilhelmina J. Rolark my eye first blackened and my Periodicals postage paid at Washing“Before you get to 'I'm going ton, THE D.C.WASHINGTON and additional mailing ofINFORMER STAFF NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI fices.weekly News on andThursday. advertising deadline postage Periodicals paid atMcNeir, Washington, D.C. and additional D. Kevin Editor Elaine Davis-Nickens, presiis Monday to News publication. Anmailing prior offices. and advertising Monday prior to publication. Rondeadline Burke,isAdvertising/ Marketing Director dent of the National Hook-Up nouncements must be received two two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The Announcements must be received Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor of Black Women, said there is no weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POST MASTER: Send change of addressThe Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Barnes, Assistant Photo Editor by es The Washington Informer. consistency in the way domestic to The Washington Informer,All3117Lafayette Martin Luther King, IV, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, rightsD.C. reserved. [CBCF] will hold its 26th Annual Mervyn L. and John E.be De Freitas, Sports Editor 20032.POSTMASTER: No part of thisSend publication may reproduced withoutPhoto written permisviolence issues are dealt with by change addresses to TheThe Washsionoffrom the publisher. Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee Dorothy Rowley, Online Editorthe return of Stephanie Tubbs Jones Memorial Scholarship Classic ington Informer, 3117 Martin rates Luther photographs. Subscription are $30 per year, two years $45. Papers be received ZebraDesigns.net, Design & will Layout Golf Tournament June 24-25 at the Salamander ReKing,notJr.more Ave.,than S.E.a Washington, D.C. week after publication. Make checks payable to: Mable Neville, Bookkeeper sort and Spa in Middleburg, Va. The two-day event 20032. No part of this publication may Dr. Charles Vincent, Social Sightings columnist be reproduced without written permisserves as the annual fundraiser held by the CongresTHE WASHINGTON INFORMER sion from the3117 publisher. The Informer Social Media Martin Luther King, Jr.Tatiana Ave., S.E.Moten, • Washington, D.C. Specialist 20032 sional Black Caucus Spouses Education Scholarship Newspaper cannot guarantee the return Phone: 202 561-4100 202 574-3785 Angie• Fax: Johnson, Circulation Program with all funds being used for scholarships that of photographs. Subscription rates are E-mail: news@washingtoninformer.com $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will will be given to deserving undergraduate, graduate and www.washingtoninformer.com REPORTERS be received not more than a week after doctoral students from across the country. publication. Make checks payable to: Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Sam P.K. Collins, “Over the last several years we’ve worked hard to enPUBLISHER Timothy Cox, Will Ford (Prince George’s THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Denise Rolark Barnes sure the scholarship classic was a meaningful outing for County Writer), Eve M. Ferguson, Jonathan 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E the entire family while raising money for scholarships STAFF REPORTERS Fuller, Hamil Harris, Franklin, Jacqueline Washington, D.C. 20032 Brooke N. Garner Managing Editor Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell, throughout the country,” said A. Shuanise WashingTatyana Hopkins, D. Kevin McNeir, Dorothy Phone: 202 561-4100 Carla Peay Assistant Managing Editor Odell B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, ton, CBCF president & CEO. “Families can enjoy golf Fax: 202 574-3785 Rowley, Brenda Siler,Joseph Sarafina Wright (General Ron Burke Advertising and Marketing Mary Wells, Young news@washingtoninformer.com and while mom and/or dad are on the green, they can Assignment Writer) Mable Whittaker Bookkeeper www.washingtoninformer.com LaNita Wrenn Administration drop their children off at the kids’ zone. It’s two, funPHOTOGRAPHERS John E. De Freitas Sports Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, filled days packed with activities for everyone and is a PHOTOGRAPHERS Victor Holt Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, great escape for the entire family.” Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic John DesignE. DeFreitas, Joanne Jackson, RoyLassiter, Lewis, Robert Shevry Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster Ridley, Victor Holt In 2017, 300 scholarships with amounts ranging from $500 to $8,700 went to students with over 200 Roy Lewis, Demetrious Kinney, Daniel Kucin, golfers, participants and guests getting in on the action. Since its founding in 1988, CBCF’s L.Y.Spouses MarlowEduJr., Mark Mahonny, CIRCULATION Lateef Mangum cation Scholarship Program has raised more than $11 million in scholarships and financial support. Those Paul Trantham who still wish to support the endeavor can visit www.cbcfinc.org/scholarshipclassic18/. “When it comes to education, the scholarship classic represents a tremendous opportunity to help ensure that our young people have a bright future and will get off to a good start because of these scholarships,” Washington added. “No donation is too small and no donation is too large.” 4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com

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CBCF to Host Annual College Scholarship Fundraiser

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our laws. I will not stop until these policies are passed.

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4 JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

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Man Cave at Emery Heights Celebrates Fathers

By Sam P.K. Collins @SamPKCollins

As part of its mission to facilitate healthy relationships between Black men and boys, and the greater community, a collective of Ward 4 residents, recreation officials, and change agents hosted an outdoor festival Saturday, June 16 in celebration of local fathers and father figures. On what proved to one of the warmest weekends of the summer, the Man Cave at Emery Heights program brought men, women and children together for an afternoon of music, food, activities and prizes. The gathering culminated months of planning, intergenerational outings and community outreach by the Man Cave committee. “This is the second annual Father’s Day celebration,” Avery X, Man Cave at Emery Heights committee member, told the audience in his closing remarks toward the end of the event at Emery Heights Recreation Center in Northwest, for which the program’s named. In support of Avery X and Man Cave’s efforts, nearly a dozen men from Muhammad’s Mosque No. 4 in Southeast joined the hundreds of celebrants who entered the premises over the course of four hours. “We want the men to fellowship, build our community, and be there for the women, children, and elders,” Avery X, wearing a light brown suit, crisp white shirt, and bright yellow bowtie, added. “We need everyone’s support. We got a lot of programs we want to roll out. We’re at a point where we need all hands on deck. Thanks to the fathers that are here.” Throughout much of Saturday afternoon, DJ Gneous of WWEN 92.4 spun reggae, hip-hop, and R&B tunes of different eras as guests two stepped, talked and laughed among one another, and munched on hamburgers, hot dogs, and baked beans. A few feet away, his WWEN colleagues hosted a DJ demonstration. Children gathered by the nearby popcorn machine in anticipation of a crunchy, buttery treat. An artist adorned little faces with vibrant colors, animals, patterns and signs. The Shape Up Kings, a mobile barbershop, also lined up dozens of men and boys. After their game, in promotion of NBA star Kyrie Irving’s upcoming “Uncle Drew” film, members of the Amateur Athletic Union, many of whom hailed from different corners of the D.C. metropolitan region,

joined the festivities. Representatives of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, a sponsor of the second annual Father’s Day celebration, also attended, along with D.C. Council member Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4) who caught up with constituents. Other sponsors included Friends of Emery Heights, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Metropolitan Police Department. “It’s important that we recognize fathers and build Black men of character,” Todd told The Washington Informer. “We should show our young people how important it is to support our elders who do so much for us all year round. We have the D.C. Commission on Fathers, Men, and Boys doing in all eight wards exactly what we do at Emery Heights. There’s even more that we can do. People are busier today than they were before, so it’s about doubling down on the importance of community involvement.” As he snapped photos with his DSLR and ate food, Titus Brown, a young photographer and affiliate of The Shapeup King, reveled in the opportunity to connect with men and boys from other organizations and communities. During the event, he directed guests toward the truck where a barber trimmed beards and gave fades. “It’s important that fathers get recognized,” Titus, a 16-year-old resident of Hyattsville, Maryland, told The Informer. “It’s important to understand what we want and need when it comes to our culture and our history. I would like to see more prizes like laptops and gaming consoles.” Man Cave at Emery Heights started in late 2016 after Krystal Branton, ANC commissioner for Single-Member District 4D05, reached out to the Emery Heights community and other partners. This year, Man Cave took youth to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Northwest. This year’s festival kicked off future programming that includes workshops and brother circles. “The goal was to promote Father’s Day,” said Craig Hughes, recreation specialist at Emery Heights Recreation Center. “We want to honor the fathers. When you honor your fathers and mothers, you’ll live long days. We brought the community out. There are basketball games in the gym for promotion around the ‘Uncle Drew’ movie. These are the fruits of our labor. I’m looking forward to more of this.” WI

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5 Emmanuel “E-Man” Azoro, also known as “The Shapeup King,” tends to a customer inside his mobile barbershop during the second annual Man Cave at Emery Heights Father’s Day Celebration on June 16. /Courtesy of Man Cave at Emery Heights

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 5 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

AROUND THE REGION

WEEK OF JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

Source: Black America Web

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 J. Braddock in the eighth round at Chicago’s Comiskey Park to win the heavyweight title.

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1938 – Author, lyricist, poet and educator James Weldon Johnson, who wrote the lyrics of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” — known as the Negro national anthem — dies. 1995 – Former NASA astronaut Bernard Harris, the first African American to walk in space, is born. 1992 – “My Guy” singer Mary Wells, “The Queen of Motown,” dies of cancer at 49.

JUNE 27

1872 – Paul Laurence Dunbar, famed American poet, novelist and playwright of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is born in Dayton, Ohio. JUNE 23 1890 – Canadian boxer George Dixon beats Nunc Wal1940 – Sprinter Wilma Rudolph, winner of three gold lace and is recognized as world bantamweight champion, medals at the 1960 Summer Olympics, is born. the first black world boxing champion in any weight class. 1948 – Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who suc- 1939 – African-American inventor Frederick Jones is ceeded Thurgood Marshall as the second African American issued patent for ticket-dispensing machine. to serve on the court, is born in Pin Point, Georgia. 1991 – Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the 1997 – Betty Shabazz, widow of Malcolm X, dies at 61 first African American to serve on the court, announces his from burns suffered three weeks earlier in a house fire set retirement. by her grandson. 2007 – Jamaican-born pilot Barrington Irving lands at the Opa-Locka Airport in Miami after 95 days of travel, JUNE 24 becoming the first black person — and the youngest 1936 – Mary McLeod Bethune officially joins the person ever at the time — to fly around National Youth Administration staff as director of the world solo. WI 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

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JUNE 26

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.

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VIEW P INT By Sarafina Wright

Suicide, mental illness and mental health has been a hot-button topic nationally in recent weeks. What are your thoughts? DEVELLE THOMAS / HOUSTON, TEXAS

I thought it would never cross my mind. I’m always cracking jokes, making folks laugh and I’ve looked down on those who did comment suicide until it ran across my mind a few times. I’m not out the woods yet, but I’m in a better place, and my word to you is be careful who hands you put your happiness in.

ELGY REDMOND JR. / CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

I have been working in the mental health field for 27 years and yes, I have seen and experienced a lot. With the two recent suicides it goes to show you that you never know what people are going through. As an owner of a mental health agency, my prayer is that people please utilize the services that are out there in our various communities. Don’t be ashamed or in denial. Please ask for help.

ONTONIO TURNER / BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

Very sad. God says his people perishes for lack of knowledge. That simple knowledge is knowing they are his. From mass incarceration to public executions by trained terrorist law enforcement. It’s enough to cause a sense of hopelessness. But that’s only a trick of Satan, because God said thou art his sacred vineyard and the very vine in which he delights in. The ancient slave song Kumbayah is Hebrew and Halleluyah is as well, hence the suffix Yah for Yahweh.

NATASHA TN /

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All I can say is I’m praying for anyone that is going through anything in their life. It’s so sad when people struggle with this sadness. I wish I could be there for everybody that hurts. Just know that there are people that truly care.

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Yes, as a Black woman dealing with bipolar disorder, this needs to be talked about more often. There are Black people living with mental illness who haven’t been diagnosed or are self-medicating themselves with illegal drugs and alcohol. More mental health clinics need to be available in our community. I have to go way out of my neighborhood to get treatment.

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I spent Father’s Day alone this year. In fact, I tend to do so every time the celebration of fathers comes around. Sure, I send out cards to other fathers to encourage and affirm them and the things they do for their own children. And it doesn’t matter whether these brothers are biological or surrogate fathers. It’s still important to let them hear from others that what they do matters – that their efforts are important. Of course, my children and my grandsons sent cards and called me as well, expressing their love and gratitude. Their words were sorely needed because Father’s Day actually puts me in a kind of funk – a temporary state of depression that I just cannot seem to shake. Why? I guess it’s due to the fact that my father died right after I had finished my undergraduate studies and secured my first job – a great position with Fortune 500 leader IBM. My dad had been like the family patriarch

“Life was great. I had dreams of hanging out with my father and enjoying those man-toman conversations that we would have from time to time. He would share his stories about growing up in rural Alabama and how he’d been confronted with racism.” – everyone came to him for assistance and advice. But he was much more to me. He was calm in the midst of the storm. He was the way out, the way over, the way under and the way through, no matter what problems or challenges came my way. He was that bellowing, deep voice that reassured me, letting me know that he was on the job. So, when he suddenly became ill, it never occurred to me that he would die. Perhaps I was too naïve to pay attention to what his doctors were saying. Still, neither my mother or my sister indicated that things were that serious. Actually, we never even spoke on it. Meanwhile, I was enjoying the freedom of living in my own apartment and having the finances to shop, travel, dine out and date eligible sisters as I desired.

Life was great. I had dreams of hanging out with my father and enjoying those man-to-man conversations that we would have from time to time. He would share his stories about growing up in rural Alabama and how he’d been confronted with racism. He would talk about being a Black man in a country that still had not totally accepted us as equals. And he would tell me that it was important for me to be grateful for the gifts God had given me and to use them for good – for the good of our family and for the Black community. He even encouraged me to consider leaving corporate America and to turn my attentions to writing – something that I had done since the third grade. There are those moments, those days, when I suddenly become overwhelmed with grief and the floodgates open. Father’s Day is one of those days. It’s not that I’m feeling sorry for myself. That’s not why I tend to spend the day alone. The truth of the matter is, even 33 years after his death, I really miss my Daddy – a lot. And no matter what I do, I simply cannot fill the hole that was made when he left this earth. But then, I shake myself, dry my tears and tell the old man that he was the best. Happy Father’s Day Big Mac! I miss you much! WI

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Friend of Police-Shooting Victim Speaks By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins In the 18 months leading up to his death, Robert Lawrence White struggled to overcome his father’s passing, squabbles over a family home, and intense feelings of loneliness. White, described as quick-witted and funny, often walked the streets of Silver Spring, Maryland, to escape the chaos that clouded his mind. White’s last stroll on June 11 ended in a confrontation with a Montgomery County police officer, during which he was shot and killed. More than a week after the incident, questions remain about what transpired that Monday afternoon. Though representatives of the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) say White, 41, assaulted Officer Amand Badgujar, close friends, citing reports from witnesses, said they believe Badgujar provoked White. “Anyone who’s talked to Rob in the last couple of years would always say they’ve seen him walking around random places. It’s like ‘Where’s Waldo?’” Marvin Whitfield, White’s friend of 35 years, told The Washington Informer. Whitfield said when he first heard about the shooting, he didn’t know White was involved until the next day when their mutual friend sent a screenshot of the deceased’s photo followed by “Say it isn’t so!” Police say Badgujar, a two-year veteran, engaged White on 2:15 p.m. as part of an investigation into suspicious activity on the 9200 block of Three Oaks Drive in Silver Spring. In response to what was described as White’s combative disposition, the officer pepper-sprayed White who then ran toward Badgujar and knocked him down. Bodycam footage, MCPD said, shows White assaulting Badgujar and Badgujar shooting White. The latter received treatment on the scene before being pronounced dead at a local hospital. As the investigation of the shooting, coordinated by MCPD and the Howard County State Attorney’s Office, gets underway, Whitfield and others say they

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want the release of video that shows the entirety of the deadly quarrel. “Something has been in lost in our society when we look at people, see exactly what they’re going through, and instead of getting to the root of the matter, we label them as crazy, confused, or mentally ill,” said Whitfield, 40, an Adelphi, Maryland, resident. “Rob liked walking and it was because of his loneliness. When you get to a point where you got a house you don’t want to live in, that should be explored.” White’s death prompted a candlelight vigil and calls for public officials to address police-community relations. While he didn’t form any conclusions about MCPD’s involvement, Montgomery County Councilman Craig Rice (D-District 2) said in a carefully worded Facebook post Thursday he has questions about attempted de-escalation and proper use of force. Last week, dozens of activists and community organizers converged on downtown Silver Spring to protest the shooting and demand the release of the bodycam footage. Supporters of Brandy Brooks, an at-large candidate for the county council, was among the members of the crowd in downtown Silver Spring’s spacious Veterans Plaza along Ellsworth Drive. She, too, expressed her concern about protocol around how police officers engage suspects enduring trauma, and equitable access to mental health services. “We have so much work to do when it comes to police-community relations, especially for communities of color, immigrant communities, and residents with disabilities or with mental health needs,” Brooks, a Democrat, told The Informer in a written statement. For the full version of the story, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI

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“There is no instance mentioned in history where an enslaved people of an alien race rose to respectability upon the same territory of their enslavement and in the presence of their enslavers, without losing their identity or individuality by amalgamation.” – Henry McNeal Turner, July 1876

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AROUND THE REGION District’s Top High School Graduates Receive Honors By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins After each honoree at Total Sunshine, Inc. (TSI)’s annual school grade rewards ceremony last week revealed their college plans, executive director and founder Merilyn Holmes smiled, firmly shook their hand and chanted “First, not last!” as friends, family and community members applauded the District’s top high school graduates. For the 10th consecutive year,

TSI, a Southeast-based education nonprofit, sent D.C.’s public and charter high school valedictorians and salutatorians off to the next chapter of their academic journey with essential technology and words of wisdom from local education officials, parents, and community leaders who encouraged them to continue working toward their goals. “You’re not alone. You’ll make mistakes but keep pushing,” Karen Williams, president of the D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE),

told more than two dozen valedictorians and salutatorians in her keynote address on June 14. In her remarks, Williams, an alumna of The George Washington University in Northwest, alluded to challenges she faced as a Black student on a predominately white campus. Williams, Ward 7 SBOE representative since 2012, also acknowledged TSI’s decadelong service to young people. “I met Merilyn when I was first elected to the state board,” Williams said. “I found out about

what she did, how she did it and her goals. I persevered and made it to this point today. I want you to support yourself, because you made it this far.” Other speakers included Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher and CEO of The Washington Informer, who also served as the mistress of ceremonies. Porter Lawson, chaplain of D.C. Fire and EMS Department opened and closed the two-hour ceremony with a word of prayer. In lieu of their physical attendance, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton

(D) and Johnnie Scott-Rice, vice chair of the D.C. metro chapter of the National Congress of Black Women, sent congratulatory letters. The Woodland Tiger Pretty Dancers, a youth dance ensemble from Woodland Terrace in Southeast, also performed a synchronized routine to Le’andria Johnson’s “Better Days.” That evening, supporters and onlookers with phones, cameras, balloons, and signs converged on

HONORS Page 16

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JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 11 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Ervin’s Support Could Boost Baker Campaign By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

Those in Maryland political circles, especially in Montgomery County, know Valerie Ervin has and will fight against racial discrimination, voting rights and education inequities. Ervin, the former Democratic gubernatorial candidate who sought and won a seat on the Montgomery County school board after her oldest son’s teacher questioned his ability to read, will now help Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III in his bid to become the next governor of Maryland. She formally announced her en-

dorsement of Baker on June 13 near the Takoma Langley Transit Center in Montgomery County. Ervin chose to end her own bid partly because a judge ruled this month against her complaint to reprint ballots and place stickers on them before the primary election. Her request came after the May 10 death of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who was a viable contender and had chosen Ervin as his running mate. “If [Ervin] can go back to her home county, the populous Montgomery County [and] Democratic stronghold and get people behind Baker, then that will be a good thing for him,” said Mileah Kromer, director of the Sarah T. Hughes Field Pol-

itics Center at Goucher College in Towson. “I think it’s going to come close between Baker and Ben Jealous, so every vote is going to count.” One of those Ervin supporters and childhood friend, former Rep. Donna Edwards, doesn’t plan to endorse anyone while she seeks the Prince George’s County executive seat. “I have my own race to worry about,” Edwards said. In the most recent Gonzales Research and Media Services poll released June 12, Baker leads Jealous, the former NAACP president, by only two percentage points. Baker received 54 percent of the vote in his home turf of Prince George’s, with Jealous at 18 percent. Baker also has a slight lead over state Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr. in Montgomery County with 23 percent to 22 percent. Jealous maintains a huge lead in Baltimore City and Baltimore County at 59 percent and Baker at 35 percent. However, Gonzalez said that deficit still may not affect Baker. “Because of his strength in Prince George’s and [slight lead in Montgomery County] is what’s given him his current lead,” Gonzalez said in an interview. “He’s showing enough signs out of the Baltimore area and getting enough votes right now that the signs look good.” To push for more voters in Mont-

5Former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Valerie Ervin (left) chats with supporters of Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III outside the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex in Landover on June 14. /Photo by William J. Ford

gomery County, the state’s largest jurisdiction, Jealous held rallies in the county Thursday with Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) and Saturday with educators. Also on Saturday, Jealous spoke with supporters in neighboring Prince George’s County alongside

Md. Gubernatorial Hopefuls Pitch Plans at Final Forum By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill The top six Maryland gubernatorial candidates seeking the Democratic nomination participated last

week in the final televised forum, just days before the primary election. The debate, recorded Thursday, June 14 at the WRC-TV (Channel 4) studios in Northwest and aired three days later on WRC and Telemundo-44, addressed issues such

as marijuana reform and policies instituted by Republican Gov. Larry Hogan. The participants also took the opportunity to lob a few shots at each other. In his opening remarks, Baltimore

attorney Jim Shea summarized how Hogan would attack two of his opponents — Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III and former NAACP President Ben Jealous — in the general election. “If Rushern Baker is our nominee, Hogan will exploit the problems of the Prince George’s County school system,” Shea said. “If Ben Jealous is our nominee, Larry Hogan will portray him as a tax and spend Democrat.” Several polls show Baker and Jealous as the two front-runners in the Democratic primary. If either is ultimately elected, they would be the state’s first Black governor. The polls, however, show at least 30 percent of Democratic voters re-

(Clockwise from Top Left) Alec Ross /Photo by Brigette White Ben Jealous /Photo by Brigette White Jim Shea /Photo Brigette White Rushern L. Baker III /Photo by Brigette White Krish Vignarajah /File photo by Brigette White Richard Madaleno, Jr. /File photo by William J. Ford

DEBATE Page 15

12 JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

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Van Jones, host of “The Van Jones Show” on CNN. As for Ervin, she worked as executive director for Center for Working Families while Kamenetz recruited her to run as lieutenant governor. However, the organization endorsed Jealous. Ervin, a staunch progressive who supports a $15 minimum wage, will discuss ideas on how to merge her values with Baker, a centrist who wanted to wait on state lawmakers to institute a minimum wage increase before Prince George’s voted on local legislation. They both agree on recommendations to enhance public schools, create 21st-century jobs and restructure Maryland Board of Election laws. Most importantly, Baker said, Ervin and her former running mate, Marisol Johnson, who served on the school board in Baltimore County, will keep the Baker campaign honest. “We’re going to certainly talk about how to bring ourselves together as a community, especially around issues of color,” he said. “They’re going to keep pushing us ... to be mindful of what’s going on.” Early voting in the primary election begins Thursday, June 21 and the primary election Tuesday, June 26. The other five candidates in the gubernatorial race are tech entrepreneur Alec Ross; Baltimore attorney Jim Shea; Krish Vignarajah, onetime policy director for former first lady Michelle Obama; James Hugh Jones II of Baltimore City; and Ralph Jaffe of Baltimore County. WI

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Prince George’s Summer Youth Employment Reaches Highest Mark

By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III recalled when about 300 youth obtained employment in various county agencies through a summer youth program established six years ago. Approximately 3,300 youth will obtain skills this summer at 105 businesses in the public and private sector, the highest number of young employees and organizations ever. “It’s not just about finding summer jobs for kids,” Baker said during a June 8 event at Six Flags America to thank businesses. “The real thing is providing them with opportunities to see what careers they want to go into. Providing life skills and solve real problems in the county in real time.” Before youth ages 15 to 19 can apply for jobs through the county’s Youth@Work/Summer Youth Enrichment Program (SYEP), they must complete a readiness training program. The 24-hour course at Prince George’s Community College follows seven core principles: attitude, appearance, appreciation, accountability, attendance, ambition and acceptance. The six-week entry-level positions listed on the SYEP website include accounting/budget aide, laborer and day camp assistant. Six Flags, the first company to participate, will provide about 1,500 jobs ranging from ride operators to lifeguards. Rick Howarth, Six Flags park president, said the company will expand its information technology

program for at least 30 more county youth. “This is a win-win for the community,” he said. “The youth are making wages and creates tax dollars for the county as well.” Caleb Carter, 16, will work in the county’s Office of Information Technology to assist others in public speaking. “It’s like a thrill,” said the 11th-grader at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville. “At first you’re nervous and shaking, but then you take one deep breath and you’re good.” He participated in the summer program last year to help produce an Amazon Alexa to help public school students with math, Spanish and other topics. “He is a totally different person,” said Caleb’s mother, Dian Carter, an assistant principal at Bishop McNamara. “I am so proud of him. I appreciate the work of the [county’s] Office of Technology has done to put into these students.” The program allowed him to set his sights on attending college and possibly follow in his sister’s footsteps and attend Towson University to major in business and minor in sports medicine. “We’re going to keep working on him so he goes to Howard [University],” Baker said in a good-natured nudge to Caleb to consider attending his alma mater. The county’s summer program seeks to prepare youth for future employment and also do constructive work when school’s out. However, a 2017 report from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics shows the teen workforce for those ages 16 to 19 has

5Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III speaks about the county’s summer Youth at Work program June 8 at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro. /Photo by Mike Yourishin of County Executive Office

declined beyond 34 percent through 2024. One reason cited in the report was “an increased emphasis toward school and attending college…reflected in higher enrollment; more summer school attendance; and more strenuous coursework.” Although parents and school officials push for college and post-secondary education, Howarth said training that youths receive in the summer pays off in the future. “These kids are coming out way more polished than I did when I was coming out of Prince George’s County Public School system,” he said. “That’s exactly what we need here.” WI

Family of Slain Prince George’s Officer Files Wrongful Death Suit By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill

Thousands throughout the nation paid homage on Father’s Day to men who’ve sacrificed time and money for their children and others all in the name of love. Unfortunately, James Colson continues to grieve for the loss of his oldest son, Jacai, a Prince George’s County detective who was shot and killed by a fellow officer in March 2016 after three men ambushed a police station. Colson and his wife, Shelia, stood across the street from the county

courthouse in Upper Marlboro to listen to their attorney, Jason G. Downs of Baltimore, explain why the family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last week against the county and Officer Taylor Krauss, who fired the fatal shot. “When a police officer shoots first and asks questions later, the system fails us,” Downs said Thursday, June 14. “When the system fails, people lose faith in the courts and people lose faith in our community leaders. The family of Jacai Colson filed this lawsuit after losing faith in those very two things.” When reporters asked the Colson

COLSON Page 36

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Time to Choose By now your mailboxes are packed with campaign advertisements and neighboring streets are littered with campaign signs. You’re overwhelmed and confused and, even worse, you’re considering not voting. All of this clutter and the negative campaigning have left you disinterested. Whoever is elected will manage over 6 billion of public resources that will be allocated to our public safety, schools and other infrastructure. Further, they will be the spokesperson for attracting business and creating jobs. Do we want all of this in the hands of leadership that danced into office? Or, do we want to set the agenda for where your tax dollars are spent? Whether you want to face it or not, leadership is in your hands. As such, I urge you to vote! Vote on the issues that matter and make those who receive our vote accountable! Further, don’t be swayed by so called “Democratic Slates,” endorsements or polls. Do your homework and make the decision you think will advance our community. In Prince George’s County, Election Day is June 26th. Vote and make a difference! Not a member? Please visit our website, www.pgcoc.org or drop by for a visit to get started! Membership is good for a full calendar year, so it’s always a good time to join! David C. Harrington President & CEO Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce www.pgcoc.org

5 Detective Jacai Colson /Courtesy of Prince George’s County Police Department

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 13 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

BUSINESS Companies Should End Job Interview Process, Psychologist Suggests By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer In-person interviews are not good predictors of job performance and research suggests that they’re more likely to show whether a candidate is good at interviewing and often serve as an excuse for hiring managers to let their biases take control, according to a new report by renowned LinkedIn expert and organizational psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. In his argument, Chamorro-Premuzic says employers should instead conduct job simulations and review a candidate’s past performance ratings to get a sense of a prospective employee’s fit for a role. He said typical interviews includes such questions as, “What’s your top strength?” “What are your biggest weaknesses?” “Where do you see yourself in

five years?” “What makes you want to work for us?” and “Who would play you in a movie?” “Most of us have experienced the futility of job interviews, or at least had to answer some of these dreadful questions,” Chamorro-Premuzic said. “Yet it’s virtually impossible to get a job without going through an interview — and usually more than one. But the trouble is that interviews aren’t as useful as employers think. Indeed, organizations can still make great — and arguably better — hiring decisions without them.” However, others argue that Chamorro-Premuzic’s idea of job simulations may not be prudent. “Though job simulations are an example of one selection device that can be a better predictor of performance, they are not feasible for many organizations, as they can be costly to design and administer and job simulations

can at times introduce additional ethical challenges,” said Amanda Hinojosa, an assistant professor of management at Howard University in Northwest. “In the case of knowledge work, asking someone to complete a job simulation may be providing them with a task that they would otherwise be paid for if they were hired,” Hinojosa said. Additionally, past performance ratings may be useful if that measure is valid and has little bias, she said. “But if past performance ratings are coming from a poorly designed annual review session, then these ratings are subject to the same issues as poorly designed interview questions,” the professor said. Denver D’Rozario, a marketing professor at Howard, said he worked for two years for a management consulting firm in New York which only performed management simulations and training exercises for Fortune 500 companies. “These simulations were done by this consulting company to help their Fortune 500 clients screen and assess the job performance of their current employees,” D’Rozario said. “I was told that the Fortune 500 companies who were our clients felt that these management simulations that we did for them [which they put their employees through proprietary job simulations and collected data from them as they responded to simulation-based tasks/exercises] were good predictors of their employees’ current and future job performance. That’s why these Fortune 500 companies paid our company big

5 Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic /Courtesy of Thinkers50

“In-person interviews are not good predictors of job performance and research suggests that they’re more likely to show whether a candidate is good at interviewing...” money, to run these simulations for them.” In arguing against the job interview process, Chamorro-Premuzic said the most comprehensive scientific study to date on the predictive power of

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different recruitment tools suggests that the typical job interview provides very little valuable information over and above psychometric tests, which tend to be both quicker and cheaper to administer. “Job interviews introduce toxic data,” Chamorro-Premuzic said. “In addition to the information interviews should provide but don’t, there’s also a great deal of information they shouldn’t provide but do. The latter isn’t just noisy data in the sense of not improving predictiveness — it’s actually toxic, focusing interviewers’ attention on problematic traits.” WI

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BUSINESS Metro Area Housing Prices Highest in a Decade By Tatyana Hopkins WI Contributing Writer The median price of homes sold and the number of sales in the D.C. metropolitan area during May reached its highest levels in 10 years, according to new data. A modest year-over-year increase in sales and average prices pushed the sales volume across the metro area to $3.25 billion. The figures represent sales in the District, Arlington and Fairfax and the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church in Virginia; as well as Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.

DEBATE from Page 12 main undecided in the highly competitive race. “Undecided voters are dominating this race. I think they want a new face with new ideas,” said tech entrepreneur Alec Ross, who also taught several years in Baltimore City public schools. “I’m not from the political merry-go-round that comes from the old Maryland, permanent political establishment. I like the lane I am running in.” Krish Vignarjah, onetime policy director for first lady Michelle Obama, continued to push her message of the absence of women in the 14 federal and statewide offices that represent Maryland. “If you looked at how Democrats have won against incumbent Republicans [in other races], the vast majority of those pickups have been won by women,” she said. State Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr. of Montgomery County poked at the Jealous campaign for allowing groups outside of Maryland to influence the election. “Do I have outside special interest [groups] from outside the state of Maryland pouring money into my campaign? No,” Madaleno said. Several union and progressive groups committed $500,000 on behalf of Jealous to use the money through phone calls, emails and digital advertising. One of those groups, Working Families Party, was previously led by former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Valerie Ervin, who last week ended her bid and threw her support behind the Baker campaign. “We’re very happy to have Valerie Ervin’s endorsement and [running mate Marisol Johnson’s] endorsement because they have worked hard

Despite a continued low inventory, sales in the area also reached its highest point in a decade. May marked the 25th consecutive month that active listing or homes on the market for sale declined and inventory in the region remains lower than the previous year, with only 9,391 properties on the market at the end of the month, a near 5 percent drop. But the market seems to be moving away from its inventory problem. “There is reason to hope that this trend may slow, as the number of new listings rose by 3 percent compared to last May,” noted Nena Perry-Brown of Urban

“Through the first three days of early voting in Maryland, nearly 70,000 people have cast their ballots — a 50 percent increase from the first three days of early voting in the primary election four years ago.” for working families in Maryland,” Baker said. “They have said our candidacy is the one to move Maryland forward.” Jealous said his experience as the youngest-ever NAACP president will help him create a movement to win the primary and defeat Hogan. “We will win this campaign the way that I’ve won every major victory in my life: by simply building a bigger, more robust coalition that most folks think it’s possible,” he said. “I’m proud of the race we are running.” Through the first three days of early voting in Maryland, nearly 70,000 people have cast their ballots — a 50 percent increase from the first three days of early voting in the primary election four years ago. The early-voting period runs until Thursday, June 21. The primary election is Tuesday, June 26. “We know the presence of early voting does increase voter turnout in states that have it,” said Mileah Kromer, political science professor at Goucher College in Towson. “It’s just difficult to say right now what early voting numbers really indicate for this particular election.” WI

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Turf. Last month, a total of 5,720 properties went into closing in the region, according to figures reported from the list service Bright MLS, 4.8 percent up from 5,620 last year. The reported figures also showed that home prices in the area are slowly rising. During the month of May, the median sales price of a home in the re-

gion hit a 10-year record high at $568,368, up 3 percent from a year ago. The average price for single-family homes was up more than 5 percent to $688,971, the average price of attached homes was up more than 2 percent to $462,102, and the average price of condos went up nearly 3 percent to $389,455. Perry-Brown pointed out two signs of an increasingly competi-

tive regional market: a decade high for homes in the region that sold nearly at the asking price, and the decade’s record matching for the lowest number of days a listing has on the market. On average, homes sold in nine days and homes that went into closing during the month spent an average of 31 days between listing and a sales contract. Last year, the figure was 35 days. Sellers received a median of up to 99 percent of the original asking price, only slightly up from 98.8 percent. WI

You Can’t Disown your Spouse By Aimee D. Griffin

I encourage people to write their hearts desires in their estate plan. It is believed that you can distribute your assets as you direct when you pass away if you write a Will. This is typically the case. However, there is a big exception. When you are married the spouse has a right to receive a portion of the estate. The estate is all the money and property owned by a person at death. It has been my experience that there are many people who sever their marriage simply by walking away. They don’t take the steps of getting a divorce legally. Subsequently the person they are legally married has the highest priority to manage the estate and more importantly receive significant assets from the estate upon passing. Although The Griffin Firm is not a firm that practices in the area of divorce we strongly suggest that anyone who is ending a marriage take the legal steps to divorce. That being said there are marriages that are complicated in the relationship and while there are not the legal steps taken to divorce there is the intent to distribute assets upon passing specifically. With blended marriages when one or both members are entering with children from previous relationships it must be considered how the joint assets will be disseminated. In case of real property the typically succession is right of survivorship. The last spouse standing will be the owner of the real property. This was the case with my paternal grandparents. My grandmother’s first husband passed away. They had 3 children together. My grandmother remarried and had 13 subsequent children with my grandfather. My grandfather survived my grandfather. When he passed away (without a will) the13 children were heirs to the property not the first 3. Yet, even with a Will most states will not allow you to disown your spouse unless there is an agreement such as a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Most states and the District of Columbia offer surviving spouses limited time to select an elective share of the estate. The elective share law or the community property law protect the surviving spouse from being totally disinherited. In the District of Columbia, a surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner may within 6 months after the will of the deceased spouse or deceased domestic partner is admitted to probate may file in the Probate Court a written renunciation to the following effect: “I, A B, surviving spouse or surviving domestic partner of late of (name of decedent), deceased, renounce and quit all claim to any devise or bequest made to me by the last will of my spouse or domestic partner exhibited and proved according to law; and I elect to take in lieu thereof my legal share of the real and personal estate of my deceased spouse or deceased domestic partner. This gives the spouse the right to chose whether to receive the inheritance identified in the will or the right that would be received if there had been no Will. There is much to be considered when the desires extend beyond the standard family structure and expectations of the court. This planning needs to be clarified with a professional. Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 440 Washington DC 20015 www.thegriffinfirm-PLLC.com 202-379-4738

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 15 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

NATIONAL Concerns Mount Over Trump, North Korea Deal

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

After President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un concluded their summit last week, Kelly Magsamen, the vice president for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress in Northwest, said America should resist trusting the dictator. “We all want diplomacy to succeed, but it is a means, not an end,” Magsamen said in a news release. “We welcome the start of a diplomatic process, but when it comes to North Korea, don’t trust — verify. And this vague agreement is long on trust and short on details and verification.” According to a CNBC review of the historic June 12 summit, many experts see Kim, having obtained a substantial concession from the world’s largest economy while simultaneously gaining greater claims

HONORS from Page 11 a large meeting room in the west wing of the D.C. Department of Employment Services in Northeast, where they cheered on nearly 30 students representing a dozen D.C. public and charter schools. The honorees, donning their graduation cap and gowns along with medals and multicolor tassels, sat toward the front of the auditorium where they watched speakers dole out a book of poetry, announced financial assistance from TSI and the William O. Lockridge Community Foundation, and gave raffle prizes to parents. “Access to technology helps students succeed,” Holmes, standing behind a podium, told audience members on Thursday before graduates received eight-inch tablets with Windows 10 software that would make the device more suitable for schoolwork. “If you have a laptop, this could back it up if anything happens. If you don’t have a laptop, you could use it.”

16 JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

to legitimacy, as the real winner. Trump has been widely praised for calming tensions on the Korean Peninsula that threatened to escalate into full-blown conflict just six months ago. But in the long run, his actions will only be a significant success if Kim delivers on his pledge to pursue complete denuclearization — a promise the authoritarian regime has made before. “I suppose President Trump would get an incomplete ... for Chairman Kim Jong Un, it’s an A+,” David Adelman, former U.S. ambassador to Singapore, told CNBC. Miha Hribernik, head of Asia research at consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, echoed that sentiment in a post-summit note: “Kim Jong Un emerged as the clear winner, having extracted a number of concessions from the U.S. in exchange for little of substance.” The country’s ruler is now seen “as an equal” following the summit,

Holmes, who remained upbeat throughout the evening, also memorialized James Perkins, Johnson Middle School’s 2009 salutatorian who lost his life weeks before the inaugural TSI graduation ceremony would take place. Perkins’ parents, who would later assist TSI in its endeavors, joined Holmes at the front of the auditorium as they announced the James Maurice Perkins Memorial Fund. Guests later joined Holmes and the Perkins family in a moment of silence for Perkins, known to friends and family as Lil’ James, and Marlena Jackson, Holmes’ late younger sister and author of TSI’s trademark song who died in 2015. In the spirit of honoring Perkins and Jackson’s memories, and being an example to their peers who struggle in school, speakers encouraged the graduates to lead by example and tell their stories of success. For Cheraine Pugh, who graduated as her class’s salutatorian at Ballou Senior High School in

5 Skeptics abound over Trump’s dealings with North Korea. /Courtesy of Stanford University

Adelman said. That’s a major accomplishment for a state that’s long been isolated from the international community. When asked whether he regards Kim as an equal, the U.S. president said he didn’t view the relationship in that way, before saying he was willing to do “whatever it takes to make the world a safer place.” Equipped with praise from Trump, who repeatedly called Kim “talented,” and a respectful reception from Singapore’s government, North Korea’s ruler now appears more accessible to the world despite a dark human rights record, the network reported. That will likely work in his favor by cementing his legitimacy at home and severely weakening op-

position to his regime, according to Hribernik. Alarmingly, the U.S.-North Korea agreement contains no specific commitments by North Korea and is even less rigorous than either the 1994 Agreed Framework or the 2005 six-party agreement, Magsamen said. “Now our negotiators will get to work. Going forward, the United States must keep its eye on the ball and ensure that North Korea takes verifiable steps toward denuclearization. “Keeping America and our allies safe, addressing the threat from a nuclear-armed North Korea, and protecting long-term U.S. interests in Asia will be the true benchmarks for success,” she said.

In this regard, there’s deep concern about the signal Trump sent by calling the joint alliance defensive exercises “provocative,” Magsamen continued. She said this continues Trump’s disturbing pattern of undermining our democratic alliances while praising America’s adversaries. “It is also important to remember that even if progress is made on the nuclear issue, North Korea remains the world’s worst abuser of human rights,” Magsamen said. “The United States must be clear-eyed about who we are dealing with and not lose sight of the importance of working with the international community to improve the lives of the North Korean people.” WI

Southeast this year, maintaining her individuality remained key in reaching her goals. “I’ve always aimed for straight A’s,” Cheraine told The Informer. “The challenge was staying focused, but I managed to do that by staying to myself and being on the

right track. Next fall I’m studying biology at Winston-Salem State University and will enter veterinary medicine. I want to help animals and make a change. Education is one of the ways to do that,” Cheraine, from Southwest, added with great enthusiasm. TSI’s 10th annual school grade rewards ceremony came amid widespread concern about the academic progress of students in the public and charter school systems. Data released by D.C. Public Schools in March showed a decline of at least 12 percentage points in the graduation rate this year, a likely result of grade-fixing and attendance scandals that rocked the school system earlier in the academic year. Earlier this month, to the chagrin of some education advocates, emergency legislation passed by the D.C. Council overrode policy that forbade high school senior who had missed more than 30 days of school from graduating. Andre Ross Jr., valedictorian

for the class of 2018 at National Collegiate Preparatory Charter High School in Southeast and student-athlete, said he avoided the pitfalls of dropping out or graduating late by using his character education on the football field to persevere in his school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which exposes students to college-level coursework and requires hours of study. “Being a student-athlete in the IB program was difficult and called for more time management and dedication,” said Ross, an 18-yearold wide receiver who plans to study sociology at Union College in Schenectady, New York, this fall. “I was able to finish it, which was a blessing because this doesn’t happen for everyone. I like talking to youth. I want to work for the youth once I come straight out of college. I just have to stay focused and be patient. Through the hard times, you might not know what comes next.” WI

“Access to technology helps students succeed.” – Merilyn Holmes

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JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 17 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

INTERNATIONAL

AFRICA/CARIBBEAN NOW Compiled by Oswald T. Brown / WI Contributing Writer AFRICA NOW

Kagame Calls for Global Action on Climate Change

Rwandan President Paul Kagame has called for rapid action globally to address climate change and prevent impending negative consequences. The President was speaking on climate change and the importance of ending plastic pollution in Charlevoix, Quebec, at the recent G-7 summit. The president highlighted that no nation across the world was being spared the impact of climate change with tens of millions of people’s ways of life disrupted, The New Times, Rwanda’s leading daily, reported June 10. “The role of oceans in regulating climate change has been severely affected, and the human factor, among others, continues to contribute to this situation,” he said. “That calls for global action. Among other consequences, we may see tens of millions of people on the move, in search of new homes. No country on Earth is unaffected. And none can act alone.” Noting the continued delays to take action, he said that there was still time to avert continued damage by making interventions that bear the right scale and urgency. “We have delayed to take action with the necessary urgency and scale, but we still have the time and ability to mitigate the damage and stop the worst scenarios,” Kagame said. “A number of factors should give us the determination to do the right thing.”

Zuma Bringing ANC Down, Experts Say

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The infighting in the ANC and former South African President Jacob Zuma’s machinations on the ground will end its two-decade electoral dominance and force it into a coalition government, say analysts. The ANC has been assured of 60% of the votes cast in general elections since 1994, but that could be in danger when the country goes to the polls next year, the Durban Sunday Tribune reported. The weekend’s aborted provincial elective conference in Empangeni has worried party leaders. The first signs that its grip on the voting public was loosening became evident when the ANC fared badly in the 2016 local government elections, securing only 54 percent of the vote. The ANC lost three key metros — Joburg, Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane — in 2016. The ANC’s provincial task team coordinator, Sihle Zikalala, conceded the ANC was not ready to start campaigning for next year’s elections without a permanent structure. “You need stability when you go to elections. We need leadership with authority and power, not just delegated power, to lead the campaign,” Zikalala said. But with the once-united province of KwaZulu-Natal, previously a drawcard, in tatters, it remains to be seen how the party will fare next year. The rifts in the ANC in KZN, Zuma’s home province, forced the canning of the ANC KZN provincial conference which led to renewed talk of a split in the party. ANC national chairman Gwede Mantashe was booed at the aborted conference. Zikalala later apologized to him.

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Regional Leaders Lose Faith in CSME Realization

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CARICOM members have to become more practical in their approach to the concepts of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME), St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves said Friday, the Guyana Chronicle reported on June 10. The occasion was a two-day shareholder consultation on the CSME at the Ramada Princess Hotel on the lower East Bank. Gonsalves said that while on paper the plans may seem ideal, they are far from realistic, and regional leaders have begun to lose faith in the realization of the CSME. The CSME is an integrated development strategy envisioned at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM back in July 1990 in Grand Anse, Grenada. It was designed to benefit the Region’s citizens by providing more and better opportunities to produce and sell goods and services and to attract investment. According to the Region’s longest serving Prime Minister, there is a lot yet to be done on the Single Market component of the CSME. He feels that much more can be done in the areas of integration, movement, functional cooperation with respect to health, education, human resources development and foreign policy, but does not believe it is easy to make a clear demarcation between the Single Market and Single Economy. As it relates to the issues facing the concept of a single economy, Gonsalves does not believe that they would be ironed out “in the foreseeable future.” He explained that because of the nature of respective economies within CARICOM, and the uneven though combined state of underdevelopment, varying challenges will continue to exist, and it is because of this that he doesn’t believe that the region can move towards a single economy. WI

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JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 19 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

HEALTH Wells Fargo Seeks to Prevent Elder Abuse

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

One in five Americans age 65 or older has been affected by elder financial abuse and two-thirds of these crimes are committed by family members, friends and trusted associates, statistics show. In March, District officials took additional steps toward helping financial advisers protect their senior citizen clients from fraud with the approval of the Senior Safe Act that encourages advisers and their firms to report the financial exploitation of senior citizen clients by protect-

ing advisers from liability and the violation of privacy laws. Further, to help fight the problem, D.C.’s Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking participates in the D.C. Elder Abuse Prevention Committee and partners with other city agencies including the D.C. Office on Aging and Adult Protective Services to raise awareness about elder abuse through community engagement and education. Now, officials from Wells Fargo are reminding everyone that remedies to financial elder abuse include simply being aware.

5 There are a number of signs that suggest elder abuse may be occurring. /Courtesy of AARP

Wells Fargo recently shared the results of its 2018 Wells Fargo Elder Needs Survey that asked older residents about the financial issues they’re facing. The organization also released an Elder Financial Abuse Protect Guide to outline steps on how seniors can protect themselves. “When seniors don’t take intentional steps to plan for the longevity of their later years, they are posing themselves a greater threat,” said John Allen, Wells Fargo’s D.C. region president. “The question isn’t ‘will I ever be targeted?’ it is ‘when?’

Which should then be followed by ‘Am I prepared to stop it?’” With outside data revealing that the elder population is now the fasting growing in the United States — with baby boomers turning 65 at a rate of 10,000 a day — seniors and their caretakers must recognize the impending threat, he said. In its Elder Financial Abuse Protect Guide, Wells Fargo suggested several actions seniors can take to protect themselves, including talking with trustworthy family members about financial plans; up-

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date and have legal documents in place like wills, advance healthcare directives and powers of attorney; sign up for direct deposit; do annual credit report checks; add automatic bill pay to accounts and automatic alerts of large transactions sent to a trustworthy individual while also keeping checks and credit cards locked away. Wells Fargo officials also suggest seniors avoid isolation through social activities. Officials said family members should keep vigilant by looking for red flags such as sudden, atypical or unexplained withdrawals, wire transfers or disbursements, and abrupt or unexplained changes to legal documents. Loved ones should also look out for other signs such as unpaid utility bills, confusion about accounts and relationships with new “best friends” and “sweethearts,” disheveled appearance, forgetfulness, and changes to normal routine. “Elder abuse can rob older adults of their independence and ability to age with dignity in their community,” said Steve Gardner, communications director for AARP Pennsylvania. “AARP is committed to strengthening the Older Adults Protective Services Act to provide additional protections against crimes targeting vulnerable older adults, including financial exploitation.” Anyone can report elder abuse by calling the 24-hour statewide elder abuse hotline at 1-800-4908505, or by contacting their local Area Agency on Aging and state law protects those who report suspected abuse from retaliation and civil or criminal liability; all calls are free and confidential, officials said. For the complete Wells Fargo guide to elder protection, go to https://www.wellsfargoadvisers.com/planning/life-events/ elder-protection/elder-protection-guide.htm. WI

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HEALTH Tie Between Late Diabetes Diagnosis and Pancreatic Cancer Blacks, Latinos Most At Risk By Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer Each year, more than one million Americans are diagnosed with adult-onset diabetes mellitus, also known as Type 2 diabetes. The new diagnosis comes with a long list of potential complications: high blood pressure, nerve damage, kidney disease, stroke, glaucoma and more. But for African Americans and Latinos, a diagnosis of diabetes after age 50 may also make them three times as likely to develop pancreatic cancer, according to a new study led by the Keck School of Medicine of USC published on Sunday, June 17 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. “There are very few studies on diabetes and pancreatic cancer that include Latinos and African Americans,” said

V. Wendy Setiawan, associate professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School and the study’s lead author. “Both groups have a high rate of diabetes, and African Americans, in particular, have a higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer relative to other racial/ ethnic groups. Because most people with pancreatic cancer are diagnosed at a late stage, the five-year survival rate is low — about eight percent. Identifying people who are at high risk early on could potentially save their lives.” Symptoms of pancreatic cancer typically present when the disease is in its later stages, and no screening methods currently exist. Using prospective data from approximately 49,000 African Americans and Latinos, the researchers found that people who were diagnosed with diabetes between the ages of 65 and 85 were more likely

5 Getting a check up remains vital to longevity. /Courtesy photo

to develop pancreatic cancer within three years, compared with people without diabetes. The data showed that Latinos were four times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer within three years of a diabetes diagnosis, and Af-

rican Americans were three times more likely. “What we found is that, yes, diabetes is associated with pancreatic cancer in African Americans and Latinos, but we also discovered that there is a different type of diabe-

tes here, a late-onset diabetes that’s associated with developing pancreatic cancer within 36 months,” Setiawan said. “The evidence suggests that late-onset diabetes may be an early sign of pancreatic cancer.” WI

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A TAX CREDIT OF UP TO $1,000!

The D.C. Schedule H Tax Program can provide qualified D.C. residents with a Tax Credit of up to $1,000 for property taxes or rent paid. If you are a D.C. resident age 60 or older, call the Legal Counsel for the Elderly Hotline at 202-434-2120 for more information.

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JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 21 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

EDUCATION Fight over Residency Rages on at Duke Ellington School

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

After a D.C. Superior Court judge criticized city officials in the way they’ve sought to prove its civil claims of enrollment fraud at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Councilman David Grosso said it’s time to carefully review and finally straighten out the matter. “Last month, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) issued findings of non-residency against a number of students at Ellington,” the at-large council member said. “It is unacceptable that a large number of non-resident students may be attending such a

premier institution of learning at the expense of District taxpayers. However, any implicated family who legitimately has residency in the District should be able to provide proper documentation and resolve the issue.” In an emergency hearing in the civil case filed by nine parents of Ellington students who were flagged as nonresidents of the District, Superior Court Judge Joan Zeldon said two form letters sent to parents “aren’t even close” to sufficient proof that they intentionally committed fraud. Zeldon said the District could, and should, make sure that only residents receive free tuition at Ellington, but that both attempts to craft

an appropriate letter had failed. D.C.’s OSSE sent a three-paragraph letter to parents May 9, which Zeldon said “utterly fails” to explain the basis of the determination, according to WTOP. A follow-up two-page form letter, dated May 24, explained parents had 10 days to prove residency or pay the out-of-District tuition. “You have to give the basis for each student — what’s so difficult about that?” Zeldon said. “This is a case in the public eye.” Zeldon warned lawyers for the District that she would dismiss the second letter if D.C. didn’t withdraw it and added that the implied threat to parents and students “makes this an emergency,” WTOP reported “They’re scared to death about what you’re going to do,” Zeldon said. “They do not have to live in fear.” Robert Rush, a lawyer for the District, asked for guidance on what would satisfy regulations in the judge’s eye. “It’s not my duty to give you guidance on how to practice law but give this a try: ‘We believe Jane Doe’s residence in Maryland is this address,’” Zeldon suggested. Rush said the District would try again to craft a satisfactory letter. He

5 A residency battle rages at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. /Courtesy of waymarketing.com

repeated an earlier statement that current students would be allowed to finish the school year. Representing the aggrieved parents, attorney Greg Smith asked the judge to order the investigation into each family’s residency be turned over to that family. Smith said “historically, that’s how it’s always been done in D.C.” However, Zeldon was unwilling to issue that order, saying an appropriate letter from the District would suffice. For now, the pressure facing Ellington parents was released.

“This case is dismissed. It’s over. Start again,” she said. Grosso said his office has spoken with families and, while he fully supports OSSE rigorously enforcing residency requirements, there must also be an opportunity for families to resolve inaccuracies. “I am calling today on the mayor and attorney general to figure out a way to quickly and fairly resolve these circumstances so that families can move on or avail themselves of the due process rights that they are owed,” Grosso said. WI

Montgomery County Opens the Door to African-American Culture

Heritage Days Allow Residents to See Historic Sites in Neighborhoods By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer Where to start with Heritage Days in Montgomery County, Md.? Thirteen of 40 sites give a close-up look of African American history in Maryland during a free two-day event from June 23-24. Visitors will find educational tours, historic talks, and walks through buildings where slaves and freed men and women survived under difficult circumstances. One of the stops along the Harriet Tubman-led Underground Railroad is in the county and will be open during Heritage Days. The Underground

4 Grant Langford will lead his quartet in performances at the Odd Fellows Lodge during Montgomery County Heritage Days on Saturday, June 23. /Courtesy photo

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Railroad Experience Trail at Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park in Sandy Spring shows how enslaved freedom seekers traveled through Montgomery County on their way to safety in the north. “With all of the sites open for one weekend, people can visit historic places in their neighborhood they may not have known were there,” said Sarah L. Rogers, executive director at Heritage Montgomery the organizing arm for Heritage Days. Forty settlements were established by freed African Americans in Montgomery County. Within those settlements, the church was the central gathering place. Three Heritage sites — St. Paul

Community Church in Poolesville, the Warren Historic Site buildings in Dickerson and the Odd Fellows Lodge in Sandy Spring — have churches that also were schools and meeting places, all of which have been carefully restored and maintained for present-day use. St. Paul Community Church built in 1893, also has a slave cemetery. Exhibits, reciting of oral histories, a display of artifacts, and viewing historical documents will take place at this church. The buildings at the Warren Historic Site date back to the 1860s with a church and an original one-room schoolhouse still in use. The newly renovated Odd Fellows Lodge has been a site for worship, social activities, and education for the African-American community since the early 1900s. “The Odd Fellows Lodge is a brand-new site for Heritage Days,” Rogers said. “Laura Anderson Wright, president of our Heritage Montgomery board of directors, saw the Odd Fellows building falling down. She started writing grants and secured funds to restore it.” Along with churches, the importance of education is felt at many Heritage sites. Boyds Negro School, a restored one-room structure, was the only public school for African Americans in the Boyds area from

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1895-1936. Smithville School Museum and Education Center was a Rosenwald school built in the 1920s. During Heritage Days, the Smithville School will have an ongoing film screening about the school’s history and discussions with former students. Rosenwald schools were a partnership between Julius Rosenwald, part-owner and president of Sears, Roebuck and Company and educator, philanthropist and president of Tuskegee Institute Booker T. Washington. Heritage Days also will open sites showing the living conditions for slaves in plantation settings and in homes of freed men and women. At the Sandy Spring Slave Museum, people will see a clipper ship where people can imagine the horrors of transporting Africans to work as slaves in America. Button Farm Living History Center in Germantown depicts plantation life in the 1850s. Walking through the Oakley Cabin African American Museum & Park in Olney and Harper Cabin at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton, visitors will get a feel for how newly emancipated families lived. Many people have visited the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture which has an extensive exhibit depicting the Middle Passage and how emancipated African Americans lived. Heritage Days also will display

the history of the sacrifices made by slaves and freed men and women. “You don’t have to go to downtown Washington, D.C., to capture area history,” Rogers said. “There is a lot of significant history in the county that contributes to the culture of the metropolitan area.” Showing Montgomery County’s African American history will offer more than reenactments, lectures and displays of artifacts. The Grant Langford Quintet will give a jazz concerts at the Odd Fellows Lodge. The Sandy Spring Slave Museum has will have a production that begins with a traditional drumming circle followed by gospel, call songs of the underground railroad, music of the civil rights movement, Caribbean sounds, jazz, and rhythm and blues. Heritage Days is supported by the state of Maryland, Montgomery County and Comcast. Inside the Heritage Days brochure, the African American Heritage sites are marked with a yellow icon and include descriptions of what to expect at each location. “Heritage Days offers relaxed family time for exploring,” Rogers said. “There are places to discover if you are new to the area or even if you have lived here for a while. You can go from the hustle and bustle of Takoma Park or Silver Spring and within 10 minutes you can be out in farm country.” WI

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EDUCATION

Capital Builders Center Signs Up First Students Area HBCUs Train Future Entrepreneurs

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer Fifteen incoming freshman students from Bowie State University, Morgan State University and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) were introduced last week as the inaugural group for the Capital Builders Center, part of an entrepreneurial study program at UDC. The students were introduced and cheered by their families at an event Friday that was designed like a college sports signing day. As each student came to the stage, they were given an athletic jersey with his or her name on the back. This first group welcomed into the Capital Builders Center were identified from a pool of more than 300 applicants who were evaluated through the Gallup Business Profile 10 (BP10) that looks at ten themes to become a successful entrepreneur. UDC President Ronald Mason Jr., feels this elite group of students is like signing top sports athletes. “These are mental athletes,” Mason said. “These are the young people we hope that through creativity and grit, will produce businesses that create futures.” The Capital Builder Center students will be in an 18-month entrepreneurial training program that enhances a student’s college experience through boot camps, courses, mentorships, summer apprenticeships, and real-world projects. The program has a $1 million startup grant for three years through a partnership with the Clifton Foundation. The grant will be managed by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

jersey. Hatcher will pursue a career in cybersecurity, but she also will work toward her dream of creating a T-shirt line called “Culture of Expression.” The shirts will convey a message of hope amid the oppression felt by many LGBTQ youth, teens and adults. “When I came out, my family was very supportive,” Samiya said. “But I have a friend who came out and her family has not been supportive. Her experience inspired me to create this T-shirt line, so people know they

have support.” Isaiah Koroma-Crawford, a recent graduate of Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School, aspires to own a landscaping business with multiple locations. An initial investment of $125 from his grandmother allowed him to buy his first lawnmower six years ago, and he and his friend immediately began mowing their neighbors’ yards, making $400 in their first weekend. A first-time expectant father, Isaiah sees that as a business-owner, he is

building a legacy for his baby. “As an employee you don’t own anything in the building you work in,” he said. “As an entrepreneur, you have something that you own, that is branded to your name.” A special guest at the event was Virginia Ali, who along with her husband Ben Ali, opened Ben’s Chili Bowl in D.C. The globally-known restaurant on U Street will celebrate its 60th anniversary on Aug. 22. “I’m so inspired by these young people,” Ali said. “I heard their goals and the help they are getting. I am here to encourage them.” WI

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY 5 Samiya Hatcher, a recent McKinley Tech High School graduate, poses with WUSA-TV’s Reese Waters, who was the emcee for the Capital Builders Center’s “Signing Day” event in the Great Room in the Gallup Building in D.C. on June 15.

Many of the students launched a business venture before being accepted into the Capital Builders Center initiative. During the ceremony, Gallup Chairman and CEO Jim Clifton shared his perspective about the importance of this pipeline to creating new businesses. “This is the entrepreneur’s Julliard for local high potential students that can build organizations of unlimited size,” said Clifton. “Entrepreneurship is the most important talent in America right now.” Reese Waters, host of “Get-Up DC!” on WUSA-TV (Channel 9), served as the event’s emcee. Samiya Hatcher, a recent McKinley Tech High School graduate who will attend Morgan State University to major in Information Systems, enthusiastically walked to the stage to receive her Capital Builders Center

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL America’s Deserves More Sensible Minds in a Chess Game that Has Made Immigrant Youth Pawns Even Congressional Republicans have begun to formally oppose President Trump’s controversial policy that separates immigrant children from parents who illegally cross into the U.S. But Trump remains unmoved and defiant, probably in efforts to maintain the support of his base, while neither the Senate or the House have been able to come up with a workable alternative plan. Meanwhile, Trump incorrectly puts the blame for the separation crisis on the backs of Democrats and has asked for a total overhaul of our country’s immigration laws – something that would take months to achieve. Further, the president has all but laughed in the face of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who has given his endorsement to a bill that would detain parents and children together while the courts consider their future status. So, while Trump maintains his stance on his “zero tolerance” policy, ignoring the growing number of heartbreaking stories of children taken out of the arms of their mothers, he also claims that it’s up to Congress to find a solution – as if he’s powerless to dissolve the questionable policy that he himself devised. In reality, Trump could end the growing crisis with the quick flick of his pen, using his executive authority to put an end to the family separations. He could also grant border agents and prosecutors, once again, the ability to let families stay together and be released while court proceedings continue. But Trump says he disapproves of such a move. He’s even called into question a Senate Republicans-sponsored plan that would hire hundreds of new immigration judges so that they could expedite the processing of immigrant families, indicating that many of the judges could be corrupt, adding that some lawyers who appear in U.S. courtrooms are “bad people.” Once upon a time, the U.S. stood as the world’s leading voice for protecting those who sought asylum after escaping countries where oppressive regimes and policies threatened their very existence. Now it seems that under the notion of “making America great again,” we have turned the corner that’s more familiar with despots and authoritarian regimes than the country that once professed its promise to open our gates and welcome the “tired and poor.” We can only hope that our country’s leaders will come to their senses before it’s too late for those seeking a better way of life . . . and to the hard-working citizens of America. WI

A Win for Workers D.C. voters approved Initiative 77 on Tuesday in a vote of 55 percent in favor, and 45 percent opposed. While it is extraordinary that tipped workers in the District currently receive as little as $2.77 an hour and therefore must rely on tips to sustain themselves and their families, the Initiative aims to provide a more livable wage. On the ballot, voters were asked to approve or reject a minimum wage amendment that would gradually increase the minimum wage in the District of Columbia to $15.00 hourly by 2020. It would gradually increase the minimum wage for tipped employees so that they receive the same minimum wage directly from their employer as other employees by 2026; and beginning in 2021, it would require the minimum wage to increase yearly in proportion to increases in the Consumer Price Index. While standing at the voting booth, many residents were still unclear about the details of Initiative 77 and wary of its impact. A measure that would require restaurants to pay its employees at the minimum wage reportedly did not receive the support of Mayor Bowser and several members of the Council including Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), Brandon Todd (D-Ward 4), Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), David Grosso (I-At Large) and Anita Bonds WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

TO THE EDITOR Frederick Douglass Needs a Banner in Southeast

Make-a-Wish Helps Dreams Come True

I am happy to see that activist and members of the Frederick Douglass family are advocating for his banners to commemorate his 200th birthday in historic Anacostia. The main case for this is awareness and remembrance. Douglass lived a good part of his life in Southeast and the residents there now, who may or may not know should be reminded of this great man and his rightful place in American history. Come on D.C., let’s make this happen!

It warmed my heart to see Make-a-Wish “make a wish” come true for 14-year-old Olivia Grace Jones. I wasn’t sure if kids with terminal illnesses still get these opportunities, but now I know that they still do and I am truly happy to see that. I am also happy to see African-American children getting the chance to be seen, recognized and having a dream fulfilled. How awesome is it that her wish is to travel to the motherland and experience nature’s beauty? I’m praying for her and her family. I hope they have a wonderful time in South Africa.

Rhonda Perry, Laurel, Md.

Melanie Combs, Washington, D.C.

(D-At Large). Election results indicate that voters not in favor of the measure lived primarily in Wards 3, 2 and 6, while the remainder of the District’s eight wards, where neighborhoods are both racially and economically diverse, voted yes. So, what will this measure mean for workers and restaurant patrons once implemented? Will it cause workers to lose their jobs;

and will customers be required to pay more for a meal. Some experts predict both may very well happen. Nevertheless, this measure is only one attempt to make living more affordable in the DC area which ranks #4 nationally and #6 globally as the most unaffordable city to live in for renters. It is also a way to ensure workers will get paid

regardless of a patron’s desire to tip or not – a practice that is waning and believed by some to be archaic. In the end, it’s all about good food, excellent service and fairness. We believe this will be a win for everyone, and if not, voters will need to go back to the polls and amend it. WI

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 25 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Julianne Malveaux

Shackled for Praying Faith and prayer have been the backbone of the African-American community since we came upon these shores. We have counted on our faith leaders (the roll call would include Revs. Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, James Walker Hood, Martin Luther King Jr., Wyatt Tee Walker, Jesse L. Jackson, William Barber, Vashti McKenzie, Barbara Williams Skinner and many others) to articulate

the justness of our cause and to mobilize us to work for the justice that is called for in the New Testament, especially in Matthew 25: 35-45. Our ministers are revered leaders who often stand in the face of injustice. We are not surprised, and indeed, encouraged, when their firm stands in the face of oppression lead to collisions with the law. Still, when faith leaders are treated harshly, it forces us to examine the injustice in our system. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” in 1963,

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he chided White ministers who made a public statement about his methods, suggesting that segregation should be fought in the courts, not in the streets. His letter moved the White faith community to confront some of the injustices of segregation and to form alliances with the civil rights movement. King spent 11 days in the Birmingham jail in extremely harsh conditions. However, the oppressor does not learn from its excesses. On June 12, nine faith leaders were shackled and held for 27 hours after being arrest-

ed for praying at the Supreme Court. The multicultural group of men and women are part of Rev. William Barber’s Poor People’s Campaign (A National Call for Moral Revival). Their effort is to bring attention to the amazing inequality and moral bankruptcy of our nation. Their prayers at the Supreme Court were extremely timely given the court’s recent actions to make it more difficult for people to vote in Ohio, and given the injustices this court continues to perpetuate. Like Dr. King, the nine who

were arrested — Poor People’s Campaign co-chair Liz Theoharis, D.C. clergymen Jimmie Hawkins, Graylan Hagler and William Lamar IV, and the Revs. Rob and Hershey Stephens from the Fort Washington Collegiate Church in New York City — were subjected to extremely harsh conditions. No threat to anyone, they were nevertheless shackled, placed in handcuffs and leg irons, confined to roach-infested cells with nothing to rest their heads on

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By Rep. Robin Kelly

Black Mamas Are Dying — We Can Stop It

Black mothers are dying and it’s time to do something about it. Every year, more than 700 American mothers lose their lives to pregnancy or birth-related complications. Some medical professionals estimate that at least half, if not more, of these deaths are entirely preventable. While the deaths of 700-plus American mothers should shock

us all, the statistics are much worse for African American mothers. We are three to four times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than our White counterparts. A 2010-2011 survey of maternal deaths in Philadelphia found that three-quarters of those deaths were Black mothers. These shocking statistics cut across class, education level and socio-economic status. Earlier this year, Serena Williams shared her own story of nearly losing her life. She, like too many other women,

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was ignored when she raised concerns about her own health and body. If this tragedy can befall a wealthy, world-class athlete who’s deeply in tune with her own body, it could — and does — happen to anyone. Sadly, the situation is getting worse, not better. American mothers are dying at higher rates every year. Globally, we’ve had real success in pushing down the rates of mothers needlessly dying, especial-

ly in Africa and the Caribbean. Yet at the same time, the U.S. is one of a handful of nations where the number of mothers dying is increasing. We can and must do better. All mamas deserve the chance to be mamas. That’s why I’ve introduced the “Mothers and Offspring Mortality and Morbidity Awareness Act,” or the MOMMA Act, for short. This comprehensive legislation takes a multi-pronged approach to ending maternal mortality through

increased access to care, expanded culturally-competent training and standardized data collection. Currently, one of our greatest challenges in addressing the rising rate of maternal mortality is a lack of good data. We need to standardize data to find trends and protocols that work to save lives. The MOMMA Act also establishes and enforces national emergency obstetric protocols and ensures the sharing of best practices

KELLY Page 45

By Elizabeth V. Primas

Parental Engagement Secret to Academic Success

The National Family Engagement Summit of 2018 was held in Richmond, Va. Throughout the summit, multiple opportunities were provided for attendees to interact with some of the nation’s leading experts in parent and family engagement. Participants came from near and far. Over 300 teachers, parents, administrators, and community activists participated, presented, networked, taught and learned strategies to increase family engagement. One presenter described the difference between

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involvement and engagement as the level of commitment, stating, “It’s like you’ve got a ring on it! You’re not just passively attending a few parent-teacher meetings, but you’re planning, making decisions, running for the school board and more.” The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), speaks specifically to parent and family engagement. Data highlighted examples of the successful impact parents can have when they are present in their child’s school. One presenter pointed out that, “Parents tend to be extremely involved with students in the early elementary grades. They bring them to school, speak with the teacher

frequently, and are more likely to volunteer for field trips, classroom activities, and attend parent-teacher meetings.” However, around the third grade, parents start to reduce their involvement. They attend fewer meetings, volunteer for field trips and other events less, and seldom spend time in the building. In some cases, they may have only met the teacher just once. When students reach third grade and began to socialize more independently with friends, parent engagement often wanes. It’s not surprising that after requiring almost, constant supervision that parents breathe a sigh of relief when their children gain

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newfound independence. However, these are the times when our children require increased attention, specifically our young Black males. There is significant data to show a correlation between K-12 completion, literacy, and adulthood incarceration. The NAACP reported that African Americans are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of Whites and, nationwide, African-American children represent 32 percent of children who are arrested. Blacks make up just 13 percent of the U.S. population. Patterns such as absenteeism, delinquent behavior and academic apathy correlate with high suspension rates and subsequent incarceration.

ESSA places increased priority on parental engagement and requires states to provide innovative strategies to incorporate parental and family engagement into a school’s decision-making and planning. ESSA stresses two-way communication. This requires teachers, and administrators to reach out to parents in clear, concise, relatable ways that encourage feedback and input at every level of implementation. Some nontraditional communication strategies include social media use, e-newsletters and short surveys. Administrators and teachers are encouraged to

PRIMAS Page 45

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnists

By Raynard Jackson

We Must Support Media Groups that Support Us

I was recently honored, along with several of my media colleagues, by the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association (MMCA) at the group’s annual awards dinner. The group was founded by Aaron Manaigo and David Morgan. The expressed purpose of the MMCA is to bring together policymakers, political influencers and media stakeholders to affirm, elu-

cidate and connect media diversity advocates and stakeholders, who are committed to moving the needle on media diversity. Aaron and David are being nice and politically correct with the stated mission of the MMCA, so allow me to interpret for you what they are really saying. In reality, the MMCA is a direct response to the lack of diversity and the overwhelming Whiteness of the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA).

The WHCA is an exclusive group of mostly White, liberal journalists who pretend to be “objective” journalists. In reality, the WHCA is an unofficial extension of the Democratic Party and the eyes and ears of liberal Hollywood on the East Coast. The WHCA is notoriously known to be the hosting organization that allowed Black comedian Larry Wilmore in 2016 to call the first Black president, Barack Obama, “my n---a” while Obama was sitting on the dais. Wilmore

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and the WHCA called it a “term of endearment.” At the WHCA’s annual dinner in late April, fake comedienne Michelle Wolf made jokes making light of abortion and ridiculing White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ physical appearance. Since the founding of the WHCA in 1914, Black journalists have had little to no significant involvement in the organization or its leadership. Thus, the need to create the

MMCA. I was awarded the 5th Estate’s New Media Print Award for my writings as a syndicated columnist for the National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA) Newswire. The NNPA Newswire is like the Black version of the Associated Press. The NNPA is a trade group that represents more than 200 Black newspaper publishers from across the country. Cathy Hughes, the founder and

JACKSON Page 46

By William Reed

The Richest Blacks in the World

The majority of rich Blacks aren’t American, but African. According to Forbes 2018 ranking of the world’s billionaires, Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote, with a net worth of $14.7 billion, is the world’s richest Black person. Dangote, who amassed his wealth by selling cement, is an investor and owner of the Dangote Group, which has interests in commodities in Nigeria and other African countries. His company

produces 44 million metric tons of cement annually. He also dominates the sugar market in his country. Dangote’s great-grandfather Alhassan Dantata was Africa’s richest man at the time of his death. Here are the next 10, according to theroot.com: 2. Mike Adenuga: $5.4 Billion - Mike Adenuga, a native of Nigeria, supported himself by working as a taxicab driver in New York while attending Pace University for his MBA. By the age of 26, he had made his first million selling lace

and distributing soft drinks. Now he owns the second-largest cell phone provider in Nigeria and one of the country’s most profitable oil firms. 3. Robert F. Smith: $4.4 Billion - Robert Frederick Smith is an American businessman, investor and philanthropist. Smith made his money in venture capital after leaving Goldman Sachs and Kraft Foods. A former chemical engineer and investment banker, he is the founder, chairman and CEO of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners

Askia-At-Large

4. Oprah Winfrey: $2.7 Billion - Despite her OWN network, Harpo Productions, her return to TV as a “60 Minutes” correspondent and her stake in Weight Watchers, most of Oprah’s fortune comes from her years as a TV host. She also owns O, the Oprah Magazine. 5. Isabel dos Santos: $2.6 Billion - Isabel dos Santos is listed as an independent businesswoman who represents her own interests, but she acquired her massive wealth when

her father, José Eduardo dos Santos, transferred stakes in several Angolan companies to Isabel before stepping down in 2017 as president of Angola. 6. Patrice Motsepe: $2.5 Billion - In 1994, South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe bought a low-producing gold mine and made it profitable. By 2008 he had become the first Black African billionaire, and he currently runs a private-equity firm and owns a soccer club.

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By Askia Muhammad

Trump, ‘Master’ Deal-Maker

The sad thing about there being a lying, egomaniacal sex fiend who admits to peeking at and groping women as president; the sad thing is that so many people want to be just like him. For example, a female congressional candidate made an ad for herself with a gun sitting on the table beside her. In Nevada a pimp — who legally operates several brothels in the state — has won a Republican congressional nomination. In Virginia, the GOP Senate nominee is a certified for-

mer Nazi party official. The Trump family “charity” is being sued by New York’s attorney general for — among other things — paying $10,000 for a portrait of one Donald J. Trump that was hung in one of his golf resorts. Real “charitable” giving, those guys. Now, photos have emerged showing the inside of a former Walmart in Texas that’s been converted into a detention center for 1,500 migrant children who’ve been snatched from their parents. The walls of the jail are lined with murals depicting American history and leaders, including one of Trump with the

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caption — in both English and Spanish — reading, “Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war.” The quote is from Trump’s book, “The Art of the Deal,” about his unsuccessful effort in the 1980s to drive tenants from rent-controlled apartments in order to tear down their buildings and replace them with a luxury high-rise. If we know one thing about this Dude, it’s that he’s a “deal-maker,” and he mistakenly believes the world is full only of people like him, eager to make a deal, and that’s it. So it might be with the recently concluded, short-on-details,

de-nuclearization agreement The Donald signed after the first ever face-to-face meeting between a sitting U.S. president and a North Korean leader. “There is no longer a Nuclear Threat from North Korea,” he proclaimed in one of a series of early morning pronouncements, adding that everybody “can now feel much safer than the day I took office” and people could “sleep well tonight!” What a guy! “Somebody Got Punked in Singapore,” Russell Honorė, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. who formerly commanded U.S. troops along the DMZ, said via

Twitter, and told me again in an interview. “When I say ‘somebody got punked,’ the expectation that we’re on a road toward denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is far, far, far, from ever happening,” Gen. Honorė told me in an interview. “The only card Kim has is the nuclear weapon and his conventional forces. At the end of the day we have an uncoordinated declaration that we’re going to stop exercising. If we stop exercising, we stop training.” The lack of training, he explained, would certainly affect

ASKIA Page 46

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 27 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LIFESTYLE DJ QuickSilva: Overcomes Tragic Youth with Music

Rises from Ghetto to Glory on Wings of ‘Never Give Up Spirit’ By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir When one of the District’s most formidable disc jockeys, DJ QuickSilva, takes to the stage as part of a varied yet talented lineup of entertainers during this year’s Summer Spirit Festival in early August, many of his listeners probably won’t know the daunting challenges he once faced but somehow managed to overcome. In fact, given the cards he held during his youth, it’s nothing short of amazing that now at 37,

the husband, father, nightclub owner, entertainer and highly-sought-after DJ could even muster the fortitude needed to remain focused and positive, refusing to allow his circumstances to define his future or circumvent his potential. Thus, while he’s racked up a bevy of awards, successfully branded himself both regionally and nationally and owns one of the largest nightclubs in the U.S. in his beloved hometown of East Baltimore – a city long-associated with crime and economic

The Best of the DMV Preps decay – he says his objective remains the same: “I want to show the next generation, those who look like me, that you can come from Baltimore and still become somebody – that it’s possible.” “I started my career as a DJ when I was only 10 after seeing the movie ‘Beat Street’ and remember asking my parents for a set of turntables for Christmas. That was the beginning, 1990, and I’ve never looked back,” he said, noting that after turning pro in 1994 and quickly asserting himself in both nightclubs and on the airwaves, he only wanted one thing: to make himself the first and the best ‘QuickSilva’ that he could. “It’s important to me that people understand that even if you’ve faced or face circumstances similar or even worse than what I endured during my youth, you can make it as long as you don’t give up,” he said. Consider this: at 10, his mother died from cancer; at 13, he faced permanent paralysis following a gunshot wound – regaining the ability to walk nine months after his injury; at 18, his father died, leaving him and his two

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5DJ QuickSilva /Courtesy photo

brothers, one older, one younger, alone with no option but to forge for themselves. He says his brothers looked for ways to numb both the pain and devastating losses they’d collectively suffered. But he looked in more positive directions for solutions that would help him overcome the unfortunate vicissitudes of his childhood. “I stayed focused on my music always believing that it would one day save my life,” he said. “Music is still my life. I play everything from hip hop to R&B, from reggae, dance hall, go-go, gospel and calypso and view myself as an entertainer who happens to DJ.” “It’s important for me to clearly illustrate that the negative stereotypes about us, folks who came from the tough streets of Baltimore, Black folks, fall far short of accurately describing who we are or what we can accomplish,” said the clearly proud father of two who recently marked his ninth wedding anniversary. “You rarely hear about young people getting and staying married. It’s rare to hear about young adults who have no children outside of marriage. I spend any free time I have with my family – showing them things I never saw, taking them places that I once thought only existed in the movies. Taking my wife to dinner, going to my daughter’s recital or my son’s bas-

ketball game – those are the things that I enjoy the most. Sometimes we need to get away from the noise, enjoy the silence and slow down so we better enjoy life.” DJ QuickSilva says he looks to other industry stars like Jay-Z whose meteoric rise from the projects to hip hop royalty and success as an entrepreneur remind him that “you don’t have to be the perfect person from a perfect past in order to achieve your dreams.” Fresh off a recent gig in Cancun, he talked about his feelings after earlier being invited to participate in C D Enterprises, Inc. annual summer cavalcade that features a mixture of local talent and nationally-acclaimed superstars. “The vision that Darryll Brooks and his team had and their ability to bring their festival to the area has always impressed me,” DJ QuickSilva noted. “There aren’t many festivals where you get a mix of everything. With the size of the audiences that come out, folks like me can let ourselves go and have the time of our lives. As a DJ who plays every genre of music imaginable, it’s a privilege just to be invited to the stage.” “Trust me – I’m bringing my very best to the stage because this festival has made a name for itself as only showcasing the best of the best.” WI

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for the summer spirit Festival

New on the Block ‘Dynamic Duo’ Takes Go-Go to Greater Heights Ms. Kim and Scooby Merge Rich Histories, Create Unique Style By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir Ten months ago, “differences of opinions” served as the catalyst for two well-known Go-Go artists deciding to leave their former group and to take a “leap of faith” and form their own band, The Dynamic Duo. Now, as they anticipate both celebrating their one-year anniversary and their debut performance at the Summer Spirit Festival 2018, both taking place in August, more and more opportunities continue to come their way – from the Carolinas, Philadelphia and Miami to and the Dominican Republic – confirming what the band’s founders, Frank Sirius aka “Scooby” and Ms. Kim Michelle, the First Lady of Go-Go, say they’ve known for years – “the future for Go-Go on the worldwide stage remains ripe for the taking.” “Our roots are here in the DMV and D.C. is the home of Go-Go, so whenever we’re playing in the area, we get great support – it always feels like home,” Scooby said. “But the outside world still hasn’t gotten the full grasp, the experience, that comes when you hear Go-Go live. That’s the only way it can really be appreciated. Ironically, that’s also our greatest challenge because it’s so expensive to travel with an entire band. Go-Go doesn’t have solo artists – it’s all about the band and the sound.” The band’s members hail from Southeast to Annapolis with music being the constant among them and fixture in their lives since childhood. For Scooby, once a lead singer for the trend-setting Go-Go band L!SSEN, dubbed the “Godson of Go-Go” because of his heart-pounding melodies and smooth, vocal skills, pursuing a career in music has been his goal since he began playing in the streets of Southeast as a little boy before taking the first of many significant steps after joining the group L!SSEN shortly after his matriculation at Eastern High School in Northeast. “The live band era is kind of extinct these days, but we thrive with it. We fuse sounds and techniques

from the digital age with hip-hop, the highly-percussive beat and vibe of Go-Go, soul, R&B and everything in between. Being invited to the Summer Spirit Festival is a real honor – it’s the premier summer concert for the African-American community and its audiences are huge. All of the best artists are there. And with less than a year under our belt as a band, we’re excited about the opportunity.” “Ms. Kim is large, a trendsetter among female Go-Go artists, a homegrown sister and a woman who’s extremely easy on the eyes. She’s been singing since forever and she’s proven herself. When we all go out on that stage, we bring a lot of energy, original music and a combination of sounds that we believe makes us special, different – even unique.”. “We’re from D.C. and D.C. has a sound that’s really hard to duplicate. That’s our trump card, our ace in the hole. We’ve learned to embrace that sound and to keep the audience involved as much as we can. That’s what playing and listening to Go-Go is all about.”

LIFESTYLE 3The D.C.-based band Dynamic Duo, which features Ms. Kim Michelle, “the First Lady of Go-Go” and Frank Sirius aka ‘Scooby,’ will bring their go-go sound and a whole lot more when they appear on stage at the upcoming Summer Spirit Festival 2018, Aug. 4-5, at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD. /Photo courtesy Dynamic Duo

EDITOR’S NOTE: Readers may recall that Ms. Kim previously performed with the Go-Go band Rare Essence during which she reached a new milestone for women in the musical genre after she recorded Ashlee Simpson’s hit song, “Pieces of Me,” cranking up the vocals and fusing the go-go sound, taking the DMV by storm and rising to the top of the area’s hip-hop, R&B and pop charts. WI

“Our roots are here in the DMV and D.C. is the home of Go-Go, so whenever we’re playing in the area, we get great support – it always feels like home.”

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– Scooby

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 29 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LIFESTYLE

UniverSoul Circus Returns to DMV for 25th Anniversary Tour Ringmaster Boasts of Big Top’s Breathtaking Bedazzlement By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir

Two years ago, when this writer first spoke with and subsequently met the multi-talented Lucky Malatsi, a South African native who worked his way up the ranks to eventually become the ringmaster for the world-famous UniverSoul Circus, his fairy tale story seemed almost impossible to believe. But for Lucky, now 29, who first joined the North American, single-ring big top sensation at the age of 10, and who remains firmly entrenched at the helm, he can’t imagine life without the music, laughter and unparalleled artistry that he and his fellow performers exhibit show after show. “We’re on the road for 10 months and for many of us, like me, this is all we’ve ever known. Even more, this is not a job. For me, and for our ever-growing audiences, the UniverSoul Circus is all about fun. So, while some might see our schedule as one that’s grueling and difficult, as far as I’m concerned, it brings great enjoyment, satisfaction and love into my life,” said Lucky who has held jobs that include contortionist, acrobatic hip-hop dancer, trapeze artist, teeter board flyer, trampoline artist and acrobatic-dunking whiz kid prior to his being pegged as ringmaster. But what’s so different about the UniverSoul Circus and how has it been able to survive when so many businesses fail before their second year and when other former industry leaders like Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailer Circus found themselves forced to close [May 2017] after decades of unequalled success? Ringmaster Lucky says he has the answer. “We’re an interactive circus and we have performers who come from all over the world yet believe in the oneness, the unity of humankind,” he said. “As we celebrate our 25th year, we are proud to continue to show the beauty of cultural diversity – something that defines us and makes us unique – while also sharing the joy that comes from embracing such diversity with our many fans and supporters.” “We’re mostly celebrating the world, the global family, and we can 5Ringmaster Lucky Malatsi. only hope and pray that in a world /WI file photo

5High steppers entertain the crowd. /Photo courtesy UniverSoul

30 JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

more separated now than ever before, that we can show the way toward believing and living in a way that illustrates the fact that we are members of one family who must find ways to co-exist in one world.” Along with Cirque du Soleil, UniverSoul Circus remains rated as one of the top two circuses in America. Since its founding in Atlanta 25 years ago by concert and theater promoter Cedric Walker, it has continued to add to its circus acts, theater and music with a cast of international performers who have contributed to its emergence as a perennial favorite for entire families. Ringmaster Lucky says he has a job that many can only dream about. “The party never ends, even when the lights go down, and we all believe, without question, that we’re the greatest show on earth,” he said. “We really are just one big family and even find ways to communicate despite differences in language. My role is to keep the show going, to think on my feet and to interact with our audiences between each act. People forget a lot of things as time goes on, but they always remember how you made them feel.” WI

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‘Out/Spoken’ Gives Voice to LGBTQ Community

LIFESTYLE

D.C.’s Annual Pride Show Promises Laughter and Tears By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir D.C.’s highly-acclaimed storytelling ensemble, Story District, stands poised to showcase LGBTQ spokespersons sharing poignant reflections about their lives, guaranteed to invoke laughter, tears or inspiration, when the organization presents their annual event highlighting those who both embrace and live their lives with “pride.” “Out/Spoken,” now marking in its eighth, consecutive year, kicks off on Thursday, June 21 at the 9:30 Club (815 V Street, NW) with a power-packed lineup of District residents whose names, accomplishments and contributions have secured them places of honor within the Greater Washington Area. One of the featured speakers, Rayceen Pendarvis, a Mayor’s Arts Award finalist, a former Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, as well as an entertainer, columnist and activist, has become a fixture in the LGBTQ community over the past several decades receiving a host of awards including Go Gay DC’s “Person of the Year.” But for the self-described “father of five and mother of many,” sharing our stories remains critical because they “provide strength and encouragement to the leaders of tomorrow.” “I grew up in a very religious home with two strong parents and after my dad’s untimely death, my mother, left to raise five sons on her own, never strayed from teaching us the importance of living in our truth while always allowing us to be free,” said Pendarvis, 68, a native Washingtonian who hosts a popular monthly community forum, “Ask Rayceen,” at the HRC Equality Center in Northwest. “I’m not sure my story is unique but it’s mine. I remember calling a family meeting during my sophomore year in high school after one of my brothers heard me having a phone conversation. I came out then and there. And it wasn’t a big deal because I had an affirming mother who has always been my greatest ally and my hero,” Pendarvis

5Rayceen Pendarvis /Courtesy of Rayceen Pendarvis

said. “Nothing that I’ve experienced up to this very moment has been a surprise. There’s been pain and triumph and I wouldn’t change one thing. I tell others that their story is important because it’s part of the fabric of life. Their story and my story – our stories – are American stories. I’ve never wanted to be different. I am proud and happy to be LGBTQ. I’ve been able to live my dreams, to be accepted, valued, honored and loved.” “Most of all, I’ve learned that happiness comes from within and it allows me to be free. I believe that being ‘Rayceen’ gives hope to the next generation. Storytelling had recently become a lost art, so I’m pleased to see that its importance has increased and become more relevant today. We must tell our stories especially our LGBTQ stories. We have that right as Americans. Despite our differences, we are America.” Additional storytellers will include: Phill Branch, Phil Reeves, Molly Graham, Rebecca Buckwalter-Poza, Jean Montooth, Saida Agostini and Michael Sainte-Andress. WI

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LIFESTYLE

Rappers Rebound from Shooting, Talk North Korea Trip

reported. “What if the performance you’re at was a movie? But cameras don’t shoot bullets in the movies. Don’t live my life like you live in a movie. Don’t know what’s real or what’s fake in a movie. It’s gonna be over, gonna end like a movie,” he rhymes over a looping beat. Pacman and Peso still think about their journey to the DPRK and the attention it brought them. Despite Peso’s hardships, he said his unlikely trip to Pyongyang still inspires him. “I was basically living the dream I always wanted to live,” he told the station. “It changed my life big time because I was doing something different than being on the streets doing something totally wrong. It got my mind set on doing something bigger than this. Living my life on the streets.” Pacman and Peso hope more people will discover their music and experience it firsthand, just as they hope more Americans can travel to the DPRK and see the country firsthand like they have. In the pair’s recent interview with The Informer, Pacman touched on what they hoped is a promising future — one they’re still pursuing. “I always loved hip-hop, but I started rapping seriously in middle school,” he said. “I was doing different things with different people on the local music scene but none of it ever came together like it was supposed to until now.” When asked about the then-upcoming trip to North Korea, Peso expressed enthusiasm and said it was a chance to prove doubters and haters wrong. “We didn’t know it would be this big of a deal, but the response has been crazy,” he said. “There were a lot of naysayers and people who said we couldn’t do it, so it feels good to prove them wrong.” WI

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

5Pacman and Peso /Courtesy photo

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It was just four years ago when two Southeast rap stars Pacman and Peso sat were planning an unprecedented trip to North Korea to film a hip-hop music video. The song and video, “Escape to North Korea,” was a hit on iTunes and the two appeared to be raising their international appeal one step at a time. “Everyone thought we were going [to North Korea] for some type of political thing,” Peso said. “They even thought the song was political, but I put my own little swag on it to say that there is no difference between North Korea and where I stay at.” Today, the pair, who has worked with D.C. producers DB Bantino and DJ Vega, are still taking it one step at a time. In Peso’s case, the young artist hopes he’ll literally be able to walk again. In a heart-stopping national interview with CGTN America, Peso, who raps that it could be safer in North Korea than in his own neighborhood, revealed he’s recovering after being shot four times back home in Southeast in 2016. He raps, “They say it’s dangerous, well my streets be a hell zone.” While he doesn’t talk much about the details of the shooting, Peso now relies on a wheelchair and the support of his friends. “I ain’t gonna lie, I lost myself for a minute,” Peso recently told CGTN America while sitting in his wheelchair, waiting for his production team to arrive for a recording session in Anacostia. “It was about eight months. … I even stopped listening to music for a couple months. I stopped doing things I would do for a couple months.” His eyes filled with tears as he recorded a new song in a basement studio, CGTN America

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LIFESTYLE

DC JazzFest Brings Diverse Music Mix to D.C. Wharf The cast of Ain’t Too Proud—The Life and Times of The Temptations at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Photo by Joel Dockendorf/Berkeley Repertory Theatre

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer It was an interesting lineup for the final weekend of DC JazzFest. Saturday night’s opener at the Anthem was Maceo Parker, the legendary R&B/funk saxophonist for James Brown. Parker, also a sideman with Parliament-Funkadelic and Prince, had the audience cheering after each chart-topper from his own catalog and hits from James Brown, Ray Charles and the Isley Brothers. Robert Glasper performed with his second “new” supergroup in the past four months, R+R=NOW, a dynamite, cohesive ensemble with arrangements that pay homage to jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis. The group’s first selection, a rendition of Hancock’s 1974 composition “Butterfly,” immediately captured the audience’s attention. Trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah was a standout throughout the set. “Collagically Speaking,” the first album from R+R=NOW, was released on June 15. Headliner Leslie Odom Jr., who won Tony and Grammy Awards

for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in “Hamilton,” also won accolades from the Anthem audience for his interpretations of classic songs. The Nat King Cole medley was superb and could have lasted longer, but as he acknowledged to the audience, he knew what they wanted to hear. “The Room Where It Happens” from “Hamilton” was the cherry on top of Odom’s set and the crowd was more than satisfied. WI

5Leslie Odom, Jr. performs at the District Wharf in Southwest to the delight of jazz lover during the closing event of the DC JazzFest on June 16. /Photo by Roy Lewis

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LIFESTYLE

wi A book review

Horoscopes

ARIES You start the week with a lighthearted and playful spirit. And with lovely Venus opposing Mars and chatty Mercury linking to fervent Pluto, there should be plenty of options for discussing, conducting business, and making new and lucrative connections. Mars in your social sector could encourage you out and about, which will lift your spirits. But there might be some tension surrounding certain issues, especially over this week when sensitive feelings may cause upset. Someone you meet or work with might want to take control, perhaps putting you into a spin. Lucky Numbers: 12, 19, 29

“Note to Self”

collected and introduced by Gayle King c.2018, Simon & Schuster $20 ($27 Canada) 162 pages

TAURUS Trust your intuition - your friends and colleagues appreciate your sensitivity. A brand-new idea or direction that inspires you could boost your mood. The cosmos suggests that you should be bold and not afraid to try something different. You could discover that good luck or the kindness of others gives you all the courage you need. Lucky Numbers: 3, 26, 54 GEMINI Lovely Venus in your communication zone could pique your interest in getting out and doing something different. It’s a great week for a gathering of friends and enjoying fun times, especially if you’re willing to move in new circles. When it comes to your career and goals, ethereal Neptune turns retrograde on Monday, which could bring one or two realizations your way. They may not happen overnight, but you may become aware of the flaws in a plan or ambition over the coming days and weeks. When you do, that will be the time to act. Lucky Numbers: 11, 12, 26

Note to Self Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Listen up. Pay attention. Eyes forward, ears open. You’ve heard those things before in your life, and now you say them to yourself, your kids, and your employees. But do they hear what you say now … or, as in the new book “Note to Self,” collected and introduced by Gayle King, will your words ring back in the future? When she was just 9 years old, a classmate told Gayle King that she would be his slave, were it not for Lincoln. Stunned, she ran home to tell her mother, who comforted her with words King still remembers — but it made King wonder what she, as the woman she is today, would tell that “skinny little 9-year-old girl…” if she could send her young self a message. In her Emmy-nominated series for “CBS This Morning,” she gives opportunities for others to do the similar. Beginning with Oprah, King’s best friend, there are words of comfort for a young woman who was dating the wrong man: “I use the word beautiful because… that’s never a word you would call yourself.” Kermit the Frog admits that he’s “green with envy” for the possibilities ahead for the frog he once was. Former Vice President Joe Biden advises his 12-year-old self to look forward, because there’s great adventure ahead. NFL player Ryan O’Callaghan advises his younger self to “Breathe.” From Dr. Ruth, who was orphaned by the Nazis: “… your bravery will be rewarded.” Tyler Perry thanks his young self for thriving. Architect Frank Gehry says, “Once you find your passion… work your tail off…” John Lewis advises himself to always remember the words of Dr. King: “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” Surround yourself with those you love. Hug often. Examine your mistakes. Have fun. And remember that people can be “meaner or crueler or wetter or prettier … but they can’t be more human than you.” If you could, would you become 18 years old again? For most people, the answer is “yes,” but only if they can take their knowledge back with them. It’s a moot point, of course — you can’t, and you can’t — but “Note to Self ” sets forth an intriguing exercise. It also offers a chance for reflection on a sleepy summer afternoon, too. There’s a good mix of inspiring, gracious and grateful tales inside this book, from those with stardom already in-pocket, to a few that may not be household names quite yet. Some of the tales are exactly what you’d expect, while others may surprise you with candor and reasoning. TV host and story collector Gayle King explains how she received these stories and others like them; she then lays down a few rules, and leaves blank pages for readers’ own Notes to Self. This is not a difficult book to read. With its short, quick chapters, it practically begs to be browsed in office or commute, and it’ll make a great grad gift. Truly, “Note to Self ” is a book you’ll pay attention to. WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

CANCER Ethereal Neptune turns retrograde at the start of the week, and its backward phase could coincide with certain realizations. These may not occur over the coming days but in the weeks and months ahead. You could realize that you’ve been misled by certain beliefs. Once you gain this understanding, it would be wise to do something about it. On a more positive note, lively Mercury aligns with jovial Jupiter on Tuesday, and this could bring a very upbeat opportunity your way. It might be creative or romantic, but whatever it is, you could find it very rewarding.. Lucky Numbers: 31, 33, 42 LEO Where there’s a will, there’s a way! This week certainly has a social aspect to it. You seem to be brimming with positive energy and happy thoughts on the inside and the outside. In addition, a relationship may grow stronger if you can communicate with total honesty. Be careful that you don’t ruffle someone’s feathers at work. Your association with a certain colleague might require careful handling. Lucky Numbers: 13, 23, 53 VIRGO With expressive Mercury, your guide planet, making a harmonious alignment with upbeat Jupiter in your sector of communication, the start of the week could be quite uplifting. Opportunities to work more closely with someone might prove very rewarding and net you a new and supportive friend. Lucky Numbers: 21, 37, 52 LIBRA A chance to boost your income or take advantage of a golden opportunity could be yours early in the week. However, with lively Mercury also aligning with ethereal Neptune in your work zone, it might be a good idea to investigate this more deeply before you commit. With some discussion, this could work out very well for you. Lucky Numbers: 7, 13, 25 SCORPIO If you’re offered an opportunity to travel, accepting it could work out very well. If you’ve been busy for some time and are now in need of a break, this could be the perfect chance to kick back and relax. In addition, with lively Mercury aligning with ethereal Neptune in your sector of romance and creativity, it’s possible that getting away from it all could result in a charming encounter. And it might have romantic potential, too, if you’re open to this. Lucky Numbers: 10, 50, 53 SAGITTARIUS The cosmos is encouraging you to trust your instincts, especially early in the week when they might lead you to an opportunity that you would otherwise miss. Your intuition can be a guide in other ways as well, so it would be worth paying attention to those subtle messages that come to you from within. Lucky Numbers: 12, 23, 46 CAPRICORN Ethereal Neptune turns retrograde in your sector of communication on Monday, so the coming weeks and months could bring insights into a situation that has eluded you. If you get a glimmer of understanding about what’s going on, this is the time to do something about it. Don’t leave it until it’s too late. Lucky Numbers: 32, 36, 51 AQUARIUS Chatty Mercury’s link with positive Jupiter on Tuesday could bring good news on the work front when either an offer or opportunity seems too amazing to pass up. With luscious Venus in your relationship sector moving to oppose feisty Mars in your sign on Thursday, an encounter could have quite an impact on you. In fact, it could dominate the days ahead and leave you wondering how you might get to know this person better. Lucky Numbers: 2, 6, 28 PISCES On Monday, nebulous Neptune turns retrograde in your sign and will remain so for some months, which can be a good thing. Neptune retrograde can bring powerful realizations and insights to key situations, and these could lead to a breakthrough. This may not happen right away, but things could begin to change over the weeks and months ahead. Lucky Numbers: 20, 25, 38

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 35 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

COLSON from Page 13∆13

DC COUNCIL from Page 1

family for any comment, Downs lightly tapped James Colson on the chest. Colson, holding a folded American flag with a button of his son pinned on his suit, said he couldn’t comment on the advice of his attorney. Sheila Colson stood calmly next to her husband while holding a picture of their son dressed in his police uniform. Other family members attended the press conference in Upper Marlboro, but didn’t comment. Downs said the family, who resides in Pennsylvania, has several family members who served in law enforcement including Jacai Colson’s grandfather. When a grand jury chose in July 2016 not to indict Krauss, family members “were disappointed and outraged at the fact there were no criminal charges filed despite all the evidence,” Downs said. “This is not an easy decision for the family of Jacai Colson,” he said. “This is a family that has believed in the rule of law. They wanted to get to the bottom of what happened to their son.” John Erzen, spokesman for the county’s state’s attorney’s office, said Michael, Malik and Elijah Ford — the three brothers who attacked the police station — are responsible for the Colson’s death. Erzen said Colson’s parents had access to documents in the office, call the office, receive updates on the investigation and walked the scene to where the shooting took place at District III police station in Palmer Park. “We understand this is a grieving

academically qualified to progress to the next grade, but who would have been denied that advancement due to absences, to advance nonetheless. Gray hopes to also address the lack of African-American male teachers and personnel at early childhood education levels. “It would be wonderful if we could get more of our African-American males involved in pursuing early childhood education as a career,” Gray said. “We’ve put money in the bill to go to the University of the District of Columbia to create more stipends and scholarship opportunities for young folks to go to UDC. My focus would be to include more African-American men,” he said. Gray noted the need to do more to attract Black men to preschools. “This is also a way of helping to combat Black men not being in the lives of children; to help them get degrees or training in being prepared to take on working with our youngest children,” he said. Although Gray’s father was integral in his upbringing, the councilman still counted others as additional role models. “Many children don’t have a role model in their life and it would mean a lot to have a surrogate in the classroom,” he said. At the scheduled upcoming hearing, Council also intends to address the recent authorization of construction of a helicopter pad at George Washington University Hospital. Items in the bill include $234,163 to create a team at the Office of the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute elder abuse and financial exploitation of seniors. It also includes a $100,000 salary scale for child development center employees, as much as $276,00 to fund returning

5Jason G. Downs, attorney for family of the late Prince George’s County Detective Jacai Colson, answers questions from reporters on June 14 about a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the county and the fellow police officer who fatally shot Colson during a 2016 ambush on a police station. /Photo by William J. Ford

family and grieving over the loss of their son, their grandson and brother,” Erzen said. “We as a community grieve with them. From the standpoint of the criminal investigation, we believe that there has been 100 percent transparency and we have shared everything with them that we have.” The March 2016 ambush was carried out by the three brothers, who decided to attack a police station and record the incident on cellphone video. The lawsuit, filed six days before Father’s Day on June 11, alleges Krauss, who is White and remains on the police force, shot Colson despite 911 calls describing the suspect as heavyset Black man with dreadlocks. Although Colson was Black, he stood 5-9 with an athletic build, a short Afro haircut and a beard, ac-

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36 JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

cording to the suit. Plus, the suit claims, Krauss and Colson worked in the same building and adjacent desks. Colson, 28, who served as an undercover officer and was off duty during the attack, assisted fellow officers and returned fire. The suit said Colson could be heard shouting during the gunbattle, “Police! Police!” It also claims Krauss fired two shots from behind a wooden fence and a third, fatal shot about 95 yards away from behind a brick wall, hitting Colson in the chest. Police found Colson’s badge “laying between his left shoulder and left hand.” “Krauss’ conduct lacked legal justification and was motivated by ill will, intent to injure, actual malice, or reckless disregard for human life,” according to the 14-page suit, which seeks an excess of $75,000 for compensatory and punitive damages. In October 2017, Malik and Elijah Ford both pleaded guilty to various charges. Malik Ford, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted second-degree murder, use of a handgun in commission of a felony and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He will serve up to 20 years in prison. Elijah Ford, 20, in school at the time of the shooting two years ago, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. He will serve at least 12 years in prison. Both will be sentenced after the October trial of their older brother, Michael Ford, 24. Authorities said he planned to shoot at the District III police station in Palmer Park and asked for his brothers’ help. Michael Ford faces several charges, including second-degree murder, 11 counts of first-degree assault and six counts of attempted murder. “Our heart goes out the Colson family,” said County Executive Rushern L. Baker III. “Their son was a beautiful officer for us. [Colson] put his life on the line to make Prince George’s County safer. They have to do as a family what they feel best. We want closure for the family, as much closer as possible.” WI

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citizens initiatives which would require Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration to contact homecoming inmates from other states for six months, linking them with housing and employment. The budget will also offer small businesses in the District up to $5,000 in a tax credit for firms that generate less than $2.5 million in revenue with the purpose of offsetting rising costs of real property taxes which could lower or eliminate those businesses’ minimum franchise tax bill and possibly bring about a tax rebate. Reportedly, the other program is $13 million for residents, churches and non-profits that face disproportionately high water bills due to impervious surface fees needed to fund infrastructure to redirect sewage overflows away from the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. Additionally, the city’s sales tax will set aside 0.3 percent to fund the Commission for the Arts and Humanities and its grantmaking authority for approximately $30 million a year. For Gray, education and the Southeast hospital are key components of legislation that appears to have something in it for everyone in the District. “There’s $300 million in the budget [for the hospital] that’s spread out. It was in 2021 that the first funds were to be available, but now that’s been moved forward to 2019,” he said. “My goal is to have this completed by December 31, 2021 and that’s more than doable. When we look at it, it only took 22 months to build the baseball stadium which is more complicated than building a hospital. If you have the will, it’ll get done,” Gray said. After the budget is sent and approved by Bowser, Congress will have until Oct. 1 to respond or the bill automatically becomes law. WI

5D.C. City Councilwoman Anita Bonds (D-At Large), center, chats with voters June 19 outside of Goodwill Baptist Church in D.C. during the city’s primary election. /Photo by William J. Ford

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RELIGION Celebration Reconnects Local Caribbean American Community to Roots By Jacqueline Fuller WI Religion Writer @JacquelineF1017

The Institute for Caribbean Studies (ICS) recently partnered with the Church of the Holy Comforter, an Episcopal church in Northwest, to hold a Worship service in celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, giving Caribbean expats an opportunity to connect to their culture and faith. The purpose of the June 3 service was to highlight people of Caribbean heritage, their work and successes in the United States.

The founder and president of ICS, Dr. Claire Nelson, wanted to have a faith-based celebration as part of the activities happening during the month. She said that it is important to let the public know that Caribbean people do things beyond carnivals and festivals. Participants during the service included Thelma Phillip-Browne, ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis, who did a reading from the book of Samuel. The guest preacher was the Rev. Dr. Bertram Melbourne from Howard University School of Divinity. During the sermon, Melbourne

PURGE from Page 1 (CBC), said the court’s decision failed to protect the fundamental right of Americans to vote. “From Citizens United, to Shelby v. Holder now to Husted, voting rights are under attack,” Fudge said. “Enough is enough.” Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority that states are allowed to purge voters who are inactive and do not respond to requests to confirm their residency. “A state violates the failure-tovote clause only if it removes registrants for no reason other than their failure to vote,” Alito said. Yet voting advocates remain angry. “This decision demands that the NAACP and like-minded organizations redouble their efforts to ensure that voters of color are registered and prepared to vote in this fall’s elections,” said NAACP General Counsel Bradford Berry. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor pointed out that the conservative majority decision upheld a law that has disproportionately disenfranchised low-income and minority voters. “Communities that are disproportionately affected by un-

“This decision demands that the NAACP and like-minded organizations redouble their efforts to ensure that voters of color are registered and prepared to vote in this fall’s elections.” – Bradford Berry NAACP General Counsel necessarily harsh registration laws should not tolerate efforts to marginalize their influence in the political process, nor should allies who recognize blatant unfairness stand idly by,” Sotomayor said. Since 2011, Ohio has purged more than two million voters from its rolls and Black voters are more likely to be purged than White voters.

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encouraged the congregation to build bridges of hope and understanding and making a difference, talk about the contribution with others and use technology to keep the stories alive. “If heritage is not talked about and celebrated, it will be forgotten,” Melbourne said. Also in attendance was Michael Yates, chair of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Advisory Commission on Caribbean Community Affairs. On June 6, he received a proclamation from the mayor’s office in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month at the Inclusive Innovation Incubator. Notable people of Caribbean ancestory include Alexander Hamiltion, the first secretary of the U.S. Treasury (Nevis), Colin Powell (Jamaica), Malcom X (Grenada), Beyonce (Bahamas), Usher (Haitian), Rhianna (Barbados) and Nia Long (Trinidad). Recently, the ICS inducted journalist Joy-Ann Reid, whose mother is from Guyana, into its Wall of Fame. The history of Caribbean American Heritage Month began when, according to the National Caribbean American Heritage Month website, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted a bill sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee. On Feb. 14, 2006,

5Thelma Phillip-Browne, ambassador of St. Kitts and Nevis, reads from the Book of Samuel during a June 3 event at the Church of the Holy Comforter in Northwest to celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month. /Photo by Jacqueline Fuller

the resolution similarly passed the Senate. The Proclamation was issued by President George Bush on June 6, 2006, and has been issued each year since. This year, the ICS is also cele-

brating its 25th anniversary. The organization was established in 1993 and is dedicated to education and advocate on issues that affect Caribbean Americans. WI

African-American neighborhoods in downtown Cincinnati had 10 percent of their voters purged due to inactivity since 2012 while only 4 percent of voters in majority White suburban neighborhoods were removed. Voting advocates believe the Ohio ruling may prompt Republicans in North Carolina to pass additional voting laws that will disenfranchise low-income and minority voters. Last week, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R) introduced a bill to amend the state’s constitution to require photo identification to vote in future elections. “This latest proposal by Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly isn’t about protecting our elections,” said Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), a member of the CBC. “It is about suppressing the vote.” Another bill introduced into the state’s General Assembly would eliminate early voting on the last Saturday before Election Day. In 2016, African-American voters made up 29 percent of the nearly 200,000 ballots cast in North Carolina on the last Saturday before the election.WI

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 37 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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of their guests are homeless and others are food-insecure. On June 10, a worship service was held at Allan Chapel AME Church in Southeast. Interfaith Power and Light, a faith-based environmental organization, facilitated a workshop called “Sacred Grounds” at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Temple

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The Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) recently held its first Washington Area Day of Unity, part of an initiative to help combat bigotry and violence against religions and faiths. The IFC invited local faith communities in the region for the June 9-10 event to support and connect with each other by organizing interfaith events. The event was part of the Washington Interfaith Response and Outreach Coalition, a grassroots project that initiates public demonstrations of solidarity by and for individuals and groups throughout the region in response to religiously motivated threats and attacks. “IFC’s annual Day of Unity is a new initiative in the D.C. area to continue construction of a bridge of understanding over the chasm of bigotry which threatens our community and our world,” said Rabbi Gerry Serotta, IFC executive director. There were four corresponding events in D.C. and neighboring Prince George’s County. The first gathering on June 9 was a free community breakfast, with volunteers feeding the homeless at Calvary Episcopal Church in Northeast. They have been serving breakfast for 70 to 100 people each week for 30 years. Many

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Hills, Md. The workshop explained how to reduce stormwater pollution on their property, clean the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and encouraged faith communities to become good stewards of the earth. At the Masjid Muhammad in northwest D.C., also known as the Nation’s Mosque, hosted an interfaith panel and Iftar. The theme for their discussion was “Faith Communities Together and the Universal Kinship of all People.” The panel of various faiths gave brief presentations after a short film on Christian and Muslim communities that came together during a trip overseas. As a regional and multifaith network, the coalition is both response and prevention-oriented. It offers ways to respond to incidents such as vandalism, hate speech or provide educational and social opportunities to prevent religious discrimination. They also have partnerships with representatives from D.C., Montgomery County and Prince George’s County in Maryland, and Virginia’s Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. WI

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RELIGION THE RELIGION CORNER

Refrain From Judgment with Lyndia Grant Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? — Matthew 7:1-6 (NIV) When you stop judging and simply become an observer, you will know inner peace. With that sense of inner peace, you’ll find yourself happier and free of the negative energy of resentment. A bonus is that you’ll find that others are much more attracted to you. A peaceful person attracts peaceful energy. Let me repeat that: A peaceful person attracts peaceful energy. Refrain from judging others — you have not walked in their shoes, therefore, you do not know what has brought them to this place whether that place is positive or negative. Only God know everything about you and me. Thusly, let us stop judging others. America would be in a much better place today in regard to race relations if we would only stop judging African Americans from those negative news stories. Last month for my 67th birthday, my family treated me to a cruise to Bermuda, my first! Mt. Zion Baptist Church Reverend John W. Davis Pastor 5101 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. “A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold”

My entire family was together. What a blessed time! The family has never had such a grand time. Each night, as we gather in the formal dining room for dinner, the others around us acted as if they had never seen such a large gathering of African Americans, looking so well dressed, and with good manners, poised and acting like we belonged there. Another example of a Black family doing something other than what they show on the evening news! I mention that because several Caucasians said to me “I’ve been watching you and your family, what a lovely family you all are!” We never thought anything about us, we are simply who we are, as so many of you all are out there, reading this column. Our race of people is so often judged. Haven’t you heard them say they were afraid because they believe the majority of Blacks are packing guns, thieves, ready to do something to someone, when the exact opposite is true? Millions of African-American families are successful, their children and grandchildren are too. That kind of news simply does not make it to the evening news. In fact, though I struggled without my ex-husband, I was able to get my son into Morehouse College. The entire family was so pleased when he graduated, that we all drove an 18-passenger van to attend his graduation. Then later, he continued his education, graduating from the University of Maryland University College, earning his masters in finance.

He earns above six figures! Yes, I am a proud mother. You will not get that on the news. In fact, my sons must watch themselves, as they drive while Black too. If I’m to be a person of love, living from my highest self, that means that love is all I have inside of me and all that I have to give away. If someone I love chooses to be something other than what my ego would prefer, I must send them the ingredients of my highest self, which is God, and God is love. Are you guilty of judging others? When I find myself criticizing or condemning others about the way they think, feel and act, regardless of how right and moral I feel my thoughts, feelings and actions are, I must refrain from this, and live life the way scripture says in Matthew 7. WI

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

(301) 864-6070

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jmccollum@jmlaw.net

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr. 1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005 Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

www.mtzbcdc.org

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JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 39 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor 9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 Fax: 301-499-8724

Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 a.m. 7 10:00 a.m. Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 p.m. Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor 700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849 Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00am 5th Sundays: 9:30am 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30pm www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Church of Living Waters

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., Pastor

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor

Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor

Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor

2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org

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

4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30am 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00am Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30pm Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30pm Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30pm Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30pm Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00am “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00am Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment

1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661

Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00am Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30pm Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

Crusader Baptist Church

E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org “God is Love”

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

St. Stephen Baptist Church

Third Street Church of God

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

Drs. Dennis W. & Christine Y. Wiley Pastors

Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor

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

Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) (202) 562-4219 (Fax)

5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555

1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office 202-638-1803 fax

610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00am Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30pm

Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30pm (dinner @ 5:30pm) Sunday School: 9:00am – Hour of Power

Blessed Word of Life Church

www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 am Sunday Church School: 8:45 am Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 pm Thursday: 7: pm “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher 4275 4th Street, S.E. Washington, DC 20034 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School 8 – 9 AM Worship Service 9 – 11 AM Tuesday Night Bible Study 6:30 – 8:00 PM Wednesday Daytime Bible Study 11 AM – 12:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: faithdefender@verizon.net

40 JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

“An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantbaptistdc.org

Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Church School: 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45am Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 pm Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30am “We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 am “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church

Sunday Worship Service: 8 AM and 10:45am Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45am; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45am; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6am & 6:30pm Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org emailus@gmchc.org

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:20 a.m. Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net

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

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

Mount Carmel Baptist Church Reverend Gerald H. Hesson Interim Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10am themcbc.org

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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church

All Nations Baptist Church

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor

7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471

2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591

2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730

Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Service 11:00 a.m. Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com

Zion Baptist Church Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:15AM Sunday School: 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church Shall; Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, and Exalt Our Savior. (Acts 2:41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 pm Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

Israel Baptist Church

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor

2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office • (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!

623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 Fax (202) 483-4009

4504 Gault Place, N.E. Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 8:00am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

“Where Jesus is the King”

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Rev. Richard B. Black Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor

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

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

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

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 A.M. Sunday School: 8:30 A.M. Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 P.M.

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10: am Holy Communion: First Sunday 10: am Sunday School: 9: am Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30pm Motto: "Faith On The Hill"

Mount Moriah Baptist Church

Eastern Community Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 P.M Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 P.M. Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

New Commandment Baptist Church

Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

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

8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240

13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am & 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm

Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

Rehoboth Baptist Church

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

Salem Baptist Church

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

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

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 am Baptismal Service: 1st Sunday – 9:30 am Holy Communion: 1st Sunday – 11:00 am Prayer Meeting & Bible Study: Wednesday -7:30 pm

Emmanuel Baptist Church

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

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 p.m. Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 p.m. Noonday Prayer Every Thursday

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Rev. Joan E. Buchanan Executive Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 7:30am Worship Service: 11:00am New Member’s Class: 9:45am Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00am Church School: 9:45am Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00pm Saturday Bible Study: 11:00am Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00am

Service and Times 9:30AM. Sunday Church School 11:00 Am. Sunday Worship Service The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Wednesday 7:00pm Prayer & Praise Services 7:30pm. Bible Study Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries 10:30am A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

Christ Embassy DC

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

“Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class 8:00 am Sunday School 9:00 am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:00 am Wednesday Service 12:00 pm

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 A.M. Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 P.M. Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 P.M. Prayer Service Bible Study

“The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Shiloh Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

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

Worshiping Location Knights of Columbus - 1633 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD 20744 (240) 838-7074

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

917 N St. NW - Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-4294

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

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10 am Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 am 1st Sunday Baptism: 10: am 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10 am Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 pm Prayer Meeting: 7:45 pm

Service and Times Sunday Morning Prayer Service: 8:00 a.m. Sunday Church School: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m. Third Sunday Baptismal & Holy Communion:10:30 a.m. Tuesday Church At Study Prayer & Praise: 6:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

The Church Where GOD Is Working.... And We Are Working With GOD

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 am Sunday School: 9:00 am Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer / Bible Study: 6:15 pm - 7:20 pm (Tuesday) Theme: “The Kingdom Focused Church” Matthew 6:33 and Mathew 28:18-20, KJV Email: stmatthewsbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

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

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

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

JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 41 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

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

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Foreign No. 2018 FEP 000078 September 2, 2017 Date of Death Ajit D. Shah Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Sanjit Shah whose address is 10010 Clue Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Ajit D. Shah, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland. Service of process may be made upon Lauren Biehl, 4949 Astor Place, SE, #301, Washington, DC 20019 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 estate: 631 D Street, NW #1038, Washington, DC 20004. 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: 6/7/2018 Sanjit Shah Personal Representative Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

2018 NRT 000022

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

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000561

Abdool Shaeed Akhran Name of Deceased Settlor

Administration No. 2017 ADM 001436

Administration No. 2018 ADM 608

Timothy Dansby, Jr. aka Timothy Cat Dansby Jr. Decedent

NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST

Clementine E. Williams Decedent

Floyd H. Chapman Decedent

Evelyn Parchment, Esq. 7826 Eastern Avenue NW Suite 410 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Juanita Walker, whose address is 6308 Suitland Rd, Suitland, MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Timothy Dansby, Jr. aka Timothy Cat Dansby, Jr. who died on June 11, 2017 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/7/2018. 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 12/7/2018, 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: 6/7/2018 Juanita Walker Personal Representative

Abdool Shaeed Akhran, (Name and address of deceased Settlor) whose address was 3232 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010 created a revocable trust on September 24, 2014, which remained in existence on the date of his death on July 3, 2017 and Joscaira Akhran, whose address is 3232 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to Joscaira Akhran at 3232 13th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010. The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expenses of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances. Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before December 14, 2018 (6 months after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1) July 3, 2018, (One year from date of death of deceased settler) (2) December 14, 2018, 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification. This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the turst and any other person who would be an interested person with the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101 (d).

Washington Informer

Dianne C. Beasley, whose address is 9483 Vess Court, Waldorf, MD 20603, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Clementine E. Williams who died on August 9, 2017 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/14/2018. 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 12/14/2018, 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: 6/14/2018

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000452

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000597

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000447

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000626

James Ranson Melvin Decedent

Jesse C. Watkins aka Jesse Calvin Watkins Decedent

Statford L. Smith, Jr. aka Statford Lafayette Smith, Jr. Decedent

Peggy J. Douglas Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Joseph L. Melvin, whose address is 340 15th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Ranson Melvin who died on March 7, 2018 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/14/2018. 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 12/14/2018, 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: 6/14/2018 Joseph L. Melvin Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Ottis C. Watkins, whose address is 441 Manor Place, NW, #3, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Jesse C. Watkins aka Jesse Calvin Watkins who died on March 11, 2018 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/14/2018. 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 12/14/2018, 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: 6/14/2018 Ottis C. Watkins Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Date of first publication: 6/14/2018

TRUE TEST COPY

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

Attorney

Viola Lynch Croxton and Margo E. Chapman, whose address is 1715 Franklin St. NE, Washington, DC 20018 and 805 Glenway Dr., #301, Inglewood, CA 90302 were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Floyd H. Chapman who died on June 17, 2015 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/14/2018. 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 12/14/2018, 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.

Viola Lynch Croxton Margo E. Chapman Personal Representative

Washington Informer

Anne Meister Register of Wills

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

Dianne C. Beasley Personal Representative

Date of First Publication: Name of Trustee June 14, 2018 Joscaira Akhran

TRUE TEST COPY

Kathy Brissette-Minus 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 230 Largo, MD 20774 Attorney

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

Nakia V. Gray, Esq. 9701 Apollo Dr., Suite 100 Largo, MD 20774 Attorney

LEGAL NOTICES

Lynn H. Johnson, Esq. 1413 K Street, NW, Suite 1500 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Nikita Smith, whose address is 2076 Rock Lake Loop, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Statford L. Smith, Jr. aka Statford Lafayette Smith, Jr. who died on April 11, 2018 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/21/2018. 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 12/21/2018, 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.

James Larry Frazier, Esq. 918 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Smithy H. Burch, whose address is 2606 18th Street, SE, Apt 1, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Peggy J. Douglas who died on March 27, 2010 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/21/2018. 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 12/21/2018, 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: 6/21/2018

Date of first publication: 6/21/2018

Smithy H. Burch Personal Representative

Nikita Smith Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000137 Doris W. Berry Decedent Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Deborah Berry, whose address is 6203 8th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Doris W. Berry who died on November 5, 2017 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/21/2018. 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 12/21/2018, 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: 6/21/2018 Deborah Berry Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

42 JUNE 21 - 27, 2018

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000620

Administration No. 2018 ADM 000621

Clayton Joshua Lang, Jr. Decedent

Charles William Amos Decedent

Joan M. Wilbon, Esquire 1120 Connecticut Ave, NW, 1020 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Robert L. Bell, Esquire 245 Farragut Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 Attorney

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

Malik Joshua Lang and Dalila Lang-Hubert, whose addresses are 6020 3rd Street, NE, Washington, DC 20011 and 10450 S.W. 19th Street, Miramer, FL. 33025, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Clayton Joshua Lang, Jr. who died on April 3, 2018 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/21/2018. 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 12/21/2018, 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.

Barbara Jackson, whose address is 6103 Sagefield Lane, Harrison, TN 37341, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles William Amos who died on April 29, 2018 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/21/2018. 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 12/21/2018, 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: 06/21/2018 Malik Joshua Land Dalila Lang-Hubert Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2018 ADM 000619 Alton M. Wright aka Alton Michael Wright Decedent Janet W. Blassingame, Esq. 1413 K Street, NW Suite 1500 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Fred Wright, Jr., whose address is 2601 North Capitol Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alton M. Wright aka Alton Michael Wright who died on March 17, 2015 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 12/21/2018. 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 12/21/2018, 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: 6/21/2018 Fred Wright, Jr. Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

Date of first publication: 6/21/2018

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READERS & MUSIC LOVERS. 100 Greatest Novels (audio books) ONLY $99.00 (plus s h.) Includes MP3 Player & Accessories. BONUS: 50 Classical Music Works & Money Back Guarantee. Call Today! 1-866-680-1822

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Diabetes/Cholesterol/Weight Loss Natural Product for Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and weight. Physician recommended, backed by Human Clinical Studies with fast acting results within 30 days. Call to hear about our special offer 866-640-5982

Trust No. 2018 NRT 000025 William Lewis Pitts Name of Deceased Settlor NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST William Lewis Pitts whose address was 3023 14th Street NW, Apartment 813, Washington, DC 20009 created a revocable trust on June 29, 2017, which remained in existence on the date of his death on February 1, 2018, and Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to Aimee D. Griffin, Trustee at 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015. The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expense of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances. Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before 12/21/2018 (6 month after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1), 2/1/2019 (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2), 12/21/2018 (6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification.

ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a FREE Talking Meter and diabetic testing supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful finger pricking! Call 888-421-1874 SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS. You WIN or Pay Us Nothing. Contact Disability Group, Inc. Today! BBB Accredited. Call For Your FREE Book & Consultation. 888-649-5110 Attention Joint & Muscle Pain Sufferers: Clinically proven all-natural supplement helps reduce pain and enhance mobility. Call 888-760-5952 to try Hydraflexin RISK-FREE for 90 days. HEAT YOUR HOME FOR 5¢ AN HOUR! Portable infrared iHeater heats 1000 sq. ft. Slashes your heating bills by 50%. FREE Shipping too! Use claim code 6239 WAS $499 NOW $279 Call 1-866-784-5182 CADNET AUTOS WANTED CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! All Makes/Models 2002-2018! Any Condition. Running or Not. Top $$$ Paid! Free Towing! We’re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-985-1806 EMPLOYMENT 25 TRUCK DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED! Earn $1000 per week! Paid CDL Training! Stevens Transport covers all costs! 1-877-209-1309 drive4stevens.com FINANCIAL IRS TAX DEBTS?$10k+? Tired of the calls? We can Help! $500 free consultation! We can STOP the garnishments! FREE Consultation Call Today 1-855-823-4189 MISCELLANEOUS KILL BED BUGS! Harris Bed Bug Killers/KIT. Available: Hardware Stores, The Home Depot, homedepot.com DIATOMACEOUS EARTH-FOOD GRADE 100% OMRI Listed-Meets Organic Use Standards. BUY ONLINE ONLY: homedepot.com

This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d).

Were you an INDUSTRIAL TRADESMAN (machinist/boilermaker/pipefitter etc) and recently diagnosed with LUNG CANCER? You may be entitled to a SIGNIFICANT CASH AWARD. Risk free consultation! 877-781-1769

Date of First Publication: 6/21/2018

Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Significant Cash Award. Call 866-428-1639 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket.

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ELECTIONS from Page 1 Muriel Bowser,” she said to an energetic group of supporters at Town in Northwest. “We’re not taking our foot off the gas. This was the primary. The election is in November.” Still, not everyone seemed pleased with the results. During Bowser’s victory speech, members of DC’s Black Lives Matter movement interrupted her, dissatisfied because of an increase of murders of Blacks. They chanted, “Who do you protect? Who do you serve?” The mayor did not reply but her supporters yelled, “Four more years!” Unofficial results show Bowser received 58,431, or 80 percent, of the votes tallied. The runner-up, James Butler, an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Ward 5, received 7,532 votes. Thousands of voters endured

heavy rain part of the day Tuesday which may have created a decrease in voter turnout. A total of 84,517, or 18 percent, votes got cast in Tuesday’s primary, down from 27 percent in the 2014 primary. Nearly 14,500 Washingtonians chose to cast their ballots during early voting. “We need to do a better job of getting people more interested in voting, so we can make sure that the leaders we have make decisions on our behalf – decisions we want,” said Tanya Kinlow, the third person to vote at her Ward 8 voting poll who later picketed for her daughter, Tiye Kinlow, in her bid for At-large committeewomen of the Democratic State Committee. Before the rains came Tuesday, Moniqua and Maurice Sawyer voted at Shepherd Elementary in Northwest and cast their ballots for Bowser.

Moniqua Sawyer, 52, a D.C. public schools teacher, wants the city to ensure “all students, special education students as well, receive the services that are optimum and not just bare minimum.” Even in heavy rain and with a severely swollen leg, Lisa Jackson still voted at her polling place, FerebHope Elementary in Southeast. Jackson, a hospitality worker for PeopleReady staffing agency in Hyattsville, said one reason she voted for Bowser stems from the mayor’s push to increase more money for Metro. “She’s a good mayor,” Jackson said. “Even in all this pain, I was going to vote for her and just vote, period.” Charles Ferguson, a Ward 5 resident, said the city needs more affordable housing, human and social services, for needy families and individuals and re-entry programs for returning citizens. That’s why he picketed for James Butler as mayor. “We need a change,” Ferguson said. “Ms. Bowser hasn’t gotten the job done.” Besides Bowser, all five council members in contested races won their Democratic primary contests. According to unofficial results, here’s how they fared: • Council Chairman Phil Mendelson picked up nearly 46,000 votes against Ed Lazere who received 27,261. • Approximately 9,394 voters chose Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) over Lisa Hunter, who garnered 4,340 votes. • Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1) received 5,263 votes ahead of second place Sheika Reid with 1,471. • Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5) with 7,245 votes ahead of runner-up Gayle Hall Carley who received 1,572.

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• Anita Bonds (D-At Large) with 37,012 votes in front of Jeremiah Lowery with 16,914 and Marcus Goodwin with 16,663. Goodwin, who received support from the late Marion Barry’s widow, Cora Masters Barry, said he learned about running a city-wide campaign. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said in an interview before he gave a concession speech before dozens of supporters at HalfSmoke restaurant in Northwest. “I want to make sure going forward we continue this momentum and . . . create successful youth and inter-generational support. I want to make sure a new vision for the city is fulfilled.” In other contests, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton won her primary contest by more than triple the voter output, moving her that much closer to marking her 15th term in Congress.

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D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine and Councilwoman Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) ran unopposed which puts them on the path for re-election in the general election in November. Meanwhile, voters also approved a controversial and confusing measure known as Initiative 77, which would end an exemption that allows businesses to pay less than the minimum wage to tipped workers such as restaurant waiters and bartenders. The Council must still approve the measure which, to date, does not seem to have enough support for the initiative to become enacted into law. The measure passed with 44,353, or 55 percent, of the vote; compared to 36,090, or 45 percent who opposed. Businesses would have to pay workers a minimum wage of $12.50 an hour that increases to $15 per hour by 2020. According to current law, the minimum wage for tipped employees currently stands at $3.33 and will increase up to $5 by July 1, 2020. Several voters against the measure wore “Vote NO #77” buttons. Kyre Williams, a bartender, stood outside a Ward 5 polling station to discourage voters from approving the proposal. As an independent voter, Williams couldn’t vote in the primary because the city’s primary is closed to voters not registered as a Democratic, Republican, Liberation, or Statehood Green. “It will influence [customers] not to tip,” said Kyre Williams, a bartender said. “The idea is for [customers] to trust that that hourly wage [of $15] is good enough and we all know $15 an hour is not enough.” WI Intern Lauryn Hill contributed to this report. WI

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MALVEAUX from Page 26

ly make your way to the viewing rooms in California or join the livestream online. Participants who pre-register and are present in either location are eligible to win grand prizes. Register today by visiting www. nnpa.org/essa/events. WI

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schedule meetings that accommodate parents with different hours of availability. ESSA does not dictate the ways in which schools are required to engage parents. However, educators should recognize the crucial role parental partnerships play in preparing students for college and careers. This summer, the National Newspaper Publishers Association will host its second National Black Parents’ Town Hall Meeting on Educational Excellence. The conversation on parent engagement will continue at the Gethsemane Community Fel-

lowship Church on Tuesday, June 26, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. EST. This event will be livestreamed and for the first time, NNPA ESSA will host two viewing rooms in California — one in Los Angeles, and the other in San Francisco. If you are not able to join us in Norfolk, Va., you should certain-

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PRIMAS from Page 26

to have worked with the amazing women and men who helped us craft this important legislation to save mothers’ lives. It’s the product of months of work with families, mothers, doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas and policy advocates. I’m deeply humbled to have the support of Black Women’s Health Imperative, the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the National Urban League, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and many others. As a mother, I was lucky enough to experience two happy, healthy pregnancies. I want the same thing for every mother and family: a healthy, happy pregnancy and child. WI

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between practitioners and hospital systems because, if it’s working, we want every doctor to know about it. Additionally, the MOMMA Act would expand access to care by ensuring that mothers retain their Medicaid coverage for one year after giving birth, the entire postpartum period. Right now, mothers lose their coverage just two months after giving birth. However, many women face significant health challenges, often weeks and months, after giving birth. One mom who spoke at my press conference unveiling the bill suffered a childbirth-related stroke

20 days after giving birth. Furthermore, we know that postpartum depression and other health challenges face new mothers; expanding access to care will ensure that moms remain healthy as they raise their families. Finally, the MOMMA Act would improve access to culturally-competent care throughout the care continuum. For decades, we’ve known that culturally-incompetent care has had massive and negative impacts on our community and our health. In 2018, it’s time to train health professionals to give appropriate care to all patients, regardless of their race. I could not be prouder to have introduced the MOMMA Act or

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KELLY from Page 26

To shackle clergy simply for praying is to exhibit a peculiar form of cruelty and inhumanity. Shackling is reminiscent of enslavement; shackling is a method of humiliation; shackling is an attempt to use the harsh lash of unjust law on the backs of those who pray for just law. Lamar, who has been arrested on three consecutive Mondays for protest action, said that the June 12 arrests and treatment were the harshest he has yet experienced. In Washington, D.C., people who are arrested for protesting are usually given a ticket that requires a court appearance and a likely fine. What did the shackling say about the hallowed sacredness of the “Supreme” Court? Shackling clergy for praying is like condemning the sun for shining. Unjust law enforcement can shackle arms and legs, but not movements. Harsh treatment of leaders in the Poor People’s Campaign only strengthens resistance against injustice, racism, poverty, and ecological devastation. WI

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but a metal slab. This is the 21st century, but you wouldn’t know it by the way these clergies were treated. Yet, their actions and those of the Poor People’s Campaign are writing the contemporary letter from the Birmingham jail. Their brief incarceration, in the name of justice, is part of a larger movement to bring attention to increasing poverty and injustice, even in the face of economic expansion. Like Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign, this 21st century Poor People’s Campaign, launched 50 years later, is an attack on poverty, racism and militarism, and also ecological devastation and our nation’s “moral devastation.” At the 2018 Rainbow PUSH International convention on June 15, Barber railed against interlocking injustices that did not begin with our 45th president, but have been exacerbated by the depravity he represents. In a rousing address that wove humor, statistics, public analysis and a scathing attack on our nation’s immorality, Barber argued

that “the rejected,” which may comprise more than half of our nation, will lead to the revival of our nation. Who would have thought that nine faith leaders would be among the rejected? Who would have thought that Dr. King would have been? But Dr. King eagerly embraced the status of “rejected.” He once preached, “I choose to identify with the underprivileged. I choose to identify with the poor. I choose to give my life for the hungry. I choose to give my life for those who have been left out of the sunlight of opportunity.” Rev. Liz Theoharis told Democracy Now’s Amy Goodman that the conditions she and fellow clergy experienced, while uncomfortable, were the same conditions poor inmates experienced. That’s the power, in some ways, of the Poor People’s Campaign. Clergy and others are forcing the issue, lifting their voices, making connections, claiming the discomfort and pain of the rejected, embracing the fact that they, too, are among the rejected.

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7. Folorunsho Alakija: $1.7 Billion - Folorunso Alakija is a Nigerian businesswoman, Beginning her business career with a fashion label, Folorunsho Alakija managed to secure an oil license in Nigeria in 1993. Now her oil-mining operation has partnered with Chevron and will likely keep pulling crude from the ground until 2024. 8. Michael Jordan: $1.65 billion - Michael Jordan’s wealth comes from endorsements, his shoe empire and his ownership

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chair of Urban One, former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien and radio talk show host and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain were also honored by the MMCA. For a complete list of awardees, go to http://mmcadc.org. Herman Cain and I will never be recognized by MMCA’s counterpart, the WHCA. Why? The answer is very simple. The WHCA will never honor us, because we are Black, Republican and conservative. So we don’t fit the liberal media narrative. This, even though we both have a body of work that could easily justify receiving such recognition. Isn’t it amazing that U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) has never received an Image Award from the NAACP or has never been recognized by the National Urban League? This, despite Scott being the first Black U.S. senator from the state of South Carolina, the first Black Republican elected to the U.S. Senate since the election of Ed Brooke (R-Mass.) in 1966, and the first, Black U.S. senator elected from

REED from Page 27

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JACKSON from Page 27

the readiness for combat among the 32,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. The North Korean leader apparently did not have to make any commitment of any similar reduction of military forces on his side, in exchange for the U.S. agreement. Honorė got me to thinking. “I think if Kim gives up his nukes today he will not make it back home,” Honorė tweeted during the summit talks. “I wish I am wrong I spent 3 years along the DMZ as Co & Div Commander.” I thought Honorė was referring to the “Libyan model” which Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had referenced once in the lead-up to the summit. But no. Honorė was not referring

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the South since 1881. Surely, Sen. Scott’s political party could have absolutely nothing to do with him being overlooked for any recognition by these groups. After all, they claim that they are non-partisan. Right? Isn’t it amazing that the National Association of “Liberal” Black Journalists (NABJ), has never, I mean never, honored Dana White?

WHO IS DANA WHITE?

Well, Ms. White just happens to be “the Pentagon Chief Spokesperson for both the Department of Defense and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis,” according to her biography on the Defense Department’s website. Ms. White serves as the “Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. She is the principal staff assistant and adviser to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense for communications, news media relations, public outreach, engagement, public affairs and visual information.” So why would the NABJ not recognize her? Could it have anything to do with her being Black and Republican, even though she is the first Black female to occupy such stake in the Charlotte Hornets. Jordan purchased a majority share of the NBA franchise in 2010 for $175 million. He now owns 90 percent of the team, which has an estimated value of $1.05 billion. 9. Mohammed Dewji: $1.54 Billion - Mohammed Dewji, Tanzania’s only billionaire. He inherited his wealth. Dewji’s father founded METL — a conglomerate that trades in textiles, flour, beverages and edible oils — in the 1970s. Dewji has signed the “giving pledge,” promising to give at least half of his fortune to charity. to the U.S. takedown of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, after he surrendered his nation’s weapons of mass destruction programs, and was left virtually defenseless against U.S.-instigated rebels. No. Honorė said that North Korea’s generals would have engineered a coup d’état against the ruler whom Trump views as invincible, and someone he could size up in “less than a minute.” Suppose North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un is not the invincible ruler, but rather a figurehead, beholden to a posse of generals who hold the real power in the country? What would that do to Trump’s gamesmanship model? “We gave something. We got nothing,” Honorė insisted. “We gave two things. We met

a position? During the eight years of the Obama presidency, a Black woman never held such a position. So, as with most Black organizations, the MMCA was birthed out of necessity, not out of some fascination with “identity politics.” The group was created, because of mainstream media’s refusal to recognize the contributions of minority media professionals in any meaningful way. Aaron Manaigo is a Republican, David Morgan is a Democrat. Both with party credentials at the highest levels from their respective parties. The list of awardees during this year’s MMCA awards dinner cut across political parties, races, and backgrounds. Each honoree could and should have been recognized by the mainstream media, as well as the American society, as a whole. I strongly urge you to support the efforts of the MMCA, not only because they were wise enough to recognize me (wink, wink), but also because it’s much needed. MMCA looks like America and when groups look like America; then America starts to look like us. WI 10. Strive Masiyiwa: $1.39 Billion - Strive Masiyiwa launched his Zimbabwean cell phone company in 1998 and owns a majority share in his company as well as the corporation that provides fiber-optic networks and satellite services to telecom companies across Africa. 11. Mohammed Ibrahim: $1.18 Billion - Mohammed “Mo” Ibrahim founded Celtel, one of the first cellphone companies in Africa and the Middle East. He sold his company in 2005 and walked away with $1.4 billion. WI with him, and we offered to stop our semi-annual exercises” of combined force: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, along with comparable forces from the South Korean Army. “We’ve got to train together. If we don’t train together, we will not be able to fight together, and that’s our biggest deterrent is our ability to bring our combat power. “If we stop training, we lose our ability to respond, without any corresponding requirements for the North Koreans to back their artillery out of the range of Seoul,” Honorė said. “We got nothing.” So, the groove-maker, deal-maker, may have gotten “played” by the “boy dictator” who may really just be a figurehead, posing as a tough guy. Ha! Have I got a deal for you! WI

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JUNE 21 - 21, 2018 47 THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

CHEVROLET AND NNPA JOIN TOGETHER TO OFFER HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS A $15K FELLOWSHIP! The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) is excited to partner with the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox to present Discover the Unexpected (DTU) â€“ an amazing journalism fellowship. Selected DTU Fellows from Historically Black Colleges and Universities earn a $10,000 scholarship, $5,000 stipend and an exciting summer road trip in the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. Join our DTU Fellows on this multi-city journey as they discover unsung heroes and share stories from African-American communities that will surprise and inspire. DTU is back and better than ever! Are you ready to ride? #ChevyEquinox, #Chevy, #NNPA

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