The Washington Informer - June 29 2017 by The Washington Informer

Juneteenth or July 4?

Redskins Josh Norman Steps on The Scene

VOL. 52, NO. 37 • JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

Prince George’s Native #1 Pick in NBA Draft - Page 4

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

TRUMP Page 11

Omari Hardwick, star of hit tv show Power poses on the red carpet during the season 4 premiere on Thursday, June 8 at the Newseum in Northwest . /Photo by Shevry Lassiter.

JUNE 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 6

Check out the WI Bridge Center Section

Thousands May Die From Obamacare Repeal, Study Says

CBC to Trump: ‘Your Policies Affirmatively Hurt Blacks’ Fearing a second meeting with President Donald Trump would be nothing more than a photo opportunity or just a social gathering in the Oval Office, the Congressional Black Caucus [CBC] has sent a letter to the White House declining the invitation. CBC Chair Cedric Richmond (D-LA) said the historic congressional organization previously sent communications to Trump back in January which shared the priorities of the CBC as they relate to the African-American community. Richmond noted that the group has remained serious about the work of advancing the interests of Blacks and the goals of the CBC. “As a result, we took advantage of every opportunity to educate you on the needs of the Black community and provide you with the information and solutions necessary to act on them in good faith,” Richmond said in his letter to Trump. “Through an objective assessment, we have seen no evidence that your Administration acted on our calls for action, and we have in fact witnessed steps that will affirmatively hurt Black communities,” he said. Trump and the CBC met earlier this year and both sides promised to explore possible future discussions. However, since then, Trump has made it abundantly clear that a conversation with the entire CBC would not be entirely productive, given the actions taken by the ad-

Summer Entertainment

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

5 Representative Cedric Richmond (D-LA 2nd District) in his role as Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus rejected an invitation to meet with President Donald Trump. /Courtesy photo

It’s Official – Rushern Baker III Enters Race for MD Governor

While the Congressional Budget Office reviews the Senate's version of a new health care law proposal and others estimate that millions will lose coverage under the plan, a more frightening report has emerged. A new column by the Center for American Progress and Harvard University researchers estimates an increase in deaths in

OBAMACARE Page 38

Prince George’s County Exec Joins Growing Field of Candidates By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, 58, has been traversing the state of Maryland over the past year, speaking with citizens from cities large and small – listening as they express their concerns, needs, hopes and dreams. And early Wednesday morning, June 21, he sent a video announcement to his friends, supporters and the media outlining the reasons why he’s convinced that despite a

crowded field of Democrats, he believes that when the dust clears about a year from now, he’ll stand as the best candidate to take on Maryland’s current, and highly-popular governor – Republican Larry Hogan. Baker’s first two stops on the campaign trail included Baltimore City and, closer to home, National Harbor where he addressed members of the Black Press during the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s [NNPA] 2017 Annual Convention which opened June

BAKER Page 12

5 At the first stop on the campaign trail on the road to Governor of Maryland, Rushern Baker speaks to publishers attending the National Newspaper Publishers Association 2017 annual convention held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland on June 21. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

Celebrating 52 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area

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

SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY

COMPILED BY D. KEVIN MCNEIR / WI EDITOR WILL FORD AND TATYANA HOPKINS, WI STAFF WRITERS

Prince George’s Native Number Onethreat,” Picksheinsaid.NBA Draft law enforcement. She said they

By Tia Carol Jones

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WI Staff Writer

Visit our updated Web site and give us your comments for a chance to win a gift from The Washington Informer Email comments to: rburke@ washingtoninformer.com

had come together to who bringplayed a Among thebasketball programs at Marlow Markelle Fultz, high school DeMatha sense Catholic of uniformity the way wants toand seeone implemented are Highin School in Hyattsville year at the UniverWhen L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, sity of Washington, became the number one pick in the NBA old daughter told her the father survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families draft Thursday, June 22. Fultz, who sported dress shoes made of her daughter threatened her “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vicof basketballs, has to beentim, chosen by the Philadelphia 76ers life, and the life of their child, story, out her own personal pain a domestic violence assesshe now joins last year’s number one pick, power forward she knew something had to be push where forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further Ben Marlow. Simmons. Being the number with media done. Out of her frustration said about trainingone forpick law came enforcement hype that included a chat with ABC late night host and comewith law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecof the situation, she decided to who reads dian Jimmy Kimmel. Social tion media went ablaze with hundreds Marlow's book will Act and mandatory counselstart the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” of tweets on she Twitter Prince George’s County She said “putsincluding the ingthis forfrom batterers. paign. case innative such and a way, theFinals average “If weDurant: are ever“The going eradiNBA MVP Kevin #1topick comes “It seems to be a vicious cycle personfrom can get She saidHa-ha at the wecate violence,towethe must PGit.”County. on domestic a roll! Congrats legend that won't turn my family end ofMarkelle.” the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vicshared her story with the audi- logue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow ence at the District Heights Also present at the event was said. Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would also like to see 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 State and Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-District 26) jury visited various partsfeels children need to be educatFamily Youth Services by a Maryland for his role in of Prince George’s County on Monday, June 26 to formally announce Center of the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. his decision to National run for county next year’s Democraticispri- “We have to stop being pasHeights and the Hook-executive 2002. inMildred Muhammad mary. Muse,Women. elected to the Senate in becomes thethe first person tosive-aggressive with poor chilUp of Black the2006, founder of After Trauma, declare candidacy the county’s top position. that Musehelps recently Marlowhishas written for a book, an organization the leddren about domestic violence,” “Color Me Butterfly,” a survivors discussions about thewhich schoolis system and sought to changeviolence the schoolMarlow said. of domestic story about four generations and their children. board structure during the of Maryland General Assembly session in Marlow has worked to break domestic violence. TheAlthough book is legislation “I livedpassed in fearthe forHouse, six years.it Six Annapolis this year. didn’tthe cycle of abuse in her family, inspired by herinown fearState’s is a long time. ItAngela is and is confident the policies she get through theexperiences, Senate. Muse years couldinface Attorney and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out Alsobrooks but she still hasn’t made a formal decision. Prince George’sis pushing for will start that her mother and her daughter. of,”III, shewhose said. term expires next year,process. County Executive Rushern L. Baker She said every time she reads Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to announced last week he will seek the governor’s office. excerpts from her book, she still people who want to help a Congress and implore them to can not believe the words came domestic violence victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how they go into “I will not stop until these poliwon the 2007 National “Best the victim's life, and understand cies are passed.” Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones can be reached LeadingAge, a non-profit advocacy group for senior citizens, “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net my eye first blackened and my the District on Tuesday, June 27 in efforts to “Before youheld get atorally 'I'mingoing lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' itpreserve started as a verbal local affordable housing for older adults. Supporters WI Elaine Davis-Nickens, presiassembled on Capitol Hill to show support for the U.S. Dedent of the National Hook-Up partment of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Secof Black Women, said there is no tion 202 Housing for the elderly program that has promised to consistency in the way domestic bring affordable housing to almost 400,000 very low income violence issues are dealt with by seniors and to urge lawmakers to not only preserve its current capacity, but expand it. LeadingAge often fights caps placed on programs that assist the elderly which often leave many eligible seniors without services. “[We will] let lawmakers know that we need to preserve every 202 home we have and bring additional affordable housing to every older adult who needs it,” ssaid a spokesperson with the organization. 5 /Photo by E. Watson/EDI

C. Anthony Muse Announces Candidacy for Prince George’s County Executive

Wilhelmina J. Rolark In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark THE WASHINGTON INFORMER PUBLISHER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published THE WASHINGTON INFORMER Denise Rolark Barnes published on each Thursday.postage weeklyweekly on Thursday. Periodicals paid at Washington, D.C. and additional Periodicals Washingmailing postage offices. paid Newsat and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. ton,Announcements D.C. and additional mailing of- twoSTAFF must be received weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The fices.Washington News andInformer. advertising All deadline rights reserved. POST McNeir, MASTER:Editor Send change of addressD. Kevin is Monday to publication. Anes to Theprior Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, Ron Burke, Advertising/ Marketing D.C. 20032. Nobe partreceived of this publication may be reproduced without writtenDirector permisnouncements must two Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor the return of sionprior fromto the publisher. The2016 Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee weeks event. Copyright Subscription rates All are $30Lafayette per year, two years $45. willPhoto be received by photographs. The Washington Informer. Barnes, IV, Papers Assistant Editor notreserved. more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to: rights POSTMASTER: Send John E. De Freitas, Sports Photo Editor change of addresses to The WashDorothyINFORMER Rowley, Online Editor THE WASHINGTON ington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther 3117 Luther King, Ave., S.E. • Washington, D.C.&20032 King, Jr. Ave., S.E.Martin Washington, D.C. Jr. ZebraDesigns.net, Design Layout Phone: 202 • Fax: 202 574-3785 20032. No part of this publication may561-4100 Mable Neville, Bookkeeper E-mail: news@washingtoninformer.com be reproduced without written permisDr. Charles Vincent, Social Sightings columnist www.washingtoninformer.com sion from the publisher. The Informer Tatiana Moten, Social Media Specialist Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are Angie PUBLISHERJohnson, Circulation $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will Denise Rolark Barnes be received not more than a week after REPORTERS STAFF REPORTERS publication. Make checks payable to: Brooke N. Garner Managing Editor Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell,Will Ford Stacy Brown (Senior Writer), Carla Peay Assistant Managing Editor Odell B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, THE WASHINGTON INFORMER (Prince George’s County Ron Burke Advertising and Marketing Mary Wells, JosephWriter), Young 3117Mable Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E Bookkeeper Whittaker Hamil Harris, Tatyana Hopkins, Jade JamesWashington, D.C. 20032 LaNita Wrenn Administration PHOTOGRAPHERS Gist, D. Kevin McNeir, Lauren Poteat, Phone: 202De561-4100 John E. Freitas Sports Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Dorothy Rowley, Sarafina Wright Fitzgerald, (General Fax:Victor 202 Holt 574-3785 Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Maurice news@washingtoninformer.com Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic Design Joanne Jackson, Roy Lewis, Robert Assignment Writer) Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster www.washingtoninformer.com Ridley, Victor Holt

Rally Held to Preserve Affordable Housing for Seniors

“

We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these Congresswoman Introduces policies to Congress and Voting Rights Restoration Actthem to change our implore Alabama Congresswoman Terri Sewell recently introduced the Voting will not stop until Rights Advancement Act [VRAA] legislation whichlaws. would restoreIprotections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 got lost in a Supreme Court decision four years ago. The eliminated provision determined whichthese states and other jurispolicies are passed.

“

In Memoriam The Washington Informer Dr. CalvinNewspaper W. Rolark, Sr.

dictions with a history of voter discrimination had to obtain “pre-clearance” L.Y. Marlow from federal officials before making any election changes. PHOTOGRAPHERS CIRCULATION Paul Trantham To address the Supreme Court’s concerns that found the original formula to John E. DeFreitas, Shevry Lassiter, be outdated, the VRAA would create a new formula that would require federal Roy Lewis, Demetrious Kinney, Mark election oversight in 15 voting-rights violations or at least 10 local violations Mahonny, Lateef Mangum, Travis Riddick and one statewide violation over that last 25 years. Thirteen states currently fall under that criteria. 4 / May 15 - 21, 2008 The Washington Informer / www.washingtoninformer.com “We’ve come a distance; we’ve made some progress. But, there are forces in America today that want to take us back,” said Georgia Rep. John Lewis, who marched in Selma, Alabama for voting rights in 1964 and supports the bill. “We’re not going back. We’re going forward. That’s why we need to restore the vote!”

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D.C. POLITICS

DCPNI Adopts New Platform for Kenilworth-Parkside By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

More access to quality day care and early learning opportunities are still needed in the Kenilworth-Parkside area of Northeast. Convenient transportation for access to grocery stores and laundromats and mothers who have children with special needs continue to lack nearby quality education options, while individuals on fast-moving dirt bikes and mopeds have largely interrupted the peace and threatened the safety of the elderly. While the area has begun to change, thanks largely to a fiveyear, $25 million federal Promise Neighborhoods grant that resulted from the work of the DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative (DCPNI), problems still persist. "There are too many guns in our babies' hands," said Mary Brown, executive director of DCPNI. "[Also], we have several returning citizens â&#x20AC;&#x201D; fathers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in our male pool so access to jobs to support their families â&#x20AC;Ś access to mental health and substance abuse supports are needed." For Kenilworth-Parkside, which has more than 7,000 residents, its issues could prove bleaker if not for Brown and DCPNI, who've regularly made good on promises to help. The organization has developed a Racial Equity Anti-Poverty, or REAP, platform that addresses the challenges residents in the Ward 7 neighborhood face. REAP amounts to a business plan that DCPNI will operate under where officials will work with residents and the community's indigenous leaders, with 25 partner organizations. "DCPNI has developed a universal platform for locally-driven innovation and racial equity that advances a lifelong pathway to heightened human development and economic freedom," according to a statement found in the business plan. The platform puts community at the center of locally-driven solutions with a constellation of partners aligning efforts and sharing data so that they could measure on individual, family, and community levels, and within schools to demonstrate what effect they plan has. REAP embraces a four-point recipe for community transformation, including respectfully and mindful-

ly engaging the community to assess the needs and assets of families. Brown said youth in the area have often complained that "there isn't anything to do here... no restaurants, shopping, movie theater or places in the community to be entertained." "They need yearlong jobs ... 'It's boring,' and they say that's why they get into stuff," Brown said. Homeowners have their share of complaints too, she said. "Not enough parking because of bike trails, the fear of too much building in one space with only one way in and one way out and the inability to flip their property because of perceived foreclosures in the Paradise community," Brown said, listing some of the complaints. There's also the fear of designated brown zones where an old recreation center previously stood and the fear of having their property and cars vandalized, she said. Also, among the public housing community, there's real concern about gentrification. "We can say all day about a pot hole or work we have been needing in our community. We get no response," Brown said, again relating the concerns of some citizens. "The white people that move in on the Paradise side ask for bike trails. They get their bike trails and then complain about parking," she said, quoting some residents. "So a perception that the gentrifiers are more accommodated than those indigenous to the community." From DCPNI's perspective, there's an on-going issue with fragmentation in the provision of supports within the community. "Well-meaning government agencies and non-profits that may do good work are collectively disconnected, actually exacerbating many of the challenges that our children, youth and family confront," Brown said. It explains, in part, the four core values represented in the REAP platform: Relationships, Relevance, Rigor and Resilience. Relationships suggests that "I am my brother's keeper," and all relationships are important and valued, according to DCPNI's REAP business plan. Relevance is realized by the suggesting that those closest to the challenge are nearest the solution and community members and leaders are core to identifying and implementing locally-driven solutions.

5 Children play outside in the Kenilworth-Parkside neighborhood in Ward 7. /Courtesy photo

KENILWORTH Page 44

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AROUND THE REGION

WEEK OF JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 JUNE 29

JULY 2

1941 – Political activist Stokely Carmichael, also known 1908 – Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American as Kwame Ture, a key figure in the civil rights movement to ever serve on the Supreme Court, is born in Baltimore. in the 1960s, is born in Trinidad and Tobago. 1925 – Medgar Evers, civil rights activist, is born in Decatur, Mississippi. 1943 – Tuskegee Airman Charles Hall becomes the first African-American pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft in World War II. 1964 – The Civil Rights Act, which prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin, is signed into law.

JULY 3

1950 – "The Hazel Scott Show," the first U.S. network television series to be hosted by an African-American woman, premieres. JUNE 30 1956 – Television talk show host Montel Williams is 1847 – Dred Scott, a slave in Missouri, loses a lawsuit for born in Baltimore. the freedom of his family in the St. Louis Circuit Court. Scott unsuccessfully argued that his temporary residence JULY 4 in a free territory should have made him a free man. 1881 – Tuskegee University is founded in Tuskegee, Al1917 – Grammy-winning singer/actress Lena Horne is abama. born in Brooklyn, New York. 1910 – Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight cham1960 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo, former- pion, defends his title by knocking out "The Great White ly known as Zaire, gains its independence from Belgium. Hope," Jim Jeffries, in Nevada. 1966 – Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Ty- 1938 – Singer-songwriter Bill Withers is born in Slab son is born in Brooklyn, New York. Fork, West Virginia. 1967 – Maj. Robert H. Lawrence Jr. is chosen as the first African-American for NASA's astronaut training JULY 5 program. He was killed during a training flight on Dec. 1975 – Arthur Ashe defeats defending Wimbledon 8, 1967. champion Jimmy Connors, becoming the first African-American man to JULY 1 win the singles title 1899 – Thomas Dorsey, the "father of gospel music," is in the tournaborn in Villa Rica, Georgia. ment. WI 1942 – Gospel music star Andrae Crouch is born in San Francisco. 1991 – President George H. W. Bush nominates Clarence Thomas for the Supreme Court to replace the retiring Thurgood Marshall. 1893 – Walter Francis White, famed civil rights activist and longtime leader of the NAACP, is born in Atlanta. Bill Withers

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VIEW P INT By Sarafina Wright

A week after the police officer responsible for Philando Castile's death was acquitted, officials in St. Anthony, Minnesota, awarded Castile's family $3 million to settle a wrongful-death suit. What are your thoughts? JENINE JOHNSON /

EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA

That was too quick. They are still too emotional to settle. They should have considered his life span, the impact he had on his community and what he would have made if he had worked until 70 years old. This was way too soon to settle. This won't even cover the therapy his girlfriend and her daughter will need. They think we are immune to violence. But it still affects us.

CHARLETTE LOVE /

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

This is shut-up money and I'm not understanding why we are settling for pennies to cover up a murder. These officers who get a pass are murderers and no amount of money can cover that up. These families should be getting billions, not pennies!

CHANTELLE BOWEN / CROFTON, MARYLAND

I would not take the blood money. … I would sue that useless excuse of a police officer in civil court. It is the principle involved. Can't keep killing black people and pay the families off like Freddie Gray, Philando Castile and others.

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Of course the family deserves more. They will never see Philando again. They will never hear his voice, see his smile or hear him laugh. He will not be there for Thanksgiving or opening gifts at Christmas. He's gone. Shot dead for absolutely no reason at all. No, it's not enough.

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AROUND THE REGION

By D. Kevin McNeir / WI Editor @dkevinmcneir

The World According to Dominic 'Shoot Me, Kill Me – So My Family Can Get Paid' Valerie Castile, the mother of a Black motorist, Philando Castile, shot and killed by a Minnesota police officer a year ago, has agreed to a $2.99 million settlement with the city of St. Anthony lawyers announced earlier this week. In this instance, the money will come from insurance funds and not the taxpayers according to a statement issued by the city and the family’s attorneys. Yes, it’s entirely plausible that a routine traffic stop can lead to the death of a Black man. Yes, it’s entirely plausible that that same officer would be acquitted of manslaughter and other related charges by a jury of his peers. And yes, tragically, it’s very plausible that because “all Blacks look alike,” that the officer in question, Jeronimo Yanez, could have easily mistaken Castile, guilty of driving with a broken taillight could have been mistaken for a suspect in a convenience

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"Yes, it’s entirely plausible that a routine traffic stop can lead to the death of a Black man. Yes, it’s entirely plausible that that same officer would be acquitted of manslaughter and other related charges by a jury of his peers."

store robbery just days before losing his life. No amount of money can ever replace the 32-year-old man. Driving while Black remains a dangerous notion here in America. And now that our president has opened the doors to unadulterated prejudice and hatred, seeming to approve of the actions of those who don’t like Blacks, gays, immigrants, Muslims, transgenders, etc., I fear that things will get much worse in our country before they get better. We need saner voices to step up and say enough is enough. We need Trump to be at the head of the pact. But until that occurs, Black men may need to consider going into hiding for a while. The writing on the wall seems to imply that it’s now open season. And because of my Black skin, I have no way of removing the bull’s eye. Rest in peace Brother Castile! WI

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U.S. Cities Attempt to Mend Fences Amid Police Shootings By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer The city of St. Anthony, Minnesota, reached a settlement with the family of Philando Castile on Monday, less than two weeks after a jury acquitted the officer who fatally shot him during a traffic stop last year of second-degree manslaughter. The city announced in a joint statement that a $3 million settlement had been reached with Castile's mother, Valerie Castile. The June 16 acquittal of St. Anthony police Officer Jeronimo Yanez sparked national outrage, mirroring the reaction of the initial incident. Though the city announced it would offer Yanez a voluntary separation agreement following the verdict, many still took to the streets to protest. Thousands flooded the streets of St. Paul, Minnesota and one group blocked an interstate, which resulted in 18 arrests according to a PBS report. Marches opposing the verdict continued to pop up in cities nationwide, including New York

and Oakland, California. Yanez fired seven shots into 32-year-old Castile's car during the July 6 traffic stop for a broken taillight. Five of the rounds struck Castile, two going through his heart. The aftermath of the shooting was captured and broadcast on Facebook Live by Castile's partner, Diamond Reynolds, in a gruesome video that stunned the nation and incited protests across the country. Her 4-year-old daughter sat in the backseat at the time of the incident. "The parties moved expeditiously to resolve potential civil claims resulting from this tragedy in order to allow the process of healing to move forward for the Castile family, for the people of St. Anthony Village, and for all those impacted by the death of Philando Castile throughout the United States," said the statement, noting that a lawsuit "may have taken years to work its way through the courts exacerbating the suffering of the family and of the community." It said Castile's mother could use the money to continue her work with the Philando Castile Relief

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Foundation. The statement acknowledged "no amount of money could replace Philando" and noted that the city is working to improve relations between the police and community. Many took to social media saying the sum was not large enough, others saying that a criminal conviction would have been more satisfying. "I am so disappointed in the state of Minnesota," said Valerie during a brief news conference held shortly after the reading of the verdict. "My son loved this state. He had one tattoo on his body and it was of the Twin Cities â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the state of Minnesota with TC on it. My son loved this city and this city killed my son. And the murderer gets away." She has not yet made a comment about the settlement. Castile's settlement came shortly after the insurance company for the city of Ferguson, Missouri, paid a settlement for a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of slain 18-year-old Michael Brown after he was shot by a police officer. In Seattle, the city council tried to heal the community during a

5 Charleena Lyles /Courtesy photo town hall Tuesday after a recent police-involved shooting death of a pregnant mother. Two Seattle officers shot Charleena Lyles, a pregnant mother of four, in front of her children while responding to her emergency call to report a burglary on June 16. According to the police, they shot her because she approached them with a knife and did not follow orders to drop the weapon. The Seattle Times reported Lyles' relatives said she dealt with mental health issues and had a child with

Down syndrome.The Seattle Police Department assured in a statement that Force Investigation Team detectives would investigate the force used by both police officers. The officers have been placed on administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation. One advocacy group, MomsRising, called the incident an "unacceptable tragedy." The city's police force has a consent decree with the U.S. Justice Department for using excessive force. WI

A Salute to our Fearless Leader, Denise Rolark Barnes

The dedicated staff, valued readers and ardent supporters of The Washington Informer salute the achievement of the publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes, outgoing Chairwoman for the NNPA, for two years of excellence and leadership at the helm. We also celebrate the accomplishments of the staff of The Washington Informer who received the following awards at the 2017 Annual Convention marking 190 Years of the Black Press in America. Best Column Writing, Emory O. Jackson Award First Place - Askia Muhammad Frank L. Stanley, Sr., Best Feature Story Second Place - D. Kevin McNeir Miller Coors A. Phillip Randolph Messenger Award, Digital Excellence First Place - The Washington Informer Robert L. Vann Best Layout & Design - Tabloid Second Place - The Washington informer

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The District’s Department of Public Works kicked off the 10th anniversary of its “MuralsDC” project with the official unveiling of a new mural on the alley side of Ben’s Chili Bowl, 1213 U Street in Northwest. The mural, titled “The Torch” and officially unveiled on June 21, was conceived by local artist Aniekan Udofia, with input and support from Udofia’s artistic director, Mia Duvall. Images included in the mural include the likenesses of Dick Gregory, Dave Chappelle, Wale, Russ Parr, Donnie Simpson, Jim Vance, Taraji P. Henson, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Marion Barry, and other well-known local and national personalities. /Photo by E Watson/EDI

Who’s Reading the Informer? Master shoeshine professional, Joseph L. Murray, reads the Washington Informer at his shoeshine stand in Union Station. /Photo by Roy Lewis

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TRUMP from Page 1 ministration since the first get together, Richmond said. Specifically, CBC members lashed out at Trump’s budget proposal that cuts money for Pell Grants for low-income college students and eliminates the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps seniors and others on fixed incomes to heat their homes. The caucus also noted moves by Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Ses-

AROUND THE REGION ciated Press. Since Manigault invited herself – and then prematurely bolted, when peppered with questions from African-American reporters, from a Black Press Week event in March, she has not returned calls or email messages left by the Black Press. Manigault told the Associated Press that caucus members who were excluded from the March meeting have been reaching out to her personally, as well as to the White House legislative affairs

"My opinion and the opinion of most of just about all of the members of the CBC is that the board met (with Trump). They gave him substantive issues which we wanted to deal with and they have not been dealt with. Until we can deal with substance and issues, what's the benefit of a meeting?"

5 Representative James Clyburn (D-SC 6th District). /Courtesy photo ten any response,” Meeks said. “My opinion and the opinion of most of just about all of the members of the CBC is that the board met (with Trump). They gave him substantive issues which we wanted to deal with and they have not been dealt with. Until we can deal with substance and issues, what's the benefit of a meeting?” he asked. Further, Richmond told Trump in letter dated June 21, 2017, that “while you can solicit the engage-

ment of individual members of our caucus, the CBC as a caucus declines your invitation to meet at this time.” “Given the lack of response to any of the many concerns we have raised with you and your administration, we decline your invitation for all 49 members of the Congressional Black Caucus to meet with you,” Richmond said. In what might be a response to Trump’s campaign call to African

Americans where the president told Black voters, “What the hell do you have to lose,” Richmond noted that “The CBC, and the millions of people we represent, have a lot to lose under your Administration. I fail to see how a social gathering would benefit the policies we advocate for,” he said. “The CBC will always be willing to engage in discussion and debate about policies and programs that will make America a more perfect union for all,” Richmond said. WI

REP. GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY) sions, specifically on drug prosecutions and civil rights enforcement, and they complained that the House GOP health care bill that Trump celebrated during a Rose Garden ceremony would “strip millions of Black people of their health care.” Richmond’s letter responded to an invitation from Trump aide Omarosa Manigault, chief spokeswoman for the White House Office of Public Liaison. “It’s pretty disappointing that Cedric Richmond has decided to go back on his commitment to meet with us,” Manigault said in a telephone interview with the Asso-

team, seeking one-on-one meetings with Trump to discuss issues their constituents are concerned about. “We will do that because they have made those requests and we will honor those requests,” Manigault said. “That’s not going to be deterred because of Cedric Richmond’s political gamesmanship.” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) said caucus members want substance from the White House, not a social event. “We want to talk and deal with issues that are of concern to the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and we’ve not got-

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Mixed Opinions Arise over Baker's Bid for Governor By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill James Butler of Upper Marlboro said the Regional Medical Center project in Largo is just one example why Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III deserves to be elected as governor of Maryland. Although Rhonda Billingslea of Bowie praised Baker's work since his early days as a state legislator in Annapolis, she echoed the sentiment of several others that new blood is needed to lead the state. "Rushern Baker is not my first choice," said Billingslea, whose two top choices are former NAACP President Ben Jealous

and tech entrepreneur Alec Ross. "We need some fresh faces to move our state." Before Baker spoke at a forum Saturday, June 24 in Bowie about how the Affordable Care Act helped the county get approval to work on construction of the medical center, he announced three days earlier through a video message he will run for Maryland governor. The 58-year-old executive, whose term expires next year, joins an already crowded field of Democrats, including Jealous, Ross, state Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. and Baltimore attorney James L. Shea. Voters could have even more choices in the June 2018 primary contest if Rep. John Delaney

BAKER from Page 1

5 Rushern Baker /Courtesy photo

12 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

20 and continues through June 24. “I believe the sum of my life’s experiences put me in a very good position to lead the state of Maryland forward,” he said in his first interview with the Black Press. “Prince George’s County closely resembles the state in that it’s comprised of communities that are large, rural, urban and suburban. Serving as the governor would require me to advocate on behalf of Maryland’s diverse citizenry in ways quite similar to how I’ve worked so hard for our county’s residents for the past 7 ½ years,” said Baker, who earned both his undergraduate degree and Juris Doctor from Howard University, later serving in the Maryland House of Delegates before achieving victory to become county executive in 2010 following two earlier, unsuccessful attempts. During his two terms as the county’s leader, he’s made it his business to restore confidence in the state’s second-largest jurisdiction once shackled by multiple stains of corruption.

5 Prince George's County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (standing) speaks during a June 24 health care forum at Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church in Bowie. Three days earlier, he announced his decision to run for governor of Maryland. /Photo by William J. Ford

(D-Maryland), former Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamanetz decide to run against Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, who has Prince George's ties. As for Baker, he made his case to members of the Black Press last week at the annual National Newspaper Publishers Association convention at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill. "I believe the sum of my life's experiences put me in a very good position to lead the state of Maryland forward," he said. "Hogan is quite popular among

Maryland citizens, but the similarities between him and the other candidates are fairly obvious. With me in the race, you certainly would not have a generic matchup." His foray into politics began in 1994 when he served in the Maryland General Assembly. After two unsuccessful campaigns in the county executive race, he won in 2010 and began to push for change when the FBI launched a corruption case against former Executive Jack Johnson. One of Baker's first moves was to institute ethics reform

and eradicate all illegal behavior throughout county government. In 2012, he successfully pushed through state legislation to restructure the county school system, allowing for the county executive to appoint several members of the school board, including the chair and vice chair. However, the school system has been embroiled in controversy, as the four youngest board members want the state to investigate whether graduation rates have been artificially inflated. Schools CEO Kevin Maxwell denied those accusations during a school board meeting last week. WI

He applauds Maryland’s public education system but believes “it could be even better,” perhaps recalling his own struggles as a youth with reading which he says he successfully overcame because of the support of his family and the dedication of a cadre of caring teachers. As for the Affordable Care Act [ACA] and ongoing efforts by Republicans to dismantle it, he said, “We have to keep healthcare in the minds of every citizen. Under President Obama’s plan, we cut the number of uninsured citizens by 50,000. That’s significant. At the same time, we cannot simply stand by and allow partisan beliefs and initiatives to hurt the people of Maryland.” “There are often times when the governor must be willing to face political risks in order to protect the rights of the citizens and to strengthen the state in which he or she has been elected to serve,” Baker said. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” Baker places the improvement of the state’s roads, shoring up services offered by the transit system and protecting the environment at the

top of his list of campaign concerns. He believes his years of service in the state legislature will bode him well as he seeks to assert himself in an unusually large field of candidates, representing both the Democratic Party’s progressive and establishment voices, and which so far includes: former NAACP leader Ben Jealous, Baltimore businessman Alec Ross and state Senator Richard S. Madaleno, Jr. That field could grow even larger if Rep. John Delaney, Baltimore attorney James L. Shea and Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz decide to throw their hats into the ring. Still, Baker looks forward to the challenge ahead. “I believe you’ll see a lot of elected officials endorse my candidacy as we march toward the 2018 election,” he said. “One secures endorsements when people are satisfied that a candidate has done what they said they would do. That describes the work I’ve accomplished since becoming the Prince George’s County Executive.”

Baker asserts his decision to enter the governor’s race came after completing his assessment of the man that he knew he’d have to unseat, Governor Hogan, and concluding that he stands the best chance among his fellow candidates to emerge victorious. “Hogan is quite popular among Maryland citizens but the similarities between him and the other candidates are fairly obvious,” Baker said. “With me in the race, you certainly would not have a generic matchup.” “What’s really important for voters to consider is the current tenor on the national scene with Donald Trump in the White House. People can no longer put their trust in the federal government to ensure their rights. Local government will be the only sure way that citizens can see their needs met. Whether we’re talking about health care, transportation or education, it’s the governor, not the president, who will make a difference for Marylanders in the coming years,” he said. For more information about Baker’s campaign visit www.rushernbaker.com WI

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Citizens Urged at Forum to Fight for Obamacare By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill A health care forum Saturday in Bowie, Maryland, also became a rally to encourage relatives, friends and others nationwide to fight for the Affordable Care Act. The discussion at Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church, led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), was spurred by the June 22 unveiling of the GOP Senate's proposal to repeal and replace the ACA, also known as Obamacare. The GOP proposal includes deep cuts to Medicaid, the repeal of most of the tax increases promised by the ACA, and the authorization for states to opt out of currently mandated insurance requirements. Van Hollen said the Senate bill, similar to one passed by the House last month, also provides tax cuts to affluent Americans. He also stressed to the several hundred people in attendance that out of the 52 Republican senators on Capitol Hill, only three need to reject the GOP bill, which Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell sought to bring to the floor this week for a vote before deciding to delay it till next week after the July 4 recess. "These health care proposals are very bad for America. They are really about wealth-care," Van Hollen said. "In the coming

days, [tell] anybody you know, in any state in the country … [to] call their senators from these other states and tell them to do the right thing." Health care professionals told attendees at church stories of how some patients who can't afford quality insurance now must either choose between paying for medication and their rent. Leana Wen, commissioner of health for Baltimore City, recalled when she worked as an emergency physician to treat a man who went into a coma after a grand mal seizure for nearly two hours. If the man had adequate health insurance, he may still be alive, she said. "I think about his family … and why we need health care and why we need insurance," said Wen, who has worked in the city for 2½ years. "We treat people at a time when they are unconscious and their dying, but what kind of system is it that doesn't allow us to treat people before they get so sick?" George H. Bone, who practices internal medicine at Doctor's Community Hospital in Lanham, offered some advice: eat right, hang with positive people and "when [elected officials] call on you for help, you have to show up." President Donald Trump and other Republicans have said the ACA remains too costly for in-

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5 The Rev. Jonathan Weaver, pastor of Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church in Bowie, speaks at a June 24 health care forum at the church to urge Republican senators to keep the Affordable Care Act in tact. /Photo by William J. Ford about the health care proposal surance companies to provide pay more out of pocket. coverage for millions of AmeriThe CBO also estimates about and how it would affect Mediccans. The nonpartisan Congres- 23 million Americans would lose aid," said Pressley, who retired sional Budget Office said the health coverage by 2026, which as an administrator from D.C. House's health care bill would doesn't sit well with Donna Press- Public Schools. "Heart failure reduce the federal deficit by $119 ley, whose mother suffered from is a part of my family, so health million, but Americans who re- congestive heart failure and died insurance is very important for myself and others to have." side in states that request waivers at age 92. WI from health requirements would "I'm really, really, really worried

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BUSINESS Local Organization Gives Custodial Staff a Second Chance By Lauren Poteat WI Contributing Writer After a long battle to provide better public health services for Prince George's County Public School (PGCPS) staff, the Leadership Training Institute (LTI) and Cleaning Management Institute of America recently announced the national certification of 10 PGCS custodial technicians. With this level of certification in five categories, LTI, which provides safe and natural Environmental Protection Agency-certified standard training, has made PGCPS the only system in the state of

Maryland to acquire this level of specialized instruction. "What this means is that everyday citizens for worked as janitors with PGCPS school systems now have the skill set to advance their careers," said Shawn Muhammad, CEO of LIT. "Now they can go on if they wish and apply for jobs through agencies like the EPA or higher level school system maintenance because of their skill set, learning how to properly and adequately and safely clean school systems, one of the hardest places to address germs overall."

5 Over 10 custodial technicians will be awarded special certification. /Courtesy of theleadershiptraininginstitute.org

The technicians who have earned their nationally recognized certification also gained 12.5 continuing educational units should they want to expand their degrees. "This program is also approved by The International Sports Sciences Association so we are literally creating advanced jobs for people within our own community," Muhammad said. In addition to skill training

Community Solar: Panels for All By Tatyana Hopkins WI Staff Writer

5 DantĂŠ King /Courtesy photo

14 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

A former nuclear plant worker and current pastor is working to bring solar energy to the low- and middle-income residents of D.C. and Baltimore. Working as the director of community engagement for the nonprofit organization Groundswell, Dante' King seeks to solar energy to all through the organization's "community solar" program, a concept that delivers solar energy to those who may not even own a rooftop. It works like this: a community solar project is built in a neighborhood, on the grounds of a church, apartment building or other local site; average residents subscribe to receive energy from the local community solar project and local utility companies deliver the clean energy to subscribers in the neighborhood. "Our mission is to give those who have been overlooked and disenfranchised the opportunity to get clean energy," King said. In 2016, the organization launched the Equitable Community Solar Program to bring affordable

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to local custodial staff, LTI also offers Environmental Maintenance/Green Cleaning Veterans Training, which allows a large population of homeless veterans a chance to also earn a National Certification in Environmental Maintenance. Established to offer culturally relevant programs and initiatives that develop human potential and character in each client, LTI looks to effectively address urban

pathologies. The institute's training provides participants with a comprehensive program targeting behavior modification and technical training which enables the participants to earn certification upon completion. The institute emphasizes growth and progress and is based on the belief that each customer's "needs are of the utmost importance, committed to success." WI

clean energy to residents who often do not qualify for other clean energy home due to financial reasons or lack of homeownership. The nonprofit currently has two new projects. One church in the District will use a lot it owns to house solar panels in a project King says is likely to support 120 subscribers. In Baltimore, another church is set to be the site of another one of Groundswell's community solar projects likely to serve 100 subscribers, King said. Construction of both projects are supported by grants from the Department of Energy and Environment and is likely to begin in August or September. "[Solar energy] is not a wellknown commodity or resource, especially in the African-American community," said King, adding that subscribers benefit from potential reduction in utility bills and the organizations that house the community solar projects are paid by Groundswell to lease the spaces. Groundswell only leases on commercial property and does not use the community solar model on residential properties, King said. He said commercial lots much

meet certain physical requirements to qualify to house a project. In the future, King hopes to engage beyond churches and introduce the program to more small businesses and colleges in the region, especially historically black colleges and universities. Groundswell began its work in D.C. in 2009 and now operates in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The organization offers affordable clean energy programs to working families, small businesses and community organizations to switch their homes or buildings to wind or solar power. The organization also offers incentives for the switch. Since its inception, Groundswell has switched more 4,000 families and small businesses to clean power and contracted the sale of 225 million kilowatt hours of clean energy, production it said resulted in 155,555 metric tons of carbon pollution reduction. "I am excited about the work that we are doing and the benefits it will have [on the community]," King said. "We also will change the narrative, and give people who have been left out a seat at the table." WI

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BUSINESS Business Exchange

A Resolution Condemning White Supremacy

by William Reed Are you one of those looking for the "equitable and just society?" Are you looking for love and equity in all the wrong places? Case in point, at a recent Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), officials initially declined to consider a statement of opposition to the alt-right. But the annual meeting in Phoenix turned chaotic when confronted with the resolution that condemned white supremacy and

the alt-right. Conference leaders tried to dodge the bullet when they initially declined to consider the proposal submitted by black pastor William Dwight McKissic Sr., and only changed course after a significant backlash. The body eventually passed a revised statement against the alt-right, but drama over the resolution revealed deep tension lines within the denomination explicitly founded to support slavery. Little wonder why the mass of blacks put symbols ahead of substance when pastors such as McKissic and politicians seem more focused on getting social acceptance from whites than pursuing matters that helps blacks. It's like asking Colonel Sanders to rebuke chicken. The perpetrator of this chicanery is McKissic, though it's hard to figure why the reverend seeks to force the SBC to self-immolate. What's McKissic goal in

this? Racism has persisted in the U.S. since the colonial era. Legally or socially sanctioned privileges and rights were given white Americans but denied blacks. Throughout American history, Europeans (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants) were granted exclusive privileges in matters of education, immigration, voting rights, citizenship, land acquisition, and criminal procedure. Racial politics remains a major phenomenon, and racism continues in socioeconomic inequality. Racial stratification continues in employment, housing, education, lending, and government. Instead of putting the SBC on notice toward an apology for slavery and reparations' payments for debts from centuries of white domination and oppression, McKissic is asking the SBC to commit self-immolation and contradict its reason for be-

ing. Why does McKissic think the type of people who founded the SBC isn't white nationalists? Their parents were. Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a U.S.-based Christian denomination and America's largest Protestant body, with more than 15 million members. Why did McKissic join up with these guys in the first place? The word Southern in Southern Baptist Convention stems from the organization's foundation and roots in the South, follow-

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NATIONAL 3 National Newspaper Publishers

Foundation Chair, Al McFarlane presents the Best Column award to Askia Muhammad during the 2017 Merit Awards held during the National Newspaper Publishers Association annual convention held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland on June 22. /Photo by Roy Lewis

Informer Wins Four NNPA Merit Awards

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The Washington Informer earned four National Newspaper Publishers Association Awards at the organization's 2017 summer conference. The newspaper was honored the Miller Coors A. Phillip Randolph Messenger Award for Digital Excellence. The Informer also earned a second-place award for the Robert L. Vann Best Layout and Design

the Frank L. Stanley Sr. Best Feature Story while garnering a third-place honor in the category of the Emory O. Jackson Best Column Writing. "We don't do it for awards, but it's always good when we are acknowledged for the many hours of hard work that we do on behalf of our community," said D. Kevin McNeir, editor of The Informer. It was a piece by McNeir titled, "The Hurt is Real, But We Heal," that earned second place in the Best Feature Story category.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis American earned 10 awards, including the coveted John B. Russwurm and Robert A. Sengstacke trophy for general excellence at the ceremony held inside the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. The Philadelphia Tribune and Los Angeles Sentinel each also enjoyed a good night inside a packed and festive hotel ballroom. The Tribune copped six awards

while the Sentinel walked away with four. Jackie Hampton of the Mississippi Link earned the Publisher of the Year award. "I'm at a loss for words," said the affable Hampton, who admitted to being surprised by the honor. "I've learned so much from you," she said in addressing fellow NNPA publishers. "I don't look so much as to what I can get out of this organization; what I really

NNPA Honors MLK III with Legacy Award

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The National Newspaper Publishers Association honored Martin Luther King III on Friday with its 2017 Lifetime Legacy Award as the group wrapped up its annual summer conference at the Gaylord Convention Center in National Harbor. King, the eldest son of the iconic civil rights leader, said the tribute tops all others he's received because

the Black Press has meant much to his family, particularly his father as he fought for freedom, justice and equality. "The NNPA is particularly a most impactful institution our community has and every week the newspapers of the Black Press reach at least 22 million people in our communities and every week the Black Press tackles issues that we deal with and that we cannot find in the mainstream newspapers," King said just before going onstage

5 National Newspaper Publishers Foundation Chair, Al McFarlane presents the Best Feature Story award to the Washington Informer Publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes, at the 2017 Merit Awards held during the National Newspaper Publishers Association annual convention held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland on June 22. /Photo by Roy Lewis

16 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

to accept his award. "The Black Press provides the information that's needed for African-Americans," he said. "I would say that during the civil rights era my father would not have been successful if not for the African-American press, who had their ears to the ground to what was important in our community." King, who attended the award ceremony with family members, graduated from Morehouse College, his father's alma mater, with a degree in political science. While at Morehouse, King was selected by President Jimmy Carter to serve in the United States delegation to the Republic of Congo for participation in their centennial celebration ceremonies. Like his father, King participated in many protests for civil rights. One of his more notable acts of civil disobedience came in 1985 when he was arrested at the South African Embassy in Washington protesting against apartheid and for the release of freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. "This is a special time," King said Friday as he spoke to publishers and those in attendance at the award ceremony. Showing a lighter side, he quipped, "I like the word legacy,

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but it means you are getting older." King, the former president of the legendary Southern Christian Leadership Conference, also noted the changing world with social media and how it's difficult to understand the acronyms used mostly by young individuals because of the 140-character Twitter limit. "I have to ask the kids to tell me what these things mean because I don't do Twitter or Facebook," he said. Striking a more serious tone, King implored young African-Americans that "we must do better. We have to educate our community. We, as a community, have the ability to do much more," he said. In an effort to help African-Americans realize and capitalize on the vast spending power in the community, King founded Realizing the Dream, a foundation that focused on helping community-based organizers to ignite investment in local neighborhoods and to foster peaceful coexistence within America and abroad. "If we decide to divest, or even talk about [boycotting] some of the companies where are spending billions of our dollars, we won't see

LEGACY Page 44

enjoy is what I can give to this organization." For the St. Louis American, however, the NNPA has repeatedly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and deservedly â&#x20AC;&#x201D; paid homage to the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper which continues to set standards not just for the Black Press, but for all print publications around the globe. "It was a whole team of people who worked so hard and we had excellent competition so it really is an honor to be recognized by our peers in this way," said Kenya Vaughn, the website editor for the American. "I'm very proud and humbled that [the NNPA] recognized us and recognized that we are informing and shaping the minds of our communities through what we publish and print and we do not take that lightly." Irv Randolph, managing editor of the Philadelphia Tribune, said he was thrilled with the honors his paper received. "It's always good to compete with some of the best black papers in the country and to help raise awareness about the African-American press," Randolph said. Among the honors earned by the Tribune were first-place awards for Best News Story, Best Church Section, the Don King Best Sports Section and Best Entertainment Section. Other first-place winners include the Amsterdam News for Best Editorial; New Tri-State Defender for Best Column Writing; Houston Defender for the Carl Murphy Community Service Award; Cincinnati Herald for Best Feature Story; The Skanner for Best Layout and Design- Broadsheet; Houston Forward Times for Best Special Edition; New Tri-State Defender for Best Youth Writer; and the Michigan Chronicle for Best Business Section. WI

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INTERNATIONAL Compiled by Lauren Poteat / WI Contributing Writer

Ebola Outbreak Declared Over; U.S. Officials Say 'Go Home' Now that the the World Health Organization has officially declared the Ebola outbreak over, many U.S. officials are calling to send temporarily protected African immigrants back home. Coming from such countries as Sierra Leone and Guinea, over 4,000 Africans, including Liberian novelist named Paul, who asked to go by his first name in order to remain anonymous, all now risk being sent back from the U.S. "You cannot return because you don't even have the money to pay your air ticket," Paul said. "On this temporary status, if you want to look for a job, many [employers] don't want to give you a full-time job, because they look on your status [like] you are just a short-term person, so they don't want to give you a long-term job. And this is one of the things that I really suffered."

5 Many West Africans have lost their immigration status since the declared end of the Ebola outbreak. /Courtesy of Jon Moore

Chicago Celebrates Author Gwendolyn Brooks

5 Gwendolyn Brooks would have turned 100 this year. /Courtesy of pulitzer.com

The city of Chicago recently unveiled a massive tribute to the late Gwendolyn Brooks, America's first black individual to receive a Pulitzer Prize. Brooks often paid homage to the Windy City's front yards, pool halls, bungalows and back alleys in her works, highlighting the people she passed by on the streets and in grocery stores, giving life to urban poetry and Chicago. "Her quote was 'poetry is life distilled,'" said her daughter, Nora Brooks Blakely. "She was doing a lot of distilling. She looked at things very carefully. She observed well. She recorded life back to its livers." The Topeka, Kansas-born Brooks, who died in 2000 at age 83, was also the first black woman to be inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters and served as a poetry consultant to the Library of Congress, now known as U.S. Poet Laureate.

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Africa's Job Force May Face Extinction By 2040 Some parts of Africa could potentially face mass unemployment by 2040, according to an analysis by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. The report predicted shortfall of over 50 million jobs. Based on world bank data, the labor force in sub-Saharan Africa will rise 823 million by 2040, up from 395 million in 2015. However, total number of jobs is only expected to hit 773 million, reportedly leaving 50 million people in Africa unemployed. "International donors need to take a more coordinated approach, taking into account each country's individual needs, helping them to grow their economies and create jobs," said Jim Murphy, a former cabinet minister, The Guardian reported. "Likewise, donor agencies are failing to adequately address the challenges facing the continent in order to prioritise economic growth." WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

View

Sports Photos by John De Freitas

at: 5Experts say labor in Africa may be scarce by

2040. /Courtesy of unicaf.com

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 17

HEALTH

NNPA, Pfizer Partner to Fight Sickle Cell

5 Dr. Kevin Williams of Pfizer leads a discussion on sickle cell disease at the National Newspaper Publishers Association's annual convention in Oxon Hill, Maryland on June 23.

By Alexa Imani Spencer WI Intern

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The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has teamed with biopharmaceutical company Pfizer in a joint effort to raise awareness of sickle cell disease. The two organizations held a presentation Friday at the NNPA's annual convention to address the collaboration, just days after the death of rapper Prodigy of Mobb Deep, who suffered from the disease. "In the United States, sickle cell disease is a rare disease," Dr. Kevin Williams, Pfizer's chief medical officer, said in his opening remarks. "And the way that we define rare disease in the United States is it impacts less than 250,000 patients in the country." According to Pfizer, sickle cell affects about 100,000 people nationwide, though the disease is more prominent in other nations. Despite the numbers, there is a sense of urgency wherever sickle cell exists. Those living with the lifelong illness, primarily men and women of African descent, are confronted dai-

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ly with challenges and issues. "As you can imagine, there are emotional highs and emotional lows of lifelong illness that can cause such pain and such fatigue," Williams said. Following a testimonial video of a young girl living with sickle cell, the conversation shifted to the lack of involvement by the black community in medical research. "It's important to have engagement and involvement from people in the community," Williams said. "One of the challenges in developing drugs for sickle cell disease is that [the needs of minorities] are underrepresented in clinical trials." African-Americans make up 13 percent of the U.S. population, yet represent only 5 percent of clinical trial participants, Williams said. This hinders the opportunity to successfully develop a drug to fight sickle cell disease. As noted in the discussion, there has long been a concern in the black community that one may be mistreated in medical facilities due to a history of brutality. Incidents such the Tuskegee Experiment and the abuse of Henrietta Lacks contribute to the skepticism. Deborah Clark testified that her son Benjamin faces discrimination by medical staff even today. Benjamin, who has sickle cell, has been denied medication under the assumption that he was misusing medication.

"The doctors at the hospital have treated Benjamin with so much disrespect," Clark said. "He's been called a drug addict, told [that he's] not in pain. My son was in so much pain he was talking about giving up." Racism is partly to blame for the mistreatment of black patients by medical staff, Jim Washington of the Dallas Weekly suggested during the discussion. "If you don't have a component to deal with race in this country, you're not going to be able to deal with a racist doctor," Washington said. "We have to bring that to the table if we want to have effective change." The conversation concluded with insight on how the Black Press can combat the mistreatment of black patients. Publishers stood to their feet and reminded one another of their duty of journalists to expose wrongdoing. Confident in the partnership of NNPA and Pfizer, Williams's final words highlighted the importance of the collaboration. "[Pfizer] got involved in sickle cell disease, because we believe we can make a difference and we are committed to this," Williams said. "That's why we're here today. That's why we've entered this collaboration with the NNPA, so we can have dialogue and figure out what it is that we can bring to the table." WI

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HEALTH

National Women's Organization Releases Report on Civil Injustice

By Lauren Poteat WI Contributing Writer

The National Press Club held an in-depth discussion Tuesday on civil injustice led by a national organization that fights to secure reproductive justice for all women and girls. The group — In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda — issued a report offering firsthand accounts of the experiences of black women, including on issues of abortion access, the Affordable Care Act, maternal health and equal access to contraception. "We held listening sessions with black women across the country," said Marcela Howell, founder and executive director of In Our Own Voice. "This report documents the real-life barriers to reproductive health that black women face and examines the impact of these barriers on our lives." In the report, both political parties are cited for giving short shrift to the needs of black women and consistently failing to

address police violence against black people despite eyewitnesses, including the recent incident of Charleena Lyles, a pregnant black woman with a mental illness who was killed by police in front of her c "The time is now for black women to use the power of our vote and our lived experiences to inform real policy change," Howell said. "And the other party ignores our needs in its frantic push to attract more white male voters into its ranks. But let us be clear: a vision of economic equality that does not also address the multiple facets of racial and gender inequality is not progress — it's Jim Crow." After introduction of the report, a panel discussion was held, further examining the issues of black women and the criminal justice system, abortion access and HIV/AIDS among black women. Panelists included Deon Haywood, executive director of Women with a Vision, Marsha Jones, executive director of The Afiya Center, and Heidi Wil-

liamson, CEO of Idieh Consultant Group, who moderated the discussion. Toward the end of the briefing, an agenda for action was outlined, including prioritizing voter engagement and GOTV efforts, collaborating with local

advocates to develop and support policy change that promoted reproductive justice, investing in black women leaders financially, building coordinated responses to injustice across the nation and calling for black women to share their experiences and leadership.

"Black women need equity, but we also need to take charge of our own lives by continuing to lead in activism, run for office, finance other black women candidates and be our own best experts in organizing for policy change," Howell said. WI

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5 Marcela Howell, founder and executive director of In Our Own Voice, presents the organization’s “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Voices” report Tuesday, June 27, at the National Press Club in Northwest. The report was released “to put forward a policy, leadership, and movement building agenda” for organizations working on women’s issues specific to the Black community. /Photo by E Watson/EDI

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HEALTH Menthol Ban Blasted as 'Black Tax' By Noni Marshall WI Intern

At first glance, banning menthol seems to be a step in a healthy direction for Americans, but some say that this ban holds implications that directly target the black community. During the National Newspaper Publishers Association's annual convention at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Thursday, June 22, a panel consisting of publishers, activists and law enforcement representatives discussed these unintended consequences and urged audience members to join them in fighting against the proposed ban. "It's a racial issue, I believe," said panelist Kim Stevenson, an activist from Oakland, California. "How are you going to ban menthol and flavored cigarettes and not ban all cigarettes? It's a black tax on our people one more time." According to smokefree.gov, menthol cigarettes account for about 30 percent of total cigarette use in the United States.

Health experts claim that menthol causes a numbing sensation in the throat which allows users to become desensitized to the harshness of tobacco. Users gravitate toward menthol because it makes it easier to inhale cigarette smoke while harmful chemicals are absorbed by the body. There is no research available that suggests that menthol cigarettes lead to a higher risk of cancer, or that they are in any way more harmful that other cigarette alternatives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 88.5 percent of African-American smokers 12 and older prefer menthol cigarettes, compared to 25 percent of white smokers. Stevenson believes that because there is no research to support the specific ban of menthol, it is clear that the black community is being targeted. "If they take it [menthol] off the market, there's going to be an underground market," Stevenson said. "That's going to increase the criminalization of our community while increasing police contact with our people." As the conversation continued,

panelists discussed the case of Eric Garner, a black man killed in an altercation with New York City Police as he was accosted for selling loose cigarettes. His story, along with those of other black men and women wrongfully targeted by police, were cited as examples of why banning menthol can lead to the criminalization of blacks. The panelists' concern was not of blacks' access to menthol cigarettes, but rather that police officers will use such a ban to unfairly criminalize people in the black community. "Law enforcement doesn't need one more reason to be able to go into our neighborhoods and arrest one more of our kids," said Chief John Dixon III, former president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). The panel's opposition to the ban may be misconstrued as promotion of tobacco use, but moderator Kendrick Meeks, a law enforcement representative, insisted that wasn't the case. "Folks should not smoke," Meeks said. "It has bad health outcomes. â&#x20AC;Ś Everybody knows it. But banning

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menthol without banning all smoking isn't a health advance. In order to combat the issue of smoking in all communities, the panelists said that education will have a broader effect than legislation. Neill Franklin, retired Maryland State Police commander for the Bureau of Drug and Criminal Enforcement, said that tobacco use is a health issue that should not be handled by the justice system. "We are trying to solve a public health issue with criminal justice tactics and practices," he said. "In my 34 years in the police force, I have seen tobacco usage be reduced by 40 percent without the help of the police. It can be done." The issue has split the black com-

munity. Some proponents of the ban say that the ban is necessary to improve the health of black people, while others share the sentiment of the panelists that it is more of an attack on blacks than it is a plan to make them healthier. San Francisco, Minneapolis and Oakland are among the cities mulling such a ban. With community members on both sides of the fence, panelists urged audience members to evaluate its unintended consequences for the black community. "We have to think before we get behind legislation like this," Stevenson said. "It sounds good, but it is bound to do more harm than good in our communities." WI

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20 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

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Why Haven’t Senior Homeowners Been Told These Facts?

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It’s a well-known fact that for many senior citizens in the U.S. their home is their single biggest asset, often accounting for more than 50% of their total net worth. Yet, according to new statistics from the mortgage industry, senior homeowners in the U.S. are now sitting on more than 6.1 trillion dollars of unused home equity.1 With people now living longer than ever before and home prices back up again, ignoring this “hidden wealth” may prove to be short sighted. All things considered, it’s not surprising that more than a million homeowners have already used a government-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or “HECM” loan to turn their home equity into extra cash for retirement. However, today, there are still millions of eligible homeowners who could benefit from this FHA-insured loan but may simply not be aware of this “retirement secret.” Some homeowners think HECM loans sound “too good to be true.” After all, you get the cash you need out of your home but you have no more monthly mortgage payments.

NO MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS?2 EXTRA CASH? It’s a fact: no monthly mortgage payments are required with a governmentinsured HECM loan;2 however the homeowners are still responsible for paying for the maintenance of their home, property taxes, homeowner’s insurance and, if required, their HOA fees. Another fact many are not aware of is that HECM reverse mortgages first took hold when President Reagan signed the

FHA Reverse Mortgage Bill into law 29 years ago in order to help senior citizens remain in their homes. Today, HECM loans are simply an effective way for homeowners 62 and older to get the extra cash they need to enjoy retirement. Although today’s HECM loans have been improved to provide even greater financial protection for homeowners, there are still many misconceptions. For example, a lot of people mistakenly believe the home must be paid off in full in order to qualify for a HECM loan, which is not the case. In fact, one key advantage of a HECM is that the proceeds will first be used to pay off any existing liens on the property, which frees up cash flow, a huge blessing for seniors living on a fixed income. Unfortunately, many senior homeowners who might be better off with HECM loan don’t even bother to get more information because of rumors they’ve heard. That’s a shame because HECM loans are helping many senior homeowners live a better life. In fact, a recent survey by American Advisors Group (AAG), the nation’s number one HECM lender, found that over 90% of their clients are satisfied with their loans. While these special loans are not for everyone, they can be a real lifesaver for senior homeowners like Betty Carter, who recently took out a HECM loan with AAG so that she could finally get the extra cash she needed to fix up her house. “With the help of AAG, I have been able to repair my home’s foundation that I had been putting off for several years, refinish the hardwood floors, paint the interior and will

FACT: In 1988, President Reagan signed

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have the exterior painted within a few days. My house is starting to look like my home again and it feels good,” says Carter. The cash from a HECM loan can be used for any purpose. Many people use the money to save on interest charges by paying off credit cards or other high-interest loans. Other common uses include making home improvements, paying off medical bills or helping other family members. Some people simply need the extra cash for everyday expenses while others are now using it as a “safety net” for financial emergencies. If you’re a homeowner age 62 or older, you owe it to yourself to learn more so that you can make an informed decision. Homeowners who are interested in learning more can request a free 2017 HECM loan Information Kit and free Educational DVD by calling American Advisors Group toll-free at 1-(800) 791-3770. At no cost or obligation, the professionals at AAG can help you find out if you qualify and also answer common questions such as: 1. What’s the government’s role? 2. How much money might I get? 3. Who owns the home after I take out a HECM loan? You may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover when you call AAG for more information today.

Source: http://reversemortgagedaily.com/2016/06/21/seniors-home-equity-grows-to-6-trillion-reverse-mortgage-opportunity. 2If you qualify and your loan is approved, a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) must pay off any existing mortgage(s). With a HECM loan, no monthly mortgage payment is required. A HECM increases the principal mortgage loan amount and decreases home equity (it is a negative amortization loan). AAG works with other lenders and nancial institutions that offer HECMs. To process your request for a loan, AAG may forward your contact information to such lenders for your consideration of HECM programs that they offer. Borrowers are responsible for paying property taxes and homeowner’s insurance (which may be substantial). We do not establish an escrow account for disbursements of these payments. A set-aside account can be set up to pay taxes and insurance and may be required in some cases. Borrowers must occupy home as their primary residence and pay for ongoing maintenance; otherwise the loan becomes due and payable. The loan also becomes due and payable when the last borrower, or eligible non-borrowing surviving spouse, dies, sells the home, permanently moves out, defaults on taxes or insurance payments, or does not otherwise comply with the loan terms. American Advisors Group (AAG) is headquartered at 3800 W. Chapman Ave., 3rd & 7th Floors, Orange CA, 92868., (District of Columbia Mortgage Dual Authority License No. MLB9392), V11082016

These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency. V11082016

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6/22/17 9:11 AM

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 21

EDUCATION Black Newspaper Publishers Spread the Word on ESSA Town Hall Meeting Convenes Black parents By Sarafina Wright WI Staff Writer The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) gave black parents in the D.C. metropolitan region the opportunity to

speak candidly about how U.S. education policy affects their children. The NNPA kicked off its annual convention Tuesday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National

NANCE: Trials of the First Slave Freed by Abraham Lincoln By Carl Adams

EVERY AMERICAN KNOWS LINCOLN FREED THE SLAVES. But did you know that before he freed all the slaves, he freed just one slave?

Her name was Nance, and this children's book is the story of that brave girl who sued for her freedom, and won. Based on decades of painstaking research into court records, this book is the true story of the three Supreme Court trials of the first slave freed by a then-young lawyer, Abraham Lincoln, in Illinois in 1841. Book awards and recognitions: • R.B. Garrett African-American Museum, Peoria, ILL Humanitarian Award • Illinois State Historical Society for Scholarship and Creativity • International Indie Book Award in Education/Academic 2017 • And a Thank You note from Obama White House for Donating a copy to White House Library

To purchase the book or for more information: www.nancebook.com or email Carl Adams carlmadams6@gmail.com

22 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

5 National Newspaper Publishers Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Program Manager, Dr. Elizabeth Primas, explains the details of the ESSA law, and how it will affect the children in school in their communities at a Town Hall held June 20, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland. /Photo by Roy Lewis

Harbor, with a town hall-style meeting — themed "Striving for Educational Excellence" — that gave parents a soapbox to voice their concerns about Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the new federal education plan. "We had to replace the No Child Left Behind Act, so now we have the Every Student Succeeds Act," said NNPA Chair and Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. "D.C. has already submitted its plan. Maryland, I think, is in the process and will submit its plan in September, as well as Virginia."

Rolark Barnes said that the District had a number of town halls to discuss building the plan, like many other school districts around the country. "We as parents need to be there and know what ESSA is all about how it will impact our children, particularly African-American and Latino children, because we are the ones that are often the most disenfranchised by every institution,including the educational institutions," she said. ESSA replaced the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and will be implemented beginning next school year.

"We're talking about equity and equality in education, so we need to know what our states plan to propose that will make education equitable for the children." DENISE ROLARK BARNES / Publisher, Washington Informer

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The act takes control from the federal government and gives it back to state and local school district leaders. In the past year, there have been countless public town halls and meetings to provide transparency to parents and their communities, a requirement of ESSA. A part of that transparency entails public awareness in getting the message out to parents, especially the underprivileged who could benefit from the act the most. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation granted the NNPA $1.5 million to use their platform of over 200 black-owned newspapers throughout the U.S. to spread the word through its print and digital products, programs and technology. Policy experts, physicians and educators came together on the panel at the town hall along with Benjamin Chavis, NNPA president and CEO, and Elizabeth Primas, NNPA's ESSA program manager, to answer parents' most pressing questions. "We're here to inform you so you can go out and talk to people in your community and you can inform them," Rolark Barnes said. "We need to know the new policies and how it's going to impact our children. "We're talking about equity and equality in education, so we need to know what our states plan to propose that will make education equitable for the children," she said. WI

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DCPS

BRIEFS Compiled by Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer

TASK FORCE FOCUS

The application period to serve on the D.C. State Board of Education's new High School Graduation Requirements Task Force ended on June 23, with each of the applications being made available for public review. Ushering in a new wave of transparency, the task force will review, analyze and, as necessary, make thoughtful, implementable recommendations to adjust the city's high school graduation requirements for both DCPS and public charter students. Task force meetings will begin in July and continue on a biweekly basis through spring 2018.

REPORT OVERVIEWS

SBOE student representative Alex Dorosin of Wilson High School recently presented an overview at this month's SBOE working session, of the second annual report of the Student Advisory Committee. The SAC also met four times over the course of the 2016-17 school year and selected seven key topics that they feel can be changed or improved in the D.C. education system. The proposals submitted by the SAC focused on graduation requirements, security, access to humanities and civic engagement courses, hall sweeps, food and nutrition, grading systems and student socialization. Also, during this year's DC STEM Fair, more than 150 middle and high school students showcased their research project results, interviewed with STEM professionals and competed for awards. The 73 projects submitted to the fair represented 14 schools, 54 projects in junior division involving 63 students and 19 projects in senior division with 22 students.

EDUCATION DCPS GOES TO COLLEGE

Kemuel Farmer graduated from Ballou Senior High School a year early and will attend the University of Delaware, where she plans to study secondary English education. "I struggled with English when I was little, so I want to help older kids before they go off into the world," she said. Kemuel said the faculty at Ballou are the reason she feels prepared to go to college. "They prepared [me] for the real world," she said. While at Ballou, Kemuel participated in the Book Club, Robotics Club, ROTC and Garden Club. Despite her excitement for the next step, she has fond memories of her high school. "Even with our differences, we're still all one at Ballou," she said. Juan Lovos, who graduated from the Columbia Heights Education Campus, "cried a little bit" when he found out he was heading to Sewanee: The University of the South as a POSSE Scholar. "Last year was rough. I didn't really have aspirations for college," Juan said. "But my sister helped me and encouraged me to apply. Now I know that I'm able to face adversity and beat it. I'm a stronger student."

5 Stars Tribute honorees (from left) Alonzo Martinez of Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School; Lonnie Gordon of Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School; Dominique Cravens of Washington Latin Public Charter School and Artrice Carpenter of Friendship Public Charter School. /Courtesy of AaronSweet.com

CHARTER SCHOOL 'STARS'

The "STARS Tribute 2017" recently celebrated the work of four most outstanding high school graduates and 11 exemplars of vision and mission of D.C. public charter schools. This year's event, sponsored by the D.C. Association of Chartered Schools, emphasized essential elements necessary for educational success. Listed among the high school graduates are Artrice Carpenter of Friendship Public Charter School, whose 4.069 grade point average helped earn her admission to Carnegie Mellon University; Dominique Cravens of Washington Latin Public Charter School, who will attend Wellesley College with a 3.6 GPA; Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School's Lonnie Gordon, with a 3.75 GPA, who gained admission to Temple University; and Alonzo Martinez of Carlos who graduates from Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School. WI

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 23

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Juneteenth or July 4? Redskins Josh Norman Steps on The Scene

Summer Entertainment JUNE 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 6

Omari Hardwick, star of hit tv show Power poses on the red carpet during the season 4 premiere on Thursday, June 8 at the Newseum in Northwest . /Photo by Shevry Lassiter.

APRIL 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 4 APRIL 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 4 MAY 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 5

PUBLISHER

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PUBLISHER PHOTO EDITOR PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes PUBLISHER Dejah Greene Denise Rolark Barnes Denise Rolark Barnes PHOTO EDITOR PHOTO EDITOR Dejah Greene PHOTO EDITOR LAYOUT EDITOR

Cannabis App Helps Medical PAGEINSIDE THIS ISSUE Users Rate Weed INSIDETHIS THISISSUE ISSUE INSIDE Releaf Launches Partnership Cannabis App Helps Medicalwith

Denise Rolark Barnes

Dejah Dejah Greene Greene Dominiqua S. Eldridge

Sarafina Wright

EDITOR’S LETTER Sarafina Wright

Sarafina Wright Sarafina Wright This month EDITOR’S in honor of Earth Day we are LETTER LETTER celebrating EDITOR’S andEDITOR’S acknowledging greenery This month in honor ofLETTER Earth Day we are in allThis of its It’sforms. officially Summer the District, month in honor of EarthinDay we are celebrating and acknowledging greenery

LAYOUT EDITOR LAYOUT EDITOR LAYOUT S. Dominiqua Eldridge

Dominiqua Eldridge Dominiqua S. S. Eldridge

PAGE Local Dispensary Cannabis App Users Rate Weed PAGE Comes toHelps D.C.: Medical PAGE Hollywood

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Users Rate ReleafSeason Launches with Power 4Weed RedPartnership Carpet with PAGE

DC’s First Museum Local Marijuana Dispensary Releaf Launches Partnership Dispensary OpensLocal on 4/20

DC’s First Marijuana Museum PAGE The History of Cannabis Redskins Josh Norman Steps Explored PAGE DC’s First Marijuana Museum Opens 4/20 PAGE Into DC’son Philanthropic Scene Opens on 4/20 The History of Cannabis Explored The History of Cannabis Explored Broccoli City Celebrates 5 Years

PAGE

5 55 5

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with FlagshipAlive Music Festival Keep Juneteenth PAGE PAGE Broccoli City Celebrates 5 Years

5K Run, Panels, Pop-Ups, Parties and

City Celebrates 5 Years with Flagship Music Festival PAGE Broccoli More From April 29 - May 6

with Flagship Festival which means great restaurantgreenery openings, 5K Run, Panels, Music Pop-Ups, Parties and and and acknowledging insustainability all of its forms. Withcelebrating the environment More From April 29 May 6 5K Run, Panels, Pop-Ups, Parties and day and festivals! We’ve got you in all of parties its forms. Meet Xavier Brown: The Face Summer Entertainment Guide taking center stage in April and the More From April 29 - May 6PAGEPAGE With sustainability the environment covered with our and comprehensive guide to of Black Farmers DCFace PAGE Meet Xavier Brown:inThe official weed holiday of 4/20, this issue With and the environment taking center stage in April - and the gosustainability out and enjoy your summer. Whether Meet Xavier Brown: The Face PAGE of Black Farmers in DC center stage April - this and the was taking the perfect opportunity to tie those you’re looking for ainof new eatery to try, live CONTRIBUTING WRITER official weed holiday 4/20, issue official holiday of 4/20, issue art shows or simply just atie good time CONTRIBUTING WRITER of Black Farmers in DC themes together. Jade James-Gist wasmusic, theweed perfect opportunity tothis those CONTRIBUTING WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITER was the together. perfect tie those you’ll find it inopportunity our Summer to Entertainment themes Jade ONON THE COVER JadeJames-Gist James-Gist THE COVER D.C. themes officially has a cannabis museum Guide. together. Jade James-Gist ON THE COVER D.C.we officially has athecannabis museum where go also inside explore the We’ve had and opportunity to meet ON THE COVER D.C. officially has ahow cannabis museum where we inside explore the history of the plant and it has shaped and talk togothe stars ofand the hit-show of the where we inside and explore the history of thego plant and how has shaped society over the past few summer, Power. Thecenturies. StarzitNetwork held history of the plant and how it has shaped society over the past few centuries. their season 4 premiere right here in D.C. Xavier Brown thethe founder ofcenturies. Soilful City society over past few because of the growing influence Xavier Brown thecity’s founder of Soilful Cityin gets Xavier candid about urban farming, food Brownabout the founder of Soilful food City getsHollywood. candid urban farming, policy and being the face of young Black Washington Cornerback gets about urban farming, food policycandid and being theRedskins face of young Black farmers in the city. Josh Norman put on a charity event policy and the face of young Blackfor farmers in being the city. his foundation one of his first farmers the city. Of course weinhave youStarz24, covered with thethe WI WIBRIDGE BRIDGE TEAM TEAM Of course we have you covered with WI BRIDGE TEAM efforts to break into the highly coveted full itinerary of the Broccoli City Music Of course we have you covered with the WI BRIDGE TEAM full philanthropy itinerary ofscene the Broccoli City here in D.C. WeMusic caught Festival as they celebrate 5 years in May full itinerary of the Broccoli City Music Festival as him theytocelebrate 5 years in young May up with hear his plans for the withFestival a weeklong series of events. as they celebrate 5 years in May withmen a weeklong series of events. and women he hopes to reach. with aAlexa weeklong series of events. Imani Spencer, a after Howard Solange returns to to the District Solange returns the District after University student and Discover The Solange to and theand District after headlining thereturns BusBoys Poets Peace headlining the BusBoys Poets Peace Unexpected Fellow with the Washington thethe BusBoys and Poets Peace Ball to take stage at the festival Ball headlining to Informer take the stage at the festival penned a piece on Juneteenth and to take the stage at Savage, the festival along Lil Yachty, 21 Rae alongBall with Lil 21 African Savage, Rae whatwith the Yachty, holiday for Americans along with Lil Yachty, 21 Savage, Rae Sremmurd more! Sremmurd and more! means toand her. This is a piece you don't want Sremmurd and more! to miss! Interested in photography writing Interested in photography or orwriting Interested in photography or writing Interested in photography or writing for the Bridge? Email swright@ for the Bridge? Email meme at at swright@ for Bride?Email Emailmemeat atswright@ swright@ The ladies of the Bridge Jade, Sarafina and Dominiqua for the the Bridge? washingtoninformer.com. washingtoninformer.com. caught upofwith other onSarafina Saturday,and March 25, a washingtoninformer.com. The ladies the each Bridge Jade, Dominiqua washingtoninformer.com. Xavier Brown, founder of Soilful City poses Thecaught ladiesup ofspring the Bridge Jade, Sarafina and Dominiqua XavierBrown, Brown,founder founder Soilful poses See you in May for our Fashion Issue! beautiful day at Union Market in Northeast. / with each other on Saturday, March 25, a The ladies of the Bridge Jade, Sarafina and Dominiqua Xavier Cheers! of of Soilful CityCity poses for the WI Bridge at Sankofa Video Books See you in May for our Fashion Issue! caught up with each other on Saturday, March 25, a Photo byspring Garrett. See you in May for our Fashion Issue! for Cafe theWIWI Bridge at Sankofa Video Books beautiful day at Union in March Northeast. caught up Steve with each other on Market Saturday, 25, a/ for Sankofa Books andthe onBridge Friday,atApril 21 in Video Northwest. / beautiful spring day at Union Market in Northeast. / Photo by Steve beautiful springGarrett. day at Union Market in Northeast. / and Cafe on Friday, April 21 in Northwest. / and Cafe on Friday, April 21 in Northwest. / Web: http://washingtoninformer.com/news/wi-bridge/ Photo by Steve Garrett. www.facebook.com/wibridgecommunity Photo byby Steve Photo SteveGarrett. Garrett. PhotobybySteve Steve Garrett. Photo Garrett.

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http://washingtoninformer.com/news/wi-bridge/ www.facebook.com/wibridgecommunity @InformerBridge www.twitter.com/informerbridge Web: Email: wibridge@washingtoninformer.com Web: http://washingtoninformer.com/news/wi-bridge/ Web: http://washingtoninformer.com/news/wi-bridge/ @InformerBridge www.twitter.com/informerbridge Email: Omari Hardwick, star of hit tv show Power poses on the www.instagram.com/washinformerbridge wibridge@washingtoninformer.com #WIBRIDGE red carpet during the season 4 premiere on Thursday, @InformerBridge www.twitter.com/informerbridge Email: @InformerBridge www.twitter.com/informerbridge Email: wibridge@washingtoninformer.com wibridge@washingtoninformer.com June 8 at the Newseum in Northwest . www.instagram.com/washinformerbridge #WIBRIDGE WI BRIDGE | 2 /Photo by Shevry Lassiter. www.instagram.com/washinformerbridge #WIBRIDGE www.instagram.com/washinformerbridge #WIBRIDGE

www.facebook.com/wibridgecommunity www.facebook.com/wibridgecommunity

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Hollywood Comes to DC

JUNE 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 6

Power Season 4 Red Carpet Premiere By Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor

Real Housewives of Potomac star Monique and husband Chris Samuels. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen and husband Ray Huger. / Photo by Shevry Lassiter

The Stars Network premiered season 4 of its hit-show Power on Sunday, June 25 picking up where it left off following James “Ghost” St. Patrick to jail. Tasha’s world is falling apart and Angela is hell-bent on getting justice for the murder of Greg even if it means taking the love of her life “Jamie” down for a crime he didn't commit. And Tommy the enforcer? Of course he is doing what he does best. Kicking ass and asking questions later. Before the cable premiere, the cast, crew and network hosted their start-studded glitzy premiere in Washington, DC on Thursday, June 8, at the Newseum in Northwest. It could have been in New York or LA as expected but they chose the District instead. Show creator, Courtney Kemp Agboh has a connection to the city spending most of her summers here growing up, so for her bringing Power to D.C. was a must. The entire cast including Omari Hardwick, 50 Cent, Lela Loren, Joseph Sikora, Naturi Naughton, Lala, Larenz Tate and more and graced the red carpet. Local celebrities like Washington Wizards guard John Wall and the cast of the Real Housewives of Potomac came through to support the hottest show of the summer.

Real Housewives of Potomac star Gizelle Bryant. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

(above)Rapper and actor 50 Cent graced the carpet quickly before exiting. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter. (left) Actors and brothers, Lahmard and Larenz Tate (middle left) Jospeh Sikora stops on the carpet to speak about season 4 of Power. /Photo by Sarafina Wright. (far left) Power star Naturi Naughton poses with her baby bump on the red carpet. /Photo courtesy of Naturi Naughton.

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Redskins Josh Norman Steps Into DC’s Philanthropic Scene

By Sarafina Wright WI Bridge Editor

The second highest paid cornerback in the NFL, Redskins Josh Norman seeks to put his earnings to good use bringing his foundation Starz24 to Washington. We caught up with him at his charity event on Tuesday, June 13, at Hawthorne on U Street to find out what he has planned for the kids of the District.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DO A FOUNDATION HERE IN DC? Because this is where I’m at. I did one in Charlotte too, I had a celebrity basketball game there for like two years. I was doing some stuff down there, went out and talked to some people and informed them about Starz24. But ever since I came up to Washington, DC plans changed and I want to do something for whatever community I’m in.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE YOUNG MEN IN THE FOUNDATION? We want them to have physical, active play. I want to show them that they can do it too. That they can strive for greatness just as I have. I think books is huge and it’s important. You know being a tutor and mentor to them letting them know they can do it and just pushing forward with whatever they need. I’m geared to ages 8 - 16 but hey if you want to come into the program we can help you out in any kind of way. We just know that whatever we can do for kids we want to do it and push them towards their dream. Let them know they can do whatever they want.

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO INFILTRATING THE SOCIAL AND PHILANTHROPIC SCENE HERE IN DC? Absolutely. What I’m doing right now is getting on the scene and letting them know that okay we are here. We want to do something in our community so letting everybody know that we need their help is important, but if not we will do it for ourselves. We’re doing this for the kids, to help them and give back as much as we possibly can.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT DC? Washington Redskins Cornerback Josh Norman smiles for the camera during his foundation “Starz24” charity event on Tuesday, June 13, at Hawthorne on U Street in Northwest. /Photo by Travis Riddick. Footballs for auction at the Starz24 charity event on Tuesday, June 13, at Hawthorne on U Street in Northwest. /Photo by Travis Riddick.

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Actually I’m in Ashburn, so it’s a bit different, but things are in D.C. like the inner city youth that we want to target. They need it the most. We have to let them know we really care and we’re here. I want to give them something to do when they get out of school, because crime happens between the time of getting out of school and going to sleep. The time gap is huge. So if we can give them something to focus on something to do like being active during that time. We will save a lot more lives.

Keep Juneteenth Alive By Alexa Imani Spencer WI Bridge Contributor

As a little Black girl raised in Texas, Juneteenth was one of the most anticipated and memorable holidays. Each June, families gathered in parks to celebrate the liberation of our ancestors. Old school cars and trucks lined the surrounding streets. Music cut through the air and became rhythm to all who listened. Grand-sized barbecue pits released clouds of sweet, applewood smoke. We celebrated deep into the night. It was natural for us. It was tradition. The contradiction, however, came weeks later when we’d all be back together again to celebrate the 4th of July, better known as the Independence Day of the United States. A national holiday that has excluded the Black community since its inception. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of enslavement in the United States, according to the Juneteenth Worldwide Celebration website. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger led a troop of Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were to be set free. Freedom had reached Texas well after it’s due date, as President Lincoln formally ended enslavement through The Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. For two and a half years, enslavement proceeded in the state despite the executive order. It was at the arrival of General Granger’s regiment that forced slave owners to submit to the new law. As a young adult now, no longer in a state of pseudo patriotism, I allow the words of Frederick Douglass to ring in my ears each year as the two Independence Days collide: “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sound of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants brass fronted impudence; your shout of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanks-givings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.” — Douglass, 1852

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“Let us celebrate our liberation, and never our enslavement.” "The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” Fireworks, hotdogs, and flag themed attire are of no attraction to me, as I understand that for my ancestors, July 4th did not mean freedom. It was simply a reminder of the injustice in which their lives could not escape. I hear the sounds of depressed and frustrated cries, stretched, dangling rope, and anxious feet bound to chains. I see the intimidating vast of unfamiliar land and the apathetic crack of whips onto skin. I feel a deep yearning for liberation amid a reality of bondage. Knowing the depth of suffering that my ancestors endured, in no way can I pretend as though the idea of American independence was ever inclusive. Understand that we’ve yet to get free. Enslavement has only evolved. It is hidden in the prison-industrial complex, corrupt government agendas, genetically engineered food and dishonest education. Black men, women and children are still victims to dying at the hands of law enforcement, while the justice system continues to rule with impunity. As July 4th approaches, I encourage all young Black men and women to thoroughly examine the state in which we live before participating in the celebration. And if you didn’t this year, partake in Juneteenth next June. We owe it to our ancestors and to ourselves to keep the holiday alive, as it a testament to our undying resilience. Let us celebrate our liberation, and never our enslavement.

Summer e Entertainment d i u G JUNE 2017 | VOL 3, ISSUE 6

By Jade James Gist WI Bridge Contributor

FESTIVALS:

JAZZ IN THE GARDEN

Fridays, June 30, 2017 - August 25, 2017 From: 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

What is it? Enjoy the relaxing sounds of DC-area jazz musicians as you lounge around the sculpture garden’s central fountain every Friday throughout the summer at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. Reasonably priced food and adult beverages available to enhance the experience. Perfect cheap date! https:// www.pavilioncafe.com/jazz-in-the-garden-menu.html

DC BLACK THEATRE & ARTS FESTIVAL June 23, 2017 - July 2, 2017 • All day, citywide What is it? For up-and-coming artists of color, the 7th annual DC Black Theatre and Arts Festival is a spot to showcase your unique brand and talents. Visit the festival’s website the schedule and for more details. “The DC Black Theatre & Arts Festival is a self-producing festival, where both established and emerging artists can present their work. For some, applying is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create, produce and perform a show. The Festival strives to encourage artists in our festival to give expression to their talents and develop their artistic freedom; without any barriers between their work and the audience. We are also the first theatre festival of its kind to recognize the importance of both urban and traditional theatre.” http://www.dcblacktheatrefestival.com/ welcome.html

CAPITAL FRINGE FESTIVAL July 6 - 30, 2017 • All day, citywide What is it? In its 12th year, Capital Fringe focuses on expanding audiences’ appetites for the “Fringe” in independent theatre, music, art, dance and unclassifiable forms of live performances and visual art. “Capital Fringe is a catalyst for cultural and community development, and a destination that brings artists and audiences together. Capital Fringe thrives on amplifying the vibrancy of DC’s independent arts community and enriches the lives of those who reside, work and visit here.” One featured TV show called The Regulars offers a familiar scene along with social commentary on dating apps. “The show follows a young Black woman as she navigates the D.C. dating scene. Spoiler alert: It's not always smooth sailing. The preview scene featured the night's best punch line, which comes as such a surprise that I wouldn't dare spoil it. See it for yourself.” Tickets and a full list of shows are available here. https:// www.capitalfringe.org/about

ANNUAL CEVICHE FESTIVAL Monday, June 26 - July 9, 2017 China Chilcano • 418 7th St. NW

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What is it? Chef José Andrés hosts an annual ceviche festival at his AsianLatin American fusion spot, China Chilcano. Starting Monday, June 26 through July 9, the restaurant will offer six special ceviches featuring razor clams, octopus, fish and unconventional ingredients like ponzu, roasted beets, green apple and cured egg yolk.

SOURCE FESTIVAL Now - July 2, 2017 • All day, citywide What is it? “In its tenth year, Source Festival has been a vital launching pad for new work and a proving ground for the district’s actors, directors and designers. CulturalDC’s Source Festival combines the forces of rising talents with established artists. Driven by creativity, collaboration and invention, artists from across the nation present new works over three weeks. The relationships built here lay the path for the next generation of outstanding performing artists.” Tickets are on sale now at http://www. sourcefestival.org/

FOOD: WEEKLY CRAB BOILS Available now Brookland's Finest • 3126 12th St. NE What is it? It’s crab season on the East Coast! To celebrate, “Brookland's Finest” will offer its crab boil menu every Tuesday throughout the summer. A dish to be shared, their classic crab boil runs about $30 and is loaded with Maryland blue crabs, potatoes, sausage, corn, and of course, Old Bay.

about $14, Westeros-themed costumes are encouraged and a sizable dragon will make its debut. The lines will be crazy, so make sure to get there at least an hour (or two) early.

HEALTH & WELLNESS: TRAP YOGA Sundays and Saturdays, Now - June 3, 2018 From: 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM Khepera Wellness • 3400 14th St NW What is it? “Trap Yoga is a special weekly class held at the studio that mixes Power Yoga with Trap Music. This form of hip hop is bass heavy with themes ranging from working hard to being your best self. These classes will challenge you and encourage you to bring levity to a practice that requires you to be tough. Music choices may change but the intent will be the same: work hard and evolve your self. This class is great for intermediate to advanced students.” Contact Khepera Wellness at (770) 605-2203 or kheperawellness@gmail.com for further information.

BLACK GIRL MAGIC YOGA AND DISCUSSION Sundays, Now - June 3, 2018 From: 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM Khepera Wellness • 3400 14th St NW

For cheap cocktails, beer and whiskey, check out 14th street’s newest fast-casual Baltimore-based Venezuelan restaurant, “Chicken and Whiskey.” The famously tender and flavorful South American rotisserie chicken takes a dive into the fryer with chef Enrique Limardo. Chicken offerings are fried or roasted and presented on salads or sandwiches. Visit them now for a late night, post-club snack, like the decadent deep fried chicken “nacho wrap.” The restaurant will serve food until 3 AM on weekends and midnight on weekdays.

What is it? “Black Girl Magic is a Yin OR Slow Vinyasa Flow Yoga experience celebrating the beauty and strength of Black women. The class serves as a safe space for Black women to pursue health and wellness together with all other groups of people dedicated to uplifting Black women. Yes, you can come to class if you are male, transgender, white, Black, etc. ‘ Created by and for Black women, this yoga class transcends to our inhale discussions once a month which will focus on the state of Black women in America and provide an avenue for women to have fellowship and support for one another. “ Contact Khepera Wellness at (770) 605-2203 or kheperawellness@gmail.com for further information.

GORSHA

SUNRISE YOGA ON THE ROOFTOP

CHICKEN AND WHISKEY 1738 14th St. NW

1309 5th St. NE, Union Market For fast-casual Ethiopian cuisine in Northeast, check out Gorsha inside Union Market. For traditional Ethiopian cuisine served with Injera bread and/or bowls, Gorsha will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 8 PM.

GAME OF THRONES POP-UP BAR Hosted at Southern Efficiency 1841 7th St NW, Shaw neighborhood From Drink Company, the group that brought about the popular Miracle on 7th Street Christmas bar and the recent spring Cherry Blossom bar, comes their newest creation, a Game of Thrones themed bar. For the record, themed drinks are

Now - September 24, 2017 Sundays and Saturdays 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM The Dupont Deck - The Embassy Row Hotel 2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW What is it? Bring a yoga mat and join an all-level vinyasa class led by Epic Yoga’s Emma Saal. Start your day off with a morning flow, fresh air, and the sunrise on The Rooftop at the Embassy Row Hotel. Free to hotel guests and locals register at www.epicyogadc.com.

CAPITAL HARVEST FARMERS' MARKET On Fridays, June 30, 2017 - November 10, 2017 From: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Woodrow Wilson Plaza

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW What is it? “Situated at Woodrow Wilson Plaza, Capital Harvest offers up farm-fresh deliciousness, artisanal crafts and recipes and tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Check out the vendors and start planning your haul.” Free admission

MUSIC, CULTURE & THE ARTS: AZAR LAWRENCE QUINTET (SAX) July 1, 2017 From: 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM Blues Alley Jazz in Georgetown 1073 (Rear) Wisconsin Ave. NW What is it? “Azar Lawrence grew up during an era of prolificacy and transcendence in Jazz music that, to this day, has stood the test of time. While still very young, Azar began playing with many jazz legends, and at just seventeen; he played his first professional gigs abroad with Clark Terry and Muddy Waters. He has composed, produced and performed with acclaimed jazz luminary McCoy Tyner for over five years and with Elvin Jones for many years.”

THE FIRST LADY OF SONG: ELLA FITZGERALD AT 100 Daily, now - April 2, 2018 From: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM National Museum of American History 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW What is it? From the website: “Almost everyone knows Ella’s voice when they hear it. The voice of Ella Fitzgerald could inspire an entire museum to itself, her songs serving as vital artifacts of American history and one of the country’s most important art forms: jazz. The National Museum of American History dedicates an exhibit to Fitzgerald this spring, showcasing the incredible talent and accomplishments of one of the greatest performers to ever live.” Admission: Free

1967: CIVIL RIGHTS AT 50 Daily, now - December 31, 2017 Newseum • 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW What is it? “1967: Civil Rights at 50’ tells the dramatic story of the growing militancy of the struggle for racial justice in 1967. The exhibit uses powerful photos and images of historic newspapers and magazines to explore how African Americans used their First Amendment rights to fight for change — at times a great cost.”

INSPIRING BEAUTY: 50 YEARS OF EBONY FASHION FAIR Now - July 24, 2017 • All day George Washington University Museum What is it? “For 50 years the Ebony Fashion Fair helped to visualize and shape the style of Black America, and this special showcase at the George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum features incredible ensembles from leading designers. The exhibit also tells the tale of Eunice W. Johnson, who withstood prejudice and discrimination to found the fair and bring fashion from all over the world to African-American audiences. This visually stunning exhibit shows through July 24.”

XYZT: ABSTRACT LANDSCAPES - INTERACTIVE ART+TECH EXHIBITION Daily, now - September 3, 2017

From: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM ARTECHOUSE 1238 Maryland Ave. SW, Southwest Waterfront What is it? Enjoy an exploratory, virtual hands-on experience for the whole family ages 6 and up. Ten digital light sculptures will be featured at DC's first innovative art space - ARTECHOUSE. “This interactive, multi-space digital art installation lets you manipulate time and space. Step into imaginary territory, manipulate algorithms and immerse yourself into a virtual playground of digital landscapes at XYZT. Whether you are walking on floors that react to footsteps, manipulating light particles within a giant digital cube or blowing into glass boxes and witnessing virtual letters that assemble and disassemble as by a touch of magic, you are in for an immersive sensory encounter. XYZT: Abstract Landscapes is a world-travelled installation by internationally acclaimed contemporary digital artists and multimedia choreographers Adrien M & Claire B.” More info at www.artechouse.com

THE 512 EXPERIENCE [JAZZ/SOUL/R&B CONCERT] July 5, 2017 From: 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM Blues Alley Jazz Georgetown • 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW What is it? “The 5-1-2 Experience is a tantalizing R&B/Neo-Soul band from the D.C. area. Their sound is inspired by the sexy and soulful music greats of the past and present. The members of this up-andcoming band have many years of experience individually. They have combined all of their expertise, talent and passion to bring you some guaranteed good soulful music to make your fingers snap, toes tap and imagination soar. The 5-1-2 gives those who love Neo-Soul and R&B, the opportunity to come together and unite the real grown and sexy movement. After all, they are in the business of giving you music you can feel.”

BRYSON TILLER WITH SPECIAL GUESTS H.E.R. AND METRO BOOMIN September 2, 2017 From: 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM Filene Center at Wolf Trap • 1551 Trap Rd. • Vienna, Va. What is it? Catch the “Set It Off” tour from Bryson Tiller, an artist who has made a name for himself combining hip-hop and R&B into “Trapsoul.” According to Rolling Stone, he is “the most promising young voice in the genre.”

THE FIRST LADY OF SONG: ELLA FITZGERALD AT 100 Daily, Now - April 2, 2018 From: 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM National Museum of American History 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW What is it? From the website: “Almost everyone knows Ella’s voice when they hear it. The voice of Ella Fitzgerald could inspire an entire museum to itself, her songs serving as vital artifacts of American history and one of the country’s most important art forms: jazz. The National Museum of American History dedicates an exhibit to Fitzgerald this spring, showcasing the incredible talent and accomplishments of one of the greatest performers to ever live.” Admission: Free

ENTERTAINMENT: GOLDEN CINEMA Fridays, June 30, 2017 - August 4, 2017 Golden Triangle Business Improvement District Connecticut Ave. and K Street NW What is it? Choose any Friday to bring your blankets and join fellow District movie-lovers under the stars for a night of entertaining

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movies and activities. For an easy date night or a group outing with friends, take advantage of the restaurants around the neighborhood for a great way to spend an evening in the Golden Triangle. Movie Schedule • June 2: Hidden Figures • June 9: 500 Days of Summer • June 16: Moana • June 23: The Princess Bride • June 30: Dirty Dancing • July 7: Ghostbusters [2016 version] • July 14: Finding Dory • July 21: Big • July 28: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off • August 4: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them • Rain Dates: August 11 & 18 https://goldentriangledc.com/golden-cinema-2017/

HOOKY FRIDAY ON THE ROOFTOP Fridays, June 30, 2017 - September 29, 2017 From: 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM The Embassy Row Hotel • 2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW What is it? This summer, start your weekends early with half-off cocktails at the Embassy Row Hotel. Hooky Fridays are the perfect excuse to leave work early or take your boss to halfoff drink specials and half-off day passes for locals starting at 3 PM. Lounge poolside by purchasing day passes at The Rooftop; and admission is free to hotel guests with $15 day passes for locals starting at 3 PM.

DERAY DAVIS AT THE DC IMPROV June 30, 2017 - July 2, 2017 Thursday - Saturday 7:30 PM and Sunday 6 PM DC Improv • 1140 Connecticut Ave NW What is it? “From the South Side of Chicago, DeRay Davis has made himself into a comedic force – he puts on one of the best live shows we’ve ever seen at the Improv. He’s a presence in Hollywood, with roles in ‘21 Jump Street,’ ‘Jumping the Broom’ and the ‘Barbershop’ movies, to name a few. You’ve also seen him on the MTV networks as part of ‘Wild n Out’ and as the host of ‘Joking Off.’ This promises to be a packed weekend.

SUNSET SATURDAYS DAY PARTY - THE COOKOUT Saturday July 1, 2017 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM BARCODE • 1101 17th NW What is it? This Saturday, check out Sunset Saturdays Day Party - The Cookout Pre-Independence Day Celebration. There will be a special BBQ menu available as well as happy hour food and drink specials from 5 PM - 7 PM with a full menu available until midnight. Enjoy Barcode’s outdoor patio, Hookah, bottle service, and convenient garage parking across the street. Featuring: DJ Analyze & DJ Supa Scotty

GRILLED CHEESE SOCIAL FROM ROCK CREEK SOCIAL CLUB Marvin DC • 2007 14th St NW What is it? “Grilled Cheese Social [#GrilledCheeseSocialDC] hosts a lively atmosphere to create the perfect Saturday afternoon day party. Hosted at Marvin, guests savor a number of delicious grilled cheese sandwiches created exclusively for Rock Creek Social Club events.” This recent GSC is part of ten-event summer series from Rock Creek Social Club. Check out the next Grilled Cheese Social event on the website, http://welovegcs.com/

7 | WI BRIDGE

The WI Bridge is looking for millennial culture creators, writers, photographers and crea�ves to work with us. We are looking for contributors to “bring the cool.” Who we are: A culturally innova�ve magazine based in Southeast DC that serves as a lifestyle guide for millennials. Follow us! Twi�er: InformerBridge | Instagram: WashInformerBridge | Facebook: WIBridgeCommunity Email the editor at swright@washingtoninformer.com! | #WIBRIDGE

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

EDITORIAL GOP’s Proposed Health Bill Confirms Lack of Concern for Average Americans After a series of cloistered meetings among select members of the Republican Party, President Donald Trump has a new health care bill that he says is the answer to the “financial nightmares” caused by President Obama’s Affordable Care Act for America. Trump and Company express that it’s the answer to the heated criticism of and frustrations caused by “Obamacare.” Now, with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) leading the way among party members while waving his pom-poms in support, the Republicans want to push the bill through before the ink has barely had a chance to dry. As for Monday’s just-released report by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office which projects that the GOP bill would increase the number of uninsured by 22 million over the next decade, compared with the current law, the Republicans the report draws the wrong conclusions. They also want us to believe that the significant reductions to Medicaid that the new bill would cause should not alarm citizens as those who govern the 50 states and the District of Columbia would most assuredly step up to assist those in need. But let’s just be clear when we take an objective look at the Republican Party and their general beliefs. First, they tend to hold to the claim that health care is not a right. Second, they affirm that providing tax cuts for America’s wealthiest citizens and reducing the federal deficit are the best way to ensure the overall greater health of all America. We disagree with both of their premises. Even more, we find it impossible to stomach the fact that those elected to protect the needs of their constituents, no matter what their political affiliation would feel it’s right to pass legislation that would reduce the number of insured citizens by 15 to 22 million over the next decade. What happens to those who cannot secure health even for a few months? Can life or death illnesses be put on hold until one is able to regain health insurance and therefore be able to seek adequate medical attention for which they can pay? The ACA could use some tweaking and revisions but not to the expense of millions of Americans. WI

A School System Run Amuck School administrators in Prince George’s County have been accused of tampering with the grades of students in efforts to increase promotions and boost graduation rates. PGCPS CEO Kevin Maxwell has denied allegations of any systematic effort to promote students while also requesting the Maryland State Board of Education to conduct a thorough review. All 14 members of the Prince George’s school board along with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan have requested a review of the allegations by an independent, third-party investigator. A letter reportedly written to Governor Hogan states, “Whistleblowers at almost every level in Prince George’s County Public Schools have clear and convincing evidence that PGCPS has graduated hundreds of students who did not meet the Maryland State Department of Education graduation requirements.” Even parents have weighed in on the allegations offering personal testimonies about their children who should not have passed a course but did. There is something less than ideal in the ranking of PGC Schools that show a high graduation rate and a very low college readiness rate. Why, pray tell, would students be pushed through high school, ill-equipped to continue their academic training elsewhere or to get a job, especially a decent, well-paying one. Those individuals who will be tasked to investigate this matter should be immediately identified and required to move post-haste to complete their work long before the school year opens in August. The stigma alone will play a large part in the academic performance of next year’s graduating class, WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

TO THE EDITOR Baker's Legacy More Than Just Baseball Ever since the Washington Nationals hired Dusty Baker as their manager it has made me a crazy Nats fan. I live and die with the Nationals all season long. Your article by Sarafina Wright, "Dusty Baker: Veteran Player, Manager and History Maker," in the June 22 edition was fantastic. It was one of the best articles I have ever read about Dusty Baker. Reading that article just reinforced for me why I think Dusty Baker is one of the greatest baseball managers of all time. As I read the article, I could just feel the historic things he was trying to relate to us. I am always amazed at how people who experienced and lived through those awful times in history can be so understanding and forgiving. It is a true testament to his faith and ability to forgive. I know the Washington Nationals hired Dusty Baker for his baseball knowledge, but I think everyone in the DMV should feel proud that Dusty Baker is representing us as part of the Washington Nationals.

The Circus is in Town Count me in on being excited about the coming of the UniverSoul Circus to FedEx Field. I always have some of my most enjoyable experiences at that circus. They really know how to rock you. The article by D. Kevin McNeir, "Onionhead: A Clown for All Seasons," in the past issue of The Informer was wonderful to read. I have to admit I had to read over it a couple of times because I didn't believe I read that Onionhead was 75 years old and didn't join the circus until he was 56. Now that's saying something about chasing your dream. I love clowns and a small part of me always wanted to be a clown, but I don't think I would have the nerve to pursue being a clown at the age of 56; that is just so amazing. What a great article! Lenny King Alexandria, Va.

Steve Beasley Washington, D.C.

not to mention the impact a positive finding would have on staffing at various PGC high schools. Some have described this fiasco as purely political while others are overcome with the constant stream

of negative news pouring out of the Prince George’s County Public Schools. Persistent allegations of school aids, bus drivers and teachers molesting students, along with bus drivers ac-

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cused of various forms of misconduct, and a school board member being accused of misusing the free lunch program are evidence of a school system run amuck. WI

JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 25

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnists

By Julianne Malveaux

Health Care in the Dark My grandmother — and yours, too probably — used to say that things done in the dark would eventually come to light. There is way too much "dark" public policy being done by this administration, too many instances when whispers and innuendo are substitutes for truth and transparency. If 45 wonders why there are so many leaks from the Oval

Office, perhaps he ought to consider more transparency. Instead, he veers in the other direction, with lies and secrets. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, principal deputy White House press secretary, did a good job of playing bait-and-switch at the June 22 press briefing. Sanders could not answer questions clearly, especially about 45's Twitter assertion that he made no tapes of his conversation with fired FBI Director James Comey. This admission comes more than a month after 45's May 12 suggestion

Guest Columnist

that he might have tapes of his conversation with Comey. His threat was, perhaps, meant to intimidate Comey, but it apparently had an opposite effect and now the president is mired in several investigations. The fact that Huckabee Sanders, who is as comical as her boss, Sean Spicer, could not answer questions was only one part of the flawed press conference. Broadcast networks were not allowed to broadcast the press conference. They had no notice that they would not be allowed to broadcast.

According to one CNN commentator, the cameras were set up, prepared to broadcast, and their feed was turned off. What are they afraid of? Are they afraid that their smirks and sighs will be interpreted as disrespectful? Are they afraid that broadcasting moments like the one where 45 asked April Ryan to arrange a meeting for him with the Congressional Black Caucus be perceived as racist and condescending? Failing to allow broadcast networks access to press conferences reeks of obtuse fear.

But the 45 press conferences have nothing on the health care legislation that the United States Senate offered up on June 22, with a timeline that calls for a vote to take place before the Fourth of You Lie recess. The 142page piece of legislation was released and posted online on the morning of June 22, and has already been described as "heartless" and "mean." There will be no reimbursement for Planned Parenthood. Cuts in

MALVEAUX Page 45

By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

An Unconscionable Republican Health Care Bill

How devastating would the Republican health care legislation be if enacted? Leighton Ku, a leading health care expert and director of director of the Center for Health Policy Research at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University, told NBC that, based on the Republican House bill, cuts in funding for Medicaid and health subsidies would trigger "sharp job losses and a broad disruption

of state economies." "Within a decade, almost a million fewer people would have jobs," he added. "The downturn would hit the states that expanded Medicaid the hardest." That includes West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. This job loss wouldn't be offset by the effects of top-end tax cuts. If the wealthy do create any jobs — which is far from likely — they won't be located in the states and communities ravaged by the cutbacks in hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. Republicans hope to escape responsibility for this outrage by

Guest Columnist

stealth and deception. The Senate bill was written in secret by a cabal of rich rulers — 13 white, male senators. They permitted no hearings; the experts and hospital and doctors' associations that oppose it were not allowed to testify. Voters know little about it; most senators haven't had time to read it, much less understand it. The deception is that the gutting of Medicaid is phased in over time, even as the tax cuts for the rich are made retroactive to the beginning of the year. That allows Republicans to claim the bill is gentler than the harsh House bill when in fact it makes deeper cuts

in Medicaid. It allows them to get past the next presidential election without people understanding what will hit them. This brazen trickery is particularly shocking in a bill designed to deprive millions of health care coverage. The ugly tactics may be working. According to a recent Kaiser Foundation poll, barely more than one-third of Americans (36 percent) support rolling back Medicaid expansion or block granting Medicaid — which the Senate bill would do. Only 35 percent approve of the House GOP plan, and the Senate plan is worse. Yet only 38 percent of

Americans know that the Republicans would make major cuts in Medicaid. The Republican plan is indecent and immoral. It will cost lives and jobs. It was hatched in secrecy because it cannot survive the light of day. No senator can vote for this bill with a good conscience. Will Senate Republicans vote to deprive tens of millions of Americans of health care coverage in order to cut taxes for the very wealthy? Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants a vote

JACKSON Page 45

By Raynard Jackson

Bill Cosby, Democrats and Dog-Whistle Politics Two weeks ago, entertainer extraordinaire Bill Cosby was handed a hung jury in his sexual assault trial in Norristown, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Regardless of what you think of Cosby and the allegations made against him, a jury of his peers spoke and they concluded that they couldn't reach unanimous agreement on any of the three charges, thus a hung jury. That should have been the end of the case and the end of the sto-

26 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

ry. It should have been time for everyone to move on with their lives; it should have been a time for Cosby to get back on stage and do what he does best — to entertain and challenge America; especially black America. But that is not what happened on June 17. Within minutes of Judge Steven T. O'Neill's declaration of a mistrial, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele vehemently asserted that he would retry Cosby as soon as possible. By law, they have up to four months to make a final decision to retry.

Steele said, "We will reevaluate and review our case and will retry it and move as soon as possible." He went on to declare that Cosby's accuser, Andrea Constand, "is entitled to a verdict in this case." Please allow me to interpret this for you. Steele means she is entitled to a verdict that "he" agrees with. Constand was not entitled to a verdict; Cosby was entitled to a trial by a jury of his "peers," nothing more, nothing less. Those who follow my writings know that I rarely, if ever, invoke

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race into my arguments, but I would be remiss not to point out the issue of race in this particular case. In 2015, Steele defeated former Republican Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor in a very heated race. Steele made the veiled promise of a conviction of the legendary entertainer Cosby, the central issue in the election. In 2005, when Castor was the district attorney, he declined to prosecute Cosby in the rape allegation brought forward by Constand because "there was insufficient evidence."

So Steele comes along in 2015 and says if you elect me, I will reopen the case against Cosby that was dropped nearly 10 years ago. According to the 2010 census, the county is 79 percent white non-Hispanic, 8.7 percent black or African-American, 6.4 percent Asian, and 4.3 percent Hispanic or Latino. Republicans have a well-earned reputation for using race to scare white folks into voting for them and are rightfully called out on this practice, but I find it amazing

JACKSON Page 45

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

By Rep. Karen Bass

Global Response Needed for South Sudan Famine On Feb. 20, 2017, the United Nations declared a state of famine in South Sudan. Manmade crisis and conflict had left 4.9 million in need of urgent food assistance and at least 100,000 in immediate danger of death by starvation. Since then, our country has made progress in aiding those in need, not only in South Sudan, but in Yemen, Nigeria and So-

malia. At the end of April, the House of Representatives passed a resolution I authored urging the Trump administration to release supplemental funding and call for a cease-fire between the parties engaged in South Sudan's civil conflict. In addition, the United States responded to the UN's call for $4 billion in relief by pledging more than $1.2 billion in famine aid, the majority of the funds coming from a $990 million allocation authored by Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Tom

Guest Columnist

Rooney (R-Fla.). International aid efforts have also popped up throughout the world, with Germany doubling its aid to fight impending famine in Somalia and the Canadian government announcing they would match Canadian donations to famine relief efforts. But as I return from a six-day congressional delegation trip to South Sudan and Uganda, the mission is clear: Although all of this is a good start, there's still more work to be done. In South Sudan, famine still

continues despite relief efforts having had a notable impact. In a meeting with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit during the delegation visit, we emphasized that the conflict in the young country must cease. The civil war there has raged since late 2013 and has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives while stranding millions and leaving the nation in the state of hunger it is in today. And as South Sudan is devastated by famine, its neighbor Uganda struggles to provide re-

lief for those that have fled. As of May, there were nearly 1 million refugees from South Sudan living in Uganda. Our delegation toured Bidi Bidi, a Ugandan refugee camp with a population around the same as San Francisco. In April, the camp was declared the largest in the world. While we toured the camp, we met some of those that had arrived at the camp that day. It's hard to describe their faces. They had walked for weeks, losing

BASS Page 46

By James Clingman

Look Back and See the Future

I often use the phrase "Our history is our future" to express the fact that everything we need to do today, vis-à-vis economic empowerment, has been done before by African-Americans in this country. Just look back at what Black people built in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, Durham, North Carolina, and Tulsa, Oklahoma's Greenwood Dis-

trict. Take a closer look at what Booker T. Washington was doing with his National Negro Business League; read about Black entrepreneurs in Cincinnati and Philadelphia during the early 1800s, and you will see the economic future of African-Americans is, indeed, grounded in our history. I wonder why it takes us so long to do what we know is right. In the context of the economic well-being of African-Americans, most of us know what "we need" to do. Yet we seem content to

Askia-At-Large

discuss, "intellectualize," meet, and complain about how unfair the system is. For those "we need to…" folks out there, if you see the need, do the work. One thing most of us know is that economic empowerment and business development—vertical business development—are vital to our economic prosperity. Naturally following the development of businesses is the support of those businesses by consumers. To illustrate that point, I am reminded of what a friend once

told me: "Production minus sales equals scrap." In the 1800s there were many flourishing Black owned businesses. In spite of the worst brand of slavery ever perpetrated on a people, Black businesses survived and grew. Economic growth was a reality, even in the face of the racial prejudice that existed, because we were determined, and we stuck together. In 1853, a convention was held in Rochester, New York, to discuss "Afro-American Econom-

ics." Slogans like "Buy Black" and "Double Duty Dollars" began at conventions like this one, all over the country. What happened to us since that time? Have we drifted so far from our heritage and from the things that benefit us as a whole? Have we become so selfish and so self-centered that we have completely lost sight of our values toward one another? Businesses are the foundation of a true community. Our cur-

CLINGMAN Page 46

By Askia Muhammad

CBC Not Buying Trump 'Brands' If Omarosa Manigault, "Celebrity Apprentice" turned presidential assistant and director of communications in the White House Office of Public Liaison, is to be believed, individual members of the Congressional Black Caucus are trying to arrange their own private meet-ups with President Donald J. Trump, even though CBC Chair Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) says the 49-member group has turned down her White House invitation. That makes sense, because

unless it's a lo-o-ng meeting, the only benefit of a group session that size would be little more than a photo op which would invariably make the president look good and leave the CBC members looking like props. Sort of like the 100 or so presidents of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) did in February, when they interrupted the potentially productive listening sessions they were having with individual Cabinet members for an unscheduled, cattle calllike trek to the Oval Office for a group shot with His Nibs. A substantive meeting with

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50 principals would require an all-day session, like the president's trip to the European summit. And if the walking-protocol-disaster's conduct at that meeting is any example of what they might be in store for, where Trump shoved a fellow president out of his way so he could get to the front of the pack, then his treatment of a bunch of black legislators, whom he truthfully loathes, would be a disaster for them. In a slightly analogous situation, I once arranged for my boss, Mr. L.H. Stanton, publisher of National Scene magazine, to attend a similar session

for dozens of small, out-oftown publishers to meet with President Ronald Reagan when I was the magazine's editor and White House correspondent. No one knows what was talked about. The only good to come out of that session was a signed handshake photo for posterity. Members of Congress are not small-town publishers, thrilled at getting a White House souvenir regardless of the politics of the current occupant. No. CBC members have some issues on their minds, which — despite the toxic environment — they want to discuss. "The CBC and the mil-

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lions of people we represent, have a lot to lose under your administration," Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.), the CBC chairman wrote in a letter to Manigault. "I fail to see how a social gathering would benefit the policies we advocate for," Richmond's letter said. "The CBC will always be willing to engage in discussion and debate about policies and programs that will make America a more perfect union for all. "Based on actions taken by you and your administration since [the initial March 22]

ASKIA Page 46 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 27

LIFESTYLE OSCIA's 'Celestial' Awards Honor Positive Influencers By Eunice Moseley WI Contributing Writer Established in 2010 by Oscar Hernandez and presented by his company OSCIA Production, the Celestial Awards of Excellence honors those with outstanding accomplishments that have positively contributed to society. This year's awards ceremony was held at the Alex Theatre in Los Angeles, hosted by actor Oba Babatunde. Award categories ranged from entertainment, medical and education to community service and other areas of expertise. When I asked Emmy-winning actress, model and sports broad-

caster Jayne Kennedy ("The NFL Today," "Greatest Sports Legends") what excellence meant to her, she said, "When you find something you are passionate about and you do not let anything get in the way. … You never stop." Young actor Hunter Payton (CBS's "Criminal Minds") said excellence to him means "doing the best you personally can do." "For me, it's how far you can push yourself to do things and how far you are willing to go for a certain thing, because excellence is an arbitrary word that many people have many definitions of," he said. The definition did indeed vary from person to person.

5 Jayne Kennedy /Courtesy photo

"I've been fortunate to have a couple awards, but they don't define your craft," said actor Art Evans. "But it brings attention to it." Actress Hayley Gripp of "CSI: Las Vegas" said there should be no stress in reaching excellence. "Believe in yourself and do the best you can do," Gripp said. "In life we want to be perfect … perfection doesn't exist."

Those honored included: Academy Award winner Louis Gossett Jr. ("Roots") with the Lifetime Achievement Award; Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute founder Myrlie Evers-Williams with the Civil Rights Icon Award; actor Art Evans with the Mentor for Success Award; Dr. Williams Charles Akins (Akins High School) with the Education Award; Music & Fine Arts Foundation founder Conrad O. Johnson with the Fine Arts Award; actress Marla Gibbs ("The Jeffersons") with the Visionary Award; former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young with the Civil Rights Icon Award; Olympic gold Medalist Edwin Moses with the Sportsman Trailblazer Award; World Chamber of Commerce founder Solange Warner with the International Business Award; American Soldier Network founder Annie Nelson with the Helping Hands Award; Olympic gold medalist Bob Bea-

mon with the Pride Award; and Tubman Truth Corporation President Anita DeFrantz with the Angel Award. Entertainment was provided by Howard Hewitt, Kim Whitley, Eloise Laws, Shanica Knowles and Glynn Turman. The Celestial Awards of Excellence benefits the Bahati Foundation of seven-time U.S. national champion cyclist Rahsaan Bahati, which was formed to positively impact inner city youth through cycling, education and music. Sponsors include Alcorn State University, World Chamber of Commerce, ACON Construction, Victoria Choi, Gazi Kahn, OPEN Development, VCR Construction & Designs and Ron Berryman. Learn how to help fund the Celestial Awards of Excellence or the Bahati Foundation by going to www.CelestialAwardsofExcellence.org. WI

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LIFESTYLE BBQ Battle Leaves Tasty Mark on D.C. Festival Season By Jade James-Gist WI Staff Writer Just one week before the Fourth of July, the nation's capital fittingly celebrated a classic American cuisine: barbecue. On June 24 and 25, the Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle lit up D.C.'s summer festival season with music, games, BBQ competition, and plenty of tasty treats for festivalgoers to enjoy. Thousands of local and visiting barbeque lovers strolled down Pennsylvania Avenue, sampling mini BBQ sandwiches, ice cream, and pork chops and patronizing locally-owned BBQ food trucks and restaurants. Behind the scenes, amateur and professional BBQ teams competed in chicken, beef and pork rib competitions. For the Old Glory BBQ restaurant team and the eatery's manager Drew Darnielle, the mood was intense. "We took a gamble by submitting wings today," Darnielle said as he took a break in between preparing his chicken wing and beef brisket submissions. "It's a high-risk, high-reward move. Most competitors submit thighs, and that's what judges expect, but we're very confident in our flavors and presentation." Old Glory competed in the inaugural BBQ Battle 25 years ago and returned this year for the special anniversary, but plenty of other competitors are new to the scene.

Luvplates, a D.C. food truck, opened last year and is one of two vendors along with Old Glory that elected to both sell its food to festival attendees and compete in the competitions. "It's our first year at the Capital Battle and in business," says owner Jay Johnson, who prepared his halal BBQ chicken brined in rosemary, thyme and fresh garlic along with his signature 48-hour BBQ marinated ribs. "It's too bad they don't have a mac 'n' cheese category," Johnson said with a laugh. "We'd blow them out the water." The winners of the competition were announced Sunday, June 25 after judges choose their favorite chicken, beef and pork ribs entries for a chance to win over $40,000 and claim the title of America's National Barbecue Champion. Joseph Mac, Warren Renshaw and Mike Wise made up an amateur three-friend team competing for the second time. The three met every Sunday for three months to create their secret recipe. "At this point its just something we like to do, so you could say we're hobbyists," Mac said. "This year, we made major improvements to our flavors and practiced on friends and colleagues. We decided to cook everything as low and slow as our patience will let us." The festival-goers, hailing mostly from the DMV area, had

their own opinions about what makes the best BBQ. "I like my sauce with a little more vinegar," said Rich Vivera from D.C. by way of New Jersey. DeAndre Bryant prefers his pork ribs a little sweeter. "I've been eating and cooking BBQ all my life. I like mine kind of vinegary, kind of sweet," he said. LeDonna Barbour and her son Alex tried Giant's pulled pork and BBQ chicken. "I have to say Giant had my favorite submission today," Barbour said. "My son loved their

sauces and liked the pulled pork the best." The Giant sampling pavilion featured a multitude of free samples and cooking demonstrations as interactive exhibits from major brands and sports teams lined the street. Johnsonville annually dedicates its "World Largest Traveling Grill" to support the local charities and this year donated all the BBQ Battle revenue to the District Boys and Girls club. Every year, the Giant Capital BBQ Battle Festival raises money for local District charities and

nonprofit organizations, with proceeds this year benefiting USO Metro and Capital Food Bank. The two-day celebration also included a special Military Chef Cookoff, a Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition and a complimentary facial-hair grooming stage. Over 30 artists on three stages entertained the crowds nonstop, creating a perfect summertime festival vibe. Go to bbqindc.com for more information. WI

FAME 13TH ANNIVERSARY & AWARDS CELEBRATION

Featuring spur oF tHe MoMent Band & FAME Jazz Band and Artistic Director, Nat Adderley, Jr.

Thursday, July 27, 2017 - 6 o’clock in the evening NEWTON WHITE MANSION 2708 Enterprise Road • Mitchellville, MD 20721

Co-CHairs

dr. Bonnie thornton dill Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities University of Maryland College Park

dr. Chelsey green Recording Artist, Violinist & Violist

Host Tony Richards

sponsors: Hon. Andrea Harrison • Hon. Derrick Leon Davis

5 People from all across the DMV turned out for the Giant Food Store Barbecue Battle held near the National Mall last weekend. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

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301-805-5358 l Fax 240-554-1555 l info@fameorg.org l www.fameorg.org Combined Federal Campaign # 31398 l united Way #9404 l dC one Fund #9404

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 29

LIFESTYLE Art Project Examines East of the River Community By Eve M. Ferguson WI Contributing Writer

On a typically muggy late June evening, a small group of people gathered picnic blankets and tables on the lawn outside of the Anacostia Community Museum, as whirring cicadas complemented the sound of a circular saw and a slim brown woman giving instructions. "What defines home for you?" performance artist/writer and D.C. resident Holly Bass asked the diverse group who came out for a "Candlelight Conversation" about what community and the concept of home means. On the picnic tables, tin platters of crab cakes, fried fish, fried chicken, greens and cole slaw were set out along with bottles of cold ice tea. While people volunteered their stories of how they came to D.C. and what made them stay, a woman in a floppy sun hat approached from the road. "I just saw a group of people and thought I would see if anyone is interested in gardening. We're setting up a community garden just over there,"

she said, pointing to the back of the area before excusing herself back to the plot down the block. In the background, an unfinished wood structure was taking the shape of a small house with installation artist and builder Peter Krsko hard at work. As he laid out wood planks, cutting them to length and hammering them in place, the group completed a communally written poem, recited by Bass inside the open frame. When finished, it will be a replica of the house of Reverend Richard A. Hall's late 19th century home that once stood on Stanton Road. On another late June day in 1867, Hall, pastor of Union Bethel Church (now known as Metropolitan A.M.E.) purchased a plot, Lot #5, Section 2 on the Southeast road, on which to build his home. It was the first acre lot to be sold under the newly formed Freedmen's Community, five years after the abolition of slavery in Washington and two years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves throughout the country. According to historical accounts, Hall made a down payment of $15,

entitling him to a wagonload of lumber and instructions for building a "simple but good quality home." Although the original structure, along with the other homes in the 375acre, self-sufficient community, has long been torn down, artifacts from dwellings in the area were recently unearthed. Over the past four decades, archaeological digs conducted throughout Southeast have revealed much about the lives of the first inhabitants of the area once referred to as Union Town. The community of homes built on land deeded to the Freedmen's Bureau gave African Americans their first opportunity to own their own land and build their own houses. "If You Lived Here," a joint effort of The Pink Line Project in partnership with the Historic Preservation Office and the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, takes a look back at the history of the surrounding neighborhood, but also takes a look into present-day lives of people who call the city home. In a series of programs designed to define what "home" meant and examine how early residents spent

their day-to-day lives —worshipping, studying and maintaining their unique community — the project will also address how we live and build communities today. On June 28, Anacostia Museum curator and historian Alcione Amos will discuss the history of the Barry Farm neighborhood. "Historic Barry Farm: A Place of Pride and Achievement" tells the story of the postbellum community settled by newly freed enslaved people who came to the city seeking refuge during the Civil War. Barry Farm ultimately became a successful African-American community well into the 20th century. Amos is writing a book on the history of Barry Farm from its creation in 1867 to 1980, "The Landscape of Community: The Archaeology of Historic Barry Farm Area." East of the River artist Amber Robles-Gordon will conduct a workshop on June 29, leading participants in an exercise making "talking sticks" using her signature fiber art techniques. "In many cultures, the talking stick is a symbol of democracy, a sacred object that ensures all voices will be

heard," the literature reads. The hands-on creative workshop will enable people to make their own talking sticks "that represent a personal memory or pressing issue on the theme of 'home.'" Afterwards, a post-workshop guided conversation will allow participants to put their talking sticks to use, sharing their own "inspirations and reflections on what it means to call D.C. home in this particular moment, and the transformative act of art making." On July 1, with construction complete on the replica of Hall's small home, a culminating house party will take place in and around the structure with food, poetry, music, portrait photography and, most importantly, the opportunity to create and celebrate community and the city. "If You Lived Here" was conceptualized by Philippa P.B. Hughes of The Pink Line Project, whose work "designs creative placemaking projects that bring people together who might not normally meet to engage in dialogue and meaningful interaction," according to a website for the project. For more information, go to www. ifyoulivedheredc.com. WI

CULTURE OUT LOUD Photo by Yacouba Tanou

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LIFESTYLE

Cosby Case Shows Justice Still Eludes Black America By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer NORRISTOWN, Pa. — He's famous and he has amassed untold wealth. And as flawed as Bill Cosby may be, his biggest problem during his sexual assault trial that ended with a hung jury may have been the operations of the criminal justice system itself — a system that's devoured many an African-American with decidedly less fame and fortune. Whether anyone believes Cosby has committed the unspeakable crime in which he'd been charged, two weeks of trial — and a week of jury selection across the state in Pittsburgh — has proven again that justice and the African-American has never met. The two have never been acquainted and, certainly as the Cosby case proved, justice and the African-American remain complete strangers. For black America, including those who by their silence condemned the iconic comedian, the Cosby case should serve only to reaffirm the sad American truth — the deck comes fully stacked against getting a fair trial in America. Whether guilty or innocent, and despite employing a lawyer who has very few peers that possess his ability in a courtroom, what occurred in Norristown and in Pittsburgh prior, did not amount to a fair trial. And unless you attended the trial and saw it through African-American eyelids, there's no real way to understand just how unfair the proceedings took place. Mainstream media reported facts in a very different way, almost contrary to the evidence presented. Witnesses, many whom were law enforcement officers, clearly interjected testimony not asked for by either side in a clear effort to make sure Cosby appeared guilty to jurors. For African-Americans, the case underscored the importance of the constitutional right to remain silent. To mainstream media, Cosby's infamous deposition from more than a decade ago that was taken over several months and his police statements, was a sort of confession. However, a fair and full read of the documents should have been

reported as a sort of window into the thoughts of an individual who sensed a set up but was powerless to do anything to stop it. Under oath, which depositions are taken and in his further statements to police, Cosby proved consistent in his statements. Under oath in various statements to police, his accuser repeatedly changed her story, but it seemed to matter little as that fact went mostly unreported. Cosby's statements to police involving his interaction with the accuser's mother also received unfortunate and misguided editing

"I didn't want the mother to think that I was a dirty old man." BILL COSBY from multiple outlets. "Cosby says he's a dirty old man," many of the headlines and storylines read, purportedly quoting from the statements. However, in court, the statement had not only been read but placed on a large screen for everyone — including reporters — to see. "I didn't want the mother to think that I was a dirty old man," Cosby said in the statement, far different from the reports that he claimed to be a dirty old man. Another major play on words came courtesy of the accuser's mother who claimed that, in a telephone call, Cosby admitted that he's a sick man. However, in a secretly recorded telephone call between the mother and the comedian that was played in court, no such statement was made by Cosby. Yet, the headlines blared, "Cos-

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5 Bill Cosby smiles as he walks away from a courthouse in Pennsylvania. /Courtesy photo

by admits he's a sick man." While jurors aren't supposed to watch, read or listen to media or any outside reporting while deliberating, they can certainly be swayed by a judge — the chief referee in American Justice. In Cosby's case, Judge Steven O'Neill repeatedly ruled against the comedian. His decision to let in the deposition had already been viewed by many legal experts as an appealable matter, particularly as he disallowed any evidence to show that Cosby and the accuser had reached a civil settlement more than a decade ago. O'Neill also declined to step in during jury selection as prosecutors successfully practiced jury nullification, sitting potential black jurors at the back where it was unlikely they'd be called. Those who were called were disqualified after prosecutors ran extensive background checks and criminal histories. One of those was a former Pittsburgh police detective who had been accused of falsifying overtime records. Although the officer was cleared and later sued the department, prosecutors cited that as a reason to disqualify her. Ultimately, two African-Americans were picked after Cosby's attorney Brian McMonagle argued that prosecutors were guilty of selectively and intentionally nullifying black jurors. The deposition, which ultimately was cited as the reason the case went to trial 12 years after the alleged incident, had been taken because Constand had decided to bring a civil suit against Cosby. Jurors heard that, prior to calling police, Constand searched for a civil lawyer.

COSBY Page 38

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WASHINGTON INFORMER THU 6/22

Ken J. Barrett, GM Global Chief Diversity Officer welcomes the 2017 DTU Fellows to Detroit “Motor City” Michigan

DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED DELIVERS INSPIRATION AND MORE!

DTU Fellows ready to find new roads!

DISCOVER MORE OF THEIR STORY AT NNPA.ORG/DTU

Exploring their ride for this amazing road trip.

Representing HBCUs in style.

Ready to roll in the all-new 2018 Chevy Equinox.

It’s going to be an exciting Summer ‘17!

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Our DTU Fellows are busy connecting and collecting amazing stories from the African American community! This year, Discover the Unexpected , presented by the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, includes students from Howard University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Right now, our 8 DTU Fellows are hard at work at the Washington informer in Washington D.C., The Atlanta Voice in Atlanta, The Carolinian in Raleigh and the Louisiana Weekly in New Orleans. These young journalists will explore these rich strongholds of African American history and culture, and share unexpected stories from our community. Our DTU Fellows are navigating their assigned cities in the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox. This crossover offers available features like built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Apple CarPlay compatibility, 10 available advanced safety features and SUV functionality. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll discover that the all-new Equinox is everything you need, to do everything you want. Show your HBCU support! Check out their inspirational stories and watch their exciting videos. Follow their journey and Discover the Unexpected. Discover more of their story at www.nnpa.org/dtu.

2017 DTU Fellows: Noni Marshall (Howard University), Alexa Spencer (Howard University), Darrell Williams (Morehouse College), Tiana Hunt (Clark Atlanta University), Ayron Lewallen (Morehouse College), Taylor Burris (Spelman College), Jordan Fisher (Clark Atlanta University), Kelsey Jones (Spelman College)

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LIFESTYLE

Baltimore Fosters New Generation of Black Lacrosse Players By Timothy Cox Special to The Informer BALTIMORE — The University of Maryland's girls and boys lacrosse teams both won NCAA championships in 2017. Though it may appear that lacrosse is a sport unique to the black experience, in Maryland, the sport has been a staple among African-Americans for several years — dating back nearly 50 years ago when Morgan State University fielded a successful men's team affectionately known as the "Ten Bears." Currently, the Charm City Youth Lacrosse (CCYL) league continues the Bears' legacy, while attracting Baltimore's inner-city and suburban area black youths to its program. The attraction to lacrosse has always been a major draw among Maryland youth, both black and white, while young black athletes in other parts of the nation continue their typical focus on primary sports such as basketball,

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football, track or perhaps soccer and baseball. Primarily in central Maryland, black youths have for many years immersed themselves in the alternative sport known as lacrosse. According to CCYL Executive Director Artemis "Artie" West, lacrosse is one of the oldest team sports in North America with origins in the Native American culture, mainly those who played the sport throughout Canada in the 17th century. West was first introduced to the sport by her parents at age 7. While growing up in the Baltimore suburb of Towson where she attended Loch Raven High School, she gradually became a star player, helping her school win two regional titles and achieving at least one undefeated season. "My parents exposed me to various activities as a child, including soccer, dancing, gymnastics, horseback riding and, of course, lacrosse," West said. While initially recruited to

play lacrosse at Howard University, she ultimately decided to play at Towson University, where she enjoyed a successful athletic career while majoring in kinesiology and exercise science. At age 31, the married expectant mother and parent of a 9-month-old son stays busy fulfilling her goal of continuously ensuring that minority children are introduced to the lacrosse experience. As CCYL's primary administrator, West believes it's vital to assure that her league participants — both girls and boys — stay committed to the game. "It's a way of getting the kids out of the city," she said. "They meet new friends while staying active and fit. It also enhances their academics and opportunities to attend four-year colleges. "For me, lacrosse has been a blessing," West said. "It's taken me all over the nation: Hawaii, Lake Placid, Vale, Colorado and, of course, Ocean City, Mary-

LACROSSE Page 44

5 Artemis "Artie" West /Courtesy photo

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LIFESTYLE

wi book reviewA

Horoscopes

JUNE 29 - JULY, 2017

ARIES With a focus on your home zone, it could pay to spend more time reading a good book, eating wholesome food, and getting plenty of sleep. See this as your personal retreat in which you get to pamper yourself and spend time with your nearest and dearest. While you still have to interact with the world, make a point of taking care of your needs to restore your vitality. Lucky Numbers: 7, 10, 15

"Jabari Jumps"

by Gaia Cornwall c.2017, Candlewick Press $15.99 ($22 Canada) 32 pages

TAURUS Mixed messages could lead to misunderstandings this week unless you make yourself very clear. Do your best for a certain person but find that this approach doesn't work. Instead, you might need to create firm boundaries and speak the truth, especially if the person has taken advantage of you. Close friends will be very understanding and supportive of your needs. Lucky Numbers: 18, 27, 30 GEMINI You might enjoy browsing through secondhand shops and seeing what treasures you can uncover. Not all of it will be worth purchasing, though, so it pays to be choosy and find those items that you could sell if they don't seem to suit you. This can be an opportunity to remove clutter from your home and sell items you no longer need, raising extra cash in the process. Lucky Numbers: 9, 23, 42 CANCER Or you could yearn for exotic beaches and beautiful places where you can

relax on the sand and take it easy. The second part of the week could bring you back to reality, especially if you're having issues with a certain person. If so, it might be time to assert yourself and say what you think. Lucky Numbers: 20, 46, 58

Jabari Jumps

LEO Memories from past experiences surface, encouraging you to gently explore and

By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer You can do it. Yes, you can. You just need to take a deep breath and then blow it out. Find the courage inside yourself. Think of something else and do it. Don't be scared. As you'll see in "Jabari Jumps" by Gaia Cornwall, good things come to those who get brave and take the leap. Jabari loved to swim. He was really good at it, too. He'd gone to all his swimming lessons and he passed every test. He was so good at swimming that he was ready to jump off the diving board. He even told his dad about it. The diving board was "high and maybe a little scary…" There were a lot of rungs to climb to get to the top — Jabari could tell that from the side of the pool. Other kids on top of the diving board looked tiny from below as they sprang up and splashed down into the water. It was a long, long way to dive, but Jabari thought it looked like fun — and besides, he was a "great jumper." As he stood by the ladder, he looked up. Way up. Then he turned around and looked at the other kids in line. They'd been standing there awhile; maybe they should go first. In fact, maybe a "tiny rest" was a good idea before tackling such a huge thing. And oh, Jabari forgot to do his stretches before swimming — that's very important. Maybe tomorrow would be better for diving off the board. But then Daddy said something that Jabari never thought about. Daddy knew exactly what Jabari was thinking, and he had some helpful advice. There were many ways to dive off a board and into a pool. You can jump feet-first or with your arms above your head, backwards or forwards, straight or flipping head over feet, but there was only one way to get to the top to do it. And so Jabari did … More than three out of five Americans don't know how to swim. In the African-American community, that number is considerably higher. "Jabari Jumps" may help fix that. It's OK to love swimming, according to author Gaia Cornwall's energetic little main character. It's OK to get all wet and take swim lessons. It's actually fun, and Cornwall's illustrations make it seem so. But, as your child will see, it's also OK to be scared of doing something you've never done before. In this, Cornwall makes it clear to even the smallest youngster that Jabari's faux-bravery is wavering even as he brags about his big plans in the pool. There's plenty of reassurance here, though; Jabari's father is a great supporting character, understanding and calm with no belittling. In the end, well, I'm sure you know where this book goes. Kids might, too, and it's a joyous finale that will leave young readers with a smile and maybe an urge to learn to swim. If that's what you want to foster in your child, then give him "Jabari Jumps." Do it. WI WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

release them. The coming weeks can be an opportunity for some spiritual and emotional housecleaning, especially if you need to deal with any skeletons lurking in the closet. Buried feelings can sap you of energy and vitality. This is your chance to resolve some of these issues and begin to feel more alive again. Lucky Numbers: 17, 31, 55

VIRGO Friends could be very demanding this week, and you might have to be firm to keep them from taking advantage of you. There's a dynamic showing up that could coincide with control issues and misunderstandings. While it can be easy to sort out such matters with close friends, you might need to resort to other tactics with people you don't know so well. Lucky Numbers: 2, 28, 33 LIBRA Get clear about your intentions regarding a goal or career plan. This could be necessary if you're experiencing issues with a family member who might disagree with your ideas. However, the way you handle this issue can be very important. Calm, sympathetic behavior works a lot better than getting involved in a spat, which would likely achieve nothing. Lucky Numbers: 5, 43, 52 SCORPIO You may find that any work you've done begins to bear fruit. If you have been using the services of a life coach the coming weeks may enable you to see the results. Also, you might resist an opportunity because you don't feel ready to embrace it when in fact it could be very good for you. Lucky Numbers: 16, 18, 29 SAGITTARIUS The theme in coming weeks is about making the most of your resources. With a planetary emphasis on your sector of business and shared assets, there could be a lot that needs attention. You might be tempted to ignore difficulties, but you would be better off knowing and taking action from there. Lucky Numbers: 10, 11, 37 CAPRICORN Tension could rise this week with control battles. This blend of energies is also a call to listen to what others have to say and compromise when necessary. If you've been calling the shots lately, it's possible that others may resent this. To foster positive relationships, the way ahead is good communication. Lucky Numbers: 17, 28, 49 AQUARIUS Whatever you're hoping to achieve, trying too hard isn't the answer. This week you could be tempted to push through obstacles when there may be a better way to stay on track. It's possible that you're forcing yourself to do things that aren't suited to your nature. Therefore, a different form of exercise or another diet might be perfect for you and much easier to integrate into your daily life. Lucky Numbers: 3, 11, 28 PISCES You could rediscover a childhood hobby that once brought you much pleasure. The present blend of energies suggests that it could be therapeutic to connect with your creativity by taking up an activity that you once did very well. It might also put you in touch with childhood memories, reminding you of your roots and the journey you've taken to become the person you are today. Don't feel you have to share your discoveries with anyone, as some things are best kept private. Lucky Numbers: 19, 31, 40

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 35

SPORTS

3 Cincinnati Reds second

baseman Scooter Gennett tags Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters during the Nationals' 18-3 win at Nationals Park in Southeast on Saturday, June 24. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

Nationals Crush Reds

6 Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett fumbles a catch, allowing Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner to get to base safely during the Nationals' 18-3 win at Nationals Park in Southeast on Saturday, June 24. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

3 Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run during the Nationals' 18-3 win at Nationals Park in Southeast on Saturday, June 24. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

United Tops Atlanta at RFK

5 Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel scores on D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid during D.C.'s 2-1 win at RFK Stadium in Northeast on Wednesday, June 24. /Photo by John E. De Freitas 4 D.C. United midfielder Patrick Nyarko runs past a Atlanta United defender during D.C.'s 2-1 win at RFK Stadium in Northeast on Wednesday, June 24. / Photo by John E. De Freitas 36 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

5 D.C. United forward JosĂŠ Guillermo Ortiz takes on Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst during D.C.'s 2-1 win at RFK Stadium in Northeast on Wednesday, June 24. /Photo by John E. De Freitas THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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Now Published by Dr. Charles Vincent

Her Legacy Continues.

In memory of Mickey Thompson Vincent, Founder and Publisher.

Dr. Charles & “Mickey” Vincent

of the

Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School Alumni Federation Luncheon

L-R James Pittman ‘51 (Chr. Dunbar Alumni Federation), Gwen Brown ‘51, Mamie Goodwin ‘70, Calvin Smith ‘70, Jackie Schuyler ‘71, Norman Hawkins ‘51 (Chr of Event)

Dr. James Bruce ‘46 Recipient of the Legend and Pioneer Award (Posthumously awarded) with James Pittman ‘51 (DAF Chair)

Mr. Abdullah Zaki, II current Principal of Dunbar Senior High School

Legend and Pioneer Award Recipient Annie Mair ‘67 with James Pittman, 51 ( Chr. DAF)

Eva Rousseau, former Principal of Dunbar Senior High School Legend and Pioneer Award Recipient Blanch D. Smith ‘69 with James Pittman ‘51 (Chr DAF)

Legend and Pioneer Award Recipient Leonard Smith ‘81 (not present) with James Pittman ‘51 (Chr of DAF). Family of Mr. Smith accepting for him.

Legend and Pioneer Award Recipient Dr. Abdulalim A. Shabazz ‘45 (Posthumous) with James Pittman ‘51 (Chr DAF). Talid Shareef standing for Dr. Shabazz.

he storied history of Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School was on display. Alumni across the decades met to reconnect, honor those with outstanding service, and to offer their assistance to the current student body and school administration. Plaques exhibiting the many outstanding alumni over the years are on display at the school. The welcome was given by Calvin Smith ‘70, Master of Ceremonies. Awards were given by Jacqueline Shuler ‘71 and Gwendolyn Brown ‘51. The schools history was outlined by both the past principal, Eva Rousseau, and the current Principal Abdullah Zaki, II. For further info: www.daf-DC.org

Evelyn McKenley ‘38

Photos by: Derrick Stevenson and Gwen Brown.

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 2003 © SOCIAL SIGHTINGS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — DUPLICATION IN ANY FORM REQUIRES WRITTEN PERMISSION | E-mail SocialSightings@aol.com

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 37

OBAMACARE from Page 1 the range of 18,000 to 27,700 by 2026 resulting from coverage reductions under the newly released Senate Republican health care repeal bill. Recent studies of the effects of insurance coverage on mortality confirm that health care coverage has an impact on whether Americans live or die. The column provides estimates of additional deaths under the Senate bill by state. "There is a growing body of literature that demonstrates the life-and-death impacts of this bill. We designed our approach using the most rigorous studies to calculate data-derived estimates," said Ann Crawford-Roberts, a medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and graduate of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "As health policy researchers, we were compelled to bring this evidence to bear on the current policy debate." Sam Berger, senior policy adviser at the Center for American Progress, said the data "should make senators stop and think whether it's worth stripping millions of people of their health care coverage, putting their very lives at risk, in order to provide tax breaks to the wealthy, insurance companies, and drug manufacturers." "There's still time for the Senate to abandon this terrible bill and focus on common-sense solutions to improve the health care system for everyone," Berger said. Using estimates of mortality

rates from Massachusetts' experience with health reform, CAP estimates the number of additional deaths resulting from coverage reductions from the Senate bill under three scenarios. One scenario in which coverage reductions from the Senate bill are the same as under the House version and two scenarios in which those coverage reductions are modestly reduced by differences from the House bill. Assuming that 15 million fewer people would have coverage in 2026, CAP estimates that the coverage reductions from the Senate bill would result in 18,100 additional deaths in 2026. Assuming that 19 million fewer people would have coverage, CAP estimates that the coverage reductions from the Senate bill would result in 22,900 additional deaths in 2026. Assuming that 23 million fewer people would have coverage, CAP estimates that the coverage reductions from the Senate bill would result in 27,700 additional deaths in 2026. If coverage reductions from the Senate bill matched those from the House bill, it would result in 217,000 additional deaths over the next decade. To put this in perspective, 27,700 deaths would be roughly equal to the number of people in the United States who died from opioid overdoses in 2014 and about twice the number of deaths by homicide that same year, CAP officials said. "The Senate version of the American Health Care Act is a moral abomination and, in critical ways, is even more cru-

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COSBY from Page 31

5 A FRIENDLY ENCOUNTER?: The Senate's proposed repeal of

former President Barack Obama's health care law could cause thousands to lose their lives, a recent study says. /Courtesy photo el than the House version," said Neera Tanden, president and CEO of the CAP. "After telling us they would start from scratch and write their own bill, Senate Republicans stuck to the House formula: massive cuts to health care for the poor and sick to pay for massive tax cuts for the rich. The Senate bill makes even deeper cuts to Medicaid over time, resulting in at least 14 million fewer people enrolled in Medicaid, who would instead be uninsured. "Millions of people with pre-existing conditions would lose coverage or face cost increases of thousands of dollars because their essential benefits would no longer be covered — especially maternity care, opioid addiction treatment, and expensive drugs for diseases such as cancer," Tanden said. The Senate bill would also end insurance tax credits for many families in the middle class, and combined

with lax regulation, which would result in a massive age tax of thousands of dollars for older enrollees, CAP officials added. By making only skimpy plans affordable, the Senate bill would increase deductibles and other out-ofpocket costs significantly, they said. "What we're left with is a string of broken promises," Tanden said. "'Insurance for everybody' means many millions uninsured; not touching Medicaid means gutting the program and ending Medicaid as we know it; lower deductibles mean higher deductibles. "But this alternative reality would not be the reality of the tens of millions of Americans who would lose coverage from this law," she said. "No congressional legislation has done so much to hurt so many people in my lifetime. Any senator who votes for this immoral monstrosity will have to answer to the American people and to their conscience." WI

Oddly, one of the officers Constand spoke with was her brother-in-law, who suggested to call a lawyer "to protect her." O'Neill also denied a potential defense witness who had on several occasions shared a hotel room with Constand. The testimony of Temple employee Margo Jackson would have revealed to the jury that Constand had previously mentioned to Jackson her ability to claim Cosby assaulted her and despite it not really happening, she could "say it happened and file charges, file a civil suit, get the money, go to school and open a business." When Cosby offered to pay for Constand to go to graduate school, prosecutors and media members alike claimed it sounded like a bribe, or hush money. However, left out of the reporting and glossed over by the prosecution, was Cosby's insistence that if he were to pay for Constand to go to graduate school, she must maintain a 3.0 grade point average — certainly an indication that this wasn't a payoff attempt. As jurors deliberated, media members flocked to women's rights attorney Gloria Allred and some of her clients, who were present throughout. They chided Cosby for responding to his fans who urged him to repeat his "Fat Albert" phrase, "Hey, hey, hey," as he left court. However, no one offered any kind of rebuke to Allred's clients who paraded around the courthouse with buttons and some who rented a U-Haul, draped a sheet over it with anti-Cosby slogans and rode around the courthouse honking the horn. Truly, it was tantamount to the sounds of the Klan and lynch mobs as they rode in the darkness fully loaded, intending to target an African-American under the guise of justice. WI

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Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Washington, DC Matthews Memorial Baptist Church is a multi-generational congregation located in the Anacostia community. We are seeking a full-time Senior Pastor called by God in accordance with Jeremiah 3:15, 1 Corinthians 15:58, and Colossians 1:25, who will a) be the spiritual leader of the congregation in accordance with Acts 20:28, b) preach and teach the Holy Bible in accordance with 2 Timothy 2:2; 4:1-2, c) effectively evangelize the community in accordance with Matthew 28:18-20, and d) equip the congregants to become disciples of Jesus Christ in accordance with 1 Peter 5:1-8. To learn more about how to apply for the pastoral vacancy at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, visit our website at www.mmbcdc.org/pastoral-search Application package must be postmarked by Friday, June 30, 2017

38 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

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RELIGION THE RELIGION CORNER

The Griffin Firm, PLLC

Dousing the Flames of the Diabetes Epidemic, Pt. 3 For new readers, let me explain that this is a six-part series, published for the first time, back in 2003 as a free online blog. Since its online debut 14 years ago, this article is now published on thousands of health websites around the world. It's posted in Africa, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Europe, Asia, in Spanish countries and many others around the world; and has been translated into various languages. To avoid having had my mother's living be in vain, I posted this story on her life and suffering with the implications of diabetes and how we learned, after her death, that Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with diet and exercise. This has been done to help others, but there are millions of people who do not know these simple facts. Those of you who have followed this column faithfully know the devastation suffered by my mother and family. You will learn how to avoid the horrors of this disease if you follow these proven principles by making a simple lifestyle change. My mother suffered for 12 years with diabetes and through all the complications that resulted from having had the disease has influenced the continuation of her story. In the last installment, I shared how my mother had both legs amputated, suffered least seven strokes and was on kidney dialysis for the last few years of her life. Mother was young, 61 years old, when she had a major stroke that caused paralysis. She ended up in Howard University Hospital. During this time, her Type 2 diabetes was discovered, extremely late. Her A1C was off the charts! This week, let's continue with that research. The problem dates back to the beginning of the slave trade, documented as beginning in 1790, and for those enslaved ones, food was still scarce, thus the "thrifty genes" protected them. If you research the documentations found on record at the National Archives and Records Administration, slaves received rations. It really

doesn't matter what the diets were of African people hundreds of years ago, as they moved around freely on the African continent, in townships like Johannesburg, Freetown, Rwanda, Sudan, South African and Sierra Leone. What does matter is the fact that those Africans who managed to survive the slave trade here in America arrived on the shores very strong. The majority of them worked in the fields from sunup to sundown, at least six days a week. Slaves ate scraps, like hog maws, chitterlings, pig tails, pig feet, pig ears, and they drank milk from a trough alongside other animals. Slaves ate whatever was made available to them, fed last, after the horses and pigs! They ate scraps, leftovers, garbage; in an effort to create a delicious meal, the women worked at creating recipes they could all enjoy. They loved collard greens with fatback meat, baked sweet potato pies. Chitterlings became a delicacy eaten on special occasions; pots of beans seasoned with ham hocks, or pig tails, seasoned with pork; homemade biscuits from white flour and lard, hush puppies, candied yams, potatoes of all types, and they ate plenty of cornbread. Sound familiar? African people who became Americanized beginning in the late 1700s had a very different diet than Euro-Americans. Even though this wasn't a "good" and "healthy" diet for the slaves, they ate it, they enjoyed it, and they

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Aimee D. Griffin, Esq., The Griffin Firm, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 440 Washington DC 20015 www.thegriffinfirm-PLLC.com

202-379-4738

with Lyndia Grant were able to sustain themselves easily. They worked so very hard in the fields — 12-16 hours a day — since so-called "thrifty genes" allowed their bodies to preserve food in an appropriate manner, when food was scarce (More next week to show statistics of what is happening today). WI Lyndia Grant is an author, inspirational and motivational speaker, radio talk show host and columnist. Visit her website, www. lyndiagrantshow.com or contact her at 240-602-6295. Tune in Fridays at 6 p.m. to "The Lyndia Grant Show" on Spirit 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station.

(301) 864-6070

CHURCH LAWYERS MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Organizational Formation, Governance Issues, First Ammendment, Church Employment, Ministerial Exception, Maintenance Issues, Risk Management, Safety and Security Issues, and Real Property Law SERVING MARYLAND, DC, & NORTH CAROLINA

www.jmlaw.net

(301) 864-6070

jmccollum@jmlaw.net

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.

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JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017 39

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

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”

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

Crusader Baptist 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

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

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

Campbell AME Church

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

Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: faithdefender@verizon.net

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

www.thirdstreet.org

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital”

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

(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 Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor

Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher

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

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30pm

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

St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us...

Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor

Turning Hearts Church

4275 4th Street, S.E. Washington, DC 20034 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445

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

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy 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

Twelfth Street Christian Church

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

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

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

40 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

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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

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

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 Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor

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 “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family”

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: 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00pm

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

www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

“Where Jesus is the King”

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of " Joy Apostolic Faith

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

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

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

Rev. Dr. Diane Dixon Proctor 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 - lpumconthegrow@gmail.com 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: “A CHURCH ON THE GROW”.

MemorialRev. Joan E. Buchanan

Executive Pastor

Baptist Church

2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304

Rev. Joan E. Buchanan Service and Times Executive Early PastorWorship Service:

7:30am Worship Service: 11:00am New Member’s Class: 9:45am 1st Sunday, 11:00am ServiceHoly andCommunion: Times Church School: 9:45am Early Worship Service: 7:30am Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer,11:00am Praise and Bible Study: 7:00pm Worship Service: Saturday Bible Study: 11:00am Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, New Member’s Class: 9:45am Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00am Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. st 1 Sunday, 11:00am The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42Holy Communion: “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a 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.

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

Matthews

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

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

Church School: Multitude 9:45am of Souls to Christ”

Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study

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

Mount Moriah 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

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

St. Matthews Baptist Church

Eastern Community Baptist Church

New Commandment Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

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

Salem Baptist Church

Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00pm Saturday Bible Study: 11:00am

Peace Baptist Church

Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church

Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00am

“Empowered to Love and Challenged

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell

to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

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

712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship Service: 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School: 9:30am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service: 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible: 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

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 pbcexec@verizon.net

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

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

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

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 29 - JULY 5, 2017 41

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

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

Mattie Fuller Walker aka Mattie F. Walker Name of Deceased Settlor NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST

Administration No. 2013 ADM 820

Administration No. 2017 ADM 681

Administration No. 2015 ADM 405

Foreign No. 2017 FEP 71

Joe Way Decedent

Willie Alston Decedent

William Robinson Decedent

March 30, 2015 Date of Death

Peter D. Antonoplos, Esq. 1725 DeSales Street, NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

James Larry Frazier, Esq. 918 Maryland Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

Brett Cohen 7910 Woodmont Avenue, #1430 Bethesda, MD 20814-7047 Attorney

John Trevor Williams Name of Decedent

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

Wanda Ware, whose address is 4627 Dallas Place, #101, Temple Hills, MD 20748 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joe Way who died on July 24, 2016 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 15, 2017. 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 December 15, 2017, 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.

Willie Lorenzo Alston, whose address is 525 Quintana Place, NW, Washington, DC 20011 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Willie Alston who died on July 3, 2016 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 22, 2017. 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 December 22, 2017, 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.

Brett Cohen, whose address is 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1430, Bethesda, MD 20814-7047 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William Robinson who died on August 7, 2014 with a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 15, 2017. 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 December 15, 2017, 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: June 15, 2017

Date of first publication: June 22, 2017

Date of first publication: June 15, 2017

Wanda Ware Personal Representative

Willie Lorenzo Alston Personal Representative

Brett Cohen 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. 2017 ADM 707 Ivy D. Slade aka Ivy Dillard Slade Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Judy Dillard Taylor, whose address is 108 Tuckerman Street, NW, Washington, DC 20011 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ivy D. Slade aka Ivy Dillard Slade who died on January 24, 2014 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 29, 2017. 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 December 29, 2017, 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: June 29, 2017 Judy Dillard Taylor Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

42 JUNE 29 - JULY 5, 2017

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration No. 2016 ADM 1477 Anna Arlene Murray Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Denise McPherson, whose address is 7329 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anna Arlene Murray who died on December 4, 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., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 29, 2017. 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 December 29, 2017, 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: June 29, 2017 Denise McPherson Personal Representative

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Wendy Irene Williams and Konrad Paul Feix whose addresses are 17 Middlecot Close Orrell Wigan Lancashire WN5 8SQ & 47 Stanhope Av Torrishoime Morecambe Lancashire LA3 3AJ were appointed personal representatives of the estate of John Trevor Williams, deceased, by the High Court of Justice, The District Probate Registry at Liverpool, on May 25, 2016. Service of process may be made upon Kisha L. Woolen, Esquire, Tobin O’Connor & Ewing, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, #700, Washington, DC 20015 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 1 Scott Circle, NW, #102, Washington, DC 20036-2214. 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: June 22, 2017 Wendy Irene Williams Konrad Paul Feix Personal Representatives Anne Meister Register of Wills

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Trust No. 2017 NRT 18

Mattie Fuller Walker aka Mattie F. Walker whose address was 3050 Military Road, NW, #612, Washington, DC 20015 created a revocable trust on February 1, 2007, which remained in existence on the date of her death on July 6, 2016, and Joy Angela Walker, whose address is 3025 Spice Bush Road, Laurel, MD 20724 is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to Joy Angela Walker at 3025 Spice Bush Road, Laurel, MD 20724. 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 December 29, 2017 (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), (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2), December 29, 2017 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification. This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d). Date of First Publication: Jun 29, 2017

Washington Informer

Joy Angela Walker Signature of Trustee 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. 2017 ADM 708

Administration No. 2017 ADM 673

Administration No. 2017 ADM 675

Anna L. Neal Decedent

Erma Simms aka Erma K. Simms Decedent

Virgil Louis Thompson Decedent

Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

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

Phyllis M. Sistare and Barbara J. Herbert, whose addresses are 13910 New Acadia Ln., Upper Marlboro, MD & 710 Haack Pl., Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Erma Simms aka Erma K. Simms who died on April 29, 2017 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 29, 2017. 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 December 29, 2017, 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.

Dana Darnell Forsythe, whose address is 330 Harry S. Truman Dr., Largo, MD 20774 was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Virgil Louis Thompson who died on May 3, 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., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 29, 2017. 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 December 29, 2017, 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.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Haweda S. Mable, whose address is 6271 Bordeaux Circle, Sandford, FL 32771, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anna L. Neal who died on May 19, 2016 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before December 29, 2017. 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 December 29, 2017, 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: June 29, 2017 Haweda S. Mable Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

Date of first publication: June 29, 2017 Phyllis M. Sistare Barbara J. Herbert Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Date of first publication: June 29, 2017 Dana Darnell Forsythe Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

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KENILWORTH from Page 5 Rigor relates how imperative it might be to reflect and measure performance, outcomes and effect on an individual, family and community level while resilience counts as the capacity to adapt to changing political, social and economic environments and making it essential to deliver on the mission, according to DCPNI. "Kenilworth-Parkside community members are at the center of our work in the District of Columbia," Brown said. "They are instrumental in determining community needs and providing constant feedback on the success of programming to meet these needs." A great number of creative solutions have emerged from their

experience and strengths and community members help inform the creation of data instruments used to assess progress, and actually assist in administering surveys and other tools, she said. "We have been providing and will continue to provide intensive capacity-building to support our indigenous leaders in growing their capacity to lead and manage programming and service delivery in the community," Brown said. "Within our philosophy of 'Each One Teach One,' we are also training our community leaders to assist us as consultants in working with leaders in other communities seeking to adapt DCPNI's platform to meet their needs." WI

LEGACY from Page 16

LACROSSE from Page 31

insensitivity," King said. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA, said that the organization was especially proud and delighted to present the prestigious award to King. "For decades, more than anyone else, Martin Luther King III has continued to personify and represent the living legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for freedom, justice and equality," Chavis said. "He has carried on his father's legacy quite honorably, quite admirable, and quite successful," he said. As former president and CEO of the King Center, King has spoken on behalf of former President Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention where he highlighted the need for improved health care, quality education, housing, technology and equal justice. He also served on the board of directors for the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy and co-founded BounceTV, the first independently-owned digital multicast network featuring around-the-clock programming geared toward African-Americans. "I remember going to my mother's alma matter in Ohio and seeing the statue of Horace Mann which was inscribed with the words, 'be ashamed to die until you have won some kind of victory for humanity,'" King said. "As a child, those are words that are very powerful. As an adult, I say we can win victory at schools, we can win victory in our places of worship, we can win victory in our cities, our counties, our states, our country and some may win in our world. "I say, be ashamed to die until you have done something to make your community better," he said. WI

land." Prior to joining CCYL as an administrator, she and two colleagues, Britta Williams and current George Mason head coach Jessy Morgan, formed the Coast 2 Coast girls lacrosse team. "C2C lasted for about a year. We had a great start, but we just didn’t have the financial backing in order to persist," West said. "We were just out of college, but we had solid plans." CCYL currently consists of 600 children, from ages 4 to 15. All coaches are unpaid volunteers. The organization was founded in 2008 by Doug Gansler, the former attorney general of Maryland. He founded the league to benefit Baltimore's inner-city youth. Gansler has also co-chaired the NAACP Criminal Justice Committee. For his work in establishing CCYL, Gansler has received the "Innovator of the Year" award from Maryland's largest legal publication, according to published reports. Another local figure who is pivotal to Baltimore’s inner-city youth participation in lacrosse is Donnie Brown, a city native and former member of the famed Morgan State team of the 1970s who also began playing the game as a youngster. "I was a star baseball player, but was introduced to [lacrosse] by family friends — a mixed-race family," he said. "I picked up the stick and never looked back. No more baseball." Brown starred at City College High School before trekking to Morgan State. Now 58, he remains connected to the sport and serves on CCYL board of directors. West denotes him as "the Papa of youth lacrosse" in Baltimore. Meanwhile, the Charm City

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

REED from Page 15 ciations, and state and national conventions, such as the National Baptist Convention. Others joined new African-American denominations, chiefly the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Since the 1940s, the SBC has shifted some of its regional and historical credentials. Since the late twentieth century, the SBC has sought new members among minority groups. Still heavily concentrated in the Southern US, the SBC has member churches across the US and 41 affiliated state conventions. At its annual convention in 2012, the SBC elected as Fred Luter, Jr., pastor of the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, the first African American president. He was re-elected to a second term in 2013. "Alt-Right" is a euphemism for the "modern white nationalist movement". It's time blacks stop playing, or being played "victims" of racism and compel benefactors from slavery to "pay up." Instead of demanding "proper compensation" from the ravages of slavery, McKissic has the mind state of association equates equity that has been prevalent and consistent in the American psyche as long as blacks and whites have shared these shores. After the SBC faithful sat through a series of long meetings McKissic pushed the group too far. Chaos broke out over McKissic's resolution calling the congregation to denounce nationalism and "reject retrograde ideologies, xenophobic biases, and racial bigotries." Let's allow the SBC members pride of their traditions and heritage, but on the other hand, let's make sure benefactors of the American infrastructure and systems slavery produced pay us just reparations for their fathers' sins. WI Gators are an all-girls unit that participates independently under the CCYL banner. The team, organized by West in 2009 and currently coached by George Roycroft, consists of girls ages 9 to 14 and competes with other Baltimore-area girls' teams. Roycroft says his team, though young, is very competitive "even when facing typically white, more experienced teams from suburban communities." "We're not as experienced as the teams we face, but our girls have so much heart. I'm very proud of them," said the three-year coach. For the full version of this story, go to washingtoninformer.com. WI

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MALVEAUX from Page 26

cus raised holy hell in 1990, denouncing the Helms TV ad. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton were both all over TV screaming racism; the NAACP and Urban League were sending out massive amounts of mail coming out against Helms and Republicans. These folks and groups all "claim" to be for justice and equality for all, but, I guess you have to add, "if" they agree with your politics. It is public knowledge that Cosby has opened his wallet to many civil rights groups lending his celebrity to various social causes for decades. So to all the blacks who are running away from Cosby like the plague, and have suddenly come down with a severe case of laryngitis, I say that today Bill Cosby has been tried and convicted in the white liberal court of public opinion, but ask yourself: who will stand up for you when it's your turn? WI

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leading Helms in his re-election bid for the U.S. Senate. Gantt would have become the first black senator in North Carolina's history. As soon as Helms aired the hands ad, the race was, for all practical purposes, over. There is absolutely no doubt that Helms' ad was racist and meant to scare white folks to turn out for his re-election. Likewise, Steele did the same thing, but since he is a liberal, white Democrat, there was no public outcry. Some political insiders have suggested that Steele's ultimate goal is to run for governor of Pennsylvania. A conviction in the Cosby trial was critical steppingstone to the governor's mansion. It's all or nothing for Steele. Cosby, and, by extension, blacks in Pennsylvania, are simply pawns in the game that the district attorney is playing to get what he wants politically. The Congressional Black Cau-

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when white, liberal Democrats use the same tactic, liberals — especially black ones — get laryngitis. So, Steele used a caricature of the world famous black comedian to convince white voters in Montgomery County that he would save them from thuggish predators like Cosby, a blind philanthropist who was once called "America's Dad." Aren't these the same dog whistles that Democrats accuse Republicans of using? Look at the 2015 campaign TV commercial Steele ran against Castor using the allegations against Cosby. When I saw this ad two years ago, I was immediately transported back to 1990 when segregationist Republican Sen. Jesse Helms ran his infamous "hands ad." In 1990, Harvey Gantt, mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina, was

hammer rural hospitals, it will close nursing homes. It will lead to disabled children not getting services. … People will die." To add insult to this injury, the bill will also cost millions of jobs — particularly in rural areas and the Midwestern industrial states that gave Trump his electoral victory. In West Virginia, there are more people working in health care and social assistance than in the coal mines. The Republican bill would savage those jobs and the families that depend on them to survive. They say they want to make America great again, but this bill makes America suffer again. We're going backward. WI

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those in poor and rural areas. When all the cuts kick in, literally tens of millions of the most vulnerable will be stripped of health care coverage. Premiums and co-pays will go up across the board, as subsidies decline. Workers over 50 will particularly be hit with soaring costs. Companies with more than 50 fulltime employees will no longer be mandated to provide coverage, as they were under the Affordable Care Act. This is a life and death decision. Bruce Siegel, president of America's Essential Hospitals, a coalition of some 300 hospitals, told the Washington Post: "Let's not mince words. This bill will close hospitals. It will

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this Thursday on the Republican health care bill — which was only unveiled last Thursday. Push has come to shove. The heart of the bill is a savage choice: to gut Medicaid — a program that covers one in five Americans — in order to lavish tax cuts on the rich — an average annual tax cut of $50,000 for millionaires. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. Medicaid isn't just about the poor. It covers 39 percent of all children, 49 percent of births and 64 percent of nursing home patients, not to mention extended care for millions of the disabled. Medicaid funding is vital for hospitals, particularly

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Schumer (D-N.Y.) to do so. This is a clear case of "follow the money," as the legislation will make people pay more money for less health care. Indeed, it is amazing that a handful of Republicans, behind closed doors, were tinkering with a sector that represents one-sixth of our economy. While both 45 and Senate Republicans like to do their dirt in the dark, it doesn't take much light for us to see that their odious actions are devoid of integrity. Surprise, surprise. Malveaux's podcast, "It's Personal with Dr. J," is available on iTunes. Her latest book, "Are We Better Off?: Race, Obama and Public Policy," is available via amazon. com. WI

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Medicaid. Health insurance premiums determined by age. Scant protection for those with pre-existing conditions. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. With such a short time line for voting on the Senate legislation, it is unlikely that there will be time for robust hearings on the provisions of this legislation. So not only were Democrats (and some Republicans) locked out of the drafting process, but they will now also be muzzled in the process of discussing this legislation. The good news is that Republicans must get 50 (along with VP Mike Pence as a tie-breaker) votes in order for this legislation to become law,

and as soon as the bill was released, four Republican senators said they could not vote for it. Hard-line tea party Republicans are not happy with the new legislation because it does not completely "repeal and replace" President Obama's Affordable Care Act. Moderate Republicans are not happy with the legislation because it is draconian and will make health insurance unaffordable for too many. Will the Senate take a page out of the White House book and prevent the broadcast of hearings on health insurance? Will Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) schedule enough hearing time? Unlikely, despite requests from Minority Leader Chuck

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rent 2.4 million black-owned businesses, compared to the 45 million of us, are but a drop of water in the ocean, especially when you factor in the relatively meager annual revenues those businesses take in. We must change that. Our time should be devoted to starting and supporting business ventures, rather than complaining about how difficult things are out there and how the "Arabs" and Asians dominate our neighborhoods when it comes to business ownership. We must find common ground to move beyond the stagnation and complacency in which we have been mired for so long. Organization, unity and mutual support are the keys to our economic freedom. Cooperative economics among African-Americans is an idea that has been around for hundreds

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meeting, it appears that our concerns and your stated receptiveness to them, fell on deaf ears," the letter continued. In particular, the CBC complained about the proposed Trump budget which strips away money for financial assistance for needy, low-income college students; the elimination of the Obama administration's diversity program by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos; the elimination of the Low Income Energy Assistance Program which helps seniors and others on fixed incomes heat their homes; as well as efforts by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to accelerate drug prosecutions, while weakening federal civil rights enforcement. In addition, Richmond complained that the Republican proposals to repeal the Affordable Care Act would "strip millions of black people of their health care." "We have voiced all of these concerns in various forms, but have heard nothing from you or

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It was on the lips of the humanitarian workers. This is a global crisis that will require a global response. The U.S. cannot risk flimsy leadership and we must be swift, stern and resolute. Hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of people, some of whom I met in South Sudan and Uganda, depend on us guaranteeing that the region's political landscape is not in the same exact place one year from now. A long-term

commitment is needed to address the existing civil conflict — the root cause of this famine. The world must continue to press the leaders of South Sudan on this point. The international community has a choice: either work together to end famine or continue to observe death due to avoidable causes. It is in our control to end this famine now as well as find ways to avoid them in the future. WI

of years. It could not be resisted during the early years of American history, and it cannot be resisted today. It is up to us to take advantage of that fact as we move forward. It is time to make individual commitments to "do" something rather than sit back and "let someone else do it." It is time to stop complaining and blaming someone else for our plight. It is time for us to give up that lame excuse, "There is no use trying to change things, because we are never going to get together anyway." I don't buy those tired words, and I hope you don't buy them either. All we have to do, instead, is buy from one another, for the benefit of us all. The precedent exists; look at it and learn from it. My primary example of seeing a need and doing the work (although there are several during my lifetime that I could share) is

my current work for our people: THE One Million Conscious and Conscientious Black Contributors and Voters. Our historical grounding is found in the words of Marcus Garvey: "The greatest weapon used against [Black people] is disorganization." Thus, we are organized, united, and unapologetically determined to contribute to the economic elevation of our people. We saw the need and set out to do the work; and we will continue that work as we learn from our past and strive for a better future for our children. If you would like to join us, go to www.iamoneofthemillion. com. Part two of this article will give a deeper look at why and how the system in which we live has caused some of us to be complacent. It will also offer a way to change our situation. WI

your Cabinet officials," Richmond wrote, citing eight letters and documents the CBC has sent to Trump administration officials. Now what does the loosely united band of egos that makes up the CBC do? They are an unpopular minority in the Democratic Party, which is a powerless wing in the House, which operates strictly according to the majority's rules. Their boycott is, "a good idea, but they need a strategy behind it," said Dr. Clarence Lusane, chairman of the Department of Political Science at Howard University. "Just not meeting with him is not going to do it." The CBC started losing its power when they started playing ball with the administration of Pres. Bill Clinton, Lusane said. Then they began to land positions in the party leadership, further compromising their militancy. "So, it's difficult to see them coming up with a unified progressive strategy, other than kind of 'resist Trump,'" Lusane said. "They don't have a mobi-

lization strategy. There's nothing that they're moving people around, or coming to the Black community and saying, 'these are our top five issues. We need to mobilize around this." But the CBC, like the Democratic Party, and like the neoliberal left, are drifting rudderless since Trump's victory and the start of his lawless, ham-fisted approach to governance. "Until I see, not only the CBC, but the [Democratic] Party and the white left as a whole make [a manifesto to lead the country] front and center, then, it's not all that clear that Trump will be defeated," Lusane said. "So, I haven't seen any of that. And I think until they put some strategy together in that context, and it's linked up with the movements that are going on in the black community, around women, around Black Lives Matter, around the environment, then, it's not in a national context, a collective context, then, I just think they're very limited in what they're going to be able to do." WI

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