This Budget Season, Public School Officials Focus on Maintaining Teacher Workforce
Ariel Horton, Milken Educator of the Year, Credits School Support for Her Success
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
Ariel Horton received quite the surprise last week when local education officials and nonprofit leaders presented her with the 2024-2025 Milken Educator Award during an assembly at Noyes Elementary School in Northeast.
On the morning of March 6, Horton received a $25,000 check, lifetime membership in the Milken National Educator Network, and an opportunity to participate in the Milken Educator Forum in Los Angeles next month.
Upon accepting her award, a teary-eyed Horton, who knew nothing about her nomination, immediately recognized the teachers and admin-
BUDGET SEASON Page 48
5DCPS Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee (at the podium) and Paul Kihn, D.C. deputy mayor for education, want to ensure that no District public school loses instructional staff, as intended by the Schools First in Budgeting Amendment Act, which the D.C. Council approved in 2023. They announced a sustainability fund that would allow school leaders to allocate, at their discretion, dollars toward the preservation of teaching positions. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)
Ward 8 Special Election Candidates Pledge Paradigm Shift
Charnal Chaney, Khadijah Clark and Dion Jordan among Those Embracing a Grassroots Approach
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
This story is the second part of a series about the Ward 8 special election, scheduled for July 15, 2025.
As the list of Ward 8 special election candidates approaches two dozen, many voters are questioning the sincerity of the aspirant council members, especially those claiming they can adequately represent Ward 8 without any recent Wilson Building experience.
Some of the more frustrated members of the electorate have gone as far as threatening to write in Trayon White, whose D.C. Council expulsion triggered the special election, or avoid the ballot box altogether
ELECTION Page 47
5Khadijah Clark has lived in Ward 8 for six-plus decades. As a candidate for the Ward 8 Council seat, she wants to serve the people living in the ward where she experienced both trauma and triumph. (Courtesy Photo)
District Officials Stand Up AgainstContinuing Resolution that Decimates Local Budget
Ward 8 Artist-Entrepreneur Keyonna Jones Reflects on Erasure of Black Lives Matter Mural
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer
In the days leading up to a House voteon a continuing resolution forcing more than $1 billion in local budget cuts and threatening the D.C. government, Belicia Reaves counted
60 Years Since Selma: Religious, Political Leaders Talk Next Steps Ahead
By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer
Although many freedom fighters and faith leaders make the yearly March pilgrimage to Selma, Alabama in commemoration of the hundreds of civil rights activists injured by police on March 7, 1965— a day better known as Bloody Sunday— the 2025 gathering was particularly important.
This year’s convening was more than a 60th anniversary of the activists’ attempt to cross from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama,
SELMA Page 34
among those patiently waiting to assess if and how developments at the federal level would affect operations at the District’s multi-campus Two Rivers Public Charter School (PCS).
Amid the barrage of congressional at-
BLM PLAZA Page 20
5 Freedom fighters, activists and political leaders on the Edmund Pettus Bridge as part of the annual pilgrimage in March honoring those brutalized on Bloody Sunday in 1965. (Courtesy Photo)
3Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks in front of the U.S. Capitol on March 10 with D.C. Council members and other political leaders, standing up against a Continuing Resolution that threatens to decimate the local budgets. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
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An Outpouring of Tributes from Music Icons Continue Following Roy Ayers’ Death
The world of music is reeling from the loss of Roy Ayers, the legendary jazzfunk pioneer whose influence stretched across generations. Ayers, known for his groundbreaking fusion of jazz, soul, and funk, died March 4 at 84 in New York City following a long illness, his family announced.
For over four decades, Ayers’ music shaped the sonic landscape of jazz and R&B, with his 1976 hit “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” becom-
ing an enduring anthem sampled and reimagined by artists from Mary J. Blige to Pharrell Williams. His distinct vibraphone sound, often described as “cosmic soul-jazz,” paved the way for the neo-soul movement, earning him the title of Godfather of Neo-Soul.
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the industry.
Mary J. Blige, who sampled “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” in her 1994 album “My Life,” shared a simple yet heartfelt message: “RIP Roy Ayers,” Blige posted on social media, adding a heart and angel emoji. Williams, a longtime admirer, credited Ayers as “one of my greatest musical inspirations.”
DJ Premier, paying homage to Ayers, wrote: “ICON
Hotel at the University of Maryland Named 7th Best Hotel in State
The Hotel at the University of Maryland has been ranked as the seventh best hotel in Maryland this year by U.S. News & World Report.
With 2025 the fourth consecutive year that this hotel has ranked in Maryland’s top 10, the 297room hotel was also lauded as the best in College Park, and No. 25 for tourists visiting the D.C. area.
“Whether you’re visiting The Hotel at the University of Maryland for business or leisure, we strive to provide an elevated experience in a modern, innovative setting,” said Southern Management Com-
panies Vice President of Hospitality and Sales Jeff Brainard.
U.S. News & World Report ranking identifies the best hotels based on industry awards, guest reviews and hotel class ratings.
“We are honored that U.S. News and World Report has recognized our efforts, and thank our staff, guests, and members of the hospitality industry for their support,” Brainard continued. “As we celebrate this honor, we will continue to deliver the best possible experience at all times.” WI
Side Hustles Become a Necessity for Millions as Costs Rise
A new 2025 Side Hustle Survey from LendingTree reveals that nearly half of Americans, 44%, have a side hustle, with many relying on it as a financial lifeline rather than a discretionary income source. The findings show the financial strain many households face as wages stagnate and the cost of living rises.
Among those with a side hustle, 43% say they need the extra income to cover daily expenses, a sharp increase from previous years. Seventy-one percent of side hustlers report earning less than $500 monthly, with nearly a quarter making less than $100 monthly.
“The median amount our side hustlers earned monthly was $400, but the average was $1,215,” Matt Schultz wrote for Lending Tree. Considering how tight many households’ budgets are, $1,215 is nothing short of a game-changing monthly amount. Men report earning more than double what women say they earn — an average of $1,580 versus $749.
Earlier, the publication Secret DC reported that Washington, D.C., ranks among the most overworked cities in the nation, scoring 81.1 on its overwork index. The data showed that the average workweek for District residents is 39 hours, with a commute averaging 31 minutes. More
than 61% of households have multiple jobs, 64% of employees work 50 or more weeks per year, and 23.4% of those 65 and older remain in the workforce. The report also found that 5.6% of employees have two jobs, and 3% have a side hustle. By contrast, Las Vegas ranked as the least overworked city with a score of 18.7.
The LendingTree survey shows younger generations are more likely to take on additional work, with 60% of Gen Z respondents and 55% of millennials reporting that they have a side hustle. That compares to 39% of Gen X and 24% of baby boomers. While 18% of side hustlers earn at least $1,000 monthly, most remain in lower income brackets. The median income from side gigs has not increased meaningfully, and rising inflation continues to erode purchasing power, leaving many struggling to build financial security.
In October of last year, one social media took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his frustration with side hustle culture.
“I kinda hate the side hustle / second income culture,” social media user Mayowa wrote, garnering 62,000 likes, 16,000 reposts and more than 300 comments. “Someone shouldn’t have to work so much just to be comfortable.” WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5Roy Ayers, known for his groundbreaking fusion of jazz, soul, and funk, died March 4 at the age of 84 in New York City, following a long illness. (Courtesy Photo)
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Heart of the City Candles Honors Local Women with Free Giveaway
By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer
In honor of National Women’s History Month, Heart of the City Candles partnered with Five Below and Build our City DC on Monday, March 3 to not only give free items away to women and children, but build connections and offer hope.
The event, which took place at Hill Prince in Northeast, D.C. in collaboration with Five Below and Build our City DC, provided items like shoes, clothes, board games, hats, books, and beauty care products.
Desmond Barnes and Derrell Simpson, CEO and COO of Heart of the City Candles, were approached by Five Below about an excess of inventory they needed to give away.
“We did a lot with [Five Below] during the Christmas holiday by hav-
ing a toy drive with over 1,000 kids,” said Barnes, who also serves as digital newsletter manager with The Washington Informer. “They reached back out to us and said we have plenty of things that we have to find something to do with.”
That’s when the idea came to fruition.
“We said, ‘Let’s do a free giveaway and just give them back to people,’” Barnes told The Informer. “Everyone loves something free so we just want to provide the opportunity.”
Simpson, Heart of the City’s chief operating officer, felt it was extremely important to pay homage to women in the District.
“For us it was all about making sure that we honor women and girls and that they knew that they were appreciated for their continuous sacrifices,” said Simpson.
March 16 Service to Celebrate 198-Year
History, Contributions of the Black Press
By WI Web Staff
On the same day commemorating nearly two centuries of the Black Press, March 16, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church will host a Sunday service celebrating the innovative, brave and inspiring work of African American publishers, journalists, photographers and media makers.
In collaboration with The Washington Informer, which is celebrating 60 years, Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) and Afro-American Newspapers, Black Press Sunday at Metropolitan A.M.E., 1518 M Street NW, is more than an event.
Held on the 198th anniversary of the founding of the nation’s first Black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, Black Press Sunday will celebrate the vital role of Black media in shaping narratives, amplifying voices, and preserving history.
“We are proud to gather at this historic church to celebrate the resilience and influence of the Black Press,” said Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer. “For nearly two centuries, Black newspapers have been at the forefront of truth-telling, advocacy, and community-building. As The Washington Informer marks 60 years of service, we reaffirm our commitment to keeping our readers informed, engaged, and empowered.”
The 10 a.m. Sunday service honors the faith, prayers and work it has taken for the Black Press to be resilient, strong and valuable historically and today.
“At such a time as this, when truth is under assault and the voices of the marginalized are often silenced, the Black Press remains a prophetic force for justice. The same faith that sustained Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells fuels our commitment today to speaking truth to power,” said the Rev. William H. Lamar, IV, pastor at the historic Northwest church, where Douglass, publisher of The North Star attended services. “Metropolitan A.M.E. Church is honored to host this sacred gathering, recognizing that our stories, our struggles, and our triumphs must continue to be told.” WI
Gerome Curtis with Build our City DC said he hopes events like the one on March 3 strengthens the bond between residents.
“We’re here to empower and give back and make sure it’s known that our community is still a community,” he told the Informer.
WI
3Heart of the City Candles works to give back to District communities. In partnership with Five Below and Build our City DC, Heart of the City held an event at Hill Prince in Northeast, D.C. offering free shoes, clothes, games, hats, books and beauty care products for local women and children. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)
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MARCH 13
facts
MAR. 13 - 19, 2025
SOURCE:
1972 – Rapper and actor Common is born in Chicago.
1979 – Grenadian politician and revolutionary Maurice Bishop seizes power in a coup in 1979, serving as Prime Minister of the People's Revolutionary Government of Grenada until 1983, when he is overthrown and executed.
MARCH 14
1794 – Eli Whitney receives a patent for the cotton gin.
1933 – Famous music producer and composer Quincy Jones is born in Chicago.
1977 – Fannie Lou Hamer, voting rights activist, civil rights leader and philanthropist, dies in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, of complications from hypertension and breast cancer at 59.
1999 – Chess player Maurice Ashley beat Adrian Negulescu to become the first Black International Grandmaster.
MARCH 15
1947 – Ensign John W. Lee Jr. becomes the first African American with a commission in the regular Navy and serves on board USS Kearsarge (CV 33).
1988 – Eugene Antonio Marino is named Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta, becoming the first Black Catholic archbishop in the United States.
MARCH 16
1827 – Freedom's Journal, the first African American-owned and -operated newspaper published in the United States, is founded by Rev. Peter Williams Jr. and other free Black men in New York City. 1846 – Rebecca Cole, the second African American woman to become a doctor in the United States, is born in Philadelphia.
1869 – Hiram R. Revels makes his first speech in the Senate, opposing the readmission of Georgia without adequate safeguards for Black citizens. This was the first official speech by a Black in Congress.
1956 – Hall of Fame tight end Ozzie Newsome, the first African American to serve as general manager of an NFL franchise, is born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
MARCH 17
1806 – Inventor Norbert Rillieux, widely considered to be one of the earliest chemical engineers, is born in New Orleans.
1877 – President Hayes appoints Frederick Douglass marshal of District of Columbia.
1919 – Famed singer Nat King Cole is born in Montgomery, Alabama.
1946 – Jackie Robinson makes his professional debut as a member of the Montreal Royals, the Brooklyn Dodgers' AAA minor league team, in the Daytona Beach ballpark that now bears his name.
MARCH 18
1934 – Country music singer Charley Pride, one of just three African Americans ever inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, is born in Sledge, Mississippi.
1941 – Soul music legend Wilson Pickett is born in Prattville, Alabama.
1963 – Famed actress and singer Vanessa L. Williams is born in the Bronx borough of New York City.
1972 – The USS Jesse L. Brown, named for the first African American naval aviator in the U.S. Navy, is launched.
MARCH 19
1894 – Loretta Mary Aiken, best known as famed comedian Moms Mabley, is born in Brevard, North Carolina. WI
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view
P INT
BY SARAFINA WRIGHT
Roy Ayers, a legendary vibraphonist, record producer, and composer known for his records like “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” died at 84. How will you remember Ayers?
DANIEL TAYLOR / BRONX, N.Y.
HAWK HAWKINS / WASHINGTON, D.C.
You feel his music in your soul! I’m so proud and blessed that I had my dad in my life and still do to teach and introduce me to such brilliant artists like Roy Ayers and explain our beautiful culture! May this brother rest in paradise!
Every spring and summer, I play “Everybody Loves The Sunshine,” especially when daylight savings time begins. I’ll be playing it again this year in his memory. R.I.P.
KAREN LOWRY / CHARLESTON, S.C.
MILLIE SWENSON / SAVANNAH, GA.
This hurt my heart deeply. I love his music! I always listen to his records, and tonight, for even more reason. Rest in power.
Roy will live on through his music, and may he rest in peace.
MADGE YARBROUGH / WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. Ayers, thank you for your music contributions.
Our staff is made up of writers, just like you. We are dedicated to making publishing dreams come true. Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made countless authors’ dreams come true.
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Female Business Leaders Meet for Education, Inspiration
Women’s Business Collaborative Holds Retreat
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
Laura Fote, CEO of L&B Concepts based in Howard County, Maryland and co-owner of The Gatsby Showcase Foundation, is a seasoned entrepreneur who loves to talk about her business and how anyone can overcome challenges to meet and even exceed their goals.
However, when Fote has the chance to speak to women, especially those who are entrepreneurs, she takes her presentation to another level— and audiences witnessed that firsthand during the Women’s Business Collaborative’s (WBC) Entrepreneurs of Purpose Retreat on March 7-8 at the Watergate Hotel in Northwest.
On the final day of the conference and in front of 40 women, including WBC chairwoman and legendary businesswoman Edie Fraser, Fote inspired the female business leaders— some seasoned, some novice—to pursue managing their businesses with vigor and drive.
“I am excited to join award-winning business veterans and other notable, trailblazing women leaders and entrepreneurs at this incredible event sponsored by WBC to inspire, educate and connect,” said Fote, speaker for the “Voices of Entrepreneurs of Purpose” workshop. “Women entrepreneurs are driven to make a difference locally, nationally and globally. I also look forward to sharing my insight, my experiences and passion for creating positive and innovative changes, through
networking and business.”
Fote’s presentation focused on the aspects of courage, leadership strategies, impact and collaboration.
There were also workshops on branding and marketing, bold leadership, capital and innovation, and creating a legacy beyond making a profit.
The conference occurred as the Trump administration and some public agencies on the federal, state and local levels and private companies, such as Target, Amazon and Walmart, have suspended their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs that benefit women and entrepreneurs of color.
Amid trying and divisive political times, Fraser said the conference has a definitive purpose.
“The WBC Entrepreneurs of Purpose are the architects of a better tomorrow, today,” said Fraser, 82. “We are fueled by an unrelenting commitment to integrate impact into the very foundation of our businesses— whether local, national or a global scale. When times are difficult, lean on another and remember this: Maya Angelou reminds us: ‘Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.’”
FOTE EMPHASIZES POWER OF BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP
A major part of Fote’s work as an entrepreneur is about helping others.
Tapping further into her entrepreneurial prowess during the coronavirus pandemic, Fote utilized her skills and network to import significant quantities of personal protective
equipment, primarily masks.
“My husband, Dr. Bernard Fote, is a board-certified emergency physician, and during the start of the pandemic, he was in a situation where his hospital could not get masks,” said Fote, alluding to the national shortage of certain masks deemed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Fote said she went to work and managed to get 20,000 masks that her husband could distribute–an experience that only fueled her passion for entrepreneurship.
“You do better work for yourself,” she said. “You want to open up your own business.”
Fote also has a worldwide network with a distribution of Moser crystals.
“They never let a Black woman retail crystals,” she said. “A majority of Moser customers are Black women, but we do not participate in that space. That is not right, and I have a voice, and I spoke up. I made it clear I wanted to retail the crystals and not just be the face of the company.”
Fote said women entrepreneurs must be persistent and have their affairs in order.
“Banks are finicky,” she said. “To get started my husband and I used our personal funds. I would advise anyone going into business to look at your credit history and pay your bills on time.”
Fote encourages young Black women to become entrepreneurs, offering some nuggets of advice.
“You must believe in yourself,” she said. “Do not take no for an answer. Be ambitious and network.” WI @JamesWrightJr10
5Edie Fraser, founder and chair of the Women’s Business Board of Directors, and Laura Fote CEO of L&B Concepts Inc., at the Entrepreneurs of Purpose weekend retreat in Northwest, D.C. on March 8. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
D.C. Mayor Visits Black Businesses in Anacostia
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser visited three new Black-owned businesses in Ward 8’s historic Anacostia on March 6: Sweet Tooth Café and Cakes, Sapodilla’s Caribbean Restaurant, and Grounded. During her visit, the mayor not only celebrated the businesses that all received funding from the District government, but honored their contributions to the District’s economy, community and culture.
“The businesses we’re supporting here are not just providing food and goods — they’re fostering community and driving economic growth through workforce development, food incubators and wellness programs,” Bowser said.
The businesses are recipients of the District’s Food Access Fund and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund programs. These initiatives have awarded $27 million to entrepreneurs supporting neighborhood amenities that create jobs and drive economic growth in developing communities, with $12.4 million awarded in Ward 8, according to Bowser administration officials.
The March 6 visits also uplifted the life and legacy of the late District Mayor Marion Barry, who would have turned 89 that day.
Barry served as D.C. mayor from 1979-1991 and 1995-1999, and on the D.C. Council, first as an at-large member from 1974-1979, and representing Ward 8 from 1993-1995 and 2005 until his death in November 2014. Throughout his political career, Barry championed the development of Black businesses.
“Today, we’re happy and proud to be in historic Anacostia — on Mayor Barry’s birthday — celebrating three fantastic Ward 8 businesses,” Bowser said.
THE FOOD ACCESS FUND, TOURING SWEET TOOTH AND SAPODILLA’S, BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes and Sapodilla’s are both recipients of the mayor’s Food Access Fund, created by Bowser to increase neighborhood food access points, particularly in
Wards 7 and 8. The fund has awarded $23.4 million to support 26 businesses in Wards 5, 7 and 8.
Bowser first toured Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes, a family-owned business operated by chef Stephen Thomas, his wife Sara and their daughter Amina. The restaurant, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in The Clara on MLK apartment complex, will offer halal American comfort foods, desserts and vegan treats.
The business includes a teaching kitchen to support food workforce development and nutrition education.
The mayor toured the facilities, complimenting Thomas for his teaching kitchen designed to educate students in the culinary arts. Sweet Tooth Café and Cakes is Thomas’s second venture: his first is Sweet Tooth Bakery in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
“It was an amazing visit to have her, and her team come to my place,” Thomas, 63, said. “It shows support for entrepreneurs who want the community to have the products it needs.”
The mayor then visited Sapodilla’s on Marion Barry Avenue SE, another recipient of Food Access Fund support, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Owner Samantha Abrams opened her first Sapodilla’s in Fort Washington, Maryland. The restaurant features Caribbean cuisine, emphasizing dishes from Abrams’ family’s home country of Guyana.
During a fireside chat with Bowser while at Sapodilla’s, Abrams talked about the origin of her business venture.
“I realized this business from a college paper,” she said. “From that paper, I realized that I could do it, so I created a business from it.”
During the event, Bowser announced the opening of three grant programs: Great Streets, Locally Made and the Emerging Retail Initiative, a new program focused on helping food entrepreneurs operating in shared spaces open their restaurants. Applications will open March 14.
In addition, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) offered a gift to Sapodilla’s and Sweet Tooth Cafe.
“We are proud to welcome them into the RAMW family with a
AROUND THE REGION
one-year membership and look forward to supporting their growth and success in Ward 8,” said Shawn Townsend, RAMW president and CEO. “Mayor Bowser’s continued investment in food access and economic development is critical to ensuring that all communities across D.C. have vibrant, locally owned dining destinations.”
TOURING GROUNDED, THE NEIGHBORHOOD PROSPERITY FUND
Bowser’s final stop was at Grounded, a plant shop, café and wellness studio founded by Mignon Hemsley and Danuelle Doswell that focuses on physical, mental and emotional wellness.
“This visit is very significant and historical,” Doswell said. “It means a lot to have her here. We have worked hard for five years to bring the intersection of nature and wellness to Ward 8.”
Grounded received funding from
the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, which aims to stimulate community development, economic growth and job creation by leveraging local funds to attract private investment to emerging communities.
Kristina Noel, executive director of the Anacostia Business Improvement District, accompanied the mayor
during the tour and emphasized the importance of the visit.
“It is extremely important that this area gets attention,” she said. “Her visit says that we are a part of this city. This can help us increase the walking traffic in the area and help our businesses.” WI
@JamesWrightJr10
5D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser tours Grounded, a plant shop, café and wellness studio on Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, while visiting three new Black-owned businesses in Ward 8’s historic Anacostia on March 6. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
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The 2024 African American Credit Union Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 5 honored pioneers of the credit union industry during the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. at the OAS House of the Americas. Honorees this year were: Anthony Taylor, board director of Ascend Federal Credit Union; Karen Madry, president and CEO of Afena Federal Credit Union; Maurice Dawkins, president and CEO of American Spirit Federal Credit Union; John Bratsakis, president and CEO of MD/DC Credit Union Association; and Robert N. Trunzo, retired president and CEO of TruStage. (Courtesy Photo/ AACUC)
“Righteousness
Elephant Nkwelle, getting the latest news in The Washington Informer. (Roy Lewis/ The Washington Informer)
– Fannie Lou Hamer
Adam Levin: The Latest Leader at Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
Next to discussing and participating in politics, Washingtonians enjoy listening to their musical genres and Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center (Chuck Levin’s) in Wheaton, Maryland fuels that love by providing musicians, music groups and other interested organizations and stakeholders with instruments and other tools and materials.
For Adam Levin, the grandson of the co-founders Chuck (for whom the company is named after) and Marge Levin (his wife), the opportunity to lead the family business through the 21 st century is a golden one.
“Growing up, I knew the business was around but when I was younger, I wasn’t too involved in it,” Levin, 37, said. “My Dad, uncles and their friends worked for the company. It wasn’t until I got out of college that I began to think about joining the company. I have a thing for the intersection of mathematics and music and was an electrical engineering major at Washington University in St. Louis, which was interesting to me.”
Levin is one of six people identified as a legacy business honoree at The Washington Informer’s 60 th Anniversary Gala that will take place on March 28 at the Martin Luther King Jr, Memorial Library in Northwest. Levin said being an honoree is humbling.
“I am surprised and touched deeply,” said Levin. “I am happy that we mean this much to the community. This validates everything we do.”
THE HISTORY OF CHUCK LEVIN’S
The company started out in the District at 12 th and H Streets NE in 1958 with Chuck and Marge Levin as employees. Former pawn shop entrepreneurs, they dealt with musical instruments and equipment and decided to specialize in that in their new venture.
Their children, Alan, Robert and Abbe, entered the business when they came of age. The establishment developed a reputation for its people-oriented approach to selling musical instruments “from novices who play for
for 42 years, Paul Schein knows the critical contributions the company has made to the DMV community over the decades, and is proud to see the younger Levin continuing his family’s legacy.
“I worked with his grandfather and worked with his father, and he has big shoes to fill,” Schein, 72, said. “When he first came, he had the ‘deer in the headlights’ look but he has the place moving forward. He is large and in charge and he is up to the job.”
WORKING WITH THE FAMILY FIRM
Levin said when he joined the company in 2010, he soon learned that what he had observed previously as a youth was “the tip of the iceberg.”
fun to professional musicians,” according to an online company statement.
“Chuck knew that musicians didn’t just use their instruments as tools, but in many cases developed an emotional bond with their guitar or tuba or drum kit—you name it,” the statement said.
The Levins decided to move the store out of the District in 1968, because of the uprising due to the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., when the store was destroyed due to the violence.
Four months after the uprising, the Levins set up in Wheaton at its present location.
Currently, the company has several buildings that include multiple showrooms, instrument repair workshops, storage facilities and an adjunct business that aids large-scale customers with their audiovisual needs.
The company’s namesake led the business until he died in 2002. Then, Marge Levin and her children managed the business until she passed away in 2010.
The younger Levin began working for the business under his father Robert Levin in 2010. However, when his father died in 2013, he formally stepped into lead management.
Having worked for Chuck Levin’s
“Working with family is the blessing of my life but there can be some frustrating times,” he said. “I like to say that our family is a functional dysfunctional family. That is, we have remarkable respect for each other despite some disagreements. We come back to the company the next day despite the disagreements.”
Levin has played a significant role in Chuck Levin’s online operations. Customers can now order instruments and pay bills online and the company can order new inventory digitally without the cumbersome paperwork of the past.
Additionally, Levin has created a professional photography studio website so digital customers can see the instruments they are interested in purchasing.
Operating under the title of “general manager” Levin jokes that the position has him doing a wide variety of activities at the company— from selling equipment, to “sweeping the floor.”
Carlos Romero, who has worked with the company 27 years, emphasized that Levin is managing the family business well.
“I remember seeing Adam as a kid running around the store on his Hot Wheels,” said Romero, 62. “But we knew he was coming. When his dad died, he had to make a quick switch. Adam had to lead it and figure it out.” WI @JamesWrightJr10
5Adam Levin, grandson of the founders of Chuck Levin’s, is continuing his family’s legacy, currently serving as general manager of the company. (Courtesy Photo/The Musicianship)
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY
PRINCE GEORGE’S POLITICAL UPDATES
Braveboy Declares Victory, Hawkins Concedes
Shayla Adams-Stafford Receives
Half of the Vote in District 5 Primary
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
While the races have not yet been certified and ballot counters were still at work as of March 10, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Shayla Adams-Stafford are still ahead in
the race for the next Prince George’s county executive and District 5 Council member.
The victors will be declared by the Prince George’s County Board of Elections once all votes have been received and counted and the winners of the June 2025 election will
be up for re-election in next year’s midterms.
More than 11,000 people cast their ballots in person Tuesday, March 4, and nearly 10,000 voted in person early between Feb. 26 and March 3, according to the Board of Elections.
Lines at multiple polling sites, including the Bowie City Gym
Democratic nomination for Prince George’s County Executive,” he said in a statement. “Congratulations to Aisha Braveboy on her victory in the Democratic primary. I look forward to working alongside her in moving our county forward.”
Former Laurel Councilmember Martin Mitchell is optimistic that Braveboy will bring needed changes to Prince George’s and hopes that she will be a champion for mental health and for keeping the streets and highways clean.
and Brandywine’s Southern Area Aquatics and Recreation Complex, persisted for more than an hour after the polls were to close at 8 p.m. All polls were closed by 9:30 p.m. and the first round of results was released at 9:45 p.m. on Election Day.
As of March 10, 80,000 ballots have been counted thus far.
Braveboy (D) pulled further ahead in the county executive Democratic primary, now with 46.61% of the vote in a nine candidate race. Although votes are still tallying, Braveboy declared victory on the evening of March 4, Election Day, with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) celebrating with her on stage.
“As we look ahead, we have some challenging times in Prince George’s County. We do. But with your support, with your voices: we will see better tomorrows,” said Braveboy during a speech on Election Night.
“I can’t wait to serve as your next county executive.”
Veteran Jonathan White (R) is currently leading Republican Central Committee member Jesse Peed (R) by roughly 100 votes in the Republican primary for county executive. However, given Prince George’s heavily Democratic voter advantage, it is virtually certain that Braveboy will win the June special general election.
County Councilmember Calvin Hawkins (D) conceded the election on Friday, March 7, pledging to work with Braveboy to improve Prince George’s.
“After reviewing the information shared by the Prince George’s County Board of Elections, I see no path to victory in the race for the
“I was extremely proud to support Aisha because she has been on the ground for years challenging the status quo. She has a good spirit and I’m excited to see a people’s champion elected because now hopefully the needs of the people will trump the needs of the corporate interest,’ Mitchell said. “Looking forward to a new wave in the County!”
SHAYLA ADAMS-STAFFORD RECEIVES HALF OF THE VOTE IN
DISTRICT 5 PRIMARY
Adams-Stafford is still leading in the District 5 special election to fill County Council Chair Jolene Ivey’s (D-At-large) former seat. Her campaign received 49.56% of the vote following the first rounds of ballot counts, nearly double the votes received by runner-up Ryan Middleton.
Cheverly activist Fred Price Jr. (R) won the Republican primary in District 5 uncontested.
Adams-Stafford, who previously served on the Prince George’s County Board of Education, was endorsed by several labor unions and the Montgomery County Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapter during her campaign to represent the central county district that includes Cheverly, Glenarden, Glenn Dale, and Bladensburg.
“Shayla’s win shows there is a tremendous amount of energy in the county for a council that puts residents, workers, and families first,” said DSA member Ralph Cyrus in a statement. “Our team was made up of people who saw what was happening at the federal level, and wanted to take action right where we live. We knew no other campaign in the race would motivate people to knock on their neighbors’ doors in the heart of winter.”
WI
5Ballot counters continue their work at the Prince George’s County Board of Elections on Monday, March 10. Administrators estimated over 10,000 ballots were cast both during Early Voting and on Election Day. (Anthony Tilghman/ The Washington Informer)
Wells Fargo Hosts Student Athlete Leadership Symposium at CIAA
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
In a career journey panel discussion on Feb. 26, Wells Fargo leaders worked to empower 40 student-athlete leaders—one man and one woman from each attending school—during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) basketball tournament at the Baltimore Convention Center..
Continuing a partnership with the CIAA and the banking institution, the goal of the event was to spotlight employment opportunities and Wells Fargo’s support for the community, while also helping attendees navigate their college journey to position them for their professional careers.
“The CIAA’s commitment to excellence in everything they do to support the well-being of student-athletes on and off the court or playing field is a mission that resonates with our bank,” said Gigi Dixon, Wells Fargo’s head of External Engagement for Diverse Seg-
ments, Representation, and Inclusion in a 2023 statement. “While helping the conference achieve their financial goals, we also look forward to being at the forefront of aiding in the strengthening and growth of each of the member institutions and surrounding university communities.”
Event speakers included Wells Fargo’s Ben-James Brown, Julius Macaulay, Elijah Fox, and Lisa Thaxton. Attendees learned about each person’s role with the bank, their previous experience, and which networks and organizations played a key role in helping them get where they are today.
“The reason why it’s important is because Wells Fargo is the Bank of Doing. The partnership and the investment are a collaboration. We are a community and we want to take care of our community. Wells Fargo is helping us take care of our future,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. “CIAA is about legacy, leadership, and community and the Bank of Doing is helping us do that.” WI
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
5CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker attended the Wells Fargo student athlete leadership symposium on Feb. 26. She says that Wells Fargo is a great partner for the CIAA. (Courtesy Photo)
PRINCE GEORGE’S BUSINESS UPDATES
BUSINESS
Prince George’s County Business Economic Imperative Emphasizes Partnerships, Possibilities for Future
By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter
Local business leaders and public safety officials gathered for the Business Economic Imperative on March 5, held at IKEA in College Park, Maryland, to discuss the growth and future of one of the nation’s wealthiest Black counties.
“This event is the start of a leadership conversation about the business culture and economic environment for future successes in the county,” said Greg Holmes of the Norman F. Holmes Foundation, which hosted the March 5 event alongside Nudawn Marketing Group. “We are bringing together the voices that matter - stakeholders who can lead change, drive economic prosperity, and create a thriving business infrastructure in Prince George’s County.”
With a full day of programming, including a fireside chat and three panels featuring law enforcement officials and leaders in economics and business, the event emphasized
ways to address crime and advance local economic and business partnerships.
“It’s always great to talk about how to move our county forward, moving us to the next phase of growth and leadership,” said Kevin Anderson, Gov. Wes Moore’s senior economic development advisor, following a fireside chat with former Department of Commerce official Matthew McGuire. “This will be Maryland’s decade.”
The law enforcement panel included Captain Robert Stevenson of the Bowie Police Department, Prince George’s County Commander Major Sal Serpas, and Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers, discussing public safety and the economic impact of crime on local businesses.
Stevenson said addressing juvenile crime should be a focus for inter-agency partnerships, as opposed to just the responsibility of Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, who led in the Democratic county executive
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primary election the day before the Wednesday event.
“When we look at carjackings and crimes of that nature, they are often committed by younger offenders. It’s important to address this from all levels of accountability; not just the State’s Attorney’s office,” he said. “Juvenile crime is caused by a variety of factors.”
Stevenson emphasized the urgent need for an all-hands-on-deck approach to combating local juvenile crime.
“We need to talk about prevention and rehabilitation, along with some level of accountability,” he said. “Crime is dropping in some areas, although juvenile crime is still deemed too high.”
The business panel highlighted education as a means of advancement, featuring: Comprehensive Women’s Health founder Dr. Angela Marshall; Corenic Construction President and CEO Brunson Cooper; Keller Williams Preferred Properties owner Emerick Peace; Salon 809 & 809 Laundromat founder Jeimy Flournoy; and Dat Jerk Caribbean Chargrill co-founder Angela Fray.
“You have to focus on learning your business anywhere, not just in Prince George’s County,” said Cooper during the panel.
He noted the importance of trade schools as an option to get young Prince Georgians into the workforce with a high salary, without the need for college.
“You know we’re frustrated with
our politicians but we try to count on them to make change for us,”
Cooper continued. “We have to take charge of that and do it for ourselves.”
The panel of economic leaders included Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce President Wanda Rogers, small business owner and former Delegate Darryl Barnes, Jim Estepp of the Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable and Pastor Bobby Manning of The Heights Church in District Heights, Maryland. Many panelists emphasized the need for economic and community leaders to collaborate and engage with one another.
As a church leader, Manning said “the major role of the faith community is partnering with businesses.”
“The people the businesses are looking for as great employees and as customers are in our churches and our pews,” said Manning, a leader with the Collective Empowerment Group. “The businesses that have done great here have leveraged the strength of partnership with the faith community.”
WORKING WITH THE FUTURE COUNTY EXECUTIVE, LOOKING AHEAD
While the official election is on June 3, Braveboy is the overwhelming leader of last week’s Democratic primary and is expected to serve as the next county executive of Prince
George’s County, whose registered voters are predominantly Democrat.
Some local leaders emphasize the need for strong partnerships with the next county executive in order to move Prince George’s forward.
“The partnership starts with the county executive— they set the agenda,” Prince George’s Economic Development Corporation Chairman Orlan Johnson told The Informer at the March 5 event. “The rest of us should be following that lead. Some people think our organization has an independent function, we are a support function that prioritizes the area of economic concern for the county executive.” Johnson, who has known the state’s attorney since he taught her at Howard University School of Law, looks forward to the potential of collaborating with Braveboy in the future.
“We’ve known each other a long time. I taught her in law school, and she was a great student,” he continued. “She’s always known for years that whatever she needs to she can call me.”
Austin said the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce hopes to collaborate with the new county executive “as much and as often as possible.”
“We’re in this together,” said Austin. “I feel that the chamber has had good relationships with past county executives and I expect we will in the future.” WI
5 Pastor Bobby Manning, Bowie Chamber of Commerce President Wanda Rogers, Former Delegate Darryl Barnes, Economic Development Corporation Chairman Orlan Johnson, Chamber of Commerce Chair Alexander Austin and Greater Prince George’s Business Roundtable James R. Estepp during a panel at the March 5 Business and Economic Imperative at IKEA in College Park, Maryland. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
By James Wright WI Staff Writer
It’s Women’s History Month: We Celebrate the BOW Business Briefs
EDWARDS TAPPED TO LEAD MARYLAND BANKERS ASSOCIATION
The Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) has named Tisha S. Edwards as president and chief executive officer.
In her role, Edwards will lead the MBA and serve as the chief spokesperson for the Maryland banking industry. Edwards will also serve as executive vice president of the Mid-Atlantic Bankers Association, a holding company formed in 2024 to combine the Maryland and Virginia Bankers Associations into a two-state enterprise, serving as chief advocate and valued resource to the banking industry in both states.
“I am honored to serve as the MBA’s next president and CEO and to advocate for an industry that plays such a critical role in economic growth and community prosperity,” said Edwards, who will begin her new role in April.
Edwards brings a distinguished career in leadership, policy, and organizational management. Most recently, she served as Secretary of Appointments in Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s (D) administration, where she chaired the Task Force on Modernization of the State Personnel Management System in 2023-24.
WI
‘VIRGINIA HAS JOBS’ INITIATIVE IS LAUNCHED
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) recently announced the launch of “Virginia Has Jobs,” an effort designed to further unleash the Commonwealth’s economic strength by connecting Virginia’s tremendous job opportunities with a robust and talented workforce.
As part of his commitment to job growth and economic vitality, Youngkin reaffirmed Virginia’s dedication to growing businesses and job opportunities.
“From Day One, I declared that Virginia was open for business, and we’ve worked tirelessly to deliver on that promise,” said Youngkin.
In addition, Youngkin announced details of the Federal Worker Support Resource Package to support Virginians affected by federal workforce changes.
Virginia Secretary of Labor G. Bryan Slater emphasized that the Commonwealth offers various employment and expansion opportunities.
“Whether you’re looking for your first job, facing job disruptions and searching for that next career or seeking to expand your business, the Commonwealth is the place to be,” said Virginia Secretary of Labor G. Bryan Slater. “We’ve added over 265,000 jobs in the last three years and have over 250,000 open positions with an additional 65,000 in the pipeline.”
WI
In February, we proudly celebrated the great contributions that Black people have given to the world with Black History Month. I am honored to be able to be a member of the Black community.
In March we celebrate Women’s History month. This is another group to which I proudly claim membership.
We set apart these months to build up communities and honor those who have made great contributions, especially those who have not been given the recognition that was deserved. This country has failed to acknowledge the areas of disparate treatment. We must not wait for anyone else to celebrate our accomplishments. Communities and movements must take the time to share the impact to compensate for the lack of appreciation publicly given.
I appreciate the quote, “Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in heels!” The revelation is that in most cases women are denied access and the opportunity to achieve goals and success. Over the course of history, women were measured with sticks that were not equally established. The facts show that there is a gender and racial income gap. We know that women were not allowed to open bank accounts without the permission or co-signing of a man for many years. Yet, women continue to impact the world by building businesses, often while simultaneously building families.
I am honored to be a member of The BOW Collective, a group of Black Women Entrepreneurs who are committed to working together to break barriers. I celebrate the founder, Nicole Cober Johnson, Esq. She had the vision to displace the narrative that Black women owned businesses only have revenue of $24,000 to create a collective where BOW level members have revenue exceeding $1,000,000 for a total membership of more than 300 women nationally with an annual revenue of $1.7 Billion.
Through The BOW Collective, I am privileged to meet amazing women who have a vast array of entrepreneurial experiences that include medical and dental practices, construction, hospitality, and even up to astronauts and arms dealing! We know that it is through the creation of jobs and businesses that we build communities. We know that small business is the economic engine of this country, and we are not on the sidelines watching things happen, but making things happen.
I celebrate the intersection of Black History Month and Women’s History Month with The BOW Collective as we create herstory. We look for the opportunity to do business with excellence. We are not naïve when we seek to work together to change the world. We build deliberate partnerships that focus on working with people we know, like, and trust. We build strategic alliances that work collectively and collaboratively with excellence. We build networks that offer resources to open doors and blaze trails that provide opportunity for those who follow as we build the legacy.
As Black women entrepreneurs we know that there has never been equal access to opportunities and capital for the growth of business. It has been a continuous, upward climb, as we have been denied access and opportunity. Yet, as my father has always said, “Difficulty is no excuse for surrender”. We continue to do what is necessary to build and break barriers. We know that it is our commitment to ourselves, our families, and our communities.
I am excited to work with individuals and families to build estate plans that include succession plans for business to preserve and protect the legacy that we work so hard to create.
Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. Life and Legacy Counselors 1401 Mercantile Lane, Ste 271, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Ste 440 Washington, DC 20015 1100 N. Glebe Road, Ste 1010, Arlington, VA 22201 www.yourestateplanningattorney.com (855) 574-8481 connects all locations
5 Tisha S. Edwards will become the president and CEO of the Maryland Bankers Association in April. (Courtesy Photo/Maryland State Archives)
Aimee D. Griffin, Esq
NATIONAL
House Republicans Pass Funding Bill as Democrats Decry Deep Cuts and Trump’s Influence
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
House Republicans muscled through a six-month federal government funding bill Tuesday in a 217213 vote, overriding strong Democratic objections and setting up a battle in the Senate.
Every Republican except Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky backed the measure, while Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to support it.
The Continuing Resolution (CR), created in hopes of averting a government shutdown at the end of the week, now moves to the Senate, where its chances remain uncertain.
Republicans hold 53 seats, meaning at least eight Democratic senators would need to vote in favor to reach the 60-vote threshold.
Senator Rand Paul ® of Kentucky has already vowed to block it, while Sen. John Fetterman (D) of Pennsylvania, breaking from most Democrats, said
before the House vote that he would support it.
“I refuse to burn the village down and to claim to save it,” Fetterman said. “I probably won’t agree with many facets of that CR, but when the choice is about shutting the government down, I don’t want to be involved with that.”
His remarks came even as Trump and billionaire ally Elon Musk continue what critics see as a systematic dismantling of government institutions.
Fetterman’s support for the GOP measure has drawn scrutiny, particularly as Musk consolidates power over federal contracts and Trump pressures Republicans to gut domestic programs while boosting corporate tax breaks.
With the government set to run out of money late Friday night, Republican leaders have made clear that their priority is locking in military spending increases while cutting critical social programs.
Democrats, who were excluded from negotiations, slammed the bill as a direct assault on working families.
Further, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), the District’s representative in Congress who lacks a vote as D.C. is not a state, said the bill is particularly harmful to those living in the nation’s capital.
“The House-passed CR amounts to nothing less than an act of fiscal sabotage against D.C. and is an abuse of power over a disenfranchised jurisdiction—the consequences be damned,” Norton wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
DEMOCRATS CONDEMN GOP’S TRUMP-ORDERED BUDGET CUTS
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pulled no punches, tying the spending bill to Trump’s control over the Republican Party.
“As soon as [Trump] says ‘jump,’ your only answer is ‘how high?’ It doesn’t matter whether you are hurting the American people,” Jeffries said. “That’s why House Republicans are
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3 District of Columbia Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton is fighting against a six-month federal government funding bill passed by House Republicans on March 11, despite strong opposition and criticism from Democrats. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)
and those who call this country home.”
Rep. Judy Chu (D) of California went further, directly linking the funding bill to the growing power of Musk, who has positioned himself as a key Trump ally while securing billions in government contracts.
marching the country on a track toward the largest Medicaid cut in American history. You’ll hurt children, hurt families, hurt Americans with disabilities, hurt seniors, close nursing homes, and close hospitals.”
Jeffries also pointed out that Republicans have failed to address skyrocketing costs for everyday Americans.
“All you talked about was how you were going to lower the high cost of living,” he said. “Democrats believe that America is too expensive—housing costs are too high, grocery costs are too high, childcare costs are too high, utility costs are too high, and insurance costs are too high. But Republicans have done nothing to lower the high cost of living. No bill, no executive order, no administrative action. That’s the broken promise.”
SLASHING ESSENTIAL SERVICES WHILE REWARDING BILLIONAIRES
United States Rep. Summer Lee (D) of Pennsylvania rejected the bill outright, calling it a betrayal of working families.
“Trump and Republicans promised to lower costs for families and people nationwide, but this government funding bill would push us further from alleviating the burdens the American people are shouldering,” Lee said. “I could not in good conscience vote to cut housing, nutrition assistance for seniors, and community project funding for my constituents in PA-12 and millions more across the country.”
Lee pointed to the loss of crucial investments, including $3 million meant to build affordable housing.
“It’s clear Republicans are more interested in making the rich richer and leaving everyday working people behind,” she said. “Until Republicans propose an actual clean bill, I will not be voting against the interest of my constituents
“On the day our president purchases a car from Elon Musk on the White House grounds, Republicans have passed a funding bill with massive cuts for families that is completely subservient to the whims and whimsy of the unelected billionaire,” Chu said. “Republicans in Washington are falling over themselves to deliver tax cuts for Musk and billionaires, rather than focus on cost-of-living issues facing Americans.”
Chu warned that the GOP’s approach strips away critical oversight, giving Trump and Musk unchecked control over federal resources.
“Without any directives in this continuing resolution or any constraints on Musk and DOGE’s illegal cuts, Republicans have given the Trump administration the green light to continue taking a wrecking ball to the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, Department of Education, National Nuclear Security Administration, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, IRS, and so many other essential programs,” she said.
A TROJAN HORSE FOR BILLIONAIRE TAX CUTS
Advocacy groups outside of Congress sounded the alarm over the bill’s broader implications.
“Make no mistake—today’s vote was not about averting a shutdown. It’s about making cuts to vital programs that working and middle-class families depend on to fund their $5 trillion in tax cuts for their billionaire backers,” said David Kass, executive director of Americans for Tax Fairness.
Kass called out provisions in the bill that weaken IRS enforcement, allowing the wealthiest Americans to dodge taxes while everyday people struggle.
“This bill does nothing to stop Musk from unilaterally firing critical federal workers and harming the delivery of vital programs like Social Security,” Kass said. “Despite their rhetoric, there is nothing ‘fiscally responsible’ about this bill.” WI
Joint Center’s 2024 Annual Report Details Major Policy Achievements and Diversity Gaps
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has released its 32-page Annual Report, outlining significant policy advancements in economic justice, government diversity, technology, and workforce development. The report presents data-driven research and policy recommendations aimed at addressing long-standing disparities affecting Black communities while confronting ongoing attacks on diversity and inclusion efforts.
“In 2024, we made great strides in our major program areas,” the report authors determined, detailing key initiatives that have shaped economic policies, workforce equity, and representation in government.
The Joint Center, a Northwest, D.C., Black-centered think tank,
co-authored a report with the Center for Economic and Policy Research examining Black Americans’ economic insecurity despite record-low unemployment rates, record-low poverty rates, and record-high income levels. The organization also discussed tax reform, Black business development, and economic mobility at the White House and Congressional Black Caucus.
A primary focus remained on government diversity. The Hill Diversity Hiring Campaign brought together nearly 70 organizations for a multi-month effort to increase Black representation in top congressional staff roles. The Diversity on the Hill MicrositeDiversity on the Hill Microsite tracked hiring among members of the 119th Congress, exposing gaps in racial representation. The Digging Deeper: 2024 Senate Democratic Caucus Diversity Numbers report ranked offices based on demo-
graphic diversity.
According to the data, the three most racially diverse Senate personal offices were held by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) (77% diverse staff), Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) (73%), and former Democratic California Sen. Laphonza Butler (70%).
The Joint Center also challenged efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, particularly in Congress. The organization issued a public statement and an op-ed in The Hill opposing the closure of the U.S. House Office of Diversity and Inclusion, arguing that shutting down the office would deepen racial disparities in hiring practices. The Congressional Black, Hispanic, and Asian Pacific American Caucuses later cited the Joint Center’s research in their letter advocating for the office’s reinstatement.
Technology policy remained a
major focus, with the organization advocating for the continued funding of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides broadband access to underserved Black communities.
The Joint Center also raised concerns about the growing threat of AI-driven misinformation targeting Black voters, contributing research to the Black Women’s Roundtable report. Additionally, the organization examined The Implications of Section 230 for Black Communities, assessing how digital policy decisions shape economic opportunities and online protections for Black Americans.
5 The Joint Center’s 2024 Annual Report presents data-driven research and policy recommendations aimed at examining challenges facing Black Americans and addressing long-standing disparities affecting Black communities. (Courtesy Photo)
The report further examined the experiences of young Black professionals through Improving Policy Narratives for Young Black Workers. This research initiative identified 13 key messaging principles to reshape public discussions around employment and economic opportunity. WI
THE RIGHT MORTGAGE AWAITS.
The Fight for Diversity in U.S. Diplomacy Amid Trump’s DEI Suppression
Without DEI, Diplomacy Suffers
By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer
n Brochures
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n Fax & Scan
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Diversity in international relations is at a substantial risk since the Trump administration’s executive order eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal workforce. In another move toward the president’s mission of eradicating DEI, the United States Department of State dismantled its Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
While Trump is not interested in DEI, effective and open-minded communication is necessary for resolving conflict within diplomatic spaces, making diversity in international relations essential to productive collaboration between nations. National and International leaders note that the United States is a hub for multiculturalism, and its people are not monolithic– a reality that must be represented in foreign policy and global dialogues.
“America is diverse enough now that when you walk into a room and you only see white men, you know that everybody who should be in that room isn’t in that room,” said Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the former U.S. ambassador to Malta and the State Department’s first chief diversity officer. “You know that you’ve got too narrow of a band of experiences and knowledge and exposure to the world to necessarily come up with the best options, the best solutions [and] the best recommendations.”
President Trump’s executive order 1451 “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” revokes former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Executive Order 11246, which instated equal employment opportunity, prohibiting discrimination for federal employment based on race, color or religion.
The 47th president’s Order refers to DEI initiatives as illegal, immoral and discriminatory, implying these frameworks—which were made to advocate for the fair treatment of all people— give minorities an unfair advantage. Within the text, diversity and inclusion efforts are described as an “infiltration of the Federal Government.”
However, Christie Jones, an adjunct professorial lecturer at the American
University School of International Service, said removing DEI is detrimental to the nation.
“Without these efforts, you’re cutting off generations of people from having opportunities,” Jones explained.
As the daughter of an American diplomat, Jones grew up in Latin America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and Western Europe. While she didn’t realize it during her childhood, she told The Informer she acknowledges the lack of diversity within her father’s A-100 class and across diplomacy in general.
“The percentage of African Americans, Asian Americans, Latin Americans, queer folk or women in the country is not reflected in our diplomacy,” she said.
In 2022, the Howard University Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership published a report titled, “Diversifying Foreign Service: U.S. Black Women in Diplomacy: A Report,” which explored the lack of diversity in diplomatic spaces. The evaluation uncovered the scarce amount of women in high-ranking Foreign Service positions and U.S. ambassadorships throughout history.
The report found that as of 2022, there had been 2,363 total ambassadors in U.S. history, with only 54 being Black women, which makes up only 2.2% of U.S. ambassadors historically. The report’s authors Constance Pruitt and J. Jarpa Dawuni highlighted the fact that Ambassador Pamela Spralten was the only Black woman of
111 American ambassadorships.
“The State Department should strive for proportionality between demographic reality in the United States and ambassadorial appointments to demonstrate the true diversity of the United States to other nations,” Pruitt and Dawuni wrote. “Sending forth representation abroad that demonstrates both gender and racial diversity provides a clear and important message of inclusivity to the rest of the world.”
OFFERING HOPE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
In a field where diversity has seemingly always been deficient, the current administration’s attack on inclusivity will increase the challenges in navigating such deficits.
Many of Jones’ students in her Topics in Identity, Race, Gender and Culture course plan on working in international affairs post-graduation, as the course largely focuses on race and gender in diplomacy. With the current drawbacks of DEI initiatives, Jones feels “despondent and angry,” and looks to people like Abercrombie-Winstanley to help ignite hope within her students who may be rethinking their careers in foreign service. WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5 As the Trump administration orders the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federal workplaces, the already-lacking diversity in U.S. foreign service is at risk. (WI File Photo/Micha Green)
Wednesday
April 2, 2025
10 A.M. - 2 P.M.
University of the District of Columbia
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• Meet and connect with top employers and explore job opportunities in the Healthcare, IT, Construction, Early Childhood Education, and Hospitality career fields
• Meet and connect with DC Community-based organizations to learn about various support and resources for District residents such as: housing, home ownership, food assistance, utility, internet and job training
• Meet and connect with UDC degree programs and resource representatives from across the university
HEALTH
Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in Popular Braiding Hair Brands
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
A new Consumer Reports investigation has found that every tested sample of synthetic braiding hair contained harmful chemicals, raising serious concerns about the safety of widely used hair products in Black communities used around the nation and world.
The study tested 10 popular brands—including Magic Fingers, Sensationnel, and Shake-N-Go—and found carcinogens, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in every product.
Among the most alarming findings was the presence of benzene, a known cancer-causing agent linked to leukemia, in several products. Methylene chloride, a probable carcinogen, was found in all tested samples. Lead, which can cause neurological and developmental damage, was detected in nine out of 10 products, with some exceeding California’s Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) by over 600%.
leasing over 5 million micrograms per kilogram—an amount that could lead to respiratory issues, nausea, and longterm damage to the nervous system.
Synthetic braiding hair is a staple in Black communities, offering a protective styling option that reduces the need for frequent manipulation of natural hair. The $2.79 billion U.S. hair extension industry disproportionately markets these products to Black consumers, making the findings particularly troubling.
Dr. Tamarra James-Todd, a professor at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said that these chemicals are not just sitting on the hair but are inhaled and absorbed into the scalp. She pointed to research showing that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, found in many personal care products, could impact reproductive health and increase the risk of chronic illnesses.
A new Consumer Reports investigation testing samples of synthetic braiding hair reveals many brands contain harmful chemicals, raising serious concerns about the safety of widely used hair products in Black communities.
(Courtesy Photo/Pexels)
VOCs, which are released when synthetic hair is heated during styling, pose another significant risk. The study found that all tested products emitted VOCs, with some brands reconsumers.
BLM PLAZA from Page 1 tacks on District budget autonomy, Reaves continued to express hope that Two Rivers PCS will still be able to provide offerings enjoyed by students, including: math and literacy enrichment, campus visits by subject-matter experts, and field trips to the National Building Museum in Judiciary Square.
“Families come to Two Rivers PCS because… they know that students are applying what they learn to real-life problems,” said Reaves, who’s in her second year as executive director at the Northeast-based public charter school.
“We do that from preschool to eighth grade, so our eighth graders can [be prepared] to give portfolio presentations demonstrating their readiness for high school.”
Since assuming the helm of Two Rivers PCS, Reaves has played a significant role in implementing a threeyear strategic plan aimed at accelerating student achievement.
Part of realizing that goal, she said, involves attracting and helping new teachers, which she’s been able to do via a new teachers cohort that meets weekly and the allocation of
Despite the concerning results, no federal regulations require synthetic hair manufacturers to disclose ingredients or test for hazardous chemicals before selling their products. Consumer Reports contacted the tested brands for comment. Still, only Sensationnel and Magic Fingers responded, disputing the study’s conclusions while failing to address whether they test for lead or VOCs before products reach
professional development time and grade-level planning.
Though Two Rivers PCS, which celebrated 20 years of existence last fall, suffered significant levels of teacher attrition at the height of the pandemic, Reaves reported a changing of the tide with more than 80% of her instructional staff expressing plans to return next school year.
“Our progress has been phenomenal,” Reaves told The Informer. “It required work on the ground in giving competitive pay and planning time during the school day. Teachers that come in and teach know that their voices are being heard. I have an opendoor policy so they know that if you knock on the door, and I’m not in a meeting, we can have a conversation.”
All Eyes Are on the U.S. Capitol
With President Donald J. Trump (R) in the White House, and Republicans wielding strong majorities in both congressional chambers, District residents, activists and officials anticipate intrusion in local affairs. Since his return to the Oval Office on Jan. 20, Trump and congressional leaders have already threatened to take control of local affairs and pass legislation that
Consumer safety advocates say these findings expose a long-standing issue of unregulated beauty products targeting Black women. With no federal oversight, customers are left to navigate health risks on their own.
“There’s no reason companies can’t do better,” said James E. Rogers, Consumer Reports’ director of product safety testing. “Some products had lower levels of these chemicals, prov-
could be detrimental to Washingtonians.
This past weekend, the District’s budget battle intensified as public officials, agency heads and residents, all of whom are already weathering the storm of a years-long projected revenue decline, heard about House Republicans’ endeavor to alter the District’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, which D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and the D.C. Council solidified months prior.
On Tuesday night, members of the U.S. House approved a continuing resolution intended to keep the federal government open at the expense of D.C. government operations.
The continuing resolution now goes to the Senate.
The resolution, introduced by the House Appropriations Committee, designated the District as a federal agency while setting its Fiscal Year 2025 funding at Fiscal Year 2024 levels, an amount much lower than what’s needed to keep the D.C. government functioning until Sept. 30. That means more than $1 billion in budgetary cuts for the D.C. government, which is more than halfway through the current fiscal year, and in the middle of a budget deliberation process for the
ing safer alternatives are possible.” Until stricter regulations are in place, experts recommend that consumers research brands, wash synthetic hair before use, and limit prolonged exposure.
However, as one expert put it, “The burden shouldn’t be on consumers to figure out which products won’t poison them. That’s the job of regulators and manufacturers.” WI
@StacyBrownMedia
next fiscal year.
In the hours leading up to the House vote on the continuing resolution, Norton counted among House Democrats who stood in opposition to Republican budget cutting measures, albeit for reasons specific to her constituents.
“This cut will likely force D.C. to immediately terminate progressive delay for both police officers, firefighters, other first responders, and teachers,” Norton said on the House floor on Tuesday before entering into the record a Bowser memorandum explaining the effects of the continuing resolution. “This cut does not prepare to save federal dollars because the federal budget consists entirely of locally raised revenues such as taxes and fees. The continuing resolution also fails to exempt D.C. from a federal government shutdown in Fiscal Year 2026.”
On Monday, Norton stood alongside Bowser and members of the D.C. Council as they painted a grim picture of how the continuing resolution would decimate the local economy.
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Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
5 District of Columbia Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton speaks in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on March 10 with D.C. political leaders addressing a Continuing Resolution that threatens the District’s budget and residents. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
One Case of Measles Confirmed in Maryland: Resident Diagnosed Amid Return From International Travel
By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter
A Howard County resident returning from international travel tested positive for measles according to an announcement from The Maryland Department of Health and Howard County health officials on Sunday, March 9.
Health officials are alerting of exposure warnings for those who visited: Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department on March 7, between 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m; or Washington Dulles International Airport: Terminal A, on transportation to the main terminal and in the baggage claim area, on March 5, from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m.
“This is ridiculous,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, questioning travel restrictions and requirements regarding measles.
Other states have pinned a recent measles outbreak, with roughly 200 cases reported in West Texas and 30 measles cases in New Mexico, according to The Associated Press.
Measles is an extremely contagious airborne disease caused by a viral infection that causes severe complications and, in extreme cases, death. Symptoms of the infec-
tion typically present with fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis), sore throat, fatigue, and rashes, among other complications.
There is no specific cure for measles, although measures can be taken to manage symptoms and prevent complications. Vaccination shots commonly help to keep immune from the virus.
In most cases, symptoms are expected to develop roughly 10-14 days after exposure to the virus, with chances of developing as soon as seven days to the extent of 21 days after exposure.
The Maryland Department of Health and Howard County health officials recommend that those with potential symptoms quarantine from the public and reach out for medical advice and assistance.
“People who develop a fever or other symptoms of measles should not go to childcare, school, work, or out in public, and should contact their health care provider,” according to the statement. “They should call their health care provider first rather than showing up in the waiting room or emergency room so that the office can take measures to prevent spread to other patients.” WI
5 A Howard County resident has tested positive for a case of measles after returning from international travel. (Courtesy Photo)
EARTH OUR
Anacostia High Schoolers Bloom by Publishing Book Analyzing Black Environmental Contributions
Seniors Participating in the Anacostia Summer Internship Program Provide Analyses on Environmental Injustices, Beauties, Developments
By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer
Fifteen Anacostia High School seniors celebrated becoming published authors during the launch of their book “Young Voices of the Anacostia River: Exploring Black Roots to the Eastern Shore and Back” at the University of the District of Columbia
(UDC) Lamond-Riggs Campus on March 6.
The students’ book examines their observations of forests, local parks, and waterways in the Washington Metropolitan Area over five weeks of field trips as part of the 2024 Anacostia Summer Internship program. This program is a collaboration between the University of the District of Co-
5 Seniors at Anacostia High School launch their newly published book, “Young Voices of the Anacostia River: Exploring Black Roots to the Eastern Shore and Back,” at University of the District of Columbia on March 6. The 77-page reflection is the product of the 2024 Anacostia Summer Internship program, where students explored internal and external connections with nature and Washington’s history. (Mya Trujillo/The Washington Informer)
lumbia, Nature-Wise, and Justice40, with support from Conservation Nation and Pepco under UDC’s Developing America’s Workforce Nucleus (DAWN) initiative.
In 77 pages of valuable insights, the high school seniors address environmental injustices, sharing their understanding of the District’s ecosystem with their readers.
Through poetry, prose, photography and collaborative reflections, the 15-person cohort produced an educational work of art, permanently solidifying their perceptions into history.
“I cannot tell you how sensitive, thoughtful, curious, brave and bold these students have been throughout the summer and leading up to this book launch,” said Caroline Brewer, founder of Nature-Wise, during the book launch. “They constantly surprised, amazed and impressed us with their willingness to do things that were very uncomfortable to them.”
To assemble this book, the authors were given various writing prompts about themselves and the activities in which they participated.
One of the 20 outings the students went on during their internship was to Ivy City, a neighborhood in Washington where half of its infrastructure consists of industrial warehouses, contributing to various environmental issues.
From poems reflecting on what people may not know about them, to reactions to Ivy City’s environmental crisis, to works praising themselves and each other, each student was required to be incredibly vulnerable to produce a powerful piece of literature.
“One thing I’m really glad I learned about is trying to better our environment, like specifically when we went to Ivy City. It made me think about
pollution a lot,” said Kaishon Champ, one of the 15 students in the summer cohort.
With less than enough greenery to offset the glaring sun’s heat, the National Engineering Project building’s emissions of lethal toxins into the community’s air, and neglect from Washington’s government, Ivy City residents are at risk of cancer, respiratory issues and overheating.
Even though they grew up in the District, some Anacostia high schoolers weren’t aware of these issues until participating in the summer internship.
“I see Ivy City a lot, but I have not known about what’s going on in the community,” said student author Ziyah Givens. “That just shows me that you can see something, but not know as much until you dig deeper into what it is.”
SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH LOCAL TEENS’ EYES, EXPOSURE TO NEW WORLDS
“Young Voices of the Anacostia River” forces audiences of all ages to listen to their outlooks and see the world through their bright eyes. Their words remind audiences to appreciate, understand and care for the world around them.
Throughout the book, the authors expressed their gratitude for Washington’s picturesque landscapes and the contributions of Black environmentalists in the area.
They reflected on the beauty of Oxon Run, the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Rock Creek Park and more. They analyzed the impact people like
Harriet Tubman, Fret Tutman and John Francis had on the environment.
“As an educator, I believe that exposure is one of the most important things we can give our students, and this particular internship did just that,” said Chisa Williams-Perry, who has worked with these seniors since their freshman year. “Their experiences, their trips, their words– you were able to hear they were exposed to a lot of things that shifted their perspectives and opened their minds to different things.”
Programs like this summer internship are integral to a young person’s development and transition into adulthood, as they ground them and foster a deeper appreciation for nature’s beauty, thrusting them into the fight toward environmental justice and making them more environmentally conscious.
When exposed to new things, people may be enlightened about their purpose in life or find a new interest.
Senior Ziyah praised the program for giving her and other students the ability to explore various fields to learn about future career opportunities.
She celebrated the book as an avenue toward understanding and unity.
“We might be able to add to the puzzle of what’s going on and bring people together to connect with others that are like-minded,” she said.
Kaishon believes older generations should pay attention to the words written in this book because younger voices deserve to be heard, especially since this world is theirs to inherit.
“Even though we’re kids, we can still speak [and] we know what we’re talking about,” the student-author told The Informer. “They should know how important the world is to us.”
Community Members Make Way for a Healthier Environment
By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter
Experts, activists, and elected officials are collaborating to promote a healthier environment across east of the Anacostia River, and on March 8 a team of local organizations hosted an open town hall for Ward 7 residents and leaders to discuss ways to address local environmental injustice.
During the event, local environmental activists shared the scope behind their work, particularly as it related to urban agriculture, food insecurity, climate, and housing justice in the District.
D.C. Councilmembers Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), and Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 2) attended, highlighting their commitments to supporting critical legislation aimed to move the needle forward in securing safer homes and a healthier environment.
Allen emphasized the importance of galvanizing community members for initiatives that will bolster health and housing outcomes for residents already facing vast disparities in certain parts of the city.
“We are going to see on the federal side, attacks to try to remove funding, undermine our laws, and scare people. I think we’re going to see a Trump administration that tries to walk away from every commitment we’ve made,” Allen said. “They’re going to try to pick on
D.C., because they can and we’re more vulnerable than most, and so we have to be able to stand together and fight for things that we know that are going to be right.”
Other event speakers included: Takiyah Dalton, founder of Soup Farm and Teaching Kitchen; Dennis Chestnut, board Member of the Ward 7 Resilience Hub Community Coalition; Muhsin Boeluther Umar, board president of My Seniors Keeper Foundation; and Oscar Villalobos, coalition coordinator of Green New Deal for DC Coalition.
Amid nationwide concerns about the Trump administration’s handling of environmental challenges and climate change, food insecurity and inequitable housing remain two major disparities for D.C. residents living east of the Anacostia River residents, according to panelists.
“We want to show people in our community that we are literally trying to change the landscape. We better look at what’s going on in the White House,” said Boeluther Umar, while sharing his organization’s agricultural initiatives to help combat food insecurity in D.C. “We have to learn to be self-sustainable, self-sufficient, and understand that we can live off the grid on our own. We have to teach our youth how to do this to give them a better, sustainable way of life.”
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5 Local experts and activists are working to promote a healthier environment east of the
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 08-2025
Property Management Services for Judiciary House
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Office of Asset Management (OAM) requires licensed, qualified professionals to provide Property Management Services for Judiciary House for this solicitation.
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, March 03, 2025, and can be found on Housing Agency Marketplace at: https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/requests.html?company_id=506
Respondents will then need to log in and locate this RFP for all related documents. It is the Proposers responsibility to check the Housing Agency Marketplace site regularly to stay current on the documents that are available as this is the primary communication site for this RFP.
To access files Vendors are required to Register on the Housing Agency marketplace. See the registration link below. https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/requests.html?company_id=506
DCHA will provide either a live or pre-recorded demonstration for any vendors unfamiliar with the platform.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Friday, March 28, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
Email Abdul Karim Farooqi, Procurement Specialist (OAS) at afarooqi@dchousing.org with copy to business@dchousing.org for additional information.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSING AUTHORITY
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) SOLICITATION NO.: 44-2025 Data Analysis and Management, CRM Integration, and Process Improvement
The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) Office of Capital Construction & Design (CCD) and Office Administrative Services (OAS) require licensed, qualified professionals to provide Data Analysis and Management, CRM Integration, and Process Improvement services.
SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available beginning Monday, March 3, 2025, and can be found on Housing Agency Marketplace at: https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/requests.html?company_id=506
Respondents will then need to log in and locate this RFP for all related documents. It is the Proposers responsibility to check the Housing Agency Marketplace site regularly to stay current on the documents that are available as this is the primary communication site for this RFP.
To access files Vendors are required to Register on the Housing Agency marketplace. See the registration link below. https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/requests.html?company_id=506
DCHA will provide either a live or pre-recorded demonstration for any vendors unfamiliar with the platform.
PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Monday, March 24, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
Please email LaShawn Mizzell-McLeod, Contract Specialist at LMMCLEOD@dchousing.org for additional information.
Anacostia River. (Courtesy Photo)
EDUCATION
UNCF ‘A Mind is…’ Gala Emphasizes Critical Value of Supporting HBCUs
Anthony Anderson Commits Money to Howard, Pinky Cole Hayes Offers Inspiration
By Micha Green WI Managing Editor
With the Department of Education’s programming on the chopping block, the threat of schools teaching Black history losing federal funding, and the high cost of post-secondary education, this year’s UNCF “A Mind is…” Gala at The Westin in Northwest, D.C. emphasized the steadfast value of the 81-year-old organization.
Founded as the United Negro College foundation in 1944, UNCF stays true to its mission of supporting students attending historically, black colleges, and universities (HBCUs).
“Let me be clear: We are in a crisis moment in the history of our HBCUs. The challenges before us are great, and the forces working against access to education are relentless,” said Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF president. “But so, too, is our resolve. We have been here before. We know what it means to weather the storm. Just as we did in 2020, we will come back stronger, more prolific, and more united than ever.”
He told the crowd of attendees donning gowns and tuxedos that it will take a collaborative and intentional effort to overcome challenges.
“Make no mistake: This will not happen by chance,” Lomax said. “It will happen because we choose tonight, tomorrow, and each day after to show up for our students. We show up to prove that access to education is not dictated by wealth, but by will. That is what this moment demands of us.”
Throughout the evening, the organization honored HBCU students and alumni, including actor and philanthropist Anthony Anderson, Slutty Vegan restaurant chain founder Pinky Cole Hayes and Melonie D. Parker, Google’s vice president of
Googler engagement. The event also celebrated legislators and business leaders who are supporting the work of UNCF, including U.S. Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr. (D-Ga.), U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Robert Kraft, chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group and founder of Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.
While Anderson has long been celebrated for his talents, he has also been focused on supporting young people and marginalized communities.
”I have my own foundation called the Anderson Family Foundation, so for the past six years, I’ve been contributing to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles just for what they do with kids. The Boys and Girls Club of America because I… came from that.
The LA Mission, who helped with the homeless,” said Anderson when accepting the UNCF President’s Award.
“But I realized after going back to school after 31 years and understanding what had happened, and why that happened the way that it did, I was like, ‘These kids need me.’ And they need people like me in their lives just like they need the United Negro College Fund.”
Now, after officially graduating from Howard University in 2022—a dream fulfilled after having to drop out three decades before because he could not afford tuition—he’s working to support students.
“This year I’m transitioning from those charities that I normally give to and I’m starting a scholarship at Howard University,” said Anderson.
When he graduated from Howard, the arts school he once knew as the College of Fine Arts had been renamed in honor of fellow alum, Chadwick A. Boseman, the late actor who is celebrated for roles such as the
Black Panther in the Marvel series and James Brown in “Get On Up” (2014). He was inspired by Boseman’s road to graduation and success.
”It’s amazing to me because Chadwick A. Boseman didn’t have enough money to finish school, when he received this scholarship from Denzel Washington, that allowed him to finish his studies and we see what Chadwick A. Boseman would go on to do in his short time on earth,” Anderson said, considering Boseman’s death from colon cancer in 2020. “We need more people like that. We need more Denzels, we need more Dr. Lomaxes, we need more Chadwick A. Bosemans, and so I’m trying to be that for the next generation.”
‘PINKY’ COLE HAYES OFFERS INSPIRATION, CALL TO ACTION
When Cole Hayes accepted the Alumna of the Year award on March 6, she was beaming with pride, not just because of the major accomplishment. This honor served as a representation of what can come out of the combination of hard work, resilience and unwavering determination.
Considering the title of the gala and UNCF’s motto: “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” Cole Hayes, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, talked about her own mind, and what she’s had to overcome. She told the crowd she had just ended a four-day fast in order to center herself.
“Sometimes you don’t know if you’re coming or going and this fast really connected me to God in a dif-
ferent way. And the reason why I’m telling you this is because just like UNCF ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste,’ I almost lost my mind,” Cole Hayes said, accepting her award. “But then I got to lean in and I remembered that I went to one of the most amazing institutions.”
As a successful entrepreneur, Cole Hayes, owner of Bar Vegan in Atlanta and Slutty Vegan restaurants throughout the U.S., including Georgia, New York, and Baltimore, Maryland, emphasized the need for supporting HBCUs and the work of UNCF.
“When UNCF talks about reaching in your wallet, and giving back and making sure that young Black folk get the opportunity to get higher education, it’s not just about the fact… we just want to dress up and look pretty and eat expensive food,” explained Cole Hayes, who is also founder of The Pinky Cole Foundation. “It’s about the fact that there is a domino effect that happens when you send somebody to school and they can graduate and join the private equity sector.”
She told the audience it’s particularly important to have more African American representation in private equity in order to make investments in young Black businesses like her.
“When there are people who look like us, the domino effect can continue to happen,” Cole Hayes said.
Sharing her own journey, Cole Hayes said the award from UNCF emphasized the importance of working hard, committing to one’s vision, and giving back to others.
“I’m excited to be on this stage as alumna of the year. Not just as a repre-
sentation of all of this Black excellence. Not just as a representation of the illustrious Clark Atlanta University… But I’m here today because I want you to see the product of somebody who found a way to make one and came from humble beginnings,” she declared. “My father did 22 years in prison, I watched my mother work the same job for 37 years…and I still show up, and I still do the work and I still give back.”
After offering a call to action to give back to programs like UNCF, she also left the crowd with an important message.
“So if you didn’t learn anything from me tonight, even though I almost lost my mind,” Cole Hayes said, “today, I’m in heaven because I won the Alumna of the Year Award.” WI
5 Anthony Anderson, recipient of the 2025 UNCF President’s Award, speaks about his journey in academia and philanthropy and the importance of giving back at the UNCF “A Mind is…” Gala on March 6, held at The Westin in downtown D.C. (Jacques Benovil/The Washington Informer)
5 Pinky Cole Hayes, recipient of the 2025 Alumna of the Year Award, speaks about her road to success and what she’s had to overcome along the way at the 2025 UNCF “A Mind is…” Gala on March 6 in Northwest, D.C. (Jacques Benovil/The Washington Informer)
Students Compete in Cook-off to Represent D.C. in National Competition
By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer
The District’s top high school culinary students from Frank W. Ballou, Theodore Roosevelt and Cardozo Education Campus competed in the ProStart DC Invitational on Tuesday, March 4 at the National Union Building in Northwest. While Roosevelt proved victorious for the second year in a row, the students and event highlighted the breadth of talent in the nation’s capital.
The competition was started through a partnership between District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) to develop the best of today’s talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and food service leaders through scholarships and opportunities. The winner of the competition earns a bid to represent the District at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore on May 2-4.
Sonya Ali, co-Owner of Ben’s Chili Bowl, has been involved
with the ProStart invitational for years. This year, however, she was blown away by the creativeness of the students.
“It’s been amazing to see the young talent that comes through the D.C. school system,” she told The Informer. “Every year they step up their game.”
This year’s showdown tested culinary and management skills.
During the culinary component, in which Ballou and Cardozo came in second and third place, students crafted a threecourse meal from scratch under strict time restraints.
Participating in his third ProStart cook-off, Mohamed Turay, a senior from Roosevelt, helped his school reach nationals last year, and came to the tournament ready for an encore performance.
“When you’re in the moment and you’re grinding, it’s all about how much effort you put into it,” he told The Informer. “Your adrenaline starts to build up and that’s when you start to see the best version of yourself.”
During the management com -
petition, students pitched original restaurant concepts to a panel of industry professionals.
Lena Webb, a contestant in the management competition and Senior at Roosevelt, felt the experience was “very enlightening.”
“Sometimes when you go to restaurants you don’t think about or pay attention to what goes into the making of a restaurant and its foundations so it was interesting to delve deeper into that,” she said.
ROAD TO THE
COMPETITION, JUDGES CELEBRATE YOUNG TALENT
Daniel Traster, who served as lead judge and coach for all three schools, spoke of the anticipation for the event after four months of preparation from the students and himself.
“You prep them and know what they’re capable of but you don’t know the day of if it’s all going to go right,” Traster told The Informer. “So it’s a huge relief and moment of pride when it all pays off and I think they made
themselves proud today.”
Tiffany MacIssac, who served as a judge in the culinary competition, said she was “extremely impressed” by the students.
“What I was cooking when I was 14, 15, or 16 is nothing like what these kids are cooking here today,” she told The Informer.
Ali also emphasized the immense talent of each student.
“Duck breast,” Ali questioned with amazement, referencing Cardozo’s main dish. “I’m 60 something years old and I don’t cook duck breast!”
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5 Students work to complete their dishes at the ProStart DC Invitational at the National Union Building in Northwest on Tuesday, March 4. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)
Preparing Financially for Future Emergencies: Building Resilience and Readiness
Sponsored by JPMorganChase
In an unpredictable world, financial emergencies can arise at any moment, whether due to unexpected medical expenses, job loss, or natural disasters. Building financial resilience is not just about having a safety net; it's about cultivating habits and strategies that help ensure stability and peace of mind in the face of uncertainty. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare financially for future emergencies, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with confidence:
1. Create an Emergency Fund: Start by saving leftover money each month, gradually building up to cover three to six months' worth of living expenses. You can set up automatic transfers from your checking to your savings account to ensure consistent contributions without having to think about it. By storing your emergency fund in a high-yield savings account or money market account, it can earn interest yet still remain easily accessible.
2. Budget Wisely: Use budgeting apps or spreadsheets to monitor your expenses and identify areas where you can potentially cut back. Also be sure to prioritize needs over wants by focusing on essential expenses and reduce discretionary spending to help free up more money for savings. Revisit your budget periodically to accommodate changes in income or expenses and ensure you're on track.
3. Manage Debt Effectively: Focus on paying off high-interest debt, such as credit card balances, and explore options to consolidate or refinance loans at lower interest rates to save money and simplify payments. Be cautious about taking on new debt, especially for non-essential purchases, to maintain financial flexibility.
4. Protect Your Assets: Ensure you have adequate health, home, auto, and life insurance to protect against unexpected expenses and keep important financial documents, such as wills and insurance policies, in a secure location.
5. Plan for the Long Term: Contribute regularly to retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA, to help secure your financial future and consult with a J.P. Morgan advisor to develop a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your needs.
Adjusting to a budget takes time, as it's about finding the right balance between spending and saving. By implementing these tips, you can help build a solid foun-
dation to withstand future emergencies and enhance your financial security. Regularly reviewing your budget against your actual expenses allows you to refine and optimize your financial strategy.
For more information, visit chase.com/financialgoals
INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE:
• NOT FDIC INSURED
• NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
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Bowser Yields to GOP Pressure on Black Lives Matter Plaza, But D.C. Still Likely a Target
Under a directive by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, District workers have begun painting over the art in Black Lives Matter Plaza, which she publicly commissioned in 2020 in response to the racial justice movement that escalated after the police-involved murder of George Floyd during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On June 5, 2020, the D.C. Department of Public Works painted the words “Black Lives Matter” in 35-foottall yellow capital letters.
Bowser’s most recent decision to remove the big, bright letters, covering 16th Street NW in front of the White House, was under pressure from the current Trump administration and the GOP majority on Capitol Hill.
Last week, Rep. Andrew Clyde (RGA) introduced legislation threatening to withhold funds for the District if the slogan wasn’t removed. In addition to removing the sign of solidarity for racial equity, it also called for renaming the area “Liberty Plaza.
Before he assumed office on Jan. 20, Bowser traveled to Florida for a courtesy visit with President Donald J. Trump on Dec. 30
In a statement following the Mar-aLago meeting, Mayor Bowser stated, “President Trump and I both want Washington, D.C., to be the best and most beautiful city in the world, and we want our capital city to reflect the strength of our nation.”
She made the visit seem amicable.
“We discussed areas of collaboration between local and federal government, especially around our federal workforce, underutilized federal buildings, parks and green spaces, and infrastructure,” Bowser continued. “I am optimistic that we will continue to find common ground with the president during his second term.”
While it might have been politically wise for Bowser to visit West Palm Beach and attend the inauguration, she realizes—and probably already knew—that Trump’s words of collaboration were a cover for a plan to take over the District. With criticism of the nation’s capital’ streets, unhoused residents and local authority—as Congress is now working to overturn D.C.’s Home Rule that allows local elected officials to make decisions about District governmental affairs as opposed to the federal government— Trump and the GOP want to control what’s happening beyond Capitol Hill and the White House.
Until Monday, Black Lives Matter Plaza served as a painful reminder of Floyd’s public death outside a deli in Minneapolis at the hands of a uniformed police officer 11 days earlier.
However, once Clyde introduced his legislation, Bowser noted the District has “bigger fish to fry.”
Furthermore, painted during Trump’s first presidency, it served as a potent symbol of activism, a gathering place for both joy and resistance, and
Black Lives Still Matter Despite the Removal of the Plaza, Now is the Time for Action
When D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser commissioned the creation of Black Lives Matter Plaza in 2020, it was a powerful statement in alliance with the thousands of protesters taking to the area in front of the White House to speak out against the murder of George Floyd, police brutality, racism and disparities facing African Americans.
However, with threats from the 47th president and members of the Republican-controlled House and Senate to withhold sorely needed federal funds and to ramp up efforts to strip the District of its limited means of self-governance, Mayor Bowser has yielded to pressure.
Some have urged Bowser to defy
a reminder that the struggle for racial equality continues.
Nonetheless, in this second Trump administration there’s more concerns facing District residents.
“The mural inspired millions of people and helped our city through a very painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference,” the mayor said in a statement last week.
In 2020, the plaza symbolized Bowser’s defiance against federal overreach in what turned out to be the last six months of his first term. Her decision to paint over it reveals the mayor’s heightened concern about Trump and GOP this go-around.
Despite her hope that removing the slogan would take Trump’s target off the District, “Black Lives Matter
Plaza,” the heat from federal leaders remains.
Just this week, after the District Department of Transportation announced that it would begin weeks of work to the area, the stand gap bill introduced by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), threatens hundreds of millions of federal dollars for District programming, firefighters, teachers and residents.
If the last month-and-a-half worth of executive orders have proven anything, once Trump puts his mind to something he’s determined to see it through. His disdain for the District has been evident since his first presidency and continued, such as in 2023 when he described the “filth and decay” in D.C.
Even though the mayor chose to conceal Black Lives Matter Plaza, this will not alter Trump’s view of the nation’s capital.
Despite earnest efforts from the mayor, in the age of Trump’s executive orders preventing the teaching of parts of Black history and eliminating federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, Washington, D.C., and Bowser— a Black woman— will remain a target.
While Trump has declared now is the time to end the era of wokeness, it is more critical than ever for Bowser, local leaders, Washingtonians and all Americans to remain wide awake to presidential and congressional threats. With less than two months into his second term, this is just the beginning of a long four years for the District, nation and world.
In the words of the Childish Gambino (also known as Donald Glover) song “Redbone” from the Grammy-nominated album “Awaken, My Love” (2016): “Stay woke.” WI
I absolutely loved the photos of the aspiring young chefs in last week’s issue. May those young people go on to have long and prosperous careers! Thank you, Informer, for highlighting the good in our community!
Beverly Long Washington, D.C.
TO THE EDITOR
Rest in peace to the legendary Angie Stone! Her music has gotten me through some of my happiest and toughest times. What a songwriter, performer, and a talent! I’m heartbroken, but I know she is in a better place.
Dana Hagans Laurel, Md..
the president and the GOP. But in the wake of her decision to paint over the words and recast the plaza as a place that will honor the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s independence, there are those who have labeled her a coward.
But that’s not true. Bowser’s original actions were a bold and brave statement of allegiance with the noble fight toward equity and justice, and her current decision is a calculated and tactical move out of concern for the District’s sovereignty and wellbeing.
In politics, as in all aspects of life, one must choose one’s battles wisely. African Americans realize this truth far more than any other Americans
because we are used to confronting situations in which we are outmanned, outgunned and under-resourced to mount a viable defense.
This is the situation in which Bowser finds herself as she works to move forward in ways that limit the amount of damage that the president and other Republicans can initiate and carry out over the next four years.
“The devastating impacts of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern,” Bowser said, when explaining her decision to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza.
“Our focus is on economic growth, public safety, and supporting our residents affected by these cuts.”
Of course, the importance of symbols and slogans like “Black Lives Matter,” which point to and criti-
cize the numerous ways that African Americans have suffered from racism cannot be overstated. And yes, amid Trump’s effort to erase parts of Black history and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), it would have been nice to keep that powerful statement on 16th Street NW in front of the White House. However, symbols and slogans, while they may temporarily capture our attention, have limited effect on derailing centuries of abuse. What’s needed to right the wrongs of America and pave the way for justice for all is action. Mayor Bowser has shown that she knows when to hold her hand, when to fold and when to her “trump card.” Her recent decision reveals now is not the time to battle Republicans over politicized symbols particularly given the GOP’s current
dominance in the White House, the Senate and the House.
But the midterm elections will be here in less than two years and, by speaking truth to power, “good trouble” and voting, there will inevitably be a shift in power in Congress.
If Bowser’s plan works and takes Trump’s and the GOP’s target off of the District, then in the meantime, we look for the Mayor and D.C. Council to focus on more prescient issues, like increasing affordable housing units, building up the city’s economy with jobs, which include providing more job training programs, tackling the problem of crime and taking better care of seniors and children. WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
Guest Columnist
Remembering Selma
Sixty years ago, on Sunday, March 7, 1965, John Lewis and the Rev. Hosea Williams set out on a nonviolent march with a group of 600 men, women, young people and children headed from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital in Montgomery. They were seeking the right to vote and protesting the tragic death of Jimmie Lee Jack-
son, a 26-year-old Black church deacon and military veteran who had died Feb. 26 from injuries he received eight days earlier when he, his mother, sister and 82-year-old grandfather attended a nonviolent voting rights demonstration that was attacked by law enforcement officials. Jackson was beaten and shot by an Alabama state trooper while trying to shield his mother from a police nightstick. As the marchers left Selma’s Brown Chapel AME Church on the morning of March 7 and headed to cross the
Edmund Pettus Bridge, they were also immediately met by lawless state and local law enforcement officials and brutally attacked. The televised images of “Bloody Sunday” and the savage beatings of the marchers — including Lewis, whose skull was fractured — were a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and in America’s struggle to become America.
Two weeks later, I traveled from Mississippi to Alabama to join Lewis, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and about 25,000 fel-
low citizens to walk the 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery and complete that march. This time we were safer thanks to Federal District Court Judge Frank M. Johnson Jr.’s order that we had a right to peaceful protest, and with National Guard protection. And we were buoyed by President Johnson’s March 15 Special Message to a Joint Session of Congress, “The American Promise,” calling on Congress to pass what became the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In that speech President John-
'Bloody Sunday' Images Struck the Nation's Conscience 60 Years Ago
The headline on the front page of The New York Times 60 years ago read, “Alabama Police Use Gas and Clubs to Rout Negroes.”
“At times history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point that is man’s unending search for freedom. So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was a century ago at Appomattox. So it was last week in Selma, Alabama.” — President Lyndon Johnson
Because I lack a degree in psychology or pathology, I cannot speculate about the motives of the 47th president who, on March 4, embarked on a tariff war with our neighbors and closest allies, Mexico and Canada. But I can emphatically say that the 47th president’s actions will hurt American consumers. The president who prom-
The eighth paragraph: “John Lewis, chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, was among the injured. He was admitted to the Good Samaritan Hospital with a possible skull fracture.”
The Selma voting rights campaign had been going on for more than nine weeks at that point. Day after day, Black citizens tried
to enter the Dallas County Courthouse to register to vote. Day after day, Sheriff Jim Clark and his deputies blocked their path. Hundreds were arrested, and many were beaten. But the campaign had, so far, failed to attract the widespread sympathy of the nation.
“The world doesn’t know this happened because you didn’t photograph it,” the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. told Life magazine’s Flip Schulke, who’d put down his camera to assist a child who’d been
knocked to the ground. “I’m not being cold-blooded about it, but it is so much more important for you to take a picture of us getting beaten up than for you to be another person joining in the fray.”
On March 7, 1965, photographers and network television captured the violence on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and changed the course of American history.
At 9:30 p.m., ABC interrupted the broadcast of “Judgment at Nuremberg,” an acclaimed 1961 film that explores Germans’ indi-
son said: “This was the first nation in the history of the world to be founded with a purpose. The great phrases of that purpose still sound in every American heart, North and South: ‘All men are created equal’ — ‘government by consent of the governed’ — ‘give me liberty or give me death’ Those words are a promise to every citizen that he shall share in the dignity of man.” He continued: “To apply any other test — to deny a man his hopes
Page 49
vidual and collective responsibility for the Holocaust, to show the brutal footage.
“The juxtaposition struck like psychological lightning in American homes,” journalists Gene Roberts and Hank Klibanoff wrote in “The Race Beat,” an account of the role newspapers and television played in the civil rights movement.
Photographs of an unconscious Amelia Boynton — one showing a
ised to lower prices and reduce inflation has taken actions that will increase prices and inflation. By inflicting tariffs on our major trading partners (and neighbors), he has aggressively ignited a destructive trade war.
Why? Part of me is tempted to ask whether the 47th president is really a Putin plant. Is he bound and determined to blow up our country, our political and economic relationships, and the world as we know it? To what end, or is his disruptive behavior just
a manifestation of his narcissism? For the 47th president, everything is personal. He attempted to humiliate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an unseemly and undiplomatic shouting match in the House that enslaved people built (also known by the racially myopic as the White House). Zelenskyy pushed back, and the 47th president has paused aid to Ukraine in retaliation. It’s retaliation all around. There is a witch hunt against the federal agencies that the current
president opposes, including the National Labor Relations Board, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and many others.
The purchased co-president Elon Musk, with his attitude and oversize chain saw, has no limits, or at least none that the 47th president will impose. And while most economists cringe at his economic policies, he is hell-bent on making a disruptive set of points about tariffs.
Imposing 25% tariffs on goods coming from Canada (and 20%
plus from China) hits low-income consumers where they spend, especially because many lower-cost goods come from China. Canada and China have imposed retaliatory tariffs as soon as the U.S. imposed theirs. Mexico says it will announce its own retaliatory tariffs on March 9. All these tariffs do is increase the cost of imported goods. So a car manufactured in Mexico that once cost $30,000 will now cost $37,500. That’s in-
Marc H. Morial
Julianne Malveaux
Marian Wright Edelman
EDELMAN
Guest Columnist
Guest Columnist
What Have We Become?
I go to bed drained from bad news, led by a man who advertises himself as king. I wake to more of the same.
Like others, I pass certain food counters because of shocking price stickers on items we once automatically purchased. I became ill recently and had to escape the stress from meanness that outweighed
others’ goodness. I experienced huge disregard for my nearly 20 years of work — often using my own money and time, never taking vacations because I was the only professional staff member handling almost every role except the few tasks family and friends could manage. I felt ultimately responsible for the organization’s success.
After quitting a good job, I rarely got paid, relying on speaking engagements and book sales. I shared whatever I could to help others. To complete the work with no retire-
ment benefits, vacation time, sick leave and little pay, I raised money from friends at companies that donated to our programs. Family and a few friends helped me accomplish great things nationally.
As an activist honored worldwide for human rights work while pursuing civil rights in my own nation, I find few tangible benefits despite those who claim glory for my sacrifices but did little to help.
Why mention this now? Recently, a young woman in my neighborhood threatened to jump from
Anti-Obesity Medicines Are Not All Created Equally
The new FDA-approved weight loss medicines have changed the game for people with obesity, offering millions of Americans a chance to transform their health, prevent disease and live longer lives. But as demand for these treatments soars, an illegal industry is growing alongside it. Criminal networks, counterfeiters and
rogue compounding pharmacies are taking advantage of patients’ needs, flooding the market with fake, unsafe and untested knockoffs. In December 2023, the FDA seized thousands of counterfeit injection pens within the U.S. drug supply chain. A Tennessee woman’s home was also raided by police, where officers found more than 300 vials of counterfeit weight loss drugs — semaglutide and tripeptide — that she had been supplying to med spa clinics. After testing, one of the vials con-
tained nothing but water. This is the reality of an unregulated black market. People think they are injecting medicine into their bodies that will improve their health, but they could be injecting poison — or nothing at all.
For counterfeiters and other profiteers, the market is ripe for exploitation — high patient demand and a rising obesity epidemic create the perfect conditions for their illegal trade to thrive. The result? A knockoff weight loss drug market populated with med spas, online
a building. I felt sad, wondering what made her life seem not worth living. I wanted to help but could only pray for her and people like her.
I know many losing faith and wonder how, with my limited resources, I can help more. I share beans and rice. I know many with the ability to help choose not to.
Some even make others’ lives miserable and relish it.
My plea: Look around, find somebody to help — and just do it. Most people appreciate small
gestures when they can’t manage alone. They just want to know they’re not abandoned while their current leader does everything possible to make their lives miserable. I watched Trump make hostile remarks about people he fired, delivering a grievance-filled speech while forgiving those who damaged our Capitol.
I saw men laughing at Trump’s talking points while many of us teared up.
“telehealth” sellers and unauthorized compounding pharmacies pushing dangerous counterfeit or untested compounded medications. The Black community is especially vulnerable given its higher prevalence of obesity. In 2023, non-Hispanic Black or African American adults were 30% more likely to be obese than non-Hispanic white adults, with 43% of non-Hispanic Black adults over the age of 18 classified as obese. As the president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforce-
ment Executives (NOBLE), one of us oversees an organization whose mission is to protect our communities from harm. Law enforcement officers are already seeing the rise of counterfeit weight loss drugs spread through our communities. Just as with illicit street drugs, enforcing the law is critical to get these dangerous products off the market. But equally critical is to stem consumer demand.
The Trump administration has
Letting Coal Die Will Save Both Lives and Money and Create Jobs (In Coal States Too!)
Note to every American: Keeping coal plants open — never mind bringing more online — kills people.
And closing coal plants saves lives.
It also saves communities. It makes air and water cleaner and safer. It saves households money on their electricity bills. And it
makes way for growth in renewable energy, which is better for the environment, makes power grids more resilient and reliable, and creates more jobs than coal ever will — or ever should — again.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey needs to pay attention.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Morrisey extolled the virtues of coal in U.S. competition with China in the artificial intelligence race, “advanced manufacturing” and energy. He is wrong on all counts. The way we compete
with China and ensure American economic leadership in this century — while also building an economy that lifts all boats at home — is by accelerating our transition away from dirty and unnecessary fossil fuels like coal.
As Mountain State Spotlight pointed out in its recap of Morrisey’s State of the State address last month, to double down on coal “is to continue the tradition of the same extractive industries that have left streams polluted, men dying in their 50s, and towns with soot in
their attics.”
Morrisey should be embracing clean energy like other big coal states have done. He and the other public officials keeping West Virginia anchored to coal are prioritizing coal executives’ profits over the state’s working families.
A report released this past summer by Energy Innovation Policy and Technology showed West Virginia’s stubborn reliance on coal is the reason increases in the state’s electricity costs have outpaced inflation. The report’s au-
thor, Brendan Pierpont, pointed out that even when “utilities have conducted analyses that suggest that these coal plants should retire, regulators have pushed uneconomic plans to stay online, push the utilities to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment in those plants and requiring those coal plants to run even when there’s cheaper power available on the market. So these costs are all costs that are going to electricity
WILLIAMS Page 50
Col. Jeffrey D. Glover and Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.
Ben Jealous
Guest Columnist
E. Faye Williams
LIFESTYLE
WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST
WASHINGTON INFORMER'S
Things To Do, DMV!
By Tait Manning WI Intern
March is in full swing with plenty of opportunity to dance, laugh and learn this weekend.
From book talks at Anacostia Community Museum to Black film festivals in Bowie, Maryland, check out a handful of the many local events happening to keep your spirit – and social life – lit.
Also, don’t forget to keep up with the Washington Informer Calendar to stay up-to-date on the DMV year round.
Bring poems, appetites or ears for an unforgettable night of music and poetry at D.C.’s venue where community, creativity, and wellness collide.
Shanklin Hall and Connativity present a night of spoken word poetry over soulful tunes by local DMV musicians. Hosted by spoken word
artist Cookie B., “Culture & Cadence” is the place to be for anyone who loves music and appreciates the art of spoken word.
Whether they’re a seasoned performer or trying out the mic for the first time, everyone is welcome to showcase their creativity.
Jorja Smith: ‘falling or flying’ Tour 2025 8 p.m. | $56.00+
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, D.C., 20024
At 25-years-old, Jorja Smith, the British singer-songwriter with the gorgeous voice and searing pen has already spent close to a decade soaring. From the age of 18, Smith collaborated with an astonishing roster of worldwide stars like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Stormzy, Burna Boy, Kali Uchis and Popcaan.
Her most recent album, “Falling or Flying,” is a sonically vast record –sometimes sleek and shiny R&B, at times vibey and heated U.K. funky, elsewhere intense and raw alternative.
Smith’s newest album finds an artist stepping into a new chapter, acknowledging the ever-whirring cogs of her brain but also moving through
it— growing and respecting herself above everything else.
FRIDAY, MARCH 14
Holi in The District
6 p.m.- 8 p.m. | Free Union Market, 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20002
Come to Union Market to celebrate the colors of Holi, considered one of the most revered and celebrated festivals of India.
In partnership with RASA and DC Dosa, Union Market District is hosting its third annual vibrant celebration of Holi, the Festival of Colors. Get ready for an evening filled with authentic Indian flavors, great music, dancing, cocktails and lively festivities—including the joyful tradition of color throwing and other fun surprises.
This event is free to the public and will be a first-come, first-served for guests who wish to participate. Participating vendors will have food and drinks available for purchase.
Visit the event page for more information prior to arrival.
Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood
8 p.m. - 10 p.m. | $22.50+ Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD, 20708
Michael Hawkins is a charismatic bassist and composer currently heating up the jazz scene in the greater Richmond, Virginia area with his band Michael Hawkins and the Brotherhood (James “Saxsmo” Gates on alto sax, Dr. Weldon Hill on piano, and Billy Williams, Jr. on drums).
The term brotherhood not only signifies the interpersonal relationships among the members of the band, but also pays homage to jazz
3“A Union Market District is hosting its third annual vibrant celebration of Holi, the Festival of Colors honoring Indian culture, on Friday, March 14. The event promises an evening filled with authentic Indian flavors, great music and lively festivities. (Courtesy/Union Market District)
Broadway in Washington, D.C.” (2018).
The talk will explore the time-period of the early 1900’s to the 1950’s and the impact U Street had on cultivating the Black arts scene in D.C.
SUNDAY, MARCH 16
musicians from years past.
SATURDAY, MARCH 15
Capital Comedy Festival
8 p.m. | $59.00+
DAR Constitution Hall, 18th & C Streets N.W, Washington, D.C., 20006
The Capital Comedy Festival is taking over the DAR Constitution Hall on Saturday, March 15, and the all-star lineup includes the hilarious Sommore, Lavell Crawford, Arnez J, Joe Clair, and Special K. Don’t miss out on this comedy bonanza. Expect quick-wit, biting sarcasm, and relatable gag as these comedians put on the show of a lifetime!
The Set: A R&B Experience 10 p.m. | $15.00+
The Howard Theatre, 620 T St NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
Join Howard Theatre for a seventh anniversary celebration of “The Set R&B Experience.”
Started by a collective of R&B enthusiasts, “The Set” is a social experience that features multiple DJs and an energetic and enthusiastic crowd with one thing in common–a love for R&B.
This year’s dance party will feature local DJs Farrah Flosscett, Alex Love and Miss H.E.R.
Book Talk: Black Broadway in DC Noon - 2 p.m. | Free Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl SE, Washington, D.C., 20020
Discover the history and impact of the local Black Broadway mecca with Briana A. Thomas, journalist, historian, and author of the book “Black
Explore thousands of orchids in this 29th annual joint orchid exhibit between the U.S. Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens.
“Orchids: Masters of Deception” will showcase a changing display of specimens from the U.S. Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens’ extensive orchid collections. In the Garden Court, multiple display cases will feature the stories of orchids that exhibit delightful deception with scent, shape, color and more.
Further, the U.S. Botanic Garden showcases some of the unique, bizarre, and intriguing orchid adaptations that deceive pollinators looking for food, mates, locations to lay their eggs and more.
Don’t miss out on a great learning experience!
2nd Annual Maryland Black Film Festival
1:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | $55.20+ Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD, 20715
Join The Maryland Black Film Festival for a celebration of Black cinema at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts.
Get ready to enjoy a variety of thought-provoking films created by talented Black filmmakers–a vibrant celebration of diversity and creativity in the film industry.
With industry panels, workshops, Q&A sessions, and in-person screenings, this event is not to be missed. WI
5“The Set: A R&B Experience” celebrates its seventh anniversary at The Howard Theatre on March 15, featuring multiple DJs and an energetic crowd with one thing in common–a love for R&B. (Courtesy Photo/The Set Party website)
Against the Odds, the Community Stays Strong ‘In the Heights’
Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer
Exuberance from the first note is how to describe “In the Heights,” the Tony award-winning musical that was Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Broadway production, currently running at Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Virginia, until May 4.
“This glorious and vivacious celebration of community and culture holds a significant place in the American musical theater canon, and we are so happy to finally bring it to the Signature stage,” wrote Signature’s Artistic Director Matthew Gardiner and Managing Director Maggie Boland in the show’s program. “When In the Heights premiered on Broadway in 2008, its electricity, joy, and blending of Latin and hip-hop musical styles changed the genre forever.”
The scene is Washington Heights in upper Manhattan, New York. It’s a tight-knit, diverse Latinx community with various small businesses that include a limo service, travel agency, small grocery store, and hair salon. Folks know each other to be seen at the neighborhood hub, a bodega owned by Usnavi, played by Angel Lozada.
Despite familiarity, change is coming to Washington Heights, and it is called gentrification.
“This show is about a community of people fighting gentrification,” said Lozada during a “talk back” conversation for Signature’s “In the Heights,” directed by director James Vásquez. “Things are becoming more expensive, and in reality, they can’t af-
ford to live there anymore.”
WHO LIVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
From the same artist who brought “Hamilton,” “In the Heights,” features a colorful cast of engaging characters.
Abuela Claudia, played by Rayanne Gonzales, is the rock of the community. While she raised Usnavi, Abuela Claudia is everyone’s grandmother in this Washington Heights neighborhood. She is always smiling and beloved by everyone and is the sunshine that keeps her neighbors together. Abuela Claudia also has a secret that causes excitement when it is discovered.
Lozada’s character, Usnavi, has had a long-time crush on Vanessa, who works in the salon and is portrayed by Adriana Scalice. Individually, Vanessa and Usnavi hope to leave the neighborhood, but their first date awaits.
Nina, a Stanford college student played by Victoria Gomez, is the daughter of Kevin and Camila, owners of the limo company. Rudy Martinez and Crissy Guerrero play the parents.
In this musical saga, Nina represents the future. Everyone sees that with a college degree, she is sure to escape the community, but Nina had to drop out of college. She had to work to pay her college bills but could not keep up with her studies.
Benny works for Nina’s parents, and he has long desired Nina. Because Benny is African American and not Latino, Nina’s father does not see him as suitable for his daughter.
THE PIECES COME TOGETHER
Told primarily through music, lyrics, and dance, this is a fast-paced production.
Even with the relationship and money complications, this is an upbeat telling of a solid community. Through 24 musical numbers, the story unfolds. The entire ensemble sings and dances.
In addition, the choreography is rigorous. Kudos to choreographer Shani Talmor, whose engaging dance moves made audiences want to join the action on stage.
Using a “theatre in the square ” layout, the audience had a satisfying view of the actors. Because of the square format, a neighborhood could be felt with storefronts and residences. Andrew Cohen, scenic designer, was responsible for allowing the stage to be expansive while feeling intimate.
Cheers to Vásquez, who with the many moving pieces of “In the Heights,” brings the show together seamlessly. Change in communities is now a part of life and Vásquez’s guid-
ance allowed the audience to experience the struggles the characters were wrestling with.
In addition, the show highlighted unity between Dominican, Puerto Rican, Chilean, and other Latin cultures, especially in one scene when ensemble members held up their country’s flag.
“There is something very special about doing a show about a community, especially when it’s your community,” said Lozada. “How we are on stage is how we are off stage. We’re like a family, and I think our director did a great job bringing that on stage.” WI @bcscomm
5Victoria Gómez (Nina), Chibueze Ihuoma (Benny), and the cast of “In the Heights” at Signature Theatre. (Courtesy Photo/DJ Corey Photography)
5Adriana Scalice (Vanessa), Ángel Lozada (Usnavi), and the cast of “In the Heights” at Signature Theatre. (Courtesy Photo/DJ Corey Photography)
LIFESTYLE
Social Change In the 1960s and 1970s Influenced How Photographers Viewed Life
By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer
Movements around civil rights, the Vietnam War, the equal rights amendment, college student protests, LGBTQIA activism, and migrant worker rights influenced artists and their work, as seen in “The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography,” an expansive exhibition until April 6 at the National Gallery of Art.
Entering the scene in the 1970s,
National Gallery, a few photographers in “The 70’s Lens” include Mikki Ferrill, and Frank Espada, photographers who used the camera to create complex portraits of their communities.
these photographs are an “in your face” view of how people wanted to be seen. Photographers and their subjects embraced the freedom that was felt, but the era was not just about protests. There was the emergence of disco, afros, mini skirts, marijuana, and a counterculture where almost anything goes.
“What do I mean by documentary? All photographs are documents, right?” said Mark Levitch, researcher and writer for the Gallery’s depart-
ments of photographs, education, and modern art, considering the title of the exhibit. “They all report memories and tell stories. What is before the lens has been a parcel of what photography is since its invention in 1839.”
Photography has been used for centuries to document history.
During the 1970s, photographers captured radical neighborhood shifts depicted in group and individual portraits.
Spread across seven sections in the
Ferrill is a Black Chicago-based photojournalist featured in Ebony, Downbeat, and the Chicago Defender.
Espada, who died in 2014, was a Puerto Rican New Yorker (Nuyorican). A photojournalist who took pictures of people of his culture in various scenarios, Espada was also an activist, educator and community organizer.
Getting through “The 70s Lens” will take some time, but the Gallery has made the viewing process easy with several online tools. “12 Documentary Photographers Who Changed the Way We See the World” is a feature to review from one’s smartphone or desk. Further, explore the work of featured artist Anthony Hernandez through a YouTube video conversation.
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“Frank Espada had a Puerto Rican diaspora project for which he received funding to go around the country to document his culture,” said Levitch.
In examining how these photographers document work, The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography,” makes audiences evaluate the notion of taking photos.
Other standout photographers featured in “The 70’s Lens” were Tseng Kwong Chi and Susan Hiller, who demonstrated photography’s role in developing performance and conceptual art.
Showing suburban sprawl is viewed by artists like Lewis Baltz and Joe Deal, who challenged popular ideas of nature as pristine.
Michael Jang and Joanne Leonard showed spaces that examined the social landscapes of domestic spaces.
New York photographer Anthony Barboza, summed up his work emphasizing that photography is a reflection of more than the subject.
“When you take a photograph of someone, you are taking a photograph of you as well. It’s like a mirror,” Barboza said. “You are feeling them, and they are feeling you.”
“The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography” is on view seven days a week for free until April 6 at the National Gallery of Art West Building at 6th Street and Constitution Avenue. WI @bcscomm
5This work from photographer Anthony Barboza (New York City, 1970s) is included in the exhibition “The ’70s Lens: Reimagining Documentary Photography” until April 6. (Courtesy Photo/National Gallery of Art Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund)
The Classics Still Live in Black Theater
By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer
For the past four years, Shakespeare Theatre Company (STC) in D.C. and Howard University’s Theatre Arts Department in the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts have collaborated to retain and expose audiences to America’s legacy of classical Black theatre history.
“Black Stage: Classical Canon” is the resulting production that will broaden interest in this legacy.
The first American production of a play was sometime during the middle of the 17th century. During those early days, the roles for Black men were not authentic. Roles depicted a profane clown presence.
There were two options for Black actors. They could accept the comic role or create a proper stage environment of their own. The second option was logically taken.
“A few years ago, Howard University President Ben Vinson III, Ph.D. and [Shakespeare Theatre Company Artistic Director] Simon Godwin discussed their vision to celebrate Shakespeare and Black creatives,” said LeeAnét Noble, STC senior staff
and a Howard alumna.
Between the 1700s and the mid1800s, early Black theatre companies like African Grove Theatre in lower Manhattan and The Crescent in Harlem inspired “Black Stage: Classical Canon,” a platform to discuss and act in classical theatre productions. This program is now airing on Howard’s PBS station WHUT-TV until March 19.
To get a full production going, Noble reached out to actors from stage and screen, including Keith David, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
Noble also engaged Howard students she had previously directed for a reading.
Though executing the concept took some time, the result is eye-opening for viewing audiences.
“In a one-day shoot, we were able to make it happen,” said Noble. “It was a conversation we’ve had over the years at Shakespeare Theatre Company.”
Watch the full airing of “Black Stage: Classical Canon” on WHUTTV in collaboration with Shakespeare Theatre Company. WI @bcscomm
by DJ Spyda
BY LAUREN M. GUNDERSON
DIRECTED BY KAJA DUNN
BASED ON THE WOMEN OF HAMLET
CO-PRODUCED WITH CINCINNATI SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
ON STAGE THROUGH APRIL 6, 2025
WORLD PREMIERE!
Experience Hamlet from the perspective of its female characters in a hilarious and heart-rending drama filled with music and hope.
TICKETS START AT $20
AYERS from Page 4
is a status we all strive to earn in our journey of greatness. Thank you ROY AYERS for your heavy soul music. Thank you for touring with GURU and being a member of his Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 delivery.
R.I.P. to both of you Kings.”
Erykah Badu, whose sound carries the DNA of Ayers’ grooveheavy jazz, reshared tributes from Ebony Magazine, while producer Adrian Younge credited Ayers with creating the musical foundation for artists like Badu and Jill Scott.
“His sound mixed with cosmic soul-jazz is really what created artists like Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. It was just that groove,” Younge told Clash Magazine.
Beyond his influence in hip-hop and R&B, Ayers’ contributions to jazz were unparalleled. He was a staple in the genre by the 1960s, performing with jazz luminaries like Herbie Mann before forming his own band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, in 1970.
His collaborations with Nigerian Afrobeat icon Fela Kuti in the 1980s further expanded his musical reach by blending jazz with African rhythms.
SELMA from Page 1
before successfully doing so weeks later on March 24, 1965. In an age of President Donald Trump’s executive orders preventing the teaching of parts of Black history and eliminating federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, the 2025 trek across the Edmund Pettus Bridge was a moment to emphasize the critical need for continued work in the fight for civil rights, racial equity and justice.
“My father was at the last leg of the march when Dr. King said ‘How long? Not long,’” said Akina Sanders Jackson, executive director of the Selma Center for Non-Violence Truth and Reconciliation.
King delivered that famous speech on March 25, 1965 in Montgomery after the marchers— from March 21-24– successfully completed the 54mile journey to Alabama’s capital.
The civil right’s leader’s speech came after the horrors of Bloody Sunday, the frustrations of Turnaround Tuesday (March 9, 1965), and the three-day march to Montgomery weeks later. By the time he delivered those four words from Montogmery’s capitol
For many, Ayers was more than a musician—he was an architect of sound, a bridge between eras, and a visionary who never stopped innovating.
“A godfather of the contemporary vibes,” Warren Wold described him.
British singer Estelle shared a personal tribute alongside a photo of herself with Ayers.
Public Enemy’s Chuck D, as has been his trademark when paying tribute, posted a drawing of Ayers on social media.
A Los Angeles native, Ayers’ musical journey began early, shaped by his parents—his mother, Ruby Ayer’s, was a piano instructor, and his father, Roy Sr., was a trombonist.
At 5 years old, jazz legend Lionel Hampton gifted him his first vibraphone mallets. By his teenage years, he was already mastering multiple instruments before ultimately dedicating himself to the vibraphone.
Many exclaimed that Ayers’ music, vision, and unmistakable groove will continue to inspire future generations.
“R.I.P. king,” D.J. Premier wrote. WI
building, it was a time of jubilee and recognizing resilience after extreme sadness, tragedy and trials.
For Jackson’s family, being present in Selma at such a pivotal point in the fight for civil rights and American history was only part of a temporary plan to remain in the Alabama city.
“When my parents graduated from Harvard Law School they thought they would be here for a few years and then move to a big city,” said Jackson.
But six decades later, Jackson and her family are still living in Selma. However, despite strides in civil rights, the current administration makes her reflect back to King’s famous four words that question: how long until freedom comes?
“Time is not always measured in human terms,” she said, noting that in terms of political change, some things have worsened in recent weeks.
The Rev. Mark Thompson, a civil rights activist who has pushed for justice in the District, country and world, said there was a particular reason why he needed to be in Selma this year.
“This is my 25th year as a board
PHOTO BY ERIKA NIZBORSKI
Hi! I’m Earth! Sometimes, I block the sun’s light from reaching the surface of the moon.
What is a blood moon? It sounds a little spooky! But it’s really nothing to worry about.
When that happens, it’s called a lunar eclipse.
A blood moon happens when just the right amount of light passes through my atmosphere during a lunar eclipse. Dust particles in the air can make the moon appear brownish in color. last very long. A lunar eclipse is This is an unusual look for
How to Watch the Eclipse
The blood moon will be visible in most of North America on Thursday, March 13 and Friday, March 14. Here are the times to watch for it. With a family member, circle your time zone.
Find the words by looking up, down, backwards, forwards, sideways and diagonally.
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): 2:26 a.m.–3:31 a.m. (March 14)
Central Daylight Time (CDT): 1:26 a.m.–2:31 a.m. (March 14)
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT): 12:26 a.m.–1:31 a.m. (March 14)
Paci c Daylight Time (PDT): 11:26 p.m. (March 13)–12:31 a.m. (March 14)
Alaska Daylight Time (AKDT): 10:26 p.m.–11:31 p.m. (March 13)
Hawaii Standard Time (HST): 8:26 p.m.–9:31 p.m. (March 13)
Describe the Moon
Look through today’s newspaper for five adjectives that describe the moon. Write them here:
the Place
Standards Link: Writing: Strengthen writing clarity by editing. Space is
Find an advertisement in the newspaper. Rewrite the ad to make it about something you would need if you took a trip to the moon.
My Home on the Moon
Imagine you live in a home on the moon. Describe what you do on an ordinary day.
Standards Link: Writing: Write narratives with details to develop imagined experiences.
Your soon-to-be-graduate has been checking every day to see if there's good news or bad news from the college of their choice, and to determine if they need a change of plans. It's an unnerving time, but also one of hope. So why not be prepared, and read these great books about education in the Black community …
More than 70 years ago, something happened in rural Tennessee that was almost lost to history: Three people — one of them a white man — joined forces to help Black Southerners get past Jim Crow laws and vote. As you'll read in "Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools That Built the Civil Rights Movement" by Elaine Weiss (One Signal, $29.99), they accomplished this feat by opening Citizenship Schools which, by 1965, had grown from one little room in the back of a grocery store, to over 900 such schools. How this happened, and what these schools accomplished, is a story you can't miss.
Here's another book that presents another side of history: "Integrated: How American Schools Failed Black Children" by Noliwe Rooks (Pantheon, $28) challenges the narrative that says Brown v. Board of Education fixed what was wrong with "separate but equal" laws for schools. Author Rooks says, in fact, that there's so much more to this story, and that understanding what integration actually did for Black students is to understand how it can be so much better. Bonus: Rooks includes personal stories here, which are as entertaining as they are informative for readers concerned about their children's education.
If your student is heading for an HBCU in the fall, be sure to check out "With Faith in God and Heart and Mind: A History of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity" by Maurice J. Hobson, Eddie R. Cole, Jim C. Harper II, and Derrick P. Alridge (University of North Carolina Press, $29.95). Started in the fall of 1911 by four students at Howard University, Omega Psi Phi was a place for students to join, to bond and to get support. But it was also a place for greatness: many of its members went on to serve in the military in high places, to serve in society, medicine, science and politics. In this book, you'll read a history of the fraternity and you'll learn about its prominent alumni.
And finally, if your student isn't sure if college is in their future, look at "Who Needs College Anymore?" by Kathleen Delaski (Harvard Education Press, $34). There are other ways to get an education, says the author, and it may still involve a formal education or new twists on old methods of finding a career. Some of them may be controversial. Others may be just the key for a new grad with an aversion to school.
And if these books on education aren't enough for your or your student, be sure to ask your librarian or bookseller for more suggestions. There are many more books on the history of education for you to read, addressing elementary schools, college level, and high school.
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horoscopes
LIFESTYLE
MAR. 13 - 19, 2025
ARIES Strategic planning dominates as Mars energizes your ambition sector, bringing momentum to career initiatives requiring bold action. Competitive situations showcase your natural leadership abilities when you remain focused on long-term objectives. Financial opportunities arise midweek through connections who recognize your determination and drive. Lucky Numbers: 8, 14, 26
TAURUS Practical progress occurs as Venus harmonizes with Saturn, strengthening your commitment to valued projects requiring persistence. Aesthetic decisions gain importance, particularly for public-facing presentations or environment upgrades. Financial planning reaches a crucial stage midweek with opportunities to consolidate resources for greater stability. Patience with challenging personalities earns respect from those observing your measured responses. Lucky Numbers: 6, 15, 27
GEMINI Mental connections flourish as Mercury activates your social network, bringing stimulating conversations that spark innovative collaborative opportunities. Information gathering accelerates, providing essential insights for decisions with long-range implications. Communication channels open midweek with individuals previously difficult to reach, creating pathways for productive exchanges. Learning opportunities arise through unexpected sources who challenge your established thinking patterns. Lucky Numbers: 3, 17, 33
CANCER Emotional intelligence guides professional decisions as the Moon illuminates your career sector, bringing clarity to workplace dynamics requiring sensitivity. Home-related matters show positive developments after period of reorganization efforts. Financial planning benefits from intuitive insights midweek, particularly regarding security needs for family members. Nurturing leadership style creates loyalty among team members navigating uncertain circumstances. Lucky Numbers: 4, 20, 42
LEO Leadership opportunities expand as the Sun empowers your vision sector, bringing recognition for your ability to inspire collective action. Creative projects gain momentum, attracting attention from influential supporters who appreciate your authentic expression. Relationship dynamics deepen midweek through heart-centered conversations that clarify shared aspirations. Lucky Numbers: 1, 19, 37
VIRGO Analytical breakthroughs occur as Mercury enhances your problem-solving abilities, bringing elegant solutions to complex situations requiring detailed attention. Health routines benefit from minor adjustments that significantly improve efficiency and effectiveness. Documentation projects reach completion midweek, demonstrating your exceptional organizational capabilities. Lucky Numbers: 5, 21, 32
LIBRA Relationship harmony deepens as Venus graces your partnership sector, bringing meaningful exchanges with important connections both personal and professional. Negotiation skills shine in situations requiring diplomatic navigation of competing interests. Aesthetic decisions reach satisfying conclusions midweek, particularly those involving shared spaces or collaborative projects. Lucky Numbers: 2, 16, 29
SCORPIO Transformative insights reveal hidden opportunities as Pluto enhances your investigative abilities, bringing clarity to complex situations involving shared resources. Your perception cuts through surface appearances to identify core motivations in challenging dynamics. Joint financial matters reach important resolution midweek through honest conversations that address underlying concerns. Lucky Numbers: 9, 24, 45
SAGITTARIUS Expansive possibilities emerge as Jupiter amplifies your creative expression, bringing opportunities for growth through educational pursuits or publication efforts. Your optimistic perspective attracts support for ventures with international connections or philosophical foundations. Legal matters show favorable developments midweek, particularly those involving intellectual property or educational credentials. Travel plans crystallize with exciting potential for cultural exchanges. Lucky Numbers: 7, 25, 43
CAPRICORN Professional advancement accelerates as Saturn rewards your disciplined efforts, bringing recognition from authority figures appreciating your reliability. Long-term projects reach significant milestones midweek, validating your strategic planning and persistence through challenging phases. Resource management skills prove especially valuable during organizational transitions. Lucky Numbers: 10, 22, 38
AQUARIUS Innovative concepts gain traction as Uranus activates your communication sector, bringing unexpected opportunities to share your forward-thinking perspectives. Technological solutions you've developed demonstrate their value during situations requiring adaptive responses. Friendship networks expand midweek through unusual circumstances that connect you with like-minded visionaries. Lucky Numbers: 11, 23, 41
PISCES Intuitive guidance illuminates decision points as Neptune enhances your spiritual awareness, bringing clarity to situations requiring both compassion and discernment. Creative inspiration flows naturally, especially in artistic endeavors involving emotional expression or visual imagery. Financial intuition proves surprisingly accurate midweek when you trust subtle impressions about timing. Lucky Numbers: 12, 30, 39
Saniyah King’s Desire for a MEAC Title is Rooted in Passion and Purpose
By Joshua Heron WI Contributing Writer
During a preseason meeting in early September 2024, Saniyah King entered Ty Grace’s office in Burr Gymnasium to discuss her goals for the season. The Howard University freshman guard told her coach she wanted to be a starter, win rookie of the year and the conference championship.
“Most freshmen don’t know what they want, and she already had her mind made up about how she wanted this year to look for her, and I respect that because most people are unsure,” Grace said. “She didn’t know what her role was going to be, but she knew she
wanted to have a role.”
With the starting point guard earning the 2025 Mid-Eastern Rookie of the Year Award Tuesday, only one goal remained unachieved. King begins her quest for the MEAC title Wednesday when the Lady Bison face Delaware State University in a first-round matchup at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
Howard has appeared in the past four MEAC title games, losing the previous two to Norfolk State. King, who averaged 12 points and a MEAC-leading 4.7 assists during the regular season, believes she’s the missing piece the Bison needs to reclaim the MEAC title.
“I think this year is different because they have me,” King told The Washing-
ton Informer. “A majority of my team are seniors, so them having that pain of losing the last few years and really wanting it bad and then me coming in new, I’m not used to losing or going to the championship game and it not going our way every time.”
However, she’s confident she and her teammates have what it takes to be victorious.
“But the passion and work ethic I bring despite never feeling that [pain of
losing] and plain out never wanting to know what it feels like to lose,”
King continued, “mixed with their grit and desire to win so badly, is going to pull it out this year for us.”
Guard Destiny Howell led Howard to the MEAC championship game all four of her undergraduate years, hoisting the conference title in 2022.
Howell knows the pain of losing, having come up short three of the past four years. However, what King’s presence on the court provides reminds Howell of the 2022 championship-winning team.
“Her fast pace and joy in which she plays basketball,” Howell continued, ”she can affect the game in different ways. Her energy is felt on the court, and it brings a certain momentum to the way we want to play. Aside from her passing ability, she can also go get a bucket. I think she does a good job balancing the two.”
King reminded herself during inefficient shooting performances that there were multiple ways to contribute to a game. She said she matured this season in encouraging herself and refusing to settle during rough games. Because of her mental growth, she called her first year a great learning experience.
For King, growth doesn’t occur without her coach. The 18-year-old said Grace taught her how to carry herself as a young woman.
The coach celebrated King for embracing the starting point guard position as a freshman.
“It’s hard, especially being put into a starting position as a point guard; it’s not a common thing. I’ve never really seen her get nervous. She plays with a lot of confidence,” Grace explained. “She has maintained confidence throughout the whole year. If she ever has a bad game, it’s not because of that.”
Grace said she pushes King because she believes her potential is limitless. She said King is the first in the gym and the last out, doing extra workouts of her own volition.
“Being great is hard. People think being great is easy because they see what comes after work,” the coach told The Informer. “They think, ‘Oh, she got 12 MEAC Rookie of the Week awards; it’s just easy for her.’ No, it’s not easy. She puts in the work with her inner self, basketball talents and her school work.”
WORKING TO INSPIRE
King isn’t only focused on her greatness. Eleven of King’s relatives attended Howard before her. However, she is the first student-athlete of the bunch and said it would be special to add to her family’s legacy at the Mecca with a championship, calling it “icing on the cake.”
She also said she wants to give her four younger brothers an example of what strong faith and work ethic can produce by winning the MEAC.
The student-athlete used her Christian faith as a vehicle for encouragement to her teammates throughout the season by sharing the spiritual lessons she learned through the Bible and different books.
After a few of her teammates revealed their trials, a group consisting of the freshman star, guard Tyanna Walker, and forwards Amirah Allen, Sa’lah Hemingway, and Zennia Thomas decided to gather before games. The six read a devotional, shared encouragement, and closed their time with prayer. King said they plan to do the same routine before Wednesday’s matchup. WI
Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
3Howard University guard Saniyah King was named the 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year on Tuesday after averaging 12 points and 4.7 assists per game during the regular season.
(Courtesy Photo/ Howard University Athletics)
CAPTURE the moment
To commemorate Women’s History Month, the Second Annual Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Women’s Conference was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Northwest, D.C., through March 4-6. During the two-day event, participants enjoyed interactive workshops, panel discussions and motivational speakers such as First Lady of Orange County Val Demings. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
RELIGION
4Maryland Democratic leaders U.S. Reps. Johnny Olszeski and Steny Hoyer, U.S. Sen Angela Alsobrooks, and U.S. Rep. Sarah Elfreth on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7 for the 60th anniversary commemoration of Bloody Sunday. (Courtesy Photo)
leader, later turned congressman, if he could swim.
His answer was “no.”
member of the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee,” Thompson told The Informer. “We want to make the Jubilee better because too many of our leaders have shed blood and given their lives to get this struggle for equality.”
BRAVERY DESPITE BRUTALITY,
HONORING ACTIVISTS’ WORK AND LEGACIES
It was early Sunday morning on March 7, 1965, when a then 25-yearold John Lewis led about 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. When they got to the highest point over the Alabama River, the Rev. Hosea Williams asked the civil rights
“We came to the highest point of the bridge and down below we saw a sea of Alabama State troopers,” Lewis said in an August 2013 interview with the CBS show “Face the Nation.” “I was prepared to go to jail. I feel blessed that I didn’t die on this bridge. I thought I was going to die.”
Lewis, leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Williams of the South-
ern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) led the march across the bridge. However, once police attacked, he suffered a cracked skull, and men, women and children were beaten and bitten by police dogs.
With marches in Selma, Montgomery and other cities, August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson (D) signed the Voting Rights Act into law.
Despite the gains in civil and voting rights, activists today are still fighting against voter suppression, racism, discrimination, disparities and inequities facing African Americans and marginalized communities.
Since Bloody Sunday, Turnaround Tuesday and the victorious crossing into Alabama on March 24, thousands have marched across this bridge in a town that as Jackson noted, is still “stuck between yesterday and tomorrow.”
However this year, political, faith and civil rights leaders gathered to commemorate the 60th anniversary and offer a call to action in the continued fight for justice.
Last week U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D) of Alabama reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act that would prevent, “modern-day voter suppression and ensure every American has equal access to the ballot box,” named in honor of the late congressman who died in July 2020.
United States Sen. Angela Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fl.) joined Sewell during a press conference in Selma on March 7, the actual date of the 60th anniversary.
“I’m honored every year to be a part of faith and politics pilgrimage,” Sewell said, during a press conference. “It is not just a Republican or Demo-
crat. It’s America’s history that we actually are observing.”
Alsobrooks, on her first trip to Selma since being sworn in as senator, said that she is a beneficiary of a generation of courageous people who marched, and were even beaten and killed, fighting for equality.
“I’m reminded not only of their courage and their foresight, but I am deeply grateful that I am here as a result of their efforts,” she said during a press conference in Selma.
She shared her own family history in the fight for freedom.
“I am here as the result of the efforts of my great-grandmother, who I think about today, who on July 4, 1956, following the murder of her husband in Seneca, South Carolina, had to make a difficult decision.The family was told that if they didn’t leave, they’d kill the whole family,” Alsobrooks explained.
“Within a week’s time, she brought our family to a place called Prince George’s County, Maryland.”
She told The Informer being in Selma “alongside civil rights leaders who have carried the torch for 60 years” was “a humbling experience.”
“We heard the stories from the foot soldiers,” Alsobrooks said, “as well as those whose voting rights have never been abridged but fought for others, like Congressman Steny Hoyer (DMd.).”
While in Selma, Alsobrooks said she talked to lawmakers on both sides of the aisle like Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) about moving forward to work toward equity for all Americans.
“This was inspiring and I plan to come back here next year,” Alsobrooks said.
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SELMA from Page 34
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
How much of your brain's full potential do you use? Most of us don't really know the answer to this question. In this column, allow me to share research discovered by Napoleon Hill, author of "Think and Grow Rich." In his book, he teaches that maximizing your brain power means thinking through your problems instead of emotionally reacting. Do you have right thinking, pure thinking, is it admirable, is it about excellence, and are you eager to give praise?
Our brain is connected to every part of our body. When someone has brain damage they become known as living in a vegetative state. They can't walk, they can't talk, they can't eat, food dribbles down their face, all because the use of their brain is not functioning at its fullest capacity, it is damaged.
Our brain is the sending and receiving station for our bodies. It
WITH LYNDIA GRANT
How Much Do You Know About Your Brain? the religion corner
is how we do everything we do. We walk, talk, run, swim, dance, and we think only because our brain tells us to do so. The Bible speaks of how the people perish for the lack of knowledge. God created every man, woman and child with a brain, and no man can create a brain like the one that comes in human beings; it is formed during the time we are in the wombs of our mothers.
An example Hill uses in this chapter, he says, "Just how little we use our brain would be a comparison to: some giving you a pile of money and it equals a million dollars, and you could have as much as you wanted but you only take a penny." Hill declares that is the best example he can think of to show us how little we use this powerful ability to think, our brain.
The brain of a human being works like a TV antenna, receiving all messages that are conveyed to it! It also acts like a transmitter, transmitting messages incessantly as they are invoked! Truly acting like a relay station, the human brain is the finest creation of God Almighty! It is only through human form that our soul and spirit within finally gains liberation!
Where do we go when we daydream? Normally, 99% of the human brain is unused, inactive. If we figure out how to use more of our brain, we would shock ourselves. It is a spiritual matter and requires meditation, purposeful thinking and quietness!
Albert Einstein, a man who was considered a genius, you know, he was a famous physicist who used his brain 4%, and we only utilize 1%, wow! We can all do more active thinking! And he was considered a genius by only using 4% of his brain. Amazing!
Combine all of the success principles I've been writing about, beginning with your burning desire,
faith, positive affirmations, power of decisions, using your imagination — are you getting the picture? Each principle has to do with your brain; it is about how you think, what you choose to think about!
Should you choose to define your success in Christian terms, and choose to live by the principles set forth in His Word, the Holy Bible, living your life according to Matthew 22:36, you will be successful — it reads: "... Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
"This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
When Jesus had gone 40 days in the desert fasting and praying, he was hungry and at a weak point. One translation says, "He was faint with hunger." The Devil, the tempter came to him at that time.
How did Jesus handle this moment? He brought God into it. He quoted the Bible, God's word. Each time the Devil tried to trap Jesus, Jesus would respond, "It iswritten!"
Many people are also robbed of blessings that the Bible tells us are ours in Christ Jesus. But because of our lack of knowledge, improper thinking and negative lifestyles, we never truly live in them.
God created you with a powerful sending and receiving station, your brain — pick up some more of your pennies from that huge pile of money, by utilizing more of your brain power! It does take practice. They say "practice makes perfect!" WI
Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 Fax : 202-338-4958
Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org
All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant
401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331
Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331
Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000102
Bernice H. Little Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Beverly B. Allen, whose address is 3905 Burns Ct., SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bernice H. Little who died on December 22, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication:
2/27/2025
Beverly B. Allen
Personal Representative
of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
2025 NRT 000003
Gennady Doiban aka Henry Doiban
Name of Deceased Settlor
NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST
Gennady Doiban aka Henry Doiban whose address was 6060 Star Grass Ln, Naples, FL 34116 created a revocable trust on 9/10/2024, which remained in existence on the date of his/her death on May 3, 1983, and Gennady Doiban, whose address is 6060 Star Grass Ln, Naples, FL 34116, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to C/O Gennady Doiban TTEE at 6060 Star Grass Ln, Naples FL 34116.
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 8/27/2025 (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) 9/10/2025, (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2) 8/27/2025 (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: 2/27/2025
Gennady Doiban Signature of Trustee
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000108
Catherine Butler Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Darlene Butler, whose address is 512 Ingaham Street, NE, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Catherine Butler who died on February 17, 2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Darlene Butler
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000114
Joan B. Nelson Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Rayneshia Bivens, whose address is 2150 Commissary Cir., Odenton MD 21113, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joan B. Nelson who died on January 17th, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Rayneshia Bivens
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000113
Charles H.G. White II aka Charles Henry Clay White, II Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Pamela Ann White, whose address is 1332 Quincy St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles H.G. White II aka Charles Henry Clay White, II who died on 5/20/2020 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 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Pamela Ann White
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 000104
Kathleen Simpkins Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Evonne Powell, whose address is 1420 18th Place SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kathleen Simpkins who died on 9/5/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Evonne Powell Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000110
Diane Elaine Baxter Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Lamont S. Baxter, whose address is 1805 Tulip Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Diane Elaine Baxter who died on January 7, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Lamont S. Baxter Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Sandra Southerland, whose address is 219 Blackberry Drive, Fort Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Malissia Southerland who died on October 6, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Sandra Southerland Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 000132
Dorothy L. Waters Decedent
Brian L. Kass, Personal Representative 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434 Washington, DC 20008
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Brian L. Kass, whose address is 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy L. Waters who died on March 25, 2019 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 115
Phebe Ann Marr
Decedent
Laurie Pyne O’Reilly, Esq. 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434 Washington, DC 20008 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Louay Bahry, whose address is 3637 Upton Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Phebe Ann Marr who died on December 26, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Louay Bahry
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000111
Rhonda Allard Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Jonathan Allard, whose address is 4433 South Dakota Ave., Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rhonda Allard who died on 1/25/2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication:
2/27/2025
Jonathan Allard Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2022 ADM 311
Delenia A. Johnson aka Delenia Ana Johnson aka Delenia Johnson aka Delenia Ana Gilkes Johnson Decedent
Jennifer Ann Johnson Green, Pro Se 216 SW 19th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Jennifer Ann Johnson Green, whose address is 10163 Sweet Bay Manor, Parkland, FL 33076, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Delenia A. Johnson aka Delenia Ana Johnson aka Delenia Johnson aka Delenia Ana Gilkes Johnson who died on 1/16/2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/6/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/6/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/6/2025
Jennifer Ann Johnson Green Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000089
Robert Allen DuPree Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Letitia DuPree, whose address is 150 Post Office Rd., No. 1861, Waldorf, Md 20602, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert Allen DuPree who died on September 2, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/27/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/27/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 2/27/2025
Letitia DuPree
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000119
Eva M. Lauter-Pigott Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Christopher C. Hillerich, whose address is 20 Pine Robin Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Eva M. Lauter-Pigott who died on January 4, 2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding.
Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/6/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/6/2025, or be forever barred.
Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/6/2025
Christopher C. Hillerich Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 FEP 11
August 31, 1952
Date of Death
Wardsworth Thomas Soders
Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
James Ray Soders whose address is 3922 Panorama Drive, Missouri City, TX 77459 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Wardsworth Thomas Soders, deceased, by the County Court for Falls County, State of Texas, on July 6, 2023.
Service of process may be made upon Thomas S. Paquin, 347 L Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 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: Lots 0010 and 0011 in Square 5218-N (55th Street NE, Washington, DC 20019). 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: 2/27/2025
James Ray Soders
Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000118
Harleen D. Matthews Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Sonia Adams, whose address is 1409 18th Place SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Harleen D. Matthews who died on 1/7/2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/6/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/6/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/6/2025
Sonia Adams Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2023 ADM 001309
Dalaneo M. Martin Decedent
Edward G. Varrone, Esq. 1825 K. Street, NW, Suite 1150 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Tyrell D. Jones, whose address is 22110 Shortfin Mako Court, Katy, TX 77449, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dalaneo M. Martin who died on March 18, 2023 without a Will and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 8/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/6/2025
Tyrell D. Jones Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 001413
Kenneth Louis Price Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Gabrielle King, whose address is 225 I Street NE, #609, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Kenneth Louis Price who died on October 16, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/6/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/6/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/9/2025
Gabrielle King Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 FEP 000013
12/17/2019 Date of Death
Brian Taves aka Brian M. Taves aka Brian P. Taves Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Pachara Yongvongpaibul whose address is 1311 Delaware Avenue SW, Apt S-729, Washington, DC 20024 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Brian Taves aka Brian M. Taves aka Brian P. Taves, deceased, by the Superior Court for Los Angeles County, State of California, on July 10, 2023. Service of process may be made upon Pachara Yongvongpaibul, 1311 Delaware Avenue, SW, Apt. S-729, Washington, DC 20024 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: 1311 Delaware Avenue SW, Apt. S-729, Washington, DC 20024. 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: 3/6/2025
Pachara Yongvongpaibul
Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2023 ADM 001345
Nannie Lawrence Decedent
Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nannie L. Lawrence who died on May 30, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 9/6/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/6/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/6/2025
Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 FEP 000015
November 18, 2024
Date of Death
Patricia Ann Cheeks-Beard Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Leon Beard whose address is 9604 Atom Road, Clinton, MD 20735 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Patricia Ann Cheeks-Beard, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on February 14, 2025.
Service of process may be made upon Julius P. Terrell, 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004 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:
2123 Young Street #203, SE, Washington, DC 20020. 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: 3/6/2025
Leon Beard Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 000859
Sylvia C. Cephas aka Sylvia Colleen Cephas Decedent
Murray D. Scheel
DC Bar Pro Bono Ctr 901 4th Street NW Washington, DC 20001
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Wayne P. Cephas, whose address is 2901 Toles Park Dr., #616, Suitland MD 20746, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Sylvia C. Cephas aka Sylvia Colleen Cephas who died on 5/24/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Wayne P. Cephas
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 000393
Shana Lashawn Bynum Decedent
Nakia Gray
800 Maine Ave. SW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20020 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Cassandra Yarborough, whose address is 7700 Arehart Drive, #1211 New Carrollton, MD 20784, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shana Lashawn Bynum who died on May 20, 2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Cassandra Yarborough Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 001029
David Hicks III Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Ronald R. Hicks, whose address is 2842 Robinson Place, SE Washington DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of David Hicks III who died on May 31, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Ronald R. Hicks Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 000724
Ernest Postell Sr. Decedent
Stephen B. Pershing, Esq. Pershing Law PLLC 1416 E Street, NE Washington, DC 20002
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Pamela Metts, whose address is 2336 14th Street NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ernest Postell Sr. who died on 2/11/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Pamela Metts
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000151
Katherine P. Dominick aka Katherine Patricia Dominick
Decedent
Law Office of Deborah D. Boddie
ProbateLawDC
1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Dannetta R. Dominick, whose address is 4906 Gully Court, Oxon Hill, MD 20745, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Katherine P. Dominick aka Katherine Patricia Dominick who died on 12/4/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Dannetta R. Dominick
4906 Gully Court
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 125
Bertha M. Wade aka Bertha Mae Wade Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Torree Wade and Trinita Mason, whose addresses are 13211 Suntum Court, Accokeek, MD 20607 and 3433 Memphis Lane, Bowie, MD 20715, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Bertha M. Wade aka Bertha Mae Wade who died on 1/1/2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred.
Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Torree Wade Trinita Mason
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000150
Josephine Gilmore Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Marie Gibson, whose address is 1226 Meigs Place, Apt. 1 NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Josephine Gilmore who died on December 3, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Marie Gibson Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000143
Dorothy K. Corpening Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Joseph P. Crisp, Jr., whose address is 15220 Sandpiper Place, Waldorf, MD 20601, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy K. Corpening who died on February 3, 2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Joseph P. Crisp, Jr. Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Elizabeth Dockery, whose address is 223 54th Street NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Daquan Malik Dockery who died on 3/25/2022 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Elizabeth Dockery Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 001308
Dorothy I. Manning Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Gail I. Dunlap, whose address is 379 Applesby Lane, Aberdeen, MD 21001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy I. Manning who died on September 11, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Gail I. Dunlap Personal Representative
TRUE TEST
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PROBATE DIVISION
Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 FEP 000018
January 12, 2021 Date of Death
Norman James Houston Name of Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Brendan Toner whose address is Apt 8 Pipers Field 16b Comber Road Belfast BT16 2AB Northern Ireland was appointed personal representative of the estate of Norman James Houston, deceased, by the High Court of Justice Chancery Division Court for Northern Ireland County, State of XXX, on June 28, 2022. Service of process may be made upon Gerard F. Fiala 1737 Willard Street NW Apt 4, Washington, DC 20009 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.
The decedent owned District of Columbia personal property. 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: 3/13/2025
Brendan Toner Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
ELECTION
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2024 ADM 001392
David Edward Claybrooks Jr Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Charlene Denise Claybrooks, whose address is 1853 Tobias Dr, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of David Edward Claybrooks Jr who died on 4/30/2019 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 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Charlene Denise Claybrooks Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 000137
Benjamin Scott Custer, Jr. Decedent
Lindsey M. Avedisian 5425 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 600 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Adrian Vance Custer, whose address is Joaquin Requena 990, Apt. 301, Montevideo, Uruguay, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Benjamin Scott Custer, Jr. who died on 1/21/2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Adrian Vance Custer Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 134
Willetta Barnes Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Vikki Mitchell, whose address is 3426 Dix Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Willetta Barnes who died on October 20, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Vikki Mitchell
Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2025 ADM 000162
Beatrice Mason aka Beatrice E. Mason
Decedent
Mahsa Alaeian
Legal Counsel for the Elderly 601 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20049
Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Leon Mason, whose address is 455 Lebaum St., SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Beatrice Mason aka Beatrice E. Mason who died on September 5, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/13/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 9/13/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.
Date of first publication: 3/13/2025
Leon Mason Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
from Page 1
on July 15. Even so, some of the Ward 8 special election candidates, including Dion Jordan, remain determined to prove that constituents east of the Anacostia River, first and foremost, shouldn’t be quick to dismiss those who aren’t part of what he calls D.C.’s political elite.
“In these relationships, [there’s] a lot of cronyism and nepotism,” Jordan told The Informer in criticism of fellow candidates touting their years of council experience and long standing relationships with current D.C. council members. “People play on the residents of Ward 8 with that. Residents are fed up with the shenanigans.”
Jordan, a decades-long Ward 8 resident and federal government retiree, took aim at Salim Adofo, a favorite in the Ward 8 D.C. Council special election who is currently under investigation by the Office of D.C. Auditor (ODCA) for his ANC expenditures.
“Ward 8 is tired of being robbed,” Jordan said. “Tired of the back door dealing that people do in Ward 8 when running for political office. These people can’t be trusted.”
As previously reported, ODCA will soon reveal the findings of an audit triggered by ANC 8C colleagues and constituents who’ve accused Adofo of spending ANC funds on campaign materials during his 2024 run against then-Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember White.
Since jumping into the race, Jordan, who once served as a commissioner of Single-Member District 8C02 and chairman in ANC 8C, has drawn contrasts between himself and Adofo, who he accuses of violating the public trust in a manner similar to what former Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember White had allegedly done.
“Those monies were spent with a company that does things with political campaigns,” Jordan said. “At that point, [Salim] Adofo was already elected [as an advisory neighborhood commissioner]. No need to spend that money on those political campaign products. The situation raised some eyebrows and [the residents of] ANC 8C are upset about that.”
On Feb. 18, Jordan picked up petitions from D.C. Board of Elections, placing him in a group of special election candidates that now includes Adofo, as well as former council and congressional staffer Sheila Bunn, attorney and former council staffer Mike Austin and Ward 8 business Darrell Gaston.
As the petition filing deadline of April 17 quickly approaches, Jordan, like the 16 other prospective candidates
who’ve thrown their hat in the ring over the course of the last month, are making their way across Ward 8 to collect at least 500 valid voter signatures.
Adofo, who came closest to becoming the next Ward 8 council member last summer, officially launched his special election campaign on March 1 during an event at We Act Radio in Southeast that attracted dozens of supporters. A week prior to that, Bunn and Austin also announced their council run, eliciting some online support among Ward 8 politicos, including Ward 8 Democrats Second Vice President Stuart Anderson, who recently endorsed the former Ward 7 and congressional staffer.
Meanwhile, constituents continue to learn of other candidates vying for the Ward 8 D.C. Council seat: one-time general election candidate Khadijah Clark; yoga practitioner and grassroots organizer Charnal Chaney; Talbert Street condominium owner Kara Johnson; and Jennifer Galenica Muhammad, a domestic violence survivor and homeless advocate.
The winner of the Ward 8 D.C. Council special election will represent a majority-Black, majority-impoverished electorate living in a part of the District that’s becoming increasingly diverse and ripe with development. Once in office, they will spend the rest of former Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember White’s term determining how much attention Ward 8 receives in the realm of agency oversight, and during budget deliberations.
While he didn’t reveal his campaign strategy, Jordan alluded to experience as Ward 8’s get-out-the-vote coordinator for former D.C. Mayors Sharon Pratt (then Kelly), Marion Barry and Anthony Williams. He said working with their mayoral races prepared him to engage voters, and eventually government agencies and other council members.
If elected, Jordan told The Informer that he’ll execute a grassroots mobilization strategy inspired by techniques he developed and wielded while a commissioner in Advisory Neighborhood Commission 8C, which includes Congress Heights.
As Jordan recounted, he spent much of the Obama presidency as an advisory neighborhood commissioner, representing constituents as he weighed in on the inclusion of townhomes, affordable housing and amenities on St. Elizabeths East Campus. He said his input laid the foundation for what patrons from all over Ward 8, and D.C. for that matter, enjoy when they converge on St. Elizabeths East Campus. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
BUDGET SEASON from Page 1
istrators who helped her throughout her 13-year career. Minutes later, while speaking to The Informer, Horton called her colleagues a critical part of her professional growth.
“I learned from really, really skilled educators how to organize, how to run an efficient classroom, how to support students and differentiate for their needs, [and] how to close the gap for students,” said Horton, who’s in her first full year as an assistant principal.
In 2012, Horton, a two-time alumna of Howard University in Northwest, D.C., started working at Noyes Elementary in Northeast, where she honed her craft while juggling responsibilities as a wife and mother. Over time, she garnered a reputation as a kindergarten math and science teacher well versed in developing and implementing effective instructional strategies, analyzing data, and coordinating students’ academic support.
Other feats of Horton include her service as a math coach, as well as her development of Noyes Elementary’s Comprehensive School Plan, facilitation of professional development meetings, and two years of service as president of Noyes Elementary’s Parent-Teacher Organization, during which she’s been able to organize community events and develop parent wellness sessions.
Such experiences, Horton said, have prepared her for the next level of leadership, which now includes membership in a national club of 3,000 highly skilled and knowledgeable educators.
“I really have grown up here as an adult and I feel like I’m a reflection of all of the people here who worked here, who have taken the time to mentor me and to walk me through leadership when I was very reluctant,” she told The Informer.
THE STRUGGLE TO PRESERVE LOCAL EDUCATION FUNDING
As D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and the D.C. Council prepare to mold a budget marred by dismal revenue estimates, Horton counts among those stressing the need for continuous investment in programs and initiatives that foster a love for math in D.C.’s youngest learners.
“They just get to have a financial literacy curriculum [to ensure] that we [hit] the ground running to teach our students how to plan and be able to protect and grow their money as they grow,” she said. “It’s going to be really
important in starting conversations… that I certainly didn’t have when I was in kindergarten.”
In recent weeks, Bowser has expressed a desire to continue pouring into public education, government operations and capital investments. She said just as much during a March 1 budget forum at Kennedy Recreation Center in Northwest, where she touted the post-pandemic successes of the District’s public school system, particularly those involving some of D.C.’s youngest students.
“D.C. Public Schools are the fastest improving urban school district in the nation,” Bowser said. “Our fourth graders outpaced fourth graders around the nation last year— all the fourth graders. And it didn’t happen by accident. It happened because you allow us to invest in strategies that work.”
It remains to be seen the degree to which education officials will be able to continue making these investments while honoring teacher salary increases and the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with Washington Teachers’ Union. In recent days, D.C.’s economic woes have intensified with a House committee’s introduction of a measure cutting more than $1 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 allocations, and as D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson emphasized on Monday, another $1 billion during Fiscal Year 2026.
During the latter part of February, community members and advocates who attended Bowser’s budget forums shaped an imaginary financial document with 10% less money than what had been allocated during last year’s budget forum, which Bowser would later acknowledge as an allusion to the dismal revenue projections the Office of the Chief Financial Officer released earlier in the month.
Jessica Giles, an education advocate who participated in this activity on March 1 with a group she described as Education Reform Champions, said the scenario they worked through hints at similarly tough decisions that District education officials are making.
Despite a projected budget shortfall of at least $300 million during Fiscal Year 2026, Giles continues to advocate for investments in literacy and math instruction, expansion of college and career pathways, delivery of student behavioral health support, the 3.1% increase in charter school facilities allotment, and what she called a level of funding paving the way for pay parity across the public school and public charter school sectors. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.
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EDELMAN from Page 28
because of his color or race, his religion or the place of his birth — is not only to do injustice, it is to deny America and to dishonor the dead who gave their lives for American freedom.” He said on the “issue of equal rights,” “should we defeat every enemy, should we double our wealth and conquer the stars, and still be unequal to this issue, then we will have failed as a people and as a nation.” The address is a profound contrast to the message of today’s president.
As King spoke to the crowd at the end of the exhilarating Selma to Montgomery March, like President Johnson, he reminded us that the work was not yet done. King said: “Let us therefore continue our triumphant march to the realiza-
MORIAL from Page 28
trooper wielding a billy club above her, another with a fellow marcher trying to lift her off the ground — were splashed across the front pages of newspapers and magazine covers not just in the United States but around the world.
On March 9, President Lyndon Johnson released a statement “deploring the brutality with which a number of Negro citizens of Alabama were treated when they sought to dramatize their deep and sincere interest in attaining the precious right to vote.”
On March 15, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was introduced in the U.S. Senate, jointly sponsored by Majority Leader Mike Mansfield, a Democrat, and Minority Lead-
MALVEAUX from Page 28
flationary. Whoever buys the car at $37,500 will normally mark it up, and they might absorb some of the costs or pass them all along to the consumer. Inflationary. The price hikes may drive consumers to lower-priced cars that are manufactured here, but manufacturing is international. Auto parts come from everywhere. Our markets are international, something the current president seems to have forgotten.
I’m talking cars, but what about produce? Fruit like strawberries, blueberries and avocados are imported from Mexico. Energy products are imported from Can-
tion of the American dream. Let us march on segregated housing until every ghetto or social and economic depression dissolves, and Negroes and whites live side by side in decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Let us march on segregated schools until every vestige of segregated and inferior education becomes a thing of the past … Let us march on poverty until no American parent has to skip a meal so that their children may eat. … Let us march on ballot boxes until we send to our city councils, state legislatures, and the United States Congress men who will not fear to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with thy God.”
Sixty years later, instead of making sure no child’s hopes will be denied in America because of color, race, religion or place of birth, the
er Everett Dirksen, a Republican.
President Johnson signed it on Aug. 6, with Lewis, King, Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders standing alongside him.
For decades, the Voting Rights Act enjoyed the full support of both parties. But around the moment Black voting rates started to reach parity with white rates, the Supreme Court in 2013 gutted the act by removing a provision that voting changes in states with a history of suppression must be approved by the Justice Department. Subsequent Supreme Court decisions have further weakened the act, and states have rushed to enact racially motivated restrictions on voting.
This week, Rep. Terri Sewell — whose district includes Selma —
ada. While this will hit consumers hard, the 47th president doesn’t seem to care. This is an inflationary tax increase, short and simple. The consumers who will pay are those on the bottom. A 10 or 15 cent increase on a pint of strawberries won’t hurt the oligarchs, but it will hurt those at the bottom who are stretching their pennies. And with government layoffs looming, many of those at the bottom, not the administrators and leaders, but the clerical workers and janitors, are the ones most affected.
The tariff wars will have a negative effect on the U.S. economy, courtesy of the president who said he would bring prices down. Sen-
same categories and more are being used in new ways to try to erase and exclude. Racial inequities in education, housing and other measures still loom large, but face new prohibitions on attempts to acknowledge them, study them or correct them. Voting rights remain under attack, and voting rights protections, including those created in the 1965 Voting Rights Act, have continued to be weakened. And we remain in desperate need of more leaders who will not fear to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with their God. But the courage that propelled the Selma marchers forward in the face of brutal systemic resistance must keep pushing all Americans closer to the day our nation finally realizes President Johnson’s American promise and King’s American dream. WI
reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Among other provisions, the legislation would require federal review of specific voting practices known to be used to discriminate against voters of color and restore voters’ ability to challenge racial discrimination in court.
When urging Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act in 1965, President Johnson said, “Rarely, at any time, does an issue lay bare the secret heart of America itself. Rarely are we met with a challenge, not to our growth or abundance, our welfare or security, but to the values and the purpose and meaning of our nation.”
Sixty years later, we face that challenge once again.
WI
ate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) says he doesn’t mind paying more if the “temporary” tariffs are a means to an end. But what is the end? The destruction of our nation as we know it? The yielding of world leadership to Russia, China or BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa)? The United States taking second fiddle to the European Union?
With our country playing the isolation game, those at the bottom are most acutely hurt — by tariffs, by layoffs and, at the end of the day, by a despot whose narcissistic tendencies oppress people all over the world.
WI
AIRLINE CAREERS
WILLIAMS from Page 29
He claims his friend “Vladimir,” as he admiringly calls him, wants to end the war while continuing to bomb Ukraine. If they’re such good friends, why won’t he ask him to end the war he started? If we’re such good people, why aren’t we doing all we can to help, not hurt others? WI
CHAVIS from Page 29
an opportunity to help curb this rising demand. Currently, there is a proposed rule at the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) that would provide coverage for FDA-approved weight loss drugs, thereby significantly increasing access to these innovative medicines.
JEALOUS from Page 29 consumers.”
Appalachian Power, one of West Virginia’s main energy providers, has increased monthly residential prices by at least 30% since 2013. That is 30 times more than the relative 1% increase in average residential electricity prices across the country over the same time period. The Center for Economic and Policy Research says that is because “West Virginia’s energy providers rely heavily on inefficient coal plants.”
Instead of clinging to coal, West Virginia needs to stand up for its ratepayers — as well as West Virginians’ health and jobs — like other major coal states have done. West Virginia is the country’s second largest producer of coal. Pennsylvania is third and Illinois is fourth.
As of 2023, Pennsylvania had roughly 4,800 people working in
If they're such good friends, why won't he ask him to end the war he started? If we're such good people, why aren't we doing all we can to help, not hurt others?
Unlike other chronic diseases, obesity treatments have been excluded from Medicare coverage. The result has been limited access to authentic medicines, creating a high demand for knockoff versions. While law enforcement must do its part to rein in bad actors, the new administration can help by finalizing the CMS proposed rule.
the coal mining industry and more than 96,000 employed in clean energy jobs. In the same year, the Illinois coal industry employed a hair over 2,300 people and had nearly 129,000 clean energy jobs. Progress is happening in West Virginia too, where even the state’s dogged devotion to coal could not keep the benefits of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act from reaching the state. At least 5,768 clean energy jobs have been added just since passage of the IRA in 2022. And while as of 2023 there were still 14,000 coal mining jobs in West Virginia, you could still hear the sound of coal’s death knell when you realize that figure is down from more than 21,000 coal jobs in 2010.
More numbers from 2023: coal accounted for just 5.4% of Pennsylvania’s utility-scale electricity generation that year and 15.3% of Illinois’, whereas West Virginia’s was a whopping 85.6% — the
Providing greater access to safe and effective medicines would go a long way to put illicit suppliers on notice and out of business. No one should be exposed to the risks that come with untested, unregulated injectable medicines, and we are confident President Trump will make the right decisions to protect American public health. WI
highest in the nation. This is in part due to a 2021 directive issued by the West Virginia Public Service Commission that requires coal plants in the state to operate at a minimum capacity factor of 69% — a mindbogglingly backward policy that illustrates West Virginia’s addiction to kowtowing to the coal industry and carries a steep cost for West Virginia households.
Since 2010, 389 coal-fired power plants have been retired or had their retirements announced. Internal Sierra Club analysis based on the Clean Air Task Force’s “Toll from Coal” study shows this reduction in coal burning has prevented nearly 62,000 premature deaths and saved Americans $29 billion in health care costs. If West Virginia wants to show it is serious about protecting its people’s health, pocketbooks and economic opportunity, it needs to get serious about ditching coal. WI
March 20 - April 13, 2025
Immerse yourself in the wonder of springtime in Washington, DC at the National Cherry Blossom Festival, March 20 - April 13.
Make your time in our Nation’s Capital memorable at many free events — there’s something for everyone during the four-week-long celebration.
