The Washington Informer - March 20, 2025 by The Washington Informer

During House Recess, Local Leaders Push Bipartisan Amendment that Preserves FY 2025 Budget

No Contingency Plan in Place — Yet — As Families Fight for Another Day

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

When members of the House return from recess next week, they will have before them a bipartisan amendment out of the Senate that restores $1.1 billion of the District’s local dollars for the current fiscal year.

However, it remains to be seen if House Republicans will ever let the amendment see the light of day.

While D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) alluded to some contingency planning on Monday, she admitted not yet having explored the possibility of school weeks becoming shorter and other reductions in city operations. She opted instead to focus on her administration’s engage-

with congressional colleagues to get the federal employees terminated during their probationary periods reinstated with back pay, and help firefighters obtain unemployment benefits more easily.

Furloughed Federal Government Workers Continue to Seek Employment DOES, Delegate Norton Step In to Help

By Sam P.K. Collins and James Wright WI Staff Writers

Weeks after the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), under the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), furloughed federal contractors, and later provisional and fully onboarded employees, a federal judge has ques-

tioned the constitutionality of a process spearheaded by Elon Musk.

However, furloughed federal government contractor Necilia Jones had already moved on, applying for more than 100 private-sector jobs. The search, she said, has bore some fruit, but not to the degree that she would like.

By Jada Ingleton WI Digital Equity Fellow

In culmination of the annual Black Press Week, Metropolitan A.M.E Church and Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes ignited the powers of alliance and advocacy with the inaugural Black Press Sunday on March 16.

With inspirational speeches from faith, press and educational leaders, and the sanctuary packed with attendees, the church became a space to celebrate the resilience of Black media,

5Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes presents a gift to the Rev. William Lamar IV, pastor of Metropolitan A.M.E. in Northwest, D.C. during the inaugural Black Press Sunday on March 16 . (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Ward 8 resident Vera Abbott has had a rich work history throughout her 91 years of life, having worked with the federal government, nonprofit organizations and side gigs such as selling real estate. While it is safe to say Abbott— who lives in the Bellevue neighborhood in Southwest— lives comfortably, she was delighted when notified about a bump

5 Ward 8 resident Vera Abbott is affected by the new Social Security Fairness Act. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

5DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson speaks on House bill that could cut $1 billion in DC budget outside of the U.S. Capitol.

File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

PG County Spelling Bee! Page 12

3District Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton is working

(Courtesy Photo)

BLACK PRESS SUNDAY

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $55 per year, two years $70. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to:

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Denise Rolark Barnes

STAFF

Micha Green, Managing Editor

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REPORTERS

Stacy Brown, National Reporter

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Brenda Siler, Lifestyle Reporter

Lindiwe Vilakazi, Health Reporter

Ed Hill, Sports Reporter

Jada Ingleton, WI Comcast Fellow, WIN Daily

Newsletter Editor

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INTERNS

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STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER; RICHARD ELLIOTT, WI CONTRIBUTING REPORTER

5With the Trump administration’s policies on immigrants, French politician Raphaël Glucksmann is calling for France to reclaim the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the country nearly 140 years ago. (Courtesy Photo/Facebook, Statue of Liberty National Monument)

European Lawmaker Says Statue of Liberty Belongs in France, Not Trump’s America

The Statue of Liberty once stood as a beacon of hope, a promise that America would welcome those seeking refuge and opportunity. However, with the current Trump administration, a French politician is now calling for the monument’s return, arguing that the United States no longer deserves it.

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” are the words inscribed on the

Statue of Liberty.

However, Raphaël Glucksmann, a member of the European Parliament and co-president of France’s leftwing Public Place party, made headlines with his call to reclaim the statue, a gift from France nearly 140 years ago.

“Give us back the Statue of Liberty. It was our gift to you,” Glucksmann declared, speaking before an applauding crowd. “But apparently, you despise her. So, she will be happy here with us.”

The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was conceived as a symbol of French American friendship and shared democratic values. Designed by French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, the statue was

Second Look Act Advances Through House of Delegates Measure Supported by Most Black Caucus Delegates

The Second Look Act— a bill that would expand release options for Marylanders in prison who have served 20 or more years in confinement for crimes they were convicted for before turning 26— passed the House of Delegates 8949. While there are many arguments in support of the bill, such as brain development, some legislators note this bill advances justice and addresses racial disparities.

“The Second Look Act is a bill in the interest of justice,” said Del. Jheanelle Wilkins (D-District 20), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland in a statement submitted to The Informer. “Black residents are 39% of Maryland’s population but 71% of our prisons.”

Now, the bill will advance to the Maryland Senate for

consideration.

“I look forward to taking this bill up with my Senate colleagues,” said Sen. Charles Sydnor III (D-District 44) in a statement, the Senate’s lead sponsor of the bill. “The bill represents a compassionate and common sense approach to justice, one that supports the goals of tackling public safety and historical racial inequities.”

As the bill is written, about 350 people imprisoned in Maryland would qualify to petition for release according to House Judiciary Chairman Luke Clippinger (D- District 46).

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.com.

D.C.: One of the Most Stressful Places for ER Visits

Emergency room (ER) visits in the nation’s capital rank among the most stressful in the country, according to a new report from PolicyGuide. The study analyzed wait times, quality of care, and overall patient experience across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, revealing troubling inefficiencies plaguing emergency healthcare in the city.

The PolicyGuide report also noted disparities in emergency care for marginalized communities in Washington, D.C. Black and Latino patients often experience longer wait times and face additional barriers to receiving adequate care. These disparities reflect broader systemic inequities in the city’s healthcare infrastructure.

The report finds that Washington, D.C., consistently struggles with excessive ER wait times, often leaving patients in distress for hours before receiving medical attention. The District’s average wait time for treatment exceeds the national average, with many residents and visitors reporting delays that can last upwards of four to five hours before seeing a doctor.

“Emergency care in D.C. has reached a crisis point,” said a local healthcare advocate. “Overcrowded hospitals and staff shortages mean that many patients face dangerously long waits, sometimes in critical condition.”

One of the primary contributors to the District’s ER stress levels is the lack of accessible primary and urgent care facilities.

Adding to the strain, emergency departments in D.C. frequently deal with a high number of patients experiencing mental health crises. With limited psychiatric facilities and resources, ERs have become the default destination for those in need of urgent mental health care, further stretching an already overburdened system.

Healthcare professionals across the District have called for increased funding and policy interventions to alleviate ER congestion.

“The data underscores the need for urgent reform,” said a local physician. “We have to find ways to streamline care, improve accessibility, and ensure that every resident receives timely and quality treatment when they need it most.”

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

Howard University Women’s Basketball Unveils Groundbreaking ‘100 Women For Howard: A Legacy In Motion’ NIL Initiative

By Skylar Nelson WI Intern

In honor of Women’s History Month, Howard University partnered with The SVE Firm to host a brunch reception, unveiling, “100 Women for Howard: A Legacy in Motion,” an initiative bringing together 100 influential women in sports and business to reshape the future of Howard Women’s Basketball.

An essential core to this initiative is the Mecca Made NIL Collective, which is designed to promote an influential foundation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for athletes within the Howard Women’s Basketball program. By supporting this initiative, the contributions will empower athletes to build their brands, secure financial independence, and gain exposure that could pave the way for success beyond their collegiate careers.

April D. Taylor, CEO of The SVE Firm, reinforced the powerful impact of ”100 Women for Howard” initiative, while passionately emphasizing the vision of the university’s women’s basketball Head Coach Ty Grace and the team’s efforts to secure NIL opportunities for their athletes.

“This means the world to me. This means why I was created,” ssaid Taylor. “I do intentional work and this is intentional work. Coach was telling me, ‘April, our point guard [freshman Saniyah King], teams are trying to get her.’ We need to raise some money for our collective and that’s the best way to do it—to bring together 100 women that want to support Howard Women’s Basketball, and I am one of those 100. This is just an honor to be here today.”

Just ahead of the Lady Bison’s thrilling faceoff against Norfolk State University Spartans (in which Howard was defeated 68-56), Mecca Made Mecca Made NIL Collective hosted a thoughtfully curated brunch reception on March 6 to celebrate this initiative, setting the stage for their final home game of the season.

With the MEAC tournament kicking off soon in Norfolk, Virginia, this event marked a memorable prelude to an exciting conclusion of regular-season play.

“It is not lost on me, the power of women in sports, and I saw that when I had the opportunity to speak with some of Howard’s incredible women on the basketball team,” said Mannone Butler, who moderated the panel at the brunch reception. “They’re special. They’re extraordinarily special clearly off the court. but The well-roundedness of their scholar athletes is super special.”

The groundbreaking NIL initiative provided a unique opportunity encouraging supporters to get involved, directly impacting the future of Howard Women’s Basketball with exclusive perks and experiences within and beyond the event.

Donors who contributed $1,000 were treated to a VIP Experience, which included exclusive access to a reception featuring the Boss Moves Signature Wine Bar, a special gift, and recognition on the court during the women’s basketball game. These generous supporters also had reserved seating at the Howard and Norfolk State championship game on March 15, along with the chance to show their support during the nationally televised program on ESPNU.

For those who contributed $250, the VIP brunch reception and reserved seating at the game ensured that they were fully immersed in the experience, complemented by a special gift as a token of appreciation.

Regardless of the level of contribution, all donors had the opportunity to connect with a powerhouse group of leaders in sports and business during the VIP reception, highlighting the collective strength of uniting to elevate Howard Women’s Basketball.

A dynamic, woman-led panel discussion added depth to the event, shaping a positive yet empowering atmosphere, inspiring both current and future generations of women in sports and business.

The list of inspiring speakers included:

• Kim Stone, CEO of Washington Spirit

• Mannone Butler, head of programs and partnerships for the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition

• Morgan Faulkner, manager of

100 WOMEN Page 34

5Members of Howard University women’s basketball team pose with April D. Taylor (center), CEO of The SVE Firm, and head coach Ty Grace (far right) at the “100 Women for Howard: A Legacy in Motion” brunch reception on March 6. (From left) Team players include: Vannesa Blake, Ty Walker, Sa&’lah Hemmingway, Destiny Howell, and Saniyah King. (Jonae Guest/The Washington Informer)

black facts AROUND THE REGION

DIANA ROSS (LEFT)

MARCH 20

SPIKE LEE (BELOWLEFT)

DOROTHY HEIGHT (BELOWRIGHT)

HALLE BERRY (RIGHT)

1852 – Harriet Beecher Stowe’s anti-slavery novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is published.

1910 – Award-winning artist Allan Crite is born in North Plainfield, New Jersey.

1915 – Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a seminal recording artist often referred to as “the original soul sister” and “the godmother of rock and roll,” is born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas.

1916 – Ota Benga, a Congolese man once kept in a human zoo exhibit at the Bronx Zoo in New York City, commits suicide in Lynchburg, Virginia, at 32.

1948 – Actor James Baskett receives an Honorary Academy Award for his performance as Uncle Remus in Disney’s “Song of the South,” becoming the first African American male actor to win an Academy Award.

1957 – Renowned filmmaker and actor Spike Lee is born in Atlanta.

MARCH 21

1960 – Police officers kill 69 and wound 180 during an anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpesville, South Africa, known as the Sharpesville Massacre.

1965 – In the name of African American voting rights, 3,200 civil rights demonstrators, led by Martin Luther King Jr., begin the historic march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capitol at Montgomery.

MARCH 22

1943 – Chart-topping singer and jazz guitarist George Benson is born in Pittsburgh.

MARCH 23

1916 – Political leader and civil rights activist Marcus Garvey arrives in America from Jamaica.

1971 – The Rev. Walter Fauntroy was sworn in as the first delegate from the District of Columbia to the House of Representatives in nearly 100 years.

1985 – Patricia Roberts Harris, the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Cabinet, dies in

Washington, D.C., of breast cancer at age 60.

MARCH 24

1912 – Civil rights and women’s rights activist Dorothy Height is born in Richmond, Virginia.

2002 – Halle Berry becomes the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in “Monster’s Ball.”

MARCH 25

1931 – African American journalist, suffragist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells dies of kidney failure in Chicago at age 68.

1931 – Nine Black teenagers are arrested in Scottsboro, Alabama, and accused of raping two white women on a train, a landmark case in the fight against racism and unfairness in the U.S. legal system.

1942 – Legendary singer Aretha Franklin, known as the “Queen of Soul,” is born in Memphis, Tennessee.

1965 – The Selma to Montgomery marches, held in protest of segregation and voter obstruction against Blacks in the South, end after 18 days.

2009 – Historian John Hope Franklin, author of “From Slavery to Freedom: A History of African Americans,” dies in Durham, North Carolina, at age 94.

MARCH 26

1831 – Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the first independent Black denomination in the United States, dies in Philadelphia at age 71.

1937 – William Hastie is appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the U.S. District Court for the Virgin Islands, making him the first African American federal judge.

1944 – Famed singer and actress Diana Ross is born in Detroit.

1962 – Augusta Savage, a famed Black sculptor from the Harlem Renaissance era, dies of cancer in New York City at age 70. WI

AROUND THE REGION

view

P INT

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

For many, the economic boycott continues of big box stores due to their rolling back of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Reports have stated that some of the targeted businesses have seen a financial impact and a dip in their stock value. What is your opinion on the impact of the boycotts?

KENNEDY WILLIAMS / WASHINGTON, D.C.

TANYA V. / CHICAGO, ILL.

The shorter length of boycotts will add to the sustained/permanent boycotting. Many of us have been boycotting since November and will continue to, and these dips are reflective of that boycotting.

Imagine if Black people put this much effort towards keeping our families together, increasing literacy rates, and fighting crime in our neighborhoods. DEI is not for Black people; they use Black trauma to benefit other groups. We have to stop being so easy to manipulate.

TERESA M. / FLORENCE, S.C.

ROCHELLE ROBIN / WASHINGTON, D.C.

When they went on strike in Alabama for 381 days, changes were made. They saw how much money they lost, so yes, it works. We have to be diligent and persistent. Striking is how we got things done in the 60s.

Keep hitting those pockets and applying pressure to these companies, and we have the power to solicit change. We gotta keep our foot on their necks.

BREYON MABREY / FAIRFAX, VA.

Hitting businesses in the pockets will always work. The longer the wait period, the better.

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.

AROUND THE REGION

Black Homeownership in the District of Columbia: Barriers and Uncertain Futures

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Sonia Reed believed she had achieved the American dream.

In December 2024, the Black grandmother who was formerly unhoused became a homeowner in San Leandro, California. But her triumph quickly turned into a nightmare when neighbors began harassing her with racial slurs and vandalizing her property.

“I worked so hard to finally have a place to call my own, and now I have to fear for my safety in my own home,” Reed said.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incidents as hate crimes, a reminder that even after overcoming immense obstacles, Black homeowners continue to face discrimination.

Reed’s experience is part of a larger pattern of disparities in Black homeownership. In Washington, D.C., for instance, decades of gentrification and displacement have reshaped historically Black neighborhoods.

A new Howard University report finds that Black homeownership in the District has declined from 48% in 2005 to just 34% in 2024, a steep drop that signals worsening racial inequities in property ownership.

“The city’s rapid transformation has left many longtime Black homeowners struggling to keep up with increasing property taxes and cost-ofliving pressures,” the report notes.

The study also reveals that Black

residents in D.C. face mortgage denial rates nearly double that of white applicants, even when income levels are comparable.

Further, the Howard University report details how the rise in home values has outpaced Black wage growth, a significant barrier for firsttime homebuyers. Between 2010 and 2023, median home prices in the District increased by 120%, while median Black household incomes rose by only 30%.

“Without targeted policy interventions, Black homeownership rates will continue to decline, reinforcing generational disparities in wealth accumulation,” the report states.

COPING WITH EMERGENCIES,

ECONOMIC PRESSURES, DISPARITIES: ‘THE NUMBERS JUST DON’T ADD UP’

Experts warn that the crisis has extended beyond economic pressures.

In January 2025, devastating wildfires tore through historically Black Altadena, California, which boasted a homeownership rate of 81.5% — far higher than the national average.

Thousands of homes were reduced to ashes, leaving families displaced. Many are now facing the daunting task of rebuilding and the looming threat of gentrification.

“Developers are circling like vultures,” said longtime Altadena resident James Carter. “We’re trying to rebuild, but the fear is that we won’t

be able to afford to stay.”

Economic barriers remain a defining struggle. Brooke Scott, a litigation assistant in Los Angeles, calculated that achieving homeownership and financial security requires an annual household income of $300,000—far beyond what many Black families can attain.

Housing, healthcare, taxes, and child-rearing expenses leave little room for savings or investment.

“The numbers just don’t add up,” Scott said. “Even with two incomes, we’re barely able to put away anything for a down payment.”

An Urban Institute finding reinforces these challenges particularly in D.C., where Black homeownership rates have fallen sharply over the past two decades.

“Homeownership remains one of the most significant drivers of wealth, yet Black families face disproportionate barriers to achieving this milestone,” the report states. Both reports from Howard University and the Urban Institute clearly reveal systemic inequities.

The researchers all noted that racial bias in lending practices and rising housing costs are key factors preventing Black residents from establishing financial stability through homeownership.

“Without significant policy changes and investment in Black communities, the homeownership gap will persist for generations to come,” the Urban Institute warns.

Carter insisted: “We just want what everyone else has—a fair shot at building a future.” WI

5A new Howard University report finds that Black homeownership in the District has declined from 48% in 2005 to just 34% in 2024, a steep drop that signals worsening racial inequities in property ownership. (Courtesy Photo)

Arlington Cemetery Erases Black and Female Military History

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Arlington National Cemetery has removed information from its website documenting the contributions of Black, Hispanic, and female service members, including Medal of Honor recipients and other notable veterans.

The deletions follow President Donald Trump’s sweeping orders to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the federal government, including within the military.

Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, denounced the removal of historical content.

“The whole thing is deeply concerning,” Smith said. “Even if you have concerns about DEI, I’ve never seen a problem with how it was handled within the military.”

The cemetery, which holds the graves of approximately 400,000 veterans, was established during the Civil War on land once owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Among those buried at Arlington are thousands of Black Union soldiers from the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT), including three who received the Medal of Honor.

Pages that once highlighted the stories of these men, along with military pioneers such as Gen. Colin Powell, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the women of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion, are now inaccessible. Content

LIBERTY from Page 4

transported to the United States in 350 pieces and dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on Oct. 28, 1886.

It was designated a National Monument in 1924 and maintained by the National Park Service since 1933. UNESCO recognizes it as a World Heritage site but remains U.S. government property.

Glucksmann’s remarks are the latest in a wave of criticism from European leaders over the direction

about Freedman’s Village, a settlement for formerly enslaved people that once existed on the Arlington Estate, has also been removed.

Visitors to the site now find broken links where information on Black, Hispanic, and female service members once existed. References to Latino military leaders, such as World War II bomber pilot Hector Santa Anna, have also disappeared.

Some information on women remains available, including entries on former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and members of the Six Triple Eight battalion. However, those seeking these pages can only locate them through direct searches rather than being easily accessible on the cemetery’s website.

This isn’t the first time military history has been erased under Trump’s orders. Earlier this year, the Defense Department was forced to reinstate materials on the Tuskegee Airmen following public backlash after their removal.

Trump’s overhaul of military policies has intensified in his second term, including the removal of Gen. CQ Brown, the country’s first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, has vowed to eliminate all DEI efforts, branding them “woke” policies.

Arlington National Cemetery issued a statement saying it was working to restore some content while ensuring compliance with Trump’s directives and orders

of American democracy, particularly under former President Donald Trump. His policies on immigration, which included detaining families at the border, restricting asylum, and implementing travel bans, drew widespread condemnation.

Glucksmann and his party argue that Trump’s approach not only abandoned the ideals symbolized by the Statue of Liberty but actively undermined them, targeting Black and Brown immigrants while fueling nationalist rhetoric. WI

AROUND THE REGION

from Hegseth.

According to the latest Defense Department report, 30% of the U.S. military’s 2 million active-duty and reserve personnel identify as part of a minority group, and one-fifth of service members are women.

One social media user emphasized the importance of African Americans’ contributions to military history.

“HISTORY OF US MILITARY CADENCES started by BLACK AMERICANS,” social media user Shan wrote on X, for-

merly known as Twitter. “Every fiber and to the core the U.S.A. military was heavily influenced by colored troops. From the Buffalo soldiers to the inception of Memorial Day it all stems from Black Americans.” WI

If you’re a DC resident aged 55+, you may qualify for free, nutritious groceries each month.

5Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard support an Air Force Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on March 11. After sweeping orders from President Donald Trump to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the federal government, Arlington National Cemetery has removed information from its website documenting the contributions of Black, Hispanic, and female service members. (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Army)

AROUND THE REGION

Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee (left) checks out a copy of The Washington Informer with the publication’s Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes during a Black Press Week event at Kitchen + Kocktails on March 12. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)

Flowers, Family are Keys for Lee’s Flower and Card Shop Leader Stacie Lee Banks

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Ward 3 resident Stacie Lee Banks

understands that there are two things that are important in her life—flowers and family. As president and CEO of the District’s Lee’s Flower and Card Shop Inc., she talks often about working every day to ensure the business her grandparents co-founded is flourishing and profitable.

“I enjoy working for the family business,” said Banks, 61, who is often spotted doing various duties at the company’s first brick and mortar, 1026 U Street NW. “It is something new everyday and I enjoy it. Keeping the grandparents’ legacy going is important to me.”

Banks is one of six legacy family businesses who will be honored by The Washington Informer at its 60th Anniversary Gala on March 28 at the Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Library in Northwest, Washington.

The Lee’s CEO said she appreciates The Informer acknowledging her years of dedicated service as she remains ever-committed to her grandparents’ mission, and works to keep the family legacy going with her own daughter and beyond.

“It makes you feel like your hard work is recognized,” she said. “I am proud to be honored by the Washington Informer.”

THE HISTORY OF LEE’S

Lee’s is a full-service flower shop founded by William and Winnifred Lee in 1945. The business became a staple in the U Street Northwest corridor during the days of the 1940s, 1950s and part of the 1960s— when the street was considered “Black Broadway” in the District.

Throughout the years, Lee’s has survived the 1968 uprising due to the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; the exodus of businesses from the corridor shortly afterward followed by the economic decline of the neighborhood; the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s; and the building of the Green Line of Metro.

In 1991, the completion of the Metro jumpstarted the revitalization of the immediate neighborhood within the U Street corridor as new busi-

Lee’s, and considers it a labor of love.

Banks’ duties include coordinating the execution of large events, managing vendor relations, overseeing backof-house operations and representing Lee’s at a variety of public events as the company’s spokesperson.

Banks said business flows because of commercial relationships she has with entities such as Howard University, where the company will often do floral arrangements for Charter Day and graduation exercises, and the Congressional Black Caucus. Lee’s has worked with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation for years, providing floral and decoration arrangements for its annual gala during the Annual Legislative Conference in September.

“We have made some valuable contracts through the Congressional Black Caucus,” she said.

Banks also belongs to The Links, a professional group of primarily African American women who value community and public service. Her membership in The Links has also generated business for Lee’s.

nesses and high-end housing started to set up.

Richard Lee, the son of William and Winifred, joined the company in 1968 and served in management until 2012, when he sold it to his daughters, Banks and her sister, Kristie Lee Jones, who serves as the general manager and co-owner.

The sisters are the third generation to run Lee’s.

“[When I am not here, I am thinking about the business,” said Banks. “When I was younger, I would want to say to my grandmother, ‘This business is your whole life, I’ll never be like that.’ But now I see it can morph into your life.”

SUSTAINING BUSINESS, BUILDING CONNECTIONS,

DOING ‘WHAT YOU DO BEST’

Banks is a native Washingtonian who graduated from McKinley Tech High School in Northeast and studied business management at Howard University. With a passion for serving the community and keeping the family business thriving, Banks has spent her professional career working for

One of the keys to Banks’ management of Lee’s is her approach to her sister, other family members and employees.

“I have learned to stay in your lane,” she said. “Do what you do best. My sister and I have disagreements, but we have worked together for years, and we are determined to get along.”

TAKING THE BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL, CONTINUING THE LEGACY

Banks has received recognition for her work, including winning the 2018 D.C. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year. Additionally, she received national attention when Lee’s received a $10,000 award from Intuit QuickBooks on behalf of its Small Business Council.

“We are extremely grateful to receive this grant,” said Banks in October 2024. “This gift will allow us to expand our resources and pour into our current and future employees with the benefits that they deserve.”

The business has expanded beyond U Street with a location at Union Station in Northeast, D.C. WI

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Prince George’s County’s Top Young Spellers Compete in 2025 Regional Spelling Bee

Champion Will Advance to 100th

Scripps National Spelling Bee in May

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

Every year, students nationwide delve into dictionaries and study guides, picking words apart in hopes of representing their region in the Scripps National Spelling Bee (SNSB) in May. On March 14, 22 students showcased their hard work during the Prince George’s County Spelling Bee at the University of Maryland Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park.

After an intense 10-round competition and months of training leading the big day, one student, 11-year-old Abigail Adegbite, proved victorious.

“I’m really surprised,” she told the Informer regarding her victory.

Washington Informer Charities, which has hosted the District’s bee since 1981, has sponsored the Prince George’s County’s spelling bee for 10 years, eagerly providing students with the opportunity to showcase their intellect and determination.

“[The Prince George’s bee] lost their sponsor, so that was an easy one,” said second-generation Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes to the competition’s audience. “We love it because, one: our kids want to participate in this competition; and two: they’ve got the support of their parents and their teachers, their family members … and their classmates that are rooting them on.”

Companies like Pepco, Washington Gas, the Educational Systems

Federal Credit Union, the Safeway Foundation, and more sponsored the annual competition, providing all spellers with prizes, goodie bags and gift cards to take home.

Cheers and applause rang through the auditorium as moderator David Zahren introduced the finalists by reading each student’s brief biography. Many considered themselves avid readers, writers and artists.

Ranging from ages 10 to 14, the spellers nervously and proudly walked onto the stage.

Zahren presented the rules to the spellers and attendees which included: permission for participants to ask the announcer to repeat a word, define it and provide its part of speech and country of origin; prohibition of help from the audience; permission for judges to disqualify a student who ignores a request to begin spelling; and encouragement for the participants to pronounce the word before they spell it.

Before starting the competition, Zahren offered contestants, who were already victors from their respective schools, praise and encouragement.

“Everyone gets to take home the realization that they are winners,” he said. “You are all winners here.”

OPENING WORDS: THE SPELLING BEE BEGINS

The spelling bee commenced with the word “earmark,” spelled correctly by eighth grader Seyram

Sablah of Accokeek Academy.

Other words spelled correctly in the first round included “procedure” and “hoax.” Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School seventh-grader Taylor Foy correctly spelled “amass,” and received praise from Zahren for her deliberate diction.

The most disqualifications occurred in the first and fourth rounds with five incorrectly spelled words during each. Some of the words misspelled in these rounds included “dawdle,” “chemise,” “naysayers” and “agate.”

Prince George’s County Spelling Bee Coordinator Chauka Reid is adamant about creating a warm and supportive environment for the spellers, especially after a disqualification. To help comfort disheartened students, she reminds them

“I just breathe in and out, and I pray,” Abigail told The Informer

spelling “cochin” and “reminiscent” respectively.

“I just breathe in and out, and I pray,” Abigail told The Informer, sharing how she deals with nerves onstage.

THE FINAL ROUNDS UNFOLD

The spelling bee rules are nuanced.

their support systems are proud of them, and that even adults, including herself, don’t know some of the words given by the judges.

“It does break my heart when they miss a word [and] it breaks my heart when they cry,” Reid told The Informer. “I tell them that I’m proud of them and that it’s a big achievement… to have beaten your entire school just to get here.”

Round five featured the top four finalists– Abigail Adegbite of Heather Hills Elementary, Victoria McFetridge of St. Mary of the Assumption School, Jean Pierre Pary of St. Mary of the Mills School and Aiden Nelson of Walker Mill Middle School.

Eleven-year-old Abigail and 13-year-old Jean Pierre advanced to the next round after correctly

If none of the spellers remaining spell a word correctly during the round, they all continue competing, according to the bee rules. If only one participant accurately spells a word, a new round will begin and they’ll get a new word. If they are successful, that student is declared the champion. If they misspell the word, all spellers remaining in the competition at the start of the previous round will return and continue the competition in a new round. In round six, Abigail and Jean Pierre went head to head, remaining calm and collected under the immense pressure. They both misspelled the words “acupuncture” and “genealogical” respectively, resulting in a seventh round.

After spelling “statistician” with an extra “t,” Abigail walked offstage once the judges rang the bell signaling her misspelling. However, the fifth grader returned to the competition after her opponent misspelled “hagiographer,” resulting in a ninth round where she spelled “superstitious” correctly and moved on to a 10th round as the only remaining competitor onstage.

After enduring 10 rounds and 73 total words spelled by the students,

SPELLING

BEE Page 13

5As the victor of the Prince George’s County Spelling Bee, Abigail Adegbite, 11, will represent her county at the 100th Scripps National Spelling Bee, which will take place on May 27, 28 and 29. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

5Twenty two students participated in the 2025 Prince George’s County Spelling Bee, hosted by Washington Informer Charities. Each participant won tickets to the Washington Nationals’ April 27 game and a $25 gift Safeway gift card. The contestant in second place won a pair of Beats by Dre and a $200 gift card, and the first place winner received an iPad and a $300 gift card. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

BEE from Page 12

Abigail was declared the spelling bee’s victor once she spelled “fluoride.” She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled before calmly and proudly reciting the winning eight letters, solidifying her spot in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Her teacher, Leslie Tyrell, watched the timid girl blossom throughout the entire spelling bee process.

“I know she was so shy…, but she persevered and did it, and I’m so proud,” Tyrell told the Informer. “She has definitely grown. She’s been so shy and quiet and still is, but [now] she opens up more and feels more comfortable in herself.”

Preparing for the spelling bee was no easy task, and wasn’t something she could do alone. Her siblings would help her study by typing words into Google and then using the pronunciation feature so Abigail could hear the word and recite its letters.

Sometimes she wanted to surrender to the pressure, but she pushed through.

“This taught me that I shouldn’t give up,” Abigail said, “because I had a lot of times where I wanted to stop, but I [kept] going.”

SPELLING’S ROLE IN EVERYDAY LIFE

As literacy rates in the United

States have declined, spelling bees remain significant in encouraging students to expand their vocabularies and improve their reading skills. Competitions like these can possibly reinforce students’ confidence and nourish their public speaking skills.

According to the Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor and Pensions, two-thirds of the nation’s fourth and eighth graders don’t qualify as proficient readers.

In 2022, fourth graders’ average reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress were the lowest they’ve been in 20 years.

Not knowing how to spell can result in challenging reading comprehension. With worsening reading skills, students may struggle to articulate themselves, making it difficult to enter higher education or the workforce, and challenges in society.

In an age when technology and spell-check features are integral parts of daily life, Reid hopes students will still build their analog skills.

“Technology is great, I would never say it’s not, but it’s very important for them to be able to spell,” she said. “What if your spellcheck doesn’t work? What if your GPS doesn’t work? Technology is great, but you still want to have the basic skills that we all grew up with.” WI

What About Equity?

By Alexander Austin President & CEO Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce

Equity is the foundation of a fair and thriving economy. It ensures that everyone— regardless of background—has access to the same opportunities for success. More than just a concept, equity is about leveling the playing field, ensuring fair wages and training opportunities, equal access to capital, and competitive opportunities in procurement.

Without equity, businesses and communities suffer. Fair pay strengthens the workforce, equitable procurement allows small and minority-owned businesses to compete, and equal access to resources fuels innovation and economic growth. When businesses are given the tools to succeed, they create jobs, invest in their communities, and drive local economies forward.

To grow our economies we must remain committed to policies that promote equity in business and economic development. That means ensuring that contracts, funding, and opportunities are accessible to all, not just a select few. Talent and hard work—not privilege—should determine success.

Equity isn’t about special treatment—it’s about removing barriers that prevent fair competition. A strong, diverse economy depends on inclusive participation where all businesses, regardless of size or background, have an equal shot at success.

The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce is committed to advocating for policies that promote fair competition, economic mobility, and opportunity for all. Equity isn’t optional—it’s essential to our economic future.

SPELLING

BUSINESS brief

Washington Business Journal to Honor CEOs of Strativia and EducationalSystems Federal Credit Union

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Kenneth Kelly, CEO of Strativia based in Largo, Maryland and Girardo Smith, CEO of the Educational Systems

Union (EFSFCU), are two of the 25 honorees for the Washington Business Journal’s (WBJ) 2025 Diversity in Business Awards.

Federal Credit

These awards, hosted on April 24, recognize leaders of color who champion business excellence and

foster workforce diversity.

“This annual signature award program, now in its 18th year, is a celebration of Greater Washington's diverse population

and its importance to the local economy,” said Caitlin Lyons, Washington Business Journal special projects editor.

Lyons explained how the 2025 awardees, such as Kelly, were selected.

“Honorees are chosen through an independent editorial review, with selections based entirely on their merits, achievements and contributions to their organizations and local community,” Lyons said. “Commercial interests with the Business Journal are not considered. We selected this year's class from a highly competitive nomination pool. They hail from the utility, banking, tech, nonprofit, hospitality, government contracting, professional services and health care sectors.”

Since founding Strativia, a tech company, in 2006, Kelly has transformed the company into a powerhouse in government contracting, securing key contracts with federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, the Department of the Army, and the

Department of the Navy, among others. With roughly 300 employees operating in 31 states and internationally, Strativia strives for high standards of excellence in professional services.

Kelly said he is pleased with the recognition.

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the Washington Business Journal with this award,” said Kenneth Kelly, president and CEO of Strativia. “This accomplishment reflects the dedication of our outstanding team whose hard work and commitment have established Strativia as a leading provider of consulting, technology, and professional services.”

Under Smith’s leadership, EFSCU recently merged with Howard University Employees Federal Credit Union, significantly expanding the range of financial services for the entire Howard University community.

With more than 200 employees, 14 branch locations, and $1.2 billion in assets, ESFCU has been serving the education community since 1955 and was recognized last year by Washington Business Journal as the 12th largest credit union in the Washington area.

Smith credited the team at ESFCU for receiving the honor.

“This honor is a testament to the incredible colleagues who have supported me throughout my journey and to our dedicated ambassadors and board of directors, whose unwavering commitment makes our mission of supporting our communities a reality,” said Smith.

@JamesWrightJr10

3 Kenneth Kelly is the CEO of Strativia, a software company in Largo, Maryland. (Courtesy Photo/LinkedIn Kenneth Kelly)

Prince George’s County Business Update

NanoQT Comes to College Park

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Prince George’s County continues to be a major draw for business development, even inspiring an international business to open a new office locally.

Nanofiber Quantum Technologies, Inc. (NanoQT) is opening an office in College Park, bringing the Japanese quantum hardware startup to the DMV.

The company’s expansion is supported by a partnership with the University of Maryland’s Quantum Startup Foundry and funding from the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Global Gateway Program.

“Maryland is a uniquely valuable location for quantum startups,” said Masashi Hirose, CEO

of NanoQT. “With the state’s quantum talent pool centered around the University of Maryland, a network of collaborators and end-users, and strong support from state leadership, Maryland is an ideal environment to foster quantum innovation. The state’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and its established track record in nurturing quantum startups make it an exceptional base for our U.S. operations.”

University of Maryland’s Quantum Startup Foundry Director Piotr Kulczakowicz is excited for this new partnership.

“Their unique technology and strategic position, operating between Japan and the U.S., will bring innovation and energy to the community,” Kulczakowicz explained. WI

JOB FAIR from Page 1

“Twelve to 13 [jobs] have written back to say they’re not interested [but] I've gotten about seven interviews,” Jones told The Informer on March 18 as she turned the pages of a notebook documenting her job search. “I’m not worried necessarily because I had leave and paid-time off. My unemployment [also] came and then it’s tax season so thank God for that.”

Four years ago, Jones started working at USAID as a contractor. Throughout her tenure, she served as a program assistant and later, an executive assistant in USAID’s Office of Human Capital and Talent Management -- roles she said put her in direct contact with Samantha Power, a former diplomat who, with the closure of USAID, no longer serves as agency administrator.

During the latter part of January, shortly after President Donald J. Trump entered office for the second time, Jones counted among those who found out their jobs had been cut. She recounted later receiving a letter that made her unemploy-

ment official while further affirming a mindset she adopted in November, when Trump defeated then-Vice President Kamala Harris in the general election.

“It’s an opportunity for empowerment… to be less dependent on the government and organizations where you do not necessarily [work in alignment with] passion,” said Jones, a native Washingtonian who lives in Capitol Heights, Maryland. “Now you have time to go back and really look into what you really want to do with your life. This is an opportunity to…take a risk, maybe [start] businesses and partnerships, consult, and continue the work.”

Since losing her job, Jones has been putting plans together to leverage her Level 2 Reiki attunement certification to carry out, on her own terms, some of the work that made USAID a target of the Trump administration.

That’s why, for the time being, she said she’s not hard pressed for a job, especially one that compromises her values.

“I’ve been looking at organizations that are supportive of Black and Brown people,” Jones told The

Informer. “Nonprofits, people that I can really work with and see the difference that I’m making within the community or the business that I’m working for.”

DELEGATE NORTON RESPONDS TO DOGE

Since Jones and other furloughed government contractors and employees started applying for unemployment insurance, the economic fallout from DOGE’s extreme budget-cutting measures has become clearer.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported a slight uptick in unemployment nationwide as DOGE facilitated federal job cuts, and the shrinking and closure of federal agencies. In the District, the loss of federal jobs—and tax revenue— has presented a FY26 budget quandary for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) and the D.C. Council, both of whom have the task of closing a budget gap anticipated to reach $300 million in the next fiscal year.

On the Hill, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) and other JOB FAIR Page 46

NATIONAL

CBCF Unveils Executive Order Tracker to Protect Black Communities

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has launched the CBCF Executive Order Tracker: Understanding What’s at Stake for Black America, a platform providing real-time updates and analysis on executive orders affecting Black communities. Developed by CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research, the tracker offers researchers, activists, and policymakers a tool to monitor policy changes that impact education, healthcare, housing, economic opportunity, and criminal justice reform.

The release comes at a time when President Donald Trump issued 36 executive orders in a single week, many of which threaten to roll back key protections for Black Americans.

5 Federal contractors no longer have to adhere to anti-segregation mandates, undoing decades of civil rights progress. (Courtesy Photo/Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection)

“[Trump’s] executive order revokes protections against discrimination for federal employees and contractors,” Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Jan. 26. “For any Black people or people of color who think Trump is their friend because of hip-hop performers at his inauguration party, think again. Trump is using his power to obliterate the civil rights movement. If he thinks we are going to take it lying down, he better think again. The fight is on!”

Executive orders allow presidents to bypass Congress and implement policies with immediate and sweeping consequences. While legislative bodies and courts can act as checks on executive authority, communities must stay engaged. The tracker simplifies complex policy language and

provides users with timely insights into legal shifts.

Dr. Jonathan Cox, vice president of CBCF’s Center for Policy and Research, called the tracker a necessary tool for those most affected by sudden executive actions.

“The Executive Orders tracking platform is more than just a tool — it’s a lifeline for communities seeking to understand and influence the policies that affect them most. What makes this platform invaluable is its focus on how specific executive orders impact Black communities, who are often the hardest hit by policy rollbacks and swift executive

changes,” said Cox. “By translating complex policy language into actionable knowledge, we empower individuals and organizations to advocate for meaningful change with confidence and clarity.”

The tracker captures responses from members of the Congressional Black Caucus and will function as a continuously updated resource, keeping users informed about legal developments and their consequences. It is designed to drive engagement by making policy shifts easier to understand for those at all levels, from grassroots activists to policymakers.

5 Representatives at the swearing in f or the Congressional Black Caucus of the 118th Congress in January 2023. The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation is providing an Executive Order Tracker, providing real-time updates and analysis on executive orders affecting Black communities.

(WI File Photo)

CBCF’s tracker gives Black communities access to the data and context needed to push back against policies that threaten progress.

“This ensures that Black voices remain at the forefront of policy discussions,” Cox said. WI

Return to Jim Crow: Federal Regulations Rolled Back to Allow Segregation

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The Trump administration has blatantly resurrected segregation in federal contracting, undoing decades of civil rights progress by removing anti-segregation mandates.

According to reporting from NPR, employees from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were sent memos that states: “FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, and FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity will not be considered when making award decisions or enforcing requirements.”

The regressive move reopens the door for racially divided facilities, reminiscent of the Jim

Crow era, with potential “Whites Only” and “Colored” signage in government-funded workplaces. Nonetheless, under the current amendment, businesses will still be required to follow state and federal laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which declared segregation as illegal.

“This isn’t just a policy shift; it’s a moral catastrophe,” Melissa Murray, a constitutional law professor at New York University, told NPR. “We are witnessing the deliberate dismantling of civil rights protections that generations fought to secure.”

The changes, initiated without the customary public comment period, have been implemented to align with new executive orders on diversity, equity, and

inclusion (DEI). However, this sudden shift has sparked accusations of undermining democracy and transparency. An anonymous federal employee expressed outrage to NPR.

“This is an outright assault on democratic norms, a covert operation to reintroduce segregation without public scrutiny,” the unnamed employee remarked.

Other federal agencies in addition to NIH have received directives to disregard previous anti-segregation clauses in their contracti

Inquiries to the General Services Administration about bypassing established procedural protocols were met with vague assurances.

“The GSA is committed to

implementing executive orders effectively and promptly,” GSA spokesperson Will Powell stated.

Kara Sacilotto, an attorney specializing in federal contracts, pointed out the broad attack on civil rights, noting that the targeting of these protections extends beyond racial lines to include gender identity, previously expanded under the Obama administration.

“It’s clear the target is not just racial equality but all forms of civil rights progress,” Sacilotto explained.

Professor Murray added, “This isn’t just a rollback of civil rights protections—it’s a signal that we’re stepping back into a darker past, one that we’ve worked hard to move beyond.” WI

Black Press Day Honors 198 Years of Championing Black Voices, History in Media

Chavis Inspires with State of Black Press, Black Leaders Emphasize Purpose of Black Artifacts

By Jada Ingleton WI Digital Equity Fellow

Publishers, journalists, media and advertising specialists, and local leaders gathered at Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library on March 13 for Black Press Day, in celebration of the 198 years of African American publishing and storytelling.

An annual tradition for the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), often called the Black Press of America, the event honored publishers, emphasized the importance of speaking truth to power and offered calls to action in the age of federal and corporate efforts to reverse diversity, equity (DEI) and inclusion programming.

“The Black Press of America continues to plow up the ground with our publications and our applications, both in print and digital. It is our job. It is our calling. It is our legacy. It is our responsibility to fight and advocate for freedom, justice and equality,” said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr., NNPA president and CEO. “We are the trusted voice of Black America, and we won’t give up that trust for anything.”

Under the theme “Where History

Meets the Future of Media,” Black Press Day 2025 brought out civic leaders, news enterprises and several publishers of African American owned publications to honor 198 years of championing truth and justice for underserved communities.

Over the course of the all-day event, attendees ranged from the students and alumni of historically Black institutions to the leaders of prominent news institutions, like WHUR-FM, the Center for Journalism and Democracy and the NNPA Fund.

While guests tuned in amid plates of soul food and familial-like greetings, speakers took to the podium to express gratitude for the Black press, and tout its continued legacy as conduits for civic reform and community empowerment.

“In an era when our stories are often marginalized or overlooked, the Black press remains an essential resource amplifying the voices and experiences of Black individuals and communities across the nation,” said NNPA Fund

Chair Karen Carter Richards. “As we gather here today, we reflect on the past and strive to understand the cru-

The Hidden Powerhouse: The Convention and Conference Industry’s Impact and Its Overlooked Role

By DC Black MBA

The convention and conference industries are an economic powerhouse that often operates in the background, largely unnoticed despite its significant contributions to local economies. While major events like concerts and festivals capture headlines, conferences and conventions bring millions of dollars into cities like Washington, DC, fueling businesses across multiple industries. Yet, this sector remains overlooked.

Tabitha Jenkins, a seasoned professional at EAG, an event planning and management company, sheds light on the industry’s impact and its evolving landscape. Jenkins’ journey into the industry was the complete opposite of conventional.

“We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us,” she says with a laugh, paraphrasing Malcolm X. “That’s how I feel about conference and meeting planning—it landed on me! I worked in an entirely different field for years and never imagined myself here.” A career shift brought her into publishing, where she discovered association-based conferences and expos. What began as a way to manage publications better soon became a passion for the world of event management.

One of the biggest misconceptions, Jenkins notes, is that conference planning is effortless. “If you have a great event planner, it looks seamless—but don’t be fooled. No one wakes up pretty, and shows don’t either,” she states with passion. “It takes a lot of work to look this good.” Despite the logistical and financial scope of these events, the professionals behind them rarely get public recognition. “Do you know the choreographers, or just the dancers? At the end of a movie, you see five minutes of credits, but most people only remember the top three actors. That’s how event management works. We make it happen, but our names are buried in the scrolling credits.”

Jenkins offers a compelling analogy to illustrate the industry’s economic footprint. “Think about when Beyoncé comes to town. Every lash tech, nail tech, and hairstylist within a 30-mile radius gets booked. Conferences work the same way,” Jenkins describes. “Attendees spend money in the city—on hotels, restaurants, ride shares, and entertainment. That spending fuels local businesses and keeps people employed.” Washington, DC, a major hub for conferences, benefits tremendously from this business boost. Hotels and venues see massive bookings, restaurants experience increased foot traffic, and even gig economy workers thrive during major events.

The pandemic reshaped the event landscape, pushing virtual and hybrid conferences to the forefront. This shift has caused professionals like Jenkins to ask different questions, “Before 2020, sitting on six Zoom calls a day was unheard of. Now, remote learning and virtual meetings are the norm. That’s changed how we design events. We’re asking: Why do people need to attend in person? What can they experience that they can’t get online?” She emphasizes how data analyses play a major role in event planning. “We track where attendees go, how long they stay, and what interests them most. Attendee behavior is shifting, and we have to evolve with them,” Jenkins explains. “That also applies to the organization. Every client is different, and understanding their unique audience is key. You can’t create meaningful events without embracing diversity— representation matters.”

Jenkins is also passionate about increasing Black representation in the industry. “There aren’t many Black-owned event planning companies, yet so many minority organizations need event support. This career found me, but I wish I had found it sooner. I didn’t even know this world existed. That’s why I mentor others—to bring more people into the space.”

For Black professionals interested in the event industry, she offers this advice: “Find mentors. Join organizations that support Black meeting planners. We don’t gate-keep—we welcome new talent. There are so many opportunities here, and we need more of us at the table.”

5 Tabitha Jenkins, a seasoned professional at EAG / courtesy of Tabitha Jenkins

5 During Black Press Week, National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) president Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., NNPA Fund Chair Karen Carter Richards, and NNPA Chair Bobby R. Henry Sr., toast to 198 years of African American publishing and storytelling at Kitchen + Kocktails in Northwest, D.C. (Roy Lewis/ The Washington Informer)

BLACK PRESS Page 18

NATIONAL

BLACK PRESS from Page 17

cial role of the Black press in today’s society.”

IN HONOR OF ‘THE SHOULDERS WE STAND ON’

Alongside oral histories and digital archives, the enduring impact of the Black press is evident through the 258 print and digital media publications part of the NNPA.

NNPA Chair Bobby R. Henry Sr., lauded the generational influence of the “fearless” publishers whose leadership has championed the chronicles of history, including Dr. William H. Lee (The Sacramento Observer) and Walter “Ball” Smith of New York Beacon and Philadelphia Observer,

Multifamily Lending

both of whom posthumously received NNPA enshrinements at Thursday’s luncheon.

“The publishers we honor today were more than just storytellers,” Henry pleaded. “They were guardians of history, fearless in their pursuit of truth, unwavering in their service to our people. Their newspapers were battlefields of justice–their words weapons against oppression.”

Before revealing the enshrinement plaques, Henry, publisher of the Westside Gazette in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, assured the histories of the respective publishers would not be forgotten.

“To all the families, colleagues and the communities of those we honor today, know that their legacy is forever enshrined,” he said, “not just in this ceremony, but in the fabric of our history.”

The late founder of The Sacramento Observer established the California-based newspaper in 1962, whereas Smith tackled the publisher position after he acquired New York Beacon (formerly Big Red) in 1981, and again with Philadelphia Observer in 2006.

Today, the award-winning publications have championed the instilled spirit of advocacy, inclusion and excellence that their forefathers set in stone with the birth of their publications.

“[My dad] dedicated his life to the Black Press and passed that sort of commitment to me,” said Larry Lee, current publisher of The Sacramento Observer, as he accepted the enshrinement plaque. “I love the Black Press, I love our people, and cannot wait to share this and bring this back to our staff, because we know the shoulders that we stand on.”

The honorees joined the club of other revered press leaders, including Washington Informer founder Dr. Calvin Rolark, in the Black Press Archives and NNPA’s Gallery of Distinguished Publishers at Howard University.

Like The Washington Informer, the 62-years strong Sacramento Observer has achieved six decades of service and impact, which Lee told The Informer is “part of what gets me up every day.”

In an interview about The Informer’s legacy, the leader of The Observer noted his admiration for the publication’s Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. He said he is inspired by her longtime dedication to publishing, having worked closely together as a fellow member of NNPA and Word in Black—a consortium of 10 Black-

owned publications founded during the COVID-19 pandemic and height of Black Lives Matter movement.

“Looking at The Informer at 60 years with three generations of veteran leadership within the organization is a tremendous achievement,” said Lee.

CHAVIS DELIVERS STATE OF THE BLACK PRESS, RESEARCHERS SHARE ARCHIVAL WORK

The celebratory afternoon also included the NNPA president’s State of the Black Press address.

In his speech, Chavis nodded to the printed statement on the first edition of Freedom’s Journal: ‘We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us’ — a transparent reminder of Black America’s unshakable progress, yet challenging ways to go.

“We have to continue to plead our own cause, and that cause today includes confronting and challenging the rampant contradictions of the far right who are trying to usher in American fascism,” the civil rights leader declared. “The Black Press of America is needed today more than ever before.”

The impassioned delivery that ended in a standing ovation was more than a reflection of the resilience of the Black Press – it was a call-to-action to unite Black institutions in the journey to equity and inclusion. With hopes to increase voter turnout, Chavis has called on Black publishers to engage their communities on the imployments of civic education, voter registration and engagement in preparation for the 2026 midterm elections.

In order to achieve this goal – and combat the impending threats against education and diversity from the Trump administration – Chavis, who has a Doctorate in Ministry from Howard University, reminded listeners of the value of uniting among institutions of power, particularly spotlighting Black churches, businesses, and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

“We must continue to plow up the ground. We need to plow up Project 2025, we need to plow up racism, anti-semitism, and any other -ism that attempts to deny the oneness of all humanity,” Chavis declared. “It’s not about reacting to oppression, it’s about planning for liberation.” WI

Ward 7, 8 Residents Combat Displacement of Gentrification by Sheltering in Place Salon in

Historic Anacostia Unveils Community Views on Transitioning Neighborhoods

By Zerline Hughes Spruill WI Staff

Historic Anacostia along with hundreds of communities around the country are losing their soul, style and history to gentrification, according to Anacostia native Jason Anderson and Modesto Flako Jimenez from Bushwick, New York. Earlier this month during a weekend-long salon discussion series entitled “Taxilandia: Anacostia Experience,” the two artists said they would rather stay in the neighborhoods they were raised in and attempt to maintain the community’s culture, memory and their family’s legacy.

“I’m a community organizer and I’m just invested in this community,” said Anderson at Honfleur Gallery during “Taxilandia.” “Everybody I know here I have a good relationship with. Somebody tried to rob me two weeks ago and my mom said I should move, but no. I’m just connected. I attempted to make plans to relocate but I can’t explain what it is that keeps me here.”

The homogenous enclaves where neighbors are like family and businesses forge authentic relationships with the community are transitioning to: condos grounded by chain stores, eerily long-hallway apartments, and identical neighborhoods with red doors and siding and sans serif font house numbers.

Mom-and-pop stores and carryouts that can’t keep up with rising rents are being pushed out along with D.C.’s Indigenous renters and homeowners, and some newcomers–gentrifiers–are normalizing neighborhood disconnectedness.

“Taxilandia” reveals that D.C. is not alone.

As the multi-city project is “taxiing” through select cities, it partners with local artists and storytellers to amplify neighborhoods that are experiencing gentrification. “Taxilandia” organizers center community engagement by sending attendees a survey of questions and requesting photographs prior to arrival, which are added to the show’s presentation and discussion about gentrification’s pros and cons.

“Why would I leave? This is where I grew up,” said Jimenez, who curated Taxilandia based on his experience with gentrification in his New York neighborhood. “My grandmother didn’t get to the point of literacy to buy, but she left me her rent-controlled apartment.

REFLECTING THROUGH ART

During the salon, both Jimenez, 42, and Ander-

son, 50, flipped through photographs spanning the last 30 years in the neighborhoods they grew up in.

Anderson, whose artist name is Jay Sun, shared photos of himself on the former corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE and Good Hope Road SE (now Marion Barry Avenue SE), where a boarded up facade hid a vacant lot where Capital One Cafe now sits. He shared photos of himself on the porch of the Frederick Douglass House, and reminisced about playing football in the adjacent yard with grace from National Park Service rangers, even though it wasn’t allowed.

Anderson also shared a dated photo of himself ordering food from the bullet-proof glass counter at the now-closed Sunny’s Carryout. He said he went there as a kid and ultimately bought French fries for his own children from there until it closed and reopened as the Black-owned DCity Smokehouse in 2013.

“There’s not one person I bet you can name that was born and raised in Anacostia that’s still here,” said Anderson, who ran for mayor of D.C. in 2010 as an independent. “My house was inherited … I moved in and took over the mortgage. For years, we’ve been screaming not just for artist attention, but against political misrepresentation, and asking for attention and help and resources. But now that white folks want to bring art to Anacostia, there’s all of the cameras and attention.”

Ward 7 renter Lynn Horton attended the event and shared a photo of a large apartment building near Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road in Northeast that replaced some of her childhood haunts like Yum’s Carry Out and Discount Mart, which her grandmother told her used to be a bowling alley. She said replacing and rebuilding is not only displacing many residents, but also dims the “old-school” feel of neighborhoods, convenient shopping and watching out for each other.

“Some parts of gentrification I’m happy about, but I miss Discount Mart and the laundromat, but I know it means more space for housing,” said Horton, who has lived in the same neighborhood since she was a year old. “I love my apartment. I now have a garden, and my neighbors look out for me. I don’t know if I will have that if I move and buy a house.”

5 Anacostia artist Jason Anderson (aka Jay Sun) and New York artist Modesto Flako Jimenez, curator of “Taxilandia,” talk about the impact of gentrification on small neighborhoods at Honfleur Gallery. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 Concerned about gentrification’s impacts, artist and activist Jason Anderson recalls an older historic Anacostia where Capital One Cafe now stands. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 Ward 7 resident Lynn Horton says there’s pros and cons to gentrification, though she misses “old D.C.” (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

n Banners

n Canvas Bags

n Color Copies

South African Ambassador Ousted as Trump and Musk Push White Grievance

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Respected anti-apartheid crusader Ebrahim Rasool, South African Ambassador to the United States, was suddenly kicked out of the United States after speaking on a webinar about racial policies of President Donald Trump.

Reportedly without directly attacking Trump, Rasool, imprisoned for his anti-apartheid activity, gave sensible advice on how to negotiate the government’s aversion to diversity and equitable initiatives.

Yet, his measured words were enough for Secretary of State Marco Rubio to declare Rasool “persona non grata,” parroting a far-right media narrative accusing the diplomat of race-baiting.

The Trump administration expelled Rasool after the president signed an executive order cutting aid to the Black-led South African government.

Citing an apartheid-era conspiracy theory, Trump falsely claimed that the government was seizing land from white farmers under a new land law. In reality, the law is meant to correct the enormous land theft under apartheid and colonial control when Black South Africans were methodically deprived.

Both Trump and Elon Musk, who is from South Africa, have actively promoted the false story that Afrikaners, white South Africans, are under threat.

“The supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the U.S.A., the MAGA movement, the Make America Great Again movement, as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the U.S.A.,” Rasool stated.

While Trump has moved to eliminate diversity and Rubio continues to be a willing, and often mocked, pawn, Musk’s rhetoric about race is nothing new. His most recent attack targeted the South African government, falsely claiming that his Starlink com-

Africa,” the social media user wrote. “This is a new low.”

BLACK LAND DISPOSSESSION IN THE UNITED STATES

For most, the irony of Trump and Musk’s outrage over land ownership in South Africa is striking when compared to the long history of Black land dispossession in the United States. From the early 20th century to today, Black farmers have systematically lost more than 90% of their land—16 million acres—through a combination of racist policies, financial discrimination, and outright violence.

Both Trump and Elon Musk, who is from South Africa, have actively promoted the false story that Afrikaners, white South Africans, are under threat.

pany was being denied business opportunities “because I’m not Black.”

The comment not only distorted the reality of South Africa’s governance but also played directly into the Trump administration’s ongoing campaign to stoke racial tensions on a global scale.

One person emphasized the significance of the decision to oust Rasool, taking his comments to X, formerly known as Twitter until Musk purchased the company in October 2022 and changed its name in July 2023.

“Not even during apartheid did the U.S. expel the South African ambassador, not even when they imposed sanctions against South

Many have documented the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s central role in this theft, with local white officials routinely denying Black farmers access to loans and subsidies while granting them to white landowners. White farmers also used intimidation, lynching, and fraudulent legal schemes to strip Black landowners of their property. For instance, in 1949 over a land dispute, a white neighbor killed Black farmer Luke McElroy of Cherokee County, Alabama. Furthermore, in Mississippi, the Rev. Isaac Simmons was killed in 1944 for refusing to turn over his property, which white men thought to be rich in oil reservoirs.

The American Bar Association published a report that estimated that the total economic loss from Black land dispossession amounts to approximately $326 billion— an amount that, if counted as a national GDP, would rank in the top 20% of countries worldwide.

A 40 Acres Project post on X noted the extreme loss Black farmers experienced during the 20th century due to racism.

“Black farmers lost 90% of their farmland between 1910-1997 largely due to decades of loan denials at the USDA,” 40 Acres Project noted in November 2021.

One social media user replied to the post emphasizing that the farmers didn’t “lose” anything but that their property was actually “stolen.” WI

5 South African Ambassador to the United States Ebrahim Rasool was suddenly kicked out of the United States after speaking on a webinar about racial policies of President Donald Trump. (Courtesy Photo)

Wednesday

April 2, 2025

10 A.M. - 2 P.M.

University of the District of Columbia

Old Congress Heights Campus

3100 Martin Luther King Jr., SE, Washington, DC 20032

Meet, network, and connect with employers and community-based organizations around the DMV.

• FREE Admission

• VISA Gift Cards for first 25 attendees

• Participate in multiple gift card raffles throughout the event

• 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

Union Members of Unity Health Care Rally Amid CEO’s Departure

District Providers and Support Staff Push for Management to Address Unresolved Concerns

By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Health Reporter

Banding together in the center of Freedom Plaza, union members of Unity Health Care rallied for change on Saturday, March 15, urging management to reconsider scheduling practices that they allege is “unsafe” and affecting the quality of care.

Spearheaded in partnership with the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD), care providers, support staff, and patient advocates are continuing ongoing efforts nearly a year after their initial call for management to address regressive working conditions and quality of patient support.

“We’re here today to talk about the working conditions that our colleagues have faced over the past year, both from our providers, to the support staff, to the nurses— all unionized—pointing to mismanagement on Unity’s part,” said George Kerr, representative and organizer at UAPD. “By unionizing [we are showing] that we need more of a say in our workplace so that we can provide the care that D.C. knows. We need to fight for a fair contract.”

The recent protest falls on the heels of Unity Health Care’s President and CEO Dr. Jessica Henderson Boyd, announcing her departure from the community health center, effective May 2, after more than five years of service to the organization.

“I’m proud that in 2024, we were able to achieve a positive margin after significant challenges earlier in the year, marking three straight years of a positive bottom line. We’ve done this in many ways including growing our fundraising program and expanding our pharmacies in addition to the important financial stewardship we do every day to ensure we are cost efficient,” said Boyd on the morning

of March 5 in a written statement to Unity staff members. “We’ve continued to see momentum in our key quality metrics while also making progress on creating spaces with dignity and respect for our patients to receive the care they need.”

But despite her glowing remarks, under Boyd’s leadership, UAPD members detail that nearly all Unity employees, including providers, support staff, and nurses, have unionized amid rising tension surrounding what they deem as irresponsible scheduling practices encouraging unsafe health outcomes for their patients.

Since their last public meeting in September 2024, members lament that conditions have only gotten worse.

“A little over the course of the year, [staff has] unionized, because Unity’s business management has caused their staff to go to this point, and it’s also pressuring patients,” Kerr told the Informer.

HEALTHCARE PROVIDER CHALLENGES

Narrowing appointment times in conjunction with an uptick of patient visits per provider, has left staff with unreasonably limited time to address patient concerns and provide continuity of care to long-time patients amid tight scheduling.

Currently, physicians at Unity are scheduled to see up to 24 patients a day, which providers like Dr. Kate Sugarman, a family medicine physician at Unity’s Upper Cardozo campus, says is unreasonable. Providers are requesting a safer schedule of roughly 18-20 patients per day and eight hours a week of paid administrative time to catch up on abnormalities.

5 After

She further details the impact of these scheduling practices that have left approximately 40,000 patients without a medical provider, doctor, or a nurse practitioner.

“We care about providing high quality healthcare to people who are poor, people who are underinsured, people who are underserved, and people who have complex medical and psychological needs,” Sugarman said. “We are not here because we are slacking off, but management accuses us of slacking off, and they schedule us a punishing, unsafe schedule of more and more patients.”

Gripes from union members intensified when management’s response to their concerns came in the form of hiring extensive lawyers instructing staff to further enforce the very scheduling practices that have put the health of Unity patients at risk. Simultaneously, the network of community health centers have seen an unprecedented exodus of providers who previously spent ample years pouring into Unity’s patient base, many of whom represent some of the District’s most vulnerable populations.

“All I keep saying is ‘I no longer give going away parties,’ because so many people have quit. It’s just too many,” Sugarman told the Informer.

While Sugarman has felt the increasing impact of scheduling mismanagement in Northwest, D.C., providers practicing east of the Anacostia River, like Dr. Emily Zucker, are also facing challenges.

Zucker, practicing at the East of the River community clinic in Ward 7 for almost seven years, is also scrambling for adequate time to manage the bevy of patients seeking her care. Now, many long-time patients are struggling to find availability in her schedule.

Contrary to the union member’s account of unmet negotiations on behalf of management, Unity Health Care told The Informer that leadership has been working with UAPD to listen to their demands.

“Our bargaining team (including multiple executive leaders) has been meeting with the UAPD regularly (at least once a month) for more than a year, and we continue to negotiate in good faith,” according to a representative from Unity Health Care. “That said, out of respect for the collective bargaining process, Unity isn’t going to publicly comment on our negotiations or discuss both parties’ proposals. We can assure, however, that what Unity has proposed for patient visits is recognized as within the national standards for FQHCs.”

Despite numerous requests, Zucker said that management has not negotiated with Unity’s staff, nor agreed to the need for improved continuity, where medical providers see their same patients. Further, she advocates that providers are given more time with their patients, many of whom often face “complex medical and social issues.”

“I have a lot of patients who I haven’t seen for several years, and [when they] show up on my schedule, they say, every time I call to make an appointment with you, there’s nothing available, so I just keep waiting,” Zucker told The Informer. “These are people with serious medical conditions; diabetes that needs insulin, HIV, pregnancy, those kinds of things, and there’s just not enough providers to take care of the number of patients who need care.”

Expressing gratitude for the entire Unity staff, the statement also noted that union negotiations “cannot jeopardize access to patient care.”

While Unity’s physicians have reached no satisfactory negotiations since their unionization efforts in November 2023, members remain motivated to fight for the future of Unity clinics and the ability to safely provide for the patients that need their care.

“We are all here because we are social justice minded individuals. We are trying to help the people of our communities where we live, and we are not given the conditions where we can do a good job,” said Zucker. “We are just really hoping that Unity will meet us at the bargaining table, listen to our concerns, take them seriously, understand that we are the ones who are doing this work every day so we know what is possible.” WI

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield to Invest $7M to Fight Diabetes in D.C. Area

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare organizations, announced that it is investing $7.1 million in 30 community-based organizations in the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia to combat diabetes.

“Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in D.C., Maryland and Virginia, disproportionately affecting underserved communi-

ties in our region, so we must address it together,” said Lester Davis, CareFirst vice president and chief of staff, who leads the organization’s community and public health initiatives. “Food security and nutrition education play a critical role in preventing and managing diabetes. This is why CareFirst is investing in local programs that directly address these issues to ensure communities have access to the resources they need to lead healthier lives.”

CAREFIRST Page 23

more than five years of service, Unity Health Care’s President and CEO Dr. Jessica Henderson Boyd announces her departure from the community health center, effective May 2. (Courtesy Photo)

CAREFIRST from Page 22

The investment, part of CareFirst’s Place-Based Grants Initiative, will support community and health collaboratives to address diabetes and diet-related chronic conditions for sustainable improvements in community health.

Targeting priority areas identified as Healthy Food Priority Areas, with a high prevalence of diabetes, the multi-year grants will focus on improving access to healthy, affordable food and promoting well-being in our communities.

CareFirst projects the grants will impact on 1.5 million residents across the region. The funded programs focus on three key areas:

• Expanding local food systems to increase access to healthy, affordable food options in Healthy Food Priority Areas;

• Implementing food-is-medicine programs, including producing prescription programs to sup-

port chronic disease management; and

• Providing food literacy, nutrition education, and healthy meal preparation training.

Food insecurity is a significant public health issue that affects overall wellness, according to CareFirst officials. In the District, one in eight residents lack reliable access to nutritious food, and in Wards 7 and 8, one in five children has limited access to grocery stores, according to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report.

One in nine Marylanders, including one in seven children, faces food insecurity, according to a 2023 study by the Maryland Hunger Solutions while in Northern Virginia, one in four people experiences food insecurity according to the Capital Area Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report.

To alleviate the burden of food insecurity, and the impact it has on overall wellness, CareFirst officials say it is essential to drive

investments to generate access to nutritious high-quality food and resources across the region.

CareFirst engages with local communities to understand their most pressing needs, using that feedback to guide its investments. Over the past few years, CareFirst has dedicated $1.7 million to local health improvement coalitions and community-based organizations addressing the factors that contribute to the severity and likelihood of developing diabetes.

This latest $7.1 million investment builds on those efforts, further advancing health equity, nutritional security while enhancing access to quality care across the region.

Local grant recipients include: American Diabetes Association, American University Blossom Education Solutions Inc.; Bread for the City; Brighter Bites; Building Bridges Across the River; DC Central Kitchen, Inc.; Dreaming Out Loud Inc.; Food Research & Action Center DBA Maryland

Hunger; FreshFarm*; Future Harvest Inc.; Holy Cross Hospital; Institute for Public Health Innovation*; Martha’s Table; and So, What Else, Inc; among several others.

Kimberly Harris, director of Community Health and Social Impact at CareFirst and 2024- 25 Chair for the American Diabetes Association’s State of Diabetes, said “CareFirst’s commitment to place-based solutions aims to create lasting health improvements through access to nutritious food and education.”

“Addressing the root causes of diabetes requires a comprehensive approach that extends beyond clinical care to tackle the underlying social drivers of health,” she continued. “Our investment shifts the focus from treatment to prevention, ensuring everyone – regardless of zip code – has access to fresh, healthy food and essential health resources.”

@JamesWrightJr10

New Diamond Verification Device Introduced

5 With the Trump administration’s

Natural Vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds: Know What You’re Buying

One of the most common misconceptions in the ongoing debate between natural and non-natural diamonds is that it’s impossible to tell the difference between the two. Research shows that almost half of consumers are unaware that laboratory-grown diamonds (LGDs) can be detected from their natural counterparts. For consumers who are investing in diamonds and diamond jewelry, this means there is perhaps a lack of assurance that they are getting what they think they are paying for.

This spring, with the introduction of a new verification device, the DiamondProof, to retail stores for the first time, consumers will be able to make informed purchasing decisions and distinguish natural diamonds from non-natural diamonds, like LGDs and other diamond simulants, with a zero percent ‘false positive rate’.

and ordered the device for their stores, noting the ability to rapidly and easily screen both loose diamonds as well as stones set in jewelry.

“Natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds are two fundamentally different products. Natural diamonds are rare, one-ofa-kind miracles of nature that come to us from the earth through heat, pressure and time.” notes CEO of De Beers Brands Sandrine Conseiller. “This incredible journey is what makes them the ultimate marker of life’s most profound emotional moments. Consumers should be able to have confidence in such a meaningful purchase, and DiamondProof allows retailers to offer them greater peace of mind. We are in a new era of transparency at retail, and customers deserve to know what they are buying.”

Developed by De Beers Group, the DiamondProof technology is able to detect the distinct chemical compositions of natural diamonds, allowing for precise and rapid identification. Early adopters of the DiamondProof include some of the largest jewelry retailers in the U.S., and the device will also be available in a number of independent retail outlets to ensure that any diamond consumer is able to try out the technology and gain assurance on their own jewelry, or diamonds they are planning to purchase.

The first DiamondProof prototype instrument was unveiled last June at the JCK show in Las Vegas, the premier jewelry expo for retail professionals. Many quickly jumped on board

“By rapidly and reliably identifying whether a diamond is natural, DiamondProof is instrumental in enhancing consumer confidence in natural diamond purchases. Consumers deserve clarity and having DiamondProof available in retail settings helps them make informed decisions, while appreciating the unique value and story behind each natural diamond. With decades of leadership in synthetic detection technology, we are committed to providing the level of transparency that consumers expect,” stated Sarandos Gouvelis, SVP, Pricing, Product and Technology Development at De Beers Group.

For anyone looking to evaluate and verify their own diamond jewelry, or looking for assurance in new diamond purchases, a major retailer near you will soon have a DiamondProof available.

policies on immigrants, French politician Raphaël Glucksmann is calling for France to reclaim the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the country nearly 140 years ago. (Courtesy Photo/Facebook, Statue of Liberty National Monument)

A new device, the DiamondProof, can rapidly and reliably distinguish natural diamonds from laboratory-grown diamonds and other diamond simulants

Karen Blanchard testing jewelry at the Bernard James Jewelry store in Brooklyn, NY. Image courtesy of Bernard James and Miller Lyle.

EARTH OUR

Plant Swap Lounge Works to Build and Educate Community Through Nature

By Tait Manning WI Reporting Intern

SwapDC, in collaboration with Grounded, hosted a “Plant Swap Lounge” on March 15, uniting seasoned plant parents and newcomers alike to trade and recycle their old houseplants, and promoting a reconnection with the environment through fellowship, education and resource distribution.

The event was more than a moment for plant lovers and novices to come together. The organizations are working to bridge the gap between nature and urban Black and brown communities who often lack access to green space and face environmental injustices.

Held at Grounded, a plant-shop, cafe and wellness studio located in Southeast, D.C., the event included seed and plant swaps, pottery painting and educational discussions on best care practices for home plants and soil.

“I realized we’re over consuming everything and it’s killing our planet slowly,” said SwapDC founder Zsmeria Rayford. “I wanted to do something about that, especially involving more Black and brown people in the environmental scene.”

Rayford greeted guests at the door, walking them through the available selection of seed packets and plants, which ranged from baby succulents to propagated stem and leaf cuttings.

“We had a brief talk about our relationship to plants and plant life in general and gardening,” Rayford told The Informer. “With the increase of food prices, we’re trying to increase urban gardening, especially in the D.C. area for

Black and brown people.”

Some guests brought plants to give away, others to trade and there were even attendees looking to start their collection from scratch.

Participant Kayla Daily said that, as someone who has been wanting to get into plants and planting, the event gave her a safe space to learn more without judgement. Although she didn’t have any plants of her own to bring, she appreciated the opportunity to observe.

“It builds that community that I think a lot of us are seeking in this time,” she said. “It’s important to learn how to be resourceful and grow our own food and grow our own plants to sustain our living and not be totally reliant on outer resources.”

THE HISTORY BEHIND SWAPDC: 10 YEARS OF REDUCING WASTE THROUGH SWAPS

Rayford has always been on a mission to reduce waste.

“The consequences of consumerism on our environment are drastic. We want to encourage people but also teach people different ways to recycle,” said the SwapDC founder.

“At the beginning, a lot of people thought recycling was so far from them, but everyday we recycle. How many aunties’ houses do you go to where they have a whole drawer of plastic bags? We’ve always done this, we’re just bringing awareness and encouraging people to do a little more.”

Founded in 2015, SwapDC regularly hosts creative recycling events.

As an environmentally conscious

creative, Rayford first began with clothing swaps to reduce textile waste. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, about 70% of clothing disposed of by Americans each year is sent to a landfill, as opposed to recycling.

Seeing the popularity of vintage and thrift shopping, Rayford started with clothes as a way to make a difference.

“Second hand shopping has been on the rise, but we wanted to present it to people who don’t necessarily have the money,” she said. “That’s why we started free swaps.”

In a decade of work to address environmental injustice, SwapDC has expanded to swap events for books, vinyl records and plants, all aiming to limit over-consumption and provide a community space to repurpose unused goods.

Although this is SwapDC’s fourth year doing a plant swap, this was their first time holding it at Grounded, which, after starting as an online shop in 2020, opened its first brick and mortar location last year.

“I hope that [participants] learn more about reducing waste in general, learn more about SwapDC and Grounded,” Rayford told The Informer. “This beautiful space is Black-owned and on the South side, and I hope that they take away a plant or some seeds to grow at home.”

She emphasized the power of

learning about planting, particularly for Black Americans.

“When you get closer to planting and growing your own things, you have the power in your hands,” Rayford told The Informer. “It shows you what you can do with the little you have. We have the resources we need, it’s just about applying that.”

AFRICAN AMERICAN AGRICULTURAL ROOTS, RECONNECTING PEOPLE TO NATURE

Although African Americans have an extensive history in agriculture, labor exploitation and restrictions on Black landownership in the century following slavery pushed many Black people into city centers. Segregation and other racial disparities have further limited their access to nature.

Janelle Peoples, who attended the event with her sons, called attention to African American’s spiritual connection to nature and emphasized the importance of educating Black communities on caring for plants.

“I think it’s really important because this is part of our ancestral being and it’s us reconnecting with Mother Earth, reconnecting to our spirits and it’s a healthy way to relieve stress and anxiety without using Western medicine,” said

Peoples. “I already feel my anxieties lower and I’m gonna have a better day because of it.”

Many indigenous African religions are deeply rooted in connections to the natural world, viewing nature as sacred and spiritually powerful. They often recognize humans as a part of a vast community of plants, animals and other natural forces, according to Nikojo: Multi-Disciplinary Journal of Humanities, Law, Education and Social Sciences.

Peoples and her sons each painted plant pots, hers decorated with various colors of the evil eye symbol, which is believed to provide protection against negative thoughts and energies.

“I want all the protection and love and encouragement so our space at home is built around healthy energy,” she said.

Other attendees found value in being part of third-space community organizations like Grounded, which serve as social environments outside of home and work.

Kwame Edwards, a plant lover and Ward 8 resident, said he hopes to see more events like this in his area that are not just hosted in the community, but for the community.

“We all just like plants. It’s a nice thing and you get to meet new people, get to talk about things you’re

PLANT SWAP Page 25

5 Attendees look at plants and seeds on a table near the entrance of Plant Swap Lounge on Saturday, March 15, hosted at Grounded in Southeast, D.C. in collaboration with SwapDC. There was a wide selection of plants and seed packets available for guests to take or swap. (Tait Manning/The Washington Informer)

BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH NATURE

PLANT SWAP from Page 24 Hemsley said that, in addition to connecting community members with nature, events like Plant Swap Longue help bring together people with shared interests and values.

interested in,” said Edwards. “More of them need to exist and they should be east of the river. I hope that that east of the river expansion happens and moves up MLK without sacrificing who’s been here.”

Mignon Hemsley, co-founder, CEO and creative director of Grounded, said that the company’s collaboration with SwapDC was a step in strengthening their community and that she hopes to make environmental spaces more accessible for typically underserved groups. She imagines a space where people can walk, bike and transit to events like Saturday’s swap.

“Our whole mission is to reconnect people to nature, show them how having plants in your space is good for your wellness and she’s all about sustainability,” said Hemsley. “It was a perfect match to bring people out and be able to share their plants they’ve been growing with a new person or with someone they know. The act of giving and receiving nature is just beautiful.”

“Everyone in here has something that they’re like-minded with, whether it’s nature or coffee or just being in a space where there’s bio-physical design,” said Hemsley. “Being able to know you’re in a room with so many like-minded people, that’s a perfect chance to create a community.”

Rayford said she hopes to do more Plant Swap Longues across the city to help people connect with the earth and one another.

“When you feel connected to the land around you, you can better connect to the people around you. Right now, especially during this unpredictable time, it helps you to not feel so lonely, and I think that sense of belonging is imperative to our health,” said Rayford. “It helps you to better analyze your connection to this planet and the people around you.”

OUR EARTH

5 Janelle Peoples with her sons at Plant Swap Lounge, hosted at Grounded in Southeast, D.C. in collaboration with SwapDC. The family participated in the pot painting portion of the event. (Tait Manning/The Washington Informer)

EDUCATION

‘Blacks

in

Helps Build the Future, Preserve

By Jada Ingleton WI Digital Equity Fellow

When it comes to emulating the achievements and legendary spirits of influential Black figures, from John Lewis and Fannie Lou Hamer, to President Barack Obama and Chaka Khan, “Black in Wax” proves some of D.C.’s youth have it down to a science.

The Recreation Wish List Committee and Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC), partnered with D.C. Department of

Parks and Recreation (DPR) to present the 19th production of “Blacks in Wax” on March 7 at THEARC in Southeast, and Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Northwest on March 15.

The annual production is a two-part homage to history and performance art, reviving the stories of African American history and leadership through the lens of Washington’s youth.

“It’s apropos that our young people learn about their history through the arts. It is one of the

gifts of art that you can retell a story,” said DPR Director Thennie Freeman.

Presented by Events DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), and other sponsors, this year’s Black in Wax marked the theme “1965 Voting Rights Act…Then and Now?” to honor the 60th anniversary, and retell the story, of the landmark legislation that aimed to eliminate racial barriers in voting.

According to Dwayne Lawson-Brown, CAH community engagement specialist, programs such as Blacks in Wax offers a deeper learning experience beyond “textbooks and common curricula,” essentially leading to a deeper “sense of belonging” among local Black students.

“As someone who attended D.C Public and Public Charter Schools, I have reaped the benefit of educators and artists highlighting Black history,” Lawson-Brown said in a statement to The Informer. “Cultural histories, and particularly Black history in our region, is important for remembering the past, documenting our present, and informing future generations of all who call Washington, D.C. home.”

BLACKS IN WAX COMES TO DUKE ELLINGTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Over the course of the program, SETLC scholars ages 6 to 17 were on display donning old-school

wigs and picture-perfect fashions of esteemed African Americans of the past and present, from sports and entertainment to politics and civic activism.

Influential figures like entertainment legend Tina Turner, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and renowned leaders of the Black Panther Party transformed from “wax-like” replicas to live portray

Meanwhile the performers of the vignette ensemble combined spiritual songs, choreography and impassioned monologues to highlight the connections of generations of trailblazers in Black history, particularly as it pertains to voting rights and civil freedoms propelled since the 1965 legislation.

Some of the portraits included: civil rights activist Ella Baker; former mayor of Detroit, Michigan, Coleman A. Young; and President Lyndon B. Johnson, who signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law.

“I was nervous, but at the same time, I was holding in my smile,” said fifth-grader Salvatore Le Pera, who portrayed Young and performed in a dance ensemble.

“It felt great because I don’t learn these things in school, and I really need to know about this stuff.”

Freeman pointed out that the beauty of the program, beyond spot-on imitations, is the educational component that plants a seed from the first day. Throughout roughly four weeks of research, memorialization, and performance

coaching, the show works to increase literacy and shape youth development in various sectors.

This year’s program in particular stood as a guiding light on introducing youth to the value of principles and protest, as “Blacks in Wax” ultimately decided to partner with D.C. Public Schools to move the annual tradition to Duke Ellington School of the Arts, despite serving at the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center since its fruition.

The bold move–while not explicitly said to be correlated–comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s abrupt seizure of

5 District youth bring history to life in the 19th Annual Blacks in Wax vignette performance at Duke Ellington School of the Arts on March 15. The educational living history program tells the stories of influential African American figures through the lens of scholars from the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, ranging ages 6 to 17. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 Cora Masters Barry, founder of the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center and Recreation Wish List Committee, at the 19th Annual Blacks in Wax living history program on March 15 at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Northwest, D.C.. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

the Kennedy Center last month.

As the pair introduced the vignette performance on March 15, CAH Chairman Reggie Van Lee and Cora Master Barry—D.C.’s former first lady and founder of SETLC and the Recreation Wish List Committee – addressed the transition in respective statements.

“It was a very, very difficult decision,” Barry admitted, “but it was a decision that was based on principle, fairness and, quite frankly, protecting our children.”

Barry also lauded Duke Ellington as “the most beautiful high school in the whole world.”

Van Lee seconded this notion in his own words, stating when “the things that started occurring” at the Kennedy Center happened, it was clear to him “we needed to come home.”

“We needed to admire the theme[s] of voting and marching and acting, and we needed to vote with our feet and our spirits, and we’re here at Duke Ellington School,” Van Lee boasted.

THE ARTS AS A MEANS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF BLACK HISTORY

From live performances portraying musical groups like The Temptations and The Supremes, to the amusing sights of a 6-year-old Malcolm X in a suit and tie with a dyed beard, “Blacks in Wax” exemplified the benefits of arts education and demonstrated the youth’s commitment to understanding the characters portrayed.

Attendees like native Washingtonian Sherri Moyé-Clegg said the performative art and attention to detail was a pleasant surprise.

“I am looking at our youth that are engaged, exhibiting our history and [continuing] to bring it into the future, but they are enjoying it as they do it,” Moyé-Clegg told The Informer. “It’s really a great surprise to see and a pleasure to be able to witness.”

Moyé-Clegg attended the finale performance with her great nephew, in hopes to instill the very notion that “Blacks in Wax” aims to achieve yearly– the importance of African American representation beyond textbooks, stereotype depictions, and the rigors of mainstream media.

Particularly in an age where teaching Black history and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are under federal attack, initiatives like “Blacks in Wax” support youth in teaching American truths, while introducing them to a culture of perseverance and excellence.

“It exhibits the level of strength and the cloth from which they’re cut,” Moyé-Clegg explained. “They need to know where they’re coming from and structure to build up from where they’re going.”

The vignette performance demonstrated these connections, most notably exemplifying the generational impact of Black women leaders that began with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Performers nodded to the courage and strength of sheroes like Hamer, Joyce Ladner, and others, whose resilience paved the way for later introduced women trailblazers,

EDUCATION

such as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, and voting-rights activist Melanie Campbell, who serves as president of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation.

“These are women whose optimism [is] what America could be, and their fight to make that vision real redefine the leadership role that Black women can play in moving this nation forward,” said Tatum Primus in a powerful portrayal of Campbell.

Bowser, Alsobrooks, and Ladner were all in attendance on March 15, and even took photos with their

mini-me’s following the vignette performance.

With anticipation to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year, “Blacks in Wax” places its role as an essential guide to African American history for D.C. youth and future leaders. Just like Primus’ character said, it’s about preserving the leaders of the past in order to build the legacy for tomorrow.

“Let’s not disappoint these great women. Let’s not disappoint these great men,” said Primus as Campbell. “Let’s continue to fight for voting rights, humanity, justice and freedom.” WI

5 Scholars from the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center portray famed members of the Black Panther Party, including Fatima Sanfo as Angela Davis, Lorenzo G. Llano-Cruz as Huey P. Newton, and Azaria Snowden as Assata Shakur. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

BLACKS IN WAX from Page 26

The D.C. Council is considering a new law that would give corporate mega-stores millions, while creating confusion, headaches, and inconvenience for anyone using or accepting credit or debit cards in the District. How? By fundamentally changing the way credit and debit cards work. This law could:

• Require cash payments for sales tax and tips every time you use your credit or debit card in D.C.

• Create costly and confusing operational nightmares and paperwork burdens for small businesses

• Devastate local banks and credit unions, including minority-owned institutions, that serve residents and businesses East of the River

• Force the District to use scarce resources to defend legislation that legal experts have declared is preempted by federal law

This untested mandate would create chaos, removing credit cards as the safe, secure and hassle-free way to pay in the District.

Celebrating 198 Years of the Black Press

Continuing to ‘Plead Our Cause,’ One Story at a Time

Last weekend, members of the Black Press gathered in the District to celebrate the 198th anniversary of African American media, and to consider the steps required to ensure their future for the next 200 years.

From humble beginnings, the Black Press, under the umbrella of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), has grown from the New York-based Freedom’s Journal, first published March 16, 1827, to about 258 publications across multiple media platforms.

During Black Press Day, March 13, NNPA President and CEO Benjamin Chavis Jr., addressed his colleagues on the campus of Howard University, reminding them about the importance of remaining “on the front lines of authentic journalism, reporting factual news.”

“Since 1827, the Black Press has continued to be an active advocate for freedom, justice, equality, empathy and empowerment,” Chavis said. “[But] the pseudo-ideology of white supremacy has not changed. We have to represent and touch our people, our communities and they have to know that when we’re out there on the front line, we represent their interests.”

And while Chavis noted that even in this digital age, print media remains the foundation and the heart

of the Black Press, he added that as a collective source for news, “the value of the Black Press cannot and should not be understated or underestimated.”

The celebration continued several days later during Black Press Sunday at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church on March 16, coinciding with the actual date Freedom’s Journal first went to press 198 years ago. When the publication was founded by a journalist and faith leader, Freedom’s Journal served as a response to whiteowned newspapers who adamantly refused to report on the lives of African Americans with any kernel of truth or humanity.

The event was hosted in collaboration with The Washington Informer, Afro-American Newspapers and the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ).

Like Chavis, who was present for Black Press Sunday, the Rev. William H. Lamar IV, pastor of D.C.’s historic Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, emphasized the continued importance of Black media today and collaborating with the Black church to further justice work.

“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,” said Lamar, pastor of the

same house of worship famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass, publisher of The North Star, attended. “The same faith that sustained Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells (two prominent Black journalists in the 19th and early 20th centuries) fuels our commitment today to speaking truth to power.”

Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, the mastermind of Black Press Sunday, said the Black Press not only remains “steadfast in our demands for justice” but that they understand, as did the publishers of Freedom’s Journal, the strength which African Americans can secure when they have access to the truth.

“Information is power, and truth is sacred,” said Rolark Barnes, who is also marking 60 years of The Informer with a gala at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on March 28.

She emphasized that “journalism is not a profession – it’s a purpose.”

Since the founding of the Freedom’s Journal in 1827, The Washington Informer in 1964, and many other organizations, the Black Press has “pleaded our cause.”

We vow to continue in the path laid out by our founders, for ours is both a mission and a ministry.

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the March from Selma to Montgomery Granddaughter of Viola Liuzzo Says ‘We Need to Do Peaceful Protests’

On Sunday, March 7, 1965, over 300 gathered in Selma, Alabama, to march to the capital city of Montgomery. The purpose of the 54-mile journey was to ensure that Black Americans could exercise their constitutional right to vote despite an era of Jim Crow segregation that aimed to deny them this right.

That day became known as “Bloody Sunday” because people across America and the world reacted with horror when local police and Alabama state troopers violently attacked the nonviolent marchers as they made their way down the Edmund Pettus Bridge—named after a Grand

Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan— shortly after starting their journey to Selma.

Many individuals, including the late Rep. John Lewis of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), were beaten and sustained life-threatening injuries.

Two days later, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began a march of 2,500 at the Pettus Bridge but turned around to obey a court order prohibiting the protest.

The third march commenced on March 21. They arrived in Montgomery on March 24 and on March 25 more than 25,000

civil rights supporters gathered at the capitol building in Alabama’s capital city.

Sixty years later, the resilience and determination of the marchers serves as motivation and offers hope for activists today.

In the wake of federal amendments that reverse anti-segregation mandates, executive orders eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and threats to revoke funding for teaching Black history, activists must take action.

One of the many “sheroes” of March 25, 1965, was Viola Liuzzo, 39, a white wife and mother of five from Detroit. She left her family and drove to Alabama to

TO THE EDITOR

I can’t believe it’s been 60 years since the march on Selma. It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the 50th anniversary. I’m grateful for your coverage of the annual pilgrimage that goes underreported by many mainstream outlets. Thank you for documenting our history!

Paula Moore Washington, D.C.

march with King. A few hours after King spoke, she was shot dead by the Ku Klux Klan while transporting protesters in her car with a Black man.

Christina Prado was born on March 25, 1989, 24 years to the day that her grandmother, Liuzzo, was killed.

Considering the march’s 60th anniversary, Prado, who will soon turn 36, reflected on her grandmother’s memory and legacy.

“The message and virtue of what my grandmother stood for is every bit relevant now as it was 60 years ago. With the current

I really got a lot out of the Women’s Health issue. I typically just skim through the paper, but not this time. Each article captured my attention because it was surprisingly information I needed and issues I’m currently dealing with. I’ll be sure to spread the word to my friends and family.

Tina Jepsen Washington, D.C.

political climate, I think it’s important to take the same type of stance as those who marched for equality for all,” she told The Informer.

In today’s political climate, we must remember the work of Liuzzo, King, Lewis, and others, and continue the struggle for racial equality and justice for all.

“We need to do peaceful protests with love messages to make sure that history does not repeat itself,” Prado continued. “What she stood for is still relevant today.”

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

In Disruption, Go Back to Our Roots

Julianne Malveaux

It has not yet been 60 days, but in two scant months the 47th president has upended business as usual, in federal government, in classrooms, in business. Many of us who cover this news are experiencing extreme whiplash. Wolf tickets barked at our allies. Tariffs here and gone tomorrow. Tantrums in the Oval Office. State Departments

of Education being threatened. Stock markets crashing, with the with the market logging its worst performance for a “new” president since 2009. People are apprehensive about their pensions and their jobs and have dialed back their spending as a result. Consumer spending drives the economy, and many consumers aren’t confident enough (consumer confidence is down by more than 9%) to take on extra spending. We are in the middle of a “ball of confusion” the Temptations referenced in their 1970 song.

The 47th president promised no business as usual. What he meant was no business at all! The disruption that has riddled both the federal government and our total way of life is, at best, disturbing. Not everyone is experiencing it, but everyone knows someone who is. What are we to do? I say that in the middle of disruption, of being shaken up, we go back to basics, back to our roots. What does that mean? We shop Black, work Black, live Black, aspire Black. Too many of us drank the integration Kool-Aid without

tasting all the integration flavor. In other words, nothing wrong with integration if we value ourselves.

The white man’s ice is not colder. White man’s laws are not fairer. Those deluded folk who seemed to think that the 47th president would be better for the economy are now about to find out what Malcolm X meant when he talked about “chickens coming home to roost.” Some of the very people who were touting 47 in November are now whining about job losses, portfolio shrinkage and deportation.

Marc

H. Morial

If It Walks Like a Tax and Quacks Like a Tax, We Call It a Tax

people who buy that story, the more he can do this fiscal switch and have an excuse for the tax cuts.”

— Kimberly Clausing

“You can’t really run a campaign where you’re like: I want to cut taxes for rich people and raise them on the poor. So instead, it’s all of this smoke-and-mirrors distraction about how foreigners are taking advantage of us ... It’s a story that, if you don’t know any economics and you haven’t stopped to think about it, sounds appealing. And the more

Former U.S. Sen. John McCain once said, “I’ve tried to say that I admire and respect Sen. Obama. He has accomplished great things, and he has motivated people, and so on — and he loves his country, just as I do.” In a showcase of American civility, Sen. McCain asked the man who defeated him for the U.S. presidency to deliver one of the

President Trump says “tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary.”

The beauty, for him, is that it allows him to avoid the word “tax.”

“If a candidate announced a tax increase on the poor and middle class to fund a tax cut for the rich, voters would soundly reject that

proposal,” UCLA tax law professor Kimberly Clausing wrote in The New York Times. “But tariffs wrap this fiscal switch in a veneer of nationalism.”

In other words, if it looks like a tax and sounds like a tax and raises prices for the average American like a tax, we call it a tax.

Trump imposed a massive, job-killing tax increase on American consumers this week, one of a dizzying array that he has threatened, withdrawn, postponed or introduced. The uncertainty has

thrown the U.S. stock market into chaos and stymied economists’ efforts to precisely calculate the potential damage.

The 25% tax on all steel and aluminum imports that went into effect this week — on top of a 20% tax on Chinese imports Trump already imposed — could cost the U.S. 100,000 jobs in the aluminum industry alone.

Trump’s proposed tax increases combined could cost the U.S. a stunning 600,000 full-time jobs.

One calculation of a combi-

W. Marshall

eulogies at his funeral. Despite the brutal and bitter rivalry between the two candidates during the 2008 presidential race, Obama agreed to do the eulogy. The two men, one Democrat and one Republican, were true patriots. A patriot loves his country.

A true patriot loves his country when his country doesn’t love them back. When Black soldiers returned home from World War II, they faced widespread discrimination, despite having fought overseas against fascism. Some white

communities reacted with hostility toward returning Black soldiers by resorting to violence and intimidation. These soldiers who fought at home and abroad were examples of true patriots. Patriotism is not limited by race, political affiliation, gender or class. American patriotism is diverse. John McCain and Barack Obama showed that American patriotism is a shared purpose among people of diverse backgrounds. People who know when to put aside their personal differences in a time of national unity. As it pertains to

our nation, why do people love their country? Having love for your country can result from a variety of reasons for people of different backgrounds.

For many of us, we love our country simply because it’s our home. We love our country because of the individual freedoms and opportunities we have compared with other nations. We love our country because of its diversity even when it is tested. We love our country because of the opportunities for institutions such as families,

We’ve been there, done that with government cutbacks. The most glaring history is that of the racist President Woodrow Wilson who fired most of the senior Black people in his administration. Most notably, the demotion of Daniel Murray, assistant librarian of Congress was a disgrace that reminds us that those who serve at “the pleasure of the president” can be easily let go. Their firings may be challenged but the work of their agencies will slow,

nation of proposed tax increases estimated an annual household cost of more than $2,600 — more than 17% of the annual income of a full-time worker earning the federal minimum wage.

Trump has offered a nonsensical and ever-changing list of rationales for his tax hike agenda, from the absurd notion of forcing Canada to become a U.S. state to raising revenue to fund child care. In reality, his wildly unrealistic

churches and businesses to thrive and prosper. We love our country even when our loyalty to it is questioned. Many people still have love for their country despite its government being filled with centuries of imperfections.

This brings us to a critical question. How can a person claim to have love for their country while maintaining hate for their country’s government? In their thoughts and opinions, love of country is not tied

David

Guest Columnist

Warriors Fight Back When Attacked!

hurting, people.

On Thursday, March 6, 10 Democrats voted to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) — siding with the enemy instead of challenging the person speaking and taking nearly 2 hours to spew hatefulness and untruths. Rep. Green has served 11 honorable terms in Congress, and before that he was a great lawyer, judge and president of the NAACP. He has a great record of helping, not

The true warriors are the ones who refused to listen to the man without objection. His ugliness was deliberate. It says a lot about those who quietly sat by and said or did nothing. It tells us who they are. I like the ones better who showed us their concern. The 250,000plus people on the Zoom with Roland Martin did the right thing by showing our disdain for what we knew Trump would say. Our being on Zoom while Trump was spewing his lies, would’ve upped the ratings on the meanness he was spewing. We objected in advance

because we knew what he always says. The objectors are the true warriors who rightfully objected to what was being said. Warriors fight back in whatever way they can when they or their people are attacked. What Trump did was deliberately abusive. What the 10 Democrats did was divisive, and they must know what they did hurt others who were doing the right thing. I’ve heard their excuses, and wonder what they did when Marjorie Taylor Greene or Joe Wilson of South Carolina broke “decorum.” After what Rep. Green did, he “apologized” because some things

are so wrong that you must speak out. Silence to what Trump was saying was giving their consent. Rep. Green, Rep. Jasmine Crockett and the members who held up their signs or walked out showed how they rightly felt. Suddenly, with their objections, freedom of speech went out the window!

Everyday somebody stands up for what is right without regard to what others think or are too afraid or too uncaring to do anything — so the ugliness goes on. Being OK with lies is not OK. Violating one’s right to disagree with lies is not OK. Those who spoke

The Musk-Trump Alliance Threatens Black Americans

As America grapples with shifting values and increasing chaos, we face an unsettling question: Could Black Americans find themselves pushed back to a time reminiscent of the 1870s post-Reconstruction era, where legally they had no rights whites had to respect?

The threat is real, particularly under the grip of powerful figures like Elon

Musk and Donald Trump — individuals whose troubling histories and ideologies seem poised to further marginalize people of color. It is difficult to think that Musk and Trump see Black Americans as their equals worthy of sharing basic human space.

Both have been criticized for their harsh racial views and have a history of negative statements and treatment of Black people. This duo stands at the forefront of a dangerous potential that could propel Black Americans into a societal landscape devoid of the hardwon rights and dignity they gained

during the civil rights era of the 1960s. If they succeed in spearheading initiatives aligned with their shared disdain for diversity and equity, the impact could be devastating, reminiscent of a time when Black lives were rife with white violence and systemic oppression.

Donald Trump has faced allegations of racism throughout his career. For instance, his company was sued in the 1970s for housing discrimination against Black renters. He also promoted the debunked “birther” conspiracy which charged Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

In 1989, he placed ads in four New York newspapers calling for the death penalty for five Black men convicted of raping a white female jogger in New York’s Central Park. When the young men were exonerated, Trump never apologized. His direct comments charging that Black people come from “s---hole” countries and Black Haitian immigrants should be deported while white Afrikaners should be welcomed to the U.S. as refugees continue to fuel his anti-Black sentiments.

Meanwhile, Musk’s lawsuits at his companies charging racial discrimi-

Trump’s EPA Is at War With the Americans It Is Supposed to Protect

As they say in horror movies, the call is coming from inside the house.

Under Donald Trump, the Environmental Protection Agency has reversed its own mission. And last week, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin outright declared war on the American people.

Zeldin announced 31 actions he celebrated as “the largest deregulatory announcement in U.S. history.” The

administration is attempting to undo critical progress that is currently saving lives and saving Americans’ money — on health care costs, energy bills and more. Moreover, Trump and Zeldin are trying to undercut the EPA’s very ability to do its job and protect our health, our communities and our futures.

If Trump and Zeldin are successful in undoing the rules they have targeted, the consequences are guaranteed to be dire. Dire for the thousands of Americans who will die needlessly every year. Dire for the thousands of children who

spend more days in the hospital and fewer days in school. Dire for working families whose electricity and health care bills will go up, and whose air and water will become the things that are killing them rather than keeping them alive.

Dire for the tens of millions of American children and adults living with asthma — like Kyla Peck, whom I spoke with last World Asthma Day. Kyla recalled her first rude awakening with how poor air quality was not just a threat to her daily physical well-being but also her bank account:

“I was home in Chicago from college, maybe 20 years old, and I had a really, really bad asthma attack. I was hospitalized for maybe about 12 hours. Then I received the bill. Even after insurance paid their part, I owed about $500. I was in college; I had no money. … It was stressful, not only having to navigate the asthma attack but having to learn to navigate my own financial situation living with this illness.”

Now let us look at just one of the rules under attack by the Trump administration that are helping people like Kyla every day. Just over a year ago,

out verbally or actively should be honored. What others should have spoken out against were the disrespectful things Trump was saying about President Zelenskyy, and the admiring things Trump was saying about Russia’s president when he said “Anybody would have done the same thing” referring to Putin continuing to bomb Ukraine.

I believe in the warriors who are still fighting back against wrong. As Martin Luther King III said at this year’s march in Selma, that it does not feel like

Page 54

nation speak volumes. For example, Tesla has been accused of fostering a racially hostile work environment at its Fremont, California, factory. Allegations include the use of racial slurs by co-workers and supervisors, as well as claims that complaints to human resources were ignored. A California judge recently allowed nearly 6,000 Black workers to proceed with a class-action lawsuit against Tesla, citing a pattern of discrimination of Black workers at its Fremont electric car fac-

when the EPA was fulfilling its mission, it finalized improved air quality standards. At the time, the agency estimated that, come 2032, that one rule alone would “prevent up to 4,500 premature deaths and 290,000 lost workdays, yielding up to $46 billion in net health benefits;” that in that year, for every dollar spent from that rule, “there could be as much as $77 in human health benefits.”

Announcing that rule back in February 2024, then-EPA Administra-

WILLIAMS

Dr. Barbara Reynolds

Ben Jealous

Guest Columnist

E. Faye Williams

Guest Columnist Guest Columnist

LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST

WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV!

By Tait Manning WI Intern

This week is full of opportunities to invest in self-care, eat good food and discover new art.

From a femme art market celebrating Women’s History Month to an interactive cookbook club, check out a handful of the many events happening to keep your spirit – and social life – lit.

To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar to stay up-to-date on DMV happenings year round.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20

March Cookbook Club: BELLY FULL by Lesley Enston

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | $6.00+ Bold Fork Books, 3064 Mount Pleasant Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

Join Bold Fork Books for the March 2025 meeting of the Bold Fork Book Club, where each guest is expected to prepare a dish from the book “Belly Full,” by Lesley Enston. Then attendees will gather in the shop and share a feast. They will talk through the process of procuring ingredients, challenges and unexpected

pleasures of the cooking process and many other things related to “Belly Full.”

Days Running by

Shawn Stewart Ruff

7 p.m.- 8 p.m. | Free Lost City Books, 2467 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

A book release and signing with the author of “Days Running,” a dynamic portrait of one queer, Black boy’s experience in 1970s Cincinnati.

Shawn Stewart Ruff is the author of three novels, including “Finlater,” the 2008 winner of a Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction. He is also the editor of the landmark “Go the Way Your Blood Beats: An Anthology of Lesbian and Gay Fiction by African American Writers (1996).”

Stewart Ruff will be in conversation with author Marcia Chatelain.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21

Benito Gonzalez / Buster Williams / Lenny White

7 p.m. | $35.00+ Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20007

5 A still from the African Film Festival teaser of “MEMORIES OF LOVE RETURNED,” an introspective documentary that offers a rare and intimate look at the transformative power of photography. The documentary will be shown at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center on March 23. (Jada Ingleton/The Washington Informer)

Venezuelan-born pianist Benito Gonzalez should be no stranger to D.C. crowds, having performed for many years at the now-shuttered Twins Jazz Club and been a favorite at Blues Alley.

In his show on March 21 at Blues Alley, audiences will witness Gonzales lead a truly all-star trio with straight-ahead stalwart bassist Buster Williams and seminal fusion drummer Lenny White.

90’s Theme Hip-Hop and R&B Party

11 p.m. | $20.00+

The Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Get ready to pull out neon windbreakers, biker shorts, scrunchies, bomber jackets, oversized flannels and acid-washed jeans for a 90’s themed celebration, equipped with music and fun at the Howard Theatre.

Guests will have an opportunity to enjoy a blast from the past at the historic Howard Theatre for a 90’s-themed hip-hop and R&B party for all ages.

3At Bold Fork Book Club on March 20, guests exchange recipes and discuss food writer Lesley Enston’s (pictured) cookbook, “Belly Full.” As someone of Trinidadian descent, Enston brings readers into the overlapping histories of the Caribbean islands through their rich cultures and cuisines. (Courtesy Photo)

SATURDAY, MARCH 22

Femme Art Market

11 a.m - 3 p.m. | Free The Coupe, 3415 11th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20010

DC WitchFest presents the Femme Art Market, an event marking the start of spring highlighting local artists, entrepreneurs and creatives.

One dozen local makers will come together to celebrate the Spring Equinox, Women’s History Month and have fun. The event will feature local arts and crafts, tarot readings,

and more, and attendees can enter a raffle for a chance to win goods from a featured artist.

All proceeds to benefit the DC Abortion fund.

Turning the Page Bookstore Pop-Up at The Parks 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Free

The Parks at Walter Reed Marketplace Plaza, 7175 12th Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20012

Shop for used books, CDs, DVDs, and vinyl at a Carpe Librum pop-up sale.

The space will be filled with thousands of high-quality used books of all genres, for all ages.

All items are $7 or less and proceeds support Turning the Page, a local nonprofit that engages public school families for student success.

RnB, Soul & Mimosas Vegan Brunch + Wellness Experience Noon - 4 p.m. | $23.18+

Mixxed Food & Drinks, 2427 18th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C., 20009

Join Mixxed for a relaxing morning where guests can rejuvenate mind, body, and soul with a variety of activities and treatments designed to help you unwind and recharge.

Tickets include a sound bath, afro beat breathwork, a live RnB performance and a welcome drink.

After the wellness experiences attendees will indulge in an electric plant based brunch that will feed their body with only the best ingredients and nutrients.

Enjoy brunch to the soulful sounds of DJ Q and Cool Beach (Sax) who will perform RnB, Soul and Afrobeat vibes, igniting the mind and spirit.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23

New African Film Festival: MEMORIES OF LOVE RETURNED + Q&A & reception hosted by Emb. of Uganda 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | $11.00+ AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center, 8633 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, 20910

On April 24, 2002, filmmaker Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine’s car broke down in the small town of Mbirizi, Uganda. While waiting for the car’s repair, he stumbled upon a photo studio and met photographer Kibaate Aloysius Ssalongo, whose work dated back to the late 1950’s.

This chance encounter turned into a 22-year journey documenting and exploring Kibaate’s life and photography, as well as the profound impact it had on both Ntare and the lives of the communities he documented.

Executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, this incredible documentary offers a rare and intimate look at the transformative power of photography, as a community uncovers long-lost photos, family secrets and previously unseen relatives, all brought to life through Kibaate’s lens.

Persian Tea Hour : Celebrating Persian New Year 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. | Free Busboys and Poets- Takoma, 235 Carroll Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20012

Celebrate NoWruz, The Persian New Year, a time of renewal, hope and the arrival of spring. WI

Questlove Gives Us All of Sly Stone

Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

As co-founder of The Roots, a legendary hip-hop group and the house band for “The Tonight Show,” Ahmir Khalib Thompson, better known as Questlove, has proven himself a respected musicologist. An Oscar-winning producer and director of the documentary “Summer of Soul,” and DJ, Questlove’s career and new documentary “Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)” on Hulu, reveals he appreciates highlighting unknown music and musical stories.

“I got tired of the drug addicted—like troubled [narrative]… He chose drugs when he got successful,” said Questlove in an interview with Sherri Shepherd talking about Sly Stone, the famed lead singer of Sly and the Family Stone. “This shows you the psychology behind the trepidation and fear of why.”

SLY’S INFLUENCE

Without a doubt, other artists adore Stone’s composing and producing skills, from artists such as Andre 3000 of OutKast, Jim-

my Jam and Terry Lewis, George Clinton of Parliament Funkadelic, Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest, all who admitted to sampling his music.

From his early days in San Francisco radio, Stone started making records at age 19. He liked all genres of music, capturing what he loved into what he produced for others.

His broad foundation in music was how the Family Stone evolved.

Formed in the ‘60s, it was a diverse rock/soul band that included musicians and singers who were Black, white, and Hispanic who could jam.

“I was excited from the very beginning,” said top music executive Clive Davis.

With the group’s success, relationships between The Family Stone became tense, and members began to leave. Between lateness, spending money before paying the band, bringing people around just to hang out, and the drugs, Sly was retreating.

“It’s a type of separation anxiety,” said Andre 3000. “He was always vulnerable. Values change.”

5Ahmir Khalib Thompson, better known as Questlove is highlighting the untold story of Sly Stone, lead singer of Sly and the Family Stone, in the new Hulu documentary “Sly Lives!” (Courtesy Photo)

Portraits by Keith Tate

Dr. Justine Love Hosted by

Ali Jones Payton DeVaughn Richards Sugar Bear

Rolark Barnes Singleton Lockridge Clair

Jolley Brown

LIFESTYLE

BY LAUREN M. GUNDERSON

Questlove has another documentary he produced on Peacock.

SLY LIVES from Page 33 and 1970 after Woodstock, and “Summer of Soul” that changed him, and I want to find out what it was,” Questlove said in an interview with International Documentary Association (IDA), when beginning the work for “Sly Lives.”

“Ladies and Gentlemen, 50 Years of SNL Music” which was created in support of the 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live.

He said digging into musical stories, particularly about Black artists, and sharing their truths motivates his work.

“There’s literally no Black genius in music that hasn’t been painted as a tragic figure. From Bird to Ray Charles to Michael Jackson.

And Sly represents that. So yes, there’s one story to be told, how somebody was so pioneering using their music to break boundaries, but something happened in 1969

community relations and events for the Washington Commanders

• Patty Medina, associate athletic director for American University, SA Development & Inclusive Excellence

• Erine Blaine, fan experience manager for the Washington Mystics

• Jaynel J., media correspondent for DC Now Events

These trailblazing women shared powerful insights, inspiring all attendees to expand on their professional impact, community empowerment, and the breaking of barriers.

It became more than just a reception promoting NIL, but a celebration of women making bold moves and driving change in the world.

Medina highlighted the drive for inclusivity within the reception’s panel discussion, emphasizing the importance of allyship at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). SShe advocated that it’s important to continue uplifting and supporting all women, especially at an event like “100 Women for Howard.”

“We talk about allyship a lot and so I feel like that was my position on this panel, to really hone in on the allyship of, ‘Hey minority women, we’re the minority women regardless of whether we’re Black, brown, or Asian,’” Medina said. “It’s important to really continue to elevate each other. That’s why even at a place like American Universi-

“That’s a common action that’s been happening for 50 years. So, hopefully in providing the outlet to study mental health and that sort of thing that normally Black people don’t speak of, there will be something deeper under that,” he continued. “I want to investigate—and tell the story of the guy who wrote great music and saved hip-hop, and all those other things.”

WI @bcscomm

ty, I’m like, there aren’t many of us, and I wanna be the one to hire all of us. I feel like that’s where my intention was with this panel and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to do that.”

Attendees, industry workers, and athletes also had the chance to speak with these women, as Q&A sessions and opportunities to connect were offered throughout the event.

King, the women’s basketball star freshman and 11-time MEAC Rookie of the Week, opened up about the valuable takeaways she gained from the event.

“It meant a lot to me,” King said. “It was super inspirational. I met some amazing ladies today, I learned a lot of good things, just how I should carry myself …and carry my career as I go forward.”

Jasmen Walker, a runner with Howard’s track and field program, said it was refreshing to discuss women’s empowerment and how that furthers the growth of her journey in sports.

“I really liked the event because I like just women empowering each other and I think sometimes with women, it’s like they have to be against each other and I love that [a speaker] said ‘Lift as you climb,’ and I really took that from the event. Like that really stuck with me,” Walker said. “And also just learning from people that are in sports, because, personally, I’m a big sports fan and it’s just nice to see people are in higher up positions and they’re women in sports.” WI

100 WOMEN from Page 5

Pink Tie Party Celebrating the Beauty and Breadth of D.C., Cross Cultural Connections

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

Already a well-known hub for travel in D.C., Union Station hosted the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Pink Tie Party for the second year on March 14, transporting guests not via train, but experiences, to a floral, blush-colored world that celebrated diversity, District culture and the power of cultural exchange.

“The Pink Tie Party has been going on for about 15 years so we’re at this wonderful destination and celebrating spring with lots of wonderful Washingtonians and even some visitors,” Diana Mayhew, president and Ceo of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, told The Informer during the event.

From the moment guests walked onto the pink carpet to enter into Union Station, the Pink Tie Party offered a “Passport to Spring,” as the event is often billed. Attendees filled the beautiful cherry blossom decorated rooms, that featured live music, delectable, diverse cuisines from more than a dozen restaurants, and specialty cocktails flowing,

The event was also presented

by Design Cuisine with support from All Nippon Airways.

With more than 800 guests donning stunning pink gowns, dapper tuxedos with pink accessories, and floral ensembles, there were also various photo activations for people to showcase their best cherry blossom-inspired looks.

“This year has been the year that people are really stepping up the fashion for spring, and cherry blossoms, and pink,” Mayhew said smiling, as she rocked a gorgeous pink gown at the event.

“You can see it all over and everybody’s having such a great time.”

Performers such as Batala, Perfekt Blend, members of Cafritz Young Artists of Washington National Opera and women on stilts, kept audiences engaged and entertained.

Further, guests could try out fare from several local and internationally known restaurants such as Nando’s, Mercy Me and Estuary, that not only appealed to attendees’ taste buds, but highlighted DMV-based businesses and talent.

“This evening we’re here to

PINK TIE PARTY Page 36

5David Moran, area director of operations for Clyde’s Restaurant Group, and National Cherry Blossom Festival President and CEO Diana Mayhew at the Pink Tie Party on March 14. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

5University of the District of Columbia (UDC) President Maurice D. Edington, director of Student Life and Services Percy Henry III, and UDC First Lady Tonya Edington attend the Cherry Blossom Festival’s Pink Tie Party on March 14. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

THE SOUND OF (BLACK) MUSIC

PINK TIE PARTY from Page 35

bring a little bit of the Estuary flavor to the Pink Tie Party and then we’ve also made our contribution to preserve the beautiful cherry blossom trees in the city of Washington, D.C.,” said Arturo Elias, chef at Estuary, before explaining more about the restaurant, located on the third floor of the Conrad Hotel in Northwest.

“We are a mixed-cuisine focused restaurant and we try to give the best DMV has to offer and pour it into our kitchen.”

For Pink Tie Party guest Zanetta Ford-Byrd of Ashburn, Virginia, attending the event is an annual priority.

“I am here because I heard about this event two years ago and I decided to come out and see what it was about. It was absolutely amazing and I found that this is the event to be at every year and I’ve been coming back ever since,” Ford-Byrd told The Informer while waiting in line to take a glamorous slow-motion video at the 360 Booth.

After having such a good time the past two years, Ford-Byrd decided to bring her cousin LaJuya Hackley, who was having a great time taking in every moment.

”I’m so happy to be here,” said Hackely, “and this is an awesome event.”

A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

More than just an opportunity to don fancy pink ensembles and party, the annual event serves a larger purpose for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs from March 20-April 13.

“The Pink Tie Party helps us fundraise,” Mayhew explained.

“Most of our events are free and open to the public. This is one where people buy tickets to, but it helps support our community programs so we can really engage residents and youth especially in all eight wards.”

Some of this year’s festival programming includes: the Opening Ceremony (March 22), Blossom Kite Festival (March 29), Petalpalooza (April 5), and the celebrated National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on April 12.

Elias told The Informer that participating in the Pink Tie Party serves a dual purpose that furthers Estuary’s work beyond the Northwest, D.C. hotel where the restaurant is based.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to engage with some people. But I feel it’s also a way for us to contribute to keep the beauty of the city,” Elias said. I think it’s a great opportunity for us to give back to the community.”

Preserving the cherry blossoms in the District is critical, as the

planting of cherry trees in Washington, D.C. started as a gift from Japan to the United States in 1912. For more than a century, celebrating the bloom of the cherry blossoms has been a way to mark the beginning of spring and honor cross-cultural connections.

Last year, the National Park Service announced it would start working on the crumbling sea wall on the south side of the Tidal Basin, where there were more than 1700 cherry trees planted. The work required removing about 150 trees, leaving more than 1500 along the Tidal Basin for DMV residents and visitors alike to take in their beauty during peak bloom, which is predicted to be somewhere between March 23- March 27.

“Cherry blossoms are a very important part of the city and literally, people come from all over the world to come here,” Elias said. “I know we’re not Japan, however, this is one of the most beautiful cities to see the cherry blossoms.”

In addition to taking in the cherry blossoms, Mayhew encouraged anyone interested in attending festival events to check out nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

She then offered another important reminder about the annual programming: “It’s for free!”

5Dawn Quattlebaum, EventsDC President and CEO Angie Gates, and Laisha Dougherty at the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Pink Tie Party on March 14. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

Fairy Shoe Sorter

round St. Patrick’s Day, you will often hear legends about leprechauns and their pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Have you ever wondered where they get all of that gold?

Just making and selling shoes isn’t enough to collect the gold needed to ll a leprechaun’s pot. Leprechauns have to keep an eye on the costs of making fairy shoes, too.

Take a look at the cost of shoe supplies on this list.

We make shoes for fairies!

Their shoes wear out very quickly because fairies dance all night.

WSo, we are always busy making new shoes for them. And they pay

hat if the leprechaun spent more gold coins to make the shoes than he charged the fairies? He would run out of gold pretty quickly!

If it costs 7 gold coins for the supplies to make one pair of fairy shoes, what should the leprechaun charge so that he covers his costs and has some money left over to pay himself for his work to make the shoes?

How many shamrocks can you nd on this page?

Picking the right price is important. If the leprechaun charges too little, he will lose money. But if he charges too much, he will lose customers.

Pixie Prancers

Pretty Petunias

Use these worksheets to add up the costs of making each pair of shoes. Then nd the di erence between the costs and the selling price to determine the pro t for each pair of shoes. PROFIT: Money earned after the expenses are paid.

Add up the coins on each path that leads to the Leprechaun piggy bank. Which path has the most gold coins?

Re ned Rosies

Small, Large, Larger and Largest

Find four numbers in today’s newspaper. Cut them out and glue them on a piece of paper in order from the smallest to the largest.

Math is GOLDEN!

Numbers are useful every day. Look through the newspaper to find a number that tells each of the following:

Standards

I knew my luck would change the moment I picked up a beautiful four-leaf clover … Finish this story.

review wi book

Women’s History

Month Books for Kids

By Various Author

c.2024, 2025,

Various publishers

$17.99-$20

Various page counts

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

Mom and Grandma know a lot of things.

They know what you like for breakfast and for lunch. They help you find the coolest clothes and the best toys. They’re really good at telling stories, teaching you chores, and giving you hugs. You know they do great things and so have other women throughout history — so grab these great books and learn more …

March is Women’s History Month and learning about it is easy when you have “The ABCs of Women’s History” by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer (Workman, $18.99). From artists and activists to Zora Neale Hurston, this book takes very young readers on a tour through the decades, other cultures, countries, and careers, music and more. Parents will be surprised at the breadth of this book and the women in it; kids ages three to six will love the fun, vibrant artwork.

The child who likes to draw and create will find inspiration inside “Make Your Mark” by Jacci Gresham with Sherry Fellores, illustrated by David Wilkerson (Dial Books for Young Readers, $18.99). It’s Gresham’s story of being the first known Black female tattoo artist, the struggles she had and the boundaries she ignored on her way to a career in ink. This is a great tale that parents won’t mind reading aloud because each short chapter starts with words meant to empower kids and to remind them that they can do whatever they put their minds to doing. Be sure to call your 4-to-6-year-old’s attention to the afterword.

Slightly older children who are looking for a good Women’s History Month book can’t go wrong with “Valiant Vel” by Jerrianne Hayslett, illustrations by Aaron Boyd, afterword by Michael Phillips (Wisconsin Historical Society Press, $20). Even when she was a kid in the 1940s, Vel Phillips was an activist in her Milwaukee hometown, speaking out against racism. She became a lawyer in 1951 and she continued to fight for equality and Civil Rights through politics and protest. For the 9-to-13-year-old who longs to make a difference in the world, this book is full of photos, artwork, kid-friendly chapters, and inspiration.

And finally, for readers ages 9 and up, “The Six: The Untold Story of America’s First Women Astronauts” by Loren Grush with Rebecca Stefoff (Simon & Schuster, $17.99) may be just right for Women’s History Month. This “young readers edition” is all about America’s first female astronauts — Sally Ride, Anna Fisher, Kathy Sullivan, Rhea Seddon, Judy Resnik, and Shannon Lucid — and their groundbreaking, history-making work at NASA and beyond. Here, your child will thrill to tales of their training, their work, what it’s like to be an astronaut, and what it’s like to struggle while focusing on a big dream. Older children will think this book’s out of this world.

And if these books aren’t enough, be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for help on finding more. They’ve got books for you to consider and take home. Plus, for Women’s History Month and otherwise, they know lots of things. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

MAR. 20 - 26, 2025

ARIES Dynamic opportunities emerge as Mars energizes your personal sector, bringing renewed vitality to initiatives requiring courage and initiative. Self-confidence peaks during challenges that showcase your competitive spirit when you maintain focus on objectives. Financial decisions benefit from decisive action midweek through calculated risks that leverage your momentum. Lucky Numbers: 7, 19, 31

TAURUS Security strengthens as Venus harmonizes with Jupiter, expanding your appreciation for life’s tangible pleasures and meaningful comforts. Home-centered projects flourish, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality. Financial opportunities appear midweek through patient cultivation of resources aligned with your values. Professional recognition comes from steady performance during turbulent circumstances. Lucky Numbers: 5, 16, 28

GEMINI Intellectual connections multiply as Mercury activates your communication sector, bringing exchanges that spark innovative solutions to persistent puzzles. Information processing accelerates, allowing you to synthesize diverse concepts into cohesive frameworks. Networking opportunities expand midweek with introductions to complementary thinkers who enhance your ideas. Lucky Numbers: 3, 11, 35

CANCER Emotional intelligence guides financial decisions as the Moon illuminates your resource sector, bringing clarity to matters involving security and sustenance. Family dynamics show healing progress through honest conversations acknowledging deeper needs. Investment opportunities appear midweek through connections who respect your careful approach to resources. Lucky Numbers: 2, 18, 40

LEO Self-expression attracts opportunities as the Sun empowers your identity sector, bringing recognition for authentic contributions that inspire others. Creative vision expands, drawing admirers who appreciate your generous spirit and dramatic flair. Relationship breakthroughs occur midweek through heart-centered exchanges that deepen mutual appreciation. Lucky Numbers: 1, 13, 34

VIRGO Analytical precision solves complex problems as Mercury enhances your methodical approach, bringing elegant solutions that demonstrate your attention to detail. Health improvements result from small adjustments to daily routines that accumulate benefits over time. Organizational projects reach completion midweek, showcasing your ability to create efficient systems from chaotic circumstances. Lucky Numbers: 4, 20, 29

LIBRA Harmonious connections deepen as Venus graces your relationship sector, bringing meaningful developments with important partners in both personal and professional spheres. Negotiation skills shine in situations requiring balanced consideration of competing perspectives. Aesthetic decisions reach satisfying resolution midweek, particularly involving shared spaces or collaborative efforts. Lucky Numbers: 6, 15, 33

SCORPIO Insights reveal hidden patterns as Pluto enhances your investigative prowess, bringing strategic advantage in situations requiring psychological understanding. Financial opportunities emerge through careful analysis of resources shared with trusted partners. Research yields valuable discoveries midweek that influence your long-term planning strategies. Lucky Numbers: 9, 21, 44

SAGITTARIUS Vision attracts growth opportunities as Jupiter amplifies your optimism, bringing exciting possibilities through educational pursuits or philosophical exploration. Your enthusiasm inspires others to expand beyond comfortable limitations into territories with greater potential. Publishing opportunities crystallize midweek, particularly involving subjects that ignite your passionate interest. Lucky Numbers: 8, 24, 36

CAPRICORN Professional advancement accelerates as Saturn rewards your efforts, bringing recognition from authority figures who value your consistent performance. Organizational responsibilities highlight your leadership abilities when navigating complex situations requiring practical wisdom. Resource management skills prove invaluable during transitions requiring careful allocation of assets. Lucky Numbers: 10, 22, 38

AQUARIUS Innovative solutions gain recognition as Uranus activates your visionary thinking, bringing opportunities to implement progressive ideas addressing collective challenges. Technological insights allow you to anticipate developments others find surprising or disruptive. Friendship networks expand midweek through unusual circumstances connecting you with forward-thinking individuals who share your humanitarian values. Lucky Numbers: 11, 27, 42

PISCES Intuitive guidance illuminates decisions as Neptune enhances your spiritual sensitivity, bringing clarity to situations requiring compassionate discernment. Creative inspiration flows abundantly, especially in artistic endeavors expressing emotional nuance or transcendent themes. Financial intuition proves accurate midweek when trusting subtle impressions about timing and opportunity. Lucky Numbers: 12, 25, 37

SPORTS

Local Teams Gear Up for March Madness

By Ed Hill WI Contributing Writer

With March Madness here and other tournaments ahead, this is an exciting time for men’s and women’s basketball teams at many local institutions and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) alike.

With the popularity continuing to grow in men’s and women’s college sports, new post-season tournaments have been added and players are now getting an opportunity to continue competing and vying for a championship.

The Big Dance, featuring the top-rated teams in the country, draws a lot of attention. However, there are national invitationals, where teams that did not make the Big Dance can have a chance to extend their seasons. More than 80 men’s and women’s teams will be competing.

As a result of the expansion, it provides local teams and HBCUs with an opportunity to showcase their programs.

4Members of University of Maryland Women’s Basketball team celebrate their victory against Ohio State on March

3. (Jonae Guest/The Washington Informer)

“Postseason basketball is awesome no matter what,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

ADVANCING TO THE NCAA TOURNAMENT

Many local teams are hoping to continue playing in the postseason.

University of Maryland

The University of Maryland men’s team (25-8) will be looking to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

While the Terrapins lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer to the University of Michigan in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, Maryland still qualified for the NCAA Tournament as a result of the team’s impressive season. Maryland faces Grand Canyon Friday (March 21) in the opening round.

American University

One of the biggest surprises of the season in college basketball has been

the success of the American University Eagles. Second-year head coach Duane Simpkins took the program to the Patriot League tournament championship to earn an automatic bid to the NCAAs for the first time in years.

A graduate of DeMatha and the University of Maryland, Simpkins was recently named to the prestigious Coach’s Watch List for National Coach of the Year consideration.

The Eagles will take on Mount Saint Mary’s in the first round.

HBCUs in the NCAA Tournament

The HBCUs will also be represented. Norfolk State (24-10) won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament championship over South Carolina State ( 66-65) to earn the automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans, the No. 16 seed, will face off against the University of Florida, the No. 1 seed in that region.

In the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Alabama State (1915) defeated Jackson State for the conference tournament championship; thus, earning the right to take on St. Francis in the NCAA play-in game.

MEN’S TEAMS COMPETE IN NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT

George Mason came up just short in a loss to VCU in the A-10 finals, but because of their impressive resume under second-year head coach

Tony Skinn, the Patriots will host Samford in the first round of the NIT.

As a result of solid seasons, both Georgetown and George Washington had fine seasons and still got another chance to extend their respective seasons despite not making the NCAAs. The two have been invited to play in the Inaugural College Basketball Crown in Las Vegas.

There are 16 of the top teams in the country who have been invited.

The Hoyas (17-15) will take on Washington State on March 31. The Revolutions (21-12) will play Boise State later that day.

WOMEN’S TEAMS TAKE ON MARCH MADNESS

For the women locally, the University of Maryland Terrapins will be playing in their 15th straight NCAA tournament. The Terrapins (23-7) will host Norfolk State (30-4) in the opening round in College Park, Maryland on Friday (March 21).

George Mason (26-6) had one of its best seasons in recent history under Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis, winning the Atlantic 10 tournament to earn the automatic bid. The Patriots will take on Florida State. Like Simpkins, Blair-Lewis is a finalist for the Coach’s Watch List for Coach of the Year consideration.

Among the HBCUs, Norfolk State won its third straight MEAC tournament title with a win over Howard in the MEAC final. The Spartans (30-4) won 30 games for the first time in school history. Norfolk State comes in with a 15-game win streak and the highest seed (13)

3March Madness and the Men’s and Women’s National Invitational Tournaments allow for post-season college basketball. Many local teams, including University of Maryland men’s and women’s basketball teams, are vying to win big in the national competitions. (Jonae Guest/ The Washington Informer)

in the history of the program.

This will be the third straight NCAA appearance for the Spartans.

THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT, HBCU ALL-STAR GAME

North Carolina A&T has been invited to play in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WBIT). A member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the North Carolina Aggies take on Virginia Tech from the ACC.

Navy women, who finished 1911 will be in the WBIT, along with Howard (21-11), which received an automatic bid after finishing as the MEAC runner-up.

The Bison will host Siena College Friday (March 21) inside Burr Gymnasium at 7 p.m.

Texas Southern (16-15), Alabama A&M (21-10) from the SWAC, and Coppin State (18-14) from the MEAC, round out the women’s teams that have qualified for post-season play.

The Texas Southern Jaguars will face off against St. Mary’s College on March 20 in Houston at H&PE Arena, while Alabama A&M will play at Chattanooga on March 22.

Also on March 22, the Eagles of Coppin State will take on Colgate in Hamilton, New York at 6 p.m.

In addition, Coppin State‘s Laila Lawrence will appear in the first ever Women’s HBCU All-Star game on April 6.

“Congratulations [Laila Lawrence],” Coppin’s women’s basketball team wrote on X, “another well deserved honor!” WI

CAPTURE the moment

District youth brought history to life in the 19th Annual “Blacks in Wax” museum and performance, hosted at Duke Ellington School of the Arts on March 15. The educational living history program tells the stories of influential African American figures through the lens of student performers from the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, ranging ages 6 to 17. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5Airrion Crawford portraying basketball star Angel Reese.

5Dasiah Watson as Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

3Dimosha Smith Jr. as Malcolm X.

5Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and civil rights activist Joyce Ladner pose with their mini-me’s.

RELIGION

FAITH from Page 1

and refuel the charge for Black America to continue the fight for democracy.

“We serve a God who commands us to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are called to be truth tellers, justice seekers and hope bearers in a world that often seeks to silence us,” said Rolark Barnes. “As we commemorate this occasion, let us recommit ourselves to the calling of the Black Press–to be bold, to be fearless and to be unwavering in our mission.”

Rolark Barnes said what started out as divine intervention and an idea spread through word of mouth, blossomed into a profound convening for community and remembrance. Black Press Sunday honored the establishment of the Black Press (March 16, 1827), and The Washington Informer, which marked 60 years of publishing on Oct. 16, 1964.

Beyond recognition, the impactful service was an invitation for community leaders like Rolark Barnes, guest preacher Dr. Ravi K. Perry, and the Rev. William Lamar IV, lead pastor of Metropolitan A.M.E Church, to charge attendees with a renewed commitment to faith, purpose, and hope for Black America.

“Today, as we reflect on our legacy, let us be reminded that our work is not separate from our

faith,” Rolark Barnes said. “Let us leave here today reminded that journalism is not a profession–it is a purpose, and just as the Black church has been our refuge and foundation, the Black press will continue to be our mirror, our megaphone and our movement.”

HISTORY OF THE BLACK PRESS IN THE BLACK CHURCH

As legendary powerhouses for civic reform and racial equity, the Black press and church share the role of championing justice in underserved communities, which made the historic Metropolitan A.M.E Church fitting for an empowering message of hope and rejuvenation.

Most notably, the strategically planned service stood as a reiteration of the foundation of faith in the Black press. Rolark Barnes noted that Freedom’s Journal –the first African American owned and operated newspaper, founded in 1827 – was the joint product of a journalist, John B. Russwurm, and a faith leader, the Rev. Samuel E. Cornish.

Moreover, Metropolitan A.M.E. has a special relationship with the Black Press, as slave abolitionist Frederick Douglass –founder of the 1847 antislavery newspaper The North Star – was a member of the historic landmark church.

“Douglass not only chronicled the fight for abolition, but also laid the foundation for Black journalism as a tool for liberation. He declared ‘power concedes nothing without a demand,’ and today, nearly two centuries after the founding of the Black press, we remain steadfast in demanding justice, truth and representation,” Rolark Barnes said with a passion.

Just a few days before the special Sunday service, the Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., delivered the State of the Black Press at Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library. Like Rolark Barnes, the global leader, who was also present for Black Press Sunday, lauded the need to reassert the values of the Black church and press in the forthcoming movement.

“From the very beginning of the Black press, we have been a praying people, a singing people, a unifying people,” Chavis said. “Faith in the God of justice and liberation has always undergone the sustainability of the Black press.”

REVIVING THE ‘BLACK CHURCH-BLACK PRESS’ MOVEMENT

Chavis told the crowd on March 13 that a “Black churchBlack press revival” is necessary, and three days later, Metropolitan A.M.E. and Black journalists gathered together.

“Pleading our own cause resuscitates that we do not lose sight about who is ultimately in charge,” he pointed out. “We

have to keep publishing, we have to keep struggling, and we know that we will continue to make progress. God bless the Black Press of America.”

After Black Press Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Carlton Waterhouse–an ordained elder of Metropolitan A.M.E and professor of law at Howard University–shared his thoughts on the presence of faith institutions in fighting injustice.

The environmental law expert said he believes that those who aim to challenge abuses of power should continue to do so with a focused lens on youth development and community wellness.

“When you are grounded in a sense of community, and community well-being, then you choose ways to fight that are not only helpful for you or that feel good to you at the time, but that are actually uplifting the entire community,” Waterhouse explained.

Further, the faith leader highlighted some potential opportunities to further leverage the unity between churches and the Black press. Among the list of his suggestions were: utilizing op-ed collaborations, building readership through members of the church, and bringing people together to strategize.

“Things are developed through Black media, along with Christian communities that are committed to social justice–where people network, organize and strategize on ways to improve our situation, and the situation for all people who are in need,” Waterhouse told The Informer.

In his sermon, Perry, an activist

scholar that specializes in Black politics, said that it is up to the church and storytellers to pursue their “anointing,” which he explained is just another word for joining God’s battle.

The political science professor acknowledged the “often dangerous” risks that come with reporting and encouraged the Black press to continue being a “distributor of what some might consider peace.”

“Without your continued courage, journalists,” Perry said, “truly, where would the Black American story be told?”

Perry challenged everyone present to enact action within their own reach.

“And the rest of us with the privilege of a platform…or some of us that just have a pen for the Letter to the Editor’s page, we cannot afford to be silent,” he said. “We must use our anointing, we must do justice.”

Though Black Press Week has come to an end, Black Press Sunday made it abundantly clear that the battle for justice is far from over. As Black faith leaders and journalists alike prepare to collaborate on mass meetings and community outreach, Perry strives to embody the resilience and strength of the forefathers of these Black institutions.

“Our divine weapons are ready and our ancestors already prepared us for battle,” Perry said. “We, the anointing together, can, will, and must transform ourselves, transcend today’s politics, and liberate one another.”

5Black media professionals pose in Frederick Douglass Hall at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Northwest, D.C., after the inaugural Black Press Sunday service. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

— Proverbs 3:5-6

This is the final principle, number 13, “The Sixth Sense.” We all have a sixth sense, hunches, inklings, thoughts that keep coming back. Things you’re destined to do, if you only heed the call and begin to take action steps.

When we get a sense that someone pretending to be our friend isn’t, when they show you, don’t be surprised, your sixth sense had already warned you; when you feel your spouse is cheating on you, and you learn they are; you feel the need to call someone, and it ends up being a time when they really need you; that, my friend, is your sixth sense at work in every instance. As Christians, this is considered to be a discerning spirit. Notice the book title “Think and Grow Rich.” This final chapter is a culmination of all of the chapters. Every action begins with what we are thinking. Then what we choose to do with those thoughts, once they come forth.

According to Hill, once you’ve mastered the first 12 principles you can go through the door to the Temple to Wisdom and tap into your sixth sense - infinite intelligence. Infinite is the optimal word. It means knowing all, nothing is out of reach for an infinite intelligence. Look it up for yourself.

It is quite simple as Hill states over and over again, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, he can achieve.”

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

The Sixth Sense — The Voice You Hear is Real! the religion corner

This book has helped millions of people learn how to make their dreams become a reality, when they simply “walk by faith, and not by sight.” As you followed the past weeks when I shared with you each of the 13 principles, did you notice Scriptures were always applied? In fact, 2 Corinthians 5:7 is the lead Scripture for these 13 weeks of study: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

There will be times when things won’t make sense as you travel along this journey toward where God is leading you. You will have to trust God and continue to move forward.

Do your part. Desire something; believe you can have it; then see yourself in possession of whatever it is you desire – that’s called faith; see yourself running your business; see yourself married to a wonderful husband or wife; see yourself driving that new Jaguar you want; see yourself graduating from college. See the dream as if it is already a reality, by faith, not by sight, then begin to take action to the best of your ability. Our Lord and Savior will pick you up and carry you the rest of the way! Remember the poem “Footprints in the Sand.”

Once you begin moving in the direction of what God has shown you to do, you then get busy fixing any weaknesses you may have. Weaknesses that hinder you from getting to your destination, we all have some. Do you need more training in a special subject; more mentors, are they

successful?

Cast your care upon the Lord. Pray, stay positive; don’t get jealous of others who don’t have your problems. God has a plan just for you. Don’t compare your life to others. Be committed, especially when it’s hard to do. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this.”

We often get started, but can’t seem to see our way clearly. There will come times when you won’t quite know how you’re going to make it to that goal God promised will be yours. We must not quit, we must keep going, as God keeps directing your path, listen and keep going.

Finally, you will reach the other side; good things will begin to happen for you. Just don’t give up. Don’t be weary in well doing, in due season you shall reap. The Word says, “We’re the head and not the tail; our faith moves mountains; and God is always faithful.”

It’s important to listen to your thoughts, your sixth sense. It is God speaking directly into your spirit, leading, guiding and directing your path. I pray this series has been helpful to you. I am available to give workshops on this series. Call me so we can schedule your group for a study and learning session. WI

RELIGION

MCCOLLUM & ASSOCIATES, LLC

ADA, Age Discrimination, Benefits, Civil Rights, COBRA, Contracts, Deaf Law, Defamation, Disability Law, Discipline, Discrimination, FMLA, FLSA, FOIA, Family Responsibility, Harassment, HIPPA, OSHA, National Origin Discrimination, Non-Compete, Race Discrimination, Rehabilitation Act, Retaliation, Severance Agreements, Sexual Harassment, Torts, Whistleblowing, Wage-and-Hour, Wrongful Discharge

RELIGION

Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 Fax : 202-338-4958

Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org

All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant

401 Van Buren St., NW, Washington D.C. 20012 Office (202)-882-8331

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331

Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

Purpose

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Promised Land Baptist Church

ment with House Republican leadership, which includes Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), and Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.).

“The case has been made that these are … local dollars,” Bowser said. “That cutting them in the middle of the year would be devastating to our operations and to our shared goals of making our city the best, most beautiful city and one that serves our residents. So we’re very confident and we’re gonna keep working with the Congress until its final passage.”

On Monday, Bowser -- flanked by D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, nine other members of the D.C. Council, City Administrator Kevin Donahue, Budget and Performance Management Director Jenny Reed, and D.C. Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee -- provided members of the press with an update that, at times, lacked specificity on the nature of negotiations with House leadership, or what plans are in place should all else fail.

Lee, the only other official who spoke to contingencies, placed the onus on Bowser and the council.

“I have confidence that the mayor and council will come to at least initial decisions that will be substantive to deal with the scenario that [the continuing resolution] just being the law as opposed to the other passing through the House,” he told reporters.

During last year’s budget deliberations, Lee clashed with Bowser and Mendelson due to his insistence that the Fiscal Year 2025 allocates funds toward the replenishment of the District’s reserve account. An Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) spokesperson later told The Informer that, given the spending restriction in the continuing resolution, use of District reserves wouldn’t be an option in this situation.

In an email, they said the District has “sufficient resources” to support FY25 spending.

Before the press briefing started, Kara Hylton, mother of the late Karon Hylton Brown, interrupted Bowser, publicly questioning her involvement in President Donald Trump’s decision to pardon the D.C. police officers convicted for their role in her son’s death.

Bowser responded to Hylton, telling her that she, contrary to what Hylton has often alleged, didn’t identify her son as an undocumented resident in conversations with Trump.

As law enforcement personnel es-

corted Hylton out of Room G9 in the John A. Wilson Building, Bowser pivoted back to the situation on the Hill, telling reporters that the District government, now more than halfway through Fiscal Year 2025, wouldn’t have to make any immediate decisions about operations because the government hadn’t yet reached Fiscal Year 2024 spending levels.

Despite concerns about the potential $1.1 billion budget gap, and the further exacerbation of a fiscal situation OCFO predicted in early March, Bowser told reporters that she’s still scheduled to present her Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal on April 2.

While making the rounds at budget forums throughout the city this year, Bowser identified education, government operations, and capital investments among her Fiscal Year 2026 budget priorities.

She maintained a similar tenor in the aftermath of Lee’s four-year budget forecast.

However, in the midst of a retroactive budget battle, Bowser appears to be, at least, exploring the possibility of halting the construction of a new football stadium on RFK campus.

“That’s a decision that certainly,” she told The Informer, “I’ll use my best judgment to make.”

DISTRICT FAMILIES GET A REAL-LIFE CIVICS LESSON IN THE CAPITOL

During the latter part of last week, District parents and children, prompted by the possibility of the cuts in resources and services, converged on the Hart Senate Building for an event touted as “Recess at the Capitol.” This act of nonviolent resistance,

House Democrats remain consistent in their demand that Republicans in both chambers hold Trump and Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, accountable for what defines as egregious constitutional violations.

Since DOGE initiated the furloughs, House Democrats filed a lawsuit to prevent the closure of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, but introduced legislation aimed at protecting federal agencies and workers against political attacks, and prohibiting the transfer of any federal agency outside of the D.C. metropolitan region.

coordinated by Ward 8 State Board of Education (SBOE) Representative LaJoy Johnson-Law, Christina Hanson, and Jhonna Turner, allowed young people to gather on Capitol grounds, wave their protest signs, and meet the federal legislators deciding the fate of their city.

In the days that followed, District residents engaged senators mulling over the resolution that the House approved earlier in the week, at times risking detainment by law enforcement.

Hanson said “Recess at the Capitol” and other events throughout the week organized in conjunction with the Free DC coalition, EmpowerEd, Washington Teachers’ Union and CARE Washington, DC, served as a learning moment for some of D.C.’s youngest residents.

“If anything, children need to understand this is what happens when we’re not a state,” said Hanson, a former DCPS staff member and executive director of CARE Washington, DC. “Some who don’t even live in the state are saying [they’re] going to hold that money, put it in a bank account where we can’t even touch it, and if we do touch it, we get arrested.”

Earlier this year, well before Cole successfully shepherded the continuing resolution decimating D.C.’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget through the House, Hanson supported District public and public charter school students who organized a youth town hall at Trinity Washington University in Northeast.

For hours that evening, hundreds of young people spoke about their demands for Fiscal Year 2026, including upgraded academic spaces, safe passage programs, and mental health services. WI

THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS UNITE TO HELP FURLOUGHED FEDERAL WORKERS

Last week, D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES) Director Dr. Unique Morris Hughes told The Informer that the agency has received at least 12,000 unemploy-

ment insurance claims so far this year.

Though it remains unclear whether the filings will reach pandemic levels, she said employment personnel are prepared to engage up to 38,200 former federal government employees— or 20% of the D.C.-based federal government workforce.

“We are more prepared today than we probably have ever been,” Morris-Hughes said as she delved into DOES’ technological upgrades.

“We have a brand new system that we’ve been running for the last year that makes the process more seamless, easier to use and navigate, and it’s a bit of a one-stop shop so everything is there for a claimant,” Morris-Hughes continued. “I got folks working in our call center. I got claims examiners. I have federal employee coordinators to support that specific population.”

However, it doesn’t stop there for Morris-Hughes, who identified a pathway to full-time employment for furloughed federal government employees and contractors as her North Star. “Because unemployment insurance is a Band-Aid,” she said, “it’s not the fix to provide a livelihood for yourself and your family.”

To fulfill that goal, DOES conducted a job fair on March 14 for former federal government workers and contractors on the grounds of the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University in Northeast.

The fair, titled “Gateway to District Careers Federal Hiring Event,” attracted 1,700 people, many of whom learned about hundreds of local public sector and private sector jobs.

For hours, applicants walked through the halls of the conference center, spoke with employers, and attended seminars about updating a resume.

More than 60 District agencies, public charter schools, nonprofit organizations and businesses engaged prospective employees in conversation about their offerings.

Those who attended the fair also had a chance to create a Linkedin account profile and secure a professional headshot.

Jerome Shepherd, an engineer who lives in Mitchellville, Maryland, said the job fair paid dividends for him at a time when he’s looking into the future.

“I still have my position…but I still could be riffed [reduced in force],” Shepherd told The Informer. “A friend tipped me off about the job fair and I decided to check it out. I’m glad I did. I just accepted a contingent offer with the D.C. Department of General Services.” WI

5Mayor Bowser engages with residents during a budget engagement forum. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

FAIRNESS ACT from Page 1

in her monthly Social Security payment due to The Social Security Fairness Act becoming a law earlier this year.

“I received an increase in my Social Security based on the elimination of the Windfall Elimination bill that has been considered by the Congress for the last 11-12 years,” said Abbott. “I worked [primarily] as a federal employee during my working years and earned Social Security with part-time jobs. I started paying into Social Security when employed with the Alliance of Labor Action, a Teamsters-oriented organization led by Wiley Branton, and I worked with them for six years.”

Abbott explained that she did not participate in Social Security—and did not pay Social Security taxes--while working for the federal government because the Civil Service Retirement System covered its employees. When Abbott applied for Social Security benefits, she was shocked to find out that her monthly allotment at the time was a little over $100 instead of the $600 that was expected because of the Windfall Elimination Provision.

Now, Abbott, mother of Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes, said she is happy that the Social Security Fairness legislation remedies her situation.

“I have gotten some increases over the years, mainly cost-of-living increases,” she told The Informer. “Because of the bill, I will be reimbursed all those years for the money that I was due.”

PARTICULARS OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY FAIRNESS ACT

Abbott joins millions of Social Security recipients as a beneficiary of the Social Security Fairness Act. Essentially, the law repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision, and the Government Pension Offset.

The policies were instituted to prevent workers from getting an edge over other workers by having access to both public pensions and Social Security retirement benefits. Primary beneficiaries of the law include teachers, police officers and firefighters in a number of states; federal employees, like Abbott, covered by the Civil Service Re-

tirement System and people whose work is covered by a foreign social security system.

The bill was shepherded through the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Abigail Spanberger (DVa.) and Garret Graves (R-La.) in November 2024 and through the U.S. Senate by Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) in December. Former President Joe Biden signed the bill on Jan. 5.

“The bill I’m signing today is about a simple proposition: Americans who have worked hard all their lives to earn an honest living should be able to retire with economic security and dignity,” Biden said. “The law that existed denied millions of Americans access to the full Social Security benefits they earned by thousands of dollars a year.”

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley was at the ceremony where the then-president signed the law and said the experience moved him personally.

“What do I think about when I witness the Social Security Fairness Act being signed by the president,” questioned Kelley, according to a Jan. 13 American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) post. “I think of my very first Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. sponsored by AFGE, where we were lobbying Congress to repeal two provisions of the law–I think of the nearly 3 million public workers who will finally get the full Social Security benefits that they have worked all their life for. Thank you, President Biden.”

The Social Security Administration has paid over $7.5 billion in retroactive benefits to over 1.1 million people, as part of the law’s rollout, with an average payment

Employees Association (NARFE), of which Abbott is a member, was pleased with the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act.

of $6,710, and is prepared to begin paying higher monthly benefits starting in April, according to the agency’s website.

“Social Security’s aggressive schedule to start issuing retroactive payments in February and increase monthly benefit payments beginning in April supports President Trump’s priority to implement the Social Security Fairness Act as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, acting commissioner of Social Security. “The agency’s original estimate of taking a year or more now will only apply to complex cases that cannot be processed by automation. The American people deserve to get their due benefits as quickly as possible.”

WASHINGTONIANS, SOCIAL SECURITY ADVOCATES CELEBRATE PAYMENTS

After years of advocacy, the National Active and Retired Federal

“Since their inception, NARFE has opposed the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset as unfair penalties that punish hard working public servants by reducing their Social Security benefits,” said Bill Shackelford, NARFE president. “History was made when President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. This milestone represents the culmination of years of tireless advocacy by NARFE and its members, who time and again made the case for fairness and equality in Social Security benefits.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) voted for the law, saying it rewards dedicated public servants.

“From firefighters to teachers to food safety inspectors, we count on the services that public employees provide every day,” said Van Hollen, 66, on Jan. 6. “Our passage of this bill is a critical step toward ensuring all public workers and their families can retire with dignity, receiving the full Social Security benefits that they have paid into–and earned–after years of hard work.”

Another champion of the Social Security Fairness Act is Social Security Works, an advocacy group that seeks to expand the reach of Social Security to all Americans. Its president, Nancy Altman, said the law comes at a critical time in the country’s history, noting that each day, 12,000 baby boomers turn 65, the country’s defined retirement age.

“About 75% of public employees, whether on the federal, state or local level are covered by Social Security presently,” Altman, 75, said. “People must know that there are benefits to being a Social Security recipient. Your monthly payment is adjusted to inflation and there is disability insurance available to those who qualify. What we at Social Security Works want to do is to see that everyone has access to the system and extend everyone’s benefits.”

Altman pointed out that federal workers before 1984 did not have access to the Social Security system and state and local public employees had to opt into the system, not be automatically enrolled. She said the changes that the Social Security Fairness Act made have been advocated since the mid-1980s.

“It has had popular, bipartisan support for many years, but the Republicans would always bring up the issue of how to pay for it,” Altman said.

Altman said the American people should thank the Democrats and Biden for advocating for the law. She said credit for its passage and implementation must be given to the Democrats and not to Trump.

“It is true that the law kicks in while Trump is president, but it was the Democrats in the Congress and the Biden administration, especially the Social Security Administration, that worked during December and the holidays to see that it would be implemented,” Altman said. “The Trump administration should not take credit for this.”

@JamesWrightJr10

LEGAL

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

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

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

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 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 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 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

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

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 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

2025 ADM 000148

Daquan Malik Dockery Decedent

Marta Batiste 4200 Parliament Place, Ste. 510 Lanham, MD 20706 Attorney

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

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 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 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 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 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

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2024 ADM 000801

William Edward Taylor Decedent

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

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William Edward Taylor who died on 2/22/2024 without a Will. 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq. Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

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

2024 ADM 000847

Dorothy Duncan Baker Decedent

Howard Haley, Esq. The Haley Firm, PC 7600 Georgia Ave., NW #416 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

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

Charles A. Baker III, whose address is 5309 Chillum Pl., NE, Washington DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy Duncan Baker who died on January 20, 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Charles A. Baker, III 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 174

Daisy Louise Irby Decedent

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

Janice Jackson, whose address is 15413 Wylie Rd., Brandywine, MD 20613, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Daisy Louise Irby who died on January 21, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Janice Jackson 15413 Wylie Rd. Brandywine, MD 20613 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

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

2025 ADM 000183

Helen W. Patterson Decedent

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

Deneice E. Patterson, whose address is 2006 Rosecroft Blvd., Ft. Washington, MD 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Helen W. Patterson who died on November 22, 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Deneice E. Patterson 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 001564

Margaret Brooks Decedent

Beverly Henderson, Esq. 1629 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

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

Brenda L. Smith and Beverly Henderson, whose addresses are 443 Valley Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20032 and 120 Kenilworth Ave NE, Washington, DC 20019, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Margaret Brooks who died on July 2, 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Beverly Henderson 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 001562

Bobbie Toran

Decedent

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

Wanda Tindal, whose address is 15 T Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bobbie Toran who died on 8/11/2024 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Wanda Tindal

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 000161

Constance Y. Crawford 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

Henry W. Crawford III, whose address is 5036 12th St., NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Constance Y. Crawford who died on April 25, 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Henry W. Crawford III 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 001291

Alton Sylvan Rhoden Decedent

Jamar W. Creech, Esq. 312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 900 Laurel, MD 20707 Attorney

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

Janise Driskell, whose address is 1512 Kings Hill, St Bowie, MD 20721, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alton Sylvan Rhoden who died on 8/12/2024 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Janise Driskell 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 1387

Bennie Mae Daniels Decedent

Brian L. Kass, Esq. 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 Bennie Mae Daniels who died on October 27, 2010 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Brian L. Kass 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 000182

Alexander Vincent Chase Decedent

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

Esther Stevenson Chase, whose address is 913 Chatsworth Drive, Accokeek, MD 20607, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alexander Vincent Chase who died on 2/8/2025 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Esther Stevenson Chase 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 001270

Robert Lee Ware, Sr. Decedent

Brian L. Kass, Personal Rep. 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 Robert Lee Ware, Sr. who died on November 26, 2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Brian L. Kass 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 000173

Adenrele Kennith Anifalaje Decedent

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

Monica Singleton, whose address is 637 Gallatin Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Adenrele Kennith Anifalaje who died on 4/18/2023 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Monica Singleton 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 000163

Franchot L. White 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

Maria A. White, whose address is 1309 I Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Franchot L. White who died on July 4, 2013 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 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Maria A. 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 000185

Linda J. Beckles Decedent

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

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

Vincent Beckles, whose address is 2843 Catalina Street, Clermont, FL. 34711, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Linda J. Beckles who died on December 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Vincent Beckles 2843 Catalina Street Clermont, FL 34711 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 000155

Janet Elizabeth Ryan Decedent

Valerie Edwards, Esq. 1725 DeSales Street NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036

Attorney

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

Susan Ryan, whose address is 239 West Jamison Court, Littleton, CO 80120, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Janet Elizabeth Ryan who died on December 14, 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 9/20/2025. 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 9/20/2025, 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: 3/20/2025

Susan Ryan Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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MALVEAUX from Page 30

if not stop. And the 47th president’s overreaching has a chilling effect on the progress of some agencies.

For example, the 47th president attempted to remove Gywnne Wilcox as a member of the National Labor Relations Board shortly after he was installed. A federal judge reminded 47 that he did not have the authority to fire the member of the independent agency. In her decision, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell wrote that “An American president is not a king — not even an elected one — and his power to remove federal officers and honest civil servants like plaintiff is not absolute.” The NLRB was crippled for a few weeks because it lacked a quorum. What else can we look forward to?

As an African American history scholar, I am especially concerned about Smithsonian leader Dr. Lon-

MORIAL from Page 30

nie Bunch, an amazing scholar and leader. His term lasts until 2027, but if he serves “at the pleasure” of a president who does not believe in Black history or diversity, his days may be numbered. Similarly, Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th librarian of Congress, was appointed by President Biden to serve as the first woman and the first African American in that role. Her term ends in 2026. 47 may hold his powder, or he may go after her sooner. These amazing public servants may find themselves on the chopping block as 47 and his co-President Musk take their buzz saw to federal employees.

It’s overtime for us to fight outward and build inward. Fight outward — protest, protest, protest. Build inward — strengthen our connections, work more collaboratively, and when folk like Dr. Bunch and Dr. Hayden are threatened, prepare to clap back.

Trump’s 2017 tax shift reduced federal revenue and produced the third-largest increase in the federal debt of any president in U.S. history — and the largest for a president who wasn’t trying to fund a war. And a trade war didn’t work the last time he tried it. Nearly every dollar raised through increased tariffs on Chinese imports went to bail

In 1919, the Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay wrote:

If we must die, let it not be like hogs, haunted and penned to this inglorious spot

While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs

Making their mock at our accursed lot.

The powerful poem was written when the Red Summer of 1919 saw multiple massacres of Black people in at least 26 cities. Been there, done that?

The poem ends both defiantly and as inspiration for today:

Like men (Malveaux adds women) we’ll face the murderous cowardly pack,

Pressed to the wall, dying but fighting back.

In the middle of disruption, we must return to our roots, and we must fight back, surgically and strategically. We have no choice. WI

out the farmers who were casualties of his trade war. His tax increase on imported metals sent prices soaring for cars, tools and machines even as those industries’ output shrank to the tune of $3 billion.

As Moody’s chief economist Mark Zandi said, “It’s just a loselose for everybody.”

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MARSHALL from Page 30

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to the government. The two are separate. Therefore, they feel justified in claiming to love their country while violently attacking its Capitol building. They can love their country while cheering while the government they hate is recklessly being dismembered. Some would call them patriots; Jesus would call them hypocrites to their face. Thank you, Rep. Al Green, for confronting the biggest hypocrite and false teacher on behalf of those who may be affected by Medicaid cuts.

The question, “What would Jesus do?” became a central theme during the early 19th century social gospel movement. Largely rooted in Protestant churches, the social gospel emphasized how Jesus’ ethical teachings could address the social problems of poverty and inequality. Jesus criticized religious leaders of his time, Scribes and Pharisees, for their hypocrisy which he described as a mask that hid their true nature. He taught his disciples to be on

guard against them. He corrected their misinterpretations, and would often speak with his disciples and the crowds around him about the dangers of false teachers’ doctrine.

Jesus was not afraid to tell people – in the most confrontational way, “You’re wrong.” Jesus compared the Pharisees to whitewashed tombs that appear righteous on the outside, but are full of uncleanness.

“God, family, country” has become a popular phrase used to signify a strong commitment to the three core values of religion, family and patriotism. They are often viewed as the pillars of traditional society, with “God” symbolizing spiritual faith, “family” representing the importance of one’s immediate loved ones, and “country” representing loyalty to one’s nation. By binding the three together, it has become a means of self-identity held by many cultural conservatives. Many of them are sincere in holding true to their Christian faith along with the commitment and meaning behind “God, family and country.” But

what would Jesus do in regard to those who use the phrase as simply a show to gain approval from others?

Many of these modern-day Pharisees and hypocrites occupy seats in Congress, statehouses and pulpits on Sunday mornings.

During town halls with their constituents, Republican lawmakers are now being publicly confronted by an angry backlash resulting from loss of federal jobs and other cuts undertaken by the Trump administration. The hypocrisy is being exposed and Republican lawmakers are uncomfortable by the anger from their own constituents. The chair of the House GOP’s campaign arm told Republican members to stop holding in-person town halls. Just as they silenced Rep. Al Green, they are now silencing their own supporters. The hypocrisy goes both ways. The hypocritical lawmaker and the hypocritical constituent. Unfortunately, many of the angry constituents would not be angry if they believed people of color were the only ones being hurt. WI

WILLIAMS from Page 31

freedom exists. He reminded us that nonviolence is the key. I’m proud of the crowds that paid tribute to Bloody Sunday as a civil rights ongoing protest. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words still ring out regarding what he said we should remember years ago: “Let freedom ring” as when freedom rings it

REYNOLDS from Page 31

tory.

Of the more than 200 Black workers who provided statements for the lawsuit, about two-thirds said they saw anti-Black graffiti including nooses, racial slurs and swastikas in the Fremont factory, and a quarter said higher-ups called them the N-word.

Meanwhile, several other agencies are hitting Tesla with widespread claims of worker discrimination. California’s Civil Rights Department claims in a lawsuit filed in 2022 in Alameda County Superior Court that Black workers at the Fremont factory were paid less than white workers, denied advancements and faced daily racist abuse. Last year, according to a CNBC report, a federal jury awarded $3.2 million to a Black former Tesla worker who sued the company in 2017 over vitriolic racial harassment and daily racist epithets at the Tesla plant. In a 2022 blog, a Tesla spokesperson said it “strongly opposes all forms of discrimination and harassment.”

Also last year, NBC reported that Musk and influencers were spreading false stories that Haitians were engaged in cannibalism while Trump & company claimed that Haitians were eating pets. The unfounded claims fueled support for deporting Haitian immigrants.

Apart from the pair’s racial handicaps, both appear to have a perspective that does not value human rights.

JEALOUS from Page 31 tor Michael Regan said, “Cleaner air means that our children have brighter futures, and people can live more productive and active lives.”

It is pretty hard to argue with that statement … unless you are not bothered by your actions killing Americans and making their lives worse. And that is exactly what we are seeing with this presidential administration. What a difference a year makes.

Among Zeldin’s 31 actions is doing away with the EPA’s own 2009 finding that planet-warming greenhouse gas pollution “threatens the public health and welfare of current and future generations.” That finding has been the underpinning of years of EPA actions that have protected Americans, saved

will bring about freedom for all. “Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy for all. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.”

We’re still not satisfied with injustices and we won’t be “until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.” When we let free-

For example, when Musk is dancing, swinging a chainsaw cutting down federal departments, is he really seeing the desperation and despair of people, many of whom are children, veterans and seniors, losing health care, homes and education aid? Or does Musk, a tech genius, merely see data, numbers and AI systems that don’t need vacations or coffee breaks as viable alternatives to his goal of downsizing workplaces.

Trump, on the other hand, also might be blinded from the human suffering by the power, voting help and billions that Musk brought him in a second run for the White House.

Looking at the post-Reconstruction of the mid-1800s, we see a disturbing pattern of reactionary forces that drastically pushed Black Americans into an era of terror, segregation and severe discrimination — a pattern that seems to be resurfacing today. In the aftermath of the Civil War and Emancipation, Black males gained the right to vote, and around 1870, there were 16 Black men serving in Congress alongside hundreds more in state legislatures.

Many became property owners signaling a hopeful period of progress.

However, that optimism was shortlived; within two decades, a fierce backlash emerged that systematically ousted Black legislators from office and established a culture of white supremacy.

countless lives and made it possible for us to combat the climate crisis on multiple fronts.

This week we celebrate three global days of recognition meant to highlight the importance and urgency of protecting our environment — for the sake of both nature and mankind. This Friday is the International Day of Forests, highlighting how forests and trees “fuel food security, support livelihoods, and sustain our planet.” Saturday is World Water Day, with a theme this year of fighting the climate crisis to mitigate the devastation of our rapidly melting glaciers. And Sunday is World Meteorological Day, with this year’s theme focused on the importance of early warning systems in reducing the harm of climate-driven extreme weather

dom ring from every city and every hamlet, from every state, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children . . . will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, Free at last, Free at last, Thank God All Mighty, We are free at last.”

We’re not there yet, and until we are, may God continue to raise up warriors willing and able to fight!

The ensuing Jim Crow era was marked by brutal lynchings, rampant disenfranchisement and a systematic denial of legal rights.

From the mid-1800s to the 1960s, groups like the Ku Klux Klan thrived, resulting in the lynching of about 4,000 Black individuals, according to the Lynching Museum in Montgomery. Supreme Court decisions, such as the infamous Dred Scott ruling of 1857, affirmed the notion that Black people had no rights that white individuals were obliged to respect.

Today, the Trump-Musk duo treats Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) not as vital components of a thriving democracy but as a “disease” to be eradicated. They are dismantling Black history programs, rolling back billions in federal initiatives that support health care, education, housing for people of color and stopping the essential lifesaving aid needed in developing nations governed by Black leadership.

If this relentless assault on Black Americans goes unchecked, what safeguards do we have to prevent history from repeating itself? To save our nation and even the soul of America, we must unite to challenge the forces that seek to undermine progress, ensuring that the lessons of the past are not lost in this dangerous resurgence. The clock of history should not be ticking backwards. WI

events. These three days all highlight areas in which the Trump administration is decimating America’s leadership and gutting our own government’s ability to address threats — including the administration’s mass firings and reckless budget slashing at agencies like the U.S. Forest Service (which helps lead U.S. efforts to combat wildfires) and the National Weather Service.

With last week’s move by the EPA, it is sadly ironic that the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine science, common sense, climate resilience and public health are coming to a crescendo — so far — right as the world turns its attention to the necessity of environmental protection. Americans will not take these attacks lying down. We are — and will keep — fighting back.WI

Parade

PRESENTED BY

Saturday, April 12

10 AM – 12:30 PM

Constitution Ave NW, between 7th and 17th Streets

Washington, DC

PRESENTING SPONSOR Events DC

SEGMENT SPONSORS

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Amazon

Dulles International Airport

SPONSORS DowntownDC BID BetMGM Hilton Mars, Incorporated Dunkin’ Lime

Daiichi Sankyo

Clyde’s Restaurant Group University of the District of Columbia Metro

National Archives and Records Administration Park West Gallery Wendy’s

OFFICIAL TV PARTNER

7 News & 24/7News WJLA

MEDIA SPONSORS El Tiempo Latino iHeart Media

The Washington Informer

Featuring

Special Guests

Princess Ariel, Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World® Resort, the Most Magical Place on Earth

Enjoy blossom bliss in DC at the Nation’s most beloved springtime parade, featuring a star-studded line-up:

• Grand Marshal Ken Jennings, host of Jeopardy!

• House music diva Crystal Waters

• The legendary Kathy Sledge of Sister Sledge and Family

• Iconic music group Quad City DJ’s

• Funk masters CAMEO

• Asher HaVon, season 25 first LGBTQ+ winner of NBC, The Voice

• American Idol Season 19 Contestant Mary Jo Young

• From Broadway’s “Hamilton”, Deejay Young

• Over 20 marching bands from around the country

• Mesmerizing helium balloons including Shrek, Smurfette, Hello Kitty and more

Make plans to enjoy the spectacle for FREE by standing along the Parade route between 9th and 15th Streets. Scan QR code to learn more or visit NationalCherryBlossomFestival.org