WINNER OF THREE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS D.C. AWARDS
Cherry Blossoms in Bloom - Page 10
Vol. 57, No. 23 • March 24 - 30, 2022
Bowser Helps Black Businesses Facing Financial Hurdles with $40 Million Legacy Initiative
First Awardees Receive Down Payment Assistance thru Commercial Property Acquisition Fund WI Staff Report
Victory!
5 Prince George’s 2022 Spelling Bee Winner Noemie Jackson-Weaver is a sixth grader attending New Hope Academy in Hyattsville, Md. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development recently announced the inaugural awardees of the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund – a program that provides eligible businesses down payment assistance for the acquisition of commercial property in the District. The first two awardees include Tsunami Hair Studio in Ward 7 and The Spice Suite in Ward 4 moving to Ward 5. Through the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, D.C.-based businesses
that have historically faced barriers in obtaining financing can become commercial property owners. The $4 million investment serves as part of Bowser’s efforts to support local businesses and part of her $40 million Legacy Initiative to keep longtime residents and businesses in the District. “When residents and businesses own property in D.C., they stay in D.C.,” Bowser said. “Owning property offers stability, it helps business owners think bigger about their businesses and it is a critical tool for helping Black and Brown
LEGACY Page 44
Pastors Rally in Support of Jackson Ahead of Supreme Court Hearings
D.C. Rallies Around Supreme Court Nominee Jackson, Despite Lack of Senate Representation
Hamil R. Harris WI Contributing Writer
James Wright Jr. WI Staff Writer
Members of the Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc. (PNBC) led a throng of demonstrators in D.C. on Monday as the U.S. Senate began hearings on the nomination of Judge Kentaji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. As senators officially began hearings on the nomination of Jackson, a chorus of civil rights leaders and pastors marched and spoke on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in support of her confirmation, which would make her the first
As the Senate confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson got underway Monday, District residents rallied in support of the D.C. native but lamented that the city has no say in the matter. D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), who recommended Jackson to President Obama as a judge for the U.S. District Court for D.C. in 2012, pointed out the District has no representation in the Senate and is therefore left out of the process. “Today also reminds us of the stark reality that despite Judge Jackson’s connections to D.C., without statehood, the District
PBNC Page 37
5 Judge Kentaji Brown Jackson is grilled by Senators during the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court Justice at the Hart Senate Office Building on March 23. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
CONFIRMATION Page 38
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