Issuu

“When you blame others, you give up your power to change.” – Robert Anthony

Edelman Honors Septima Clark See Page 32 •

C e l e b r a t i n g 4 9 Ye a r s o f S e r v i c e

•

Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area / Vol. 49, No.21 Mar. 6 - Mar. 12, 2014

Snow Fun for Some! Vance Levy enjoys the day in the snow with his daughter Jahmila AlBanna-Levy, 8 at Meridian Hill Park in Northwest on Monday, March 3. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah

Gray Continues to Support Embattled Fire Chief By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer @bsalmondc Despite strident calls by Ward 6 Council member Tommy Wells for the heads of Paul A. Quander, Jr. and Kenneth B. Ellerbe, Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) said that’s not happening.

“I think it’s a ridiculous political trick,” said Gray at the Feb. 26 press conference at St. Elizabeths East Campus. “Paul Quander has done an outstanding job in public safety that speaks for itself. I’ll be glad when April 1 comes and goes so that we can achieve some sanity. The further down (in the polls) people go,

the more desperate they are.” Wells is one of eight politicos vying for Gray’s job in an election that takes place on April 1. Gray offered similar support to Ellerbe, who became fire chief in 2011. “I’ve been clear about the fire chief. I support him. This is not the time to change course,”

said Gray. “The problems we’re seeing probably predate Chief Ellerbe. It’s more than one fire chief.” Well, 56, chairs the D.C. Council’s Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, held a hearing last week where he castigated Gray, Quander, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Ellerbe, chief

Visit us online for daily updates and much more @ www.washingtoninformer.com Seniors Recognized for Outstanding Service Page 11

Cluster Bees Propel 36 to Championship Page 12

of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services. He said he’s deeply dissatisfied and gravely concerned about the city and fire department’s handling of the case of Medric Cecil Mills, Jr. Mills, 77, a longtime D.C. res-

Dwight Pettit Pens Memoirs Page 37

See FIRINGS on Page 9 and on DCTV 95 & 96

The CoLumn

National Cherry Blossom Festival Japan Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae & Diana Mayhew (President Cherry Blossom) with the Goodwill Ambassadors - Elena Mattione, Shun Ishihata, Marissa Kiyomi Young, Farrah Hasnain, Joseph Cooper, Geirrlon Dunn, Chanel Grice, & Sarah Santana- Bike from goDCgo

The National Cherry Blossom Festival held a press conference at the Newseum. The month long festival will run from March 20 April 13, 2014

(L-R) Paul C. Jorgensen (Jorgensen Law Firm PLLC - Cherry Blossom Festive Associates), Kristin Rohr, (Cherry Blossom Bd. Chair), Sue Porter (Dir. of Visitor Services) & David Y. Yao (Sr. VP Council for International Cooperation) Left- Anthony Cancelosi (Pres. & CEO Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind)

James Perry (Chief of Resources Management - National Park Service)

(L-R)Ambassador John Malott

(L-R) Jiff Duff (Pres. & CEO Newseum) & Pam (Pres. & CEO Japan-America Galloway-Tabb (Senior VP of Conferences & Special Society of Washington, DC) with Services, Newseum - Sukura Circle Cherry Blossom Elliott Ferguson,IIII (Pres. & CEO Destination DC- Cherry Blossom Sponsors)

(L-R) Ron Burke (Washington Informer Marketing), Atty. Denise Rolark Barnes (Publisher Washington Informer Newspaper) & her son Desmond

Sponsor)

Gregory A. Ten Eyck (Dir. Public Affairs & Govt. Relations Safeway) Cherry Blossom Host Sponsor

(Left) Cynthia Brock-Smith Secretary of the District of Columbia

Don Miller (Brooks Brothers Cherry Blossom Sponsor)

Stephanie Barnett Capital Yacht Charters Cherry Blossom Sponsor

Takashi Ohde (President) JCAW Foundation, Inc. (Cherry Blossom Sponsor)

(L-R) Ashley Jones & Ruth Best Big Bus Tours (Sponsors)

Gregory A. O’Dell (President & CEO Events DC Leadership Host of the Cherry Blossom) Surrounded (L-R) Roz Moore, Chinyere Hubbard (VP Comm. & Marketing Events DC, Pat Doran (Gannett WUSA-9), Darlene Dyer (WUSA9) & guest)

Alana Hill with the “Groove Elements” from the Joy of Motion Dance Studio

Sue Tendall Cherry Blossom Merchandise Nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

(L-R) Diana Mayhew, Pres. National Cherry Blossom Festival) & Mickey Thompson (Publisher Social Sightings (The CoLumn & The MagaZine) & Media Partner

To subscribe to Social Sightings - The MagaZine go to www.SocialSightings.com Social Sightings The CoLumn is published in the Hill Rag, DC Mid-City, East of the River Journals (Monthly), the Washington Informer Newspaper (Weekly), The Fairfax Woman & The Alexandria Woman Magazines (Monthly) 2003 © SOCIAL SIGHTINGS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — DUPLICATION IN ANY FORM REQUIRES WRITTEN PERMISSION | E-mail SocialSightings@aol.com

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FLASHBACK

3/6/2014 – 3/12/2014 AROUND THE REGION Black Facts Page 6 PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY Pages 16-17 BUSINESS William Reed’s Business Exchange Page 21 COMMENTARIES Pages 31-32 SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Page 44-45

In recognition of The Washington Informer’s 50th Anniversary in October 2014, we are looking back at some of the newsworthy moments we covered in D.C. history. Former Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy (l) who served nearly 20 years in Congress (1971-1990) as the District’s first non-voting delegate, stepped down from his congressional seat in 1990 to join a crowded field of contenders running for D.C. mayor, including Sharon Pratt Kelly and Council members John Ray, Charlene Drew Jarvis and David Clarke. Pratt Kelly won the election, and Fauntroy, seen with campaign supporters, returned to New Bethel Baptist Church in Northwest, where he retired after 50 years as pastor. /WI Archives

RELIGION Lyndia Grant’s Religion Column Page 47

Visit us on the web at www.washingtoninformer.com DC WATER’S LONG TERM CONTROL PLAN MODIFICATION.

DC WATER’S GREEN INFR ASTRUCTURE PLAN

faster

better

stronger

faster $100 million investment in green infrastructure and sewer separation will provide water quality improvements for the Potomac River and Rock Creek beginning in 2015. The existing plan provides no benefits until 2025.

better Implementing green technologies like rain gardens, green roofs and porous pavement will reduce the scale of the tunnels and provide additional benefits like reduced stormwater, improved air quality, and habitat enhancements.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE. Benefits and cleaner water begin in 2015. Reduced scale tunnel construction completed in 2030.

2015

2030

stronger Additional time to complete the Potomac River tunnel and implement green infrastructure will build stronger communities by reducing the scale and duration of construction, easing the burden on DC Water ratepayers who are financing the $2.6 billion federally-mandated project, supporting local green jobs, and improving quality of life through additional green space.

OR NO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE. Cleaner water begins only after full scale tunnel construction in 2025.

2025

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR DC WATER’S LONG TERM CONTROL PLAN MODIFICATION. Let your voice be heard at: dcwater.com/green

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

AROUND THEBreak REGION the Cycle of Women Domestic Violence By Tia Carol Jones

law enforcement. She said they threat,” she said. had come together to bring a Among the programs Marlow sense of uniformity in the way wants to see implemented are When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims and stricter restraining order policies, old daughter told her the father survivors are treated. more rights for victim's families of her daughter threatened her “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a viclife, and the life of their child, story, her own personal pain to tim, a domestic violence assessshe knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens ment unit coupled with further done. Out of her frustration said about Marlow. training for law enforcement with law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Life Protecof the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's book will tion Act and mandatory counselstart the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the ing for batterers. paign. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradi“It seems to be a vicious cycle person can get it.” She said at the cate domestic violence, we must that won't turn my family end of the day, the book will look at both sides of the coin. loose,” Marlow said. Marlow help people begin to have a dia- We need to address both the vicshared her story with the audi- logue about domestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow ence at the District Heights Also present at the event was said. Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Muhammad, the exMarlow would also like to see Veteran Curtis Symonds launched an onlineprograms media outletdesigned that provides on Maytelevision 7 at the executive District Heights wife(front) of John Allen HBCUX, Muhammad, to raise around-the-clock black The collegesympolifestyle, sports, month. / Courtesy Municipal Center. who and was educational sentenced programming, to six consec- lastawareness amongPhoto children in sium was sponsored by the utive life terms without parole public and private schools. She Family and Youth Services by a Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educatCenter of the city of District the Beltway Sniper attacks in ed about domestic violence. Heights and the National Hook- 2002. Mildred Muhammad is “We have to stop being pasUp of Black Women. the founder of After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilHBCUX Provides 24-Hour Programming about Black Colleges Marlow has written a book, an organization that helps the dren about domestic violence,” “Color Me Butterfly,” which is a executives survivors launched of domestic violence Marlow said. like] University of Maryland an online media school By Sam P.K. Collins story about four generations of outlet and their children. Marlow has[University]. worked toI’mbreak last month that features origi- or Georgetown tryWI Contributing Writer domestic violence. The book is “I lived in fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse her family, nal content about HBCUs. They aim ing to educate families,ineducators, and @sampkcollins inspired by her own experiences, years in fear is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she rally support behind institutions about the strength of HBand those of her grandmother, to not an easy thing to come out teachers is pushing for will start that the brink of shutting down with CUs,” said Hakeema entered Mor- on her motherMercurius and her daughter. of,” she said. process. Symonds. explores facetssaid of Symonds colleague Clint gan (MSU)shein reads Balti- programming SheState saidUniversity every time Mildred that Muhammad “I plan toand takehisthese policies to developed 24-hourthem network excerpts fromwith herdreams book, of shepracstill campus more in 2010 peoplelife.who want to help a Evans Congress and the implore to HBCUX, violence also known as HBCU can not believe words came domestic 2010, establishing with victim must in ticing law. Her plansthe quickly changed, change our laws,”partnerships Marlow said. from her.upon “Color Mea Butterfly” around-thebe careful ofprovides how they go into The “I will not stop until these Thurgood Marshall Centerpolifor however, taking sociology Experience, won the 2007 National sports, lifestyle, andunderstand educational Service the victim's life, and cies areand passed.” course that opened her eyes to “Best racial clock Heritage in Northwest Books” Award. that she may be reached aboutbelifeinat “survival predomi- andTia disparities in the criminal justice sys- programming the Carol UnitedJones Negrocan College Fund wasprompted just 16-years-old when mode”. tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net black colleges. Curtis Symonds, inat Fairfax, tem“Iand her to pursue a nately Va. They opened offices my eye first blackened and my co-founder “Before and youCEO get to going of 'I'm the Northcareer as a parole officer. in the District, Atlanta, and Chicago. lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI east-based company says it can bol- A deal Mercurius said that she’s grown with college sports network Elaine Davis-Nickens, presister alumni giving and spark interest more socially conscious since starting ESNPU allows HBCUX to stream its dent of the National Hook-Up among prospective students. her studies at the historically black programming on the website. Univerof Black Women, said there is no “We’re rolling out a full network,” sity journalism programs across the university. She in saidthe thatway its Afrocentric consistency domestic curriculum along with the family-oriviolence issues are dealt with by said Symonds, 58. “There’s no place country have also received calls for ented campus culture inspired her to that young people could see this infor- programming. choose a career path that would allow mation in one place. Doctors, lawyers “All of the bright communications and young professionals are sharing her to give back to her community. and journalism students can work with “Studying at a historically black col- their stories [about their HBCU ex- their department heads and showcase lege gives me a greater connection to periences],” said Symonds, former their work,” said Evans. “We’re about my heritage,” said Mercurius, 21. “I executive vice president of sales and helping young people establish careers get to network with like-minded peo- marketing at Black Entertainment in the media business.” ple and sharpen my communication Television (BET), who lives in Fairfax, Veteran sports newscaster Charlie skills. Taking classes here showed me Va. Neal will provide coverage of games The launch of the network comes that I have to help my people,” said in all four HBCU conferences. This Mercurius, a junior who lives in Bal- during a time when the Obama admintype of sports programming comes istration cut federal grants to the 105 timore. years after BET cancelled its live covMSU stands among more than 100 historically black institutions by more erage of black college games. He said historically black colleges and univer- than $7 million and imposed strict limthat the network can raise the profile sities (HBCUs) across the nation that its on lending for Federal PLUS loan of what he considers quality athletic applicants. Programs chronicle the acopened its doors to African Americans when they could not enroll in tivities of black fraternities and soror- programs that do not receive media predominately white institutions. De- ities and members of college bands. coverage. L.Y. Marlow “HBCUs are not getting the exspite carrying rich histories, many HB- Students also give testimonials about CUs have struggled in recent years to their studies in documentaries filmed posure,” said Neal. “BET doesn’t showcase black athletics anymore. increase enrollment numbers, main- in college classrooms. tain financial solvency, and encourage “This is programming that helps The number of HBCU sports teams alumni giving, raising questions about young people learn about the signifi- [on television] has diminished as well / www.washingtoninformer.com their relevance in an increasingly mul- cance of historically black colleges,” as the conferences. There is a need ticultural society. said Symonds. “They think they [for HBCUX],” said Neal who lives in That’s why two veteran television can only get a quality education at [a Mitchellville, Md. WI WI Staff Writer

Online Network Highlights HBCU Experience

The Washington Informer Newspaper THE WASHINGTON INFORMER InPUBLISHER Memoriam NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414)Dr.isCalvin Denise Rolark Sr. Barnes W. Rolark, published weekly on each Thursday. Wilhelmina J. Rolark STAFF Periodicals postage paid at WashingWASHINGTON INFORMER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published ton,THE D.C. and additional mailing of- NEWSPAPER Denise W. Barnes, Editor weekly Thursday. Periodicals fices. Newsonand advertising deadlinepostage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadlineY.isSherman, Monday prior to publication. Shantella Assistant Editor is Monday prior to publication. AnAnnouncements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2000 by The nouncements must be received two RonPOST Burke,MASTER: Advertising/ Marketing Director Washington Informer. All rights reserved. Send change of addressweeks event. Copyright 2013 es toprior The to Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, Lafayette Barnes, IV, Assistant Photo Editor by D.C. The 20032. Washington Informer. All No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permisrights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send sion from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannotStaff guarantee the return of Khalid Naji-Allah, Photographer change of addresses to The rates Washphotographs. Subscription are $30 per year, two years $45. Papers will be received John E. De Freitas, Sports Photo Editor not more than 3117 a weekMartin after publication. Make checks payable to: ington Informer, Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. Dorothy Rowley, Online Editor THE WASHINGTON INFORMER 20032. No part of this publication may Young, Design & Layout 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr.Brian Ave., S.E. • Washington, D.C. 20032 be reproduced without written permisPhone: 202 561-4100 • Fax: 202 574-3785 sion from the publisher. The Informer Mable Neville, Bookkeeper E-mail: news@washingtoninformer.com Newspaper cannot guarantee the return www.washingtoninformer.com Mickey Thompson, Social Sightings columnist of photographs. Subscription rates are $45 per year, two years $60. Papers will Stacey Palmer, Social Media Specialist PUBLISHER be received not more than a week after Angie Denise RolarkJohnson, Barnes Circulation publication. Make checks payable to: STAFF REPORTERS THE WASHINGTON Brooke N. Garner INFORMER Managing REPORTERS Editor Tia C. Jones, Ed Laiscell, Carla PeayLuther King, Assistant Managing Editor Odell B. Ruffin, Larry Saxton, 3117 Martin Jr. Ave., S.E Ron BurkeD.C. 20032 Advertising and Marketing MarySam Wells, Joseph YoungMichelle Stacy Brown, P.K. Collins, Washington, Mable Whittaker Bookkeeper Phipps-Evans, Eve Ferguson, Gale Horton Phone: 202 561-4100 LaNita Wrenn Administration Gay, EltonPHOTOGRAPHERS J. Hayes, Njunga Kabugi, Stacey Fax:John 202 574-3785 E. De Freitas Sports Editor Lafayette Barnes, IV, Palmer, Dorothy Rowley, Barrington Salmon, news@washingtoninformer.com Victor Holt Photo Editor John E. De Freitas, Maurice Fitzgerald, Summers, Charles E. Sutton, www.washingtoninformer.com Zebra Designs, Inc. Layout & Graphic Margaret Design Joanne Jackson, Roy Lewis, RobertJames Ken Harris /www.scsworks.com Webmaster Wright Ridley, Victor Holt CIRCULATION Paul Trantham PHOTOGRAPHERS John E. De Freitas, Roy Lewis, Khalid Naji-Allah, Shevry Lassiter

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

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AROUND THE REGION

You Can Say It Like A Pro! Let us help you develop the communication skills to compete and win! ■ Executive Presentation Coaching ■ Media Training

By Margaret Summers WI Contributing Writer @margaretsumm10 School children and seniors packed the Community Showcase auditorium in the Eagle Center at McGogney in Southeast on a chilly Friday afternoon. They witnessed social giants like Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and others brought back to life, by youth who were not yet born when these legends lived. More than 200 filed through the doors to see the “tennis scholars” of the Southeast Tennis & Learning Center (SETLC) in the organization’s eighth annual Blacks in Wax play on Feb. 28. SETLC launched Blacks in Wax not long after its 2001 founding. It served as an alternative means for teaching youth about African-American history. “This is the first time we haven’t held Blacks in Wax in our center,” noted Cora Masters Barry, CEO and founder of the Recreation Wish List Committee, which was instrumental in SETLC’s creation. She told the audience that SETLC is undergoing renovation. Several District community organizations offered their spaces for the event. “But I told them I really wanted to stay in our [neighborhood],” Masters Barry said. “We talked to the Eagle community center and public charter school, and before we could even explain why we need their space, they said, ‘Done.’” The play, “Souls of the Movement,” focused on leaders of civil rights, Black Power, Nation of Islam, Black Nationalism and women’s liberation efforts within some of those movements. “We also featured peo-

ple of other [ethnicities] in the play and ‘museum,’ who were involved in these [struggles],” Masters Barry said after the play. “Our effort is to tell the true history. I don’t like it when [movements’ leaders] are not authentically portrayed.” Masters Barry cited as one example a youth of Latino heritage who played Cesar Chavez, the leader of the California farm workers’ movement, in the Blacks in Wax “museum” held in the center’s gym after the play. The “museum” consisted of young people costumed as animated “wax” historical figures, speaking in character to onlookers about their lives. “I also wanted to give Bayard Rustin his due recognition,” said Masters Barry. Tennis scholar Drai Faulk played Rustin describing his key strategist and organizer roles in the 1963 March on Washington. The “Souls of the Movement” play opened with three children, “Imani” (played by Rhajzon Rankins), “Saleema” (played by Briana Rwegarulila) and “Cindy” (played by Isabella De Leo) discussing the need for a modern-day social justice movement. They decided to start by exploring similarities and differences between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, and their approaches to achieving social justice. Gradually, other movements’ legends took to the stage. “I studied Communism, but I was always down for my people,” said “Angela Davis,” the African-American and women’s rights activist played by Ameera Malik. Madeleine Katz played Viola Liuzzo, a white woman who joined the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery, Alabama march for African-American voting rights and was murdered for partic-

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ipating. “My murder led President Johnson to launch an investigation of the Ku Klux Klan. You see, my death was not in vain,” said Madeleine as Liuzzo. The Washington Performing Arts Society’s Children of Gospel Choir performed inspirational Sixties songs like “We Shall Overcome” as photos of the movements’ leaders flashed onto a pair of jumbo video screens on each side of the stage. SETLC scholars acted the stories of the individuals as the corresponding images were projected. Many seniors and school children in the audience were moved by the experience. Samantha Lassiter, 8, an Eagle Academy Public Charter School third grader from Southeast, said “I learned new information about the Black Panther Party. And everybody [all organizations] worked together to end segregation.” To Queenie Hughes, 72, of Northeast, the play served as an effective educational tool. “I enjoyed the play. It showed things that happened in the Fifties and other times that today’s young people don’t know about.” Masters Barry said participation in the play boosts performers’ self-esteem, especially when they discover that they can memorize long monologues and develop other theatrical skills. “We should hold our children to a higher standard,” she said. WI

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‘Blacks in Wax’ Program Spotlights Social Justice Activists

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The Southeast Tennis & Learning Center held its 8th annual Blacks in Wax program on Feb. 28, at the Community Showcase auditorium in the Eagle Center at McGogney in Southeast. Students portray (L-R) Stokely Carmichael (David Patterson), Huey P. Newton (Elijah Ragland), Angela Davis (Ameera Malik), and Ron Maulana Karenga (Marjé Lyons). /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

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The Kennedy‡ Please Center set in allNorthwest will copy in upper and lowercase, flush left as indicated on artwork at these point sizes: Consultant name in 11-point Helvetica Neue Bo Beauty Consultant host a free performance of “Soulsin of9-point the Helvetica Neue Light; Web site or e-mail address in 9-point Helvetica Neue Light; phone number in 9-point Helvetica To the Independent Beauty Consultant: Only Company-approved Web sites obtained through the Mary Kay® Personal Web Site program may Movement” on March 9 in its Hall of States from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. A free selection from the play will be performed on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Washington Informer March 6, - March 12, 2014 5

WEEK OF MAR 6 TO MAR 12

Black Facts March 6 1857 – Perhaps the most thoroughly racist decision ever rendered by a United States Supreme Court is released on this day in 1857 – the Dred Scott decision. Scott and his wife Harriet had sued in St. Louis Circuit Court claiming they were free because their slave master had taken them from a slave state to the free territory of Missouri. 1957 – The West African nation of Ghana becomes independent from white colonial rule becoming the first British controlled colony to gain independence. The nation took its name from the ancient empire of Ghana. Its first president Dr. Kwame Nkrumah was elected on July 1, 1960. Nkrumah would go on to become a major force for African independence and black rights worldwide. The Lincoln University graduate beacame a major advocate of international Black unity known as Pan-Africanism. March 7 1997 – Former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley dies. Manley is perhaps best known for his brand of democratic socialism and attempting to organize Caribbean and African nations into a bloc to press for better prices for their raw materials.

BUYING RECORDS

March 8 1977 – Henry L. Marsh III is elected the first Black mayor of Richmond, Virginia. Before becoming mayor of the capital of the old confederacy, Marsh had made a name for himself confronting the city’s white power structure as a civil rights attorney. He also served in the state senate. March 9 1997 – Rap artist The Notorious B.I.G. (Christopher Wallace) is shot to death in Los Angeles, California as a result of an alleged east-coast-west-coast dispute in the Rap music indus-

Dorothy Height

try. The killing has never been solved criminally. But a civil suit in Los Angeles federal court accused two rogue Los Angeles police officers of arranging the drive-by shooting that led to his death. March 10 1913 – The “greatest conductor of the Underground Railroad” Harriet Tubman dies on this day in Auburn, New York. Born in slavery in Dorchester County, Maryland in 1819 or 1820, Harriet was raised in harsh conditions including being whipped as a small child. But even as a child she was a person of strong wild and principle. 1972 – The first modern National Black Political Convention began on this day in Gary, Indiana. It drew over 3,000 delegates and 500 observers as well as participation from just about every major Black political and civil rights organization in the nation. However, some moderate civil rights groups, like the NAACP, withdrew after the convention adopted resolutions critical of busing and Israeli racism against the Palestinians. 2010 – Researchers at the University of New Hampshire declare 2010 the “tipping point” year when for the first time in history the number of babies born to minority women outnumbered the number born to white women. They project that

the nation’s population will be majority Hispanic, Black and Asian in 40 years. March 11 1959 – Lorraine Hansberry’s play “A Raisin in the Sun” opens on Broadway at the Barrymore Theatre with Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in the starring roles. With 530 performances, the play became the longest running African American written play in Broadway history. It was also the first Broadway hit written by an African American woman. It became a movie in 1961. Hansberry’s promising career was cut short by cancer in 1965. She was only 34. March 12 1912 Dorothy Height was born on this day. “For nearly half a century, Dorothy Irene Height has given leadership to the struggle for equality and human rights for all people. Her life exemplifies her passionate commitment for a just society and her vision of a better world.” 1945 On March 12, New York was the first state to establish a Fair Employment Practices Commission. 1968 - Mauritius becomes independent.

Buying Vinyl Records from 1950 to 1986, Jazz, Rock-n-Roll, R&B, Disco, Soul, Reggae, Blues, Gospel, and record format 33 1/3, 45s, and some of the older 78s. Prefer larger collections of at least 100.

CALL JOHN @ 301-596-6201 6 March 6, - March 12, 2014

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AROUND THE THE REGION REGION AROUND INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS BY TIMOTHY LINDEN

VIEWP INT Harold Williamson Washington, D.C. To me, the president’s initiative means a lot. As a young AfricanAmerican male, there weren’t many opportunities for me and my peers to take advantage of when I was growing up. My Brother’s Keeper will help young African-American males reach their full potential and prevent them from going down the wrong path. I think President Obama’s speech let them know that there are options and people out there who care about them, and that they are just as important as everyone else.

Marshall Peele Washington, D.C. President Obama’s initiative sounds great, and it lets young black males know that they have a champion in the White House. It will help to let these young men know that education is extremely important and that it can help them better themselves in life. It will also give them a strong foundation that they too can teach their children when that time comes. I think the initiative will help the AfricanAmerican community become stronger with time.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA LAUNCHED HIS MY BROTHER’S KEEPER INITIATIVE LAST WEEK TO ASSIST YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES IN THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE INITIATIVE?

Craig Ellis Washington, D.C. To quote what my pastor said [Sunday], the initiative ‘lets a lot of people who really thought that they were forgotten know that they have not been forgotten.’ It’s a tremendous initiative and I think it’s empowering for young men who feel left out. Now they know that there are opportunities out there for them, and they have someone as high up as the president of this country, who supports them. I’m totally in support of the president’s initiative.

Robert Bland Washington, D.C. I think it’s a positive shift in the right direction, and isn’t just something rhetorical in nature. The president said $200 million will be put into the private-public partnership, which will help communities address the situation. It shows that the president is willing to talk about race in a way that will have an impact on people’s lives, and I think it will become an important part of President Obama’s legacy.

KassahuhTefera Washington, D.C. I think the initiative is good, but I feel it is a little too late. The president could have launched it during his first term. [Funds] will be allocated for the initiative, but it’s going to take more than that to make an impact. The president and others need to become more involved and give more than a speech. Injustices have been done to black Americans and Americans of African descent for a long time, and it’s time to curb it.

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8 March 6, - March 12, 2014

D.C. Political Roundup

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Talk of Post-Barry Era Begins in Ward 8 While D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) recuperates from a recent hospitalization, some political activists in his ward are quietly talking about who will be the person to succeed him. Barry’s up for re-election in 2016 and there are those who will not say publicly that they intend to run against the four-time mayor today, but would like to be the ward’s council representative. “I am running when Mr. Barry retires,” Natalie Williams, the president of the Ward 8 Democrats and the advisory neighborhood commissioner for district 8A03, said. Williams, who is a former spokeswoman for Barry, did not elaborate further. Williams, 43, ran against her former boss in 2012. Trayon White, who represents the ward on the D.C. State Board of Education and a Barry protege, is being mentioned as a successor but would not commit to running at this time. “I am not eager for the position,” said White, 29. That is something one needs to be anointed to do. I’m in thought and prayer about it daily.” One dark horse prospect to succeed Barry that people are talking about is Sheila Bunn, the deputy chief of staff for D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (D). Bunn worked for D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and serves on the D.C. State Committee. “I am not going to discuss that,” Bunn said with a smile. People who hope to replace Barry, 77, came as no surprise to one of his longtime supporters, the Rev. Anthony Motley. “I’ve heard a lot of names and some of those being talked about have run before,” said Motley, 63. “We’ll have to see what happens but I don’t think it is right to talk about this while he is recovering and still the council member.” Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Olivia Henderson, who represents district 8D02, has heard names to replace Barry, too. However, one name keeps cropping up constantly, she said. “I keep hearing Trayon White,” said Henderson, 39. “Barry is his mentor. To me, this is all about a clique in the ward The Washington Informer

Natalie Williams is the president of the Ward 8 Democrats. /Courtesy Photo

Phil Mendelson is the chairman of the D.C. Council. /Courtesy Photo

who wants to keep power.” Motley and Henderson said that they haven’t heard of any movement by some activists to get Barry to step down because of health concerns. “People have had individual conversations about Marion stepping down but there is no organized [or] concerted effort to get him to do it,” Motley said. Henderson agreed with Motley as far as residents meeting with Barry to persuade him to step aside. However, she said all is not well in Ward 8. “Not only is Mr. Barry sick but our community is sick,” she said. “We need some representation and direction in this ward and we don’t have that now.” Mendelson Tackles Attorney General Bill D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D), along with D.C. Council member Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3), are working on a bill that would allow the election of the District’s attorney general on the November general election ballot. The D.C. Board of Elections is printing the Tuesday, April 1 Democratic Party primary ballot without the category. Efforts by attorney general candidate Paul

Zukerberg to be placed on the Democratic Party primary ballot have been unsuccessful so far. Mendelson, 61, said that he’s trying to correct the error that his colleagues on the council made last fall. “The people overwhelmingly voted for the attorney general position in 2010,” he said. “The council was wrong to postpone the election until 2018 by a vote of 7-6. We [the council] are working on a bill where the attorney general and the mayor will run in the same year.” Mendelson’s bill, “The Attorney General Partisan Election Implementation Act of 2013”, would allow attorneys who work for the District to run as candidates and for anyone who wants to run with a party label or as an independent. Mendelson said that present D.C. Attorney General Irv Nathan, who received his reappointment by the mayor, doesn’t support his bill and neither does D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (D). “We are working on meeting their concerns about what duties the office entails and who can run,” the chairman said.WI

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AROUND AROUNDTHE THEREGION REGION FIRINGS continued from Page 1 ident, collapsed in the parking lot of the Brentwood Shopping Center on Rhode Island Avenue, N.E., and later died of a heart attack. On the afternoon of January 25, witnesses say that firefighters ignored the pleas of passersby who went seeking help. Mills and his daughter Marie were out running errands. “I assumed it was just a perfect storm of errors. It never crossed my mind that it was this type of situation. I’ve lost confidence in them. I want them to clean house,” said Wells, who is running to replace Gray. “I chaired an oversight hearing to give the Gray administration a chance to explain what happened in the Cecil Mills case – in which five firefighters failed to respond to a personal plea for help at the firehouse door. Specifically, I wanted to hear the mayor’s plan to fix the situation so it will never happen again. The administration’s response was deficient and disappointing. Our city deserves better.” Wells said he is not at all pleased that city officials presented no plan or even the apparent capacity to rectify the failings of the fire department, and restore public confidence in reliable emergency response. He also said it’s unconscionable that Quander and Ellerbe continue to blame the rank-and-file for departmental failures instead of shouldering the responsibility themselves. Wells said he, like much of the public, is at a loss as to how the Mills case happened and noted Ellerbe’s solution of sending a

memo to all the fire stations to tell employees to follow the rules is laughable. He said he’s lost confidence because of all the missteps and problems. Gray, 71, disputes Wells’ assertions, saying that the report from an internal investigation offers a detailed series of recommendations that Ellerbe and his command staff will be implementing. He pointed to the changes the department is currently undergoing. “Through the cadet training program we’ll have a greater percentage of firefighters from the District,” said Gray. “We’ve invested in upgrading the department, we’re spending $8 million over two years to replenish equipment and modernizing fire stations. We have the kind of shifts that reflect the continuing growth and development of the department.” “I really would be excited to have a council chair with oversight who knows what he’s talking about.” Gray describes Ellerbe as a strong leader, a smart, dedicated fire chief and a person who’s been willing to tackle entrenched problems and find solutions in a thankless job. He cited the purchase of 30 new ambulances, improved response times arriving at scenes and the hiring of new employees, including paramedics, as evidence of continuing change. To remove any hint of politics, Wells said he called Quander and told him to take as much time as he needed to do the investigation and complete the report. “They came in with a very thin report. They left important information out. It appeared that

it was incomplete.” “The other details that were left out in the internal investigation were leaked. They’ve been misleading and have not been transparent.” Quander released a 13-page report that blasted fire department and EMS personnel for the multiple failings of D.C. firefighters at a Rhode Island Avenue station and dispatchers that resulted in the death of an elderly District resident. A fire crew at Engine House 26 on Rhode Island Avenue, N.E., across the street from the Brentwood Shopping Center

and individuals attached to the dispatch unit – nine employees in all – face a disciplinary panel and sanctions because of their actions on Jan. 25, according to the findings of the 13-page report. The employees in question face proceedings before a panel of senior officials who will determine how they’ll be punished. Quander said in the report that there were “substantial lapses in judgment and the failure to adhere to established policy and procedures.” The report offered a timeline of poor judgment, missteps and errors that resulted

in Mills’ death and recommends several remedies to ensure that this type of incident doesn’t recur. The report says that Lt. Kellene L. Davis, the officer in charge, failed to respond to two requests to come to the watch desk because of an urgent matter. A firefighter on probation was told to get an address which he did. But in the end, none of the five individuals in the station house walked across the street to provide medical care to Mills.

See FIRINGS on Page 10

Mayor Vince Gray is delivering extraordinary results. n Lowest unemployment rate in 5 years n Biggest test gains for any urban school district n $187 million investment in affordable housing is building stronger communities

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Created good paying jobs and revitalized struggling neighborhoods throughout the city. Encouraged supermarkets to move into underserved neighborhoods to create good paying jobs and improve resdients quality of life. Fought for seniors on a fixed income through introducing legislation to eliminate their property taxes so they can stay in their homes. Hired hundreds of additional police officers to keep our streets safe and allow our neighborhoods to flourish.

(L-R) D.C. Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe and Paul Quander, Jr., deputy mayor of Public Safety. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah

FIRINGS continued from Page 9 The report says Davis didn’t enter into a log that bystanders sought help and she also failed to notify the battalion fire chief of the incident. Davis, a 28-year veteran and the ranking officer at the station, has been placed on administrative leave with pay. Meanwhile, neither the 911 call taker, the lead fire dispatcher, nor two EMS radio operators noticed that the address was wrong and they sent the ambulance responding to Mills’ medical emergency to the wrong quadrant. Four employees of the Office of Unified Communications have been recommended for disciplinary action. One person has already been charged and was scheduled to appear before the trial board on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. The D.C. Office of the Attorney General will represent the agency in this matter. Charges against the other members are pending. Ellerbe acknowledged that fire department employees made mistakes and he said he has always been willing to confront the myriad problems and issues

that roil a department of this size. Quander said he’s deeply troubled by the disregard for human life and the apathy exhibited by the firefighters. And Gray, Quander and Ellerbe each have pledged to hold everyone responsible accountable. For more than three years, the department been has in tumult, riven by infighting, distrust and warring between management and employees, poor morale and incidents that have angered residents across the city. Firefighters talk privately about the constant fear of retaliation, the tough work conditions where many feel underpaid and overworked. But critics like Wells aren’t appeased with the city’s claims that circumstances have substantially changed. Wells said he hopes Gray becomes more involved. “I really wish the mayor would get engaged and sort it out. He’s disengaged,” said Wells. “I need them to figure it out. He’s not taking responsibility. Say he disagrees, then he should say they don’t need to be fired but here’s the plan. Is it politics that Mr. Mills died and was not helped?”WI

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10 March 6, - March 12, 2014

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Seniors Recognized for Outstanding Service By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @sampkcollins A community organization recently honored a group of seniors for their decades of service during a ceremony at a local historic landmark. Cecilia Marshall, widow of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, and eight other seniors, one from each ward in the District, accepted “Phenomenal Senior” awards on Friday, Feb. 28 at The Thurgood Marshall Center for Service and Heritage in Northwest. “We sometimes forget the commitment that seniors make to their communities,” said Thomasina W. Yearwood, 66, executive director of the Thurgood Marshall Center Trust (TMCT), a Northwest-based organization dedicated to the restoration of the historic community center. “They pass on that legacy everyday by forging a path for us and not giving up. We have to remember how they serve us,” said Yearwood who lives in Northwest. More than 70 guests toured the center and learned about its history as a local Youth Male Christian Association (YMCA), a facility that offered recreational activities for the District’s young men of color that opened in 1912. Photos on display throughout the building capture moments of Justice Marshall’s distinguished career. Videos described TMCT’s role in preserving the historic landmark and providing office space to 11 community organizations. Upon receiving her award, Marshall thanked TMCT’s board of directors for preserving her late husband’s legacy and recounted her conversations with the late judge at periods during the civil rights movement. “You made my day, my week and my year,” said Marshall. “I don’t deserve this. This is for the people in the south who fought against segregation. Thurgood always said those were the real heroes of the civil

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rights movement.” Martha Ford-Gladden won an award for her work as a volunteer for the Legal Counsel for the Elderly Program, a service of the American Association of Retired Persons that provides free legal services for the District’s seniors. She reflected on the happiness that helping her peers has brought her nearly 20 years after retiring from the federal government. “It’s been a joy to serve seniors who come to me for help,” said Ford-Gladden. “There are many of us in need who do not realize it. We develop relationships when we receive love from those who live around us. Our needs are being met and things keep getting better for us,” said Ford-Gladden who lives in Northwest. Billy Wright, 67, who maintains a friendly relationship between seniors living in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood and The George Washington University in Northwest as a member of the university’s Friends Group, said that meeting Justice Marshall at a young age inspired him to dedicate his life to the service of others. “I used to go to ANC meetings for Ward 2 and held a position as president of the residents association,” said Wright, 67. “This is an unbelievable honor. I had the pleasure of meeting Thurgood Marshall at the Supreme Court. We’re laying the foundation for the young people. It’s up to them to be available and use their time to help someone. The roots are there and we can’t let them die,” said Wright who lives in Northwest. The ceremony followed other TMCT-sponsored events that recognized men, women, and youth in the community for their service. Guests included Council members Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), Kenyan McDuffie (D-Ward 5), and Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6). Thelma Jones, curator of the Thurgood Marshall exhibit on display in the center, served as mistress of ceremonies and Graham read a letter from D.C. May-

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Cecilia Marshall, wife of the late Thurgood Marshall, chats with D.C. Council member Jim Graham, (D-Ward 1) during the Phenomenal Seniors Award Ceremony at The Thurgood Marshall Center in Northwest on Feb. 28. /Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah

or Vincent C. Gray that officially declared Feb. 28 as “Phenomenal Senior Day.” John Thompson, executive director of the District of Columbia Office on Aging, chatted with the seniors before the pro-

gram. He said the event provides an opportunity for young people to take pride in their elders’ accomplishments. “We must honor our leaders and share their stories with the younger generation,” said

Thompson. “This helps them understand the value of giving back to the community. This event shows them that there are young people who care about them.” WI

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Cluster Bees Propel 36 to Championship By Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer When it comes to spelling bees, it can be a daunting task taking on words that, say are familiar but have foreign origins, or sound like others, yet have different meanings – and are spelled differently. It can be just as nerve-wracking to know how to spell a word, but become jittery and misspell it after stepping to the podium. “I’m just a little nervous,” said Sidnee Salter, a 7th-grader at Paul Public Charter School in Northwest, as she and her coach poured over a practice list. “The competition can be frightening, but my confidence is high.”

Sidnee, 12, counted among more than 100 students in grades 4-8 from public, charter, private, parochial and home schools around the District who participated in the 32nd annual Cluster Spelling Bees hosted Feb. 2527 at Capitol Hill Montessori School in Northeast. During each of the three days which included two sessions, 36 hopefuls – including 18 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) students – advanced to the state contest. That contest, the Washington Informer Citywide Spelling Bee, takes place Saturday, March 22 at the NBC4 studios in the District. The winner heads to the Scripps National Spelling Bee, slated for May at

the Gaylord Hotel and Resort in Oxon Hill, Md. “We started registration back in August, and ended on Oct. 31,” said Sharon Holmes, DCPS’ reading intervention manager. “The cluster bees [this year] were composed of 67 schools and we took six winners from each of the six sessions for the state bee.” During the clusters, student after student quickly aced words like “barley,” “bevel,” and “hamster,” or were stumped over those like “coquette and “cache,” and “chow” and “caio.” But Olga Williams, who teaches at St. Augustine Catholic School in Northwest, held out hope as she and four of her

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younger students cheered the efforts three others classmates who took to the microphone. When the session ended, with one of the students – 7th-grader Kidan Tesfumichael – advancing to the state championship, Williams and her team could hardly contain their excitement. Williams, who teaches technology and serves as the school’s library specialist, said much of the credit for Kidan’s advancement was due to his participation in the school’s spelling club. “Being in the spelling club as well as participation in the Catholic schools’ own spelling bees [have been] important for my students,” Williams, 57, said. “Wherever they go in the world, they will have to have a strong grasp and understanding of vocabulary words.” Trayce Funn, program manager for Corporate Contributions at Washington Gas, agreed, noting that her company is a co-sponsor for the state competition. “The clusters gave us an opportunity to offer support financially and to provide resources and volunteer services,” Funn said. “The spelling bee addresses our focus on education and Washington Gas is honored to support this community endeav-

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12 March 6, - March 12, 2014

Students in grades 4-8 participated in the 32nd annual Cluster Spelling Bees which took place Feb. 25-27 at Capitol Hill Montessori School in Northwest. /Photos by Khalid Naji-Allah

The Washington Informer

or,” she said. “The best memory of the clusters is seeing the faces of the young people and knowing how much they have prepared themselves.” Spelling-word pronouncer Elizabeth Primas, explained the rules and regulations to students prior to the start of each spelling session. She said that being in the bees is a great way for students to have fun while learning. “Many of these students have a gift for spelling – while some people learn how to spell, some people just know how to spell,” Primas said. “They just hear the word and can spell it without much training . . . We have some students who kind of use their fingers to determine how many syllables are in a word.” Eight-year-old Ephram Mersa who was one of three 2nd-graders who accompanied Williams as observers, seemed to agree. At times, while some of the participants hesitated before spelling a word, Ephram could be seen quietly spelling the word to himself, or waving a high-five when a speller nailed it.When asked if he’d like to be among next year’s participants, Ephram nodded enthusiastically. “Yes,” he said. “Because I like to read a lot. I like words – and I’m a good speller.”WI

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African American and Latino young men are more than six times as likely to be victims of murder than their white peers -- and account for almost half of the country’s murder victims each year. Flanked by students from Being a Man (BAM), a Chicago-based program that teaches discipline, conflict resolution and offers mentoring, President Barack Obama at a White House briefing outlines “My Brother’s Keeper’s” Initiative which helps young men of color facing tough odds. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

2/4/14 9:20 AM

Gun Violence Aimed at Black Males Triggers Concern By Freddie Allen NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Several new studies confirm what most people have suspected all along: No group is harmed more by gun violence than young black males. “While 13 percent of Americans are black, in 2010, 65 percent of gun murder victims between the ages of 15 and 24 were black,” according to a report by the Center for American Progress (CAP). “Forty-two percent of the total gun deaths of individuals in this age group were of black males.” This trend has continued, the report noted, even as crime rates decline. Another report on gun violence by the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) mirrors the CAP findings. “Between 1963 and 2010, 59,265 Black children and teens were killed by guns – more than 17 times the recorded lynchings of Black people of all ages in the 86 years from 1882 to 1968.”

14 March 6, - March 12, 2014

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The Children’s Defense Fund study also reported that, “Black males ages 15-19 were nearly 30 times more likely to die in a gun homicide than White males.” Yet another study on black homicides in the United States by the Violence Policy Center, shows that 8 percent of black homicide victims never reached their 19th birthday and the average age of black homicide victims was just 30 years old. But the numbers tell only part of the story. “More than 1 million years of potential life are lost due to gun deaths each year,” the CAP report found. “These are years of life that young people killed by guns would have achieved educational milestones, entered the workforce, had families, and contributed to the social, economic, and cultural advancement of society in untold ways – all erased by gunfire.” Neill Franklin, a 34-year law enforcement veteran of the Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department, said that the proliferation of guns in the black community is directly

linked to the growth of illegal drug markets there and the failed War on Drugs. Franklin worked as a narcotics agent early in his career and is now the executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a nonprofit group of current and former law enforcement members who advocate for reform in existing drug policies in the United States. Franklin said that guns were tools of the trade for managing the drug territories. Franklin said that there’s no major drug organizations controlling drug traffic in the cities anymore, just little independent drug dealers on the corners fighting for market share and the “stick up boys” robbing the drug dealers. Part of the violence can be attributed to the way disputes are settled on the streets. “Now whenever there is a dispute of any type, whether it’s over a girl or something that someone said, or if somebody’s shoe gets stepped on, the way

See VIOLENCE on Page 15

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AROUND THE NATIONAL REGION

Retirement. How do you get there? Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin (left), parents of murdered teen Trayvon Martin along with Lucia McBath and Ron Davis (right), parents of slain teen Jordan Davis attend the roll-out of President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper,” Initiative at the White House on Feb. 27. /Photo by Shevry Lassiter

VIOLENCE continued from Page 14 to settle that argument is with a gun,” Franklin said. Add the easy availability of guns to that dangerous mix and the problem is compounded. According to a report by the Children’s Defense Fund on youth gun violence “virtually anyone can buy a gun without a background check.” A loophole in the federal law governing gun sales allows private sellers, even on the Internet, to peddle guns without the buyer going through a background check. “In 2009, undercover stings at gun shows in Nevada, Ohio and Tennessee revealed that 63 percent of private sellers sold guns to purchasers who stated that they would be unable to pass a background check,” according to the Children’s Defense Fund report. It also found: “A 2011 study of Internet gun sales found that 62 percent of sellers agreed to sell a gun to a buyer who said he probably couldn’t pass a background check.” Researchers say that this is how guns often make it onto the black market – literally and figuratively – and it’s also the reason why many gun control advocates support background checks for every gun sale. A law mandating universal background checks on all gun sales enjoys nearly unanimous support (92 percent) among with 18-29 year-olds. According to the CAP report,

60 percent of people under the age of 30 were concerned that gun violence would affect them “personally or their communities in the future.” For people of color under 30 years old, that concern jumped to 73 percent. “A vast majority of Americans support this idea: that every gun sale should have a background check,” said Chelsea Parsons, associate director of Crime and Firearms Policy at the Center for American Progress. “Without that, it’s meaningless to say that certain categories of people can’t buy guns.” Although Franklin supports background checks on gun sales, he said that handgun laws don’t have anything to do with the massive gun violence in the black community in cities like Baltimore. “Criminals don’t care about the law,” said Franklin “They buy their guns illegally. They pay twice or triple what the gun is worth, because they have the money, because they are selling dope. These laws that we’re passing are only going to affect law-abiding citizens.” Franklin said that background checks don’t get to the root of the problem – it’s the continued drug war waged in our nation’s poorest communities. The drug scene often attracts urban youth because they aren’t many attractive alternative economic opportunities for them, said Caroline Fichtenberg, research director for the Children’s Defense Fund. “A smart, Black boy living in Southeast, Washington, D.C. may see the drug economy as

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the best way to get money and to be recognized as someone who has accomplished something,” said Fichtenberg. “And that is something we absolutely must change.” Fichtenberg said that reducing the availability of illegal guns, teaching children that violence is not the way to resolve conflicts, making long-term investments in communities and improving educational and economic opportunities for poor communities are just a few of the steps needed to change the tide of rampant gun violence that disproportionately affects young blacks. Franklin said that ending the drug war is paramount to stemming the tide of gun violence among black youth. “We have to end this drug war, we have to end drug prohibition,” said Franklin. “That’s going to halt the cycle of mass incarceration of sending all these young boys to prison. Once we end the drug war, we have to take some of the money that we’re not spending on cops and court rooms and prisons and we have to beef up these organizations that have these wonderful mentoring programs,” he said. The former law enforcement officer said change must start today. “If we don’t start now, outlining a long-term plan to deal with these children and their families, beginning with ending the drug war, we’re going to continue to lose generation after generation. It’s been decade after decade after decade. We should know that by now.”WI The Washington Informer

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School Board Adopts $1.75 Billion Budget By Joshua Garner WI Staff Writer @JoshuaGarnerDC The Prince George’s County Board of Education approved the proposed $1.75 billion 2015 fiscal year budget in a unanimous vote in Upper Marlboro last week. The board’s approval is a win for Prince George’s County Public Schools’ CEO Kevin Maxwell, who took the reins last summer. The budget must get final approval by County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) and the Prince George’s County Council. “We’re appreciative of the

collaborative spirit and the hard work that we have all done,” Maxwell told the board on Feb 25. “I’ve never seen a [school] board commit themselves to the level of work that you have engaged yourselves in.” Maxwell presented the proposed budget to the board on Dec. 12. The total represents a nearly 4 percent increase from last year’s $1.6 billion budget. The budget marks the expansion of language immersion programs, full-day pre-kindergarten programs, and the Talented and Gifted program. Additionally, the budget makes inroads to engage the school system’s Latino population.

Prince George’s County Public Schools’ CEO Kevin Maxwell. /Courtesy Photo

The budget also allocates funding to bring in roughly 31 additional parent liaisons in schools with high Latino populations to act as translators

and provide other services for Spanish-speaking parents. The positions were all but eliminated in past budgets due to declining revenues. Board members agreed that parent engagement was crucial to the success of the county school system. Board Chairman Segun Eubanks said that $1 million had been marked in the budget to fund parent engagement and the creation of the Family and Community Office in addition to funding an extensive research project that includes focus groups of parents and teachers and a survey to determine what parents want to see in the school system. “We all know that engagement with parents … is essential if we are to improve student outcomes,” he said. “As a board, we wanted to move that needle on parent engagement even further.” Expectations are high for Maxwell and the board to deliver strong leadership and improved standards to county schools. Maxwell was selected earlier this year to head the county school system by County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) after he was granted the authority to select a school system leader by state legislators. Maxwell had previously served as superintended of Anne Arundel County Public Schools and as a teacher and principal in Prince George’s County for 20 years.

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Prince George’s County has the second largest school district in the state. Baker made improving county schools a campaign promise, and part of his initiative to revamp the county’s image. Likewise, the Board of Education was revamped last year giving Baker the authority to appoint board members. New members admitted they had some challenges learning the budget process for the first time, but said they found a way to push forward. “I think everyone rolled up their sleeves and did their best,” Board Member Daniel Kaufman said. “The budget is more than just paper with figures and dollar signs on it, it’s also a vision document on where we want to take our school system.” Parents, too, said the budget showed compromise with some parents making a final effort to ensure funding for programs. Barbara Michelman, president of the Prince George’s Association for Talented and Gifted (TAG), pressed board members to continue to fund TAG programming and increase its presence at schools. “We have students who are traveling upwards of an hour and a half daily to get to a TAG Center school,” she said. “Clearly there is a geographical need. We hope that you would allocate the resources for expansion.”WI

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Prince George’s County Council Chair Mel Franklin joined fellow council members during a town hall meeting on Feb. 25 in Upper Marlboro to discuss the 2015 fiscal year budget. /Photo courtesy of Michael Yourishin

Deficit Looms over Prince George’s Budget By Joshua Garner WI Staff Writer @JoshuaGarnerDC Officials in Prince George’s County are warning residents and elected leaders that the county is facing another $100 million budget deficit as the county executive prepares to deliver his budget proposal to the county council later this month. During a town hall meeting to discuss the fiscal year 2015 budget at Largo High School on Feb. 25, officials told the Prince George’s County Council and a crowd of residents that the county was staring at another year of budget shortfalls – projected to be $115 million. “We all have difficult choices to make,” said Thomas Himler, the county’s deputy chief administrative officer for budget, finance and administration. “We have to balance our expectations with our resources.” Prince George’s County officials have started their annual budget process with a deadline of June 1 to adopt next year’s budget, which is projected to be about $2.9 billion. County Executive Rushern L. Baker III and members of the Prince George’s County Council have been holding a series of town hall meetings to discuss the fiscal outlook. This year’s budget comes at a time when the county has been maneuvering to position itself as an economic engine for the region. Baker hopes to revamp the county’s image to attract more businesses and affluent residents.

Officials point to a nearly billion-dollar casino set to arrive at National Harbor by 2016 and a proposed $645 million regional medical center that would modernize the county’s medical system and help revitalize the Boulevard at the Capital Centre in Largo, as evidence progress is being made. County officials have also been campaigning to lure the FBI headquarters from Northwest D.C. to land adjacent to the Greenbelt Metro Station. “The process of transforming Prince George’s County into a destination for the world begins with an open and participatory budget process,” said Mel Franklin, chair of the Prince George’s County Council, during the meeting. But harsh realities continue to loom. Himler told the crowd that the county has had a structural deficit of $40 million to $50 million since 2008 due to an imbalance of revenues compared to expenditures. The county is overwhelming depended on property and income tax revenues, which are still recovering from the 2008 recession. “We’ve been essentially flat since 2008,” he said. “While we are optimistic about the future, there are challenges that still remain.” He added that expenses for the county increase at about $90 million annually. Next year’s budget is projected to be 2.78 percent more than the 2014 fiscal year budget, which was $2.7 billion. David Van Dyke, who heads Prince George’s Office of Audits and

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Investigations, said revenues for the county have been slow to rebound in recent years. Prior to 2008, the budget grew at a rate of about 8.5 percent annually and as low .4 percent in the years following the recession. But the fiscal outlook did little to quell residents and county workers from petitioning council members to avoid budget cuts in certain areas of the county government. Members of volunteer fire departments in Prince George’s County pressed officials to ensure that $1.5 million remains in the budget for Fire/EMS services. “We need your help to ensure that that volunteer operating funding is strengthened,” said Pete Mellits, assistant chief of the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department. “There’s a $1.5 million shortfall for expenses.” Harvey Woods, a former firefighter with Prince George’s County Fire/EMS, warned against cuts if it meant fewer fire engines and other resources for volunteer firefighters. “We live in tough times – we understand that,” he said. “This county is still growing. Shrinking the number of vehicles that respond to emergency calls is not the right direction.” Comments made during the town hall meeting will be taken into consideration when Baker officially proposes the budget to the county council by Saturday, March 15.WI The Washington Informer

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Groups Dismayed over Fort Ward Plan By Margaret Summers WI Contributing Writer @margaretsumm10 Renewed efforts to restore Alexandria, Va.’s historic Fort Ward Park advanced during a February 24 public meeting in St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School at 4401 West Braddock Road. The latest draft park management plan was unveiled there. But not all of the approximately 30 people in attendance approved the draft, particularly many African-Americans with longtime ancestral links to the park. The Fort Ward Park and Museum at 4301 West Braddock Road is the site of a Civil War Union Army fort. An Afri-

can-American community was established in the park around the fort in the 1860s. The community existed until the 1960s, when the city government bought out several of the remaining descendants so that the area could be converted into a historic Civil War landmark and a public park. Many descendants claim that their families were forced out of the park to accommodate the city’s plans. “The biggest challenge to restoration is that everyone here loves the park for different reasons,” Elisabeth Lardner of the Alexandria-based Lardner/ Klein Landscape Architects P.C., told the group. Lardner’s company developed the latest draft park management plan.

“We have to agree on common goals,” Lardner said. “Otherwise, it will be difficult to get additional funding to develop the park.” Disagreeing on how well Alexandria has “loved” the park, especially where descendants of its African-American residents are concerned, was Adrienne Washington, president of the Fort Ward and Seminary African American Descendants Society. “It’s hard to believe anything we’re being told [about how the history of African-American residents will be portrayed or referred to in the restored park],” she said. “They [park management planners] tell us one thing then they come back with something different.

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Adrienne Washington of the Fort Ward/Seminary African American Descendants Society represents one of the organizations asserting that park management planners did not thoroughly address concerns of African-American Fort Ward residents’ descendants in the draft plan to restore the park. / Photo by Khalid Naji-Allah

And they keep [relegating] our ancestors’ [historic] presence to a small corner of the park.” “There is a history of mistrust between the Fort Ward descendants’ community and the city,” said Glenn Eugster, a white Alexandria resident who is a member of the Descendants Society steering committee. Eugster said much of it focused on the city’s placing a maintenance yard and nursery in the park on top of graves of African-Americans who had lived in the park. “There is evidence the city knew there were burial grounds in Fort Ward Park as early as the 1950s,” he said. Lardner claimed the location of burial grounds is no longer an issue due to archaeological investigations. “Now we know where we can dig [to plant trees],” she said. “They really don’t know where all the graves are,” said Washington after the meeting. “They know about the ones they have already found, but there are more. We still don’t have resolution over not putting picnic tables over our ancestors’ graves. Our ancestors are just as important as trees, dog parks and playgrounds.” Another matter of mistrust grew out of a document about the park that had no input from the descendants. The city’s Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA), which oversees several historic sites, hired a historian to prepare the draft in the fall of 2013 to complement the restoration. Descendants, who thought they would be interviewed, were surprised by its

November release. In a December 13, 2013 letter of apology addressed to “Descendants of Fort and Seminary communities,” OHA director J. Lance Mallamo said he would welcome the descendants’ review of the draft, and offered to work with them on another document “that approaches the history of the Fort from a different, but equally significant, point of view.” The mistrust increased during the February 24 meeting when mention was made of a separate report on preventing rainwater erosion of gravestones around the park’s Oakland Baptist Church. “But I just got a copy of the report [tonight]!” said Frances Terrell of the Seminary Civic Association and Oakland Baptist Church. “You’re the only [group representative] who didn’t get it,” said Lardner. Another meeting about the plan will be held on Saturday, March 8 in the St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School from noon to 4 p.m. A city government website has been established for public comments on the plan at: http://apps.alexandriava.gov/ WebComments/CommentBoardSummary.aspx?id=39 “Our communities don’t always have Internet access,” noted Washington. “This plan is being pushed ahead [anyway].” Representatives of Alexandria’s Commissions on Parks and Recreation, Environmental Policy and Historic Alexandria Resources will meet later in March to review the plan and comments. The plan will be sent to Alexandria’s City Council for a vote on a date to be determined.WI

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Gray, City Officials Announce New Project at St. E’s By Barrington M. Salmon WI Staff Writer @bsalmondc

Mayor Vincent C. Gray and other city officials are banking on the $5 million St. Elizabeths East Gateway Pavilion providing an economic foundation that will transform the fortunes of Ward 8. Scores of city officials and other employees were on hand at the mayor’s weekly press conference at the St. Elizabeths’ East Chapel which Gray said is being transformed into a demonstration center. The RISE Demonstration Center will bridge the gap between a proposed innovation hub and the local community until permanent hub space is developed. “This is an exciting time for Ward 8,” said Rosalynn Hughey, interim director of the D.C. Office of Planning. “Through dialogue, we’re bringing tangible, physical improvements into the neighborhood. This means skills development, job training and economic development. We’re capitalizing on the great talent that resides here.” Hughey said transportation improvements, two gateways and the Circulator are examples of the benefits brought to or coming to Ward 8, and she said the Demonstration Center represents another piece of an ambitious overall plan to lift the ward. She said city officials had had discussions with residents who detailed the improvements they want in their communities, including business district beautification and investment corridors. The chapel will house a digital inclusion center with a stateof-the-art computer lab that will offer residents computer training, small business support programs, job training and entrepreneurship and tech seminars. It will also offer flexible creative spaces, demonstration spaces, one-on-one meeting areas, upgraded facilities and a kitchen area. “We are in essence reintroducing St. E’s to the community,” said Victor Hoskins, deputy mayor for planning and economic development. During the question-and-an-

Mayor Vincent Gray. /Courtesy Photo

swer section, Hoskins said that the city has decided to find another contractor to run the project. He said city officials didn’t feel that they were getting the “bang for the buck” from Brown & Fried LLC, which was paid more $288,000 to manage the pavilion. The Gateway pavilion, along Martin Luther King Avenue S.E. in Congress Heights, is a multipurpose building with community space, a performance area, an outdoor recreation area, a space for dining, a farmer’s market and space for after-hours and weekend activities, including arts and cultural events. The $8.3 million pavilion is a 16,300 square-foot open-air market and pavilion that will provide space for more than 40 vendors and as many as 10 food trucks curbside on the east portion of the campus. It also has a 3,100 square-foot flex conference and café area, which was added at the request of community leaders. The conference and café areas will be for pop-up retailers and café food vendors. The second level is a rooftop amphitheater that can hold up to 1,000 people and be used for concerts, dramatic performances and other outdoor activities. The pavilion offers an area with a free Wi-Fi hotspot. The structure took about four months to build, with Ward 7 and 8 residents and businesses participating in its construction. The pavilion is designed to

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serve more than 4,000 employees who’ll be working at the new Coast Guard headquarters located at the St. Elizabeths West campus. The multi-purpose outdoor structure serves District residents, visitors, small businesses and federal employees. It is the first of several facilities for federal employees who’ll be based at the Coast Guard headquarters. Gray said Microsoft, Citelum and Smartbim are among the anchor tents at St. Elizabeths East and he said his administration is working on completing development of a technology hub that will feature a consortium of major international companies, universities and other entities. The Innovation Hub will occupy 500,000 square-feet as a part of the larger campus redevelopment and will feature the co-location of community, university, and technology-focused enterprises. Gray said he expects the hub to spur the creation of tech-related businesses and jobs, serve as a way to create economic opportunities for Ward 8 and other residents of all skill levels, and accelerate the diversification of D.C.’s economy Gray describes the pavilion as a vital and necessary centerpiece for the St. Elizabeths’ East Campus, adding that the project makes good on more than a decade of promises and the hope that development on that location would provide an economic jolt for a neighborhood starving for jobs, businesses and other accoutrements of economic development. “Today is an amazing day, because it marks the fulfillment of a major promise to the Ward 8 community,” the mayor said last year. “Cutting the ribbon on the G8WAY DC pavilion symbolizes the transformation that is happening across the city and the opportunities that are coming to the District’s East End … it’s sending the message that we’re serious about this.” WI

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BUSINESS

CFPB to Mortgage Servicers: The Shell Game Is Over

In a February 19 speech before the nation’s largest association representing real estate finance, Steven Antonakes, Deputy Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), updated the Bureau’s recent achievements before addressing how new mortgage servicing standards will be implemented. Since CFPB began operations, the Bureau has: Returned more than $750 million to consumers as of September 2013 and issued fines totaling $81.5 million to entities that violat-

By Charlene Crowell ed consumer laws; Mandated an additional $2 billion in foreclosure relief; and Received more than 289,000 complaints. An average of 4,900 mortgage complaints per month is second only to the 5,900 average filed on debt collection. Yet, the real focus of Antonakes’ address focused on mortgage servicers. He said, “When it comes to servicing, consumers have little choice in the matter. After a borrower chooses a lend-

20 March 6, - March 12, 2014

er and takes on a mortgage, the responsibility for managing that loan can be transferred to another servicer without any so-so from the borrower. So if consumers are dissatisfied with their servicer, they have no opportunity to switch over to another provider.” Although consumers choose a lender, they do not choose a servicer. That judgment call comes from the originating lender. Mortgage servicers, not loan officers, are responsible for the management of home loans, including crediting monthly loan payments. During the foreclosure crisis, many troubled homeowners became frustrated with mortgage servicers’ delays and sometimes lack of concern. If a mortgage loan was bundled and sold on the secondary market, servicers changed as well, despite homeowners never being given notice of a change in servicers or new operating terms. As a result, millions of troubled homeowners were forced to seek the attention and assistance of servicers they did not hire,

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nor paid. Servicers, on the other hand, were more concerned with meeting expectations of investors and lenders rather than customers. Consequently, if servicers been more responsive to consumers, the infamous ‘dual-tracking’ process would not have been so prevalent. Dual-tracking is the servicer practice of pursuing foreclosure at the same time that a troubled homeowner was seeking to modify or refinance their loan. The unfortunate consequence for affected homeowners was that they would learn of a foreclosure filing, not knowing that their servicer pursued dual interests. CFPB’s Deputy Director Antonakes chose his audience well. The nation’s mortgage servicers manage a nearly $10 trillion portfolio for millions of American homeowners. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) that invited Antonakes to speak represents the entire real estate finance industry in legislative and regulatory issues. Its influence is based on a nationwide network of 44 state associations and 2,200

member companies that together employ 280,000 people. To the stakeholders assembled, Antonakes issued a warning that was as clear as it was direct: “Servicing transfers where the new servicers are not honoring existing permanent or trial modifications will not be tolerated. There will be no more shell games where the first servicer says the transfer ended all of its responsibility to consumers and the second servicer says it got a data dump missing critical documents.” Antonakes explained, “It’s not just about collecting payments. It’s about recognizing that you must treat Americans who are struggling to pay their mortgages fairly before exercising your right to foreclose. We have raised the bar in favor of American consumers and we are ready, willing and able to vigorously enforce that bar.” Even with Dodd-Frank Reform enacted, many of the forces that opposed Wall Street Reform

See CROWELL on Page 21

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BUSINESS

BUSINESS EXCHANGE

Welcome to the Republicans’ Soirees The Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus acknowledges that Republicans had not been doing enough outreach in previous years to reach out to African Americans. The RNC has held a number of soirées staged to recruit African-American voters. While some say that the GOP’s outreach is both condescending and ineffectual,” cachet should go to Priebus for his resoluteness in attracting more minorities toward the party’s future. Last Spring, the RNC announced that it would spend $10 million to bolster its minority outreach efforts. The soirées usually feature entertainers and Republican office holders. As he picks up the tab, Chairman Priebus usually acts as the event host and “drops the names of Republican candidates, elected officials, staffers and Blacks of note in attendance.” Though their events have been good ones, now the Republicans will need to approach Blacks with more “pump” than ceremony. At an event the RNC sponsored in Detroit, Mich., Priebus hosted a roundtable discussion with Black business and community leaders to discuss revitalizing urban centers. There Priebus announced the hiring of Wayne Bradley as state director of African-American Engagement and the unveiling of the Michigan Black Advisory Council. “I am thrilled to engage with local leaders and members of my community as I share the positive vision of the Republican Party with them,” said Bradley, a founder of an Urban Conservative League that advocates for

CROWELL continued from Page 20 and Senate confirmation of a CFPB Director continue their assault on the Bureau. For example, the Consumer Financial Protection and Soundness Improvement Act of 2013 (HR 3193) would actually do the opposite of what its name implies: compromise the CFPB. The legislation would specifically: Replace CFPB’s single accountable director with a commission with members chosen by party

By William Reed school choice and private vouchers. To coincide with it Black History Month celebration, the RNC went to the African-American Civil War Museum in Washington, D.C., to host a reception to recognize Black military veterans. RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day hosted the event with Gulf War Veteran and Franklin County, Ohio Auditor Clarence Mingo. The event honored Dr. Leo Mackay, Jr., a retired Navy officer and former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs and the Civil War’s 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment. During Black Press Month the Republicans placed an op-ed and paid advertisement in the Washington Informer Black newspaper. Excerpts read: “As America celebrates Black History Month. It’s a time to honor black Americans’ countless contributions to our country. I take this opportunity to remember the African Americans who have shaped our Party from its formative days as a small group of abolitionists through today.” The RNC hosted its 2nd Annual Black Republican Trailblazer Awards luncheon at the historic Howard Theatre. With 300 Black Republicans, and friends, in attendance, Chairman Priebus presented 2014 awards to former General Motors executive and Assistant Secretary of Labor Bill Brooks of Michigan, former leaders – a well-known recipe for gridlock; Remove the Bureau’s financial independence in favor of Congressional appropriations; and Weaken CFPB’s authority by authorizing an outside council to overturn consumer protection rules. If these changes sound familiar, you’re right. All of them have been attempted before and all have failed. For some naysayers, active opposition to CFPB remains a goal. HR 3193 passed the House on Thursday Feb. 27 on a 232-182 vote and now advances to

Ohio Supreme Court Judge Sara J. Harper, and former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Louis Sullivan of Georgia. A cohost was political activist and actor Joseph Phillips, best known for his role on The Cosby Show. The only “elephant in the room” where the RNC soirees were held is the totality of their numbers. No matter how poorly Democrats have served Blacks, the majority of African Americans steadfastly refuse to give any thought of joining the Republicans. African Americans have had a long history of meaningful involvement with Republicans; but for Republicans to be more competitive for Blacks’ votes these days more of the party and its people will have to “speak in tongues” that address Blacks’ lives and issues. To add the millions of Blacks that are on the same page as they on abortion, same-sex marriage, Christian values, school choice and supporting entrepreneurships, Republicans must show more than polite gatherings. Soirees are not the only places Prebius and Co., must put more butts in the seats. Prebius has often made a point of mentioning that Hilary Shelton, the Washington, D.C. bureau director of the NAACP, is “in the house” not realizing that the real news will be when Shelton registers as a Republican. Republicans must move to make more Blacks register in the party. Republicans can be successful among African Americans as they move toward forums and legislation that advocate and promote minority business and development, inner-city enterprise zones and micro-loan programs.WI William Reed is publisher of “Who’s Who in Black Corporate America” and available for projects via the BaileyGroup.org the Senate. In the meantime, CFPB will continue to adhere to its statutory duties. As Deputy Director Antonakes stated, “These profound changes will be good for all Americans, including industry. But please understand, business as usual has ended in mortgage servicing. Groundhog Day is over.”WI Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

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HEALTH

Mental Health Officials Protest Drug Proposal By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer About 35,000 adults in Washington, D.C., receive mental health treatment or counseling each year while 14,000 are diagnosed annually with serious mental illness. What’s more, an additional 23,000 adults in the District report thoughts of suicide every year because of mental health issues and 3,000 youth in D.C. have reported various episodes of depression and other related illnesses. Those statistics have served to bolster the fight some are waging against a proposed rule that would limit access to certain psychiatric medications under Medicare Part D. “I can assure you that it is an insane idea,” said Carole Lieberman, a District-based radio and television talk show host and board certified psychiatrist and author. “Patients, of all ages, need these medications in doses that are unique and specific to each patient,” Lieberman said. Further, the proposal to limit the drugs would put lives at risk and health plans should not be allowed to restrict access to a medication that a person urgently needs for effective recovery, said Bob Carolla, a spokesman for the Arlington, Va.-based National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the nation’s largest mental health organization that advocates for access to services, treatment, support and research for the millions who are affected by mental illness. In January, the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in Baltimore proposed a rule that also would eliminate access for patients to six classes of medications, including antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs. The rule proposed by the CMS would take effect in 2015. “NAMI currently is mobilized in opposition to the proposed rule,” Carolla said. “We’re hoping to deliver 10,000 signatures as part of the formal comment

process.” Under the proposal, choices of medications would significantly narrow for individuals with depression, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Jonathan Blum, the principal deputy administrator for CMS, said the Part D changes are part of the agency’s ongoing effort to strengthen the program, while giving its 38.5 million beneficiaries better choices. Friday, March 7, will be the final day for public comment on the proposal. CMS hasn’t provided a timeframe for when final regulations would be issued. Critics of the proposal also have pointed out that African Americans are likely to be affected most by the change because blacks are 20 percent more likely to report having serious psychological distress than whites, health officials said. Taking away medication options could further damage efforts to encourage African Americans to seek help for mental illness. “We know that African Americans have a disproportionate number who are also in poverty and a higher jobless rate. Women are less likely to be coupled or in supportive relationships and so those factors into why African Americans may have higher numbers of psychological disorders,” said Janet Taylor, a New York-based psychiatrist who frequently appears on television shows including CBS’ “The Early Show,” and NBC’s “TODAY.” Also, Taylor said health care providers can be insensitive to the cultural experiences of African Americans. “There are some health care providers who assume that … strife in black people or having a difficult time are [what’s] to be expected,” she said “In some cases they may normalize what may be a traumatic reaction.” Doctors diagnosed Cierra Evans, a Marlow Heights Md. elementary school cafeteria worker, with borderline personality disorder when she was a teenager. She said getting good grades

22 March 6, - March 12, 2014

/Courtesy Photo

and excelling in grade school presented only a few problems, but Evans, 44, struggled emotionally while attending Prince George’s County Community College. “It was something that held me back, but once I got the The Washington Informer

proper medication, the very medication that they’re now trying to cut, I was fine,” she said. Still, some argue providing fewer medication options, particularly for senior citizens, could turn out to be a wise decision. “We observe that older adults

and people with disabilities find choosing among a large number of Part D plans a dizzying experience,” said Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center in Northwest.

See MENTALHEALTH nPage 23

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AROUND THE REGION HEALTH MENTAL HEALTH continued from Page 22 “Most people with Medicare fail to reevaluate their coverage options on an annual basis, largely because there are too many options and too many variables to compare,” he said. But, Lieberman argued that the medications in question are not those that are commonly abused. “No patient wants to take more than they need because the side effects of too much of these may include drowsiness, dry mouth, neuromuscular twitching, and so on,” she said. “No one takes them for fun. It would be cruel and unusual punishment not to relieve depression or psychosis, which could lead to harmful results for the patient and society from suicide to homicide.” Approximately 61.5 million Americans experience mental illness in a given year, NAMI officials said. Also, at a time marked by growing public recognition of America’s mental health treatment crisis, this proposed rule is both untimely and contrary to the goals of improving access and quality of care for people living with mental illness, said Katrina Gay, NAMI’s director of communications. “By undoing one of Medicare’s signature protections for persons with mental illness, the rule disregards scientific understanding that psychiatric medications are not interchangeable,” Gay said. “A medication that works for one person does not necessarily work for another person. Prescribing decisions must be individualized, based on clinical history, side effect profiles and personal preferences.” Further, medications are a critical component of an array of services and supports vital to health and recovery for many people with mental illness, Gay said. “NAMI has grave concerns about this proposed rule and is working with other advocacy groups to urge that it be reconsidered. It’s time to stand up and demand better care, access to effective treatment, services and supports and ensure a promise of recovery,” she said.WI

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The Washington Informer

March 6, - March 12, 2014

HEALTH

Push For Health Care Enrollment Continues Deadline Approaches to Sign up for Obamacare By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer From public service announcements featuring animals, to high-profile town hall events, President Barack Obama and supporters of the Affordable Care Act are racing to enroll residents in new insurance plans offered under the administration’s signature health care law. “They are not kidding around,” said Lavinia Cooke, a Northwest resident and Howard University sophomore who noticed several new fliers posted around the

school that reminded individuals that the deadline to enroll has rapidly approached. “I’ve seen posters in Laundromats, in stores and even in bars telling everyone that they had until March 31 to get covered,” said Cooke, 20. With research showing more than 80 percent of Americans still unaware of the looming deadline, Enroll America, a nonprofit based in Northwest that’s focused on maximizing the number of residents who are enrolled in and retain health coverage, has partnered with the Ad Council, based

in Northwest, to launch a new national campaign to raise awareness, educate and motivate individuals to sign up. The campaign, which focuses on women between 18 and 34, uses pets as spokespersons. “We needed a familiar face that would stand out amidst all the noise to communicate to all Americans the benefits of enrolling for health insurance in a way that’s entertaining, relatable and easy to digest,” said Rodrigo Butori, the ad’s creative director. “We thought about pets. Why? Two thirds of American homes

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The Washington Informer

/Courtesy Photo

have pets,” Butori said. “They have been the recipient of people’s love and care for ages, so it’s time for them to return the favor. It’s time for pets to take care of people for a change.” Obama has revamped his schedule to participate in the final enrollment drive. The president will host a town hall for Latinos at the Newseum in Northwest on Thursday, March 6 at 11:30 a.m. White House officials said the president, who’s invited several Spanish media outlets to participate, will take questions during the event. More than 10.2 million uninsured Latinos are eligible for coverage under the Affordable Care Act and about 8.1 million likely will receive tax credits if they enroll, officials said. The enrollment push also involves a number of local organizations, including the Alexandria, Va.-based United Way Worldwide and the Northwest-based Young Invincibles and American Cancer Society, each which have sponsored events over the past few weeks to help individuals sign up for coverage. David Bransfield counts among those trying to track down the young and uninsured. Armed with an Apple laptop and a pile of fliers, Bransfield has set up a table nearly every day in the lobby of a University of the District of Columbia classroom building in Northwest. “Do you guys have health insurance?” Bransfield regularly asks each time a group of college students passes by. Some nod yes. A few promise to stop back after class. Others don’t bother removing their headphones, he said. Reportedly, the administration had been lagging behind in meeting its goal. Young adults made up about one-fourth of the 2.2 million people who enrolled in the exchanges through December, the last time the administration released demographic data. Critics of the health care law

said young people were most likely to be turned off by the massive technical problems that marred the first two months of online sign-ups. They also have argued that some young people will opt to pay the $95 penalty for not enrolling rather than pay more to get covered. A December Gallup poll found that 26 percent of uninsured people under the age of 30 intended to pay the fine rather than enroll. But, administration officials and others are working throughout the District to “meet people where they are at,” said Marlon Marshall, who oversees health care outreach for Obama. D.C.’s health insurance marketplace officials said they’ve continued to make progress toward enrolling everyone in the District. More than 26,000 residents have signed up for private health plans or Medicaid since October and DC Health Link’s plans are attracting many younger residents, officials said. About 37 percent of those who have purchased coverage are between 26 and 34. In an email, Linda Wharton-Boyd, the director of External Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement at the DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority in Northwest, said prior to the exchange’s roll-out, the District had 37,000 uninsured residents and 20,000 individuals purchasing coverage directly from insurers. “At 26,000 enrollees so far, DC Health Link still has a long way to go to reach both of these populations,” Wharton-Boyd said. “Recently, DC Health Link formed a partnership with faithbased groups which will help connect community assisters and brokers to residents each week during services. Community-based initiatives such as these are important to connect with the hardest to reach populations.”WI

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The Washington Informer

March 6, - March 12, 2014

HEALTH

Ward 8 Clinic Offers Affordable Services

By Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer

Carol Dyson, 72, has lived in the Bellevue/Conway community in Southeast for more than four decades, and during that time she’s seen its landscape change, resulting in neighborhoods beset with apathy and a lack of essential services like affordable health care. But with the recent opening of a state-of-the-art health center nearby, Dyson feels like her community is beginning to reclaim some of its charm. “This shiny, new building looks good and has already improved the appearance of the neighborhood,” Dyson said during a recent tour of the four-story Community of Hope Healthcare Center located on Atlantic Street in Southwest. “The people in the community that I’ve talked to, are very pleased and impressed that we have a facility like this within walking distance,” she said. “This building means that peo-

ple in our community no longer have an excuse for not keeping up with their health. It’s in a

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great location and there’s plenty public transportation, which means people can get here.” Before the 50,000 squarefoot clinic opened on Jan, 22, area residents usually patronized health clinics in areas such as Congress Heights and the United Family Medical Center in Southeast and Fort Washington, where they often voiced frustration having to wait for care in long lines. But with the addition of the District’s latest Community of Hope facility conveniently located in their backyards, health care for many of the area’s disadvantaged residents will be both more accessible and affordable. “Because we just opened a month ago, things are still relatively quiet around here,” said Kelly McShane, executive director. “However, at full growth we expect to serve 10,000 people and accommodate 40,000 visits a year,” she said. “In doing so, we’re not looking to take any services away from other providers, but we want residents opting for health care closer to home, to know our doors are open.” McShane said that the pristine $26.5 million building, which offers medical, dental and mental health care, is an extension of two other Community of Hope centers in Northwest and Northeast. The Washington Informer

Touted as a “one-stop” center with six full-time physicians and 18 examination rooms, the building is also equipped with 11 dental chairs, making it one of the largest dental facilities in the District. In recalling how the clinic came to fruition, McShane referred to a Rand Corporation health care study that focused on District communities most in need of health care access. The zip code 20032, where the new center is located, was chief among those identified. “The Rand report (from a few years ago) was what really drove [the] establishment of the new center,” said McShane. “We held a lot of community meetings and talked to lots of neighbors for feedback, and they also wanted to know about employment opportunities and training. So we developed a job training program as a component of the center.” McShane said that so far, about five people from the community have been hired to assist with outreach services. She added however, that as officials continue to staff the center, they expect to recruit, train and hire more people with roots in the Bellevue/Conway community. “We’ve been working to get to this point for a long time,” McShane said. “Wards 7 and 8 have historically had pretty poor

health outcomes, so we spent a long time looking for a space and raising the money” – much of which was provided through the federal Affordable Healthcare Act, D.C. Primary Care Association and the D.C. Department of Health. McShane said that as the center’s volume builds, plans call for “more integrated” health care that will include specialty areas such as podiatry and HIV/AIDS care. The center will also offer mammography screenings and provide rooms for meetings. “This all will be taking place in one location, in people’s neighborhood and community so they won’t have to commute across town to get the care they need,” said McShane. “Many additional care and services will be offered after we look to see what the needs are. For instance, we have an infectious disease physician at our Adams Morgan location in Northwest, who could do some hours here,” she said. “We’ll also be doing a lot of work with the homeless, and have the behavioral [care team] offer therapy for both family and children’s groups.” McShane also noted that because the center received a major portion of its funding through the Affordable Health-

See HOPE on Page 27

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HEALTH HOPE continued from Page 26 care Act, it accepts all kinds of insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. While the center will also accommodate uninsured clients, she said customer representatives will help them apply for insurance and assist others to receive care on a sliding scale fee. Dr. Elizabeth Powell, a dentist for the facility, said Ward 8 has long lacked good access to dental services. â€œSo this location is an ideal place for individuals to come to receive their dental care,â€? said Powell, 38. â€œWe provide a range of services from comprehensive exams and cleanings, to fillings and root canal treatments that are very similar to what patients would get in private practices.â€? Powell added that with at

least three elementary schools in the area, she anticipates seeing more children come in for dental checkups. â€œWe know that in the District, 98 percent of the children already have Medicaid coverage, so the idea is that those who live in the community, will come here for dental treatment,â€? said Powell. To that end, Robert Allen, a Medicare benefits recipient and one of the clinicâ€™s first adult dental patients, encourages parents and his peers to take advantage of the centerâ€™s offerings. â€œIâ€™m serious, we need this place and these kinds of facilities in our communities,â€? he said. â€œThis building is a good example of President Barack Obamaâ€™s Affordable Care package for communities such as Ward 8.â€?WI 12/# 60 /"' !

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The Washington Informer

March 6, - March 12, 2014

Get Your Baby’s Future off to a Bright Start

Submitted by AmeriHealth District of Columbia Some new moms joke about wishing babies came with instructions. The truth is, there is a lot parents need to know and do to get ready for a baby. Even women who have already had babies need extra support. They need special care during pregnancy, since every baby grows differently. With the support of more than 25 years of experience from its parent company helping people get care and stay healthy, AmeriHealth District of Columbia (ADC) understands the importance of early and complete health care during pregnancy. That is why we offer our free Bright Start® program for eligible AmeriHealth District of Columbia members. It is like a set of directions to help members to have as happy and as healthy a pregnancy as possible.

First things first

Bright Start helps momsto-be make healthy choices for themselves and their unborn babies. The first step is for Bright Start outreach coordinators to help pregnant women choose an OB/GYN. The OB/GYN will provide the women’s prenatal care. This is a special type of health care. It can help women to be healthy during their pregnancies. Prenatal care helps babies to grow normally and to be carried to full term. A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. Women who have little or no prenatal care are more likely to deliver early. Babies born too early can have more health problems, like weakened immune systems, than babies born full term. Plus, babies of mothers who don’t get prenatal care are 3 times more likely to have a low birth weight. They are 5 times more likely to die than those born to women who do get prenatal care. Over the course of a pregnan-

28 March 6, - March 12, 2014

cy, a doctor will schedule many prenatal checkups for moms. It is important to keep every appointment. This allows doctors to spot – and care for – problems early on. For example, a pregnant woman may need to take an iron supplement or prenatal vitamin with folic acid. This can lower the risk of some birth defects, especially when it is taken early on in pregnancy. Also, some women can develop a certain type of diabetes (called gestational diabetes mellitus) during pregnancy. Although it goes away after the baby is born, gestational diabetes can be harmful to pregnant women and their babies. So it is important for all women to get checked for diabetes during pregnancy. It is important they follow their doctor’s directions for care. Likewise, it is very important for women who know they have diabetes to tell their doctors right away if they think they may be pregnant. They can The Washington Informer

get extra help keeping their blood sugar in control .

Going forward

After the birth, Bright Start helps with getting health care services for the baby. For example, Bright Start outreach coordinators help new moms pick a primary care provider (PCP) for their babies. They also help new moms set up well baby checkups. Moms in the Bright Start program can also get other services, like rides to doctor appointments, group baby showers and support with getting diapers. They can get information on community resources and information and lessons on breastfeeding. They can even get help understanding new or changing feelings caused by hormones after giving birth. Bright Start can also help new mothers sign up for the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC). WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for low-income, pregnant, breast-

feeding and non-breastfeeding moms who may not be getting the proper nutrition. WIC also helps infants and children up to age 5. Most importantly, moms in Bright Start have someone to turn to, whatever the issue may be. They just have to contact their care manager or call the nurse call line. The nurse call line is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can ask questions and get health nutrition information. They can also get just a listening, understanding ear when they feel alone or have questions about raising their new, precious baby. The bottom line is, that every pregnancy is special. So if you’re pregnant or even think you may be pregnant, do yourself and your unborn child a favor and make an appointment to see your doctor right away. Expectant AmeriHealth District of Columbia members can call the Bright Start program at 1-877-7596883.

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HEALTH

Diet Could Deter Kidney Stones A diet high in fruits, vegetables and nuts, moderate in lowfat dairy products, and low in animal proteins, refined grains and sweets, may reduce risk for developing kidney stones, according to a new study published in the March issue of the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) American Journal of Kidney Diseases. March is National Kidney Month and NKF officials encourage people to learn about the kidneys and associated conditions, including kidney stones. Researchers found that compared with following a low-oxalate diet – the frequently prescribed diet for kidney stone prevention and treatment – a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style diet may be more effective at reducing urinary risk markers for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation, the most common type of kidney stone. Oxalate is naturally found in high levels in many foods with other nutritional value including: beets, navy beans, bulgur, kale, almonds, sweet potatoes, rice bran, rhubarb and spinach. According to NKF, most kidney stones are formed when oxalate binds to calcium while urine is produced by the kidneys. Eating and drinking calcium and oxalate-rich foods together during a meal may be

a better approach than limiting oxalate entirely. This is because oxalate and calcium are more likely to bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before the kidneys begin processing, making it less likely that kidney stones will form. Medical experts also suggest sticking to a treatment plan. “Previous studies have recommended that those with kidney stones follow a low-oxalate diet to reduce one’s chances of forming another stone,” said Dr. Kerry Willis, NKF senior vice president for Scientific Activities. “However, many high oxalate foods are healthful and a low-oxalate diet can be very restrictive. The DASH diet reflects a more balanced diet and as a result may be easier and more realistic to follow long term.” Meanwhile, researchers led by Nazanin Noori, M.D., at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, examined the dietary interventions in 41 participants over the course of eight weeks. On average, study participants who followed the DASH diet decreased their risk for stone formation by 35 percent, while those who followed the low oxalate diet reduced their risk for stone formation by 14 percent. The urinary risk mark-

/Courtesy Photo

ers for kidney stones included calcium, oxalate, citrate, sodium, potassium, magnesium, uric acid, pH and urinary supersaturation of calcium oxalate. “Most people do not eat single, isolated nutrients, such as oxalate, but rather meals consisting of a variety of foods,” said Dr. Noori. “So a practical diet plan for kidney stone prevention should be based on the cumulative effects of foods and the impact overall dietary patterns have on risk for stone formation rather than single nutrients.” Four Tips from the National Kidney Foundation to Reduce Your Risk of Forming Kidney Stones during March, National Kidney Month

• •

•

Drink fluids! Ideally, 2-3 liters daily. Water is best. Water is the best fluid to drink. Another option is sugarfree fresh lemon or lime juice mixed with water. Eat fruits and veggies. In general, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, moderate in low fat dairy and low in salt and animal protein might prevent kidney stone formation. Most Americans eat more than the recommended amounts of animal protein and salt. Stick to a treatment plan. After a kidney

stone, work with a doctor to create an individual treatment plan that considers fluid intake, diet and sometimes medication. The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of health care professionals, millions of patients and their families and tens of millions of Americans at risk.WI Article courtesy of the National Kidney Foundation. For more information, visit www.kidney.org.

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The Washington Informer

March 6, - March 12, 2014

Editorial

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Mayor’s Race Shaping Up to be a Dogfight For handicappers and political pundits, the mayor’s race just got a little more interesting, if a recent NBC4/WAMU/Washington Informer/Marist poll is any indication. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is in the lead with 28 percent of likely voters giving him the nod but Ward 4 Council member Muriel Bowser is a close second with 20 percent. Bowser has moved to the forefront of a race that should be Gray’s to lose but which is proving to be unpredictable and more nuanced than expected. Gray has the power, perks and privilege of incumbency, citywide name recognition, a strong record and a crowded field at his advantage, but he continues to be dogged by a 2010 campaign finance scandal, that although he insists he had no involvement in, has turned Democratic and likely Democratic voters against him. Fifty-six percent of Democratic voters and 55 percent of registered voters approve of Gray, but what should be worrisome for the city’s chief executive is that 53 percent of Democrats say they are less likely to vote for Gray because of the campaign investigation. Only 31 percent of Democrats say Gray deserves to be re-elected, while 63 think it’s time for someone else. And 44 percent of Democrats say they will definitely vote for him, while 41 percent definitely plan to vote against him. The poll also found that 46 percent of Democratic voters say they think Gray was involved in unethical – but not illegal – actions, and 24 percent of them believe he was involved in some type of illegal action. Fifteen percent believed he did nothing wrong, and an additional 15 percent of Democrats are unsure. Bowser may be able to capitalize on voter disaffection and beat Gray but there are any number of variables that could still tilt the scales in Gray’s favor. What’s particularly telling leading up to the April 1 primary is that none of the eight candidates have stirred ripples of excitement among voters and there’s no compelling issue around which candidates have been able to coalesce. With 74 percent of voters saying the city is moving in the right direction, the campaign scandal bugaboo is the main predictor of voter sentiment. Bowser stands most to benefit from voters in search of a viable alternative to Gray because of campaign cash, a robust organization and broader support among blacks and whites than any other candidate. And her father Joseph’s influence, connections and network after serving as the city’s longest-serving Advisory Neighborhood Commission shouldn’t be discounted either. Bowser has won two straw votes and her campaign appears to have that edge in advance of early voting on March 17, but nothing’s a sure thing until all the votes are counted. As expected the poll reflects divisions among racial lines with Gray only garnering 10 percent of white votes versus 41 percent among African-American voters. Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans and Ward 6’s Tommy Wells have only been able to attract support in the single digits among black voters, while splitting the white vote with more than 20 percent each. Bowser has the support of 18 percent of white voters and 23 percent of black voters. In the end, the campaign will likely turn on who raises the most money, who can excite and turn out the highest amount of voters and organization. If Bowser remains the frontrunner, she can expect to be attacked and sniped at from all sides but if she convinces people she is a credible alternative, then she could score an upset. But no one should sleep on Gray who has most of the tools any candidate would need to snatch victory on April 1.

30 March 6, - March 12, 2014

My Brother’s Keeper!

I was happy to read about President Obama’s plans, “Obama to Launch Initiative for Minorities,” February 27, 2014, by Stacy Brown, which will be his way of answering some of the criticism of him not doing enough for the black community. There is real need for someone to do something in our community, but I wonder if this is what is needed. There are some real systemic problems in our community and I just don’t think a government program is the answer. You cannot legislate morals, respect for yourself and others or just plain decency. Why is it that we are the only community that is always seeking help from the government to somehow save ourselves? Take a look; we are hurting ourselves more than anyone else. Our lack of respect for one another, our lack of respect for our history, our lack of respect for family, our lack of respect for education and our lack of respect

for the work ethic. Granted, if people are breaking laws and not hiring us because of our skin color, or not accepting us into schools, colleges and universities because of the color of our skin, of course, the government should step in and prosecute them to the fullest. On the other hand, if we are not prepared for a job or acceptance into a school or university, that’s on us. It is time for us to stop looking for someone else to save us. Believe me, we can save ourselves. Michael Holland Silver Spring, Md.

Defining Love

The stories in your special section, “Planting & Reaping Love,” February 20, 2014 edition were exemplary stories of love and commitment. I enjoyed reading them very much. But it was the quote on the front-page of The Informer by Lao Tzu that put things in perspective about my relationship and my life. The quote states, “Being deeply loved by someone gives you

strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” As a husband and a father, without that kind of love I would have never been able to do the things I have been able to do. I would have never had the strength or courage to try to maintain and fix things around the house, knowing I knew nothing about it. That kind of love gives you the courage to stand in front of a crowded auditorium full of parents at a PTA meeting and speak on behalf of your children, because love tells you that if you don’t speak up for them no one else will. That kind of love gives you the strength and courage to look at yourself and realize that you are not all that you thought you were and that you need to work and grow. And if you fail, with that kind of love you know those who love you will not leave you. It is a beautiful quote and I am a witness: Love can change your life. Leonard Davis Largo, Md.

Readers' Mailbox

The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer.com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. The Washington Informer

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By Raynard Jackson

Redefining Truth has Consequences In all organized sports, there are clearly defined rules that must be adhered to. In all universities, there are clearly stated guidelines for admittance. In all religions, there are shared beliefs that all members must adhere to. Without these clearly defined rules of engagement (ROEs), there can be no order within groups; and without order there is nothing left but chaos. Groups and organizations, by

definition are all predicated upon certain agreed upon principles and values. These agreed upon principles and values are the raison d’etre of these entities. You join the Boy Scouts, for example, because you are a boy and you join the Girl Scouts because you are a girl. You are a male because you are born with a penis and you are a girl because you are born with a vagina. These things used to be unquestioned statements of fact. Now some parents are filing law suits because their daughters

want the legal right to join the Boy Scouts. Some males, on the other hand, want the right to join a sorority while some females want the right to join a fraternity. To call this a ball of confusion is an understatement. Sadly, sexuality is no longer determined at birth and is no longer absolute. You now can legally (in California) “self-identify” your sex. You can be born a male and simply wake up and say you “self-identify” as a girl and legally you can play on your high school’s girls softball team;

Guest Columnist

you must be allowed to use the girls bathroom; and you must be allowed to wear a dress to class. Now, right is wrong; up is down, black is white; and there are no rules. Rules are created in order to maintain order and control. No matter where you go throughout the world, the rules for basketball, American football, and baseball are the same. Conversely, when you have no clearly defined rules, you have chaos instead of order. This is exactly what is happening in

America in particular and the world in general. Rules are the glue that keeps a society together. Rules make the family into a functioning unit. Rules create the framework for dispute resolution. How can you have a functioning country when you can no longer define the family unit? For time immemorial, the family has been mother, father, and children; and in some cases grandparents, uncles, or aunts,

See JACKSON on Page 53

By Julianne Malveaux

A Mixed Obama Legacy President Barack Obama announced a “My Brother’s Keeper,” an initiative to help young Black and Brown men succeed. Many present in the East Wing of the White House described the announcement of this initiative as “an emotional moment” for President Obama and for many of the others gathered there. Several of the African American men who were present at

the announcement took to the airwaves afterwards, talking about how it felt to be in a room where the nation’s first Black president talked about his own background and his identification with troubled young Black men. The parents of slain teens Trayvon Martin and Jordan Davis were in the room, reinforcing a statement the president made a year or so ago when he said that if he had a son, he would have looked like Trayvon Martin. While President Obama says

he will ask government agencies to work together to create more possibilities for young Black men. He emphasized that the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative is not a new government program. Indeed, early funding will come from private foundations. Few specifics of the program have been released, but preliminary activity will include a review of existing programs to determine what works and what doesn’t. Still, the president has used the power of his pen, the

Guest Columnist

phone and his pulpit to raise awareness about the many economic challenges African American men face. Using the term “no excuses” President Obama told young men that they had to take responsibility for their own success. That comment gave CNN anchor Don Lemon the opportunity to mouth off at Obama critics, to chide his own critics, and to demonstrate why he might be a more effective opinionator than journalist. Lemon

was one of many, also, to describe “My Brother’s Keeper” as part of the Obama legacy. Many said they expect the president to continue be involved in the empowerment of Black and Brown boys and men. While I think “My Brother’s Keeper” has tremendous potential, given the socioeconomic status of African American men, there is not yet enough meat on the bones of the announcement

See MALVEAUX on Page 53

By Lee A. Daniels

The Jim Crow Impulse Arizona’s Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, after nearly a week of reading the political tea leaves, vetoed a bill Feb. 27 from her state’s GOP-controlled legislature that its advocates stated had the innocuous purpose of shoring up protections for the “free exercise of religion.” In fact, the legislation would have revived for use against gays and lesbians one of the oldest planks of the centuries-long

state-sponsored bigotry against Black Americans: religion. Or, perhaps, it’s more correct to characterize it as religious mumbo-jumbo. The bill, SB1062, would have amended Arizona’s constitution, to allow any individual, business owner, association, corporation, partnership or church to discriminate against gays and lesbians if they claimed they were following a “sincerely held” religious belief. In fact, current state law does not provide protection for gays

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vate businesses that were inclu- Americans full citizenship. Despite its advocates’ mealysive of gays and lesbians. Do those provisions of law mouthed claims that the bill was to protect the “religious freesound familiar? You don’t have to go too deep dom” of “Christians,” the Ariinto the American past to find zona bill’s intent was so obvious their rancid antecedents. South- that progressive forces throughern segregationists of the 19th out the country immediately and 20th centuries pioneered the mounted a campaign against it. Implicit in their words of conuse of religious mumbo-jumbo to try to sanctify the rank preju- demnation was the threat of an dice in the thousands and thou- economic boycott against the sands of discriminatory laws state like the one rapidly orgasouthern state legislatures, city nized in in the spring of 2010 councils and other rule-making See DANIELS on Page 53 bodies enacted to deny Black The Washington Informer March 6, - March 12, 2014 31 and lesbians against discrimination; so, the bill would have increased the legal advantages of those operating an enterprise in the public sphere who wanted to discriminate. The bill also could also protect those who would discriminate against Muslims because they are offended by Muslim religious beliefs. It would have overridden specific city ordinances of Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff protecting the rights of gay and lesbian individuals. And it would have undermined policies of pri-

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

By Marian Wright Edelman

Honoring Septima Clark During this Black History Month, I was deeply honored to be inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame at the same time as Septima Clark—the woman Dr. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jr. called the “Mother of the Movement.” Throughout much of her long life Clark was often at odds with South Carolina leaders and made other enemies as she traveled throughout the Deep South pi-

oneering literacy and citizenship education for Black Americans. Yet, her richly deserved Hall of Fame induction symbolizes just how far South Carolina and the nation have come – in part, thanks to the work of citizen heroines such as Mrs. Clark. Clark was born in Charleston in 1898, the second of eight born to a former slave father and laundrywoman mother. She graduated from Avery Normal Institute in 1916, with a teaching certificate because the city of Charleston would not hire Black

teachers, she found a job in a rural community on Johns Island. The White teacher in that community had only three White students but was paid $85 a month, while the Black school had two teachers for 132 children and the two Black teachers were paid a combined salary of $60. It was the first of many injustices throughout her long career. But as time went on she started speaking out even when others around her would not. As she put it simply years later: “They were afraid, but I wasn’t.”

Guest Columnist

In 1919 Mrs. Clark returned to Charleston, where she volunteered for a NAACP petition effort that ultimately changed the local law prohibiting Black teachers. For the next several, decades she taught primarily in Charleston and Columbia while continuing her own education in summer at Columbia University in New York ; at Atlanta University, where W.E.B. DuBois was one of her professors; at Benedict College, where she finally received a bachelor’s degree; and at Hampton Institute, where she

earned her master’s. She fought for equalization of salaries for Black and White teachers in South Carolina. After Federal District Court Judge J. Waties Waring, following the law rather than White southern mores, ordered equal pay for teachers and also ruled that Black citizens must be permitted to vote in primary elections, he and his wife and Septima became friends and social pariahs in their communities. But after 40 years, her

See EDELMAN on Page 54

By Bill Fletcher, Jr.

Israel, Occupied Palestine and the Dred Scott Decision

I found myself thinking about the notorious Dred Scott decision (1857) by the U.S. Supreme Court while traveling the streets of Occupied Palestine this past January. I was there leading a small delegation of African Americans who were trying to better understand the nature of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. There are many ways that the conditions of Palestinians have been described over time. Most

recently the system of Israeli domination of the Palestinians (both internal to the state of Israel and externally through the occupation of Palestinian territories) has been characterized as an “apartheid system,” based on the criteria and analysis of apartheid that the United Nations established in the early 1970s. While I absolutely agree that apartheid describes the system in place, it was the Dred Scott decision that reverberated in my brain as I explored the reality of the conditions facing Palestin-

ians. As you will remember, the Dred Scott decision concerned the legitimacy of an African American slave’s assertion of freedom once he was in a nonslave state. In this famous decision the Court argued, among other things, that Blacks had no rights that a White person was bound to respect. While walking through Occupied Palestine I found myself confronting the reality that Palestinians have no rights that the Israeli authorities feel bound to respect.

ASKIA-AT-LARGE

In the interest of time and space, let me provide two examples. The first is land. Since 1948 there has been a systematic seizure of land owned by Palestinians, first in what is now known as the state of Israel, and later in the Occupied Territories. Rationales have ranged from alleging security concerns to the discovery of archaeological relics. Regardless of the rationale, once removed from the land, the Palestinians do not get it back. More than likely it is turned over to an Israeli settler in flagrant vi-

olation of international law, and sometimes even Israeli law. The second example concerns checkpoints and roads. There are roads in the Occupied Territories that Palestinians are forbidden to travel unless they receive special permission. There are checkpoints throughout the Occupied Territories that Palestinians must walk through, in an atmosphere of humiliation, to be inspected, questioned, etc. Additionally, Israeli security personnel

See FLETCHER on Page 54

By Askia Muhammad

President Barack Obama: Now ‘Another Brother?’ President Barack Obama is in the unenviable position where, if he were to literally walk across the Anacostia River on top of the water, without the aid of a bridge one day, some of his various critics, adversaries, and haters would invariably denounce him. “Aw the Dude can’t even swim!” at least one person would complain. “How come he didn’t pick some trash along the way? He couldn’t help noticing how

polluted that waterway is,” another person would probably carp. That’s because right now, he is Mr. POTUS, as in President of the United States. Receiving sharp criticism is part of his job description. There is an African proverb which describes the conundrum in which this first president who is literally a son of Africa now finds himself. It says: “If a stepchild washes, he’s wasting water. If he doesn’t wash, he’s dirty.” This president’s latest venture

32 March 6, - March 12, 2014

into the land of “Damned if you do; and damned if you don’t,” is his recently announced venture called the “My Brother’s Keeper,” intended to assist young Black and Latino males. President Obama recently signed a Presidential Memorandum establishing the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force. The White House describes “My Brother’s Keeper” as “an interagency effort, that will help us determine what public and private efforts are working and how to expand upon them, how The Washington Informer

the federal government’s own policies and programs can better support these efforts, and how to better involve state and local officials, the private sector, and the philanthropic community in these efforts:” efforts to help young Black men. That same evening, I chanced to encounter the Rev. Anthony Evans, a Black conservative who is an avowed “Obama Hater” with the National Black Church Initiative. As we approached one another, the Rev. Evans teed off. “He didn’t even announce any

legislation. There isn’t even any government money in this. How is that supposed to work? He left us in the hands of philanthropists, White liberals. At least we know how White conservatives feel about us. These liberal (deceivers) are the reason why we’re still in trouble today.” “Did Obama Just Become ‘The Black President’?” reads the smug headline on the blog by columnist Richard Prince on “The Root.” But the president’s friends

See MUHAMMAD on Page 54

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LIFESTYLE

/Photos courtesy of Pink Dolphin

Young Blacks Turn Attention to Fashion

ver Shopping Center in Oxon Hill, Md. Fashion has always gone hand in hand with pop culture but it’s now more important than ever before, said Eloise Parker, a pop culture expert for Entertainment Tonight, CNN and Fox News. “There are a number of reasons for this. First, it’s become harder for musicians specifically to maintain a strong revenue stream through music alone, so like all good businesses, they’re diversifying. Personal style has long been a huge part of a musician’s brand, so it makes sense for them to capitalize on that specifically,” Parker said. Also, Parker noted that those who wear Pink Dolphin clothing or other brands view it the same as wearing merchandise from their favorite sports team. “It’s about a sense of identity as much as it’s a fashion statement,” Parker said. “This is why artists like Jay Z, with a legitimate cool-factor, have been so successful selling fashion in addition to music.” Hartzog added that it’s important to note that very few knew the name Tom Ford until Jay Z rapped about the designer in a recent song. “When things are put to music, it takes off,” Hartzog said. “Music is such a big influence in our society.” Ford, 52, who gained international acclaim for helping to turnaround the Gucci brand and for starting his own high-end clothing line, said the Jay Z song simply flattered him. “It’s a kind of validation of one’s work, as it means that one has really penetrated and made an impact on popular culture,” he said. Now, at events such as the New York Fashion Week which historically had been devoid of black designers, African Americans are more the norm than not. Key black designers reportedly are garnering valuable industry

that includes hats, shirts and various street wear. “Its [all about] fashion and hanging out,” Brown, 24, said in a previously published interview. “Being able to collaborate with [Pink Dolphin], with my brand, it’s what the future holds in fashion.” Further demonstrating the marriage between hip-hop, fashion and young African Americans, Pink Dolphin, a company valued at more than $20 million, By Stacy M. Brown also teamed with rap stars Nelly, 2Chainz and Chief Keef to WI Contributing Writer launch clothing lines. Though it has just two stores other black designers. ing looks like its Miami Vice- that exclusively sell their merHe said Pink Dolphin certain- themed but either way you stand chandise – one in Los Angeles ly counts as the flavor of the day. out when you wear Pink Dol- and the other in San Francis“I’m 23, I see a lot of people phin,” Crates said. “Simply put, co – Pink Dolphin rapidly has my age wearing different brands, it makes you different from ev- become the primary brand for but for the summer, it’s all Pink eryone else at the party.” young men and women in urban Dolphin gear,” said Hartzog, Based in Los Angeles, the areas around the country, includwho lives in Southeast. minority-owned Pink Dolphin ing the District. “Their spring line is [awe- has saturated the fashion and Owners of the clothing line some]. I just saw it and its real celebrity industry with its bright heavily rely upon its colorful colorful … it stands out and a colored T-shirts, hoodies and website for much of its sales and lot of young people especially sweaters. the brand is featured at DTLR artists are gravitating toward it.” Two years ago, the company stores, whose locations include Most who pay attention to the formed an alliance with singer 14th and U Street in Northwest, fashion trends of young African Chris Brown. 9th and H Street, Rhode Island Americans know the Pink DolFollowing in the footsteps of Avenue and Minnesota Avephin line well, said Jake Crates other hip-hop entertainers such nue in Northeast, the Regency of the music and style website, as Russell Simmons, Diddy, and Square Mall in Richmond, Va., Allhiphop.com. Jay Z, Brown partnered with The Mall at Prince George’s in See FASHION on Page 34 “Some people say their cloth- Pink Dolphin for a collection Hyattsville, Md. and the Easto The Washington Informer March 6, - March 12, 2014 33 www.washingtoninformer.com

Even Macy’s has taken notice. From the Harlem Renaissance to high-fashion glamour, black style has influenced popular culture for decades and, while major retailers like Macy’s are starting to showcase urban wear, District residents remain plugged in to all of the latest gear. “I wouldn’t say fashion is more important to young blacks than rap music, but rather it’s equally as important,” said Ro Bustamante, one of the District’s fashion legends whose better known as, “Uptown Ro.” Bustamante has been creating clothing lines since the early 1980s and his custom-made suits with stylish bow ties have been mimicked in the District for decades. “You’ve got to look cool today while also saying something kind of cool,” said Bustamante, whose Superior Worx line can be found at SuperiorWorx.com. “Fashion is driven by social media. Celebrities and companies use their social media heavily and today’s youth is tapped into these outlets 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. Josh Hartzog, a drummer with the D.C.-based soul garage band, Black Alley, said his generation has gravitated toward the various clothing sold by Bustamante and

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FASHION continued from Page 33 buzz and building brands that are a force, including Shayne Oliver with his, “Hood By Air,” brand, Charles Harbison, who’s evolving his self-titled sportswear collection for another showing at Fashion Week later this year, and Laquan Smith, who counts as a master of designing stylish dresses. “A big part of why I do this is to show many people, especially kids, that it can be done,” said Smith, 25. Macy’s, the premiere department store in the country, also has taken notice of the African American fashion takeover. The Washington Informer

1/10/14 4:50 PM

Through special events and panel discussions at select Macy’s stores last month, style experts, such as famed fashion editor Constance White, supermodel Beverly Johnson and actress Tracee Ellis Ross, participated in store-sponsored events that helped to shine a spotlight on the uniqueness of black fashion. “As a retailer with more than 150 years of fashion history, Macy’s has seen the evolution of black style firsthand and we [were] thrilled to examine and celebrate the style icons and trends that have defined generations, in honor of Black History Month,” said Martine Reardon, chief marketing officer for Macy’s.

Washington, D.C., has fast become one of the more popular areas in the fashion world and young African Americans are an integral part of that trend, Hartzog said. “The fashion scene in D.C. is amazing. I’m from Richmond, where everybody wore big clothes,” he said. “When I moved to D.C., my fashion sense wasn’t up to par, I couldn’t meet any girls. I was a Bama. They were turning me down left and right until I started to peep the fashion game here. It’s like the comedian Kevin Hart says, ‘If you look good, you’ll feel good.’”WI

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Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7:00 PM Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC

IndIvIdual adMIssIon $200 per person

The Capitol File exPerIence $250 per person

Celebrate the blossoms in style!

Enjoy stunning fashion displays, games of chance, delicious cuisine, tempting libations, and a spectacular silent auction. “PInk TIe” cockTaIl aTTIre

To Purchase visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/pinktie, call 202.661.7567, or scan the QR code. limited tickets available – Purchase yours today! Proceeds support Festival events and programs.

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March 6, - March 12, 2014

LIFESTYLE Where did you hear about that?

Wow! Where can I get a copy?

I read it in The Washington Informer!

Just go to www.washington informer.com to get informed and find out where to pick up the paper! /Photo courtesy of ABC

FRANCE

Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord

The Suit

Based on The Suit by Can Themba, Mothobi Mutloatse, and Barney Simon Direction, adaptation, and musical direction by Peter Brook, Marie-Hélène Estienne, and Franck Krawczyk

“Witty inventiveness… a world that brims with juicy, appetizing life. Everyone on stage is pretty close to perfect.” —The New York Times

When Philomen, a middle-class lawyer, catches his wife Matilda having an affair, he forces her to treat her lover’s left-behind suit as an honored guest—feeding it, entertaining it, and taking it for walks as a constant reminder of her adultery. But the setting of Sophiatown, a teeming South African township that was erased under apartheid soon after Can Themba wrote his classic short story The Suit, is as much a character in the story as his unfortunate couple. Renowned director Peter Brook’s French stage adaptation is now given new life by returning to the source language of English. Working with his long-time collaborator Marie-Hélène Estienne and composer Franck Krawczyk, they have adapted the play and set it to music from sources as diverse as Franz Schubert and Miriam Makeba. Brook and Estienne’s work was last seen at the Kennedy Center in Samuel Beckett’s Fragments in 2011. Free Explore the Arts Post-Performance Discussion: March 11 In English. Recommended for mature audiences.

March 11–13 at 7:30 p.m. Terrace Theater SOUTH AFRICA

Baxter Theatre Centre

(U.S. PREMIERE)

Solomon and Marion

Written and directed by Lara Foot with Dame Janet Suzman and Khayalethu Anthony

“Janet Suzman is quietly moving…Khayalethu Anthony is hugely engaging.” —The Guardian (UK)

Featuring Dame Janet Suzman, one of the world’s most revered actresses of stage and screen (famed for her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, a two-time Olivier Award nominee, and an Academy Award® nominee for Nicholas and Alexandra), Solomon and Marion is the story of two injured souls searching for redemption in the fragile, post-apartheid South Africa. Marion has watched her life drain away. Children and husband gone, she ekes out an existence in a country utterly transformed. But it’s the only home she has. As the new South Africa prepares for the World Cup finals, old divisions and suspicions seem as deep as ever, and the intruder she has been expecting, dreading, and needing arrives. Free Explore the Arts Post-Performance Discussion: March 28 In English. Recommended for mature audiences.

March 28 & 29 at 7:30 p.m. | Mar. 30 at 2 p.m. Terrace Theater Presenting Underwriter HRH Foundation Major support is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein.

Additional support is provided by A. Huda and Samia Farouki, The Florence Gould Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Amalia Perea Mahoney and William Mahoney, The Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater, and the State Plaza Hotel. International government support is provided by the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States, the Embassy of Israel in the United States, the Canada Council for the Arts, The National Theatre of Iceland, and the Japan Foundation. Major support for education and related artistic programming is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program, the National Committee for the Performing Arts, and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts. International Programming at the Kennedy Center is made possible through the generosity of the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.

Tickets & more info (202) 467-4600 kennedy-center.org/worldstages Tickets also available at the Box Office | Groups (202) 416-8400

36 March 6, - March 12, 2014

The Washington Informer

Lupita Nyong’o

‘Overwhelmed’ by Oscar Win

‘12 Years a Slave’ Actress and Cast Shine at Academy Awards By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Lupita Nyong’o impressed with her dance moves, playfully wrestled with Jennifer Lawrence and photo bombed actor Jared Leto during the 86th annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2. But the Mexican-born actress who grew up in Kenya, Africa, said winning the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role based on her portrayal of “Patsey” in “12 Years a Slave,” proved overwhelming, especially considering the role counted as her debut and her competition for the honor included Lawrence, Julia Roberts, Sally Hawkins, and June Squibb. “It doesn’t escape me for one moment that so much joy in my life is thanks to so much pain in someone else’s,” Nyong’o, 31, said of the individuals who lived through such a harrowing ordeal that inspired the film. “And, so I want to salute the spirit of Patsey for her guidance, and for [author and former slave] Solomon Northup, thank you for telling her story and your own,” she said as tears filled her eyes during an emotional acceptance speech at the Oscars. More tears would eventually flow when the movie Nyong’o starred in, “12 Years a Slave,” captured the coveted Best Picture award, validating a Hollywood season dominated by high-quality and critically-acclaimed black films such as, “Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “42,” “Fruitvale Station,” and “Mandela.” Based on Northup’s 1853 autobiography, “12 Years a Slave,”

has repeatedly been hailed as a landmark which accurately depicts slavery in its truest and most cruel realities. “This wasn’t ‘Gone With the Wind,’” said Keisha Davis, a Northeast resident who joined a party of 27 friends to see the film upon its release last year. Davis said she subsequently saw the movie another six times. “The movie presented a true picture. It was raw and it didn’t sugarcoat any of that wretched history and nor should it have,” said Davis, 29. Prior to the Oscars, the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) awarded the Steve McQueen directed film six honors, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Best Supporting Actress (Nyong’o) and Best Adapted Screenplay (John Ridley). “This story of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit over degradation and misery appealed to our members in a powerful way and I’m proud of the choice that we collectively made,” said WAFCA president Tim Gordon. Following his Oscar triumph, McQueen also displayed a lot of emotion as he dedicated the award to the honor of those who suffered slavery and the 21 million people he said who still endure slavery today. “Everyone deserves not just to survive, but to live,” said McQueen, 45. “This is the most important legacy of Solomon Northup.”WI To read this story in its entirety, go to www.washingtoninformer.com.

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LIFESTYLE

LIFELINE Did you know?

You may qualify for assistance in paying your home phone bill. Discounts for basic telephone service are available to eligible District of Columbia low-income residents. Verizon Washington, D.C. Lifeline Plans: Verizon Washington, D.C.’s Lifeline service, known as “Economy II,” offers reduced rates on Verizon’s monthly telephone bill and one-time discounts on the cost of installing phone service. Additionally, toll blocking is available to Economy II customers at no charge. Economy II Service*: $3.00 per month for unlimited local calling. Value-added services are not included (e.g., Call Waiting, Caller ID). No connection charges apply. Also, customers will not be charged for the federal subscriber line charge. Economy II customers who are 65 years of age or older can have this service at a further reduced rate of $1.00 per month. * Full terms and rates for these services, including terms of eligibility, are as set forth in federal and in Verizon’s tariffs on file with the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. Rates as stated here are effective as of September 1, 2011. But, the rates and other terms are subject to change in the future.

A. Dwight Pettit. /Courtesy Photo

Restrictions:

Eligibility:

Howard Graduate, Attorney Publishes Memoirs

Dwight Pettit Details Groundbreaking Civil Rights Cases By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer Attorney A. Dwight Pettit would much rather be working on his golf game. After all, he’s 68 years old, and he has earned enough money to ease into retirement and enjoy the fruits of more than four decades defending and representing clients, particularly those whose civil rights have been violated. However, the longtime attorney has seen his case load explode over the past decade, mostly because of civil and human rights violations which he said are being carried out under the color of law, which happens to be the title of his new book, an autobiography which details several monumental legal victories he’s secured including a landmark 1972 case in which Pettit represented his father. “My father and I had been involved early on in the civil rights movement when we moved to the Baltimore area and I attended Aberdeen High School,” Pettit said. Since litigating a historic case on behalf of his father, Pettit has remained vigilant about cases in which he said law enforcement officers illegally take advantage of individuals by misusing their authority, acts that are performed under the color of law. Pettit’s father, George Pettit, initiated a lawsuit against the Maryland’s Harford County School District, which eventually forced the integration of the all-white Aberdeen High School. Pettit, represented by future U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall won his suit and his son gained admission to Aberdeen High School and graduated in 1963. “When my father fought for civil rights, he was a black engineer and

was retaliated against in a horrible manner,” Pettit said. “He was denied promotions and pay increases and when he came to work, his supervisors and co-workers would hang rebel flags in his office and he was referred to as, ‘boy.’” About a decade after Pettit’s father successfully fought discrimination laws that allowed blacks to enroll at Aberdeen, Dwight Pettit launched a civil suit to address the retaliation heaped upon George Pettit. He argued his father’s case in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Northwest and successfully established a standard of proof for backpay awards in discrimination cases. The case became the first in the nation to award a federal employee retroactive pay for past discrimination, something that pre-dated and paved the way for many equal opportunity laws, including affirmative action. As detailed in his new book, “Under Color of Law,” Pettit received assistance from the famed Washington, D.C., firm, Covington & Burling who assigned the case to attorney Paul Tagliabue, who later became commissioner of the National Football League. His team of lawyers also included Juanita Jackson Mitchell, the first African-American woman to practice law in Maryland, and Jack Greenberg, who litigated the landmark Brown vs. Board Education case that overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine in America. Pettit, who in 2004 won the largest constitutional rights verdict in Maryland history, has handled some of the highest profile criminal and civil cases in that state. He said his practice has boomed over the years because of police brutality and excessive force cases.

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“That’s keeping me in business and what’s happening is that [authorities] are doing these things under the color of law,” Pettit said. “We have to be careful, especially as African Americans,” he said. “We have to be apprehensive about not going backward especially when you look at what’s happened with affirmative action, voter registration laws, and the draconian prison sentences young black men are receiving and packing the prisons, which are now just a business. All of these things are being done under the color of law.” Married for 46 years to his wife Barbara and originally from North Carolina, Pettit attended Howard University in Northwest from 1963 until 1967, where he earned a bachelor’s of arts degree. He received his juris doctorate from the Howard University School of Law in 1970. After graduating from law school, Pettit began a career as a trial attorney for the Small Business Administration in Southwest under President Richard Nixon.

District residents who have been certified by the District Department of the Environment’s Energy Office (DDOE) as income eligible may apply for the Economy II program this program. To apply, schedule an appointment with DDOE by calling 311. Households in which one or more individuals are receiving benefits from one of the following public assistance programs may be income eligible.     

Food Stamps Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) Supplemental Security Income Public Assistance to Adults Temporary Disability Assistance Program

 No other working telephone service at the same location  No additional phone lines  No Foreign Exchange or Foreign Zone service  No bundles or packages  No outstanding unpaid final bills  Bill name must match eligible participant  No separate Lifeline discount on cellular or wireless phone service  Business lines are not eligible  Phone number must match eligible participant  Must be a current customer or establish new service with Verizon

Contact DDOE at 311 to apply To learn more about the Lifeline program, visit www.lifelinesupport.org.

President Jimmy Carter, whom Pettit still counts as a close friend, appointed Pettit to the seat of state attorney general in Maryland but senators blocked the appointment without ever detailing why. Pettit said he hopes his new book will shed light on how far the nation has come, and how far it still has to go. “We must ensure that all are aware of the dangerous pitfalls and dark caverns that still exist in our society,” Pettit said.

“This is a young nation, where obstacles and entrenchment can easily be resurrected during the fog of complacency created by past accomplishments.”WI

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March 6, - March 12, 2014

Horo scopes

INDUSTRIAL BANK AUTHOR & ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Del Travar: Singer, Songwriter & Entrepreneur By H.E. Palmer, Jr.

ARIES Beware of financial pitfalls that you’ve set for yourself. Strengthen all your relationships by understanding motivations of others. Spend time at home. Enjoy what you already have. Soul Affirmation: Often it’s not what I say but the way I say it that gets the message across. Lucky Numbers: 4, 6, 47 TAURUS Don’t expect to win every battle, especially with your lover. This week winning is losing. Backing down is winning. Shyness produces a bold result. It’s easy to collect that long-standing debt. Soul Affirmation: I keep money on my mind this week. Lucky Numbers: 18, 25, 39 GEMINI Possibilities of hearing good news about home are greatly expanded. Savor the news rather than thinking about other annoyances. Travel is on the horizon. Plan the trip this week. Soul Affirmation: Jewelry reflects the beauty of my feelings about myself. Lucky Numbers: 26, 44, 52

As 2014 begins, singer/songwriter Del Travar is perfectly positioned to achieve great things this year. After all, he closed 2013 with a list of accomplishments that most people only dream about. Travar was one of few artists selected to perform in

CANCER Feather the nest. Stock up on stuff for the long haul. Cement relationships. A friend needs your support. Enjoy giving it. You will receive good news about a pal. Soul Affirmation: Cheerfully handling what comes at me is the test of who I am. Lucky Numbers: 13, 22, 31

the company of the First Family during the 2013 White House National Christmas Tree Lightning. He had the privilege of meeting the President and First Lady, sharing a laugh with Mariah Carey, and schmoozing with the likes of Train, Janelle Monae,

LEO Be cautious and conservative with money. You are extremely witty this week. Allow others to enjoy your good humor. Your leadership skills are very high, and others will follow. Soul Affirmation: Luck is my best friend this week. Lucky Numbers: 14, 20, 44

Renee Flemming and Arturo Sandoval among many others. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Travar now considers Washington his second home. When asked about his youth, Travar is clear he didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth. His background and life experiences provided the foundation for Travar’s early growth and development as an artist. He said, “Everything I have experienced, and even some things I indirectly have experienced, allow me to write the story because I can in some way relate. Life provides us the best lyric.” Much of what kept him focused and traveling the right path in life was his upbringing. Travar says he comes from, “an old school family with a lot of country roots.” He credits his mother with being the driving force in his life. Her philosophy? “Even though you have to live in the projects, you’re not going to be out in the projects.” With that, his mother had a vision for a better, brighter future which served as the launching pad for his star. Travar explained, “She took me out of the environment and put me in places where I could see and connect with the people she wanted me to be like. I was introduced to people who could help develop me to become that better person.” In 2005, Travar was selected to be a contestant on the mega-popular American Idol. He won over the original judges, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. After several knock-out performances, he advanced to the semi-final round and has not lost any momentum since. Evidence of his talent is seen by scanning Travar’s 2013 itinerary which included appearances on both coasts, Washington, DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival, the nationally televised Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament Half-time Show in Charlotte, The Amazing Grace Conservatory alongside comediennes Niecy Nash & Wendy Raquel Robinson in Los Angeles, and The DC Love Festival also featuring Raheem DeVaughn and Marsha Ambrosia to name just a few. Travar’s musical style is diverse and innovative. His artistic influences span a wide range of performers including Donnie Hathaway, Phil Collins and Hall & Oates. He incorporates elements from several genres including R&B, gospel, pop and even country. “There’s a variety of sound in music which enables you to connect with just about anything. There are a range of themes I want to address in my music. It’s an ideal medium through which I can speak to the breadth of the human experience.” Social media buzz for the previously released single, “What Love Feels Like” garnered Travar video placements on MTV.com and VEVO. Fans and newcomers to Travar’s talent are sure to enjoy his new hard hitting single titled “Now You Want a Ring.” Travar is committed to maintaining a long and fulfilling career and recognizes that an important component to achieving long-term success is treating his craft as a business as well as an artist. One of his role models is Usher Raymond who, in Travar’s opinion, has taken his art and transformed it into commercial and financial success beyond the entertainment industry. Through hard work, artistic talent and an entrepreneurial spirit, Del Travar is working diligently to establish his place in the music industry as a unique artist, entertainer and savvy businessman.

38 March 6, - March 12, 2014

MAR 6 - MAR 12, 2014

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VIRGO This is a good time for you to seek agreement on a plan that involves a relative. Take the time to remind your lover how much you care. Get a little sentimental if you have to. Don’t be too critical of that softer side of your personality. Soul Affirmation: Self-confidence is the key to my success this week. Lucky Numbers: 2, 9, 19 LIBRA You’ve made your point. Now wait. Wait for the feedback about the impact it had on the people around you. Be careful of those who don’t celebrate with you. They feel the impact and are resisting the positive effects. Soul Affirmation: Before goodness can come I must expect goodness. Lucky Numbers: 5, 16, 23 SCORPIO Be sharp! All of your needs will be met in indirect ways. Gifts will come from unexpected sources. They will be carefully packaged to go unnoticed. Unwrap everything and look inside. There will be empty boxes, but there will also be a prize in an unanticipated situation. Soul Affirmation: I look for the good in all that comes to me this week. Lucky Numbers: 3, 10, 41 SAGITTARIUS Now is a good time to push. Your energy is higher than ever. Someone might get offended, but you can’t please everyone. Hire a pro for something that you planned to do yourself, especially if a expertise is involved. Soul Affirmation: Success is mine because I feel successful. Lucky Numbers: 5, 7, 12 CAPRICORN Review your “to do” list again. You may need to slow down to discover something that you didn’t realize while you were in the flow of events. Your lover is going to be a little difficult to understand. Soul Affirmation: To live is to love. Lucky Numbers: 5, 16, 23 AQUARIUS Back off if an argument arises. You’re probably the one who is too busy. Forgiving yourself is often harder than getting someone else to forgive you. Go easy on yourself. Soul Affirmation: Two hats fit well on my big head. Lucky Numbers: 3, 20, 32 PISCES Make a special effort to spend all week with your lover, husband or wife. Your sense of the importance of relationships is keen and this is a good time to strengthen your passionate partnership. Take your lover to a party. Devote attention. Soul Affirmation: Change is my middle name. Lucky Numbers: 12, 51, 52

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Griot “Charly’s Epic Fiascos: Beware of Boys” by Kelli London c.2014, Dafina Teen $9.95 / $10.95 Canada 240 pages By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Warm fuzzies. That’s what you get when you help someone. You feel good because you did some good. Honestly, it’s sometimes hard to know who benefits more from your good deed – you, or the person on the receiving end. But sometimes, even the best intentions get out of hand, as you’ll see in the new novel “Charly’s Epic Fiascos: Beware of Boys” by Kelli London. As the star of TV’s Extreme Dream Team reality show, Charly St. James should’ve known better than to make a scene in a crowded store. She knew how to deal with fans, but when a bunch of them swarmed her and things got out of hand, there was really no reason that some handsome boy grabbed her and dragged her out of the fray. He deserved her attitude, for sure. Still, that wasn’t the way Charly wanted to meet the singer Mēkel. It wasn’t the way she wanted him to know her, either – especially when she learned that she’d been chosen to work with him, boxer Lex, and actor Faizon on a splashy special project for sick inner-city girls. It was an opportunity of a lifetime, made even more appealing when Charly’s boss, Mr. Day, told her that this project would lead to a spin-off show of her very own. How could she pass that up? She couldn’t, but she hated Mēkel for being a jerk.

LIFESTYLE TWO RIVERS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Architectural and Engineering Services, and Builder Services Two Rivers PCS invites all interested parties to submit proposals to provide architectural and engineering services or builder services for the renovation of the Young school facility. The required delivery date of the project is July 2015. The complete RFP can be obtained by contacting Ryan Gever at rgever@ programmanagers.com. Lex was awesome and energetic. Faizon was funny, smart, and Charly was eager to see him on-screen and in person. The boys introduced her to their entourage: Bobsy, who had a chip on his shoulder; Eden, the chaperone; and Coop, who seemed dangerous but totally trustworthy. As the project started to get off the ground, however, Charly began to think that she’d made a mistake by getting involved. There was something odd about how the three boys interacted, and there was tension all over the place. Something wasn’t as it seemed, and it threatened to destroy everything – but what was wrong? Was there something of which Charly needed to beware? Looking for a novel that’s not too complicated; not filled with slang, sex, or shootings; and that’s really not too bad? You and your teen may find it in “Charly’s Epic Fiascos: Beware of Boys” – that is, if you can ignore that this story of a girl who has a “reality show” has very little reality in it. Yes, the plot line is quite farfetched, but what’s good about this series is that author Kelli London has, over time, made Charly into a strong role model. Charly takes no hassle, strives to make a difference, is responsible, and she knows her own mind. I think that’s a vast improvement over the first book in the series, and it’s what keeps me reading. See? Not. Bad. While boys can surely read this book, it’s meant for 12-to-16year-old girls who want something sassy-but-spotless, and for moms who want an escape to share. Give your teen “Charly’s Epic Fiascos: Beware of Boys” and you’ll generally do good.WI

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Please indicate which service you would like to provide so that we may distribute the appropriate RFP. RFPs will be distributed starting Monday, March 3, 2014 and are due by noon on Friday, March 21, 2014.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Invitation to the Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act for the Foreign Missions Center Master Plan at the Former Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC The U.S. Department of State (DOS) invites you to attend a Public Hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 to identify a Preferred Alternative to prepare a master plan for the long-term development of a Foreign Missions Center, under authorities of the Foreign Missions Act of 1982, on the site of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) in the District of Columbia. The master plan is intended to guide the development of a cohesive campus by establishing design and land-use planning principles for the construction of new buildings, roadways, open green space, and utilities, while minimizing environmental impacts. The Department of State invites individuals, organizations and agencies to submit comments concerning the content and findings of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement during the Public Hearing. Doors will open at 6:00pm and the Hearing will start promptly at 6:30 pm. Thursday, March 6, 2014 6:00pm – 9:00pm Tifereth Israel Congregation 7701 16th Street, NW (16th & Juniper Streets) Cherner Auditorium Washington, D.C. 20012 The Department of State will consider and respond to comments received on the Draft EIS in preparing the Final EIS. The public comment period starts with the publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register and will continue for forty-five (45) days, commencing February 14 to March 31, 2014. In addition, the Department of State is continuing to carry out the review process under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 regarding the potential effect of the proposed undertaking on identified historic properties. Public comments regarding the effect of the proposed undertaking on identified historic properties will be accepted as part of the Draft EIS review process. All comments on the Draft EIS process must be submitted by March 31, 2014, to ensure that they are considered during preparation of the Final EIS. The public can provide comments in the following ways: 1) oral and written comments may be submitted during the Public Hearing; 2) email comments to FMC.info@state.gov; or 3) mail comments to (if mailed, comments should be post-marked no later than March 31, 2014): Geoffrey Hunt, Department of State A/OPR/RPM, HST Room 1264 Washington, D.C. 20520-1264 The Draft EIS for the Foreign Missions Center Master Plan is available online at http://www.state.gov/ ofm/property/fmc/index.htm. Copies are also available for public review at the following libraries: Juanita E. Thornton-Shepherd Park Library, Takoma Park Neighborhood Library, and Petworth Neighborhood Library.

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March 6, - March 12, 2014

LIFESTYLE Efﬁcient by Nature.

A Salute to Seniors! /Photos by Khalid Naji-Allah

Enjoy greater comfort and energy savings this winter. Some people call it nesting—the simple act of enjoying your home. When winter comes, you want that nest, your home, to be warm and cozy. But you also want to keep energy costs in line. Washington Gas has a few simple things you can do that can help save money on your winter heating bills, without giving up the comfort you want. • Have a licensed natural gas contractor perform a complete inspection of your heating and water heater systems • Set your thermostat comfortably low in winter and consider installing a programmable thermostat. Setting your thermostat set just one degree lower can save you as much as 3 percent. • Install proper insulation in your home. • When you’re not using a fireplace, close the flue. • Replace your furnace filter once a month. • Turn your hot water heater down to warm or low, never more than 120 degrees. • Replace all cracked or broken window glass, consider adding storm windows, caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows. • Wash full loads of laundry and dishes. For more information and additional energy saving tips visit washingtongas.com.

Take advantage of our Budget Plan. With the Washington Gas Budget Plan, you’ll be able to spread the higher cost of winter heating into the warmer months. You’ll pay the same amount each month for natural gas. It costs nothing to enroll. To sign up for The Budget Payment Plan, call 703-750-1000 or log on to washingtongas.com.

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LIFESTYLE

President Launches My Brother’s Keeper!

/Photos by Shevry Lassiter

A THEATRE PRODUCTION

“THEARC”

A SPIRITUAL ENLIGHTMENT

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March 6, - March 12, 2014

An Evening of Sophistication

LIFESTYLE

Fashion designer Deidre Jefferies (center) debuts her latest line “Espion” during the Intelligent Design Runway

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SPORTS

George Washington Colonials Defeat Dayton Flyers 88-79

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George Washington guard Danni Jackson drives past Dayton defenders Jodie Cornelie-Sigmundova and Celeste Edwards and scores two of her 17 points in the second half of women’s Atlantic-10 Conference basketball action on Saturday, March 1 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Northwest. George Washington defeated Dayton 88-79 to improve its record to 20-9. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

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JOIN NBC4 AT A FREE ADVANCE SCREENING OF A NEW ACTION-PACKED THILLER George Washington guard Chakecia Miller drives to the basket in the second half of women’s Atlantic-10 Conference basketball action on Saturday, March 1 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Northwest. George Washington defeated Dayton 88-79 and finished its regular season tied for second place in the A-10, and clinched a first-round bye in next week’s conference tournament. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

Dayton guard Celeste Edwards drives past George Washington forward Jonquel Jones in the first half of women’s Atlantic-10 Conference basketball on Saturday, March 1 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Northwest. George Washington defeated Dayton 88-79. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

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George Mason guard Sherrod Wright uses his height to get to the basket after being pressured by two defenders early in the first half of men’s Atlantic-10 Conference basketball action on Sunday, March 2 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Northwest. /Photo by John E. De Freitas George Washington guard Joe McDonald takes a shot at the basket in the second half of men’s Atlantic-10 Conference basketball action on Sunday, March 2 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Northwest. George Washington defeated George Mason 66-58 to win its 13th home game this season. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

George Washington guard Maurice Creek drives past George Mason forward Marko Gujanicic late in the second half of men’s Atlantic-10 Conference basketball action on Sunday, March 2 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Northwest. George Washington defeated George Mason 66-58. /Photo by John E. De Freitas

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March 6, - March 12, 2014

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The Religion Corner

RELIGION

The Shift – The Day Everything Changes! One of my favorite authors’s made this quote famous, Wayne Dyer said “Change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” For the past 15 years or so, many of my friends have said to me how great they think I am; they tell me “You have such excellent experience working in Washington, D.C.!” Well, I didn’t feel the same way. Although my work has been at very high levels, personally, I hadn’t changed the way I was looking at things. A sharecropper’s daughter who picked cotton; who made it out of a violent, domestic marriage; I only saw myself as someone who could organize events of any size, from 100 to 100,000 or even more was all I could see; a background singer, never the lead. I saw myself as someone who lifted other peoples’ visions. I helped a man erect a national monument to 209,145 black soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. For this same man, I coordinated parades down Pennsylvania Avenue, major events on the National Mall and theater shows with famous celebrities. And though my work included appointments as parade chair by two District mayors, and I successfully coordinated the Inaugural Parade; I’ve been seen and heard around the world, speaking on programs on C-SPAN – I still didn’t get it. Why hadn’t I changed the way I was looking at myself ? That day has finally come! His grace is sufficient. Just last

year, from August to November; there were two things that happened which gave me a kick in the pants. Both seemed negative; yet these betrayals helped me make the shift needed to go forth with a vengeance. At that time, my prayer to God was “Lord, show me why these things have happened to me. Help me see the message in this mess. I know I’m your child, I write this column to help others at a cost to myself; and now my radio show is to help others as well. So why Lord, did these things happen to me?” I give in and I give up, because I know my favorite scripture, Romans 8:28 says “And I know that all things work together for good, to them who love the Lord, and who are called according to His purpose.” Today, I’m free! Freedom comes from knowing that constant good thoughts yield constant good feelings. It’s up to you to change the way you look at the old and the new. Well, that’s my shift. Will you join me? Make the dreams the Lord has placed in your spirit a reality. There’s much more to what the Lord has placed before my hands too, and with His help, I’ve pledged to do all I can, for as long as I can. My mind, my new way of thinking, has moved me out from the background, no longer working to make someone else’s dreams become a reality, though I’m grateful to have had the opportunity. My church and community work will continue. Yet my promise is that I remain steadfast on my own assignments.

with Lyndia Grant I pledge to spend the rest of my life, fulfilling the dreams and goals the Lord has placed in my spirit. I promise to do His Will. Exciting things are already coming forth in my life … suddenly; I was invited to the White House this week to see a movie, hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama. A special thank you to Dr. E. Faye Williams for the invitation; and there’s so much more to come! Listen when you hear Holy Spirit leading and guiding you. There must be a shift in your life too. So, assess your life. Create and hold steadfast thoughts full of joy and happiness. Come out from the shadows. You will have the confidence to play the starring role in your own visions.WI

Lyndia Grant is an author, inspirational and motivational speaker, radio talk show host and columnist; visit her new website at www.lyndiagrant.com and, call 202-518-3192. Tune in Fridays at 6 p.m., to the radio talk show, 1340 AM, WYCB, a Radio One Station.

      •   •  •  

 

      

•     •   • 

   Fiduciary Panel Attorney - Superior Court of the District of Columbia - Probate Division Former DC Fraud Bureau Examiner - Insurance Administration Former Law Clerk for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) 

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The Washington Informer

March 6, - March 12, 2014

RELIGION RELIGION BAPTIST

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL

Pilgrim Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Reverend Lyndon Shakespeare Interim Priest Foggy Bottom • Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW • Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 • Fax : 202-338-4958 Worship Services 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.

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax Schedule of Services: Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service – 11:00 AM Communion Service – First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study – Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org e-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org

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

Worship Sundays @ 7:30 & 11:00 A.M. 5th Sundays @ 9:30 A.M. 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 P.M.

Schedule of Service Sunday Service: 8:30 AM & 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ Drs. Dennis W. and Christine Y. Wiley, Pastors 3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) (202) 562-4219 (Fax) SERVICES AND TIMES: SUNDAYS: 10:00 am AM Worship Services BIBLE STUDY: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantbaptistdc.org

Twelfth Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340

5101 14th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20011 202-726-2220/ 202-726-9089 Sunday Worship Service 8:00am and 11:00am Sunday School 9:15am Holy Communion 4th Sunday 10:00am Prayer and Bible Study Wednesday 7;00pm TV Ministry –Channel 6 Wednesday 10:00pm gsccm.administration@verizon.net

St. Stephen Baptist Church Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Bishop 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Sunday Early Morning Worship - 7:45 a.m. Church School - 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship – 10:45 a.m. Tuesday – Thursday - Kingdom Building Bible Institute – 7:30 p.m. Wednesday – Prayer/Praise/Bible Study – 7:30 p.m. Baptism & Communion Service- 4th Sunday – 10:30am Radio Broadcast WYCB -1340 AM-Sunday -6:00pm T.V. Broadcast - Channel 190 – Sunday -4:00pm/Tuesday 7:00am

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

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., • Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE • Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 Fax: (202) 889-2198 • www.acamec.org 2008: The Year of New Beginnings “Expect the Extraordinary”

Crusader Baptist Church

Sunday Morning Worship 11:00am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday Sunday School-9:45am Men’s Monday Bible Study – 7:00pm Wednesday Night Bible Study – 7:00pm Women’s Ministry Bible Study 3rd Friday -7:00pm Computer Classes- Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org

“The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”

“God is Love”

Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor 1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202.347.5889 office 202.638.1803 fax Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study: Wed. 7:30 p.m. “Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org

Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews • Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 Fax: (202) 526-1661

Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan, Pastor 800 I Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 Fax No. 202-548-0703

Sunday Worship Services: 8:00a.m. and 11:00a.m. Sunday Church School - 9:15a.m. & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30a.m. 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study - 10:00a.m. Tuesday Topical Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Wednesday Children’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Thursday Men’s Bible Study - 6:30p.m. Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service - 6:30p.m. Saturday Adult Bible Study - 10:00a.m.

Third Street Church of God

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church

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

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax Sunday Worship Service: 8 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org emailus@gmchc.org

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

We are proud to provide the trophies for the Washington Informer Spelling Bee

Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor Service and Times Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Communion every Sunday 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Bible Study Tuesday 12Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Motto; “Discover Something Wonderful.” Website: 12thscc.org Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Baptist Church Rev. John W. Davis, Pastor

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

Campbell AME Church Reverend Daryl K. Kearney, Pastor

Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew, Assistant Pastor

700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849

Blessed Word of Life Church Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

Church of Living Waters

52 Years of Expert Engraving Services

Joseph N. Evans, Ph.D Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Sunday Church School : 9: 30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10: 45am Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00pm Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00pm Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10: 45am themcbc.org

48 March 6, - March 12, 2014

The Washington Informer

www.washingtoninformer.com

RELIGION BAPTIST

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com Zion Baptist Church

All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. • Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591

Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

“Where Jesus is the King”

Israel Baptist Church

4850 Blagdon Ave, NW • Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 • Fax (202) 291-3773

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

Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Sunday Worship: 11:00 a.m. Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Study: Monday - 7:00 p.m. Prayer Meeting: Thursday - 7:00 p.m.

2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Sunday School – 9:30 am Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 am Baptismal Service – 1st Sunday – 9:30 am Holy Communion – 1st Sunday – 11:00 am Prayer Meeting & Bible Study – Wednesday -7:30 pm

Rev. Dr. Morris L Shearin, Sr. Pastor

St. Luke Baptist Church

Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor

Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor

Sunday Worship Service 10:15AM- Praise and Worship Services Sunday School 9:00am Monday: Noon Bible School Wednesday: Noon & 7PM: Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission Zion Baptist Church Shall; Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, and Exalt Our Savior. (Acts 2:41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

King Emmanuel Baptist Church

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

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton, Senior Pastor 1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 Fax: 202-544-2964 Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 am and 10:45 am Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 am and 10:45 am Sunday School: 9:30 am Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon and 6:30 pm Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 pm Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 pm

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

Advertise Your Church services here: call Ron Burke at

202-561-4100 or email rburke@washingtoninformer.com

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

Rehoboth Baptist Church

St. Matthews Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Maxwell M. Washington Pastor 1105 New Jersey Ave, S.E • Washington, DC 20003 202 488-7298 Order of Services Sunday Worship Services: 9:05 A.M. Sunday School: 8:00 A.M. Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting: 7:00 P.M. (Tuesday) Bible Study: 7:30 P.M. (Tuesday) Theme: “Striving to be more like Jesus “Stewardship”. Philippians 3:12-14; Malachi 3:8-10 and 2 Corinthians 9:7 Email: stmatthewbaptist@msn.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.com

Salem Baptist Church

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Florida Avenue Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Clinton W. Austin Pastor 2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Come Grow With Us and Establish a Blessed Family” Sunday Worship 7:30am & 10:45am Baptism/Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30pm Prayer Service Tuesdays – 8:00pm www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org

Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert SR. Pastor

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

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

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

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

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

Dr. C. Matthew Hudson, Jr, Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms, Pastor

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

Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator

Early Worship Service 7:30a.m Worship Service 10:45a.m. New Members Class 9:30a.m. Holy Communion : 1st Sunday -10:45a.m Church School 9:30a.m. Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: Wednesday 7p.m Bible Study : Saturday: 11a.m. Baptism: 4th Sunday – 10:45a.m “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”

Sunday Worship Service 10:00 A.M.

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

New Commandment Baptist Church

Peace Baptist Church

Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836

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

Sunday Morning Worship Service 7:15 am & 10:50 am Sunday School 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship Service 10:50am Wednesday Prayer & Testimonies Service 7:30pm Wednesday School of the Bible 8:00pm Wednesday - Midweek Prayer Service 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Services: Sunday Worship 11 AM Sunday School 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study - Wed. 7 PM “A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

“The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address pbcexec@verizon.net

Shiloh Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor

Rev. Reginald M. Green, Sr., Interim Pastor

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

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

9th & P Street, N.W. • W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4200

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

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

Sunrise Prayer Services - Sunday 7:00 a.m.

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

Morning Worship: 8:00 a.m Church School : 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:55 a.m. Bible Study, Thursday: 6:30 p.m. Prayer Meeting,Thursday : 7:30 p.m.

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

Sunday Worship Services: 7:45am & 11:00am Sunday school For All Ages 9:30am Prayer Services Wednesday 11:30am & 6:45pm Bible Institute Wednesday at Noon & 7:45pm “Changing Lives On Purpose “ Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org

www.washingtoninformer.com

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

Rev. Alonzo Hart Pastor

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

Christ Embassy DC

6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065

1864-2014

150 Years of Service

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church

The Washington Informer

Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 P.M. Friday Evening Service 7:00 P.M. ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com

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

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor 2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 Fax: (202) 529-7738 Order of Services Worship Service: 7:30 a.m. Sunday School: 9:00 a.m. Worship Service: 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30 a.m. & 10:30a.m. Prayer Services: Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 12 Noon Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.

March 6, - March 12, 2014

LEGAL NOTICES

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

Administration No. 2014 ADM 93

Administration No. 2014 ADM 76

Malinda Johnson aka Malinda G. Johnson Decedent Colline Silvera c/o Robinson Kirlew & Associates, PC 7731 Belle Point Dr. Greenbelt, MD 20770 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Karen Grant-Acquah, whose address is 8907 Crandall Rd., Lanham, MD 20706, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Malinda Johnson aka Malinda G. Johnson, who died on August 7, 2013 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 August 20, 2014. 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 August 20, 2014, 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: February 20, 2014 Karen Grant-Acquah Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

Gradie D. McCray Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Tiajuanna M. McCray, whose address is 5009 Sargent Road, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gradie D. McCray, who died on November 29, 2013 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 August 20, 2014. 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 August 20, 2014, 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: February 20, 2014 Tiajuanna M. McCray Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

Administration No. 14 ADM 113 Stanley Howard, Jr. Decedent Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Anita Butler, whose address is 2631 Otis Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stanley Howard, Jr., who died on February 20, 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 August 20, 2014. 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 August 20, 2014, 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: February 20, 2014 Anita Butler Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 Administration Number 2014 ADM 171 Estate of Lois Hamilton Cooper aka Lois H. Cooper Deceased NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Joseph Yager for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representative. Unless a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. Admit to probate the will date November 12, 2003 exhibited with the petition upon proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution by affidavit of witnesses or otherwise Order any interested person to show cause why the provisions of the lost or destroyed will dated November 12, 2003 should not be admitted to probate as expressed in the petition appoint an unsupervised personal representative.

Date of first publication: March 6, 2014 Jacqueline Moore Personal Representative:

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

Administration No. 2013 ADM 1061

Administration No. 2013 ADM 1267

Administration No. 2014 ADM 143

Administration No. 2014 ADM 174

Barbara Ann Nettles Decedent

Hugh B. McNeil Decedent

Maxine A. Putney Decedent

Elizabeth R. White aka Elizabeth Ruth White Decedent

Attorney Ethel Mitchell, Wills and Trusts, LLC 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1045 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

Ruth Ann Miller – Personal Representative 57 Quincy Place, NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

Jacqueline Jones Moore, Attorney 7605 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20012 Attorney

Caren M. Webb, Esquire 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 250 Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

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

Wanda Denise Nettles, whose address is 1604 Fort Place NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Barbara Ann Nettles, who died on September 11, 2013 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 August 20, 2014. 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 August 20, 2014, 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.

Ruth Ann Miller, whose address is 57 Quincy Place, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Hugh B. McNeil, who died on September 2, 2013 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 August 20, 2014. 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 August 20, 2014, 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.

Unita Jackson, whose address is 900 Hill Road, #103, Landover, MD 20785, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Maxine A. Putney, who died on February 25, 2013 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 September 6, 2014. 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 September 6, 2014, 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.

Gregory S. White, whose address is 10606 Wood Pointe Terrace, Glenn Dale, MD 20769, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Elizabeth R. White aka Elizabeth Ruth White, who died on February 3, 2014 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before September 6, 2014. 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 September 6, 2014 , 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: February 20, 2014

Wanda Denise Nettles Personal Representative

Ruth Ann Miller Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

50 March 6, - March 12, 2014

Date of first publication: March 6, 2014

Unita Jackson Personal Representative

Gregory S. White Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

The Washington Informer

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Anne Meister Register of Wills Washington Informer

Date of first publication: March 6, 2014

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MALVEAUX continued from Page 31 to judge. President Obama has three years left in office. Is this as good as it gets? For all the good he will do with the “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative, the president may leave a different kind of legacy with his recent set of nominees to the Georgia district court. With six vacant seats on that court, our president has chosen to appoint four Republicans, including two social conservatives. In a state that is 31 percent African American, there is only one Black nominee. These judges are appointed for life. Judicial appointments are a clear part of a legacy. President Obama has been vocal about people’s right to vote, and disdainful of voter suppression tactics from long lines to voter ID. Attorney General Eric Holder has brought suit against counties and states engaged in various gerrymandering and vot-

DANIELS continued from Page 31 after Brewer singed a draconian immigration law that was widely, and rightly, interpreted as anti-Hispanic. That boycott cost Arizona hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue. Clearly, avoiding a repeat of that economic and public-relations disaster played a role in the demand of the state’s business community, both of its Republican U.S. Senators, and other GOP politicians that Brewer exercise her veto power. Adding more muscle to that imperative was word from the National Football League, whose 2015 Super Bowl is scheduled for Phoenix, that it was “monitoring” the situation there. So, the forces of progress prevailed in this instance. The Brewer veto is another clear signal, along with public opinion surveys, federal court decisions striking down state bans against

can’t have children born as one sex and then be allowed to simply “self-identify” as to something totally different. You can’t – or shouldn’t – seek to become a member of, say, a Pentecostal church and then refuse to comport yourself in a manner consistent with their rules (including a prohibition against homosexuality), and then call them a bigot if they refuse you membership. This altering of what it means to be an American will lead to our demise as a global leader. Even freedom has its orderly limitations.WI Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a Washington, D.C.based public relations/government affairs firm. He can be reached through his Web site, www.raynardjackson. com. You can also follow him on Twitter at raynard1223.

er suppression tactics. The young men he lifted up in his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative may be the same ones denied the right to vote through voter suppression. Cohen, in his late 50s, may serve as many as two decades on the bench. What kind of anti-civil rights rulings might he make? Rev. Lowery and Congressman Lewis are among those also opposing former state legislator Michael Boggs because of his conservative legislative record, which includes opposition to marriage equality, his vote to keep the confederate insignia on the Georgia flag, and his efforts to restrict access to abortion. Through his votes, Boggs has indicated his opposition to the African American community, to women, and to the LGBT community. What kind of votes might we expect from Boggs, who is in his early 50s, in the decades to come? And why won’t President Obama listen to those African American stalwarts who strongly object to this nomination?

Georgia Rep. David Scott told TVOne’s Roland Martin that these nominations are disrespectful to the nation and to the African American community. The national civil rights organizations have, unfortunately, been silent on this matter. Are they too frightened of losing the president’s goodwill to speak up? Ten years from now, will we write that the status of African American and Latino boys and men has improved? That Judges Cohen and Boggs have made rulings that have further eroded civil and human rights? A collective Black voice muted by the fact that a community can’t excoriate a White president after giving a Black one a pass? Which is the Obama legacy? WI Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. She is President Emerita of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, N.C.

same-sex marriages, and the refusal of six state attorneys general to enforce such homophobic laws, that substantial progress is being made in expanding a true definition of freedom for all Americans. But before progressives celebrate too much, they’d do well to note that similar “religious freedom to discriminate” bills – all sponsored by Republicans – exist in the legislatures of nearly a dozen states. Progressives would do well to note that these proposals are cut from the same cloth as the voluminous GOP-sponsored bills intended to suppress the vote of Democratic Party-leaning Americans, especially Blacks, and restricting the reproductive rights of women. What all these have in common is the essential scam of the old Jim Crow laws: the zero-sum claim that their “freedom” is dependent on their denying freedom to those they don’t like.

That fact underscores one of the key political questions of the day: Is the Republican Party – not just in Arizona but everywhere – suffering from a kind of collective memory loss? Have they forgotten the evil the Jim Crow impulse created in an era not all that long ago? Or, are its members trapped in that favorite scenario of science fiction – the time-loop – that compels them to keep trying their once-successful “wedge politics” stratagem? Don’t they yet realize that that gambit has come home to roost as a virus within the party itself, making it congenitally unable to shed the old Jim Crow “values” of excluding all those who don’t look or act as they do? Finding the antidote to eliminate that poison from their system is the “freedom movement” the GOP needs to be focusing on.WI

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also known as the extended family. Now, agreement on the definition of the family unit has become mired in controversy. Some want Johnny to have two dads or Jenny to have two moms. Some want Rahim to have one father, but three mothers (all legally married to the one father). Some simply want mother and child. Study after study has shown that the family unit is the most stabilizing force in a society and that children who are reared with a mother and father are best positioned to be successful in life. You can’t prevent or resolve disputes unless you have rules that have been agreed upon by society that are compatible with the values of a country. Most

Americans don’t commit crimes because we have been instilled with a sense of what is right and wrong; also because we know crimes will be met with certain punishment. When there are disputes, you have courts, Congress, and government to turn to for redress. Today, you have judges ignoring case law and the will of the people and injecting their personal feelings into cases such as homosexual “marriage.” Congress is incapable of passing bipartisan legislation that is truly in the best interest of America. Government is totally incapable of solving conflict because there is no consensus as to what the rules of engagement are. I am a huge proponent of individual freedom, but freedom can’t exist without some agreed upon rules of engagement. You

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EDELMAN continued from Page 32 career as a South Carolina public school teacher came to an abrupt halt in 1956 when the state legislature ruled that state employees could not belong to the NAACP. Mrs. Clark refused to resign or lie about her membership, and was dismissed. Mrs. Clark had already attended several meetings at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee, the legendary grassroots education center devoted to social justice. In the summer of 1955 she led a workshop at Highlander on developing leadership whose participants included a shy, quiet NAACP member from Montgomery, Ala., Rosa Parks. After Mrs. Clark was fired from her teaching job in 1956,

Highlander’s extraordinary director, Myles Horton, invited her to be Highlander’s full-time director of workshops, where she pioneered innovative programs that combined literacy education for adults with citizenship and voter education. When the state of Tennessee forced Highlander to close in 1961 Mrs. Clark continued the same work as director of education and teaching for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)’s new Citizen Education Program. Her workshops formed the basis for the Citizenship School movement she helped establish across the South. Fannie Lou Hamer was among the local leaders who volunteered to help. Clark eventually helped establish and recruit

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and train teachers for hundreds of Citizenship Schools: “They were in people’s kitchens, in beauty parlors, and under trees in the summertime. I went all over the South, sometimes visiting three Citizenship Schools in one day…One time I heard Andy Young say that the Citizenship Schools were the base on which the whole civil rights movement was built. And that’s probably very much true.” Rosa Parks also said that while she may have sat down once, Mrs. Clark kept on working and building: “I am always very respectful and very much in awe of the presence of Septima Clark because her life story makes the effort that I have made very minute. I only hope that there is a possible chance that some of

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her great courage and dignity and wisdom has rubbed off on me.” Even later in life was never hesitant to speak up. One of the injustices after her 1956 firing was that South Carolina refused to pay the pension she had earned for her 40 years of teaching or the pay she would have earned in the few years before her retirement if she had not been dismissed. She did not give up on waiting for those wrongs to be righted, and in 1976 the governor reinstated her pension and in 1981 the legislature approved paying her back pay. Near the end of her life she said: “Education is my big priority right now. I want people to see children as human beings and not to think of the money that it costs nor to think of the amount

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of time that it will take, but to think of the lives that can be developed into Americans who will redeem the soul of America and will really make America a great country.” Let’s honor Septima Clark’s legacy right now by making this priority our own with urgency and perseverance. WI Marian Wright Edelman is president of the Children’s Defense Fund whose Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. For more information go to www.childrensdefense.org

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FLETCHER continued from Page 32 can feel free to stop any Palestinian, including in territory nominally controlled by the Palestinian Authority, and interrogate them and/or seize them. In each case, protests by Palestinians rarely result in anything approaching justice. If Palestinians are attacked by settlers in the Occupied Territories, the Pales-

tinians have come to expect little or no justice from Israeli authorities. If, on the other hand, a Palestinian attacks an Israeli, they can expect retribution from the Israeli authorities and the settlers. If you have any questions as to why the tide seems to be turning in favor of a rethinking of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and why growing numbers of people recognize the profound injustice in the treatment of the Palestinians,

just remember the name “Dred Scott.” At that point it will all come together.WI Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a racial justice, labor and global justice writer and activist. He is a Senior Scholar with the Institute for Policy Studies. For more on his recent trip, see the interview Tavis Smiley held with him at: http://www.tavissmileyradio.com/bill-fletcher-jr-traveling-through-palestine/.

‘My Brother’s Keeper’ will provide initiatives like this one the platform and scale needed to benefit thousands more young men across our nation. The support they will receive through ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ will not only change their individual lives, but will also socially and economically benefit our nation,” said Rep. Fudge. President Obama has been a Black guy all along, long before he was elected president. He just had the occasion to grow up as the only Black person in a White household in practically race-neutral Hawaii, only really discovering his “Blackness,” his “African-ness” if you will, after he went off to Columbia University which is situated in New York’s Harlem, what was then “The Black Capital of the World.” And the expression, “My Brother’s Keeper” is nothing new to the president’s vocabulary either. “It’s that fundamental belief – I am my brother’s keeper, I am

my sisters’ keeper – that makes this country work. It’s what allows us to pursue our individual dreams, yet still come together as a single American family,” then U.S. Senate candidate Obama told the Democratic National Convention way back in 2004. “Yet even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us, the spin masters and negative ad peddlers who embrace the politics of anything goes. “Well, I say to them tonight … there’s not a Black America and White America and Latino America and Asian America; there’s the United States of America.” What a naïve “believer” Barack Obama was in those days. Now, 10 years later, he’s not so naïve as he used to be, he’s got a lot more gray hair, but apparently, he’s still a believer, a believer that people in the U.S. should be one another’s brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Who else still believes that?WI

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in the Congressional Black Caucus were unambiguous with their support. “Statistics show that African-American males have a greater risk of being in categories that prevent them from realizing their full potential, such as having higher incarceration and dropout rates,” CBC Chair Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), said in a statement. “But we know this is neither due to a lack of ability nor a lack of will, but a lack of opportunity and support. “Developing and implementing effective solutions that invest in rather than dismiss these young men are proven to have tremendous results. The President acknowledged a number of these programs, including the highly successful ‘5000 Role Models of Excellence Project,’ launched 21 years ago by Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) in Miami. I believe The Washington Informer

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