The Washington Informer - May 29, 2025 by The Washington Informer

Everyone has a Spot on

Georgia Avenue:

Establishments to Close at Wonder Plaza

Restaurants Along the Strip to Close Indefinitely Due to Redevelopment by Howard University

Alisa A., pictured above with Negril employee Ms. Sandra, frequents the establishment regularly, often seen catching up with the restaurant’s employees and ordering her regular meal: curry chicken with no potatoes. (Mya Trujillo/The Washington Informer)

WorldPride Brings Celebrations of Culture, Identity and History Amid Anti-LGBTQ+ Attacks

By Tait Manning WI Reporting Intern

Amid federal efforts to reverse and eradicate LGBTQ+ rights, WorldPride is coinciding with the District’s 50th anniversary Pride celebrations, prompting the local queer community to reflect on the past in order to push forward into an uncertain future.

Events kicked off in the nation’s capital on May 17, beginning a three-week celebration of panels, exhibits, rallies and parties, all culminating with a closing concert featuring headliners Cynthia Erivo and Doechii.

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

When passing by Howard University’s campus, Washingtonians and visitors can check out a handful of dining options, especially along Wonder Plaza on Georgia Avenue NW. However, due to remodeling initiatives to improve the university’s campus, restaurants along the strip will close indefinitely.

The 110,000-square-foot space will be home to the anticipated Fusion Building, a mixeduse development, including approximately 280 new student housing units, retail options, a student dining hall and a wellness center. Per the university’s Central Campus Master Plan (CCMP), establishments existing in the plaza will need to be “razed or selectively demolished” to accommodate the transformation.

“[The CCMP] is an ambitious plan that balWONDER PLAZA Page 44

music genre. (Tait Manning/The Washington Informer)

Hosted by InterPride and Capital Pride Alliance, this year’s theme is “The Fabric of Freedom,” communicating a message of unity amid nationwide attacks on LGBTQ+ culture and identities.

WORLDPRIDE Page 5

5Southeast resident Herman Buckman, among 1,000 youth recipients of the 2025 Gates Millennium Scholarship, is preparing for his next academic journey at Oberlin College in Ohio this fall. (Courtesy of KIPP DC Public Schools)

Herman Buckman, 2025 Gates Millennium Scholar, Reflects on His Development

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

When Herman Buckman pursues psychology and law of society at Oberlin College this fall, he will do so without any concern about how to cover room, board, books and the other expenses that may burden some of his peers.

For Buckman, such a scenario represents not only hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings, but the fulfillment of a vision that was born during his junior year, when he first got a taste of life outside of the District during a yearlong study tour in Germany.

“There was definitely culture shock,” said Buckman, 18, a soon-to-be alumnus of KIPP SCHOLAR Page 34

In Budget Proposals, D.C. Mayor Bowser Looks to the Future

Youth Programming Remains Intact in FY25 and FY26 Proposals, but Questions Persist for Marginalized Residents

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

After weeks of delays, and unsuccessful attempts to reverse a continuing resolution that decimates the District’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the Bowser administration recently rolled out a budget proposal touted as the ideal response to an economic situation created by President Donald J. Trump and congressional Republicans.

If approved, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Fiscal Year 2025 supplemental budget will -- as the continuing resolution requires --

trigger more than $400 billion in cost savings between now and Oct. 1. Those cuts, however, won’t jeopardize public education and facilities, public safety, and out-of-school time programming scheduled for the summer.

Also left unscathed is summertime youth programming, much like what

5WorldPride’s Capital House Music Festival on May 24 brought attendees of all ages to celebrate the Black and queer roots of the house

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5Tributes continue to pour in following the death of Charles B. Rangel on May 26, a Harlem giant and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. (Courtesy Photo)

STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER

Tributes Continue Following the Death of Trailblazing Congressman Charles Rangel

Tributes continue to pour in following the death of Charles B. Rangel, the Harlem giant and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, who died early Monday at age 94. Known as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue,” Rangel served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 46 years, becoming one of the longest-serving members in history and the first African American to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

From Capitol Hill to Harlem’s historic Abyssinian Baptist Church, law-

makers, clergy, and civil rights leaders are mourning the loss of a man who shaped policy, shattered barriers, and devoted his life to public service.

“It is with deep sorrow and profound respect that we acknowledge the passing of Congressman Charles B. Rangel—an indomitable force in American politics, a relentless champion of civil rights, and a lifelong friend of the Black Press,” said Bobby R. Henry, Sr., chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. WI

One in Four Americans Functionally Jobless, New Report Reveals

Despite federal reports suggesting a stable labor market, new data from the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP) reveals a far grimmer reality for American workers—particularly Black and Hispanic Americans.

The institute’s April report on the True Rate of Unemployment (TRU) shows a functional unemployment rate of 24.3%, compared to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figure of 4.2%.

The numbers mark the third consecutive month that functional unemployment has surpassed 24%, according to LISEP, which defines functional unemployment as the combined total of those without jobs, those unable to secure full-time employment, and those earning poverty-level wages—less than $20,000 per year adjusted for inflation.

“We are facing a job market where nearly one in four workers are functionally unemployed, and current trends show little sign of improvement,” said LI-

SEP Chair Gene Ludwig. “The harsh reality is that far too many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet.”

Racial and gender disparities remain wide. Black workers saw a 1.4 percentage point increase in their TRU to 26.7%, while white workers experienced a slight decrease to 23%. The rate for Hispanic workers climbed to 28.2%, maintaining the highest among reported groups. A persistent gender gap also emerged in the data: functional unemployment for men rose to 20%, while women—though showing a slight improvement—still face a significantly higher rate at 28.6%.

Beyond labor force disparities, BLS statistics further indicate a disproportionate impact on Black Americans. The unemployment rate for Black men remains at 6.3%, more than double that of White men. Meanwhile, since September, approximately 181,000 Black women have dropped out of the labor force entirely, even as participation rates among women of other racial groups have increased. WI

Trump Turns Presidency into Profit Machine as Family Rakes in Billions with No Oversight

Donald Trump has turned the presidency into a family business on an unprecedented scale, using his return to power not to serve the nation—but to enrich himself, his relatives, and close allies.

“I’ve been watching and writing about corruption for 50 years, and my head is still spinning,” said Michael Johnston, professor emeritus at Colgate University and a leading authority on political graft.

Since reentering the White House in January, Trump and his family have monetized the presidency more aggressively than any administration in American history. Several scathing investigations, including by the New York Times, Bloomberg News, PBS, and Open Secrets, show how activities that would have once ignited scandal, ethics probes, and televised congressional hearings now pass with-

out consequence—largely due to Trump’s dismantling of the very institutions tasked with accountability.

Thirty-one years after Hillary Clinton was attacked for earning $100,000 from a cattle futures deal, Melania Trump is poised to pocket $28 million from a promotional film financed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—reportedly agreed upon during dinner at Mara-Lago. Unlike Clinton’s deal, which prompted weeks of outrage and an internal White House review, the current first lady’s windfall has barely made a ripple.

“So Amazon just deposited the better part of $40 million in Melania’s pocket,” one social media user said, “and the collective shoulder shrug among the same folks in the media who lose [it] any time a Clinton or Obama takes a paid speaking gig is unsurprising.”

Israeli Embassy Staffers Fatally Shot Outside D.C. Museum; FBI Calls It Terrorism

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21 in what authorities are calling a targeted act of terrorism.

Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, had just left an American Jewish Committee reception aimed at promoting peace in the Middle East and North Africa when a gunman opened fire at close range.

“I want to start by sending our condolences to the loved ones of the victims who were senselessly a victim of these crimes,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a press conference Wednesday night. “I want to provide my prayers and condolences to the museum staff and the guests, who are also gathering together in fellowship.”

The shooter, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, was quickly apprehended, but not without sharing a message.

“After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security. Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered,

WORLDPRIDE

from Page 1

“The theme carries different meanings for everyone, but is intended to recognize the intricacies of fabric and how it has historically been used as a symbol that communities use to identify themselves and others,” Capital Pride Alliance told The Informer. “Fabric is used often as forms of resistance - as flags or clothing. The strings woven together make the fabric stronger, and like our community, we are stronger together.”

Through events, art exhibits and more programming, this year’s WorldPride and DC Pride offers attendees an opportunity to uplift the LGBTQ+ community, while also working to combat national and worldwide hate to promote equity and justice for all.

“Right now our rights are under attack,” said Alex Fraioli, a board member of the Rainbow History Project. “We’ve already seen major changes, specifically with the transgender community.

and he implied that he committed the offense,” Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith said. “The suspect chanted, ‘free, free Palestine while in custody.’”

The mayor also worked to assure Washingtonians and people nationwide that the District does not support hate of any kind.

“I will say, up front, that there is no active threat in our community. What I do know is that the horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country, and I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city,” she said. “We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism, and we’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send the clear message that we will not tolerate anti Semitism.”

Early Thursday morning, FBI agents in tactical gear entered Rodriguez’s Chicago residence. FBI Director Kash Patel labeled the incident a terror attack, stating:

“Targeted anti-Semitic violence is an attack on our core values and will be met with the full weight of federal law enforcement.”

AJC CEO Ted Deutch said, “Sarah and Yaron were stolen from us.

There’s more to come and we should not take that as a threat, to be quiet and hide, we should continue to fight.”

TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS AND ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION

This year’s Pride comes as conservative politicians across federal, state and local levels lead efforts to limit expressions of transgender identity and culture.

Since his inauguration on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders regarding the legal rights and recognition of transgender Americans.

The administration has: attempted to ban transgender people from the U.S. military; block schools from using federal funding to support trans students and promoting trans-inclusivity in their curriculum; designate “gender WORLDPRIDE Page 44

AROUND THE REGION

Moments before they were murdered, they were smiling, laughing, and enjoying an event with colleagues and friends.”

The shooting took place in one of Washington’s most secure areas, steps from embassies and federal buildings, and comes amid heightened tensions following Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed condolences, noting the couple was soon to be engaged.

“The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,” he said.

5D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser is assuring Washingtonians and people nationwide that the District is safe after two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21, in what authorities are calling a targeted act of terrorism. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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MAY 29

facts

1851 – Sojourner Truth delivers her “Ain’t I A Woman?” speech to the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. 1865 – President Andrew Johnson announces his program of Reconstruction. It required ratification of the 13th Amendment, but did not guarantee Black suffrage. 1980 – Vernon Jordan, then-president of the National Urban League, is critically injured in attempted assassination in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

MAY 30

he became the youngest American ever to sign a professional sports contract after be was selected by the United in the Major League Soccer draft.

JUNE 3

1854 – Congress passes the Kansas-Nebraska Act that repealed the Missouri Compromise and opened the Northern territories to slavery. More specifically, it allowed Whites in Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether or not slavery would be allowed in the territories.

MAY 31

1921 – The Tulsa Riots begin in Oklahoma. Whites go on a violent rampage lasting several days. When the rioting was over, an estimated 21 whites and 60 Blacks were dead. In addition, as many as 15,000 Blacks were left homeless as hundreds of homes and businesses were burned to the ground. The area bearing the brunt of the destruction was known as the “Black Wall Street” because of its large number of African American-owned businesses.

JUNE 1

1973 – Detroit’s WGPR receives a license to become the nation’s first Black-owned television station.

JUNE 2

1951 – Kenneth Chenault, CEO and chairman of American Express, is born in Mineola, New York. He is the third Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company. 1989 – Freddie Adu, soccer player and former member of D.C. United, is born in Tema, Ghana. In January 2004,

1906 – Josephine Baker, the world-renowned American-born French singer, dancer and actress, is born. In 1934, Baker became the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture (“Zotuou”). She also became an avowed civil rights activist, speaking out against the racism and segregation she faced as a performer in the United States. 1942 – Curtis Mayfield, famed singer-songwriter, guitarist and record producer, is born. Rising to prominence as a member of the Impressions, Mayfield penned the R&B group’s politically charged “People Get Ready” at the height of the civil rights movement before going on to a successful solo career. He is perhaps best known for creating the soundtrack for the seminal blaxploitation film “Superfly.”

1949 – Wesley A. Brown becomes the first African American graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. 1950 – Deniece Williams, Grammy-winning R&B and gospel music star, is born. Known for her four-octave range, Williams sang backup for Stevie Wonder and recorded a string of successful duets with Johnny Mathis before her breakout pop hit, “Let’s Hear It for the Boy.”

2008 – Barack Obama clinches the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first Black candidate to lead a major party into a campaign for the White House.

JUNE 4

1961 – Soul crooner El DeBarge, who became a star with his siblings in the early 1980s before enjoying a successful solo career, is born.

1972 – Angela Davis, famed civil rights activist and Black Panther Party affiliate, is acquitted by an all-white jury in San Jose, California, of conspiracy charges stemming from a 1970 courtroom shootout.

FREDDIE ADU (LEFT)

DENIECE WILLIAMS (CENTER)

BARACK OBAMA (ABOVE)

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view

P INT

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

Trailblazing congressman Charlie Rangel, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus who represented Harlem for decades, has died at age 94, his family announced. What are your thoughts on his legacy?

MICHAEL F. / BROOKLYN, N.Y.

JEWEL

PARHAM / NEW YORK, N.Y.

He was one of our beacons of hope and justice in NYC. I had the pleasure of working with his team one summer back in the day. Great man. Inspirational and a true powerhouse. Rest in peace.

I am shocked at the loss of another early promoter of Black advancement. I had met and spoken with Charlie many years back, during the antiwar and Black liberation days. He was charismatic, insightful, and unapologetic. He will long be remembered as one who never took his eyes off the prize. Thank you, Charlie!

BARBARA JOHNSON / WASHINGTON, D.C.

PEGGY

ARTHUR, / LOUISVILLE, KEN.

Another one of our pioneers lost. Our trailblazers are leaving. It’s time to get it together and step up, young people.

Charlie played a role in getting General Motors to open a Chevrolet car dealership in Harlem in the early 2000s. Thank you, Charlie Rangel.

SANDRA FRANCIS / NEW YORK, N.Y.

He had such style and class. I always wanted to meet him to shake his hand. May he rest in peace.

Our staff is made up of writers, just like you. We are dedicated to making publishing dreams come true. Trusted by authors for nearly 100 years, Dorrance has made countless authors’ dreams come true.

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Rep. Gerry Connolly, Outspoken Democrat, Dies

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Congressman Gerry Connolly, a spirited and pragmatic Democrat from Virginia who spent nearly two decades in Congress defending civil servants and government accountability, died last Wednesday at his homein Fairfax County. He was 75.

His family confirmed his death. Connolly had been undergoing treatment for esophageal cancer, a diagnosis he made public late last year. In April, he announced the treatments had failed and that he would not seek re-election in 2026. He is survived by his wife, Cathy, and daughter, Caitlin.

“It is with immense sadness that we share that our devoted and loving father, husband, brother, friend, and public servant, Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, passed away peacefully at his home this morning surrounded by family,” the Connolly family announced in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.

Connolly represented Northern Virginia’s 11th District for nine terms, a region densely populated by federal workers.

He rose to become the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee earlier this year after narrowly defeating Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the post.

Known for his sharp wit and institutional expertise, Connolly spoke out for the marginalized.

“Gerry lived his life to give back

to others and make our community better. He looked out for the disadvantaged and voiceless. He always stood up for what is right and just,” the family noted.

The Congressman was also one of Capitol Hill’s most outspoken defenders of the federal workforce. He fiercely opposed former President Donald Trump’s 2020 executive order to reclassify tens of thousands of civil servants as political appointees—an effort reversed under President Biden but revived after Trump returned to office in 2025.

“Trump is on a wrecking cruise to de-professionalize the civil service and threaten basic services to Americans,” Connolly warned in January.

“It’s unlawful firings and impoundments that threaten to unravel 142 years of a civil service immune from partisan politics.”

Before his time in Congress, Connolly worked on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and served on the Fairfax County Board of Super-

visors, where he helped shape the region into a technology and economic hub.

Tributes came swiftly after news of his death. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) praised his “brilliant mind” and lifelong commitment to working people.

AFGE President Everett Kelley called him a “steadfast advocate” whose legislative work “will continue to inspire.”

His work and legacy will continue in Northern Virginia far beyond his death.

“But more important than his accomplishments in elected office, Gerry lived by the ethos of ‘bloom where you are planted.’ From the Silver Line to the Oakton Library, Mosaic District to the Cross County Trail and beyond, his legacy now colors our region,” the Connolly family said. “We were fortunate to share Gerry with Northern Virginia for nearly 40 years because that was his joy, his purpose, and his passion.” WI

5Congressman Gerry Connolly, a spirited and pragmatic Democrat from Virginia who spent nearly two decades in Congress defending civil servants and government accountability, has died. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

Virginia Governor Candidate Faces GOP Backlash Over Slavery-DEI Comments, Troubled Campaign Start

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) is under growing fire from within her own party after invoking slavery to attack diversity programs, fueling Republican fears that her gubernatorial campaign could collapse before it gains traction.

Earle-Sears, who was born in Jamaica and is seeking to become the first woman and second Black governor of Virginia, sent a campaign fundraising email tying American slavery to modern-day diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives — a move that shook Republican circles already wary of her hardline stances and weak campaign infrastructure.

“Slaves did not die in the fields so that we could call ourselves victims now in 2025,” the email read. “Democrats think minorities can’t succeed without DEI.”

It also referenced Virginia as “the former capital of the Confederacy.”

While the campaign later claimed it did not author the message and refused to say who did, the same language remains publicly posted on her WinRed fundraising site. And a video from 2023 shows Earle-Sears making nearly identical statements at a live event.

The controversy didn’t emerge in a vacuum — the email is now seen as part of a pattern of polarizing positions threatening her viability in a high-stakes gubernatorial race. Nearly a dozen Republican strategists and officials in Virginia say the campaign’s slow fundraising, lack of grassroots energy, and poor outreach to swing voters have created a mounting crisis.

“She’s off to a shaky start, and in a state like Virginia, that’s not a luxury you can afford,” longtime Republican strategist Jimmy Keady told Politico. “When the White House is in Republican hands, Virginia becomes even harder. You need momentum,

discipline, and message control — and right now, they’ve got none of that.”

Earle-Sears’ hardline views on social issues have also drawn criticism from within her party. As lieutenant governor, she has taken unprecedented steps to distance herself from progressive legislation — even when legally required to process it. She added handwritten notes of moral objection to two major bills: one enshrining abortion rights into the state constitution and another prohibiting discrimination in marriage licensing based on sex, gender, or race.

In the case of House Bill 174, which affirms marriage equality, Earle-Sears wrote, “I remain morally opposed to the contents of HB174 as passed by the General Assembly.” The bill was sponsored by Del. Rozia Henson (D), an openly gay Black lawmaker from Prince William County.

“She knows I’m an openly gay Black state representative, so the fact that she wrote something personal on my bill, knowing me and my family — that was disheartening,” Henson said.

Despite clashing with Democrats, the internal party rift deepens with Earle-Sears’ strained relationship with Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid, an openly gay MAGA-aligned candidate whose presence on the ticket complicates the GOP’s messaging in the suburban battlegrounds where Democrats have gained ground.

Kay Coles James, the former president of the Heritage Foundation and a respected GOP figure in Virginia, acknowledged the rough start but urged caution.

“There are those kinds of glitches — you manage them, you move forward,” she said. “I’m not in panic mode yet.”

But concern is growing. The GOP is already facing resistance statewide due to President Donald Trump’s cuts to the federal workforce — a major employer in Virginia — and Earle-Sears’ mes-

AROUND THE REGION

saging has done little to broaden appeal in the crucial suburbs surrounding Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, Democrats are unified.

Former CIA officer and threeterm Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger has secured the Democratic nomination after no challengers filed by the state’s deadline. Her moderate record and disciplined campaign posture are expected to pose a formidable challenge.

“As the Democratic nominee for Governor of Virginia, I look forward to having many more meaningful conversations with all Virginians — across our communities and regardless of who they’ve cast their votes for in the past — about the issues that matter most to them,” Spanberger said in a statement. WI

5Republican Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears is under growing fire from within her own party after invoking slavery to attack diversity programs. (Courtesy Photo)

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United Airlines Launches Direct D.C. to Dakar Flight

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

A part of the international terminal at Dulles International Airport transformed from a simple waiting space to a festive area, as United Airlines prepared for an inaugural flight from Northern Virginia to Senegal.

Many people dressed in African garb for the celebratory, like Shontel Mason, a project manager who resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

“I always wanted to go to Africa,” Mason, 54, told The Informer, as she waved a small Senegalese flag. “I have been talking about taking the trip to the continent for years and a friend finally convinced me to go, so I decided to take the plunge. A friend and I looked for flights to Africa and we saw this United Airlines flight from Dulles to Dakar, Senegal and we immediately booked it. I think we hit the jackpot.”

Mason was joined by dozens of fellow passengers, United Airlines staff and airport employees for the launch of the first direct flight from the airport to Blaise Diagne International Airport in Diass, Senegal, 27 miles from Dakar’s downtown district.

United officials say it is the only nonstop connection from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to Dakar, a fact that came as a pleasant plus for Mason.

“This is a great idea for United to do this,” she said. “A friend of mine who works for USAID and who travels to Africa very often recommended Sen-

DETAILS OF THE DULLES TO DAKAR UNITED AIRLINES SERVICE

United will fly three times a week from Dulles to Dakar using a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Company officials say that it is the airline’s shortest African route but its fourth destination on the continent, with flights already to: Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; and Cape Town, South Africa.

tion of another international terminal at Dulles and expressed optimism about the Dulles-Dakar route.

“We hope this goes from three times a week to daily,” said Potter.

REFLECTIONS ON DULLES-DAKAR CONNECTION

Sene said the route will be a benefit to Senegal.

In its assessment, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office said Senegal is among the politically stable and economically expanding countries in West Africa. Additionally, the Washington metropolitan area has a large number of people of Senegalese descent, United officials say.

“There will be more business trips, more family vacations and more personal adventures for visitors,” he said. “Senegal is a stable country, and it is attractive to business investors. The beaches are great, the people are great, and we respect each other. We invite you to visit Senegal.”

“There is a huge Senegalese community in the D.C. area,” said Adaja Fall, the lead flight attendant, a native of Senegal who lives in Alexandria. “This way, they can hop on United and go home.”

Isidor Marcel Sene, minister-counsellor for the Embassy of Senegal also touted the benefit of the new route from the D.C. area to Dakar.

“This route makes it easy for us now,” said. “We have no need to go through New York in order to go home.”

Patrick Quayle, United’s vice president of international planning, said his airline will look to expand to other destinations in the Dulles international terminal.

Further, Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, echoed Quayle’s expansion hopes by noting the construc-

Fall, 49, felt honored to be on the flight and said she particularly looks forward to seeing her sister in the Dakar area.

“I have not seen her since COVID,” she told The Informer.

For pilot Babacar Faye, a first officer for United Airlines, the trip is a homecoming.

Faye, 48, said he was humbled to be a part of the inaugural flight.

“Words cannot explain how I feel,” he said. “I feel grateful to be a part of this. I have wanted to be a pilot since the age of five and I grew up in Dakar.”

Faye, who resides in Lake Wiley, South Carolina, and commutes to Dulles to pilot airplanes, said the Dulles-Dakar connection is meaningful because it “ties the capital of the U.S. to the capital of Senegal.”

“For the airline to link, where the president of the United States sits to my country, is very significant,” he emphasized. WI @JamesWrightJr10

5 A celebration for the United Airlines flight from Dulles International to Dakar, Senegal on May 23. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 Adaja Fall greets passengers on the United Airlines inaugural flight from Dulles International Airport to Dakar, Senegal on May 23. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

USOA Mrs. Maryland: ‘Bigger Than A Crown’

Prince George’s Beauty Queen Reflects on Pageant Journey, ‘Powerful Platform’ to Champion Healthcare and Equity

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

When it comes to embodying resilience and channeling amelioration, Moniesha Jackson Shorter – the reigning United States of America (USOA) Mrs. Maryland – has her sights set far beyond her native roots of Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

A three-time breast cancer survivor, Shorter reportedly found inspiration in her own journey to advocate for better outcomes in women’s health, notably calling attention to the limitations and disparities women often indulge due to a lack of preventative healthcare practices and inclusive representation.

Now, the preliminary state representative of the USOA Pageant is continuing to forge paths to champion women’s health, utilizing her platform to challenge norms, create paths to accessible preventive care and self-advocacy, and share her own story of survival.

“As a proud three-time breast cancer survivor, my story is one of perseverance and the power of early detection. My experiences have fueled my passion to empower women to prioritize their health and well-being—because our health is our greatest currency,” Shorter wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing her statewide win on March 13. “This incredible journey has been one of resilience, strength, and purpose, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.”

The opportunity at hand included traveling to Las Vegas, Nevada over Memorial Day Weekend to compete in the USOA National Pageant (May 23-25). The annual competition, consisting of 50 women representing each state, aims to empower contestants with the confidence and platform to achieve various goals that serve

5 A two-time alumni of the University of Maryland (UMD), Moniesha Jackson Shorter addresses a crowd of UMD scholarship recipients during the institution’s annual luncheon celebrating their achievements and granters’ support, such as the two merit-based scholarships Shorter funds for minority STEM majors. (Courtesy of A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland)

a broader impact.

For Shorter, that goal is presenting a catalyst for women of color to take ownership of their health journey.

“I want to see a healthcare system that listens, values, and trusts women — particularly Black women, who face some of the gravest disparities,” Shorter told The Informer. “If my advocacy helps one woman schedule a mammogram or speak up about her symptoms, that’s another step toward equity.”

AN EMPOWERING JOURNEY AS MRS. MARYLAND

While Miss Carla Carfora of Texas took home the crown at the end of the night on Sunday, Shorter told The Informer her journey to pageantry has always been a means to serve and inspire others, though she’s gained just as much from the experience as a contestant.

With the support of Crown Bound Pageant Consulting, Shorter gained refined stage presence, sharpened interview skills, and a deeper calling to her own mission.

“[This experience] has helped me see myself more fully — as a survivor, as a woman, and as a vessel for something bigger than a crown,” Shorter touted. “Competing didn’t change who I am — it revealed who I’ve become.”

Ro Mobley, who trained the Prince Georgian throughout her pageant journey, seconded this notion in an interview with WTOP, noting the role that enhanced physical fitness can have on boosting one’s confidence.

“As she was going on, and she was continuously working out…I’m sure

it contributed to helping with her self-esteem,” Mobley told WTOP. “Even with her diagnosis, as she was able to go and see her doctor, she increased strength, endurance, ability to just say, ‘Hey, let’s continue on.’ And I believe that that helped with whatever she was going through, whether it was physical, mental or spiritual.”

Shorter commended USOA’s inclusive mission for reminding her that beauty is derived from impact, “not confined to a mold,” and allowing her to tap into another pivotal passion: advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The University of Maryland (UMD) alumni strives to continue her advocacy of women’s rights in health care in full capacity, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a space where inclusive representation for marginalized communities thrives, even beyond the health landscape.

“Equity isn’t a niche issue,” said the Maryland beauty queen, “it’s a community investment.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE BEYOND HEALTHCARE

As a former student in UMD’s A. James Clark School of Engineering, Shorter recounted often being the only Black, and only woman, in her classes when she first joined the institution in 1992. Despite a mirrored reflection of the corporate America she would later navigate, the community product manager works in a mission to offer scholars a much more equitable future.

She furthered her passion of service and social progression as a member of

“Equity isn’t a niche issue,” said the Maryland beauty queen, “it’s a community investment.”

the Theta Nu chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (AKA), and returned to UMD in 2019 to earn a Masters degree in Professional Studies, Technological Entrepreneurship, and Culture Innovation.

Shorter has since served in multiple positions with equity at the forefront, including leading diversity recruiting at the College Park campus, as well as hoisting instrumental contributions on various projects that center professional development, community betterment, and entrepreneurial success.

In partnership with the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, Inc., Shorter launched the Moniesha Jackson Shorter Endowed Scholarship for the Center for Minorities in Science and Engineering, as well as the Moniesha Jackson Shorter Endowed Scholarship for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in 2022, established with a passion “to see minorities achieve and Black women thrive.”

“But the ripple effect of that support touches everyone. When we democratize innovation — when we

make classrooms, labs, and boardrooms more inclusive — we expand what’s possible for our society,” Shorted told The Informer.

Committing a total $255,000 annually, the merit-based scholarships support undergraduate students in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) to enhance diversity, including but not limited to race or gender.

In a post about the scholarships on UMD’s Division of Student Affairs, Shorter touted her long-time service as an advocate of DEI and a mission to continue eliminating barriers that plague minority professionals.

Drawing on that, she tells readers of the Informer to seek a similar yearn for justice in education and the community as a whole.

“I encourage readers to support local scholars, advocate for equitable funding in schools, and mentor rising professionals in their networks. Change starts with access, and access begins with intention,” Shorter said.

As the reigning Mrs. Maryland plans to continue her work both in education and healthcare, she offers parting words of encouragement to the next class of beauty queens looking to make a difference – whether it’s in Upper Marlboro or across the world.

“Lead with your purpose. Whether you’re wearing heels on a stage or sneakers in your community, your impact matters,” Shorter said.

And to the next USOA Mrs. Maryland: “Honor the sash, but never forget that your voice and vision will always be your greatest crown.” WI

5 Moniesha Jackson Shorter, crowned United States of America (USOA) Mrs. Maryland, leverages her platform to champion health equity for women of color, including competing in the USOA National Pageant in Las Vegas from May 23-25. (Courtesy Photo)

Prince George’s County Local Updates

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Writer

MARYLAND

SUFFERS FINANCIAL

DOWNGRADE, LOSES

COVETED AAA

BOND RATING

In another blow to Maryland’s economy, Moody’s, the credit rating agency, has downgraded the state’s bond rating.

“To hell with Moody’s,” said State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis during a Board of Public Works meeting following the credit downgrade. Davis indicated that Moody’s “was not the standard bearer they once were” and that the state could rely on a different credit rating agency.

A different credit rating agency, Fitch, affirmed Maryland’s AAA rating following the downgrade by Moody’s.

A lower bond rating means higher interest rates on loans, resulting in less funding available towards other state priorities. Maryland’s budget already has over $1.4 billion allocated to paying public debts.

“The downgrade was driven by economic and financial underperformance compared to AAA-rated states, which is expected to continue given the state’s heightened vulnerability to shifting federal policies and employment, and its elevated fixed costs,”

Moody’s wrote in its report.

Prior to this downgrade, Maryland held the highest rating with all three of the major credit rating agencies and maintained these ratings through several recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Moody’s affirmed the existing AAA bond rating but gave a negative outlook.

Governor Wes Moore (D), Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller (D), Comptroller Brooke Lierman (D), Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, Speaker Adrienne Jones (D- District 10), and Senate President Bill Ferguson (DDistrict 46) released a joint statement highlighting both the severity of the financial situation and the Trump Administration’s.

“Over the last 100 days, the federal administration’s decisions have wreaked havoc on the entire region, including Maryland. Washington DC received a credit downgrade. Thousands of federal workers are losing their jobs,” the Maryland leaders explained.

Several state leaders who helped craft the budget, including Senator Guy Guzzone (D- Howard County), expressed that they did everything in their budgetary power to keep the state in a strong fiscal position.

Despite the challenge, the state officials assured residents of intentions to improve Maryland’s credit rating and finances overall.

“Maryland still holds one of the highest possible credit ratings in the nation,” they said, “and as we have for decades, we will always pay our debts.”

LOCAL LEADERS RESPOND TO NONPROFIT GRANT CHANGES

Several local nonprofit organizations are celebrating, while others are lamenting losing funds, after the Prince George’s County Council decided to reallocate grant funding to support their needs, missions and goals.

The Capital Area Food Bank, A Wider Circle, American National Red Cross, and the Fairmount Heights Football Alumni Association lost all previously allocated grant funding, while the City of Laurel Multiservice

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Center, Joan’s House Inc., and the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation received new funding allocations.

At-Large Councilmember Jolene Ivey, who served as Chair during the prior allocation, criticized the reallocation of funds.

“These nonprofits were counting on that money and many of them have started spending with that money in mind. To have that rug pulled out from under them is a disappointment,” she said.

One of the local nonprofits that lost their previously allocated funding is Autism FYI, a Bowie-based nonprofit dedicated to providing employment opportunities and improving safety for County residents with autism.

During a press conference held by Ivey, Dr. James Benjamin, who runs Autism FYI, spoke about the impact these funding cuts would have on his nonprofit.

“We got notified just last week that we won’t get the executive grant,” said Benjamin. “That’s two grants that are gone. Me and my wife have given more than six figures to this nonprofit. With my back injured, I can’t donate that any more, and we will have to close down shop.”

Elsie Jacobs, a leader with Suitland Action Team, argued that her area was left out of the 2024 grant allocations and testified in support of the new grant funding during the May 12 hearing.

“We have senior citizens that I presented to the council woman, about 15 or 16 seniors, who would be evicted,” she said. “In my whole history, I’ve never seen senior citizens put out on the street.”

MARYLAND

DEMOCRATIC PARTY

CHAIR KEN ULMAN

STEPPING DOWN IN JUNE

Maryland Democrats will hold a leadership election on June 21 to replace Ken Ulman, who announced his intention to resign on May 21 during meetings with Prince George’s County chairs and top party donors.

He will step down officially on June 13.

“I am reaching out today to let you know in the near future I will be stepping down as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party. Governor Moore, Dr. Dukes, and I are recommending

full state central committee elect Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman to be the next Party Chair at our Summer meeting on June 21st,” he said in an email.

“Serving as Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party has been one of the great professional honors of my life. I am grateful to every member of the central committee who allowed me this opportunity, and together, we accomplished some big things.”

Ulman celebrated the election of Gov. Wes Moore (D), Sen. Angela Alsobrooks’ (D) successful campaign against Larry Hogan, and raising over $5.5 million for the Maryland Department of Planning as some of his biggest accomplishments while leading the state party.

“I am grateful for Ken and his willingness to lead our party through an intense and demanding election,” the governor said in a statement. “His leadership was critical to maintaining Democratic power in this state and I look forward to his contin-

ued help and expertise.”

Moore is supporting Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman (D) to replace Ulman in the upcoming leadership election on June 21. Congressman Steny Hoyer (D- District 5) and Anne Arundel civil rights activist Carl Snowden are also supporting Pittman for the role.

Pittman, who was an early endorser of Moore’s gubernatorial bid, has helped to flip multiple Republican-held seats in Anne Arundel County during his two campaigns for County Executive.

“I am recommending County Executive Pittman because I know he is the right leader for this moment,” Moore continued. “With an all out assault on our state and our values underway from Washington D.C., I know he will put his experience and moral clarity to work to defend our state, fight back against the Trump administration, and ensure Democrats win elections.”

5At-Large Prince George’s County Councilmember Jolene Ivey is criticizing the legislative body’s decision to reallocate funds for local nonprofits. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

the

BUSINESS

By James Wright / WI Staff Writer

BEN’S CHILI BOWL COMES TO DULLES AIRPORT

Ben’s Chili Bowl, the iconic Washington, D.C. landmark known for its world-famous dishes, announced on May 22 the grand opening of its sixth location at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at Concourse B, Gate B71. Travelers passing through Dulles can now experience a taste of District history with the flavors that have made Ben’s Chili Bowl an institution since 1958.

The new airport location will offer a curated menu of fan favorites, including the Original Half Smoke, Big Ben Burger, veggie dogs and burgers, chili cheese fries, hand-spun milkshakes, and a selection of breakfast and graband-go items perfect for travelers on the move.

Alyson Murphy, vice president of Fraport Washington Partnership, LLC, the concessions manager at Dulles, extended a warm welcome to Ben’s Chili Bowl.

briefs

“Passengers at IAD can now experience the culinary icon known for its delectable Chili for over six decades,” she said. “Ben’s Chili Bowl has made significant contributions to the region’s dining scene, and we are grateful to the Ali family for their partnership. We invite all fliers to indulge in Ben’s famous Chili and Half Smokes and enjoy a memorable experience.”

Ben’s Chili Bowl at Dulles marks the brand’s sixth location, following successful launches in various neighborhoods across the Washington D.C. metro area. As the company expands, it remains committed to its founding principles of quality, community, and culture.

“We are honored to bring Ben’s Chili Bowl to Dulles and share our rich heritage and authentic flavors with people from around the world,” said Sage Ali. “This new location at Gate B71 is a major milestone for our family business, and we’re excited to continue our growth while staying true to our roots.”

EARNIN LAUNCHES EFFORT TO DEFEND WORKERS’ RIGHT TO ACCESS WAGES ON THEIR OWN TERMS

On May 16, EarnIn rolled out an ad campaign in the District calling out D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb for a lawsuit that could rip away Earned Wage Access (EWA) tools from thousands of everyday Washingtonians.

EarnIn is a financial technology company on a mission to build a more equitable system for the people traditional finance has left behind. From on-demand earnings and early paycheck access to credit-building tools and real-time pay, EarnIn helps customers take control of their money and build momentum — without debt, fees, or fine print.

NOTICE OF COMMENT PERIOD FOR MODIFICATION OF DCHA’S ADMISSIONS AND CONTINUED OCCUPANCY PLAN

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is providing notice of an additional Public Comment Period to solicit comments on its proposed Admissions and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP). The ACOP was originally publicly posted on March 21, 2025.

To download a copy of the proposed ACOP, please visit the DCHA website at https://www.dchousing.org/plans-and-reports. To request a copy of the proposed ACOP, send an email to publiccomments@dchousing.org or call 771-240-4377.

Comments

Written comments regarding the proposed ACOP will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. Email your comments to publiccomments@dchousing.org. Comments submitted during the prior public comment period that ran from May 21, 2025, to April 20, 2025, will be reviewed and need not be re-submitted.

Alternatively, you can mail comments to:

District of Columbia Housing Authority Office of the General Counsel Attn: General Counsel 300 7th Street, SW, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20024

Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation

DCHA strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. It is the policy of DCHA that all agency-sponsored public meetings and events are accessible to people with disabilities. DCHA is committed to providing equal access to events for all participants & residents with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, or assistance in participating in a meeting or event due to a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact our ADA/504 Program Office at 202-535-1000 or at ADA504@dchousing. org with your complete request. Every reasonable effort will be made to meet your request.

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The six-figure campaign highlights EarnIn customers with a clear message for Schwalb: “Hands off our pay.”

The campaign launched with a signature ad, ”You Don’t Know Me,” a response from District workers to Schwalb’s assault on the financial tools they rely on. The media buy will reach Schwalb and District residents where they are, focused on digital streaming ads, online video, radio, and programmatic digital placements on leading websites.

The campaign also includes EarnInDC.com – an online action hub where District residents can learn more and send letters to Schwalb, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and the D.C. Council explaining why they use EarnIn and calling for the lawsuit to be dropped.

“As the former Attorney General for D.C., I understand the power and responsibility that comes with the office and I also know when that power is being misapplied,” said Karl Racine, former and first-elected Attorney General of the District. “This

3 Travelers passing through Dulles International Airport can now experience a taste of District history, as Ben Chili’s Bowl co-founder Virginia Ali and relatives celebrate the Concourse B grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 22. (Courtesy Photo/ Ron Thomas)

lawsuit is a misguided attempt to protect consumers that will actually leave many worse off. Earned Wage Access empowers workers to avoid overdraft fees, payday loans, and financial emergencies. The government shouldn’t be standing in their way.”

EarnIn’s Cash Out product allows users to access their earned wages before payday, without interest, mandatory fees, or credit checks. Unlike payday loans, EWA empowers users without locking them into cycles of debt.

The campaign platform is now live at EarnInDC.com for District residents to send letters and join the fight. The ad has been seen more than 860,000 times across all advertising channels in the District since its campaign launch.

“I joined this campaign because I’m tired of people who don’t know me or my community thinking they know what’s best for us,” said Brian Beard, a District resident and EarnIn customer. “EarnIn has been a lifeline for me, that helps me make ends meet. Attorney General Schwalb is making a huge mistake by attacking a service that so many District workers rely on. My message to AG Schwalb is simple: I can’t afford any more of your so-called help.” WI

5 Former District Attorney General Karl L. Racine is critical of his successor, Brian L. Schwalb, and his handling of the Earned Wage Access issue. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

When DEI Gets Cut, So Do Profits: The Real Cost of Abandoning Equity

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Target’s decision to pull back on its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) commitments comes with a price tag, not just to its public image.

In the first quarter of 2025, the retailer reported a 3.8% drop in comparable sales and a 2.8% year-overyear revenue decline to $23.8 billion. Once hailed as a corporate leader in inclusive practices, Target has recently shuttered key DEI initiatives like its REACH program and has rebranded Supplier Diversity, moves that many viewed as a retreat under political pressure.

The fallout was immediate: consumers pushed back, boycotts erupted, and trust eroded.

Target, which had once pledged over $2 billion to Black-owned businesses, is now forecasting a full-year sales decline after initially projecting growth.

The company’s CEO, Brian Cornell, reportedly took a nearly 50% pay cut as investor confidence slipped and public scrutiny mounted.

“While our sales fell short of our expectations, we saw several bright spots in the quarter, including healthy digital growth, led by a 36% increase in same-day delivery through Target Circle 360, and our strongest designer collaboration in over a decade, Kate Spade for Target,” Cornell said during an investor call.

But Target is not alone.

Across industries, corporate giants that once embraced DEI are now scaling back—and seeing real consequences.

In 2025, Walmart, Amazon, Ford, and McDonald’s have all either quietly dismantled or publicly downshifted their DEI programs.

Despite reporting $165.6 billion in Q1 revenue — a 2.5% increase year-over-year — Walmart is facing internal restructuring, including 1,500 corporate layoffs and the quiet disbanding of several equity-focused teams. U.S. comparable sales rose 4.5%, and global e-commerce jumped 22%, but the gains were driven by price rollbacks, aggressive discounting, and tariff management strategies, not by growth in general merchandise. Despite rolling back re-

5The Rev. Graylan Hagler, Donte O’hara, Ernie Fears, CMoneyDGreatest, Dr. Lewis, T. Tait Jr., and the Rev. Patricia Fears hold “Boycott Target!” signs outside of Target in Columbia Heights in April. Target’s decision to pull back on its diversity, equity and inclusion commitments comes with a price tag, showing a reported 3.8% price drop in comparable sales. (WI File Photo/Jacques Benovil)

lated programs earlier in the year, the company made no mention of DEI in its earnings discussion.

Amazon, too, posted substantial numbers: $155.7 billion in Q1 revenue, up 9% from the prior year, with operating income reaching $18.4 billion and net income at $17.1 billion. But Wall Street wasn’t impressed — the company’s stock dipped 2.2% in after-hours trading. The reason? Investor anxiety over tariffs, rising labor costs, and customer sentiment.

Amazon has reportedly laid off multiple DEI staffers and stripped its reports of diversity language. While not addressed in the earnings call, those internal moves have sparked criticism among workers and watchdogs alike.

At Ford, the connection between policy shift and financial fallout is even more direct.

The automaker reported $40.7 billion in Q1 revenue, a 5% drop from the same quarter last year. Net income plummeted 64% to just $471 million and adjusted EBIT fell to $1 billion — down from $2.8 billion a year prior. The company projected a $1.5 billion annual hit from newly imposed tariffs, suspended full-year guidance, and posted a negative free cash flow of $1.5 billion.

Yet while those figures are grim, Ford’s shift away from its prior DEI commitments has been equally troubling to observers. The company

removed all specific DEI references from its reports, ended external benchmarking participation, and reshaped its employee resource groups to avoid “political” issues. Critics say the move betrays its post-2020 pledges and undercuts employee morale, innovation, and consumer loyalty.

McDonald’s, once celebrated for its vocal DEI push, also sees slippage. Its Q1 2025 revenue fell 3% to $5.96 billion. U.S. comparable sales dropped 3.6% due to declining guest counts. The fast-food giant’s diluted earnings per share dropped 2% to $2.60, and the company acknowledged $66 million in restructuring charges as it reshapes its internal organization. Those internal shifts include phasing out internal DEI councils and scaling back on equity pledges made in the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

These corporate reports tell a deeper story: DEI is not a passing trend or an optional branding tool, but a reflection of values—and values matter to modern consumers.

As companies have abandoned equity, they have lost trust. The numbers show that when trust goes, revenue often follows.

“People see through the retreat,” said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. “And they’re responding with their wallets.” WI

NATIONAL

White Supremacy Dangerously Moves from Fringe to Power

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has reported 1,371 hate and anti-government extremist groups active across the United States in 2024, revealing a nationwide surge in coordinated efforts to divide communities and destabilize American democracy.

The SPLC’s Year in Hate & Extremism report outlines how hardright movements continue to embed themselves into mainstream politics, using chaos, disinformation, and intimidation to push authoritarian ideology from local school boards to the highest levels of federal government.

“We cannot surrender to fear,” SPLC President Margaret Huang said in a statement. “This report offers data that is essential to understanding the landscape of hate and helping communities fight for the multiracial, inclusive democracy we deserve.”

The report identifies the sharp rise in threats and tactics targeting vulnerable communities, particularly in Southern states, where school boards and legislatures became battlegrounds for policies that harm Black and Brown communities, women, immigrants, Indigenous people, Jewish and

Muslim Americans, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Among the most dangerous developments in 2024 was the systematic assault on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. SPLC documents how anti-DEI efforts became a gateway for white supremacist rhetoric, with prominent figures and groups branding DEI as “white genocide.”

A former Reagan official called DEI programs “an anti-white, anti-heterosexual indoctrination program,” while others blamed equity policies for bridge collapses and hurricane mismanagement despite no factual basis.

SPLC also tracks how hard-right groups weaponized conspiracy theories, misinformation, and violence to intimidate communities and election officials. In September, a wave of 33 hoax bomb threats struck Springfield, Ohio, after former President Trump and Senator J.D. Vance made false claims about Haitian immigrants. On Election Day, 60 polling locations in Georgia received bomb threats traced to Russian email domains.

Planet Fitness and Jewish institutions were similarly targeted after anti-LGBTQ+ provocateurs highlighted them online.

Local militia groups also proliferated

5 The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

in 2024. While national networks like the Oath Keepers splintered, SPLC documented 50 militias operating with increased secrecy. These groups, often calling themselves “minutemen,” conducted paramilitary training while espousing antigovernment conspiracies and white supremacist ideologies. The Mid-Missouri Minutemen, for example, maintained ties to the white nationalist Heartland Active Club through Telegram chats. Online platforms like Telegram remain a central hub for recruitment and radicalization. SPLC researchers analyzed Telegram’s “similar channels” feature and found extremist users cross-pollinating between neo-Nazi groups, QAnon influencers, and Proud Boys, forming large, interconnected ecosystems.

In January, the U.S. Department

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of State designated the Terrorgram Collective, a Telegram-based neo-Nazi network, as a global terrorist entity.

The report also documents the surge in male supremacist ideologies, particularly in digital spaces.

The SPLC added seven new male supremacist hate groups to its map in 2024. The Fresh & Fit podcast, led by Myron Gaines and Walter Weekes, now appears on the hate group list for its misogynist content targeting Black women and its role in fueling gender-based hostility among young men.

Related manosphere influencers, including those in the Black manosphere, promote conspiracy theories blaming Black women for societal problems while profiting from coaching sessions and online engagement.

SPLC researchers also examined the decline of traditional neo-Confederate organizations. Once numbering over 120, only four such groups showed signs of activity in 2024.

The League of the South, once central to the movement, rebranded as the Southern Nationalist League after losing legal battles linked to the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. The rebrand appears to be an attempt to escape civil liability while continuing to promote a white ethnostate rooted in Christian theocracy.

One of the report’s case studies highlights the growing political power of Turning Point USA, whose founder, Charlie Kirk, has promoted

white nationalist theories, including the “great replacement.”

TPUSA became a central organizing force for Trump’s 2024 campaign and participated in Project 2025, a blueprint to reshape the federal government. Through its Turning Point Faith arm, the group trains pastors to promote Christian nationalist values and has amplified figures like Candace Owens and Lara Trump.

At one 2024 event, Kirk told supporters, “We native born Americans are being replaced by foreigners,” and pledged Trump would “liberate” the country.

At the core of these ideologies is the myth of “white genocide,” which the SPLC says has moved from the fringes into mainstream conservative discourse. The Family Research Council published nearly 150 articles on immigration in 2024, many framing it as a plot to “breed out” white Americans. At the FRC’s Pray Vote Stand summit, speakers claimed immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals threaten Christian culture and called on supporters to have more white children to “reclaim” the nation. These statements, according to the SPLC, are direct echoes of neo-Nazi and white nationalist rhetoric.

“This is a profound cultural and political transformation the right pushes to grasp political control,” SPLC researchers wrote. “The right’s colonization of the center never comes without violence, threat, and fear mongering speech.”

reports more than 1,300 hate and anti-government extremist groups active across the United States in 2024, revealing a nationwide surge in coordinated efforts to divide communities and destabilize American democracy. (WI File Photo/Cleveland Nelson)

MAGA Congress Passes Cruel Cuts, Adds Trillions to Debt

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Seventy-one million people are now in jeopardy of losing vital services—including a disproportionate number of African Americans—after the House Republican majority passed a sweeping bill that cuts trillions from the nation’s social safety net while still raising the national debt by $4 trillion.

The legislation, backed by President Donald Trump and driven through by the MAGA-controlled House, passed by a razor-thin 215-214 vote early Thursday morning. Two Republicans, Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio, joined all Democrats in voting no. Far-right Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland voted present.

At the bill’s core are $736 billion in cuts to Medicaid—the largest in U.S. history—and severe reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps. Medicaid covers more than 71 million Americans, including a third of all Black individuals in the country, and SNAP supports roughly 42 million people. Critics say the cuts will devastate families, overwhelm states, shutter hospitals, and deepen racial and economic inequality.

Congresswoman Summer Lee of Pennsylvania voted against the measure and called it “cruel, calculated, and undemocratic.”

“This bill rips health care away from seniors, children, and people with disabilities,” said Lee. “It throws millions off SNAP, undercuts school meals, and still hands out massive tax breaks to the rich and powerful. MAGA Republicans have made it

clear who they serve—and it’s not the American people.”

The legislation also extends Trump’s expiring 2017 tax cuts, eliminates federal taxes on tips and overtime pay, and funnels billions into military expansion and mass deportation efforts—key pillars of Trump’s 2024 campaign platform.

Despite touting it as a plan to reduce government spending, the bill adds $4 trillion to the debt—while forcing states to absorb the cost of reduced federal support. Experts say many states will be left with painful choices: slash benefits, reduce Medicaid rolls, hike taxes, or cut essential services like education and transportation.

“These aren’t just numbers. These are lives,” said Alice Burns, associate director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF. “This scale of rollback is unprecedented, and we don’t fully know how catastrophic the fallout will be.”

Research shows the impact could be deadly.

A National Bureau of Economic Research study found that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act saved at least 27,400 lives between 2010 and 2022. States that refused expansion missed the opportunity to save an additional 12,800 lives.

Another study published this month in the New England Journal of Medicine found that low-income seniors and disabled individuals who lost access to Medicaid drug subsidies were far more likely to die—especially those with chronic conditions.

The racial impact is clear. Nearly one in three Black Americans relies on Medicaid.

In states that didn’t expand Med

icaid, Black residents are overrepresented in the coverage gap, earning too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid but too little to afford marketplace insurance.

“This isn’t just bad policy—it’s a moral failure,” said Lee. “There’s nothing beautiful about choosing billionaires over babies, or corporations over communities. This bill is as cruel as the vision behind it.”

4 A disproportionate number of African Americans are in jeopardy of losing vital services related to Medicaid and SNAP after the House Republican majority passed a sweeping bill that cuts trillions from the nation’s social safety net while still raising the national debt by $4 trillion. (WI

File Photo)

n Fax &

Trump Pushes White Genocide Narrative During Oval Office Clash with South Africa’s Ramaphosa

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A high-stakes meeting meant to strengthen ties between the United States and South Africa took an unexpected turn Wednesday when President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a debunked narrative about white genocide in the African nation.

What was intended to be a reset in diplomatic relations spiraled into a public clash in the Oval Office.

Ramaphosa, hoping to talk trade, tariffs, and shared economic interests, instead found himself in a tense exchange as Trump pushed the claim that white South African farmers are being systematically killed—a narrative widely rejected by international human rights groups and South African data.

Trump gathered reporters, White House officials, and even prominent white South African figures, including billionaire Elon Musk, director of the Department of Government Efficiency, and several renowned golfers, for what became a spectacle. At one point during the meeting, Trump played a video intended to support his claim. But when a reporter directly asked him, “What would it take for you to be convinced that there is no white genocide in South Africa?”

Trump deferred, saying, “I’d rather have him answer,” nodding toward Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa, composed but firm, replied, “It will take President Trump listening to the voices of South Africans, some of whom

BUDGET

PROPOSAL from Page 1

hundreds of District youth recently experienced.

“We had over 700 young people over the course of the weekend dancing and having a good time in a positive way, which…is what we want all summer,” Lindsey Appiah, D.C. deputy mayor for public safety and justice, told The Informer in reference to Holiday Hype, a three-night event that D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) hosted at Banneker Recreation Center during

are his good friends.”

He suggested that such a conversation should occur at a “quiet” table, where facts—not fear—could prevail.

The South African president also questioned the video Trump had shown.

“I would like to know where that is. Cause, this I have never seen,” he said.

Trump offered no clear answer but continued asserting that white farmers were under siege and warned that the issue must be resolved before the G-20 Summit in November, set to be held in Johannesburg.

Ramaphosa pushed back, saying, “There is criminality in our country; people who do get killed, unfortunately, through criminal activity are not only white people. The majority is Black people.”

Despite the tense meeting, Ramaphosa attempted to strike a diplomatic tone early in the meeting. He thanked Trump for sending respirators during the COVID-19 pandemic, offered

the Memorial holiday weekend.

Those activities took place during a weekend where the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) enforced a curfew at the Wharf, the site of large youth gatherings and disturbances over the last couple of weekends. Despite those efforts, revelers near 14th and U Streets in Northwest reported similar activity last weekend when hundreds of young people converged on the intersection. Even so, Appiah continued to focus on what she described as a positive outcome, telling The In-

a gift, and even got a laugh from the U.S. president with a golf joke. But those gestures were ultimately overshadowed by Trump’s insistence on the white genocide claim—one that aligns with rhetoric popular in farright circles and has drawn criticism for inciting racial tension.

Trump did acknowledge the horrors of apartheid in South Africa, a white-minority rule regime from 1948 to 1994 marked by extreme racial segregation and violence against the Black majority.

Still, Wednesday’s meeting left Ramaphosa with little clarity on the future of U.S.-South Africa relations. Instead of focusing on economic cooperation, the meeting became another platform for Trump to amplify a discredited and racially divisive narrative.

“There is no genocide,” Ramaphosa said, calmly but directly, “There is criminality—across the board.”

former that there will be more in store for young people this summer.

“Our summer planning has been going on for months and months,” Appiah said. “So whether it’s the [summer youth employment program], where our young people work with our schools and a host of other programs we have planned for D.C. Housing Authority, which is DPR, we’ll continue to look for ways to make sure

BUDGET PROPOSAL Page 22

5 A high-stakes meeting meant to strengthen ties between the U.S. and South Africa took an unexpected turn last Wednesday when President Donald Trump confronted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a debunked narrative about white genocide in the African nation. (Courtesy Photo)

Recognizing the Power and Promise of Social Security at 90

AARP Report

The vital lifeline for tens of millions of Americans everywhere, including 84,150 here in the District, used for housing, groceries, gas, and the other everyday necessities will mark its 90th birthday this summer. And with that anniversary comes a responsibility to strengthen the program – and determine how we can help it age in the healthiest way. As the bedrock of retirement in America, our financial future depends on protecting Social Security for decades to come.

Social Security will face challenges in the years ahead, but it’s incumbent on us to ensure the program continues to work for the 67 million Americans across the country who rely on it. The history of the program shows us how necessary it is for the healthy retirement of Americans everywhere. On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act, and in January 1935 Ida M. Fuller, the first person to receive Social Security, collected a monthly check of $22.54— that’s $518.58 in inflation-adjusted dollars. From that beginning, the program now provides $1.4 trillion in retirement security. It is the only inflation-adjusted retirement program, and it guarantees that Americans everywhere know they can plan soundly for retirement. That’s nationwide.

Here in DC, 84,150 people collect Social Security benefits, lifting 19,000 of those District residents out of poverty each month. Social Security helps folks live and retire with dignity, offers crucial support to those with disabilities, and serves as a financial lifeline for families navigating the loss of a loved one.

Social Security will never “go

broke.” That’s a fact. Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system. As long as there are workers paying into Social Security, there will be Social Security for those collecting benefits. The program is funded by payroll taxes and will continue to pay benefits. But the program does face funding challenges. The most recent Social Security Trustees’ Report finds that the surplus will run out in 2035. To prevent that shortfall, Congress must once again step up – as it did when it reformed the program in 1983 – before millions of Americans are left with less than they’ve earned.

Customer service is another area where Social Security is facing challenges. Administrative chaos at the Social Security Administration this year has contributed to a customer service crisis that has been ongoing for years. SSA has struggled with call wait times, hold times, customer service resolutions and staffing issues, according to SSA’s own data. Many Americans who need access to the program face hours on the phone or in line at their local offices. And budget and staffing levels have strained SSA’s ability to provide vital services.

This year, wait times are on the rise, fewer people can reach a Social Security representative to meet their needs, and this challenge emerges just as more people – approximately 10,000 people every day – are retiring.

The new Social Security Commissioner would be well served by re-committing the Social Security Administration to providing timely, efficient and effective customer service. SSA needs to be clear when communicating any possible changes, and what effects lower staffing levels will have. And Congress needs to provide oversight to ensure that customer service is prioritized at an agency that has struggled to serve Americans everywhere.

Throughout our history at AARP, we have worked with every Administration and Congress, regardless of party, to protect and

strengthen Social Security. For 90 years, Social Security has been the foundation of retirement in the United States. It’s imperative

to ensure the strength of Social Security not just for another 90 years, but for generations upon generations to come.

HEALTH

Howard University Scholar Promotes Benefits of Intergenerational Relationships

Dr. Robert Cosby Says Youth Can Learn from the Experiences of Older Black Americans

By D. Kevin McNeir WI Contributing Writer

Since 1963, each May, the nation pays special tribute to senior citizens in observance of Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, “Flip the Script on Aging,” seeks to encourage a shift in the way society both understands and approaches the aging process.

Dr. Robert Cosby, a gerontologist and social worker is convinced that both older adults and youth can benefit from participating in conversations in which they share “life-affirming experiences” and lis-

ten to one another “without being judgmental.”

“As they get to know each other and build trust, the result can be transformational,” said Cosby, who serves as the assistant dean of administration and director of the Howard University School of Social Work Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center.

Cosby, 69, a father and grandfather who has been in his current position at Howard for seven years and affiliated with the university for more than 20 years, emphasized the importance of intergenerational dialogues, particularly in inspiring and

promoting positive change for young people.

“Given the struggles that Black, young males face, speaking and being mentored by older Black men can make a profound difference in their lives,” he continued. “Of course, women equally benefit from engaging in intergenerational relationships. However, because Black men and youth must wear so many different masks, simply to cope with the inequities prevalent in American society, engaging in mutual dialogue can change the trajectory of their lives.”

THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

In 2021, Cosby created the podcast, “GrandStories: Profiles in Aging,” in which he speaks with seasoned residents, particularly African American social justice advocates and community leaders, who discuss their experiences on topics related to aging and equity.

“I was looking for ways to describe how older adults feel and to bring intergenerational communities together for dialogue,” Cosby said. “So far, I’ve done about 30 podcasts, and I plan to do more soon.”

Cosby looks for guests who can inspire or remind his listeners of the past and are willing to engage in frank conversation.

“My work on the podcasts, in the classroom, and in group sessions is in no way politically based,” he said. “It’s all about allowing people to tell their stories –experiences that I believe would be of interest to others which possess

elements that were life changing.”

Cosby noted that because technology has impacted the way people transmit information, older Americans often find it easier than youth to engage in oral communication.

“One of the greatest challenges society faces is negotiating the generational divide,” he said. “Youth find it more difficult to understand what’s happening around them or to express their feelings because of their dependency on computers and iPhones. Declining socialization skills and the pandemic exacerbated things, making it harder for youth to engage in meaningful conversations, particularly with older adults.”

Further, Cosby explained how communication has evolved over the years with young people less reliant on words to express themselves.

“Back in the day, reasonably educated adults had a command of about 10,000 words but today, within the Black community, that number has decreased to about 2,000 words,” Cosby said. “Youth, because of technology, now use memes or repost messages rather than conversational language to describe their experiences. Life experiences are sometimes tough and traumatic but can also be beautiful. Either way, healing and growth only occur when one can talk about their feelings and listen to someone who has overcome obstacles from their past.”

AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AWAITS WITH THE GRAYING OF AMERICA

kofa Books and Café in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy Photo/Dr. Robert Cosby)

In recent years, the U.S. has undergone an increase in life expectancy and a decrease in birth rates. The result has been a “graying of America” – a term which refers to the demographic trend of an increasingly older population (those 65 and above).

This “graying” continues to result in significant social, economic, and political implications, including increased healthcare demands, particularly for long-term care; strain on Social Security and Medicare systems; potential labor shortages; and shifting political landscapes and priorities.

Data confirms the growing impact of a graying America, as indicated in a U.S. Census report, “The US Joins Other Countries With Large Aging Populations,” published in March 2018.

“Although declining fertility plays a role, the driving force behind America’s aging is the baby boomers,” the report said. “As one of the largest generations in the country, boomers leave a substantial imprint on the population. They swelled the ranks of the young when they were born and then the workforce as they entered adulthood.”

The report explains that by 2060, nearly one in four Americans will be 65 years and older, the number of people 85-plus will triple, and the nation will add a half million centenarians.

“If the trends continue, the U.S. is fast heading towards a demographic first,” the report continues. “It will

3Dr. Robert Cosby (right), assistant dean of administration and director of the Howard University School of Social Work Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center, joins a friend, noted journalist and author John Templeton, during a recent book signing event at San-

HEALTH from Page 21

become grayer than ever before as older adults outnumber kids.”

The African American population, 65 and older, was 4,979,133 in 2019, when Black Americans made up 9% of the older population, according to the U.S. Census, and is projected to grow to 12.1 million, or 13%, by 2060.

But while numbers are increasing, older African Americans must contend with higher rates of poverty, disability, and health disparities, often linked to factors like chronic diseases, reduced life expectancy, and cumulative race-related stress. After a lifetime of racial and health inequities, Black seniors are at risk of spending their last years with declining health, little income and virtually no savings as indicated in a 2016 CIGNA Health Disparities report.

Cosby said these and other factors confirm his belief that Black Americans would benefit from returning to, or at least embracing, long-held African traditions that valued and respected seniors and viewed them as vital to the community, providing

guidance, mentorship, and support to younger generations.

He noted that some older Americans don’t get the respect or attention due they deserve.

“Many people don’t understand the significance of being an older person, so we don’t celebrate their lives or their experiences,” Cosby said. “If anything, they’re seen as a hindrance.”

However, he emphasized the importance of talking to older Americans before it’s too late.

“I often ask children to describe their best experience they remember about a time they spent with their grandparent,” he told The Informer.

“Sadly, far too many of them, especially Black children, don’t have any memories to share.”

BENEFITS ABOUND FOR ALL OF SOCIETY WHEN WE LEARN TO VALUE THE ELDERLY

Cosby said history provides an essential lesson that African Ameri-

cans can ill-afford to forget. As Black families moved from the south to the north during the Great Migration in search of better jobs and greater educational opportunities, many had no choice but to split up. As families separated, the intergenerational relationships that had once kept them grounded were destroyed.

“In the wake of the Great Migration, scores of Black families were left without the natural order of things in which grandparents took care of children within nuclear or extended family systems,” Cosby said. “In the past, families often lived on the same block or in the same community. You could learn the rubrics of being a business owner, an herbalist, a midwife, whatever job was needed, from an elder who was experienced in those roles. They passed on their knowledge orally and through hands-on experiences. It’s not like that today.”

Cosby concluded by emphasizing the importance of African Americans creating more space for older adults and recognizing their value because of their unique ability to pass on institutional memories to future generations.

“Older Black Americans have lived through D.C.’s day of receivership, Jim Crow and segregation, and remember when we were accurately known as ‘Chocolate City,’” Cosby said. “They alone can pass on

AARP DC Congratulates Ms.

Delores

“Dee” Powers

Recipient of the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service

Delores Powers is the recipient of the AARP District of Columbia Andrus Award for Community Service – the organization’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award for community service.

AARP DC is proud to honor Ms. Powers for her volunteer efforts at Model Cities Senior Wellness Center. She was recognized for her endless dedication, vibrant spirit, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others, transforming countless lives.

Do you know a volunteer deserving of the Andrus Award? Nominations for this year’s award will be accepted through October 5, 2025 Learn more at aarp.org/AndrusAward

/aarpdc @aarpdc

their memories, stories, and lessons learned to future generations. Without them, we, our children, and our children’s children have little hope of surviving or, as Dr. King confidently believed, overcoming.”

In Your Community

5As Older Americans Month comes to a close, Dr. Robert Cosby is encouraging Black Americans to embrace long-held African traditions that value and respect seniors. (Courtesy Photo)

EARTH OUR

Disaster Aid Was Already Unequal. Will Changes at FEMA Make Things Worse?

FEMA Staffer Says Cuts Will Hamper Agency’s “Ability to Reach Vulnerable People”

By Willy Blackmore Word in Black

This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation’s leading Black news publishers (of which the Informer is a member).

After a major weather disaster — like this weekend’s tornadoes that decimated parts of Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia, killing at least 25 — the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) usually sends people door-to-door in affected communities. These FEMA workers

are tasked with making sure residents are aware of the various aid and relief programs available to them.

That canvassing program is now being ended by the Trump Administration, however, with residents who may have both the greatest difficulty accessing aid and the greatest need likely to lose the most — including many Black people.

According to an internal agency memo obtained by Wired, “FEMA will discontinue unaccompanied FEMA door-to-door canvassing to focus survivor outreach and assistance registration capabilities in more targeted venues, improving access to

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those in need, and increasing collaboration with partners and nonprofit service providers.”

The change follows both federal budget cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency and controversy over FEMA’s post-Hurricane Milton response in Florida. After confrontations between canvassers and residents at homes displaying Trump flags and signs, officials advised workers to avoid such properties — a move some mischaracterized as some sort of reverse-racism, though it stemmed from documented safety concerns.

WHO LOSES MOST?

Cutting the door-to-door program will “severely hamper our ability to

BUDGET PROPOSAL from Page 18

our kids are engaged just like we did this weekend.”

BUDGET PROPOSALS THAT ARE FOCUSED ON STABILITY, COST SAVINGS AND GROWTH

Last month, with nearly $400 million left to cut, Bowser announced a hiring freeze that incurred $63 million in savings. Her Fiscal Year 2025 supplemental budget proposal includes that reduction along with an additional $175 million in savings created through reductions to the workforce investment funds and the delay of collective bargaining agreements for police and D.C. government attorneys. Bowser also shifted more than $200 million in

3 After major weather disasters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) usually sends people door-todoor in affected communities. However, FEMA will discontinue door-to-door canvassing according to an internal agency memo. (File Courtesy Photo)

equitable, however. As a New York Times story from 2021 read, “A growing body of research shows that FEMA…often helps white disaster victims more than people of color, even when the amount of damage is the same.”

Those studies, which relied on federal data, found that the agency paid more in relief funds to both individual white residents and to white communities too than it did to Black residents and communities.

reach vulnerable people,” an anonymous FEMA employee told Wired. Canvassing, they said, “has usually focused on the most impacted and the most vulnerable communities where there may be people who are elderly or with disabilities or lack of transportation and are unable to reach Disaster Recovery Centers.”

In the Southeast, many of those residents, particularly the ones who might not have good transportation options, may very likely be Black too. Even in the parts of the country where hurricanes are part of the fabric of life, Black people are nearly twice as likely to experience such a storm than the average resident.

It’s not as if knocking on doors was helping to make FEMA all that

The Biden Administration had been working to make changes to FEMA in order to improve equity. That effort included measures like expanding immediate direct cash payments to people in affected areas, which can help poorer residents, who are more likely to be Black or Latinx, to tend to their immediate needs in a disaster.

That kind of very basic effort — giving people what they need when they need it — can make a huge difference in the wake of a hurricane or other extreme weather event. Even more so if someone comes up to your door to say, hey, we can get you some cash to help. But that’s now a thing of the past. But that’s now a thing of the past. WI

expenditures to Fiscal Year 2026 and subsequent fiscal years.

Ultimately, officials captured $117 million of excess special purpose and dedicated tax revenue, which played a part in helping city officials address $167 million in budget obligations while ensuring the availability of $180 million toward the end of the fiscal year.

“There’s more than one benchmark we had,” City Administrator

3 After much deliberation over the 2025 supplemental budget, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and other local officials present their Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, dubbed “Grow D.C.,” at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May 27. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Kevin Donahue told D.C. council members during the Bowser administration’s budget presentation at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on the morning of May 27. “The one that was very hard for me, was making sure we had a budget for 2025 that complied with the spending levels and spending authority outlined in the

BUDGET PROPOSAL Page 44

EDUCATION

Senator Angela Alsobrooks Inspires at Bowie State University’s Commencement

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

In a milestone year for the historically Black institution and Maryland–with the leadership of U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (DMd.), the first Black woman to represent the state in the Senate— nearly 800 students gathered with joy for Bowie State University’s (BSU) Spring 2025 commencement, showcasing the power of perseverance and resilience despite obstacles.

“What a tremendous, tremendous honor it is to stand before you today and honor this class. This is our 160th anniversary year,” said Bowie State President Aminta Breaux.

While many of the graduates started amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and are concluding studies at a time when federal diversity, equity and inclusion programming has been eradicated and there are efforts to erase parts of Black history, Alsobrooks offered hope.

“The future is not something to fear. The state of our world should spark something in all of us,” said Alsobrooks. “Your responsibility is to keep the fire alive. As you prepare to face your moment, class of 2025, stay warm.”

Uplifting the students’ journey, Breaux also highlighted the university’s growth over the years.

“This legacy runs deep in the roots of Bowie State,” she continued. “Founded in a Baltimore basement in 1865, Bowie State has grown from humble beginnings to a beacon of opportunity, innovation, and excellence. We are proud to celebrate our 160th anniversary.”

Further, this year also boasted the largest number of particular graduates: 34 newly minted doctors.

Elijah Taylor graduated with a double concentration in broadcast journalism and public relations, and he healed praised on BSU’s academic programs.

“Bowie State has prepared me not just academically, but person-

ally and professionally. I’ve learned how to lead, how to collaborate, and how to adapt skills that I know will carry me into the next chapter. I will say I’m entirely more confident now leaving college. I’ve always been very gregarious and extroverted, but Bowie provided me the space to grow in these traits and excel,” he said in an interview with The Informer. He encouraged current and future BSU students to be actively involved in their on-campus community.

“If I could tell others one thing about Bowie, it would be to get involved. Join the clubs, attend the events, and talk to people, seriously, don’t just go to class and leave. College is truly what you make it. The relationships you build here with your professors, your classmates, and even the staff will open doors you didn’t even know existed.”

Governor Wes Moore (D) provided a video statement for the Bowie State graduates.

“Graduation is an important milestone for lifelong learning. Take what you learned and use it for good,” he said, further encouraging graduates to use their education for the betterment of those around them.

“We in Maryland will benefit from engaged citizens like you, who will build a better state for us all,” he said. “Let’s change the world for the good.”

ALSOBROOKS INSPIRES THROUGH WORK AND WORDS

Alsobrooks not only broke barriers in the senate, but is also Prince George’s first female County Executive.

The university’s president cited Alsobrooks’ many accomplishments over the years, such as: her work to address domestic violence in Prince George’s, bringing a maternal health clinic, and furthering economic development. Breaux also awarded Alsobrooks the Presidential Medal of Excellence.

“Thank you for what you have done to teach, inspire, and love this graduating class,” she said to the senator.

The politician, a lifelong Prince Georgian, inspired and motivated the newest graduating class of Bulldogs to be bold, present, and confident.

“I would like to congratulate you, Class of 2025, for doing the hard work. Today is your reward. You are prepared to take on the world with your Bowie boldness. You’re ready for what’s next, and the world is ready for you,”she said

to the gathered crowd.

Alsobrooks then told the story of an inspiring South African freedom fighter turned political leader, whose story is particularly poignant as the Trump Administration welcomes Afrikaners (white South Africans) with open arms.

“‘Education is your most powerful tool to change the world,’” she declared. “Those are the words of a powerful leader: President Nelson Mandela.”

The senator used Mandela’s story to emphasize the importance of staying true to one’s roots and teachings as the graduates take next steps in their lives.

“It was his closely held beliefs that kept him steady,” she said. “Every action he took was guided by his belief in human dignity, peace, and the power of reconciliation,” said Alsobrooks. WI

3Scholars beam in anticipation of graduating from Bowie State University on May 23, as the Maryland-based institution celebrates its Spring 2025 commencement. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

5 Graduating members of the choir embrace following a song at the beginning of Bowie State’s spring graduation. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

PRINCE GEORGE’S EDUCATION UPDATES

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The End of an Era

Longtime Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel Dies at 94

On Monday, May 26, Congressman Charles B. Rangel died in Harlem, New York, just 15 days before his 95th birthday on June 11.

It was perhaps fitting that Rangel took his last breath on Memorial Day, as he was a veteran who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where, having been wounded, he received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Valor.

Rangel’s service to the nation exceeds his veteran status. He rose to congressional ranks in 1970, after defeating former Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, and dedicated 46 years to the 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, and 19th congressional districts of New York City until his retirement in 2017.

His legislative achievements include footing the bill for 40 acts that became law, such as: the national Empowerment Zone program, Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Affordable Care Act, as well as the “Rangel Amendment,” which was instrumental in dismantling apartheid in South Africa, among others.

The last serving member of the

so-called “Gang of Four” coalition, revered as the first to destruct race and class barriers in Harlem, Rangel went on to become the House Committee on Ways and Means chair, and later, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

Even amidst scandal and censure, Rangel’s political resilience shone through. In 2010, after an ethics investigation into financial misconduct, the House censured him. Yet, undeterred, Rangel remained in office and was reelected.

His life exemplifies resilience, courage, and dedication to public

“If St. Peter’s not overly impressed with my legislative record,” Rangel continued, “then I’ll just have to tell him that I did the best I could.”

50 Years of D.C. Pride Celebrations Reflect a City Committed to Justice for All

History is being made in the nation’s capital as the District recognizes the 50th anniversary of local Pride celebrations, with three weeks of events that shed light on the LGBTQ+ community and its ongoing fight for equality, visibility and justice.

But there’s even more to celebrate as WorldPride 2025, a global movement that brings together voices from around the world in support of the LGBTQ+ community, has chosen D.C. as its destination this year.

Beyond the pomp, circumstance and pageantry that is a visible part of Pride events, there’s an often-unseen commitment by scores of advocates, both within and outside of the gay community, who

service. Furthermore, his journey emphasizes the power of perseverance and commitment, from leading fellow soldiers to safety during the Korean War to transforming from a high school dropout into a 46-year congressional veteran.

His steadfast commitment to social justice, including crucial roles in anti-apartheid legislation and urban development initiatives, will continue to motivate future generations to serve with integrity and purpose.

“The older I get, the more I think of how I can make my case with St. Peter in order to get into Heaven with some decent accommodations,” Rangel wrote in his autobiography, “And I Haven’t Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress.”

In a divided era for the nation, and amid attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s important to use Rangel’s life legacy as a source of inspiration to continue working toward progress.

“If St. Peter’s not overly impressed with my legislative record,” Rangel continued, “then I’ll just have to tell him that I did the best I could.”

are on the front line and refuse to be silenced.

The District held its first gay pride celebration in 1972 as perceptions began to change about those who loved “differently” and were intent on coming out of the closet. Then, in 1975, Pride became an annual event. In the years that followed, the District of Columbia Council banned discrimination and extended civil rights and protections to all members of the gay community. And despite Congress keeping laws against sodomy in place as late as 1993, the D.C. Council, while overruled by our legislators, voted to legalize consensual relations between LGBT adults.

Then, in 2009, legislation con-

doning same-sex marriage was approved here in D.C.

No matter where one may stand on gay rights, and whether one’s acceptance or criticisms come from family values, church dogma or one’s own intuition, it seems wrong to deny others the right to love who they chose to love.

If America wants to be “great again,” and live up to the creed of its Founding Fathers, then we must extend “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to all citizens.

Those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are as varied in their beliefs, ways of living and methods by which they promote their sexuality, as those who represent any other demographic.

TO THE EDITOR

I can’t believe it’s been five years since the murder of George Floyd, which ignited a global movement. It’s nice to see that the activists, leaders, and the grassroots are continuing to fight the good fight against police brutality and systemic racism.

Tina C. Johnson Washington, D.C.

Further, they are our sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers and friends.

As the District, nation and world commemorates Pride, it’s important to note this celebration is about far more than waving a rainbow flag.

At a time where diversity, equity and inclusion programming has been eradicated and LGBTQ+ rights are under attack, Pride is about true equity and justice for all.

The articles in the 5/22 edition were stellar! My favorites this week were ‘Remembering Malcolm X on His 100th Birthday’ and ‘D.C. Black Pride: It’s More Than Just a Party’ by Jada Ingleton.

Michele Morris Washington, D.C.

If America wants to be “great again,” and live up to the creed of its Founding Fathers, then we must extend “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” to all citizens.

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

Advice for Young Graduates

much can I do without and share?”Asking not “How can I find myself?” but, “How can I lose myself in service to others and leave our nation and world better than I found it?”

Once again, this is the joyous time of year when families, friends, and teachers are cheering on graduates of all ages who have worked so hard and made them all so proud.

I hope many of today’s high school and university graduates will wander off the beaten career path and help redefine success in our culture, asking not “How much can I get?” but, “How

During this season I like to share some of the lessons for life I offered my own children and many of the extraordinary young graduates I’ve had the privilege of meeting over the years. The pace of change in the world young people are inheriting continues to accelerate exponentially, but I still believe there are some enduring values and advice older people can share. I agree with

Marian Wright Edelman

Archibald MacLeish that “there is only one thing more powerful than learning from experience and that is not learning from experience.” I feel strongly that it is the responsibility of every adult — parent, teacher, preacher, and professional — to make sure that young people hear what we have learned from the lessons of life that helped us survive and succeed, for them to hear from us what we think matters, and for them to know that they are never alone as they go to meet the future.

Here are a few of those lessons:

• There is no free lunch. Don’t feel

entitled to anything you don’t sweat and struggle for. Take the initiative in creating your own opportunity, and don’t wait around for other people to discover you or do you a favor. Don’t assume a door is closed; push on it. Don’t assume if it was closed yesterday, it’s closed today. And don’t ever stop learning and improving your mind.

• Set thoughtful goals and work quietly and systematically toward them. Resist quick fixes, simplistic answers, and easy gains. They often disappear just as quickly as they come.

• Assign yourself. My daddy used

Benjamin F. Chavis Jr.

to ask us whether the teacher gave us any homework. If we said no, he’d say, “Well, assign yourself.” Don’t wait around for your boss or your friends or spouse to direct you to do what you are able to figure out and do for yourself. Don’t do just as little as you can to get by. If you see a need, don’t ask, “Why doesn’t somebody do something?” Ask, “Why don’t I do something?” Hard work, initiative, and persistence are still the non-magic carpets to success for most of us. And a critical reminder: Don’t be a political bystander and

Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black-Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism

tions — and others like them.

For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institu-

Two years ago, the Tennessee Three (Reps. Justin Jones, Justin Pearson and Gloria Johnson) gave us their version of “good trouble” when they led a protest from the floor of the state legislature chamber. While the Tennessee lawmakers may have violated House chamber rules, and the drastic and radical response may have been un-

As president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Blackowned media outlets across the United States — including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer and the Portland Medium — I believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.

Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.

We need to ask — will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are

now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-ofstate corporations. Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners — without the right safeguards

to protect independent and community-based outlets — rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.

The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums

comfortable for some, it served as a needed wake-up call to do something for a change.

In this case, the “good trouble” was motivated by the call for tighter gun control laws after three 9-yearolds and three adults were killed in a mass shooting in Nashville. The “thoughts and prayers” response by Republicans hasn’t been sufficient in stopping the long string of mass shootings. Right now, Tennessee and all of America could use a large dose of “good trouble” to confront the administration’s Project 2025

agenda, a tariff trade policy filled with uncertainty and the heartless “Big Beautiful Bill.”

The midterm elections will be here in 18 months, and while President Trump will not be on the ballot in 2026, many of his House and Senate enablers will be. John Rose is a MAGA enabler who currently represents Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District and is set on becoming the state’s next governor. The congressman, like the Tennessee Three, is an elected official representing a state with one of the

highest poverty percentages in the nation. They represent a state with the highest hospital closure rate per capita. In a Vanderbilt University post-election poll, registered voters in Tennessee voiced overwhelming support for Medicaid expansion, including 55% of MAGA Republicans. In a speech before the Republican Women of Williamson County, Rose referenced the blitz of executive orders.

“I know there is a lot of angst around the country,” Rose said. “The other side is twisted in knots

about what the president is doing, and I would just tell you, let’s not forget, this president telegraphed everything, right on the campaign trail. He told us what he’s going to do, and now he’s doing what he said he was going to do.” Rose spoke to an audience of conservative white women as if their lives would never be impacted negatively by Project 2025. “How do you think the president was prepared to install all these executive orders?”

David W. Marshall

EDELMAN Page 45

Guest Columnist

Guest

The GOP’s Latest Gift to Predatory Lenders

fair for consumers.

For more than a decade, consumers have lauded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for its myriad accomplishments that have brought transparency and fairness to the financial marketplace. Earlier this year, a survey commissioned by the Center for Responsible Lending found that 82% of Americans believe it is important to regulate financial services to ensure they are

Research, regulation, investigations and litigation were among the effective tools CFPB used to return more than $21 billion to over 200 million defrauded consumers.

At the same time, the anti-regulatory interests that opposed CFPB’s creation never stopped trying to weaken, defy or eliminate the agency. Now, with a president and Congress actively embracing a deregulatory stance, the combination of pro-business presidential executive orders vigorously pursued by executive appointees have wreaked financial harm

on consumers and compromised the agency’s mission.

From slashing CFPB staffing by 70%, halting both investigations and pending litigation, to reversing regulations on overdraft and credit cards, in recent days a third anti-consumer move announced the agency would not enforce regulation of “buy now, pay later” credit. In sum, today’s agency actions no longer reflect its name or mission.

Yet the fight to neuter CFPB is still not done. It is now moving monies — denying or delaying millions that consumers are rightfully owed, and sending

Persley-Davis

billions of dollars earmarked for victim compensation to the U.S. Treasury instead.

A pending, real-life case illustrates the harm wrought by such moves, and the financial injustice that results.

In February, several state attorneys general began restitution inquiries owed by Prehire, LLC. Earlier, CFPB determined that Prehired, LLC, an unlicensed online sales training program, violated two federal laws: the Truth in Lending Act, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. The firm lured prospective tech sales students with false prom-

Braiding Red Tape: Why D.C. Regulates Hair More Than Crime

become, especially when they do not align with the responsibilities or risks involved.

I am a former Washington, D.C., police officer — and yet my friend, a professional hair braider, is required by District law to complete more training hours than I did in 24 weeks at the Metropolitan Police Department academy. This is not a criticism of training for public safety professionals. It reflects how disproportionate our policies can sometimes

“Our neighbors are living in fear. And that’s what the administration wants. They want people to be scared. So, we’re combating that by bringing the neighborhood together and saying, ‘You’re not going to frighten us into complicity; you’re not going to frighten us into hiding; we’re one neighborhood, regardless of anyone’s immigration status, and we’re going to stay one

Under current law, hair braiders in D.C. must obtain a full cosmetology license to own or operate a salon or shop legally. This requirement is not only unnecessary but also places a heavy burden on individuals, many of whom come from communities that have long used braiding as a cultural and economic practice. According to Title 17, Chapter 17-37 of the D.C. Municipal Regulations, braiders are classified as “specialty cosmetology

operators,” grouped with professionals who perform services like electrolysis, skin care and chemical hair treatments. Section 3702.2 states that no one may legally practice without a license — including braiders, even though their work involves none of the chemicals or cutting tools associated with cosmetology.

To qualify for that license, a person must complete up to 1,500 hours of instruction. At the Bennett Career Institute, the only school in the District currently offering the required cosmetology program, roughly 100

hours are dedicated to braid-specific training for $730, in addition to the cost of more than $20,000, not including supplies and licensing fees. The cosmetology program focuses on techniques like coloring, cutting and chemical processing, which many braiders do not use at all in their work.

For aspiring braiders, many of whom are women of color, African immigrants, or low-income workers trying to support their families, this is not just a barrier — it is a wall. For those already braiding in informal settings, it may mean risking their livelihood to

ises of guaranteed minimal annual earnings of $60,000 at a “tech company of their choice.” The cost per student was half that amount — $30,000. Then the firm sold loans to its students to cover enrollment costs.

A March 12 joint letter to CFPB that asked about the status of payments to Prehire’s victims failed to receive a reply. On May 6, a follow-up letter restated their earlier concerns.

Terming Prehire as “a predatory online training bootcamp,” the state attor-

do something they have done safely for years.

Hair braiding is more than a job. For many, it is a cultural art form passed down through generations in African, Caribbean and African American communities. It is a source of pride, self-expression and entrepreneurship. A West African woman who has been braiding since childhood — mastering intricate styles with only her hands and a comb — should not have to spend thousands

neighborhood.’”

That is how Gabe Gonzalez, an organizer in Chicago’s Rogers Park, described how his neighborhood has responded to Trump’s immigration crackdown — both during his first administration and throughout the first months of his current one.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year, I gave the keynote at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s annual MLK Day breakfast. It was Inauguration Day. The contrast between the hope in that room and the fear outside — especially among Chicago’s immigrant commu-

nities — was sharp. Reports had already confirmed that Donald Trump’s new administration would make Chicago ground zero for an intense national sweep by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Raids were imminent.

The mass day-one sweep did not materialize quite as advertised by Trump’s border czar Tom Homan. But thousands of people were still swept up across the country that first week of the current Trump administration. The fear these actions are still creating is very real. And for good reason.

Since then, the Trump administration’s deportation campaign has spread. What started in Chicago has become a national scourge. Families are being separated from Denver to Worcester. Parents arrested in front of their children. Kids coming home from school to find their homes ransacked and caregivers gone. When armed agents grab someone without a warrant, haul them away from their family, and disappear without explanation — that is not just cruel. It is lawless. That is why community groups like Gabe Gonzalez’s have set

up rapid response teams, legal observers, and know-your-rights trainings. In some cases, their efforts have stopped ICE in its tracks.

The cruelty of these raids is matched only by their chaos. ICE has arrested green card holders. Detained U.S. citizens. Deported people who know the U.S. as their only real home to countries they barely remember — or had fled for safety. All of this is meant to send a message: No one is safe.

The message is loud. And so is the

Ben Jealous

Guest Columnist

Charlene Crowell

Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Cruelty Is a National Scourge

Columnist Guest Columnist

LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON INFORMER WEEKEND CHECKLIST

WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV!

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

Kicking off the month of June is a diverse celebration of Black leadership, artistic expression, and even a taste of carnival culture right here in D.C.!

From transformative workshops with the We Give Black conference, to Folger Shakespeare Library’s love letter to Mt. Pleasant, this weekend promises something for all audiences to enjoy.

To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Wash-

ington Informer Calendar.

THURSDAY, MAY 29

We Give Black

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | $263.00+

Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames Street Baltimore, MD 21231

We Give Black is a transformative three-day (May 29-31) communal gathering that celebrates culture as the foundation of community-driven wealth, with a focus on the legacy and future of Black-led giving, collective care, and community investment.

Rooted in the themes of [Re]membering, Restorying, Reimagining, We Give Black will guide attendees through a journey of personal healing, professional development, community celebration, and transformative storytelling.

This immersive event, powered by CLLCTIVLY, will feature intimate workshops, keynote speakers, thought-provoking conversations, and artistic performances, creating a vibrant space for learning, connection, and cultural affirmation.

Porgy & Bess

7:30 p.m. | $51.75+

Kennedy Center, 2700 F St NW, Washington, D.C., 20566

In the working-class fishing town of Catfish Row, South Carolina, it’s “summertime, and the livin’ is easy” –that is until a murder shakes the community and tempts Bess to return to her drug-filled past.

Often considered the first great American opera, Porgy and Bess melds jazz, gospel, and folk styles with themes of community resilience, acceptance, and redemption.

With critical acclaim and a new generation of talent, this poignant story ultimately poses the question if even the most unwavering love can drive out darkness.

FRIDAY, MAY 30

From Brotherman to Batman Artist Conversation

6:30 p.m. | Free, registration required

The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St NW, Washington, D.C., 20009

Shawn Martinbrough, award-win-

3Union Street Market returns with two four-day weekends full of vibrant events, from immersive art and pop-up galleries to vinyl DJ sets, punk circus shows, live music, and more community-wide experiences. (Courtesy Photo/Union Street Market)

and spoken word.

Titled “Seasons,” it traverses the changing tides of time through folk songs, lieder, madrigals, and more.

Hear the blossoming melodies of spring and warm harmonies of summer—the reflective tones of autumn and crystalline notes of winter—all through music of Vaughan Williams, Schubert, Hindemith, and Morley; plus contemporary composers like Augusta Read Thomas whose song, “The Rewaking” masterfully sets the poetry of William Carlos Williams.

SUNDAY, JUNE 1

ning illustrator and curator of The Artist’s Experience: From Brotherman to Batman is joined by three-time Eisner Award nominee and journalist David Betancourt for a conversation on comic book culture and the artist’s experience.

Enjoy light refreshments, music, and a pop-up by D.C. favorite Fantom Comics.

SATURDAY, MAY 31

DC, I Love You: First Dates 1 - 3:30 p.m. | $30 for individual ticketing, $50 for couple Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E Capitol St SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

“DC, I Love You” is an immersive experience that centers real love stories from the community, bringing them to life in the neighborhoods where they took place.

Featuring a collection of scenes that share vignettes about first dates, this collection is turning everyday Washington, D.C., locations into a stage.

Join Folger Shakespeare Library in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood in Northwest for a walking rom-com adventure, based on true stories received through a community workshop done by the Folger in 2024.

Seasons

8 p.m. | $35.00

Live! at 10th & G (First UCC DC), 945 G Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Summer in D.C. will be welcomed with a captivating chorus concert by Washington Men’s Camerata on May 31, intertwining poetry, art, and music to showcase song, visual artworks,

Carnival Bottomless Brunch

TBD | Based on package, $75.00 for full experience

Swingers Dupont Circle, 1330 19th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20036

Enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, retro arcade games, a reserved area and epic street food – all for $75 per person at Swingers Dupont Circle’s Carnival Brunch.

Be transported to a Belle Époque-inspired funfair, with classic arcade games like Jet Pong, Skeeball and Water Gun Fun for an experience full of nostalgia, prizes and friendly competition!

Plus, say goodbye to monotonous menus of eggs benedict and hello to delicious bites from Kneadza Pizza, TuTaco, and Lil’ Succotash.

Step into Carnival and celebrate the weekend in style, with deals Friday - Sunday.

Street Fest at

Union Market District

TBD by event choice | Free Union Market District, 1309 5th Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20002

From May 29 to June 8, Street Fest is taking over Union Market District with two four-day weekends packed with energy, movement and surprises on every corner—from immersive art and pop-up galleries and vinyl DJ sets, to punk circus shows, live music, dance parties and community-wide experiences.

D.C.’s creative community and honored guests take center stage in a curated series that highlights and celebrates the role artists play in conversation and their essential contributions to inclusive placemaking. WI

5Carnival Bottomless Brunch dons a Belle Époque-inspired funfair featuring retro arcade games, bottomless drinks, and diverse street food, all for $75.00 with the full package. (Courtesy of Margherita Andreani)

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

As the nation grapples with economic uncertainty, global adversity and targeted acts to oppress Black stories, IN Series’ latest revival of Arthur Artent’s “Ethiopia” reminds audiences that these realities are no stranger to American archives.

The original 1937 production holds the title of the nation’s first “living newspaper,” having offered a depiction of the global silence surrounding Italy’s invasion of the African country, featuring live speeches, world leaders, and a yearn for truth-telling left unstaged in the nearly 90 years of its conception – until now.

With new music and additional characters, such as opera singer Mayme Richardson, IN Series culminates its 2024-25 season with a twopart rendition that expands upon the unprecedented project in a tribute to the power of the arts and the role of diasporic connections throughout African American history.

“[Art] is probably the most powerful vessel that we have these days, through music, through song, through theater, through dance, to tell these stories that connect us, regardless of where you’re from or what color you are,” said Nakia Verner

Thompson, who portrays Richardson. “I hope people [take away] how important art is, how important that we learn these stories, that we continue to tell these stories to our children, [and] to the people in the world.”

Gearing up for its Baltimore Theatre Project debut (May 30 - June 1), “Ethiopia” premiered on May 17 as a pop-up play at Theater Alliance in Southwest, D.C., showcasing a unique approach with the creative collaborations of the revival’s playwright Sybil Williams, composer Janelle Gill, artistic director Timothy Nelson, as well as the multi-character portrayals from the seven performers in the show.

The first half of the two-hour production honors the original living newspaper written in 1937, when a group of journalists and playwrights gathered in a mission to honor Ethiopia’s sovereignty while informing the public of a period of global disunity.

After one dress rehearsal, and a request to conclude the play with a recorded speech from then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Roosevelt administration issued a directive that “no one impersonating a ruler or cabinet shall actually appear on the stage,” effectively suppressing a piece that fea-

5 Nakia Verner Thompson plays Mayme Richardson in the revival of “Ethiopia,” a Black opera singer whose pivotal role during the second Italian-Ethiopian war bridged the gap between Black America and Ethiopians. (Courtesy of Bucklesweet)

LIFESTYLE

ETHIOPIA from Page 29

tured multiple government officials and world leaders, including Benito Mussolini, former dictator of Italy.

Eerily enough, 90 years later, the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) pulled funding for the revived production just two weeks prior to the show’s opening.

This time around, Nelson said, the arts refused to be suppressed.

“As Dr. King said, ‘the arc of [the moral universe] is long,’ and you cannot silence the arts,” Nelson told The Informer. “This piece had to come to light, it had to be voiced eventually. And if it took 90 years or 190 years, it was sort of inevitable.”

TACKLING OLD STIGMAS WITH NEW CHARACTERS

With support from arts organizations and the show’s impassioned artists, “Ethiopia” emerged unapologetic in its wield to empower the stories of the Black diaspora, from African

American spirituals to pan-African homages, and even the beats of Rastafarian drums helping to narrate the show.

For Williams, the newly written second act was about far more than highlighting cultural ties, but also illuminating the union that birthed in response to the Italy-Ethiopia conflict.

“When Italy invaded, it became the pain of Africans throughout the diaspora. There were people campaigning for Ethiopia from Harlem all the way to Mississippi all the way to Nebraska,” Williams said. “This notion that pan-Africanism was isolated and the African American people didn’t care about Africa, that’s absolutely not true.”

The new play recognizes pivotal Black leaders who built a bridge between the people of Ethiopia and their Black American counterparts.

After singing the opera classic “Aida” before former emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie, Richardson became a connective mouthpiece for the diaspora, preceding the likes of Paul Robeson, C.L.R. James and Jose-

phine Baker as champions of pan-Africanism.

“We’re never that far culturally, we’re never that far historically, we’re never that far blood wise. All you have to do is simply reach out and grab that history and touch it, because it’s right there,” Verner Thompson emphasized.

Williams highlighted the importance of upholding ancestral legacies.

“Now that history is being assaulted, and that African American histories are being assaulted, all of us are the keepers of this wisdom and knowledge for generations to come,” she explained, “and I just want people to realize that.”

REVIVAL HIGHLIGHTS A STORIED DIASPORIC MOVEMENT

Further, in addition to the revival premiering in Southwest, the contributions of Ethiopia and its allies exist

throughout the histories of the nation’s capital.

Nelson noted how Richardson, a member of the Ethiopian World Federation (EWF), was also a part of the all Black Mary Cardwell Dawson’s National Negro Opera Company based in D.C.

Chloe (played by Shana Oshiro), who’s navigating her own journey to self-discovery and identity by learning of her ancestor’s storied impact.

“There’s so many histories that we could uncover, there’s so many people here in D.C. who built permanent relationships with Ethiopia that are long lasting,” Williams said. “I want people to know that there are Africans, Afro-Caribbeans, African Americans, Africans around the diaspora working to do amazing things here in D.C. for the uplift of all of us.”

Beyond D.C., Verner Thompson said the play highlights the foundation of Salisses’ understanding of “the plight of the colored American” in galvanizing liberation acts.

Further, Verner Thompson praised Williams’ reimagined take as a well-executed refuge that will resonate with a lot of people, as it did herself.

She highlighted the creative decision to center the second act through the lens of Richardson’s fictional niece

“I grew up in the South, and I grew up surrounded by the history. But yet, there was this disconnect to the continent because we don’t know where we’re from,” said the artist and South Carolina native. “Sybil did a really good job at showing…that longing to connect to your roots through something tangible, not just reading about it, not just watching a movie, but stepping on the soil and being with the people.”

Williams said she hopes “Ethiopia” instills a similar responsibility in audiences.

“Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy, but with great freedom of speech comes great responsibility,” said Williams. “Your active civic responsibility is to engage the issues of the day, whether they be national or international, with some informed opinion that allows for positive action. I think the living newspaper still is at the forefront of that.”

5 Originally written and effectively banned in 1937, “Ethiopia,” the nation’s first Living Newspaper, takes center stage for the first time from May 17 - June 1, featuring new music, diverse casting, and a renewed perspective to champion the truths of Black diasporic connections. (Courtesy of Bucklesweet)

by Vicki

eet Pirate Pierre. He’ll be stuck on this island for the next few months until another ship arrives to rescue him. It’s a great time to know the di erence between WANTS and NEEDS

A NEED is something you must have in order to survive. You need water, food, shelter, clothing and sometimes medicines.

A WANT is something you would like to have, but can live without. A computer, cellphone, television and a bike are wants, not needs.

When his ship began to sink, Pirate Pierre had to act quickly to grab things he would NEED on the island rather than things he might WANT

It’s going to be six months until the next pirate ship visits Pierre’s island. He made a map of the island.

Circle the places on Pierre’s map that will provide NEEDS. Cross out places that provide WANTS.

How did he do? Circle the things he will NEED on the island. Cross out the things he might WANT that won’t really help him.

Look through the newspaper ads for something that you want. Divide the price of that item by 12. There are 12 months in a year, so how much would you need to save each month to purchase the item in a year?

Whiting, Editor Je Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 41, No. 25

Help Pierre catch a crab for dinner!

review wi book

“The

Battle for the Black Mind” by

Karida L. Brown

c.2025, Legacy Lit

$30

256 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

“Use your brain!”

If you had a dime for every time a teacher, parent, or supervisor told you that, you’d be rich. Stop fooling around. Consider what you’re about to do. Act with resolve, not impulse. It’s the best way to work, the optimal method for learning and, as in the new book “The Battle for the Black Mind” by Karida L. Brown, it’s what so many have fought for.

In the months after the Civil War ended, it became apparent to both Black and white people in both North and South that education for four million suddenly-freed former slaves was “a matter of national security.” It was obvious that those citizens would require formal learning soon, maybe job training — but what kind and how much?

While Mary Smith Peake had “laid the foundation” for Hampton University already by then, two white men with vastly different intentions traveled south after the war to seize control of Black education. Edmund Asa Ware, who became the first president of Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University) built schools that “aimed at nurturing Black intellectualism and potential,” while Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, who was the first president of Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute (now Hampton University) had plans to “’civilize’” formerly enslaved people through physical labor and farm work.

Booker T. Washington was one of Armstrong’s best-known protegees.

In 1881, Washington became the first president of Tuskegee Institute and was later instrumental in forming the “Tuskegee Machine” which, says Brown, didn’t altogether help Black families and “shoved a singular curriculum down their throats.” There were 45 Black colleges and universities in America then, though education for most Black children was still lacking.

It remained so in the Jim Crow era when, although literacy rates grew, education beyond a few years of elementary school was “rare” for Black Americans. By then, says Brown, Black women had stepped up to do the work, becoming teachers, bookkeepers, experts in strategy, fundraisers, staffers. managers and marketers — sometimes, all at once …

Blending personal observations and experiences with good backgrounding, author Karida L. Brown tells this story in a conversational tone that invites readers to peek down the halls of history’s HBCUs and into classrooms. She writes to readers, rather than at them, which helps to open minds for what’s inside “The Battle for the Black Mind.”

You may not need to be reminded about racism in Black American education, but the secrets she shares and the lines she draws are highlighted to seem like new information. Here, readers can see more clearly the connections between the early 20th century and now, and how Project 2025 could change the trajectory. Fortunately, Brown also offers advice and ideas for taking action and ensuring that upcoming generations can win the next “battle.”

“The Battle for the Black Mind” is a lively book that you can read for information, history, or just because. But beware: it might make you want to get up, contact your representative or congressperson, and act. It’s the kind of book that’ll make you think. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

MAY 29 - JUNE 4, 2025

ARIES Mercury’s entry into your communication sector accelerates learning opportunities when traditional methods integrate with experimental approaches, revealing solutions through diverse information sources. Partnership dynamics shift positively when individual ambitions align with collective goals rather than competing for dominance. Lucky Numbers: 7, 14, 26

TAURUS Financial foundations strengthen as Saturn stabilizes your resource sector, bringing long-term security through patient accumulation rather than speculative ventures. Communication skills develop when written expression receives equal attention to verbal articulation. Creative projects gain commercial viability midweek when artistic vision incorporates market considerations. Lucky Numbers: 4, 12, 23

GEMINI Social expansion brings professional opportunities as Venus activates your networking sector, creating connections through shared intellectual curiosities rather than purely transactional relationships. Transportation innovations improve daily efficiency when flexible scheduling replaces rigid time structures. Learning accelerates midweek when multiple subjects reveal interconnections. Lucky Numbers: 2, 19, 31

CANCER Domestic harmony supports career success as lunar influences strengthen your foundation sector, bringing stability through creating nurturing environments that restore rather than drain energy. Family communications deepen when emotional honesty replaces protective deflection. Professional relationships thrive midweek when intuitive understanding of team dynamics guides collaborative strategies. Lucky Numbers: 5, 16, 28

LEO Creative expression reaches new audiences as Jupiter expands your artistic sector, bringing recognition through authentic self-expression rather than calculated attempts to please popular tastes. Leadership effectiveness increases when individual talents within your team receive personalized development approaches. Lucky Numbers: 3, 15, 29

VIRGO Workplace efficiency improves as Mars energizes your service sector, bringing productivity through systematic approaches that prioritize meaningful tasks over busy work. Communication precision increases when complex information receives clear organization before sharing. Health optimization advances midweek when nutrition choices reflect individual body wisdom rather than generic dietary guidelines. Lucky Numbers: 8, 17, 33

LIBRA Relationship dynamics achieve greater balance as Venus harmonizes your partnership sector, bringing understanding through diplomatic conversations that honor both perspectives without compromising individual authenticity. Aesthetic decisions gain practical value when design choices consider long-term functionality alongside immediate visual appeal. Lucky Numbers: 6, 21, 35

SCORPIO Personal transformation accelerates as Pluto activates your renewal sector, bringing empowerment through releasing patterns that no longer serve your evolving identity. Professional influence expands when subtle competence replaces forceful demonstration of authority. Research projects yield breakthrough insights midweek when intuitive hunches guide analytical investigation. Lucky Numbers: 9, 18, 30

SAGITTARIUS Educational pursuits open new horizons as Mercury expands your learning sector, bringing wisdom through experiences that challenge previous assumptions while building upon established knowledge foundations. International connections create opportunities when cultural exchange transcends surface-level tourism. Lucky Numbers: 1, 22, 34

CAPRICORN Professional recognition materializes through consistent excellence as Saturn rewards your disciplined sector, bringing advancement through demonstrated reliability rather than dramatic self-promotion. Structural improvements succeed when traditional methods incorporate selective innovation. Lucky Numbers: 11, 20, 36

AQUARIUS Innovation finds practical application as Uranus energizes your invention sector, bringing solutions through unconventional approaches that address collective needs while maintaining individual expression. Group dynamics improve when diverse perspectives receive equal consideration in collaborative decision-making. Lucky Numbers: 10, 24, 37

PISCES Spiritual insights gain practical expression as Neptune harmonizes your transcendence sector, bringing clarity through meditative practices that enhance rather than escape from daily responsibilities. Creative projects achieve emotional resonance when technical skill supports rather than constrains authentic expression. Lucky Numbers: 13, 25, 32

SPORTS

Heart of the City Championship Fight Night Brings D.C. Community to H Street NE

By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer

Families and boxing enthusiasts filled the vacated AutoZone building on H Street NE on Saturday, May 24 to attend the Heart of the City Championship Fight Night.

The event was presented by Heart of the City Candles and Build Our City DC in partnership with 2 Fly Boxing Gym, and included 19 exciting amateur boxing matches sanctioned by USA Boxing, with all

SCHOLAR from Page 1

DC— College Preparatory Academy Public Charter School in Northeast, as he spoke about his participation in the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) high school program.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Buckman counted among 300 high school students and recent high school graduates who received scholarships from the U.S. State Department to study abroad in Germany. For an entire school year, he and other participants immersed themselves in the German language while attending high school, living with a host family, traveling across the country, and meeting with U.S. and German government officials.

As Buckman recounted, he gained insight about himself while interacting with peers from across the U.S. and around the world.

“Not every place has violence like the inner city,” Buckman said. “And it really just allowed me to put down the guard and be a little bit more vulnerable with myself and other people, to see parts of myself that if I was still in D.C. at that time, I probably would have missed.”

Buckman, a Southeast resident and oldest of six siblings, garnered a reputation as a scholar, athlete and spoken

proceeds going towards local fighters attending the Junior Olympics in Las Vegas during June.

After a long career in boxing, Hall of Fame Announcer Henry “Discombobulating” Jones was inspired by the fight night.

“This was an incredible night,” he told The Informer. “We had 19 bouts, evenly matched, competitive and teaching our youth; win or lose, they’re still champions.”

The rowdy atmosphere routinely was filled with cheers and shouts of

word artist while at KIPP DC — College Preparatory Academy Public Charter School. In the realm of performing arts, his accolades include becoming a finalist for D.C. youth poet laureate and placing in the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities Words on Fire festival.

As a member of his school’s track and field team, Buckman led his team to their first championship during his freshman year. The next year, he played on the 4x800 relay team that placed third in the entire city.

Before becoming a Gates Millennium scholar, and a CBYX scholar before that, Buckman similarly exhibited leadership during a summer at Princeton University, where he trained as a Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America scholar.

Buckman also received the Berea College Carter G. Woodson Scholarship, which positioned him for a fullride scholarship to the Kentucky-based institution of higher learning.

Well before identifying Oberlin College as his school of choice, Buckman mulled over: Emory University in DeKalb County, Georgia; Denison University in Granville, Ohio; Pepperdine University in Los Angeles; and Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

Oberlin College, he said, has the dis-

excitement from families and attendees watching.

“I’m excited to be here because there’s so many parents here and so many young folks here. This is what

tance and atmosphere needed for him to become his own person.

“The more comfortable you are, the less likely you are to actually take hold of the opportunity of change,” Buckman said. “With Ohio being more midwestern, there’s going to be a lot of different people I see there -- a wider range. And I can’t just run home if something goes wrong.”

Buckman called college part of a journey that will lay the foundation for a life with endless possibilities.

“I have to take it upon myself to be more autonomous, gather more individuality and from there circulate into interdependence,” Buckman added. “I really want to foster new connections and every time I put myself in those growth zones, I come out with lifelong friends.”

AN INSIDE LOOK: THE FAMILY, SCHOOL & ENVIRONMENT THAT SHAPED HERMAN BUCKMAN

On the afternoon of May 14, Buckman and other 2025 KIPP DC— College Preparatory Academy Public Charter School graduates declared their college and career plans during a decision day celebra-

it takes to make a community,” said Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer. Ezra Barbour, a boxer representing 2 Fly Boxing Gym, was cool, calm

tion on school grounds.

While at the college preparatory institution, Buckman took honors and advanced placement courses, along with courses in the school’s Academy of Finance. His graduation will mark the end of an academic relationship with KIPP Schools that started in the second grade, when he matriculated to KIPP DC Quest Academy in Northeast.

During the pandemic, as he neared the end of his middle-school career at KIPP DC Valor Academy within the confines of his home, Buckman watched anime, scoured through self-improvement videos, and read the words of Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius.

Buckman credits Aurelius for his current outlook on life.

“He really believed that life is found within relationships, within the mind, [and] the stillness of the self,” Buckman said about Aurelius.” It’s building strength within mental fortitude, emotional awareness, and…stability. It’s [about] really understanding that I’m angry right now… and then going through that process [to] come back to a neutral state of mind.”

WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

and collected after winning a championship belt.

“I was excited [about winning],” Barbour said. “I was taking my time and being calm. I remember saying yesterday in my head, ‘I’ll come out with the triple jab.’”

2 Fly Boxing Gym had multiple championship belt winners, including: Christopher Hart Jr., Delmar Jeter and Marcellus Mebane.

While the H Street NE area has experienced mixed reviews due to violence, despite a lot of new business development, Seat Pleasant Councilmember-at-Large Shireka McCarthy, was happy to see a positive event in the corridor.

“H Street has seen a lot of transformation so it’s nice to see [Black] faces still being active in the community,” McCarthy told The Informer.

Heart of the City Candles CEO Desmond Barnes celebrated the success of the event and its ability to bring the community together.

“Who ever looked at this Auto Zone and thought something like this would be going on? Probably nobody,” said Barnes, as attendees shouted in agreement.

For parent Christopher Hart Sr., boxing is a gateway of opportunities for his son and others, hoping it will keep youth productive and out of trouble.

“The most important thing is kids have the opportunity to fight, get off the streets and be positive,” Hart told The Informer.

5Boxers fighting at the Heart of the City Championship Fight Night on Saturday, May 24 in Washington D.C.

(Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

CAPTURE the moment

Nearly 800 students gathered with joy for Bowie State University’s (BSU) Spring 2025 commencement, showcasing the power of perseverance and resilience despite obstacles. Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, the first Black woman to serve in her role, delivered the commencement speech after being awarded the Presidential Medal of Excellence by Bowie State University President Dr. Aminta Breaux. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

Americans Like to Buy Bibles, But do They Read Them?

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware Word in Black

This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation’s leading Black news publishers (of which the Informer is a member).

From family heirlooms to hotel nightstands, the Bible is everywhere. It is the life manual and guidebook for those who claim Christianity as their faith, and a great collection of literature for those who love to read.

The 66 books in the Bible — divided into two testaments — contain law, history, poetry, doctrine, daring feats, and drama. Some call it God’s love letter to his people.

It’s no wonder, then, that it holds the title as the best-selling book in history, with an estimated 5 to 7 billion copies sold worldwide. The King James ver-

sion, with over 1 billion copies sold, is still the most popular version globally, while the New International Version (NIV) is the best-selling translation in the United States. And in the United States, it’s estimated that Bible sales top $425 million annually.

But with so many copies being sold all the time — 88% of American households own at least one copy, and the average household owns four — the question is whether or not they’re actually being read.

It turns out, only 11% of Americans report reading it daily. Is it difficult to fit Bible reading into our daily schedules? Is the Bible too hard to read? Does it not hold our interest?

I posed these questions on Facebook, and several people weighed in.

5From family heirlooms to hotel nightstands, the Bible is everywhere, but it turns out 11% of Americans report reading the Bible daily. (Micha Green/The Washington Informer)

Sherry Hunt replied that she’s reading the Bible right now, specifically, the book of Judges, “Whew! Pray for me,” she requests. Sounds like a challenge.

READING THE BIBLE DAILY

J.C. Ryle, a 19th-century Anglican bishop, said, “Knowledge of the Bible never comes by intuition. It can only be obtained by diligent, regular, daily, attentive reading.”

Theologian A.W. Tozer, in complete agreement, said, “Nothing less

than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.”

The Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor of Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, famously encourages all who listen that reading the Bible will make you a better Christian.

And there’s hope: “Our youngest adults show signs of interest in the Bible, curiosity about it, and transformative interaction with it,” ABS Chief Program Officer John Farquhar Plake,

Willie Edgar Clark: Remembering His Life, Legacy and Love Barrier-Breaker, National Recognized Computer Pioneer, Dies at 94

By WI Web Staff

Athlete, husband, father, grandfather and visionary, Willie Edgar Clark, who died on May 15 at the age of 94, was a man with many titles, who used his talents to positively influence every person and environment he encountered.

Having been named by Vice President Nelson Rockefeller as a computer pioneer in 1972, Clark was a barrier-breaker in computer science, but his true passion was service to others.

“Mr Willie E. Clark [was] a longtime Washingtonian and public servant who made valuable contributions to our communities,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement read aloud

during Clark’s funeral on May 27 at St. Timothy’s Episocopal Church.

Born in Taft, Oklahomaon September 22, 1930, Clark grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and after high school, attended Maryland State College, now the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where he was a pre-medical student.

A scholar-athlete, Clark was inducted into the UMES Hall of Fame in 1966. After college, he served stateside as a medic during the Korean War.

While attending UMES, Clark met and later married Constance Eldean (Dean) Hill, his wife of almost 47 years, who preceded him in death in 1991. The two were the proud parents of Tanya Clark Copeland and Paula Eldreda Clark, who they reared in Southeast, D.C.’s Hillcrest neighborhood.

editor in chief of the “State of the Bible” report, told Religion Unplugged. “Last year, 50% of Gen Z adults (ages 18-27) agreed that the message of the Bible has transformed their lives. This year, that number rose to 54%.”

HAVE YOU READ THE BIBLE COVER-TO-COVER?

A 2016 Lifeway Research Study revealed that about 20% of Americans say they have personally read the entire Bible at least once, with 9% saying they’ve read it more than once. But do folks read it cover-to-cover?

“I have NOT read the Bible cover-to-cover although I am a committed student of the Bible. I have preferred to study as I have been led, rather than reading sequentially because I am strengthened by a method of study to which I feel called,” says Charlene Ndi.

Ndi also says that reflecting on Bible-reading habits “prepares us to give account for the spiritual lives we live.”

While Rusty Saunders, minister of music and arts on The Hill, hasn’t read the Bible cover-to-cover, he says: “But I’m sure I will be attempting this task again in the future,” he said.

Juanita Shields says she’s tried several times and is still working toward the goal.

“And I’m going to try again,” she says, “and get back to you!” WI

Clark worked for the U.S. Bureau of the Census, with a speciality in computer science and analysis, having pursued additional study at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Maryland. He was the first Black person to assist in establishing computer processing centers at the University of North Carolina, Illinois Institute of Technology, and McClellan Air Force Base, in Sacramento, California.

To quote Clark, he was “the best pre-med student ever to specialize in computer science.”

Clark, a lifelong Christian, was an integral part of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church for five decades, holding virtually every position at the parish, including vestry member, junior warden, senior warden, and treasurer.

In addition, he devoted an inordinate amount of his time to the

community, such as helping local churches with housing and clothing for the people of Resurrection City— the Civil Rights initiative connected to the Poor People’s Campaign (May 15–June 24, 1968).

Further, Clark was a board member of Southeast Neighbors, Inc., and a proud Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Clark leaves to mourn his daughters; son-in-law Julius Copeland; grandchildren Julius Antonio Clark Copeland, Micha Patrice Green, and Joy Tiffani Lawson (Cameron D. Lawson); and countless family and friends.

In her statement, Bowser summarized Clark’s contributions to the District.

“Mr. Clark worked with other local churches to provide housing and clothing for those in need, was one of the first block captains for Neighborhood Watch,” the mayor continued, “and helped launch the careers of the countless African American professionals who still honor his legacy.” WI

3Willie Edgar Clark, a barrier-breaking computer scientist, has died. He was 94. (Micha Green/The Washington Informer) IN MEMORIAM

This week, I heard a statement about how some of us are “living” while others are merely “existing.” It occurred to me, this sounds like a “Word from the Lord!” Let’s talk about this topic a bit.

In the Bible, it says “to live” emphasizes a vibrant, active and fulfilling life, often with a spiritual or relational dimension. This term emphasizes a quality of life, a way of living and a type of life. It can refer to living unto God, living in a particular way, or living a life characteristic of a resurrected life.

Jesus uses this term when talking about the “abundant life” he offers (John 10:10), highlighting a life filled with purpose, joy and connection.

Let’s look at some examples: Are you doing what you were called to do? How do you know? Well, let’s take my own story.

Years before I finally got my shot to have my very own radio show, I remember looking up Black radio stations up and down the East Coast. With no experience, I tried to convince any radio station to take a chance and hire me. Feeling determined, my resume was in the mail day after day and every week, for several months, until I finally gave up.

My thoughts were still focused on finding a way to be a radio personality. It was my inner knowing! Years later, I did finally get my chance. My dream never went away, that’s how I know that I am now “living” my dream! I’m doing what I was meant to do, and it feels good!

Do you have something that seemingly has a pull on your life, and it won’t let you go? It is likely that this thing that will not go away is asking you to give birth to an idea. This new idea may seem a bit difficult to make come true, but it is the

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Are You Living or Merely Existing? the religion corner

thing that causes one man to live, while another man only exists. You can make your dream come true too, one way or another. The key is, “never give up on your dream.”

On the other hand, “to exist” describes the mere state of being, physical life, or a state of being alive, without necessarily implying a meaningful or purposeful life. You wake up each day. You do the same thing over and over. You clean your house, wash clothes, take care of your family and often put yourself on the back burner. You are not anxious about your job, but it pays the bills. Here is where your life of merely existing can change. Wake up that dream that is getting dust on it, up on the shelf. Dust that dream off, and go for it.

Recently, I saw Omarosa Manigault graduating from Southern University Law Center with her master’s in business degree and law degree. This was a lifelong dream she had carried for many years.

She talked about how she asked President Bill Clinton for a letter when she worked at the White House many years ago. He did the letter, but she put her dream off, due to the TV show “The Apprentice.” It was taking up so much time. However, Omarosa is now married to a pastor, and her dream never left her spirit. So she went back to school, and she did what she had always dreamed of. She is planning to work at Johnnie Cochran’s law firm

to get her start!

Omarosa said, “This day is a culmination of a promise I made to myself.” That’s how you do it. You never give up on your dream, and no matter how many years it may take, you move forward and get that thing done. You will feel so great about yourself.

When it comes to your purpose, “living” implies a purpose and meaning to life, often rooted in faith and relationship with God. Existing focuses on the mere fact of being alive, without necessarily implying a specific purpose. “Living” emphasizes the quality of life, such as joy, fulfillment and connection. Existing does not necessarily imply a positive quality of life. It could be that mostly folks just make do with things.

My mother is with the Lord, has been for the past 25 years, but though she was the best housewife, mother, cook and housekeeper, she often mentioned how she wished she could have been a nurse, working at the hospital, caring for patients. She was existing. To live would have meant she could have gone to school to become a nurse and actually begin to work at the hospital.

Finally, “living” often implies a relationship with God and a commitment to His ways. Existing can be in relation to other people or things, but it doesn’t necessarily have a spiritual dimension. WI

RELIGION

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

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

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

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant

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

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

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

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

Purpose

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Promised

Baptist Church

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000441

Edna Lewis

Decedent

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #400 Washington, DC 20015

Attorney

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

Cassandra E. Lewis-Harris, whose address is 3103 Alabama Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edna Lewis who died on 10/27/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

Cassandra E. Lewis-Harris Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 000170

Mary G. Brown aka Mary Gertrude Brown Decedent

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

Juanita V. Smith, whose address is 2219 16th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary G. Brown aka Mary Gertrude Brown who died on 12/4/2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

Juanita V. Smith Personal Representative

TRUE

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000364

Elizabeth C. Ross aka Elizabeth Comstock Ross Decedent

Julie A. Simantiras, Esq.

The Geller Law Group 4000 Legato Road, Suite 1100, PMB 6064 Fairfax, VA 22033

Attorney

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

Lisa Anne Finnican and Eleanor Marie Ross, whose addresses are 10907 Knights Bridge Court, Reston, VA 20190 and 10306 Cromwell Court, Ellicott City, MD 21042 were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Elizabeth C. Ross aka Elizabeth Comstock Ross who died on 11/5/2023 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 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

Lisa Anne Finnican Eleanor Marie Ross Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000456

Ricky McClann Willis aka Ricky M. Willis Decedent

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

Rita Althea Willis-James aka Rita Willis James, whose address is 301 Anacostia Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20019-1402, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ricky McClann Willis aka Ricky M. Willis who died on 4/13/2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

Rita Althea Willis-James aka Rita Willis James

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 001551

H. Fairfield Butt, IV aka Holt Fairfield Butt IV Decedent

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

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of H. Fairfield Butt, IV aka Holt Fairfield Butt IV who died on 11/11/2023 with a Will. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: May 15, 2025

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq.

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000443

Susie Bennafield aka Sue Bennafield

Decedent

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

Damon K. Bennafield, whose address is 790 Highland Oaks Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30331, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Susie Bennafield aka Sue Bennafield who died on December 9, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

Damon K. Bennafield

790 Highland Oaks Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30331

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 1256

Junius Warren Scott Decedent

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

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Junius Warren Scott who died on May 1, 2023 without a Will. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

J. Anthony Concino III, Esq. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2024 ADM 000824

Wanda Anne Pumphrey Decedent

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

Kevin Judd, Esq., whose address is 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 900-South Building, Washington, DC 20004, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Wanda Anne Pumphrey who died on 3/22/2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

Kevin Judd, Esq. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000450

Lillie M. Ruffin Askew Decedent

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

Marjorie R. Kornegay, whose address is 10511 Water Point Way, Mitchellville, MD 20721, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lillie M. Ruffin Askew who died on November 10, 2017 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/15/2025

Marjorie R. Kornegay 10511 Water Point Way Mitchellville, MD 20721 Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000453

Angela Theresa Parker Decedent

Patrick M. Klemz, Esq. 1100 Wayne Ave., Suite 825 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

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

Rhonda Derricott whose address is 13200 Bristlecone Way, Germantown MD 20874, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Angela Theresa Parker who died on May 30, 2024 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/15/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/15/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 8/15/2025

Rhonda Derricott Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000491

Phyllis C. Lewis Decedent

Sharon Legall

1325 G. Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney

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

Camille L. Chesley, whose address is 18130 Central Ave., Bowie MD 20716, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Phyllis C. Lewis who died on December 8, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

5/22/2025

Camille L. Chesley

Personal Representative

TRUE

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000421

Bernard Jerome Hazzard Decedent

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

Brenda Lucas Hazzard, whose address is 2400 S Street SE, Apt. 4, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bernard Jerome Hazzard who died on January 2, 2022 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 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Brenda Lucas Hazzard Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Declaration of Nationality Protocol In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender. Notice of Special Appearance : I am that I am: “Pedro Tyri Winfrey© “, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ PEDRO TYRI WINFREY©”, corp.sole Dba.: “PEDRO T. WINFREY© “; PEDRO WINFREY, WINFREY, PEDRO T, having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as a: Moorish American, but not a citizen of the United States. declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Al Maghreb Al Aqsa, Estados al Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, [ United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as a: Moorish American. I am that I am: “Pedro Tyri Winfrey© “, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “pedro tyri kelly-orozco” . Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title , and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: Illinois Department of Public Health-Division of Vital Records : STATE FILE NUMBER: 112-1983 6010736, “PEDRO TYRI WINFREY©”, is as a special deposit order, conveyed to “Thrive Regardless Trust©”. All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: “”, nom deguerre: “Pedro Tyri Winfrey”, as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of “Thrive Regardless Trust©”, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

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

2025 ADM 482

Annie Pettus Decedent

Peggy A. Miller 5130 7th St. NE Washington, DC 20011

Attorney

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

Patrice A. Pettus, whose address is 512 Sandy Pl., Oxon Hill, MD 20745, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Annie Pettus who died on 7/9/2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Patrice A. Pettus Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 496

Edwin Britton Decedent

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

Annette Britton and Jean Britton, whose addresses are 1838 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009 / 2211 Ditmas Ave. Apt. 2D, Brooklyn, NY 11226, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Edwin Britton who died on March 27, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Annette Britton Jean Britton Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000475

Evelyn Virginia Cook Decedent

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

Gregory Alan Cook, whose address is 24 Century Street, Stafford, VA 22554, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Evelyn Virginia Cook who died on September 27, 2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Gregory Alan Cook Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000481

Donna Lee Carter aka Donna L. Carter Decedent

Angela D. Minor, Esq. Minor & Willcox, LLC 9701 Apollo Drive, #7181 Upper Marlboro, MD 20792 Attorney

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

Dionne Hughes Rogers, whose address is 4704 Omaha Street, Capital Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Donna Lee Carter aka Donna L. Carter who died on 11/20/2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Dionne Hughes Rogers Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000454

James Henry McLaurin Decedent

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

Charlene Anderson, whose address is 3913 S Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Henry McLaurin who died on December 13, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Charlene Anderson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

PUBLICATION NOTICE

Estate of Cecil R. Hall Notice to Creditors

Pennsylvania law requires the personal representative, Gayle Carley, to advertise the estate to “Request all persons having claims against the Estate of Cecil R. Hall to make known the same to Gayle Carley, and all persons indebted to Cecil R. Hall to make payment to Gayle Carley, 4031 South Dakota Ave NE, Washington DC, 20018, without delay.” (20 Pa. C.S.A. § 3162.)

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

2025 NRT 000016

Lawrence N. Cohn Name of Deceased Settlor

NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST

Lawrence N. Cohn whose address was 326 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 created a revocable trust on June 9, 2023, which remained in existence on the date of death on March 27, 2025, and Rita Jean Cohn, whose address is 326 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to Rita Jean Cohn at 326 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.

The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expense of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances.

Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before 11/5/2025 (6 month after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1), 3/27/2026 (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2), 11/5/2025 (6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding.

The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification. This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d).

Date of First Publication: 5/22/2025

Rita Jean Cohn Signature of Trustee

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000493

Carl Gene Ruffin

Decedent

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

Tyrone G. Ruffin, whose address is 3307 Tinkers Branch Way, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carl Gene Ruffin who died on September 9, 2005 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/29/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/29/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Tyrone G. Ruffin Personal Representative TRUE

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000469

Ruth A. Williams Decedent

Joan M. Wilbon 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006 Attorney

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

Teri Merele Williams, whose address is 383 Grand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11238, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ruth A. Williams who died on 2/1/2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Teri Merele Williams Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2021 ADM 001378

Dorothy M. Sims aka Dorothy Mae Sims Decedent

Sharon Legall 1325 G Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 Attorney

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

Rodney L. Sims and Stacie D. Sims, whose addresses are 9275 Rollingwood Dr., Pomfret, MD 20675 / 312 Cape Dr., SE, Washington, DC 20019, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Dorothy M. Sims aka Dorothy Mae Sims who died on 6/8/2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 11/29/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/29/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Rodney L. Sims

Stacie D. Sims

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000172

Selome Gerima aka Selome Gerima Tafere Decedent

Samuel C. Hamilton, Esq. 8601 Georgia Ave #504 Silver Spring, MD 20910

Attorney

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

Alum Taye, whose address is 5058 Gaither Chance Dr., Clarksville, MD 21029, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Selome Gerima aka Selome Gerima Tafere who died on 11/22/22 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 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Alum Taye Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 499

Frankie Green Decedent

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

Tanya Latrice Green, whose address is 1334 Half Street, SW, Wahington, DC 20024, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Frankie Green who died on March 12, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/29/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/29/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Tanya Latrice Green Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000458

Wanda Ware aka Wanda Lee Ware Decedent

Antonoplos & Associates, Attorneys At Law 1725 Desales Street NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney

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

Sean Julian Ware, whose address is 151 Q Street NE, Unit #3325, Washington, DC, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Wanda Ware aka Wanda Lee Ware who died on April 5, 2025 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/22/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/22/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/22/2025

Sean Julian Ware Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 492

Gertrude Paulette Strong Decedent

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

Azikiwe Strong, whose address is 624 G Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Gertrude Paulette Strong who died on 3/21/2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 11/29/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/29/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Azikiwe Strong Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 FEP 000052

October 23, 2023

Date of Death

M. Kathleen Gordon aka Kathleen Gordon Robinson Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Elden Keith Robinson whose address is 104 Prospect Bay Dr. W, Grasonville, MD 21638 was appointed personal representative of the estate of M. Kathleen Gordon aka Kathleen Gordon Robinson, deceased, by the Orphans Court for Queen Anne’s County, State of Maryland, on April 28, 2025. Service of process may be made upon Andrew T. Richardson, III, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property.

3701 9th Street, NW #4, Washington, DC 20010. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Elden Keith Robinson

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 000037

Johnnie Mae Fripp Dickens Decedent

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

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, #400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Johnnie Mae Fripp Dickens who died on July 27, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (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 11/29/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/29/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq.

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 FEP 000035

April 27, 2023

Date of Death

Nickole C. Scott aka Nickole C. Scott-Conerly Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Donn G. Scott aka Donn Scott whose address is 5 Woodstone Drive, Voorhees, NJ 08043 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Nickole C. Scott aka Nickole C. Scott-Conerly, deceased, by the Surrogates Court for Camden County, State of New Jersey, on November 6, 2023.

Service of process may be made upon Aimee D. Griffin 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property.

3720 35th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20015. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Donn G. Scott

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

1.Phase 2 Declaration of Nationality Protocol In God We Trust. Declaration of Nationality. Notice of White Flag Surrender.

Notice of Special Appearance : I am that am: “Eric Jevon Kenner Bey”©, formerly known as: “Eric Javon Kenner”©,”&, Eric Jovan Kenner,”© in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ERIC JEVON KENNER BEY”©, &, “ERIC JAVON KENNER”©, &, “ERIC JK BEY”©, &, “ERIC J KENNER”©, &, “ERIC KENNER”©, &, “ERIC BEY”©, “ERIC K BEY”©, & “ ERIC J BEY”© , & “ERIC KENNER BEY” ©, &”ERIC JEVON BEY” ©, & “ ERIC JOVAN KENNER”© having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirms to declare my tribal intention to be as my pedigree subscribes, as an: American Moor, but not a citizen of the United States. I declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Al Maghreb Al Aqsa, Estados al Marikanos, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples ], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim my nationality in good faith as an: American Moor. I am that am: “Eric Jevon Kenner Bey©”, “Eric Javon Kenner” © from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality / Status / Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “eric javon kenner bey”©, “tau dey”©. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat”, pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as a minister of The Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Person. Notice of: LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 32, 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title : This order is to preserve legal and equitable title and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, sound, voice, names, image, & likeness, in all aforementioned property, including, Re: State Of Louisiana Vital Records Registry, Birth Number: 119-1980-039-00353, “ERIC JAVON KENNER”©, is as a special deposit order, conveyed to “The Kenner Tribe Trust”©. All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor / Beneficiary / Bailor / Donor / Principal / Creditor: “eric javon kenner bey”©, “tau dey”©, nom deguerre: “Eric Jevon Kenner Bey”©, “Eric Javon Kenner”© as a special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of : “The Kenner Tribe Trust”©, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary / trustee / agent / bailee / donee / debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved. Deo volente.

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000339

Walter Anderson Decedent

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

Sheila Anderson, whose address is 410 Nicholson St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Walter Anderson who died on December 20, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/29/2025. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/29/2025, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/29/2025

Sheila Anderson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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WONDER PLAZA from Page 1

ances numerous factors to aid the university in furthering our mission through transformative major academic, campus life and healthcare initiatives,” said Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, Howard’s former president, in a statement.

Due to the expected remodeling, restaurants on the strip like Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Negril Jamaican Eatery, located at 2301 Georgia Avenue NW, have shut down. Wonder Plaza’s Chipotle and Subway remain open, but will close in the future at an unspecified time.

MORE THAN A MEAL: WHAT NEGRIL MEANT TO ONE NEWCOMER

When Alisa A. first moved to the District from Indiana five years ago, the Negril at Wonder Plaza was her first impression of the city. She was hungry after driving for 10 hours through the night and stopped at Negril for a beef patty.

“I still have my original receipt from June 26, 2020, because it had a special place in my heart during a challenging moment in life when I relocated in the middle of a pandemic and did not know where I was going,” she told The Informer.

The family-owned Jamaican restaurant was founded in 1979 by native Jamaican Early Chin after he realized the city lacked authentic cuisine from the Caribbean island. It has been a staple near Howard’s campus for more than 30 years, and has additional locations in Laurel, Mitchellville and Silver Spring.

While the last day for Negril at Wonder Plaza was May 23, the restaurant plans to stay in Northwest and is projected to reopen up the street at the former NuVegan Cafe location, on Georgia Avenue and Columbia Road.

While the management team is not yet sure when the new storefront will be ready to open, they know customers will be anxiously waiting for the moment.

“[Relocating] wasn’t a surprise because it was something in the making that came down with a hammer just now,” manager Dameon Johnson told The Informer. “All the customers miss us. They are crying, so hopefully we want to see if our new spot can be ready before time.”

After learning about the restaurant’s plans to relocate, A., who has now explored other culinary options around the nation’s capital,

vowed to visit weekly up until Negril at Wonder Plaza officially shuttered its doors.

She commends the restaurant for providing genuine and welcoming human interaction– something that was especially crucial when she first arrived in the city.

“[Negril is] a slice of home and a slice of comfort in the midst of chaos,” she told The Informer.

A LANDMARK OF STUDENT LIFE

As the plaza is located near the university’s main entrance and residence halls, including Howard Plaza Towers and Axis, its establishments have proven to be integral to students’ experience at the historically Black university. For some, those restaurants were their first taste of D.C.’s food scene, and for others, it served as an alternative to the university’s dining options.

For recent international business graduate Jessica Jean-Charles, Wonder Plaza symbolized the beginning of her matriculation at Howard. Her go-to spot was the Potbelly at the end of the strip.

“The first time I’d ever been to the plaza was my first night at Howard University,” Jean-Charles told The Informer. “Me and all of my roommates went to Potbelly, so I feel like I’m losing out on a lot of memories due to its closure.”

While saddened by the establishments shutting down, Jean-Charles is hopeful about the fact that more students will have an opportunity to live on campus, which is nec-

WORLDPRIDE from Page 5

ideology” as a form of child abuse; restrict gender-affirming medical care for Americans under 19; and scrubbed LGBTQ+ and HIV-related resources from federal websites.

Further, there’s a rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation more generally, with a growing number of bills targeting transgender access to healthcare, education, artistic expression and legal recognition.

Last year, more than 700 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the country, and 51 were passed. This year, over 910 bills have already been introduced, and more than 100 passed, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker.

of movie act that we’re in, that we’re constantly under attack simply for just living our truth. To me, that’s become very problematic.”

D.C. COMMUNITY PUSHES BACK AGAINST ANTI-LGBTQ+ RHETORIC

Some Washingtonians view WorldPride as a time to reflect on LGBTQ+ history and political struggles, but also an opportunity to celebrate queer expression and control representations of their own stories.

essary considering the number of first-time in college (FTIC) students has increased compared to pre-pandemic enrollment.

From the 2019 fall semester to the 2021 fall semester, the number of FTIC students increased from 1,920 to 2,763. Although the numbers decreased to 2,489 in 2022, and again to 2,261 in 2023, the FTIC enrollment rose back up to 2,500 students for the 2024 fall semester. At Howard, housing is guaranteed for freshmen and sophomores, so more residence space is crucial to maintain that promise.

Senior political science major Jocelyn Welsh acknowledges the university’s obligation to accommodate its students, but was shocked to hear of Wonder Plaza’s redesign.

“I understand they’re turning it into dorms, which is very needed, but also devastating because that strip is so nostalgic and part of my Howard story,” Welsh told The Informer. “[I would] stop in there late at night after the dining halls closed, or to socialize during homecoming or late nights with friends.”

The construction of the anticipated Fusion Building will be a drastic change to both the campus and city infrastructure, but the memories made and meals eaten at the plaza will hold a special place in the hearts of students, residents and visitors.

“Since the [enrollment] rate has gone up, housing is definitely needed and appreciated,” Welsh said, “but that strip will definitely be missed.” WI

“As queer and trans people, we seem to be very resilient in the face of adversity and this political climate that we’re in, but it’s still that always having to check the boxes to see whether we’re safe, to see whether we still have access to resources, and just being able to move around,” Jeke said. “We’re the most wanted people in this kind

BUDGET PROPOSAL

current resolution.”

In the realm of public safety, the Fiscal Year 2025 supplemental budget cuts $3 million allocated for community-based organizations that facilitate safe passage programming during the summer. Appiah, whose office coordinates safe passage efforts, said that she made this decision mindful that fewer public and public charter schools are open during the summer.

Rainbow History Project’s exhibition “Pickets, Protests and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington” is one event working to unite the past and present of queer activism in D.C. It opened to the public in a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 22 and will be open through July 6 at Freedom Plaza. WI

AIRLINE CAREERS

CROWELL

from Page 27

neys general in Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina as well as the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, wrote in part: “Prehired trapped its students with illegal and deceptive ‘income share’ loans. Prehired then resorted to abusive debt collection practices — including filing hundreds of debt collection lawsuits — when students could not repay those loans and the job offers Prehired promised did not materialize. Prehired specifically targeted military veterans with its advertising.”

The attorneys general further explained, “Prehired was in bankruptcy and unable to issue refunds to its victims. In such cases, the CFPB’s Civil Penalty Fund is available to compensate harmed victims. Our offices worked with the CFPB to secure an allocation from the Civil Penalty Fund, in the amount of $4,248,249. The CFPB finalized the allocation on May 30, 2024.”

PERSLEY-DAVIS

from Page 27

of dollars learning to use chemicals she will never touch. However, in D.C., she would be breaking the law without a cosmetology license. This is where the policy fails not only in fairness but also in logic.

What is worse is that D.C. is falling behind. Thirty-seven other states have modernized their laws to exempt hair braiders from cosmetology

JEALOUS from Page 27

silence that often follows it.

People are afraid to report wage theft or unsafe working conditions. Parents fear school pickups, or taking their kids to church on Sunday. Victims of domestic violence stay silent, worried that asking for help will get them deported. And even documented immigrants live in fear.

This is not security. It is terror. And it is why so-called sanctuary cities like Chicago — and sanctuary states like Illinois — have put policies in place making it illegal for local law enforcement to participate in immigration crackdowns. Police already face enough trust barriers with many of the communities they work in. That makes their job harder. Being part of Trump’s anti-immigrant terror campaign would in some cases make it virtually impossible.

It also could be about to get even more dangerous. The Republican budget bill moving through Congress would supercharge ICE with $80 bil-

Ironically, a recent party-line vote by the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) approved a resolution to remove CFPB’s ability to repay defrauded consumers from its Civil Penalty Fund (CPF). If subsequently passed by Congress, the fund’s unallocated revenues would be given to the Treasury Department, instead of remaining available to compensate victims.

Billions of dollars are at stake. In June 2024, the Office of Inspector General at the CFPB reported that the CPF had collected $3.4 billion and held a balance of $1.9 billion, as of September 2023. Much of that balance came from a $1.7 billion fine levied against Wells Fargo Bank, according to a February report by the Congressional Research Service.

An important part of the law creating CFPB designated the CPF to be used for payments to legally defrauded victims or — when available — for consumer education and financial literacy programs. The law also identifies the fund’s administrator as the official responsible for supervising payments. Ad-

licensure, recognizing that braiding is not cosmetology. These states have acknowledged that regulating braiders the same way we regulate chemical hairstylists is not only unnecessary — it is harmful. Some states now allow braiders to operate without any licensing at all. Others have created straightforward registration processes focused on hygiene or sanitation. These approaches balance public health with access to work without forcing people

lion in new funding. More agents. Fewer guardrails. And a leadership culture that seems more interested in punishment than justice.

And the strategy is broader than immigration. This is a movement that spreads fear, then exploits that fear to divide us — Black from brown, citizen from immigrant, neighbor from neighbor. But as Gonzalez and other organizers in Chicago have shown, solidarity still wins.

This fight is about more than policy. It is about who we are. It is about remembering that every person — no matter where they were born — deserves dignity. Deserves due process. Deserves safety.

ditionally, every six months the administrator sets aside monies for payments to harmed consumers.

Democratic members of HFSC offered multiple amendments as alternatives, rather than ceding monies to the Treasury. For example, Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley proposed that bad financial actors would bear the financial burden for funding when their practices violated applicable laws. This and other amendments made by committee Democrats were also rejected by majority members.

“[M]y Republican colleagues are telling their constituents loud and clear that they care more about protecting their friends on Wall Street than the people who voted to send them here,” New York Rep. Greg Meeks, also a committee member, stated.

Christine Hines, senior policy director at the National Association of Consumer Advocates, added, “It’s not really about saving taxpayer money or anything related to the budget. It’s about getting rid of the bureau.” WI

According to Harvard Business Review, occupational licensing advocates argue that it enhances service quality by setting minimum standards and can boost demand by signaling competence or improving worker skills.

WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

most “perfect national illustration of the unity and dignity of the human family that the world has ever seen.” That is the American way.

Back in January, at Rainbow PUSH, I said that when a nation is divided, we stop seeing our own reflections in our neighbors. But our neighbors are still there. They are helping care for our kids, growing our food, rebuilding our towns after floods and fires. They are us.

So all of us must respond as if it were happening to us — because one day, it could be.

That means fighting the cruelty with clarity. Standing shoulder to shoulder with immigrant communities — and sometimes, in front of them. Supporting Congress to pass good bills and reject bad ones that undermine due process. Organizing nonviolently. Voting. Showing up for our neighbors and the rule of law.

And it means calling this what it is — immoral, unjust, and defiantly at odds with the real American way. WI

The poem engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty reads “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” It makes no mention of any race, religion, or country of origin. It speaks to immigration making our country what it is. Making us stronger. Making us what Frederick Douglass called the to pay for unrelated training. D.C., which once led in elevating the visibility of braiding as a profession, now risks being left behind.

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