The Washington Informer - September 11, 2025

Federal Surge Highlights

Potential

for Racial, Socioeconomic Solidarity, Organizers Say

Mixed Reaction to Bowser’s Mayoral Order

By Sam P.K. Collins

WI Staff Writer

As the federal occupation of D.C. nears the 30-day mark, District residents of various racial and socioeconomic backgrounds are not only standing up against the influx of federal agents, but also criticizing what’s been described as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s blatant cooperation with the Trump administration.

For a District educator who re-

quested anonymity, this particular moment creates an opportunity for more privileged dissidents to fully understand the overpolicing that occurs in the District’s majority-Black,

SURGE Page 40

4About 10,000 people took to the streets of Northwest, D.C. to march from down 16th Street NW to Freedom Plaza in the We Are All DC march on Saturday, Sept. 6. (Trevor Johnson/The Washington Informer)

Nelson)

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Over the years, Samarah Lee Banks has reported to work at Lee’s Flowers in Union Station in Northeast, D.C., navigating some of the challenges that come with encountering residents who are dealing with behavioral and mental crises, housing insecurity, or have criminal intent. So when Banks found out that the National

Guard was going to be posted at Union Station— though admittedly not a fan of President Donald Trump or his politics— she was somewhat pleased at this new development.

“We need the additional security,” Banks, 30, told The Informer on Sept. 2, days before the U.S. Army reportedly said it will stay in the District until Nov. 30. “I honestly don’t think it is so bad.

By Trevor Johnson Contributing Writer

While conservative critics have attempted to delegitimize anti-Trump movements and claim demonstrators are paid— an idea the president has repeatedly advanced in his attacks against opposition— protesters from diverse backgrounds continue to rally across the District, calling for a “Free D.C.”

About 10,000 demonstrators took to the

Family Define Million Man March, Unifest Reboot

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

As Washingtonians navigate the federal officer surge and other pressures from the Trump administration, the Rev. Willie Wilson and community leaders took to Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C. to spread the good news of the 30th Anniversary Million Man March and the rebirth of Unifest, highlighting the importance of bringing people together during a challenging time for the nation’s capital, country

5 The Rev. Willie Wilson speaks about the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Million Man March and the revival of Unifest at Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast, D.C. Wilson, senior pastor emeritus at Union Temple, says the events will unify Black people across the District, nation and world. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

5 While some entrepreneurs are welcoming the National Guard in D.C., others have already begun to experience a shift since troops assumed control of the Metropolitan Police Department in August. (WI File Photo/Cleveland

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PUBLISHER

Denise Rolark Barnes

STAFF

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REPORTERS

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STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER

Issa Rae’s ‘Seen & Heard’ Lifts Curtain on Exploitation and Triumph in Black Television

Issa Rae’s new two-part documentary, “Seen and Heard: The History of Black Television” on HBO and HBO Max, exposes the breakthroughs and betrayals that have defined Black TV. (Courtesy Photo/HBO Max)

Issa Rae is once again betting on Black, this time by turning the lens on the complicated history of African American representation on television.

Her new two-part HBO documentary “Seen and Heard: The History of Black Television” debuts Sept. 9 on HBO and HBO Max, and it doesn’t shy away from exposing both the breakthroughs and the betrayals that have defined Black TV.

The project, which began development in 2019, features powerhouse voices including Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross, Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, and Norman Lear. Together, they recount the triumphs of Black storytelling and the persistent roadblocks that have too often stripped creators of the rewards their work

Washington Informer Hosts WIN Visual Legacy Photo Exhibit

As the media outlet prepares to celebrate 61 years of service to the community, The Washington Informer, the DMV’s trusted Black-owned news source, will host the opening reception of the WIN Visual Legacy Photo Exhibit on Thursday, Sept. 18 at Gallery O on H in Washington, D.C.

The evening will honor six decades of documenting Black life, culture, and leadership in the region, while also convening a Business Growth Forum featuring leaders from five of the region’s most influential chambers of commerce. Together, they will tackle a question weighing on many entrepreneurs and organizations: how can DMV businesses sustain and grow in the face of a shifting economy?

The panel will feature:

• Chinyere Hubbard, DC Chamber of Commerce president and CEO

• Kathy Guzman,

Charles County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO

• Courtney Edmonds, Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce board chair

• Corey Arnez Griffin, Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce board chair

• Tonya Poindexter, Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce board chair

“This event reflects what The Washington Informer has always stood for—being the voice of our community while also creating space for progress,” said Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. “The WIN Visual Legacy Exhibit honors our history, while the business forum speaks to our future. We know businesses—including ours—are facing real challenges right now, and this evening is about equipping them with the insights and connections they need to thrive.” WI

Polls Find Americans Angry with President, U.S. Open Crowd Boos

Multiple polls reveal that Americans are increasingly fed up with President Donald Trump’s second term, with a growing share upset with his presidency. An NBC News Decision Desk survey conducted last month found that nearly half of Democrats, 49%, said they are “furious” at Trump’s actions. Just 43% of Americans overall approve of his performance, while 57% disapprove. Independents are especially sour, with only 8% reporting positive feelings about his administration compared to 56% who say their feelings are negative.

At the same time, a CBS News/YouGov poll found that two-thirds of Americans believe Trump is trying to expand the powers of the presidency, a sentiment shared even by some outside his partisan base. The survey showed deep divisions over his decision to deploy the National Guard to cities, with critics

warning that he is acting for political gain rather than public safety.

That anger spilled over onto the world stage at the U.S. Open men’s final in New York, where Trump was greeted with loud boos and whistles as he appeared on stadium screens.

The president smirked and raised his fist as jeers intensified. Fans, already frustrated by long security lines that forced many to miss the start of play, expressed outrage at the heavy-handed measures required for his presence.

Even before the match, the U.S. Tennis Association acknowledged asking broadcasters not to show “offcourt disruptions,” a move widely seen as an attempt to shield Trump from televised embarrassment.

Page 19

AROUND THE REGION

D.C. Sues Trump Over National Guard Deployment, Alleging Illegal Federal Takeover

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The District of Columbia has filed a sweeping lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and other federal officials, charging that the administration’s deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to patrol city streets is unlawful and threatens the core principle of local self-government.

In a 52-page complaint filed Thursday in U.S. District Court, D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb alleged that more than 2,200 troops from seven states and the District have been dispatched without the consent of Mayor Muriel Bowser. Armed soldiers in fatigues have been conducting “presence patrols,” making detentions, and riding armored vehicles through neighborhoods in what the city calls an illegal military occupation.

“The residents and leaders of the District of Columbia have not requested any of this,” the complaint states. It accuses Trump of seeking to “federalize” the capital, which he has publicly called “a filthy and crime ridden embarrassment,” and argues the actions trample the Home Rule Act, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, and the Posse Comitatus Act.

According to the filing, Trump’s Aug. 11 press conference and subsequent executive orders directed Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth and Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll to mobilize Guard units, place them under federal command, and deputize them as U.S. Marshals. The District contends this structure unlawfully strips governors of their constitutional control over their own state militias.

The suit notes that Bowser has repeatedly rejected the deployments, calling them “unsettling and unprecedented.” She wrote on social media that “American soldiers and airmen policing American citizens on American soil is #UnAmerican.”

However, Bowser has since come out to voice support for what has come from Trump’s militarization of D.C., saying “neighborhoods feel safer and are safer, so this surge has been

important to us.”

However, Schwalb emphasized the dangers in the federal takeover of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and the city overall.

“Deploying the National Guard to engage in law enforcement is not only unnecessary and unwanted, but it is also dangerous and harmful to the District and its residents,” Schwalb stated. “No American city should have the U.S. military, particularly out-ofstate military who are not accountable to the residents and untrained in local law enforcement, policing its streets,” Schwalb continued. “It’s D.C. today but could be any other city tomorrow. We’ve filed this action to put an end to this illegal federal overreach.”

The complaint details incidents in which National Guard troops armed with M17 pistols and M4 rifles patrolled Metro stations, residential neighborhoods, and even routine local events. It cites an Aug. 20 crash in which a Guard-operated armored vehicle slammed into a civilian SUV, injuring the driver.

“These are vehicles designed for warfare,” D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen said. “They have no business on our city streets.” WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb says the District is suing President Donald Trump, the Department of Defence, the Department of Justice and other federal officials, noting the deployment of thousands of National Guardsmen to city streets as unlawful and threatening to the core principle of local self-government. (WI File Photo)

black facts AROUND THE REGION

Sept. 11

Sept. 15

1942 – Singer and actress Lola Falana is born in Camden, New Jersey.

1970 – Actress and Howard University alumna Taraji P. Henson , best known for the hit TV show “Empire,” is born in Washington, D.C. 1977 – “Roots,” the television miniseries based on Alex Haley’s 1976 novel, wins nine awards at the 19th annual Emmys.

1987 – Reggae great Peter Tosh is murdered in Kingston, Jamaica, during a home invasion.

Sept. 12

1913 – Four-time Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens is born in Oakville, Alabama.

1977 – Steve Biko , famed anti-apartheid activist, dies in police custody in Pretoria, South Africa.

1992 – Astronaut Mae Jemison African American woman to travel in space.

Sept. 13

1885 – Alain Locke , the first African American Rhodes Scholar and “Dean” of the Harlem Re naissance, is born in Philadelphia.

1996 – Rap great Tupac Shakur Vegas after being shot six days earlier.

Sept. 14

1861 – Abolitionist John Rock person to be admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, gains admittance to the Massachusetts Bar.

1963 – Four African American girls are killed in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Sept. 16

1889 – Claude Barnett , founder of the Associated Negro Press, is born in Sanford, Florida. 1925 – Legendary blues singer and guitarist B.B. King is born in Itta Bena, Mississippi.

Sept. 17

1973 – Illinois becomes the first state to honor Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday as a holiday. 1983 – Vanessa Williams becomes the first African American to be crowned Miss America.

Taraji P. Henson (left) Tupac Shakur (center) Vanessa Williams (right)

P INT

BY SARAFINA WRIGHT

What is one quote that has made an impact on your life and that you live by?

SUNDIE SADE / BATON ROUGE, LA.

“Beware of the naked man that offers you a shirt.” – Maya Angelou.

S. DAY / LONG BEACH, CALIF.

JARELL RASHID / DETROIT, MD.

“I would much rather be hated for who I am than to be loved for what I’m not.”

“You can’t miss what is for you. The universe makes no mistakes.” These two gems of wisdom helped me stay calm in life because most people who are not centered would like to convince you that you won’t be good enough, or that good opportunities are not in your reach, or that they themselves have the power to control your life…not. If it is meant for you, you yourself can’t mess it up.

PATRICE WELTON / WASHINGTON, D.C.

The biggest growth comes outside of your comfort zone.

BETTY B / LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

“Focus on what you have, you’ll have more. Focus on what you don’t have and you’ll never have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey.

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

AROUND THE REGION

Union Station at Center of Amtrak’s NextGen Acela Rollout

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Washington’s Union Station is once again in the national spotlight as Amtrak’s long-awaited NextGen Acela service began carrying passengers on the Northeast Corridor.

Federal officials said the launch is part of a plan to modernize trains and improve infrastructure, with the Department of Transportation now taking direct oversight of the historic station.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the changes are overdue.

“With these new Acela trainsets, Amtrak will provide more reliable service and lower prices for the American people — all while increasing the organization’s profitability,” Duffy said in a press release. “But we’re not stopping there. Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair. By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost.”

The launch of the new Acela is a critical starting point “as we work to improve travel for millions of Americans,” added Deputy Secretary of Transportation Steve Bradbury.

“I look forward to working closely with our team at Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation to focus our attention on Union Station and make

it a world-class transit hub. Our nation’s capital should be putting our best foot forward,” Bradbury continued.

NextGen Acela on the Rails

The new trains are the first upgrade to Amtrak’s flagship service since 2000.

Built by Alstom in Hornell, New York, the trainsets are the first highspeed rail equipment manufactured in America. They can reach top speeds of 160 miles per hour — about 10 miles faster than their predecessors — and are designed to lean into curves, offering smoother rides on tracks laid more than a century ago.

The trains add 27% more seats per departure, with redesigned interiors, larger windows, upgraded lighting, and individual outlets for every passenger. Free 5G-enabled Wi-Fi is available throughout, along with new dining options including a café and cart service in business class.

“On behalf of everyone at Amtrak, I’m proud to welcome you aboard NextGen Acela,” Amtrak President Roger Harris remarked.

“The future of high-speed rail starts now.”

Safety and Economic Impact

The trains also meet stricter crashworthiness standards, aimed at preventing derailments like the one that killed eight people in Philadelphia in 2015.

“This train truly is the future of the high-speed rail in America,” Elliot Hamlisch, Amtrak’s chief commercial officer, told CBS News.

“This is the most technologically advanced train, not only in America, but in the world. So, we’ve taken the best of what Europe has to offer and incorporated it here on our tracks.”

The team at Alstom has brought nearly five decades of global experience in high-speed rail to the United States to deliver the fastest and most technologically advanced trains in the nation, said Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom.

“We thank Amtrak for their trust and partnership, the Federal Railroad Administration and USDOT for their leadership, our suppliers, designers, engineers and especially the hard-working men and women in Hornell who are building these high-speed trains in America, for America,” he said.

Ready to Ride, Looking Ahead

For some passengers, the launch was nearly a decade in the making.

Leo Friedman of New Jersey told CBS News he had been tracking the project since Amtrak first released promotional videos.

“Ever since that first video came out, that Amtrak posted about nine years ago,” he said, “I’ve been super interested and invested in this NextGen Acela.”

All 28 NextGen Acela trains are expected to be in service by 2027.

“From the moment our guests step onboard, they’ll feel the difference of a NextGen Acela train thanks to a more modern, premium, and elevated experience,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia.

WI

5 Union Station is in the national spotlight as Amtrak’s long-awaited NextGen Acela service began carrying passengers on the Northeast Corridor. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)

Van Hollen Bill Seeks to End Presidential Control of D.C. National Guard

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Maryland Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen has introduced legislation that would strip the president of unilateral authority over the District of Columbia National Guard, a move spurred by ongoing legal battles between city officials and the Trump administration.

The measure, S.2688, titled the “District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act,” was introduced with 11 Democratic cosponsors, including Democratic Sens. Cory Booker (NJ), Bernie Sanders (Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (Md.), and Tammy Baldwin (Wis.). The bill would give the mayor of Washington, D.C., the same authority over the Guard that governors exercise in the states — from responding to natural disasters and civil disturbances to overseeing administration and personnel.

The legislation rewrites portions of an 1889 law that placed the Guard under the president’s command. It substitutes the words “Mayor of the District of Columbia” for “President of the United States” throughout the statute, in-

cluding sections on officer appointments, calls to duty, retirements, and court-martial authority.

The bill comes as the District has filed a lawsuit against Trump’s deployment of more than 1,000 Guard troops across the city. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said the surge “essentially amounts to an involuntary military occupation,” and his filing contends the president violated the 1973 Home Rule Act by acting without the mayor’s consent.

A federal judge in California recently ruled Trump’s earlier use of the Guard in Los Angeles unlawful, though the ruling does not directly apply to Washington, where federal control remains stronger.

Trump has vowed to expand federal interventions to other Democrat-led cities such as Chicago and Baltimore.

Members of the D.C. National Guard have had their orders extended through December, which Van Hollen said raises fears that the deployment would continue indefinitely despite local opposition.

Supporters of Van Hollen’s bill argue it would prevent presidents from weaponizing the Guard

AROUND THE REGION

for political gain and place decision-making where it belongs, which the senator said is in the hands of local leadership.

The supporters note that the District’s lack of authority has been highlighted repeatedly, including during the Jan. 6 insurrection, when Guard mobilization was delayed by federal approval requirements.

The White House has not commented on the lawsuit, and the bill now awaits consideration in the Senate Armed Services Committee.

District residents “deserve the same protections and autonomy as every other American city,” Schwalb said, emphasizing that unchecked presidential power over local forces “is both unlawful and dangerous.”

5 Through the “District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act,” Sen. Chris Van Hollen hopes to strip the president of unilateral authority over the D.C. National Guard. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

AROUND THE REGION

Seventh grader Simone Mabrey reads The Washington Informer. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

The 2025 National Book Festival, hosted by the Library of Congress, united bookworms like Amber Wheeler, Tiffany O’Neal, Liv Smith, and Ivuka Onwukewe, who met during the event celebrating literature at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sept. 6. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

from Page 1

and world.

“At a time when our people’s spirit is low, when many are frightened by the military occupation of our city, it’s a time to bring us together in a sense of community spirit of love and unity,” Wilson told The Informer. “[We want] harmony… and [hopefully the march] will have a great effect, decreasing the amount of Black on Black crime and homicide in our community.”

Before a gathering of about 50 people, Wilson and other local organizers revealed details of the upcoming Million Man March and Unifest at a news conference on Sept. 3, one week after The Informer broke the news of the events’ revival.

Senior pastor emeritus of Union Temple, Wilson emphasized the programming will offer a sense of spirituality, strength and empowerment for Black people across the District, nation and world.

“This commemoration is a call to action for our people to stand up and recommit to the values and principles of the Million Man March and Unifest,” he told the crowd. “We are honoring the past while building bridges for the future. Reconciliation and responsibility are not just themes—they are practices we must live every day.”

The 30th Anniversary Million Man March and Unifest will take place Oct. 16-18, in the midst of the District grappling with more federal interference— as the U.S. Army announced on Sept. 5 that its troops will be stationed in civilian areas and neighborhoods in D.C. until Nov. 30.

Serving as moderator for the Sept. 3 press conference, Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes underscored the important and historic nature of the two events, noting the activities that will take place will be chronicled for generations to come.

“You are the storytellers, you will tell the history,” Barnes said. “We cannot let this moment pass up.”

A Month of Programming: Million Man March and Unifest

While the signature events will take place in October, the procession of activities starts on Sept. 22 and continues Sept. 29, Oct. 6 and Oct. 13.

“What we will have on those days are Monday Morning Prayer Calls that will happen from 7 a.m.-7:15 a.m.,” Wilson said, noting prayer leaders from the D.C. area and Baltimore will par-

5 Multitudes of African American boys and men gather on the National Mall on Oct. 16, 1995 for the Million Man March. The Rev. Willie E. Wilson plans to bring back The Million Man March and Unifest, to promote unity among Black Washingtonians. (Courtesy Photo/Nation of Islam)

ticipate. “The spirituality of our people must be the core of our people.”

On Oct. 12, there will be a Special Sunday Prayers for the City that will involve pastors and churches from all eight of the District’s wards.

The Special prayers service will take place on that day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

On Oct. 13, there will be the Historic Landmark Torch Run.

“We will run from Marion Barry Avenue to the Barry Farm development,” said Wilson. “We want to hit key places in Anacostia. We also will go to the Anacostia Community Museum because we know that it is under attack.”

The actual 30th anniversary of the Million Man March on Oct. 16 includes: Unity Prayer Breakfast in Baltimore from 4-6 p.m., a Lantern Peace Walk Across the 11th Street Bridge from 4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. and Spiritual Service and Recommitment Rally from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

“Some of us are going to Baltimore for the prayer breakfast,” said Wilson. “It is being sponsored by the Baltimore Local Organizing Committee. The Baltimore Organizing Committee was founded after the first Million Man March in 1995 and has continued to operate.”

In addition, there will be a Day of Atonement and Reconciliation Fast & Prayer taking place on Oct. 17 “from sunrise to sunset,” Wilson said. Additionally, on Oct. 18 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m., there will be an event, “Revive the Spirit of the Million Man March & Beloved Unifiest.”

“We wanted to take this to the community,” Wilson told The Informer. “We wanted to highlight the great history of this community. The Piscataway Indian Nation will be participating with us; they will do a prayer vigil. During the day on Oct. 16, we will have youth,

women and a focus on the Black family.”

Local, National, International Leaders Support 30th Anniversary Events

As planning for the 30th anniversary is underway, Wilson said he spoke with the Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, convenor of the 1995 Million Man March on the National Mall, who gave the Union Temple pastor emeritus his blessing.

Having participated in the original Million March, the Rev. Mark Thompson, who has strong roots in the District, said he has learned that 30th anniversary events are happening in cities around the country.

“There will be events in New York City, Atlanta, Jackson, [Mississippi], Detroit and even Waterloo, Iowa,” Thompson told The Informer.

Other supporting organizations include the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, the Anacostia Coordinating Council and Alliance of Concerned Men. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s (SCLC) chapter in Prince George’s County, Maryland has also signed on as a supporter.

While many of the speakers during the Sept. 3 press conference did not delve into politics, the Rev. George Gilbert of the Holy Trinity United Baptist Church, said he and other faith leaders have a strong mission going into the Million Man March three decades later.

“We (as a city) are in a survival mode,” he said. “Our city is targeted. Black folks are targeted.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Maryland Leaders React to Trump’s Threats to Send Troops to Baltimore

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Leaders around Maryland are pushing back after President Donald Trump (R) announced upcoming plans to deploy troops to other cities beyond Washington, D.C. — where the National Guard has been patrolling since Aug. 11— including Baltimore.

“We’d go into Baltimore, straighten it out very quickly, too. You know why they respect our soldiers? You see our soldiers. They respect our soldiers. We’d go there, too. But we’re going to have peo-

ple asking us to go,” Trump said.

“They’re going to want to.”

Baltimore has seen historic reductions in homicide and violent crime in recent years, with many observers crediting community partnerships and violence interruption programs for improving public safety.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who was awarded a Bronze Star last year, strongly opposes sending troops to Baltimore and has said that restoring violence prevention funding would be a better form of assistance for the state.

“The National Guard is not trained for this. The National Guard is trained for things like natural disasters and emergencies and deploying overseas. I have too much respect for the members of our National Guard to put them on missions that they are not

trained for and missions that I took an oath to make sure that we were going to always be cognizant and protective of our usage of the members of our National Guard,” said Moore during a Sept. 3 press conference. “I’m not going to do things because it makes people feel good or because we think that people walking around in military fatigues and a long gun somehow makes communities safer.”

Senior U.S. District Judge Charles R. Breyer issued a ruling that previous troop deployments in Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which limits the federal government’s ability to operate as law enforcement. This ruling will be enacted on Sept. 12.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D- Md.) said Trump’s threats to invade our

3 Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, strongly opposes sending troops to Baltimore and contends restoring violence prevention funding would be a better form of assistance for the state. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts)

cities are “not the answer.”

“Trump should stop playing political games with federal law enforcement. We’ve already worked successfully to increase the presence of FBI, DEA, and ATF agents in Baltimore and, by working in coordination with the Mayor and local law enforcement, we have made important progress in strengthening public safety,” said Van Hollen.

In addition, Maryland Democratic Reps. Kweisi Mfume and Johnny Olszewski have both spoken against deploying troops to Baltimore.

State Senator Mary Washington (D- Baltimore) described the efforts to deploy troops to cities across the nation as “an affront to our way of life and the dignity of the people.”

“Overriding the governor is not just a violation of law; it is an affront to the people of Baltimore, stripping them of the leaders they elected to protect and serve their community,” Washington said in a statement. “These protections are not symbolic; they exist to safeguard the rights of the people of Maryland and Baltimore that they have vested in their chosen leaders. To override them is to disregard the will of the voters, subvert the lawful chain of command, and erode the constitutional guardrails that keep federal power in check.” WI

(Robert R. Roberts/The

Washington Informer)

6 Gloria Sistrunk, Prince George’s County Councilmember Wala Blegay, Sandra Campbell, and Jovi Leftridge volunteer at the Downtown Largo Festival.

Join us for a relaxing day of wine tasting, craft beer, live music, delicious food, and endless fun at the scenic Patuxent River Park.

SIP & SAVOR

Enjoy tastings from local wineries and breweries while grooving to live musical entertainment.

RELAX & UNWIND

Bring your blanket or chair and lounge under the open sky – or upgrade your experience with our exclusive VIP area or private group tent options.

Location: Patuxent River Park, 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772

GATHER YOUR FRIENDS, RAISE A GLASS, AND UNWINE WITH US!

4 Karen Bolding and Kathy Anderson teach festival goers how to make their own toothpaste, mouthwash, and skin care products at the Downtown Largo Festival.

6 Festival goers making their own hygiene products at the Downtown Largo Festival on Sept. 6 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Rep. Ivey Criticizes Continued National Guard Deployment in D.C.

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Writer

With years as a prosecutor under his belt, Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey (D) is pushing back on the decision to deploy the National Guard— many from southern states with Republican governors— and continue working with them in order to quell crime in the nation’s capital.

While President Donald Trump’s 30-day deployment of the D.C. National Guard was set to expire Sept. 10, District Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) signed an executive order on Sept. 2 promising “indefinite cooperation” between Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials and federal agencies, through December.

“Since August 11, 2025, due to the cooperative efforts between District and federal officials, violent crime in the District has noticeably decreased,” Bowser wrote in an order introducing the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center (SBEOC). “In addition to the current federal law enforcement surge, federal law enforcement continues to independently enforce federal law.”

Ivey argued that military deployments are not a sustainable or

long-term solution to crime in the nation’s capital.

“I first became a federal prosecutor here in 1990, and we had nearly 500 homicides annually during that time frame. We still have violent crime 30 years later, and a 30day presence for the military doesn’t fix it,” he said. “We all know that: you need long-term solutions with long-term people in place, and you need intervention programs. Not people in camouflage and armored vehicles who aren’t able to take things to court or do arrests.”

While Bowser reported the National Guard’s presence has helped to lower crime in D.C. neighborhoods, the Maryland congressman praised federal and local efforts that decreased crime in recent years, which was reportedly at a 30-yearlow at the time Trump announced the MPD takeover.

“They have been doing an outstanding job of integrating enforcement with intervention and prevention programs,” he said. “We want to reach out to kids who are in trouble before it gets to a bad point. The Biden administration put programs in place to do just that, and one of the first things the Trump administration did was eliminate these programs.”

WI

5 Congressman Glenn Ivey speaks during a Sept. 2 press conference to oppose deploying troops to cities across the U.S. (Courtesy Photo/Office of Congressman Glenn Ivey

BUSINESS

from Page 1

I don’t mind the National Guard. They are nice and friendly and don’t bother people.”

Managing the Union Station location, Banks–daughter of Stacie Lee Banks, co-owner and president of Lee’s Flower and Card Shop–is one of the many Washingtonians balancing running a business amid the federal officers surge in the District.

While organizations such as The Greater Washington Board of Trade have issued statements saying that it “shares the priority of keeping our communities safe and ensuring people and businesses thrive without disruption,” some establishments have already begun to experience a shift since the National Guard assumed control of the Metropolitan Police Department in August.

In his lawsuit suspending National Guard activity in the District, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb said that the presence of the units has driven business away from city entrepreneurs.

Despite Banks’ feelings about the president’s overall policies, she feels the National Guard’s presence at Union Station is just the right thing at this time.

“I feel protected,” she said. “Protection was needed. There have been some violent incidents that I thought could have been handled better by the police here. You had

kids from school coming here and acting up before. You don’t have that now.”

Black Business Owners Speak About the Federal Takeover

The D.C. Chamber of Commerce is reassuring Washingtonians and people all over the world: “D.C. is safe, open for business, thriving and ready to welcome visitors.”

While the chamber did not directly address the federal officers surge, the organization, according to a statement, also highlighted the contributions of District leaders, noting “violent crime has been reduced by almost 30%, to get us to a three-decade low.”

Banks said she feels that tourists and residents can come to Union Station to do business with the National Guard present.

“People shop here and it is peaceful,” she said. “They eat at the restaurants here and wait for the train or bus without being hassled.”

Banks said the National Guard presence has not affected her business.

“It has had no impact, negative or positive,” she said.

Banks is not the only African American business person who has voiced support for more law enforcement officers being present.

Marc Barnes, owner of The Park at 14th, a Northwest nightclub and

not affected his business, and has actually noticed less cars being broken into near his Northwest establishment. (WI File Photo/Shevry Lassiter)

restaurant that is popular in the Washington metropolitan area, also views the added law enforcement as beneficial.

“I think it is a good thing,” said Barnes of the increased law enforcement presence by the federal government. “The troops haven’t affected us at all. As a matter of fact, I have noticed that people’s cars have not been broken into.”

Downtown BID President and CEO Gerren Price said, however, that some of the businesses in his

district have had concerns about the federal troops.

“We’ve actually seen through the numbers that there’s a little bit of a decrease in foot traffic on a dayto-day basis,” Price said on WUSA Channel 9 on Aug. 29. “We’ve had on average 12,000 fewer people on our streets compared to this time, same time last year.”

Nevertheless, he said the District is safe and people can come there to shop and enjoy themselves.

“We’re really encouraging peo-

ple to continue to dine at our local restaurants, continue to visit those cultural institutions because they need your support now more than ever,” he said.

While Banks and Barnes are supportive, Burnie Williams, the owner of Chat’s Liquor on Capitol Hill is more skeptical.

“The National Guard hasn’t affected my business because they are not posted right in front of my BUSINESS Page 41

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5 Marc Barnes, owner of the Park at 14th, during the 2021 RAMMY Awards and Gala. Barnes says the National Guard in D.C. has

Robert F. Smith Tells Virginia Union to ‘Lead Boldly’ Black Billionaire Pushes New Book, Entrepreneurship

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

Robert F. Smith, the founder, chairman and CEO of private equity firm Vista Equity Partners based in Austin, Texas traveled to the campus of Virginia Union University in Richmond to talk about his new book, “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” and the challenges of entrepreneurship on Aug. 27.

“It is a joy and a pleasure to have Robert F. Smith here with us at Virginia Union University,” said Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, president of the institution. “We are proud to welcome him to our campus to share his insights on

what it means to lead boldly in today’s world—and how our students and community can do the same.”

Smith was the main speaker for The Public Fireside Chat on Leadership, Legacy and Economic Justice sponsored by the university. Having founded Vista Equity Partners in 2000, Smith has amassed enough wealth to be recognized as the second wealthiest Black person in the U.S., and, at one time, was the wealthiest.

Forbes magazine estimates that Smith is worth $10.6 billion.

In his first time at Virginia Union University and in Richmond, Smith received a grand welcome.

In welcoming him, Richmond Mayor Danny Avula presented Smith with the Key to the City.

“It was an honor meeting Mr. Smith at Virginia Union University, one of the oldest HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) in the United States,” said Avula, in front of a gathering of 60 people. “It is an honor to present Mr. Smith with the Key to the City, one of the highest honors a mayor can give, reserved for those who strengthen communities, and create meaningful, lasting legacies.”

Smith Talks Book and Journey, Receives Honors

Smith said he got the idea of writing the book from his research on the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, noting his research and interest in King led him to the Rev. Bernice King, his daughter.

The celebrated civil rights leader’s daughter, a freedom fighter in her own right, endorsed the idea of a book by Smith, saying she believed that he would promote economic justice in the way her father did. Smith, 62, said he understands the importance of economic justice.

“My generation is the first generation to have full access to civil rights,” he said. “As we can see, the present aperture can close.

But young people can make the change.”

He talked about a hateful racial incident involving one of his relatives but didn’t express bitter feelings, saying “hate runs deep but our love is stronger.”

“But we move on and that is our job as leaders,” he said.

He encouraged members of the audience to take risks as they pursue their interests.

“When I decided to leave Goldman Sachs earlier in life, my granddad thought I was crazy,” he said. “Granddad did not take risks, but I want you all to do so.”

In addition to working with Bernice King, Smith said the late Harry Belafonte urged him to get involved in the fight for economic justice.

“He sat me down one day and passed that torch to me,” said Smith. “I was deeply honored. He told me to push past your fears and go into the arena.”

In addition to the Key to the City, presidents of Virginia’s historically Black colleges and universities attended the event, celebrating Smith’s contributions to HBCUs and empowering African American students.

Darrell K. Williams, the president of Hampton University, gave Smith a citation, noting that the billionaire donated more than $700,000 to the institution.

“That $736,000 added much to Hampton’s $2.1 billion endowment,” Williams said.

He also received presidential honors from Virginia State University and Norfolk State University Presidents Makola M. Abdullah and Javaune Adams-Gaston.

As president of Virginia Union, Lucas and the chair of the university board of trustees presented Smith with an honorary doctorate.

Victor Rogers, a resident of Richmond, said the Smith Fireside Chat was inspiring.

“I love it,” said Rogers, 40. “He came here and brought a lot of good advice and wisdom. I liked his humble approach; he did not brag. He left a positive lasting impression on me.” WI @JamesWrightJr10

5 Robert F. Smith, founder of Vista Equity Partners, is the second wealthiest African American in the U.S. (Courtesy Photo/Vista Equity Partners)

Study: Homes Sales in Prince George’s County Slow Down in July

By James Wright WI Staff Writer

After nine months of steady growth, Prince George’s County home sales cooled in July, reflecting both the usual summer slowdown and buyers waiting for further mortgage rate relief.

The Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS® (PGCAR) reports a 5.1% month-over-month drop in sales, with total sales volume down 7.3% to $315 million, despite ongoing national economic uncertainty, rising inventory and strong demand continue to sustain the local market and home values. Furthermore, mortgage rates averaged 6.67% in July, just 0.1% above July 2024.

Compared with June 2025, the Median Sold Price slipped 1.2% to $447,887, and the Average Sold Price declined 2.9% to $457,378. However, the Average Price per Square Foot held steady at $252, showing that Prince George’s County home values remain consistent when adjusting for home size.

“Prince George’s County continues to offer exceptional opportunities. While the number of sellers entering the market eased 5.7% during July, overall availability of “for sale” homes has slowly improved through 2025,” said Arnita Greene, PGCAR president and REALTOR® with Capital Structures Real Estate. “With mortgage rates stabilizing and value holding, buyers now have more options, while sellers continue to enjoy strong equity gains and an average 98.8% of Original Listing Price in contract value.”

Greene noted that despite the tough housing market and for some, employment outlook, homeowner-

5 Arnita Greene is the president of the Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS and a realtor with Capital Structures Real Estate. (Courtesy Photo/ PGCAR)

ship is still a solid investment.

“Homeownership is one of the smartest financial and lifestyle decisions you can make,” Greene added. “Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, now is the time to act. From fast sales and strong returns for sellers to expanding inventory and financial tools for buyers, Prince George’s County remains one of the top-performing markets in the greater Maryland - Washington, D.C. - Northern Virginia region and across the nation.

Connect with a REALTOR to be your expert in today’s market. Let a REALTOR®’s expertise guide you towards, advise, manage, and close on a successful purchase or sale!”

WI

@JamesWrightJr10

Celebrating Black Business Month: Building Legacy Through Enterprise

By Aimee D. Griffin, Esq.

August is Black Business Month—a time to spotlight the vision, resilience, and achievements of Black entrepreneurs, and to reflect on the enduring legacies being crafted through their enterprises. This celebration reminds us that Black-owned businesses are more than economic engines; they are cornerstones of community strength, cultural preservation, and generational advancement.

For generations, Black entrepreneurship has been both a refuge and a beacon—a path forward amid systemic barriers. Today, business ownership remains one of the most powerful tools for building generational wealth. More than profit-making enterprises, Black-owned businesses carry the values, history, and cultural identity of families and communities.

Yet the statistics highlight the urgency of planning for continuity. National studies show that only about 30 percent of family-owned businesses survive into the second generation, about 13 percent into the third, and just 3 percent into the fourth. These numbers remind us that the dream does not always outlive the dreamer unless intentional strategies are in place.

Succession planning is the difference between enduring legacy and lost promise. Nearly two-thirds of family-owned companies lack a documented succession plan, which often leaves the next generation unprepared. Without a roadmap, transitions can lead to conflict, stalled growth, or even the closure of a business that once sustained an entire community.

By preparing early—through estate planning, training future leaders, and creating structures of accountability—Black entrepreneurs can preserve their legacies and strengthen the foundation for those who follow. Succession is not just about passing on wealth; it’s about passing on wisdom, leadership, and opportunity.

When Black businesses thrive, the entire Black community benefits. These enterprises are often located in neighborhoods where jobs are scarce and opportunity is limited. They provide employment, mentorship, and role models for younger generations. They also circulate dollars within the community, creating economic ecosystems that build resilience against outside shocks.

Studies consistently show that money spent at Black-owned businesses is more likely to recirculate within Black communities, supporting schools, churches, civic organizations, and other small businesses. In this way, each successful enterprise becomes a multiplier—strengthening families while uplifting entire neighborhoods.

Just as importantly, Black-owned businesses often sponsor community programs, mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, and serve as advocates for equity. Their impact stretches beyond the bottom line to include social capital, political influence, and cultural continuity.

As we celebrate Black Business Month, we honor more than the accomplishments of today—we celebrate the futures being secured for tomorrow. Black-owned businesses are beacons of resilience, innovation, and empowerment. By prioritizing succession planning now, entrepreneurs can ensure that their legacies endure, their values persist, and their communities continue to grow stronger.

At Life & Legacy Counselors, we partner with dedicated business owners to help them build that bridge to the future. Through thoughtful estate planning, succession strategies, and legacy-focused guidance, we empower our clients to protect what they’ve built—and position their businesses for long-lasting impact.

of keeping our community informed!

www. washingtoninformer .com

Aimee D. Griffin, Esq.

Life and Legacy Counselors 1401 Mercantile Lane, Ste 271, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Ste 440 Washington, DC 20015 1100 N. Glebe Road, Ste 1010, Arlington, VA 22201

www.yourestateplanningattorney.com (855) 574-8481 connects all locations

NATIONAL

New Smithsonian Memo Demonstrates a Fight with Trump over American History

‘Our Independence is Paramount’

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

The Smithsonian Institution has launched an internal review of its programming after President Donald Trump ordered sweeping oversight of its exhibitions, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from scholars, curators, and the Black community.

In a new memo to staff, Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III said the institution would respond to White House demands but

underscored that “our independence is paramount.”

The White House letter directed the Smithsonian to submit information about programming at eight of its 21 museums, with the administration reserving the right to demand content changes within 120 days. Trump has accused the institution of being “out of control,” focusing too heavily on slavery and systemic racism, while not celebrating what he called “success” and “brightness” in American history.

Bunch, the first African Amer-

ican to lead the Smithsonian, told staff the review would be conducted internally and guided by “rigorous scholarship and expertise.”

The New York Times reported that his letter to the White House was approved by the Smithsonian’s three-person executive committee, though not voted on by the full Board of Regents, which includes Vice President J.D. Vance and Chief Justice John Roberts.

“Our own review of content to ensure our programming is factual and nonpartisan is ongoing,” Bunch added, “and it is consistent with our authority over our programming and content.”

Smithsonian’s Future Under Threat

Trump’s March executive order, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” specifically cited the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) for what he called “divisive, anti-patriotic content.”

That museum, which opened in 2016, has long been hailed for unearthing untold stories of Black history. Now, its very mission is under political attack.

In a letter obtained by BlackPressUSA.com earlier this year, Bunch assured staff that the Smithsonian would remain committed to “truth, transparency, and historical scholarship.”

“We remain steadfast in our mission to bring history, science, edu-

cation, research, and the arts to all Americans,” Bunch wrote. “We will continue to showcase world-class exhibits, collections, and objects, rooted in expertise and accuracy.”

A Battle Over American Memory

The fight over Smithsonian content is the latest flashpoint in what experts call a broader campaign to rewrite or sanitize history.

Dr. Jerry W. Washington, an education scholar writing in The Medium, called the executive order part of “the fight over American memory,” linking it to years of attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and the political weaponization of “critical race theory.”

Historians argue that the White House push represents an effort to politicize museum content, under-

mining the Smithsonian’s role as a nonpartisan presenter of American history.

“The consequences are real,” Washington warned. “This is about more than exhibits. It’s about erasing the truths that make America whole.”

The Smithsonian, created by Congress in 1846 as a trust, has long balanced autonomy with reliance on federal funding for much of its $1 billion budget. While the White House insists its review seeks only to “replace divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate and constructive descriptions,” critics argue that such directives threaten to erase the painful but essential parts of America’s story.

“The Smithsonian is rooted in rigorous scholarship and expertise, nonpartisanship, and accuracy,” Bunch told his staff. WI

5 A group of protestors at the #HandsOffOurHistory march in May. The Smithsonian Institution is undergoing an internal review of its programming after President Donald Trump ordered sweeping oversight of its exhibitions. (WI File Photo)

POLLS from Page 4

“Despite media networks being ordered to try [to] drown it out, Trump gets clearly boo’d at the U.S. Open during the national anthem.

The most hated president in the history of America,” social media user Jeff Rudd, founder of the UnitedPeople Party in Ireland, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Trump’s attempts to control the narrative have extended beyond sporting events. On Sept. 6, he posted an AI-generated image of himself styled as Robert Duvall’s character from the film “Apocalypse Now” (1979) hovering over a war-torn Chicago skyline with helicopters and fire. He captioned the image, “Chicago about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” while adding, “I love the smell of deportations in the morning.”

The post drew immediate rebukes.

“The President of the United States is threatening to go to war with an American city. This is not a joke. This is not normal,” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker wrote on X. “Don-

ald Trump isn’t a strongman; he’s a scared man.”

Meanwhile, the NBC News poll found that 40% of Americans described themselves as either “angry” or “furious” about Trump’s presidency, while only 27% of Republicans said they are “thrilled.”

Just 39% of Americans approve of his handling of inflation, and 41% approve of his handling of trade and tariffs, which demonstrates deep

frustration not only with Trump’s approach to power but with the economic toll his policies continue to take.

“It is clear that rising costs and inflation are top concerns for Americans—and they believe the Trump administration’s policies are making things worse,” Rep. George Latimer (D-N.Y.) wrote on X. “We need economic policies that help working families, not the ultra-wealthy.” WI

SHOP

The Future Depends on Us

DC PLUG is a multi-year project that is designed to protect the District’s most vulnerable power lines by placing them underground and improving grid resiliency where you work, live and play.

3A sign from the People’s March in January 2025, the weekend before President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Multiple polls reveal Americans are increasingly fed up with Trump’s second term. (WI File Photo)

5People march against President Donald Trump’s policies during a Free D.C. press conference in August. With plans to expand federal occupation into more cities, and polls revealing frustrations with his economic policies, Trump’s approval ratings are seeing a decline. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

n Business Cards

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n Contracts & Vouchers

n Church Fans

n Fax &

n Posters & Signs n Tithe Envelopes n Tickets & Flyers n T-Shirts n Mugs & Glassware n Notary

Luzia Brings Mexico’s Magic to Tysons

Soleil Production Transforms

Top into A Mexican Dreamscape

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

With storytelling featuring enthralling acrobatics, meticulous set designs and striking costumes, Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia transports audiences to an imaginary Mexico filled with surreal imagery from start to finish, directly inspired by the Central American country.

From Sept. 6 to Oct. 19, audiences will have the opportunity to experience the production’s magic at Lerner Town Square at Tysons in Virginia for the first time since 2018.

“It’s really a personal story that the writer and director wanted to share and… collaborate with his designers and other people that had this love of the culture and this love of the place and of each other,” Luzia’s artistic director, Gracie Valdez, told The Informer. “It’s a love letter to the country as opposed to [an] advertisement.”

Luzia, which first premiered in 2016, was inspired by creator Daniele Finzi Pasca’s love for Mexico and its culture after traveling and living there for over a decade. The show’s plot follows the adventures of a parachuter through a dreamlike time and place, encountering various characters and locations, including hummingbirds, scuba divers, the jungle and a 1930s-inspired movie theater.

Charlie Wagner, the show’s publicist, has seen Luzia over 100 times and is still left in awe alongside audiences with every performance.

“Yes, it’s a Cirque du Soleil show, but there’s a poetic aspect to [it] that I feel is different from other Cirque shows the way they’ve done it,” Wagner told The Informer while looking at the stage in admiration.

Luzia’s Magic Lies in the Elements

The title Luzia is a combination of the Spanish words “luz” and “lluvia,” meaning “light” and “rain,” respectively. Throughout the show, the main character is guided by both natural agents rep-

resented by different props.

In this production, a 22-footlong 4,000-pound disk inspired by the Aztec Calendar overlooks the stage and depicts light, acting as both the sun and the moon, made possible by the light box inside.

“I think everything that you will see is inspired by Mexican culture,” Valdez told The Informer. “The size of the disk… for example, is representative of the grandeur of the pyramids. It’s not necessarily literal, but it’s representative.”

Luzia portrays rain by incorporating water into its aerobics, which sets the show as a pioneering production, as no other touring Cirque du Soleil performance has ever done such a thing. The show features a rain curtain, which is executed through a basin under the stage that pumps water to the bridge above the stage. This element is executed with 10,000 liters of water throughout the entire production, the same supply recycled for as long as the show is playing in a specific city.

“One of the main challenges is having a dry stage,” Wagner said. She explained to The Informer that the stage, containing two rotating rings and a center platter, has tens of thousands of small holes that drain the water back into the 5,000-liter basin it originally came from. The water is disinfected and kept at approximately 102 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that cast

members can easily perform and interact with it. When traveling from the trough to the stage, the water loses about 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

The first time the rain curtain is used is during a desert scene, where the characters onstage are in distress due to the arid setting. When the water comes down, drenching them, the performers are relieved. In other instances, various shapes and images are projected adding even more of an engaging element for the audience.

“If you think about the water and where we use it, it shows up both when you least expect it and when it’s needed in the scenes,” Valdez told The Informer. “You’re able to see the technology, but also see how it will kind of rejuvenate and revive the set itself, and it changes the tableau into something else.”

Soccer, Dance and Culture Collide

One of the scenes that utilizes the rain curtain features two characters juggling a soccer ball with their feet, backs and heads, as a direct ode to Mexico’s most popular sport.

Guinean freestyle soccer player Aboubacar Traore has starred in this portion of the show since its debut.

Traore began playing soccer ca-

5 Two days ahead of the Sept. 6 opener, acrobats who play hummingbirds in Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia warm up before their hoop diving practice on a giant treadmill, one of the show’s many extravagant set pieces. (Mya Trujillo/The Washington Informer)

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

While there is a lot of uncertainty around the housing market in 2025, affordability still remains a top challenge for homebuyers – especially firsttime home buyers who, according to a 2025 Bankrate survey, often cite the upfront costs of homeownership as the biggest barrier to homeownership. And a 2023 study from LendingTree shows that while 39% of homebuyers nationwide use financial assistance, around 22% look to their friends and family for help vs. tapping into available local resources.

Here’s how those in New York can access assistance programs and how they can address some of the upfront costs of homeownership.

What are my down payment assistance program options?

Down payment assistance programs aim to make housing more affordable and can be used to address the upfront costs of homeownership. Some down payment assistance options, which span government, municipalities, non-profits, local lenders and so on, include:

• Grants: Homebuyers can receive

How New York Homebuyers Can Save On A Down Payment

funds to put toward their down payment—which can be available at the local, state and lender-level. Homebuyer grants may also cover closing costs if you already have the full down payment amount, and may be stacked with other forms of assistance. For example, Chase offers a homebuyer grant of up to $5,000 when purchasing homes in 15,000 eligible areas in the country, including qualifying neighborhoods in New York City.

• Forgivable loans: Also known as second mortgage down-payment assistance programs, these are low-interest or no-interest down payment loans that may be forgivable. In order to qualify for forgiveness, you may have to satisfy certain requirements. In most cases, borrowers may have to continue to own and live in the home after a period of time to avoid repayment of the loan.

• Deferred-payment loans:

These tend to be zero- or low-interest loans that offer a fixed rate to help cover down payment and closing costs. Typically, payments are not due unless you sell the home or refinance your mortgage. If you decide to sell and have a zero-interest deferred-payment loan, you might only have to pay back the amount that you borrowed, regardless of how much time has gone by.

• Low-down payment loans: Outside of down payment assistance, there are a variety of low down payment mortgage options available with flexible credit requirements. These can be offered by the lender, such as Chase’s DreaMaker mortgage, or through government agency loans such as FHA, Standard Agency, etc. These loans may be as little as 3% down for a qualifying borrower.

How do home buyers know if they qualify?

Eligibility depends on a variety of factors. While each program has different eligibility requirements, some of the elements that determine how much help you can receive and on what terms include your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, income, number of people in your household and completion of a homebuyer education program. In some instances, the home purchase price cannot exceed the maximum limitations set by the agency offering assistance.

Each down payment assistance program requires its own application forms and process. By working with a local real estate or mortgage professional, you can gain insight and understanding on local programs offered by New York City. Additionally, prospective buyers can use the Chase Homebuyer Assistance Finder to research and identify assistance programs at the local, state and lender-level they may be eligible for.

Using mortgage calculators can help you estimate what you can afford, and consulting with mortgage professionals can provide tailored advice and alternative financing options to fit your situation. For more information, visit chase.com/afford.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do

not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services,

or other content.

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© 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

1. Bankrate survey: https:// www.bankrate.com/mortgages/home-affordability-report/#change-for-affordable-housing

2. LendingTree study: https:// www.lendingtree.com/home/ mortgage/down-payment-helpsurvey

HEALTH

Mental Health Disorders Driving Cardiovascular Health Disparities, New Study Warns

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

A sweeping review published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe has drawn a direct line between mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease (CVD), showing that individuals living with psychiatric conditions face not only a higher risk of heart problems but also a shorter life expectancy.

from Emory University, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Leeds, and others, concludes that people with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety live 10 to 20 years less on average, mainly due to heart disease.

The analysis shows that the connection between mental health and cardiovascular disease is not one-directional. The stress of a heart attack or stroke can trigger psychiatric disorders,

while psychiatric conditions themselves set the stage for heart disease.

The risks are striking as depression raises cardiovascular risk by 72%, schizophrenia by 95%, bipolar disorder by 57%, PTSD by 61%, and anxiety disorders by 41%.

“It is important to understand that stress, anxiety, and depression can affect your heart, just like other physical factors,” the paper noted, offering guidance for how doctors might begin crucial conversations with patients.

A Widespread Burden

One in four people will experience a mental health disorder in their lifetime, yet many go untreated and often receive poor cardiovascular care.

“Despite having more interactions with the health care system, they undergo fewer physical checkups and screenings and receive fewer diagnoses and treatments for CVD and its risk factors,” the authors reported.

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According to 2023 U.S. survey data cited in the study, more than half of those who met the criteria for a mental health disorder had not received any treatment, with even lower rates among non-White populations.

Researchers identified a cluster of overlapping drivers—poverty, trauma, social disadvantage, substance use, and poor access to health care—that amplify the dual risks of mental illness and cardiovascular disease.

Lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, and disrupted sleep patterns are also more common among people with psychiatric conditions.

The biological picture is equally troubling.

Dysregulation of the stress response system, inflammation, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction are all pathways through which psychiatric disorders may accelerate cardiovascular decline.

“Dysregulation of stress reactivity can result in the development of neuropsychiatric illnesses, inflammation and other stress-related disease states,” according to an October 2018 report “Factors promoting vulnerability to dysregulated stress reactivity and stress-related disease,” published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Library of Medicine.

3 A sweeping review reveals a direct line between mental health disorders and cardiovascular disease, showing that individuals living with psychiatric conditions face not only a higher risk of heart problems but also a shorter life expectancy.

(Courtesy Photo)

Breaking the Cycle

The study calls for a fundamental shift in medical practice.

“For the best care, an integrated approach is needed to address the complex needs of this vulnerable population,” the authors wrote. “Such approach should offer enhanced support and interdisciplinary care encompassing mental, cardiovascular, and behavioral health, as well as consideration of the social needs and barriers to care.”

Among the interventions reviewed, exercise emerged as one of the most effective treatments, improving both mood and heart health. Evidence shows that physical activity can deliver improvements on par with or greater than medication or psychotherapy for depression.

Mind-body practices like yoga and mindfulness, while requiring more evaluation, also show promise for improving outcomes across both mental and cardiovascular health.

“A large number of studies show that yoga benefits many aspects of cardiovascular health,” said Hugh Calkins, M.D., director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at Johns Hopkins. “There’s been a major shift in the last five years or so in the number of cardiologists and other professionals recognizing that these benefits are real.”

A Call to Integrate Care

The authors stressed that progress depends on health care systems breaking down the wall between physical and mental health.

For decades, treatment has been siloed, with psychiatrists focusing on the mind and cardiologists on the body. That separation, the study finds, has left millions vulnerable.WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

With COVID Rising, D.C. Faces New Vaccine Restrictions Under Kennedy

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

COVID activity in the District of Columbia remains low, but federal health data shows infections are beginning to climb nationally. The timing coincides with a controversial decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to restrict access to updated fall COVID-19 shots, raising fears about how the District may fare as respiratory virus season intensifies.

The FDA approved new shots only for seniors and those with certain medical conditions. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the move the last week of August, a sharp break from the prior guidance that recommended vaccination for nearly everyone six months and older.

“The FDA approved updated COVID-19 shots on Wednesday, but limited their use for many Americans, recommending them only for people 65 and older or those younger with a health condition that puts them at higher risk. So they want to keep seniors alive, but kill off younger folks,” writer, artist and social media user Michael Jackson Smith wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Has there ever been such a large conglomerate of idiots in D.C.?”

Kennedy — a longtime vaccine skeptic — recently dismissed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) advisory panel, re-

placing all 17 members with his own appointees, several of them vaccine opponents.

CDC surveillance shows that overall respiratory illness activity in D.C. is currently very low. COVID-related emergency department visits in the city remain at minimal levels, and both flu and RSV activity are also rated very low. Yet the CDC warns COVID cases are trending upward in most states, with the highest emergency department visits nationally among young children.

That risk looms large for D.C. families, where pediatricians have already sounded alarms.

Dr. Susan Kressly, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has called the FDA’s restrictions “deeply troubling,” noting that “any barrier to COVID-19 vaccination creates a dangerous vulnerability for children and their families” at the start of respiratory virus season.

For D.C.’s Black and brown communities, which suffered disproportionately during earlier COVID-19 surges, advocates warn the new policy could widen health disparities.

Access to vaccines outside the FDA’s approval now requires a doctor’s prescription, but many residents rely on neighborhood pharmacies for quick and affordable care. Without insurance, the shots can cost as much as $140, according to CDC’s vaccine price list. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

Date: Saturday, OCTOBER 4 Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm Location: SYCAMORE & OAK 1110 Oak Drive SE, Washington, DC (on the St. Elizabeths East Campus)

5 While COVID numbers remain low in the nation’s capital, despite a national rise in infections, Washingtonians and many Americans are at risk with the FDA’s recent decision to restrict COVID-19 shots to seniors and those with certain medical conditions. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)

EARTH OUR

EPA Endangerment Finding Faces Potential Rollback

Experts Warn of Public Health and Climate Impacts if Trump Administration Proposal is Authorized

By Mya Trujillo

WI Contributing Writer

While the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Endangerment Finding was established in 2009— providing science-based evidence that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are harmful to public health

and working to decrease emissions from power plants, vehicles and other polluting industries— the Trump administration has proposed rescinding it, a move climate advocates note puts Americans’ welfare at risk.

If the proposal is approved, various GHG emission regulations

placed on motor vehicles and engines will be revoked, even though transportation is the leading contributor to these emissions, accounting for 28% of them.

“With the withdrawal of the endangerment finding, it’s certainly

possible that we would see all vehicle emission standards of greenhouse gases instantly go away,” said Chris Field, director of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, during an Aug. 21 media briefing regarding the proposal. “It is really important that there be a uniform standard, and the endangerment finding has been a foundation for providing that.”

In 2007, Massachusetts and 11 other states presented a lawsuit to the EPA, demanding the agency take steps toward reducing GHG emissions. The Supreme Court ruled that these heat-trapping gases are considered air pollutants, which later led to the establishment of the Endangerment Finding. The gases covered by the Obama-era finding are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride.

According to the EPA’s Climate Change Indicators, carbon dioxide emissions decreased in the U.S. from 5.5 million metric tons to 5.1 million metric tons between 2009 and 2022. While this reduction isn’t enormous, it shows progress, which could be a result of the precautionary measures taken to curb air pollution due to the findings.

“Global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are still rising as a result of rapid economic development in many countries around the world,” Field said.

The Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research found that between 1990 and 2022, GHG

emissions worldwide increased by 8.3%, meaning there’s still a need for preventative initiatives to protect the Earth’s atmosphere and hinder global warming.

“But the U.S. and other rich countries are mostly now in a period of gradual decline in greenhouse gas emissions associated with locally strong and in some cases, effective regulations that really lead the way to eventually reaching net zero emissions,” Field continued.

Air Pollution to Surge if Regulations are Revoked

If the Endangerment Finding is rolled back, the burning of fossil fuels will potentially increase, worsening pollution and decreasing air quality across the U.S.

Further, Without the finding’s regulations, particle pollution, the emission of solids and liquids into the air by pollutant industries like power plants and vehicles, could increase.

According to the American Lung Association (ALA), poor air quality is a threat to both children and adults, causing symptoms including: wheezing and coughing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and lung cancer. Worsening air quality and potentially rolled-back regulations could be detrimental to the health of Black communities as well, since residential segregation has caused many to live closer to

5 Activists marching against air pollution in Northeast, D.C.’s Ivy City neighborhood in November 2023. Cutting back greenhouse gas emission regulations will increase the risks of air pollution and climate change, putting people’s health in jeopardy and making some more susceptible to respiratory infections. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

EPA from Page 24

power plants and other polluters.

“This decision would not only stall American technological progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also disproportionately impact those who are most vulnerable to air pollution, including children, older adults and pregnant women,” the ALA said in a statement. “We urge EPA not to move forward with this harmful action and to instead prioritize the health and well-being of all communities.”

If the Trump administration’s proposal is approved and GHG emissions increase, then so will Earth’s temperature, causing severe weather that brings forth more health complications. Environmental advocates note that measures that help prevent rising temperatures are currently crucial, as 2024 was the hottest year since 1850, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) annual Global Climate Report.

Dr. Jeremy Hess, an emergency medicine physician and professor at the medical and public health schools at the University of Washington, speaking at the Aug. 21 briefing, emphasized that increased exposure to climate-induced hazards results in increased human health impacts.

“And those human health impacts vary by hazard, so for heat, for instance, we see increases in heat-related illnesses, heat exhaustion, heat stroke,” Hess said, “but heat also worsens a number of chronic diseases by stressing the body’s systems.”

Renewable Energy Progress at Risk

Rolling back the Endangerment Finding would also create uncertainty among industries that rely on stable, nationwide rules.

Field expressed concerns about a decline in progress in the renewable energy sector, especially since landfill gases (LFG) are mostly regulated on the state level and can be converted into alternative energy sources.

“[Landfill] gas emissions can actually be an important source of income for landfills that are operating conscientiously,” Field said.

Instead of being released into the atmosphere, LFG can be captured and collected through vertical and horizontal piping buried in a municipal solid waste landfill. Afterwards, the gas is processed and undergoes three different treatments to make it eligible for use.

The primary treatment removes moisture and moves the gas through a vapor-liquid separator, a filter and then a blower. In the second treatment, additional moisture and sulfur are removed and the LFG is compressed if needed. In the final treatment, any remaining impurities are removed, the gas is compressed again and it is ready to be used as an alternative energy source.

Field emphasized that keeping the Endangerment Finding intact is crucial to continue its role as a cornerstone of climate action.

“[The] withdrawal of the endangerment finding doesn’t change the EPA’s responsibility to regulate criteria pollutants,” Field said, “but it means that the legal foundation for regulating greenhouse gases goes away.” WI

OUR EARTH

5 Activists argue that the Environmental Protection Agency rolling back the Engagement Finding could put public welfare at risk. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts)

EDUCATION

Street Renaming Honors Deaf Education Advocate Louise B. Miller

By Shevry Lassiter WI Contributing Writer

District leaders, community members and family gathered to celebrate the 1200 block of T Street NW officially becoming Louise B. Miller Way, in recognition of the late advocate’s tireless efforts to secure quality education for deaf and hard of hearing students in the District of Columbia.

“In honor of D.C. residents who need this inspiration, in honor of a family that has helped to change the trajectory of our city, and one of our prime universities in the country, in

honor of Ms. Miller and her husband, and the fight that they fought to make education more equal in DC, I’m proud be here today,” said At-Large Councilmember Robert White (D), who led the unveiling ceremony and was among many of the prestigious guests in attendance.

Other attendees included: Councilmember Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Dr. Roberta Cardano, president of Gallaudet University, Frank Smith, president and CEO of the African American Civil War Memorial Museum, and Virginia Ali, owner of the celebrated Ben’s Chili Bowl.

A leading local disability rights and education equity advocate, Miller touched the lives of many through her work and continues to inspire today. Her journey as an advocate began with her own son, Kenneth Miller, who faced significant challenges in accessing a proper education because he was deaf. She began working toward fair education and initiatives on what is now the campus of Gallaudet University, a premier institution for deaf education.

The mother’s relentless efforts not only ensured that her son received the support he needed within the District of Columbia Public Schools, but also paved the way for many other deaf and hard of hearing students to benefit from a similar educational environment.

“One of the most powerful things about this story is just how this story reflects the lives of deaf people and, in this particular instance, the story and lives of Black deaf people that led to a change not only here in the District, but around the world,” said Cardano, Gallaudet’s president, who highlighted the significant impact of Miller’s advocacy on current education policies and practices.

In a letter read by one of the advocate’s grandson’s, Lonnie Bunch, director of the Smithsonian Institution,

commended Miller for her “visionary leadership” and her unwavering commitment to improve the lives of countless students and families.

Miller died in 1963, three years after her son finished high school, however her commitment to quality education for deaf students continues today.

Friends and disability rights advocates hope Louise B. Miller Way will serve not only as a lasting tribute to one woman’s extraordinary contributions, but also as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to ensure that all students, regardless of their hearing abilities, have access to quality education in D.C.

“This street will remind everyone of my grandmother’s commitment to love, education equality, and family,” said Melissa Irby, one of Miller’s grandchildren. WI

3The family of Louise B. Miller gathered at Thurgood Marshall Center in Northwest after unveiling the street sign honoring Mrs. Miller. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

3Kenneth Miller (right) stands at the corner of 12th & T Streets in Northwest, where the Louise B. Miller Way street sign hangs in honor of his late mother. Kenneth is joined by his brother Justin and his wife, and sister Carol. (Shevry Lassiter/ The Washington Informer)

5 Tracy K. Smith signs her book, “To Free the Captives: A Plea for the American Soul” during the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival at the Washington Convention Center on Sept. 6.

5 Author Channelle Desamours holds her book, “Needy Little Things” featured during the Library of Congress’ Book Festival held at the Washington Convention Center on Sept. 6.

(Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)

DC Chamber of Commerce

CHINYERE HUBBARD President & CEO

Charles County Chamber of Commerce

KATHY GUZMAN President & CEO

The Washington Informer

DENISE ROLARK BARNES, Publisher

Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce COURTNEY EDMONDS Board Chair

Greater Washington DC Black Chamber of Commerce

COREY ARNEZ GRIFFIN Board Chair

Northern VA Black Chamber of Commerce

TONYA POINDEXTER Board Chair

Trump

The Peril of RFK Jr.’s Health Agenda

is Facilitating an Unprecedented Setback on America’s Health

Conspiracy theories should not influence public health.

However, under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., America has taken a dangerous turn. His anti-vaccine campaign undermines years of progress and leaves the country—and the world—at risk of disaster if the next pandemic occurs.

The situation escalated when President Donald J. Trump abruptly fired— at Kennedy’s request— the newly appointed CDC director, Susan Monarez, leading to a mass exodus of senior CDC scientists. Among these officials was Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Daskalakis warned that “interference by RFK Jr. … threatens [s] the lives of the youngest Americans and pregnant people.”

Political considerations, rather than scientific integrity, are influencing policy.

Vaccine skepticism poses a serious threat. Immunization shields millions from diseases like measles, polio, and COVID-19. Further, eroding public trust now leaves us dangerously unprepared for future threats.

As U.S. leadership in global health diminishes, the consequences will extend worldwide, especially in regions where America once led vaccination efforts and outbreak responses.

Episodes of eccentricity and misinformation further damage Kennedy’s credibility. Having claimed that a worm once “got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died,” his credibility is questionable at best.

When such a figure influences health policy, the stakes are too high.

In the District of Columbia, the concern is palpable.

D.C. Health Director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt recently

warned, “The deliberate destruction of trust in America’s public health workforce puts lives at risk.”

That warning doesn’t come from a political pundit—it’s from a local health official on the frontline.

RFK Jr. is an embarrassing stain on the legacies of his Uncle Jack (former President John F. Kennedy), Ted (former Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy), and Bobby (former U.S. Attorney General and New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy), his father. America must restore science as the basis of health. Letting Kennedy’s anti-vaccine agenda influence policy is dangerous— and potentially deadly.

If we don’t restore confidence and capability now, we risk not only our health security but also global resilience. The world is not only watching, but also counting on us to lead.

WI

Black Community Must Remain Diligent for Target Boycott to Be Effective

The Rev. Jamal Bryant recently served as the guest preacher during a special prayer service at Metropolitan AME Church in Northwest D.C. on Aug. 28—the 62nd anniversary of the historic March on Washington.

During his remarks, he urged the Black Church to take the lead in a moral revival and confront white supremacy, urging African Americans to join an ongoing protest against Target and other companies who have eliminated diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

Bryant, a pastor and activist, started a 40-day “Target Fast” during the 2025 Lenten season after Target yielded to the 47th president’s executive order banning DEI programs within the federal government.

The fast has since evolved into an ongoing boycott and, according to Bryant, more than 200,000 people have pledged to join the protest, which has impacted Target’s stock and market value.

But instead of coming to the table and agreeing to any concessions, Target has chosen to play a game of “musical chairs,” changing its leadership but not its policies.

Bryant says we are being played by Target and has urged the Black community to ramp up efforts and refuse to shop at the chain.

He has also widened the focus of the protest/boycott to include Cracker Barrel, whose “Old Timer” logo has long been criticized fo evoking, if not celebrating, memories of American slavery.

On Aug. 19, Cracker Barrel unveiled a new logo, a rebranding effort, reportedly part of an initiative to modernize the brand and appeal to a younger, more diverse customer base. But by Aug. 26, the company announced that it would return to its former logo after public outrage from conservatives said the chain was bending to “woke” culture. White backlash was so

intense that Cracker Barrel yielded in just one week.

Meanwhile, the protest against Target continues. But we cannot give up.

Boycotts can be effective, but success depends on sustained, widespread participation, clear communication of specific demands, and a company’s vulnerability.

Historians often cite the Montgomery Bus Boycott as an example of how boycotts can be effective. But that protest lasted 381 days and was only resolved after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional. The city bus company, despite suffering significant financial losses, was unwilling to do the right thing and treat its Black patrons with the same respect afforded its white riders.

Sometimes, the more things change the more they stay the same. But with persistence and a united front, we shall overcome. WI

TO THE EDITOR

It’s hard to believe it’s been 24 years since the tragedy of Sept. 11. I still remember the day like it was yesterday and the pain our nation faced. I also remember the sense of unity and oneness with fellow Americans, like I had never experienced before. Let’s continue to remember and recognize the lives lost and our brave heroes whose sacrifices can never be overstated.

Billy Henry, Washington, D.C.

Thanks for another great issue! I especially enjoyed the piece on Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and the reflections from the community. It’s nice to give people their flowers while they can still smell them.

Ione Watson, Washington, D.C.

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

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

A. Scott Bolden

Trump Should Let African American Museum Tell the Truth About Slavery

President Donald Trump’s recent social media post complaining about how the Smithsonian Institution museums portray slavery is inaccurate, insulting and a national embarrassment.

“The Smithsonian is OUT OF CONTROL, where everything discussed is how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how

unaccomplished the downtrodden have been — Nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future,” Trump wrote. “We are not going to allow this to happen, and I have instructed my attorneys to go through the Museums …,” the president continued. “This Country cannot be WOKE because WOKE IS BROKE.”

Unfortunately, the leader of our nation appears to know as little about the Smithsonian museums as he does about the rules of capitalization in English.

Welcome Back, Cowards

Members of Congress have slithered their way back to Washington, many Democrats continuing to silently cower in the face of injustice, many Republicans kissing the ring (or something else) of their dystopian, distractive and disingenuous leader. In the middle, the people are suffering, and while Democrats offer some lip service opposition to oligarchal tyran-

“The vote is precious. It is almost sacred. It is the most powerful nonviolent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” – Rep. John Lewis

American democracy is under siege. As the nation approaches landmark civil rights anniversaries, efforts are underway in several

The president’s social media post followed an Aug. 12 letter to the Smithsonian by Trump administration officials demanding a “comprehensive internal review” of eight Smithsonian museums by the White House “to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.”

The directive mentioned in the letter was an executive order Trump issued in March denouncing “a

concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our nation’s history … as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed” and ordering an effort to “remove improper ideology” from Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo.

I’ve visited all the Smithsonian museums and never cease to be impressed by how they accurately educate visitors about history, culture, science and the arts in a nonpartisan manner. There is nothing “woke” about them.

My view of the National Museum of African American History and Culture aligns with the view a visitor expressed in 2017 when he praised it as “a truly great museum” that was “incredible,” “done with love” and “a meaningful reminder of why we have to fight bigotry, intolerance and hatred in all its very ugly forms.” That visitor in 2017 was President Trump. Too bad his view has changed.

Visitors to the African American museum first see powerful exhibits

ny, and Republicans continue to roll over like puppies on command, working people are dealing with rising prices, economic uncertainty and more.\

These people are capable of bipartisanship when it serves them.

For example, Congressional members Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) jointly held a press conference to highlight the women exploited by Trump’s buddy Jeffrey Epstein. Even Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Trump ally so accurately described by Jasmine Crockett as a “bleached

blonde bad built butch body,” weighed in to support Epstein’s victims, breaking ranks with her massa.

How did these people connect? How could they overcome the same partisanship that increases hunger, homelessness and decreases health access, to deal with Epstein? Democrats and Republicans both are guilty of buying into the president’s distractionary tactics. And prices keep rising. And some of our streets are being occupied. And the cowards keep cowering around economic issues while pander-

ing to the sideshow.

I’m not excusing the Epstein violations, nor the fact that this administration has pandered to the Epstein legacy by moving his pardon-seeking partner Ghislaine Maxwell from a restrictive prison to one of those country club ones.

But I’m wondering when this president and his team of sycophants move from the distractions to the real deal. Trying to fire people like Federal Reserve Governor Dr. Lisa Cook, or CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen

generates headlines, but what about the economy? Trump said he’d fix it. He hasn’t.

The cowards are back after their undeserved break, now what is their agenda? Congress holds the purse strings, by law, but they are letting the president snatch their authority by taking funds away from already congressionally funded initiatives. His impoundments, outlawed by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment

states to dismantle long-standing protections, most alarmingly, Louisiana’s recent petition to gut the Voting Rights Act.

Louisiana has taken the extraordinary step of refusing to defend its own congressional map, which includes two majority-Black districts, and instead urged the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down race-conscious redistricting frameworks established by Thornburg v. Gingles in 1986. That precedent ensures minority populations have a fair chance to elect representa-

tives of their choosing.

The state’s attorney general argues that such redistricting is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause, effectively challenging the applicability of Section 2 of the VRA. The case is scheduled to return to the Supreme Court on Oct. 15, as reported by MSNBC.

This move is more than a legal maneuver. It is a direct assault on Black political power. Legal scholars warn that if successful, it would pave the way for fewer

majority-minority districts not only in Louisiana but across the nation, decimating representation in Congress, statehouses and local governments.

The stakes are stark. As the 2025 State of Black America report reveals, America’s civil rights and democratic systems are in a state of emergency. The report outlines escalating efforts, from legislative rollback to coordinated disinformation, aimed at erasing decades of hard-won protections. This year’s theme is clear: democracy

cannot withstand silence or delay. Louisiana’s maneuver arrives at a critical moment. Black Louisianans make up nearly one-third of the state’s population. Only after extensive legal pressure did the state adopt a second majority-Black district for the 2024 elections. That change came following a federal court ruling in favor of Black voters under Section 2 of the VRA, which the U.S. Supreme Court allowed to stand in 2024.

Marc H. Morial

Julianne Malveaux

Guest Columnist

Guest Columnist

Guest

It’s

Not Just Who’s Elected — It’s Who They Hire

strength of our democracy.

effective, inclusive teams.

With Congress returning to session this month, all eyes will be on the lawmakers and the policies they’ll debate. But behind every legislative priority is a team of staffers, especially top staffers, doing the heavy lifting — crafting language, negotiating with other congressional offices, and ultimately shaping what becomes law. Who fills those roles quietly determines the

In March 2024, Congress disbanded the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) via a spending bill, shifting its functions to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), which provides administrative, technical, and operational services to House members and staff. Since 2020, ODI had led bipartisan efforts to expand diverse hiring across House offices. In January 2025, the House rules package formally dissolved ODI. Together, these changes reduced the dedicated infrastructure members once had to build

Top staffers are the mainstay of Congress yet are rarely in the spotlight. Top staffers provide services to all Americans, including shaping the trillions of dollars that make up the U.S. federal budget, working with the media to shape the narratives and news stories regarding the issues Americans care about, and providing oversight for federal agencies with nearly four million civilian and military workers.

People of color are better represented among House members than their top staffers, who draft legislation, ad-

dress constituent concerns, and manage members’ offices. Over a quarter (26%) of voting members of the U.S. House of Representatives sworn into the 119th Congress are people of color, but only 21.6% of all top House staff (i.e., chiefs of staff, legislative directors, and communications directors) are people of color and 6.0% of House personal office top staff are Black American. These low percentages are troubling, as people of color account for 42.9% of the U.S. population, and Black Americans make up 11.8% of the U.S. population.

Our Health Care Workers Deserve Recognition as Justice Heroes

physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and administrators whose careers are dedicated to health and healing.

In this moment, when hospitals face unprecedented attacks and criticism, it is worth remembering that nearly everyone starts life as a patient and will likely end as a patient in the system of care. What counts most is the technical skill, clinical acumen, compassion and dedication of those who stand on the front line of care: the dedicated heroes and heroines,

As a patient, it is both humbling and an honor to recognize those who have cared for me and my loved ones.

In moments of health care need, rhetoric and debate fade away. What endures is trust — trust that hospitals and health care professionals will be there to save lives, deliver treatment, provide medicine and restore hope.

Our health care system is imperfect, yet even in light of its imperfections,

we must preserve access pathways so individuals in every community can receive the care they need and deserve. Health justice reminds us that we are part of a broader movement to eliminate inequities by addressing the structural, systemic and social drivers of health that disproportionately harm historically medically marginalized communities.

Understanding health justice empowers us to understand the broader conditions — such as housing, education, environment, employment and discrimination — that shape health

The Youth Voice Shouldn’t Be Optional

—

often symbolic. A token seat, a moment at the mic, a photo op for the press. That isn’t inclusion. It’s performance.

Every town hall, policy hearing and community roundtable on the future consistently ignores one group: our youth.

We speak about their future, legislate around their needs and implement policies that will directly shape the trajectory of their lives — but rarely do we fully invite them into the room. And even when we do, it’s

Let’s be clear: the youth voice shouldn’t be optional. It should be mandatory.

Young people aren’t just observing the consequences of today’s decisions — they’re living them. They ride overcrowded and sometimes unsafe school buses. They sit in classrooms impacted by teacher shortages and crumbling infrastructure. They grow up in communities where access to

outcomes. At its core, health justice recognizes health as a human right and calls for collective action, policy change, data disaggregation and redistribution of resources to dismantle barriers rooted in racism, classism, ableism, sexism and other forms of oppression.

Too often, the public conversation turns to vilifying the very institutions that make healing possible. Yet the reality is clear: hospitals — large and small, urban and rural — open their doors to all, ensuring that communities are not left without care. Behind

It Should Be Mandatory

healthy food, affordable housing and stable internet remains inconsistent. Many witness their families struggling with the rising cost of living, gun violence and health care disparities. They feel the effects of climate change not in theory, but in their everyday lives — through record heat waves, flooding and school closures.

And yet, when it comes to shaping the policies that address these challenges, youth are too often told to “wait their turn,” as if civic responsibility and political voice have an age restriction.

The truth is, young people already have the passion, the clarity and the power to lead. What they lack is access.

We must stop treating youth engagement as a feel-good checkbox or a public relations gesture. When students organize national walkouts demanding safer schools, when teen activists speak at climate summits or testify before Congress, and when young entrepreneurs launch nonprofits and tech solutions to tackle inequality, they are modeling exactly the kind of leadership we say we want

American policy priorities can often differ across race, which may relate to differing experiences within the American economy. For example, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey, Black and Latina/o adults are much more likely than white adults to report that they cannot pay some of their monthly bills. Forty-three percent of Black adults and 37% of Latina/o adults say they cannot pay some bills, while only 19% of white adults say this. In addition, Black (68%) and

those doors are health care workers who work day and night to make life-saving interventions not just aspirational, but available.

That is why gratitude must be matched by action. As lawmakers return to Washington, they must protect the policies that allow hospitals to continue this mission. Extending enhanced premium tax credits will help families maintain access to affordable coverage. Preserving the safety net is essential for ensuring hospitals can

— not someday, but now.

Real Youth Leadership Across the Nation

Across the country, young people are stepping up — and making a measurable impact:

• In Chicago, youth involved in the Mikva Challenge have helped shape city budget priorities and criminal justice reform through youth policy councils embedded in government.

Anthony Tilghman

Guest Columnist

Dr. LaShonda Brenson

Columnist

Courtney Lang

Guest Columnist

LIFESTYLE

Things To Do, DMV!

By Keith Golden Jr. WI Intern

Check out a handful of the many events happening in the DMV this weekend, from immersive art experiences to moments of recognition for Caribbean culture and men’s mental health.

To keep up with all the fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.

Thursday, Sept. 11

Men’s Real Talk Series

7 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. | Free

Busboys and Poets, 2004 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue SE, Washington, D.C., 20020

Join mental wellness organization H.U.M.A.N.I.T.Y. 360 INC for the Men’s Real Talk Series at the Anacostia Arts Center!

This event is all about providing a safe space for men to come together and have open, honest conversations about life, relationships, and everything in between.

Grab your buddies and come on down for some real talk!

Visionaries in Art: Exploring Black Creativity and Expression 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. | Free

Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington, D.C., 20020

Explore the rich legacy of Black arts education in Washington, D.C., through an immersive experience designed for youth audiences.

Guests will engage in activities featuring works by influential local artists and art educators, before bringing their own creativity to life through hands-on artmaking.

3Batala performs at Union Station at the Pink Tie Party in March. Visit Union Station for its first-ever Art Fest, in partnership with DC Art All Night on Sept. 12. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

across the Mid-Atlantic; and a pop-up bar with beer, wine and specialty cocktails, plus more!

Saturday, Sept. 13

Events DC WalkingTown

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Free Events DC, 801 Allen Y. Lew Pl NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Every September, the District hosts an annual event to showcase the city’s art, culture and history, offering various tours over eight days across all eight wards. This year, that opportunity is taking place Sept. 13-20.

While exploring the city’s hidden gems, participants can dive into the capital’s past, present and future, making it a must-attend for anyone interested in Washington, D.C.’s heritage.

Visit Events DC WalkingTown and pick your day to be informed!

Friday, Sept. 12

Art Fest at Union Station

6 p.m. - Midnight | Free Union Station, Union Station Drive NE, Washington, D.C., 20002

Join Union Station for their first-ever Art Fest, in partnership with DC Art All Night!

Experience the mezzanine level as it’s transformed into a full-on arts walk, featuring six pop-up galleries, live muralists, and interactive exhibits with the works of more than 25 participating artists, such as TrapBob, G.Pack, Halim Flowers, Brandon Hill, Marly Mcfly, Hiba Alyawer, among others.

Additional highlights include: interactive artists creating right before your eyes, including live sketches and portraits; a full line up of musicians and DJ’s from

Meditation in the Galleries 10 - 11 a.m. | $30.00 The Kreeger Museum, 2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington, D.C., 20007

Join DMV-based professional artist, belly dancer, and certified yoga teacher Jeneen Piccuirro for a 45-minute guided meditation with crystal singing bowls. Meditation will take place in the indoor Terrace Gallery of The Kreeger Museum, featuring works by Georges Braque, Arshile Gorky, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, and West African artists.

Seating will be provided, so please mark on your reservation if you prefer a chair or a mat. Water bottles and yoga mats are not permitted inside the Museum.

Sunday, Sept. 14

Dancing in Pixels

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Free for D.C.

March On! Festival Returns to D.C. with a Focus on Health and Civil Rights

By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer

As activists fight for justice throughout the United States, March On! Festival, the nation’s longest-running civil rights film festival, will take place throughout Washington, D.C. from Sept. 1521, under the theme: “March On Health: The Right to Be Well.”

The festival, which launched in 2013, will feature film screenings, discussion panels, exhibits, and live performances throughout the week focusing on a wide range of social justice issues including: gendered health disparities, disability rights, and medical mistrust in BIPOC communities.

“At The March On! Festival, the Civil Rights movement stays alive through our actions and our artistry,” said Isisara Bey, artistic director of March On! “We’re fueling conversations, sparking action, and inspiring the next generation of activists around the world in the freedom-loving tradition of their forebearers, fighting for justice and human dignity together.”

Formerly known as The March on Washington Film Festival, the festival kicks off Monday, Sept. 15 with The Silent Word, a community, silent-reading experience,

THINGS TO DO from Page 32 residents, $12.68 for non-residents Long View Gallery, 1234 9th St NW, Washington, D.C., 20001

Experience the magic of dance and creativity in an interactive gallery installation that combines cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) and dance films with motion-activated projection displays.

Through Dancing in Pixels, guests become part of a unique artistic journey, where digital artwork, projected onto the gallery walls, dynamically follows your body’s movement, creating a vivid and ever-changing visual experience.

followed by The Annual Opening Night Awards Gala on Tuesday, Sept.16 where Senator Cory Booker will be honored with the John Robert Lewis Lifetime Legacy Award, established to honor a lifetime of extraordinary achievement in advancing Civil Rights and social justice.

Kim Callinan, executive director of March On!, hopes to inspire attendees with the week-long events.

“In these unprecedented times, The March On! Festival draws on the legacy of the civil rights movement to educate and inspire,” she told The Informer. “Just as music, art, and community sustained the movement then, our festival feeds the souls of people who care about justice, giving them the strength and inspiration to press on.”

In addition to the awards gala, festivities include a Student and Emerging Filmmaker competition, a live performance of The Great Privation at Woolly Mammoth, interactive experiences and more.

The festival will close on Sunday, Sept. 21 with The Dark Tower Day Party, a Harlem-Renaissance-inspired afternoon.

For more information and details about the festival visit marchonfest. org. WI

Children’s Entrepreneur Market 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Free Union Market, 1309 5th St NE, Washington, D.C., 20002

The Children’s Entrepreneur Market is an award-winning touring program that teaches young people about the power of entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership through experiential learning.

Now coming to Union Market in Northeast, D.C., with an expected 3,000 attendees, budding business owners can gain firsthand experience delivering sales pitches, conducting transactions and polishing up on customer service.

Come support a young self-starter – free to the public! WI

5 The March On! Festival, the nation’s longest-running Civil Rights film festival, will take place throughout Washington, D.C. from Sept. 15-21. (Courtesy Photo)

Ubiquitous Women’s Expo Unites Health, Business, Arts Leaders to Empower Women Across the DMV

By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer

People from all across the health, arts and business industries filled The Hall at Live! in Hanover, Maryland for the 11th Annual Ubiquitous Women’s Expo, working to empower women through programming focused on overall wellness Sept. 5-7

The weekend-long event included panel discussions, exhibitors and organizations focusing on women’s mental, physical and

emotional health, and featured live performances from Travis Malloy, JJ Hairston, and a fireside chat with award-winning television personality Sherri Shepherd.

“[This is] about us coming together as a community, [and] about us being healthier,” Germaine Bolds-Leftridge, founder of the Ubiquitous Women’s Expo, told The Informer. “We do free health screenings, mammograms, cardiac screenings, and high blood pressure screenings because health is our wealth.”

In addition to the panels and programming, the exhibitors— ranging from clothing, jewelry, beauty, handbags, and art entrepreneurs to representatives highlighting health services— offered attendees an opportunity to shop, learn, grow and support small businesses throughout the threeday expo.

The idea for the expo came to Bolds-Leftridge in 2014 while thinking of influencers and entrepreneurs in the local community.

“The DMV is a very important market,” she said. “I wanted a place [where people] could come and showcase their products along with other beauty brands and it’s just evolved.”

‘A Perfect Space to Showcase’

Since the event’s inception, Aaron Johnson, founder of Unitees, has felt it essential to be an exhibitor at Ubiquitous Women’s Expo.

“We’ve had a booth here the entire 11 years,” he told The Informer. “The clothes that we make are specifically tailored to a Black woman’s physique, so this is a perfect space to showcase the things that we make.”

For Sydnie Collins, a Ubiquitous ambassador, seeing the plethora of women-owned businesses at the expo served as a major source of inspiration.

“Having an event where everything is highlighted [like] beauty, skin, hair, and healthcare [is] so inspiring to me,” said Collins. “This event is important for women overall because representation is important.”

Tackling Health Disparities Head On

Many health organizations were present to help educate women, particularly about health disparities affecting women of color.

WOMEN’S EXPO Page 35

5 Event founder Germaine Bolds-Leftridge addresses the crowd on Saturday, Sept. 6 alongside sponsors of the 11th Annual Ubiquitous Women’s Expo at The Hall at Live! in Hanover, Maryland. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

5 Boutiques and exhibitors show off their merchandise at the 11th Annual Ubiquitous Women’s Expo, held at The Hall at Live! in Hanover, Maryland Sept. 5-7. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

WOMEN’S EXPO from Page 34

The mortality rate for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer is 42% higher than the comparable rate for white women. Further, Black women possess the highest breast cancer mortality rate of any other U.S. racial or eth nic group at 40%.

Because of these statistics, Uzo Osameka, program manager with TOUCH, The Black Breast Can cer Alliance, felt it was necessary to inform young and middle-aged attendees about how Black women can work to combat such statistics.

“We’re here specifically for our population between the ages of 18 and 35 because unfortunately, we’re getting diagnosed with breast cancer more often [than other rac es] and at younger ages,” Osame ka told The Informer. “Our older ladies are coming to their doctor’s office and they are [at] stage 3 or 4, which is treatable but obviously harder to treat.”

She hopes attending the Ubiq uitous Women’s Expo is a step toward saving the life of someone who may unknowingly be at risk.

“We’re here to educate the com munity,” said the program man ager, “and our main mission is to eradicatee Black breast cancer.”

Olivia Lane, founder of Higher Purpose Consulting, emphasized the importance of focusing more on the emotional health of Black women.

“We’re so honored to be a part of the Ubiquitous Expo,” she told The Informer. “We specialize in offering training sessions to help

individuals and groups facilitate healing where they live, work, and worship.”

Lane’s mission is to provide emotional support and additional resources, particularly for women of color.

Resource Fair

5An exhibitor displays jewelry and clothing during the three-day Ubiquitous Women’s Expo in Hanover, Maryland, donning its 11th year celebrating women empowerment and leadership. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

JOIN US!

LIFESTYLE

LUIZA from Page 20 sually with his brother at 6 years old, passing the ball in their garden. Two years later, he moved to France with his family, where his professional career in the sport began to flourish. The Guinea native went on to play for France’s most popular soccer club, the Paris Saint-Germain Football Club (PSG), but his time with the team was cut short after suffering a hip injury in 2008.

Instead of completely giving up his dream and abandoning his love for the sport– called football in other parts of the world— Traro-

re began practicing freestyle soccer with his brother, learning how to manipulate his body and the ball in ways that required incredible control, dedication and imagination.

“It’s still the same art as football, but you have more freedom,” Traore told The Informer. “You play with all of your body– the head, the feet– and you can spin the ball. You have that freedom of creativity to bring your imagination.”

To keep audiences engaged and maintain the glamour Cirque du Soleil productions are known for, Traore incorporates dancing in his

act, taking inspiration from Michael Jackson and his blend of jazz, hip-hop and pop styles. He also enjoys adding breakdancing to his routines, acknowledging that audiences are viewing the show and expecting circus acts, not solely soccer playing.

“I really try to bring that imagination and open it so people know this art as well, because not everyone knows football freestyle,” Traore told The Informer. “Football is a part of Mexican culture. How they love football is like a religion.”

This interpretation of the sport

contributes to the surrealism present within Luzia during each scene, adding to the various elements that make the show one of a kind. The production team’s ability to use Mexico as its muse and celebrate the country in such an innovative way makes the show a beautiful experience for audiences of all kinds,

whether or not they are familiar with the culture’s intricacies.

“It’s a beautiful escape from reality to come in and, whatever’s happening out there, leave it out there and watch these beautiful humans do what they do best,” Valdez told The Informer. “They’re really amazing.” WI

ISSA from Page 4 built.

“We wanted to make a comprehensive history and showcase, with evidence, that this is how they built the success of their networks on our backs, and we almost don’t have anything to show for it as a result. It’s tragic, and history repeats itself,” Rae said during a keynote conversation at South by Southwest.

She explained that she was inspired early by sitcoms like “Moesha,” “Girlfriends,” and “Martin,” but grew disillusioned in the 2000s when those shows vanished and reality television, often humiliating and exploitative in its portrayal of Black women, dominated screens.

Rae recalled an infamous moment on VH1’s “Flavor of Love” where a contestant was denied a restroom break and degraded on camera.

“This is humiliating, and this is all Black women have on television right now,” she said.

The “Insecure” star explained that the disappearance of scripted Black shows pushed her to start creating her own work.

“It makes such a difference when you’re thinking about something as small as set design,” Rae told CBS Mornings, stressing how details like a Black character’s bedroom or hairstyle can determine whether a story feels authentic. “Watching it myself and hearing some of these stories for the first time inspires me. The end of that documentary inspires me to do more and get my shit together.”

“Seen and Heard” is hailed as both a celebration of resilience and a reckoning with exploitation, reminding audiences that visibility is not enough if ownership and respect remain out of reach.

“It makes such a difference,” Rae stated, “when Black creators control their own stories.”

Many fans of the writer, producer and actress have taken to social media to react to the announcement of “Seen and Heard,” particularly lauding Rae’s contributions to Black television and culture.

“It’s just incredible how her mind works and how much she’s doing for the community,” social media user Klein Befene wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. WI

5 Aboubacar Traore balances a soccer ball on his head while practicing a freestyle routine. Years of practicing mixing freestyle soccer and dance led the performer to set the Guinness World Record for the farthest distance moonwalked while balancing a soccer ball on the head at 32 feet. (Mya Trujillo/The Washington Informer)

Actor-Activist Samuel Lee Fudge Continues to Uphold Garvey Legacy

First Actor to Portray Marcus Garvey Wants Black People to Build Their Own Nation

By Sam P.K. Collins WI Staff Writer

As thousands of National Guard troops, and nearly a dozen federal law enforcement agencies, occupy majority-Black communities in the District, President Donald J. Trump has set on taking similar action in Chicago, Baltimore, and what many predict will be other U.S. Black urban centers.

For actor-activist Samuel Lee Fudge, such a situation calls for the establishment of a Black nation on American soil, and in solidarity with Black people across the globe, much like what Marcus Mosiah Garvey espoused more than a century ago.

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“Donald Trump is clear on what he represents and who he’s representing, and if that’s not an alarming reminder for us to start uniting, I don’t know what is,” Fudge told The Informer. “Marcus Garvey told us that we can’t depend on a government in general. We can’t depend on any race outside of our own to be our leader, to lead us, to get us to the promised land of progressiveness. This is the time that we need to have our own government, just like Garvey preached.”

An Inside Look at the Mosiah Film

Fudge conceptualized, wrote and starred in “Mosiah,” an independent short film depicting the 1923 court trial that led to Garvey’s incarceration and subsequent deportation to his birth country of Jamaica.

The film, originally released in 2023, appeared on Amazon on January 19, 2025, in commemoration of President Joe Biden’s pardon of Garvey.

“Mosiah,” 40 minutes in length, delves into Garvey’s upbringing in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, as well as his launch of the Universal Negro Improvement Association-African Communities League (UNIAACL), through which he circulated the Negro World newspaper globally and established factories, a paramilitary group, the Black Cross Nurses, and the Black Star Steamship Line.

In 1923, an all-white jury convicted Garvey of mail fraud, under what Biden acknowledged as politically motivated circumstances. In “Mosiah,” viewers learn about Benny Dancy, the cooperating witness who infiltrated the UNIA-ACL and gathered what prosecutors described as evidence of stock solicitations for the Black Star Steamship Line.

Dancy testified against Garvey, albeit without any specificity about who sent him an envelope with “UNIA” emblazoned across it or how many stock

shares he purchased.

Fudge said the testimony further solidified the government’s case against the Black Nationalist leader— in court chambers and in the court of public opinion. That’s why, in conceptualizing the film, he wanted to address long persisting misconceptions of Garvey.

“We had to be strategic and selective in those particular points,” Fudge said. “That’s why I wrote and centered around the court trial, because for those who do know, or for those who have been miseducated on who Marcus Garvey is or was, they all know about the court case. They all know him to be this fraud. They know him to be a person who misled the Black masses.”

Garvey died in London in 1940, never returning to the U.S. or setting foot on African soil.

However, his legacy inspired the likes of Malcolm X, whose parents were Garveyites, as well as Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first post-colonial president and Hogan Edem Ani-Okokon, a Nigerian nationalist and comrade of Nnamdi Azikwe, Nigeria’s first post-colonial president.

In speaking about “Mosiah,” Fudge said he’s set out to energize those still waving the red, black and green flag that Garvey designated as the banner of global African nationhood. Those watching the film get to watch electrifying Garvey monologues from Fudge, and aspects of the court trial often cited as proof that the U.S. government unfairly targeted the activist.

The film also includes intimate moments, including when Garvey and his second wife Amy Jacques Garvey call each other by their pet names, Momsy and Popsy.

“Only true Garveyites would know those detailed things, and so that’s where we wanted to energize, entertain, and rejuvenate them,” Fudge told The Informer. “I used different words from different speeches to put them all together

GARVEY Page

5 Actor Samuel Lee Fudge says such tense political times call for the establishment of a Black nation on American Soil, inspired by the ideals of Marcus Mosiah Garvey nearly a century ago. Fudge is the co-writer and star of “Mosiah,” an independent short film depicting the 1923 court trial that led to Garvey’s incarceration and deportation to his birth country of Jamaica. (Courtesy Photo)

from Page 38

for particular scenes so people who are familiar with Garvey’s words could feel that.”

Samuel Lee Fudge Continues to Advance a Cause Near and Dear to His Heart

Since the release of “Mosiah,” Fudge has conducted private film screenings across the country and other parts of the world. In his role as the official UNIA-ACL cultural ambassador, he has also channeled the spirit of Garvey while appearing before audiences in cities where Garvey lectured.

On July 20, what’s known as UNIA Founder’s Day, Fudge, much like well-known actor Ron Bobb-Semple before him, performed a monologue at William O. Lockridge Library in Southwest, D.C., during an event hosted by the D.C. Mosiah Coalition.

UNIA-ACL member Mwariama Kamau said the event allowed for Garveyites of all ages to celebrate a crucial milestone in film history.

“It’s been too many people deliberately skipping over the largest and most impactful and influential movement that we’ve ever had in order to play into some safer subjects [like] civil rights and integration,” said Kamau, a founding member of the D.C. Mosiah Coalition, an entity that includes members of UNIA governments formed after Garvey’s conviction.

Kamau noted the critical role of Garvey’s story and work serving as an inspiration for modern changemakers.

“They don’t want us to deal with really empowering ourselves,” Kamau told The Informer, “so I think the timeliness of bringing Garvey back on the scene and on the screen was important for us to start looking in another direction for more inspiring films about what we can do and what we have done.”

Since its release, “Mosiah” has won 18 awards, half of which recognizes Fudge’s acting prowess. They include Best Short Film at the Charlotte Film Festival and the Harriet Tubman Award at the HipHop Film Festival. “Mosiah,” the first film production about Garvey, counts among more than a dozen acting and production credits to Fudge’s name.

Fudge, 34, earned an MFA in performing arts from Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia and a B.A. in film from Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. He credits his community-centered upbringing as impetus in his creation of, and involvement in, film projects that educate and inspire Black people.

It was no different when it came to “Mosiah,” a film Fudge said was inspired by the anti-police brutality protests that broke out long before, and in the aftermath of, George Floyd’s police-involved murder. He told The Informer that he needed to play a role that he thought would go further than protest.

“I would still watch the news. I would still see white officers get acquitted,” Fudge said. “I would see the very same people who would be vocal about it go back into their state of sleepiness and talk about things that were just irrelevant.”

That’s why, for Fudge, the solution was simple.

“I said, we need to change, and that change for me, was Marcus Garvey,” Fudge emphasized. “If anyone can change the world at this particular moment, it would be the voice of Marcus Garvey.”

WI

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5 “Mosiah” is a short film depicting the 1923 court trial that led to activist Marcus Mosiah Garvey’s incarceration and deportation to his birth country of Jamaica. While the film was released in 2023, it appeared on Amazon on January 19, 2025, in commemoration of President Joe Biden’s pardon of Garvey. (Courtesy Photo)

GARVEY

low-income neighborhoods.

“They’ve never felt this before, but it’s not as much of a shock unfortunately, for us,” the educator told The Informer. “But I’m hoping that with this, people will now have some empathy because they feel what we have always been feeling, and hopefully that will make them galvanize more.”

On Saturday, Sept. 6 the Ward 8-based educator stumbled upon what eventually morphed into the We Are All D.C. national march. As hundreds of District residents, grassroots activists, union organizers, and clergypeople converged upon Malcolm X Park in Northwest that morning, the educator held up a sign, spoke to other D.C. residents and listened as activists who touched down from other U.S. cities stood alongside local movement workers.

Since the beginning of the school year, this Ward 8-based educator has counted among those posted at the Metro station near her place of work. She told The Informer that she’s doing so with students’ safety in mind, especially as Black people in communities east of the Anacostia River continue to be targets of local and federal forces conducting

All DC march, hosted by Free DC and other organizations. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

checkpoints and jumpouts.

“I’ve seen them in the neighborhoods…harassing students,” the educator told The Informer. “So we have had a concerted effort to make sure we are out with our children to make sure they’re safe. They’re just trying to figure out how to keep themselves safe.”

This educator said that, for her youth, there’s nothing new about this scenario.

“The unfortunate reality of the kids I work with is that they’re used to significant police presence in their

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lives,” she said. “I think that is what the Trump administration is trying to get all of us used to, having significant oversight from the government.”

The “We Are All DC” March: A Response to Trump and Bowser

In the early afternoon on Saturday, multitudes of protesters made their way down 16th Street NW starting from Euclid Street NW and ending at Freedom Plaza. By the time the march

ended, organizers counted more than 10,000 people occupying a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue located near the John A. Wilson Building and the White House.

This event, two weeks in the making, came together through the combined efforts of the Free DC movement, along with Unite Here Local 25, SEIU, United We Dream, Coalition of Concerned Clergy, Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO, Congregation Action Network, CASA, and Washington Interfaith Network. It also took place just days after members of the Free DC movement joined D.C. Council members Robert White (D-At large), Brianne Nadeau (D-Ward 1), Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) and Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) outside of the U.S. Capitol in their endeavor to drum up congressional opposition to the federal surge.

On Saturday afternoon, those who took to the mic at Freedom Plaza included: Nee Nee Taylor of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, attorney-activist Preston Mitchum, D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4), former D.C. Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly, and the Rev. Mark Thompson. As Free DC co-founder Alex Dodds pointed out, the thousands who came out in support of this cause represent a wide spectrum of political viewpoints that have recently coalesced around a unifying issue.

cials’ interactions with youth, and that of ICE agents with migrants.

Dodds said that as more people take to social media, ICE agents have been less brazen, but just as insidious, as they navigate portions of the District with a sizable immigrant population.

“ICE is no longer walking around the neighborhoods,” Dodds said. “They’re now doing jump outs because they have encountered so much community resistance that if they start walking around the neighborhoods, people give them such a hard time that they eventually realize that they don’t want to do that anymore.”

Trump’s order, in which Bowser and D.C. public safety officials report to the Office of the U.S. Attorney General, expires on Sept. 10, though there’s been some anticipation of Trump extending the federalization period. In response to the National Guard deployment, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb recently filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, while congressional Republicans attempt to advance bills dismantling the D.C. government.

“In local D.C. politics, [there are] a lot of disagreements between grassroots advocates and the business community, but what’s happening right now is very bad for business,” Dodds told The Informer. “And so groups that are conventionally on different sides of issues in local politics, all recognize that what’s happening right now is bad for all of us.”

As Trump explores the military occupation of other major U.S. cities, Dodds credits Free DC’s collaboration with activists from those jurisdictions— including Chicago and Los Angeles– as a major asset.

“We’re just seeing a lot of the strategies that D.C. has developed over the last three weeks,” she said. “Strategies that we never knew that we would need to create.”

Since President Donald J. Trump’s evocation of Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act, District businesses have reported declining profits amid fears about ICE raids. Meanwhile, Dodds and her Free DC comrades have continued organizing in affected communities, encouraging D.C. residents to record law enforcement offi-

During the latter part of August, Bowser credited the federal surge with a decrease in crime, though she criticized ICE agents’ use of masks and acknowledged that relations between residents and law enforcement have soured. Last week, she issued a mayoral order establishing the Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center, through which the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice will address requests for services from federal law enforcement partners and extend pay benefits to the D.C. National Guard through Nov. 30.

Key provisions of the mayoral order mandate federal agents’ adherence to community policing protocol, such as not wearing masks, the clear identification of agencies, and the provision of identification when engaging members of the public and conducting arrests. The mayoral order also designates the D.C. National Guard as the primary entity for “mission-driven activities.”

“It’s very important that you understand that the framework that I laid out in the mayor’s order is a pathway out,” Bowser said on Sept. 3. “We have to be very clear to members of Congress that this is how we will be able to request or receive additional resources, management to the most strategic benefit for D.C. residents and public safety.”

At this critical juncture, Dodd said

SURGE Page 41

5 A Free DC march held in August 2025. Multitudes of protesters made their way down 16th Street NW to Freedom Plaza on Saturday, Sept. 6 in the We Are

place,” he said on Aug. 30 while hosting a wine tasting at his store, which is about two blocks north of Eastern Market Plaza, where National Guard personnel have been posted. “They seem not to be in Capitol Hill as opposed to other areas. I will say things are quieter.”

Entrepreneurs, Leaders Encourage Supporting Local Businesses Despite Challenges

Williams noted an extension of the National Guard in the city, whether by the U.S. Congress or the Executive Branch, could be challenging for Washingtonians.

“It is a problem when you have to submit to checkpoints just to go into the city that you grew up in,” Williams told The Informer. “That creates bottlenecks and that can be a problem for business. No checkpoints, we don’t need to be hampered. We’ve already had to deal with so much in this city the past

SURGE from Page 40

that Bowser’s cooperation with the Trump administration, even if seemingly done on her terms, still equates to acquiesce to a monster without a conscience. Even worse, she said, it counters the good-faith efforts made on the ground to counter Trump’s intrusion on the District’s home rule.

“If we normalize what is happening, they will do it to us more,” Dodds told The Informer. “That’s why there’s so much concern about the remarks that the mayor has made. The people who are doing this to us get encouraged when they hear that type of rhetoric, so it is super important that our leaders say [that] we don’t want this.”

Middle-Class

Community Members Express Solidarity with the Marginalized

Brian Nelson, a Northwest resident who’s expressing solidarity with Black and migrant D.C. residents, said he wants to see Bowser take on more of an aggressive tone toward the Trump administration.

“We’re well past the point where that cooperation has yielded anything,” Nelson told The Informer. “I think she’s really acquiescing to them far too much now, and I think she needs to stop and just kind of put her foot down and sort of start to resist.”

5 Samarah Lee Banks, who manages and operates Lee’s Flowers in Union Station in Northeast, D.C., says the National Guard at the transportation hub makes her feel safe. (Courtesy Photo/ Samarah Lee Banks, Instagram)

On Saturday, Nelson stood in the sweltering heat, sign in hand, as U.S. Park Police officers gathered in a circle and the crowds at Malcolm X Park grew exponentially. He said his decision to protest the federal surge stemmed from what he described as authorities’ detainment of residents who’ve documented law enforcement community engagement from the sidelines.

“There was a citizen in our neighborhood who was recording them and may have been very vocal towards them, but that’s certainly his right to be vocal and film them,” Nelson said.

“He’s just a neighbor who’s expressing his opinion publicly, and other people who were recording him getting arrested were also being threatened with arrest. That shouldn’t stand.”

Nelson, who lives in Petworth, questioned the notion that the D.C. government needs assistance in tackling crime, especially with crime, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, trending at a 30-year low.

“There’s things the city could be doing better in a lot of ways,” Nelson said. “I don’t necessarily think they’re all with policing. They may be with city services, improvements for job availability, for housing and all those issues for a lot of people that I think is driving some of the crime.”

Anything else, like what the Trump

five years, we don’t need anything else.”

Williams’ business is located on historic Barracks Row, which is represented by D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), who also considered the hassles that the National Guard’s presence presents.

“I…want to ask and encourage folks to make an extra effort to support our local businesses,” said Allen in his Aug. 30 e-newsletter. “I’ve talked to so many of our small businesses that have been just crushed since the federal incursion was announced.”

Allen said some shops are having sales decline by as much as 50% as opposed to last year because of the National Guard presence.

“Restaurants have seen reservations cancel in droves,” the council member said. “Hotels and shortterm rentals have seen many cancellations and slower bookings. These impacts are devastating for our local businesses and economy.”

Despite complaints about the National Guard’s negative impact on business, Elmina DC, located

administration is facilitating, is akin to tyranny, Nelson said.

“They’re using it as an excuse, not only to snatch up people who are just well within their legal rights to film and have an opinion about what’s going on,” Nelson told The Informer. “But they’re also using it as this mask and cover to gather up migrants here in the city to try and deport them because that’s their agenda, and it’s, frankly, completely wrongheaded.”

Well before Trump federalized the D.C. police force, District residents like Thomas Blanton have been working with local leaders to quell crime in their neighborhoods.

Blanton told The Informer that he and his neighbors in the Northeast neighborhood of Lamond-Riggs recently saw the fruits of their labor with the disappearance of an open-air drug market on New Hampshire Avenue and Eastern Avenue.

“We had been working on police patrols, community meetings and our regular Lamond-Riggs Civic Association meetings,” Blanton said. “All of us had been working on getting rid of this thing. And it happened.”

That’s why Blanton said he can’t fathom any situation where the Trump administration directly tackles crime in the District.

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

in the U Street NW area on 14th Street, seems not to be as affected.

On Aug. 30, Elmina had customers coming in droves to dine and staff, led by Chef Eric Adjepong, worked feverishly to keep up the pace.

Adjepong admitted that he was not as familiar with the National Guard presence as others, as he was out of the country when the mobilization was announced by the Trump administration. Hence, he expresses mixed feelings about thefederal intervention.

“It is an unfortunate situation,” he said. “D.C. is really affected by

this. This is taking place in the summertime, when there is not a lot of business activity. This (federal intervention) does not help.”

Adjepong said while he has not been personally affected by the National Guard presence, he is aware that others have.

“I have had staff tell me that they have had to submit to checkpoints when they come to work and that is frustrating,” said the chef. “I hope this ends soonso we can get back to business and serve our customers.” WI

@JamesWrightJr10

Lifeline Service in the District of Columbia is provided by Verizon Washington, DC Inc., and Verizon Online LLC

Lifeline is a government assistance program supported by the District of Columbia Public Service Commission and the Federal Communications Commission. Verizon offers the following Lifeline-supported services as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier:

• Voice Dial Tone Line and Unlimited Local Usage$1 - $3 per month (after Federal & State discounts)

• Broadband (internet) - $9.25 monthly discount off any Fios plan

Only eligible consumers may enroll in the programs.

You may qualify for Lifeline service if you can show proof that you participate in certain government assistance programs or your annual income is 135% or below the Federal Poverty Guideline. If you qualify based on income, you will be required to provide income verification. For a list of qualifying government assistance programs and income guidelines, please see your state’s application form from this same website.

In addition, the Lifeline program is limited to one discount per household consisting of wireline, wireless or broadband (internet). You are required to certify and agree that no other member of the household is receiving Lifeline service from Verizon or another provider.

Lifeline service is a non-transferable benefit.

Consumers who willfully make false statements in order to obtain the benefit can be punished by fine or imprisonment, or may be barred from the program.

You must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the Lifeline service. An application for Verizon Lifeline service can be obtained at this same website, www.verizon.com/lifeline, or an application can be mailed by calling 1.800.VERIZON (1.800.837.4966).

To find out more information, you may also call the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which administers Lifeline for the FCC by calling (1.800.234.9473) or by accessing their website at www.LifelineSupport.org.

All rates, terms and conditions included in this notice are subject to change. For current Verizon Lifeline information and rates, visit www.tariffs.net/verizon/. See link titled “Verizon Lifeline Information” for state specific pricing.

review wi book

“American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback”

By Seth Wickersham

c.2025, Hyperion Avenue

$29.99

407 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

Snap.

And with that, and a catch that’s picture-perfect, your team is on their way to another win. The guy that threw the football sure knows his stuff. He’s worth every penny he’s paid, and in the new book “American Kings” by Seth Wickersham, you’ll see what it took to get there.

Like so many little boys, Seth Wickersham wanted to play pro football when he was growing up; specifically, he wanted to be a quarterback. Unlike most other boys, though, he took it to an extreme, becoming “obsessed” with throwing a football with the best accuracy, hoping to match the skills of the players he admired.

Alas, despite an entire childhood of near-constant practice and a few wins on the field in high school, he didn’t make varsity and ended up playing as a receiver.

He knows now that to be a quarterback is to be a star, but it’s also “a way of life.”

Here, he writes about Arch Manning, “a legend, a folk hero, a song title … and the beginning of a family franchise …” Wickersham shares the story of Warren Moon, how he stepped up to help his mother when his father died, how domestic violence almost derailed his legacy, and the racism he quarterbacked under for years.

He spent time with Caleb Williams, “the first true professional amateur quarterback” to get money for playing at the college level. He interviewed James Harris, who was prepared to become a teacher “If the league didn’t want a Black quarterback …” Wickersham “spent much of 2022 with” Andrew Luck, who “learned quickly that greatness requires an … unlimited selfishness.” He writes about how Jack Elway influenced his son’s choice of career, what Hollywood had to do with one pro footballer’s life, and the post-career of the first player “to throw a consistently beautiful spiral.”

Says Wickersham about his subjects, “Anyone could throw a football. Only a quarterback could make people cheer.”

Your favorite chair is oiled for smooth reclining and fast slam-downs. The snacks are laid in for at least a week, and beverages are on ice. You know exactly what you’re wearing for the game this weekend. All you need is “American Kings” and you’re set.

Author Seth Wickersham calls his book “a biography,” but it’s just as much a history, since he refers often to the earliest days of the game, as well as the etymology of the word “quarterback.” That helps to lay a solid background and it adds color to a reader’s knowledge about football itself, while explaining what it takes for men and women to stand out and to achieve gridiron greatness. On that, Wickersham is honest, sometimes calling out his subjects for their attitudes toward teammates and others. Blunt words are used that are unprintable in family newspapers, so beware if you’re sharing.

Is your team’s QB in this book? Maybe, or a past favorite surely is, so check out “American Kings” and see what you find. Football fans and pigskin prognosticators both will love this book in a snap. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

SEPT. 11 - 17, 2025

ARIES Competitive momentum builds transformative opportunities as Mars supercharges your ambition sector, bringing breakthrough advancement when bold initiative combines with strategic timing to overcome challenging obstacles. Innovation projects accelerate when pioneering spirit challenges conventional limitations creating market disruption. Leadership responsibilities expand midweek when decisive communication inspires team confidence enabling complex project completion. Lucky Numbers: 15, 37, 52

TAURUS Financial foundations stabilize through methodical expansion as Venus fortifies your wealth sector, bringing abundance when patient cultivation meets strategic diversification creating sustainable prosperity across multiple income streams. Property investments mature when thorough evaluation identifies premium locations positioned for significant appreciation. Lucky Numbers: 7, 22, 46

GEMINI Communication mastery opens professional doorways as Mercury amplifies your expression sector, bringing recognition through versatile expertise enabling authoritative commentary across specialized industries while maintaining accessible presentation styles. Lucky Numbers: 19, 34, 50

CANCER Intuitive guidance strengthens family prosperity as lunar energy illuminates your foundation sector, bringing security through protective leadership creating nurturing environments where collective resources support individual development. Home-based enterprises flourish when caring attention transforms domestic spaces into profitable ventures encouraging sustainable growth. Lucky Numbers: 4, 25, 39

LEO Dramatic presentation captures industry attention as solar magnetism radiates through your performance sector, bringing acclaim through confident delivery inspiring widespread recognition while establishing authoritative expertise within chosen specialization. Creative partnerships multiply when generous collaboration enables shared success amplifying individual achievements. Lucky Numbers: 10, 31, 47

VIRGO Analytical precision drives operational excellence as earth energy perfects your service sector, bringing advancement through systematic optimization demonstrating quantifiable improvements inspiring increased professional responsibility. Healthcare initiatives expand when evidence-based research guides practical implementation creating comprehensive wellness solutions. Lucky Numbers: 3, 20, 35

LIBRA Collaborative ventures create mutual prosperity as Venus harmonizes your partnership sector, bringing success through diplomatic coordination balancing different perspectives while achieving equitable outcomes benefiting all stakeholders. Aesthetic projects flourish when design sensibility enhances functional requirements creating elegant efficiency solutions. Lucky Numbers: 12, 28, 44

SCORPIO Research discoveries unlock hidden potential as Pluto transforms your investigation sector, bringing revelation through persistent exploration uncovering concealed opportunities within established market structures previously overlooked by conventional analysis. Lucky Numbers: 6, 23, 55

SAGITTARIUS Global perspectives create educational opportunities as Jupiter expands your wisdom sector, bringing international success through cultural synthesis applying philosophical principles while adapting to diverse regulatory environments. Academic publishing grows when comprehensive understanding creates practical training materials serving professional development markets worldwide. Lucky Numbers: 9, 26, 42

CAPRICORN Institutional authority builds enduring success as Saturn strengthens your leadership sector, bringing recognition through reliable construction creating stable infrastructure supporting sustained organizational expansion. Executive consulting expands when demonstrated competence proves capacity for managing increased complexity while maintaining established quality standards. Lucky Numbers: 11, 29, 48

AQUARIUS Social innovation serves community advancement as Uranus electrifies your humanitarian sector, bringing progress through creative solutions addressing collective needs while preserving individual expression and creative autonomy. Technology platforms strengthen when ethical consciousness inspires collaborative systems demonstrating responsible development principles. Lucky Numbers: 14, 33, 51

PISCES Healing wisdom enhances emotional fulfillment as Neptune clarifies your compassion sector, bringing satisfaction through supportive methodologies strengthening interpersonal relationships while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness. Alternative medicine achieves recognition when intuitive perception guides research-based treatment respecting individual healing processes. Counseling practices expand midweek when empathetic understanding creates gentle approaches honoring client autonomy. Lucky Numbers: 1, 17, 41

SPORTS

5 Takeaways From Commanders Dominant 21-6 Win Against The Giants to Open the 2025 NFL Season

By Skylar Nelson WI Contributing Writer

The Washington Commanders kicked off week one of the 2025 NFL season in commanding fashion, securing a 21-6 victory over the New York Giants in front of a sold-out crowd at Northwest Stadium.

It was a statement win in a NFC East divisional showdown, marking the fourth straight year Washington has won its home opener, and this time, they did it with authority against a longtime rival.

“I mean it’s always good to get a win versus a division rival,” said quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Sunday’s matchup featured two teams looking to reclaim different victories this season. Washington is coming off a strong 12-5 campaign in the first year of the Daniels and Coach Dan Quinn era that headed to the NFC Championship. The Giants, on the other hand, are looking to rebound from a dismal 3-14 season in 2024.

Despite New York holding a history edge in the all-time series (108-73-5), Washington swept the Giants last year (2-0), and kept the momentum going with another convincing start to the 2025 season at 1-0.

“I would think we still got room to grow, but it’s always good to start 1-0, especially in the division too,” said Daniels.

Below are five takeaways from the Commanders dominant 21-6 win against the Giants to open the 2025 NFL Season:

1. Zach Ertz Redeems Early Mistakes with Opening Touchdown

Just two plays after Giants linebacker Micah McFadden was carted off the field with an injury in the first quarter, Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz for a 7-yard touchdown, putting the first set of points on the board for Washington, having a 7-0 lead.

This marked Ertz’s 54th career touchdown with coverage from McFadden’s replacement, rookie linebacker Darius Muasau, capping an effective eight-play, 89-yard drive on Washington’s second possession.

2. ‘Bill’ Croskey-Merrit Lives up to the Hype with Impressive NFL Debut:

There was a buzz around the rookie running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt leading into week one. Despite the intrigue, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury remained tight on any insights on his plans for Croskey-Merritt.

By halftime, the rookie had already made his presence felt.

Croskey-Merritt carried the ball four times for 24-yards in the first half, including a 6-yard touchdown run, marking the first of his NFL career and the first by any Washington running back in his debut since Alfred Morris a week one of the 2012 season.

“This whole day was amazing, just being able to be on the field with my teammates,” said Croskey-Merritt. “I’ve waited a long time for this, and I just want to give these guys thanks for just pushing me and believing me.”

3. Deebo Samuel Revives the Offense in the End

After a sluggish start to the second half, Washington’s offense finally

5 Washington Commanders running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt scores his first career touchdown in a sold-out home opener against the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 7. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

found its rhythm and wide receiver Deebo Samuel delivered the knockout blow.

Through three post-halftime possessions, the Commanders had managed only 49 total yards and two first downs, hunting each time. But on their fourth drive, they marched 80 yards downfield, capping it off with a highlight-worthy 19 yard touchdown run from Samuel that effectively put the game out of reach for the Giants.

“Yeah, he’s a lot of fun to coach too. He plays aggressive and downhill,” said Quinn. “We missed some[opportunities], so we’ll be wanting to look at those. But also the touchdown run, that was, to me, quintessential him.

We’ve seen that movie, we know what that looks like… and so, I think that was part of the reasoning with [General Manager] Adam [Peters] and the trade and why it was such a good fit.”

Acquired by Washington and a blockbuster trade from San Francisco, Samuel made a huge impact in his Commanders debut. He led Washington in receiving, recording seven catches for 77 yards and scoring on his only rushing attempt.

It was a site of vintage Samuel, indeed: versatility, physicality, and field vision all combined into one play.

4. Commanders Prevent Giants from a Touchdown All Game

Washington’s defense set the tone in its regular season home opener, holding the Giants to just six points and keeping them out of

the end zone the entire game.

The Commanders limited quarterback Russell Wilson to just 168 passing yards and sacked him twice, resulting in a loss of 11 yards.

“The D-line did a great job,” said linebacker Bobby Wagner. “They were in the backfield making it easy on us. It really was a testament to them on how much they were just in the backfield causing havoc.”

Even more impressive was Washington’s control of the ground game. The Giants’ running backs were virtually shut down, combining for just 30 rushing yards.

“Whatever we can do, we stop the run and play good on defense,”said defensive tackle Daron Payne.

Daniels, a second-year quarterback, was also impressed with the defense’s performance.

“I mean you guys saw it,” said Daniels. “They made stops when they needed [to], when we’re stalling and I’m being sloppy on the offensive side of the ball, so kudos to them.”

Wagner, a veteran linebacker, anchored the unit with a teamhigh of 10 tackles, including five solo stops, and one for a loss.

Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw contributed two of the Commanders’ eight quarterback hits, while Payne and defensive end Dorance Armstrong each got a sack as Washington applied consistent pressure through the afternoon.

“I liked the intentionality of the work that I’ve seen from them,” said Quinn.

5. Jayden Daniels Showcased His Dual- Threat Ability Under Center

Daniels once again showcased his dynamic playmaking ability, recording at least 200 passing yards and 60 rushing yards for the sixth time in his young career, joining Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson as the only three quarterbacks to rush for 65 plus yards multiple times in a season. Daniels just so happens to be the only quarterback to do so in back-toback seasons.

The rookie quarterback completed 19-of-30 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown to veteran tight end Zach Ertz. He spread the ball efficiently, connecting with seven different receivers, with Deebo Samuek emerging as his top target throughout the game.

“We’re not gonna really be content with everything,” said Daniels. “We won the game, but we have a short week now. We can’t live off that high that we just did. You kind of got 24 hours to get over it, really less than that, because we’re going to Green Bay.”

The Washington Commanders are set to take on NFC rival opponent, the Green Bay Packers for a Thursday Night Football matchup on Sept. 11 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Kickoff is set for 8:15pm. WI

CAPTURE the moment

More than 9,000 bikers joined the Ninth Annual D.C. Bike Ride, a 20-mile course throughout the city, on Sept. 7. The family-friendly event, which culminated with celebration in front of the Capitol Building, gave riders an opportunity to cruise past the District’s most iconic sights and scenes, while enjoying live music and entertainment all along the way. (Ja’Mon Jackson/ The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

From Their Mouths to God’s Ears: Local Faith Leaders Demonstrate #PrayerfulResistance

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

Atop the pulpit of The First Baptist Church of Deanwood rang petitions for change and a bevy of #PrayerfulResistance as more than 24 faith-based and community organizations took to the Northeast sanctuary demonstrating the power of prayer – or what event convener, the Rev. Dr. O. Jermaine Bego calls “the first form of active resistance.”

“When you think about the life of Harriet Tubman, everything that she did was grounded first in prayer, before she went to serve out her mission, her purpose and to bring freedom to those who are oppressed,” said the CenterPoint Baptist Church senior pastor, “and I believe the same thing is true today.”

Set to the backdrop of a national opioid crisis, anti-immigration efforts, housing discrimination and disparities, and the Aug. 11 federal occupation of D.C., with recent orders to extend through Nov. 30, Sept. 3 proved to be far more than a prayer service.

Entitled “Pray for the District: #PrayerfulResistance,” the demonstration brought prayers from the mouths of local leaders to God’s ears, covering topics from law enforcement and first responders to justice and equity, health and healing, remarks for peace and safety, and more.

Participants included Presiding Bishop Joel Peebles, Sr., Prelate of Global United Fellowship; co-convener, the Rev. Dr. Wanda Thompson of Southeast’s Ambassador Baptist Church; and Congregation Action Network executive director, the Rev. Julio Hernandez and Bishop Edwon Brown, among others.

Meanwhile Peace Fellowship Church lead pastor, the Rev. Delonte Gholston, Daniela Bravo of Legal Aid

DC and Free DC organizer Samantha Paige Davis delivered marching orders and resources for D.C. statehood, youth intervention, and community mobilization, topped with access to know your rights trainings (stop-andfrisk, immigration, checkpoints), legal aid services, and a joint plan to shape the future of the District.

“We have to pray as though everything depends on God, but we’ve got to work as though everything depends on us,” Peebles explained, crediting the words of Saint Augustine. “At the end of the day, our prayer is critical, and our prayer works, but our work has to work too.

Much of the work begins with mirroring how to put faith over fear, Bego noted, a task he bestows upon clergy and Christian believers such as himself.

Amid preparations for mobilizations and growing initiatives, Bego reflected on the day’s tribulations as “the times designed to test our souls,” while exuding confidence that the congregation would leave on Wednesday with “answers to our problems.”

Before speaking with The Informer, he echoed a similar notion during a video segment on FOX 5, assuring a broader audience that D.C. residents had a plan for the journey ahead – and faith and community-based leaders are ready for the fight.

“This too shall pass, but we must ignite, we must mobilize, and we must engage our elected officials,” Bego told FOX 5 on Sept. 3. “The saying is ‘all politics are local,’ well, the same is… that all resistance is also local. We must begin to unite…and say, ‘enough is enough.’”

D.C. Faith

Leaders Say:

We Cannot Be ‘Complicit in a False Peace’

According to Free DC, a nonprofit

organization fighting for District statehood, rights, and against injustices, the next steps towards liberation in the city can be chopped up to five counteractions that “push back on those who are trying to build a dictatorship.”

At the top of the list is to not obey an advance, or be complicit in the threats and fear tactics designed to force action that actually does not have Washingtonians’ best interests at heart – which many local organizers, including Kristen Bonner of the DC Against Trump Coalition, believe D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has failed to do.

“[Bowser’s] administration has taken the position that if we collaborate with Trump and do what he wants, that will preserve some local autonomy. But we know that giving into fascism and…a racist agenda will never preserve anything. Trump is going to do what he wants to do,” Bonner told The Informer during the Sept. 6 We Are All DC: A National March, hosted by Free DC and other local organizations.

Bonner also highlighted the efforts of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has openly condemned recent threats from President Donald Trump to expand federal occupation into the Illinois city.

“That’s what we want Bowser to be like,” said Bonner, who’s also a member of the DC Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Freedom Road Socialist Organization. “If she can’t be like that, then she needs to get out.”

Thus, the next step, as touted on the pulpit by Free DC’s Paige Davis, was prioritizing joy, followed by:

• Taking up space

3During the Sept. 3 “Pray for the District: #PrayerfulResistance,” hosted in Northeast, D.C., community organizers, residents and faith leaders gathered to pray over multiple groups being impacted by ongoing injustice in the District, including anti-immigration policies, housing discrimination, and the now extended federal takeover. (Courtesy Photo)

Gholston challenged the more than 24 organizations with a new initiative on the rise, Fund Peace Now, the first major expansion of D.C.-based activist Mary Treadwell and former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry’s vision for the 1967 Youth Pride, Inc.

• Practicing solidarity

• And organizing.

“Do so strategically, do so in numbers. Do so in a way that is inclusive of all people,” she told the congregation.

Much like Paige Davis, Gholston encouraged community organization just as much as the importance of uplifting D.C.’s youth.

Citing the Bible’s Jeremiah Chapter 8, Gholston called out the common failure of the church that is often “complicit in a false peace,” with believers simply attending services and offering words of support, as opposed to getting involved beyond their place of worship and reconnecting with those “we’ve lost touch with as a church.”

“We don’t want a peace that says, ‘I sent the National Guard, I sent the [Drug Enforcement Administration], I sent ICE to disappear your neighbors and I gave you peace,’” Gholston reminded. “There is a call for each of us–pick your day.”

As executive director of Peace Walks DC, a group of activists, churches, nonprofits, and survivors of gun violence fighting local gun and state violence, that call comes every Friday at 6:30 p.m., on the corner of 49th and Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue. At this time, Gholston leads a weekly mission to bring vital resources to youth in the Deanwood neighborhood, including job training and health referrals, school supplies and narcane, and past organizations of a coat ministry.

Further, beyond inviting neighbors to join him on Fridays, and encouraging other congregations to host peace walks within their own jurisdiction(s),

“If you are a church, house of worship, community organization, business, philanthropic entity, union, if you have an address and you collect revenue in the District of Columbia,” said Gholston, “it is your job to either make a job or give a job to one youth. Fund peace now.”

The community organizer emphasized that, while many people opt to blame youth violence on bad parenting, the reality is rooted in a community lacking resources – whether it’s parents not having the tools and training to navigate parenthood, or young people in need of better financial opportunities.

“If we can get kids in summer youth employment, then we can figure out a way to employ our 8 year olds to 18 year olds after school and on Saturdays,” Gholston said, noting the inclusion of workforce development training for the kids. “One org, one child.”

With looming webinars for know your rights training, active mobilizations continuing throughout the city, and partnerships including pro bono efforts to support detained youth and immigrants, Bego and Peebles both agree Wednesday’s day of prayer was just the beginning of a forceful shift in both the church and broader community.

Bego told FOX 5 his hopes to see the Trump and Bowser administrations invite clergy and community-based groups to help “restore the element of trust that has been lost,” while Peebles shared his vision for achieving “global prosperity.”

“We will not be puppets, we will not be distracted by circus antics and we will not bow to fear or manipulation,” Peebles declared from the stage on Sept. 3. “Instead, [we will] rise with holy boldness, uniting across as races, parties, and classes to defend the freedom of God’s people.” WI

This is a tribute to Munir Loyan Morris, a young member of my family who was killed in a car accident last week. Through my son and his wife, ShaDonna Morris Briggs, now mourning the loss of her beloved brother, I learned that Loyan “was light and love. His infectious smile represented God’s endless love.”

My son, Leon Briggs, said, “Ma, I never met a young man so gifted, talented, and just an all-around good person.” He continued, “Though he was younger than me, I looked up to him. He was an airplane pilot, had been taking lessons for years.”

Let me share with you a little about how this car crash happened. Loyan, 18, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, and his University of Maryland Eastern Shore classmate Luke Jason Hawthorne, 18, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, were driving home on Sept. 3 from the class they had taken as airplane pilots in training as part of their college curriculum.

The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, driven by Hawthorne, was traveling south on Nassawango Road in Snow Hill, Maryland, when he failed to navigate a curve, causing the truck to leave the roadway. The truck then collided with several trees, resulting in Hawthorne’s death at the scene. Loyan was flown to Tidal Health, where he later died from his injuries.

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

When Death is Most Difficult! the religion corner

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating the incident, with Lt. Christopher Larmore leading the inquiry.

The two, who had only been members of the UMES student body for two weeks, were remembered by the university’s students, staff and community.

During a prayer I had with my son, I reminded him how each of us came to this earth only for a short time. We are here on assignment, but when our time is up, that’s it — just like when his uncle Leon was killed in 1978. He was only 30 years old and running a successful floor business.

My prayer is now extended to all family members. The funeral for Munir Loyan Morris is Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Cornerstone Church in Bowie, Maryland. Parents: Dale Jr. and Kaha. Siblings: ShaDonna, Dale III, Iftin and Munira.

We pray also for the family of the driver.

For all family members and friends grieving the sudden death of both of these 18-year-old college students, these Scriptures offer comfort and hope through God’s nearness to the brokenhearted, the promise of eternal life, and the promise of ultimate healing.

Comfort in sorrow: Scripture in Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Another Scripture in Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Isaiah 41:10 speaks about not fearing because God is with you, strengthening and helping. And finally, Lamentations 3:32 reminds us that although grief comes, God’s unfailing love brings compassion. WI

RELIGION

1st Sunday

School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon

Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

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

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historic

Church Promised

Baptist Church

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 FEP 000105

December 13, 2023

Date of Death

Fantu Getaneh Kasaye Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Tesfamichael Nahusenay Mitiku whose address is 2206 Predelia Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20902 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Fantu Getaneh Kasaye, deceased, by the High Court of Justice England and Wales Court, on March 2nd 2025.

Service of process may be made upon Cecilia Fabian Kadeha 1939 12th Street NW, Apt. 301, Washington, DC 20009 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

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

Date of first publication: 8/28/2025

Tesfamichael Nahusenay Mitiku 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 177

Howard Fleming 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 Howard Fleming who died on June 6, 2024 without a Will. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/28/2026. 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 2/28/2026, 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: 8/28/2025

J. Anthony Concino II, 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 1201

Mary Ann Savoy Decedent

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

Emanuel Savoy, whose address is 4402 23rd Place Temple Hills, MD 20748, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mary Ann Savoy who died on 11/26/2021 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 2/28/2026. 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 2/28/2026, 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: 8/28/2025

Emanuel Savoy

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000804

Michael Holland Decedent

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

Angelia Smith, whose address is 1209 South View Drive, #203, Oxon Hill MD 20745, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Michael Holland who died on March 13, 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 2/28/2026. 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 2/28/2026, 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: 8/28/2025

Angelia Smith 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 000836

Joe Nathan Shell Decedent

Ethel Mitchell 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910

Attorney

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

Jaison Shell, whose address is 13204 Marlton Center Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Joe Nathan Shell who died on September 13, 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 2/28/2026. 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 2/28/2026, 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: 8/28/2025

Jaison Shell 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 000801

Wesley T. Stevenson Decedent

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

Peggy A. Joyner, whose address is 738 Quincy St., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Wesley T. Stevenson who died on 9/30/2024 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 2/28/2026. 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 2/28/2026, 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: 8/28/2025

Peggy A. Joyner 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 000833

John Johnson Decedent

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

Luella Johnson, whose address is 4007 Blakney Lane SE, Washington DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John Johnson who died on June 25, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 2/28/2026. 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 2/28/2026, 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: 8/28/2025

Luella Johnson

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 000816

Venita M. Jacobs aka Venita Millicent Jacobs Decedent

Graner S. Ghevarghese 600 14th Street NW, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20005 Attorney

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

Del Trazell Singh, whose address is 2408 Pomeroy Rd., SE, Washington, DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Venita M. Jacobs aka Venita Millicent Jacobs who died on 2/23/2024 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 3/4/2026. 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 3/4/2026, 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: 9/4/2025

Del Trazell Singh 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 000826

Karol Diane Freeman

Decedent

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

Cheyenne Glenn, whose address is 5052 12th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Karol Diane Freeman who died on July 16th 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 2/28/2026. 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 2/28/2026, 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: 8/28/2025

Cheyene Glenn

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 219

Wanda Ruggiero aka Wanda Sochanski Ruggiero Decedent

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

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. & Stanley Sochanski, whose addresses are 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #400 Washington, DC 20015 & 30 Cherry Street, Walnutport PA 18088, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Wanda Ruggiero aka Wanda Sochanski Ruggiero who died on February 13, 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 3/4/2026. 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 3/4/2026, 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: 9/4/2025

Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. Stanley Sochanski 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 000806

Ulysses Benjamin Decedent

Stephanie L. Royal, Esq.

The Royal Legal Group, PLLC 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW Washington DC 20015

Attorney

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

Twayna Benjamin Winston, whose address is 16299 Catenary Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ulysses Benjamin who died on November 12, 2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/4/2026. 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 3/4/2026, 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: 9/4/2025

Twayna Benjamin Winston Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2022 ADM 001440

James D. Vass Decedent

Kevin Judd, Esq. 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 900-South Building Washington, DC 20004

Attorney

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 James D. Vass who died on August 11, 2021 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 3/11/2026. 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 3/11/2026, 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: 9/11/2025

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 000653

Deborah Harrison Decedent

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

Emone Jones, whose address is 5348 James Pl. NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Deborah Harrison who died on November 17, 2015 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 3/4/2026. 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 3/4/2026, 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: 9/4/2025

Emone Jones

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000377

Dorothy M. Jackson

Decedent

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

Lawrence B. Jones, whose address is 419 Bailey Court, Sterling, VA 20164, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Dorothy M. Jackson 2015B 38th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20020 who died on October 31, 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 3/4/2026. 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 3/4/2026, 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: 9/4/2025

Lawrence B. Jones

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Copyright Notice for Publication

Copyright Notice: All rights reserved regarding common-law copyright of trade-names/trade-marks, not excluding any and all derivatives and variations in spelling of any of said names, W. Nathaniel Washington

©; Wardell N. Washington ©; Wardell N Washington ©; Wardell Washington ©; Nathaniel Washington ©; W. Washington ©; Wardell

N. W. ©; W. N. Washington ©; Washington, Wardell Nathaniel

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 FEP 000109

9/22/1994

Date of Death

Thomas Rudolph Harley Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Kendra Harley (Administatrix-DBN) whose address is 4340

Gault Place NE, Washington, DC 20019 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Thomas Rudolph Harley, deceased, by the Orphans Court Division Court of Common Pleas Court for Philadelphia County, State of Pennsylvania, on 7/29/2025.

Service of process may be made upon Kendra Harley 4340 Gault Place NE, Washington, DC 20019 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:

724 44th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019 and 4340

Gault Place NE, Washington, DC 20019. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: 9/11/2025

Kendra Harley Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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D.C. from Page 1

streets on Saturday, Sept. 6 for the We Are All D.C. march, joining: Free D.C., Unite Here Local 25, SEIU, United We Dream, Coalition of Concerned Clergy, Metropolitan Washington Council AFL-CIO, Congregation Action Network, CASA, the ACLU of DC, Democracy Forward, and Washington Interfaith Network, in the fight for justice in the nation’s capital.

The many organizations united for a similar cause– speaking out against the federal law enforcement surge, checkpoints and ICE arrests in the District, and President Donald Trump’s Aug. 11 decision to place D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under control of the National Guard.

Sam Epps, president of the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, who spoke at the Sept. 6 march, said the effort was grassroots and authentic, not manufactured.

“This is what organizing looks like. This happened in two weeks,” said Epps. “These are family members who have to walk through militarized areas, who are being profiled on their way to work, who are being snatched up and sent to inhumane detention centers. That’s why they’re here today.”

However, while white, Black, Brown and other communities have taken to the streets– as seen at Saturday’s march— critics are pointing to the racial makeup of some of the crowds as evidence that the movement lacks authenticity.

“We’re going to ignore these stupid white hippies,” said United States

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Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller while welcoming members of the National Guard at Union Station on Aug. 20, adding they “all need to go home and take a nap because they’re over 90 years old.”

He said those protesting were not representative of the District’s residents.

“Those crazy communists, they have no roots, no connection to the city, no connection to the community at all. All these demonstrators, all of these elderly white hippies, they are not part of the city and never have been. Most of the citizens who live in D.C. are Black,” said Miller, before working to further the president’s rhetoric about crime in D.C. “This is not a city that has had any safety for its Black citizens for generations.”

However, activists argue that conservative leaders overlook the broader scope of the movement and fail to recognize the range of people affected by these policies and the diverse communities standing against them.

Lewis Bracy, a protester from Fort Meade, Maryland, rejected the notion of the demonstrations not being real, saying many participants were local or from surrounding communities.

“I’ve met several of the organizers. Some live in D.C., others in nearby Northern Virginia. You can’t keep making excuses and saying people don’t belong,” Bracy said about the Sept. 6 rally, although he noted he would like to see more Black people in the crowd. “If you’re an American citizen, you have the right to be here–we’re in our nation’s capital.”

Activists, Rep. Al Green Denounce Pay Claims at March from Union Station to Congress

Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), a visible presence at these demonstrations and often serving as a gateway into congressional buildings for peaceful protesters, spoke at a Sept. 2 rally at Union Station, where the National Guard is stationed and the group Flare serves as a hub and organizer for demonstrations.

He energized a diverse crowd during the Tuesday rally, where people gathered to demand the release of the Epstein files, march toward Congress in an effort to “flood the halls,” and to voice opposition to a wide range of actions by Trump, especially those affecting the District.

A member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Green was shocked to learn of the rumors that activists were paid protesters.

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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BOLDEN from Page 30

about slavery. As a Black man, I find these particularly moving, knowing that my ancestors were abducted from their homes in Africa, brought to America in chains and treated like animals rather than human beings.

You don’t have to be Black to be horrified by the depiction of slavery in the museum, any more than you have to be Jewish to be horrified by the murder of 6 million Jews as depicted in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, another outstanding Smithsonian museum. Slavery is as much a part of American history as the Holocaust is a part of German history. You can’t understand the history of either country without understanding these atrocities. To its credit, Germany requires Holocaust education in schools. Trump would be wise to learn from the German example — not hiding from an ugly chapter of his nation’s history, but shining a spotlight on it so later gen-

MALVEAUX from Page 30

Act of 1974, are patently illegal and he knows it. But he believes he is above the law, and the congressional cowards are unwilling to check him.

I don’t begrudge the Epstein survivors their two-hour press conference and moment in the sun, but why not a press conference with some of the entrepreneurs who are hit by these willy-nilly random tariffs that are slowing our economy?

This president is hell-bent on implementing his Project 2025, the one whose complicity he denied during the campaign. The cowards in Congress, on both sides of the aisle, seem powerless to stop him. Democrats offer great lip service, but little more. Republicans simply kowtow. And the

MORIAL from Page 30

Now, the very legal framework that enabled that progress is under attack.

This is not an isolated incident. It is part of a national pattern of voter suppression by design. The State of Black America report outlines that 27 states have passed legislation in the past five years that directly restricts access to the ballot through voter roll purges, reduced polling locations, gerrymandering and ID laws that disproportionately harm communities of color.

But dismantling the Voting Rights Act is not only a legal loss.

erations can learn from it. We need to be honest about our past. There is simply no way to put a pretty face on slavery or downplay its barbarity and immorality. Importantly, Trump’s social media post saying Smithsonian museums concentrate on stories about “how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been” is not true. The African American museum devotes much space to telling the story of Black people overcoming slavery, systemic racism and poverty to rise to levels of great accomplishment in just about every field. The many displays about Black abolitionists, civil rights figures, educators, physicians, scientists, lawyers, entertainers, athletes, government officials, business executives and more are as inspiring as the stories of enslaved Black people are disheartening.

The fact that Black Americans could rise from slavery to the U.S. presidency of Barack Obama 144 years after emancipation is a testament to the justice of our system of

people suffer. Congress has authority, but they fail to use it. The president cannot fire heads of independent agencies, and the courts are telling him so. He knows he can’t fire these people, but he is doing it anyway. He ought to have better things to do than to meddle with museums, but he is so determined to erase history that he would change the way the National Museum of African American History and Culture showcases our horrible legacy of enslavement. He summoned Smithsonian Director Lonnie Bunch to a White House lunch, probably to simply flex his muscles and exert his authority. Bunch’s term ends in 2026. I’m apprehensive that the next Smithsonian director will check more of the Trump boxes.

It is a political and moral crisis.

Black elected officials, advocates and all who believe in representative democracy must respond with urgency.

What must be done:

1. Hold national leadership accountable. Congress must act immediately to reauthorize and strengthen the Voting Rights Act by passing legislation such as the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

2. Mobilize civic resistance.

government and the goodness of the American people. Racism has not disappeared, but the great progress our nation has made on the road to equality is something all Americans should learn about and be proud of.

My own family has lived this story of Black success. My ancestors were enslaved. My late father, Raymond A. Bolden, who was born in 1933, struggled through poverty, racism and homelessness to become an exceptional student, serve in the U.S. Air Force and go on to become a civil rights lawyer and judge. He inspired me to become a lawyer as well and follow in his and my mother’s footsteps by also becoming a crusader for racial justice.

As a lawyer, I’ve often seen witnesses “solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth” when they are called to testify in trials. We should expect our museums to do the same. President Trump should stop trying to prevent them from doing so. WI

This president is shamelessly chasing a Nobel Peace Prize, which he is unlikely to catch. He promised to end the war in Ukraine. Not. He promised to end the conflict in the Middle East. Not. You don’t get peace prizes for deporting legal citizens, nor for flooding cities with the National Guard. The delusion of the Nobel Peace Prize should be enough for the president’s close associates to invoke the 25th Amendment, the one that would declare him medically unfit to hold office.

Meanwhile, the world is looking at us with shock and awe, wondering whether there is a grown-up in government to stop this madness. The congressional clowns are back, willing to go along with insanity rather than stop it. WI

AIRLINE CAREERS

3. Invest in political equity. Foundations, public institutions and allies must direct resources toward safeguarding Black electoral participation and representation. The crisis is clear. The solutions are within reach. The legacy of John Lewis, Fannie Lou Hamer and so many others reminds us that the right to vote must never be taken for granted.

To be equal, we must protect the most powerful tool we have, the vote, and resist every attempt to take it away. WI

Civil rights organizations, faithbased coalitions and local community leaders must engage in robust organizing, voter education and legal defense efforts to effectively address the challenges facing their communities.

BRENSON from Page 31

Latina/o (67%) adults are much more likely than white adults (44%) to report that they do not have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses. To better address these matters and push forward meaningful legislation to tackle these critical economic issues, members of Congress need top staffers who understand firsthand the experiences of constituents. The perspectives and talents of racially diverse top staff would allow members of Congress to best serve their communities and help dismantle the structural inequality in laws passed by Congress.

While congressional efforts including the establishment of the now-defunct ODI and the Senate Democrat-

LANG from Page 31

provide medicines, treatments and community programs that patients depend on.

Without these lifelines, access to emergency care, chronic disease treatment, mental health care, transpor-

TILGHMAN from Page 31

• In Oakland, student organizers successfully lobbied for the elimination of school police, leading to a reinvestment in student support services and restorative justice programs.

• In Florida, the March For Our Lives movement — founded by high school students in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting — has transformed national conversations on gun safety and led to new state and federal legislation.

• In Alaska, young Indigenous leaders are pushing for climate justice and land protection, blending traditional knowledge with modern advocacy.

These aren’t fringe examples. These are proof points that when we empower youth with tools, access and decision-making authority, everyone benefits.

As 17-year-old activist Naila Williams of New York said during a youth policy summit, “We are not the leaders of tomorrow. We are the leaders right now. Tomorrow isn’t promised — but our futures are already being negotiated.”

What the Data Shows

According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University:

• Communities that actively in-

ic Diversity Initiative have improved the climate on the Hill, there is more work to be done to bring systemic change to Congress. Congressional leaders must pass legislation to address the needs of their constituents, and that starts with senior staff members representing the diversity of their districts. Congressional representatives should understand and prioritize the rights and well-being of the staffers who serve our nation by adopting a staffing plan that emphasizes inclusion and allocates services and tools for their entire teams. Of course, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits basing employment decisions on race or other protected characteristics. However, expanding recruitment to remove application barriers such

tation and translation services will be jeopardized.

as improving the non-transparent application process for Hill positions and diversify the candidate pool can lawfully increase the likelihood that members of Congress will hire highly qualified candidates that represent our nation’s diversity.

Hiring a more diverse top staff would help to enhance deliberation and innovation, which would allow for Congress to operate more effectively and strengthen our democracy. Hill offices are employment pipelines to the White House, federal agencies, lobbying firms, and nongovernmental organizations. The choices members of Congress make about who leads their teams will reverberate far beyond Capitol Hill.

WI

As we’ve recently celebrated workers across America, we should direct our deepest gratitude to the health care workforce. These individuals do more than provide medical services. They safeguard dignity, protect health and extend life itself.

tegrate youth in decision-making — through school boards, advisory councils or participatory budgeting — see higher civic engagement, better school attendance and more equitable policy outcomes.

• In Takoma Park, Maryland, 16- and 17-year-olds were granted the right to vote in municipal elections, and in the first year, they turned out at twice the turnout rate of older voters.

• States and districts that invest in youth leadership programs, like California’s Youth Empowerment Commission or Boston’s Youth Council, report stronger trust between youth and government and increased diversity in leadership pipelines.

These outcomes are not abstract. They are the direct result of institutionalizing youth voice — not just inviting it.

Building a Culture of Youth Power

Imagine every city council, school board and state legislature with a required youth representative — empowered, trained and given real voting authority. Imagine town halls held at high schools, not just country clubs. Imagine public budgets co-developed by youth and adult stakeholders. This isn’t a radical vision. It’s what authentic democracy should look like.

At a time when so much divides us, celebrating our hospitals and the people who staff them is one way to remember what unites us: the universal need for health care, compassion and healing.

WI

Youth engagement must be woven into the structure of our institutions: government, philanthropy, nonprofits, media and business. That means funding leadership training, creating pathways from classrooms to boardrooms and ensuring youth can serve on commissions, task forces and legislative bodies — with pay, mentorship and real influence.

This also means rethinking how we define expertise. Experience is not just something gained over decades — it’s also lived daily by the 14-year-old facing housing insecurity, or the 19-year-old leading a climate strike, or the 16-year-old navigating mental health care for themselves and their peers. These experiences deserve weight in decision-making rooms.

The Stakes Are Too High to Exclude the Youth Voice

As someone who has worked in education, run after-school programs and partnered with youth nationwide, I’ve seen firsthand the brilliance and urgency that young people bring when given the space to lead. I’ve also seen how often that brilliance is overlooked because of outdated hierarchies, adultism or fear of disruption. But disruption is exactly what we need. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.