2020
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Don’t Miss this Month’s WI Bridge Center Section Vol. 55, No. 49 • September 24 - 30, 2020
Justice Ginsburg’s Death Could Prove Fatal to American Democracy Trump Says He’ll Announce His Pick in Short Order – ‘More Than Likely’ a Woman
By Stacy M. Brown, WI Senior Writer and Hamil Harris, WI Contributing Writer @StacyBrownMedia @HamilHarris
5 Fans gather in front of the US Supreme Court to pay their respects to Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died on Sept.18. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg – affectionately known as the Notorious R.B.G., a moniker that’s a take-off from the late hip-hop star, the Notorious B.I.G. – died Friday, Sept. 18, following a lengthy battle with metastatic pancreatic cancer. At 87, the popular Supreme Court Justice had fought with cancer and other illnesses for quite some time, determined to
The parking lot of the RFK Stadium in Southeast was filled with over 200 hundred cars Sunday morning as members of the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Northeast held an outdoor service using a drivein method where church goers tuned their radio stations to 87.9 FM. One of the ways churches are finding alternatives to brick and mortar sanctuaries is through a modern version of
the old drive-in theaters. Some of the largest congregations in the area that include Greater Mount Calvary, Alfred Street Baptist Church in Virginia and First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Maryland are holding services using Zoom, YouTube, Facebook and now a temporary drive-in where the honking of car horns replaces a shout back to the pastor. Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr., pastor of Greater Mount
CHURCH Page 42
GINSBURG Page 40
Black Voters Take Advantage of Early Voting in Virginia
Worship Becomes a Drive-In Experience By Hamil R. Harris and Shevry Lassiter
outlast the current administration as to ensure that Donald Trump would not be given the opportunity to appoint her successor. “I was praying she could hold on,” stated acclaimed novelist Terry McMillan, echoing the words of many Americans both within and outside of the political spectrum. Consensus among most U.S. citizens, considering the power wielded by President Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, (R-Ky)., points to the probability that Republicans will
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
5 RFK Stadium parking lot was turned into a church drive-in sanctuary when Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church held Sunday service. Socially distancing was the etiquette and church members waved flags, honked car horns, and praise danced around their cars in Southeast on Sept. 20. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)
In the week since early voting started, registered voters of various ethnicities in the commonwealth of Virginia have taken to the polls in great numbers to avoid expected long wait times, and the threat of COVID-19, at polling stations on Nov. 3. Despite the appeal of mail-in ballots, some local Black voters, like LeRena Thomas, said they’ve made time not only to participate in the political process as early as possible, but to ensure that they circumvent any attempts by the Trump
ELECTIONS Page 48
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Drives Surge in DMV law enforcement. She said they
By Tia Carol Jones
threat,” she said. Drivers George’s County may had come together to bring a throughout Among thePrince programs Marlow have noticed someto“Vote on 2” signs along sense of uniformity in the way wants see Yes implemented are certain When L.Y. Marlow's 23-year- domestic violence victims highways. grouprestraining known as “Vote on Question 2” and Astricter orderYes policies, old daughter told her the father survivors are treated. seeks voter more support to allow betting in Maryland. rights for sports victim's families of her daughter threatened her Surrounding states and the District of Columbia “She's using her own personal to intervene on behalf of a vic- permit life, and the life of their child, story, her own personal pain sportstowagering. lawmakers approved in March to tim, aState domestic violence assessshe knew something had to be push forward,” Davis-Nickens post the question of sports betting. Larry Hogan ment unit coupled withGov. further done. Out of her frustration said about Marlow. training for lawit law enforcement didn’t veto or sign it, making and will be placed as with law enforcement's handling Davis-Nickens said anyone agencies, a Child's Lifeelection. Protec-Voters will a referendum on the Nov. 3 general of the situation, she decided to who reads Marlow's book will whether tion Acttoand mandatory be asked approve sports counselbetting that “must start the Saving Promise cam- “get it.” She said she “puts the primarily ing for batterers. be used for funding public education.” The paign. case in such a way, the average “If we are ever going to eradiQuestion 2 group website notes the state could raise $40 “It seems to be a vicious cycle person can get it.” She saidmillion at the annually cate domestic violence, wetomust in tax revenue, similar an amount rethat won't turn my family end of the day, the book willin New lookJersey. at both sides of the coin. campaign ceived According to Maryland loose,” Marlow said.right, Marlow help people begin to havefinance a dia- records, We need to address the vic5 Chiquita Jackson, election protection coordinator the “Vote Yes onboth Question 2” campaign, shared her story with the audilogue voter aboutregisdomestic violence. tim and the batterer,” Marlow for Common Cause Maryland, stands behind chaired by former University of Maryland Terps basketence at table the Sept. District Heights Also Market presentin at the event said.Coleman, received a $250,000 contributration 22 outside MOM’s Organic ballwas star Marissa Domestic Violence Symposium Mildred Marlowofwould also to most see popular Bowie. (William J. Ford/The Washington Informer)Muhammad, the tionexfrom DraftKings Boston, onelike of the on May 7 at the District Heights wife of John Allen Muhammad, programs designed to raise online sports betting sites in the country. To view a video Community local businesses andsentenced nonprofitto six consecMunicipal Center.groups, The sympowho was awareness in of the group’s campaignamong ad, go tochildren https://voteyesontwo. organizations all celebrated Voter sium was sponsored by National the utive lifeRegistration terms without parole public and private schools. She com/ and click on the banner “Question 2 on TV.” Day onand Tuesday, Sept.Services 22. MOM’s Market Family Youth by aOrganic Maryland jury for his role in feels children need to be educathostedofvoter tables at the eightBeltway of its stores in attacks in ed about domestic violence. Center the registration city of District Sniper Heights the National Hook- Chiquita D.C., and Maryland and Virginia. 2002. Jackson, Mildred elecMuhammad is “We have to stop being pasUption of Black Women. protection coordinator for Common CauseofMarythe founder After the Trauma, sive-aggressive with poor chilMarlow hasat awritten a book, land, stood table outside the Bowie store to not only an organization that helps the dren about domestic violence,” “Color Mepeople, Butterfly,” which is a voter register but also provide information for survivors of domestic violence Marlow said. story generations and their children. the about Nov. 3four general election. of Meanwhile, BET Digital Marlow has worked to break domestic The book is called “I lived fear for six years. Six the cycle of abuse in her family, hosted aviolence. virtual program Tuesday “BlackinAmerica inspired her own experiences, yearsKamala in fear Harris.” is a long time. It is and is confident the policies she Votes: by HBCU Students Interview Sen. and those of her grandmother, not an easy thing to come out is pushing for will start that Harris said one proposal she and Democratic presidenhertialmother andJoeher daughter. shebillion said. investprocess. candidate Biden would offerof,” a $5 She saidat every time Black she reads Mildred Muhammad said “I plan to take these policies to ment historically colleges and universities and excerpts from her book, she stillfor people want to help a Congress and implore them to minority-serving institutions graduatewho programs canin not believehealth the words came domestic violence teaching, care and science, technology, engi-victim must change our laws,” Marlow said. from her. “Color Me Butterfly” be careful of how neering and mathematics (STEM) to build entrepre-they go into “I will not stop until these poliwon 2007 National thego victim's life, and understand are passed.” 5 A Yes oncies Question Two sign along Route 202 in Upper neurthe programs. To see the“Best interview, to https://bet. Books” Award. that she may be in “survival Tia Carol Jones Washington can be reached Marlboro. (William J. Ford/The Informer) us/2G0AVDX. “I was just 16-years-old when mode”. at tiacaroljones@sbcglobal.net my eye first blackened and my “Before you get to 'I'm going lips bled,” Marlow said. to kill you,' it started as a verbal WI Elaine Davis-Nickens, president of the National Hook-Up A Maryland commission empowered to investigate at least 40 lynchof Black Women, said there is no ings that occurred between 1854 and 1933 had its public launch Thursconsistency in the way domestic day, Sept. 17. The Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Comviolence issues are dealt with by mission, the first-ever state-run commission dedicated to addressing lynchings in the U.S., was established by a bill that received unanimous approval from the state’s house and senate in April, which acknowledges that at least 40 African Americans were lynched by white mobs over nearly an 80-year period in the state of Maryland. The bill also recognizes that no one was ever charged in connection to these crimes and various government entities commissioned the lynchings and conspired to conceal the identities of the perpetrators. The panel released an interim report to Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and the presiding officers of the General Assembly on Friday, Sept. 18 that provides a timeline for its work over the next two years and protocols it has put in place for its monumental task. Outside of the South, Maryland counts as one of eight states where the torture was common, according to a 2015 report by the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit legal and civil rights group that has documented thousands of lynchings and created the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Ala., to memorialize the victims. Documented lynchings took place between 1854 and 1933, in 18 of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions. Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties recorded the highest numbers in the state. WI Staff Writer
“
Maryland Lynching Commission Releases Preliminary Report
We have to stop being passive-aggressive with poor children about domestic violence. I plan to take these policies to Congress and implore them to change our laws. I will not stop until these policies are passed.
“
SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
Women the Cycle of wi hotBreak topics Domestic Violence Voter Registration Vote Yes on Sports Betting?
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L.Y. Marlow
AROUND THE REGION DOES Under Fire for Unemployment Compensation Delays
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
After nearly seven months, and an untold number of hours on the phone, Zina Ford recently found out, for the third time, that she wouldn’t receive unemployment benefits anytime soon, though she contends the reason seems unclear at the moment, even after several emails and conversations with D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES) personnel. Even with an appeal in motion, Ford hasn’t maintained much hope about acquiring what’s estimated to be several hundreds of dollars that have accumulated since March, mainly because of a backlog of applications and what she described as DOES’ penchant for disorganization and miscommunication. “Why am I on hold for hours at a time with people who don’t know anything? The D.C. government needs to get it together,” said Ford, a lifelong D.C. resident and massage therapist of nearly a decade. Earlier this year, shortly after the coronavirus pandemic, and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s public health emergency declaration spurred job losses across the region, Ford embarked on a labyrinthic endeavor to secure unemployment benefits. Before the launch of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) under the CARES Act, Ford’s status as a contractor precluded her from receiving funds. On her second attempt to apply for benefits however, she learned that her previous part-time job, and the circumstances of her transition to full-time contractual work last year, deemed her ineligible for COVID-19 relief. For the time being, Ford, a mother of one who lives with her significant other, continues to apply for jobs while making submissions for the $300 in weekly benefits doled out under the newly launched Lost Wages Assistance Program. “I’m overqualified as a massage therapist so no one’s been contacting me,” Ford told The Informer. “I started offering massages again, but I haven’t had many clients because nobody wants to be touched. If they do, they want to go to a spa setting,” she added. “Spots are open, but spas aren’t hiring. I started massaging again last month, and [since then] I’ve
had a total of six people.” Ford counts among a contingent of self-employed and contractual workers who, because of their precarious status, have found difficulty in acquiring COVID-19 unemployment benefits, though they’ve contributed the District’s cultural economy in various capacities. Between March and September, DOES reported more than 148,000 newly filed unemployment claims -- an amount several times greater than the entirety of 2019. With that influx came issues involving DOES’ online filing system and long wait times on the phone. One particular hurdle centers on the lack of updates to the DOES website. During an oversight hearing hosted by the D.C. Council Committee on Labor and Workforce Development last week, D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-at Large) requested the allocation of funds in the FY 2021 budget to update DOES’ unemployment claims system. For gig workers, legislation currently before the D.C. Council Committee on Labor and Workforce Development would expand the definition of employment. If passed, the law, the Unemployment Compensation Employer Classification Amendment Act, would bring the District’s unemployment compensation into line with federal rules, identifying any service done for a jurisdiction as employment. It also allows government entities to make payments into the District’s Unemployment Fund. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) introduced the legislation last October at the request of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D). Though she didn’t attend the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development’s oversight hearing, DOES Director Dr. Unique Morris-Hughes submitted testimony that countered what she described as misinformation circulated on social media about DOES not giving PUA and unemployment insurance backpay. In her letter, Morris-Hughes highlighted similar bureaucratic issues affecting other jurisdictions. She also noted that keeping up with changing federal mandates and facilitating new relief programs has increased the time needed to verify claims, particularly in cases when people outline work history in different states. Throughout much of September, dozens of public witnesses recounted
their struggles to acquire unemployment benefits. In his testimony, AK Adams, a D.C. resident and small business owner, argued that DOES’ priority should be to dole unemployment funds as quickly as possible, not protecting federal disaster relief funds from misuse. “DOES has never been tasked with analyzing & evaluating small business finances, independent contractors and gig economy workers, and while it’s amazing that DOES staff have learned so much so quickly, and stepped up to handle such incredible increases in claims and inquiries, there are still hundreds, perhaps thousands of D.C. residents that have not received the pandemic relief help Congress authorized in April,” Adams said in his testimony. Before the pandemic, Adams designed, built, and operated sound systems for live music venues includ-
5 A backlog in the processing of unemployment claims has led to a delay in benefits. (Courtesy photo/WJLA.com)
ing Local 16, DC Funk Parade, and Capital Jazz Fest. In August, after filing a PUA claim, he would receive a minimum of $179 per week, and the assurance of retroactive payments for claims going back to March. In making his comments, Adams expressed a desire to see the most ideal outcome materialize, not just for him, but all D.C. residents submitting un-
employment claims during the coronavirus pandemic. “Now is not the time for administrative and bureaucratic concerns to trump the urgent needs of D.C.’s self-employed sector, which includes the ‘creative economy’ Mayor Bowser often encourages as one of DC’s strong points,” Adams said. WI
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SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 5
AROUND THE REGION
black facts
SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB
SEPT 24 - 30, 2020
SEPT. 24
1957 – Nine Black students integrate Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. 1964 – The Executive Order 11246, which enforces affirmative action, is signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
SEPT. 25
1861 – The Union Navy allows Blacks to enlist for service for the first time during the Civil War. 1886 – Peter “The Black Prince” Jackson wins the Australian heavyweight title, becoming the first Black man to win a national boxing crown. 1968 – Famed rapper/actor Will Smith is born in Philadelphia. 1974 – Barbara Hancock becomes first African American woman to be named a White House fellow.
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Singer Bessie Smith, known as “Empress of the Blues,” dies in an automobile accident in Clarksdale, Mississippi, at age 43. 1981 – Tennis great Serena Williams is born in Saginaw, Michigan.
SEPT. 27
1827 – Hiram Rhodes Revels, the first African American U.S. senator, is born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. 1912 – W.C. Handy publishes the sheet music to “Memphis Blues,” one of the earliest known blues songs. 1950 – Gwendolyn Brooks is awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her book of poetry “Annie Allen,” becoming the first African American to win the honor.
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1868 – The Opelousas Massacre, in which an estimated hundreds of Blacks were killed by armed white militias in an ethnic war, occurs in Louisiana. 1991 – Iconic jazz trumpeter Miles Davis dies in Santa Monica, California, of complications from a stroke at age 65.
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1975 – WGPR-TV, the first wholly African American-owned television station in the United States, begins broadcasting. 1979 – Sir William Arthur Lewis, an economist from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, becomes the first Black to receive the Nobel Prize in economics.
SEPT. 30
WILL SMITH 6 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
1933 – Gospel singer Cissy Houston, mother of late superstar Whitney Houston, is born in Newark, New Jersey. 1935 – Famed singer Johnny Mathis is born. 1966 – African nation Botswana gains independence from the United Kingdom. WI
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AROUND THE REGION
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It’s been a hard year, but I want my brothers and sisters to know that we are strong, we are wise, and we will rise above whatever adversary is against us. Rest in peace Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
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I hope everyone realizes how important voting is now. Especially for your state senators and house representatives. Rest in peace to a real revolutionary woman.
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A great woman, great fighter and a great leader for human rights in the world especially women’s rights. She has passed, but her legacy shall continue. Thanks a lot for your outstanding works.
RHEA JORDAN / NEW YORK, NEW YORK
You don’t have to 100 percent agree with a person’s stance on everything. She was very progressive for a woman of her age. She did good work. She held on for as long as she could. Don’t let her fight be in vain. If Trump is allowed to pick another Supreme Court justice, it will definitely set this country back further than it already is.
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Within a matter of weeks, the coronavirus pandemic has rearranged the local nightlife and entertainment industry to what some argue is a point of no return. For the time being, most cultural events will take place virtually, with the most visually appealing and unique functions garnering the most attention. For social entrepreneur and former D.C.-area nightlife promoter Nels Cephas, such conditions have allowed him, through his company DC Now Events, to support local event curators in this transition, and boost their appeal among patrons of various ages, ethnicities, and interests who want to have a good time from the comfort and safety of their home. “Forty percent of people are choosing not to go out. Their choice is based on the many steps to go out, and the fear of getting coronavirus,” said Cephas, now in his fourth year as founder of DC Now Events, a platform through which tens of thousands of people in the D.C. metropolitan area have been able to learn about socially conscious, family friendly events. In the six months since the pandemic started, Cephas, a Silver Spring, Md. resident from Liberia, has facilitated the donation of $2,500 to causes of importance to DC Now Events supporters and allowed small businesses to promote their products
5 (L-R) Nels Cephas along with DC NOW Events Lead Brand Ambassador Dasia Scott and University of the District of Columbia Black Law Students Association President Asha Bruwell during a sit-in at the Supreme Court in July. (Photo courtesy of DC Now Events)
during the DC Now Events Small Biz Takeover. One of those entities, Kids Fashion Week DMV, launched an action-packed virtual production, hosted by Ashley Darby of The Real Housewives of the Potomac, that Cephas said attracted a bevy of viewers, including local parents and young adults unaware of the nonprofit that enriches aspiring models, designers, photographers and producers. “Our community and audience are seeking information to enhance what they do. That’s where virtual events play a big role,” Cephas told The Informer. “Event curators, and creatives, who curate virtual events still want their message and brand out there. When it comes to events, and social causes that are not relegated to just enter-
tainment. It’s about having access to information and how you choose to be informed.” In the early days of the pandemic, corporations like Google and Facebook had either canceled their marquee in-person conferences, or made the transition to the virtual world. As usage of videoconferencing platforms over the last few months have significantly increased, providers like Zoom have lifted streaming restrictions to accommodate patrons in the business and entertainment community that are embracing the possibilities of live streaming events and conferences. DC Now Events’ embrace of the virtual realm comes amid efforts to expand its reach to the Philadelphia
EVENTS Page 22
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8 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
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Why Working Women in D.C. Succeed on the Job and What Other Cities Can Learn
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
When the third annual 2020 Best Places for Working Women survey placed the District at the top of all cities’ list, it came as little surprise. The survey produced by MagnifyMoney ranked cities based on several factors, including job opportunities, the chance for upward mobility and entrepreneurship, wages, and protections for mothers. “For example, [D.C.] has a solid percentage of businesses that are owned by women at almost 32 percent; it has a high percentage of women who have employer-based health insurance, and it also has a high percentage of women managers,” Lauren Perez at MagnifyMoney told WTOP earlier this year. “D.C. just really protects working women and gives them room for upward mobility,” she told the news station. Almost 44 percent of managers in D.C. are women, the highest in the nation. And while child care expenses in D.C. are among the highest in the nation, wages for working women reportedly were also high, making child care expenses less of a burden. MagnifyMoney reported that D.C. has strong policies in place to protect working women, scoring high for both parental leave and pregnancy workplace protection. The median earnings gender pay gap in D.C. is 17.1 percent, placing it in the middle of the 50 cities ranked in the survey. “A major factor was the possibility of free and early childhood education. If a family is lucky to secure a spot in the lottery for PreK3/4 education, the District offers amazing choices from language immersion programs in Spanish, Chines, French, Hebrew to name a few, to other types of amazing programs,” Seema Thomas, an adjunct professor of Urban Sustainability at the University of the District of Columbia, told the Washington Informer this week. “The schools are cognizant of busy working moms and have phenomenal before/after school programs,
easing the guilt of moms who might need to work extra hours,” Thomas noted. Other major attractions of the region are opportunities to be part of history, declared the adjunct professor. “I have taken our little one to incredible national events by jumping on the metro - the Women’s March, Black Lives Matter, and other events,” Thomas continued. “When I do have a day off, we’ve taken advantage of the museums and other cultural attractions with little impact on our wallets. If sought, the DMV area can provide a unique educational setting for our little ones, not to mention the beautiful diversity in the area. The diversity across the DMV region exposes our child to many cultures and ways of living without ever needing to get on a plane.” As a working woman in the District who also has lived in seven cities across three countries, Jen Ngozi, the founder of NetWerk, said it’s easy to understand why the nation’s capital is tops. “D.C. culture not only normalizes networking but celebrates it with regular networking events and opportunities for women. In D.C. it’s common to be asked ‘what do you do?’ compared to other cities that
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AROUND THE REGION CAPTURE THE MOMENT BENJAMIN BANNEKER ACADEMIC HIGH SCHOOL
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More than 92 percent of D.C. Residents Have Responded to 2020 Census By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia While the District of Columbia, at 62.6 percent, falls slightly below the 2020 U.S. Census national self-response rate – 68.9 percent, or 97.4 million households as of Sept. 19 – D.C. does have an overall enumerated response rate of 92.1 percent – just below the nation’s rate of 93.6 percent and behind both Virginia and Maryland at 94.1 and 95.2 percent, respectively. That overall rate, which includes households enumerated both on their own through self-response and by census takers through a process known as Nonresponse Follow-up, places the District in a tie with Delaware for eighth in the country with just days remaining, for now, before the crucial count concludes. In July, President Donald Trump unexpectedly decided to speed up and end the count by Sept. 30. However, that action sparked lawsuits filed
in California by a National Urban League-led coalition seeking to extend the count beyond Trump’s deadline. Additionally, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and Asian Americans Advancing Justice asked a federal judge in Maryland to extend the time for the census count. Similarly, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced legislation this month to allow for the count to be continued through its original deadline, Oct. 31, while Census Bureau officials have also requested more time. “There is current and ongoing litigation but the one thing I can tell you is that what is going to hold true is that time is running out and people need to respond,” declared David C. Cook, the chief public information officer at the Census. Cook expressed concern about African Americans who have historically been undercounted. “When you look at the African-American community, children under five are typically undercounted
for various reasons,” he said. “Just to be clear, if you have a child that’s born on or after Apr. 1, 2020, they don’t need to be on the form. It’s who lived in your house as of Apr. 1.” “Also, Black males 18 to 25 are historically undercounted, so we’ve been targeting that demographic and we’re letting people know that it is safe to respond. We don’t share their information – it’s the law,” Cook said. Census officials continue to implore Americans that it’s vital to cooperate if a census taker arrives at your home adding that time remains through month’s end to respond online, by phone or by mail. Census results shape the future of communities, informing how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed for health clinics, school lunch programs, disaster recovery initiatives and other critical programs and services for the next decade. States with the highest overall enumerated rates by percentage include: Idaho, 99.7; West Virginia, 99.6; Hawaii, 98.9; Washington, 98; and
Maine, 98. States currently in the bottom percentile for overall response rates include: Alabama, 85.6; Montana, 86.9; Mississippi, 87.1; South Carolina, 87.7; New Mexico, 88.6; and Arizona, 88.9. Cook says the push continues to secure the responses of more residents across the country despite the unprecedented challenges faced by census takers. “As a nation, the number of house-
holds who answered the doorbell is more than 90 percent. Knowing that, the count continues,” Cook said. “Looking back at the 2020 count, the self-reported rate was at 63 percent, so we know that we have to stay out in front of people and get them to respond.” For more information about the Census, visit https://2020census.gov/en/whatis-2020-census.html. WI
DC MAP (Mortgage Assistance Program) COVID-19
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SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 11
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Mayor, Governors Talk COVID-19, Education By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill The three top leaders that represent the D.C. region talked about the coronavirus pandemic, education, transportation and other topics during a Capital Region Business Forum. The more than one-hour virtual discussion connected those topics on how they affect the business community. As of Monday, Sept. 22, health departments from District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia reported more than 270,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The last time D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) all came together for the forum was in 2018 in Tysons Corner, Va. “We have all been challenged this year in ways we could have never expected,” Bowser said Friday, Sept. 18. “A global pandemic, racial reckoning that we’re experience
in our country and the economic devastation that has been caused by COVID.” The Greater Washington Board of Trade organized the event for leaders to present, in a virtual setting, solutions and recommendations for the 300 member organizations from the District, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. In terms of the coronavirus, all three leaders agreed residents’ collective efforts muted the impact of COVID by following advice from health professionals about social distancing, face coverings and staying home when isolation is needed. Three industries-- hospitality, retail and transportation-- were hit hard by the pandemic, causing widespread unemployment and commercial setbacks, they concluded. “From a business perspective, it is really important to focus on training and retraining our constituents, especially those who are unemployed,” Northam said. A nonprofit organization called Virginia Ready was launched in
June to provide job training in health care, technology, welding and other trades for residents who lost their jobs due to COVID-19. Those who enroll in a scholars program at https://vaready.org/learn/what/ can receive $1,000 after completion. Tony Pierce, a partner with Akin Gump Strauss & Feld, who moderated the discussion, asked about building “a talent pool” in region while schools are conducting virtual learning at home with their parents. Bowser said the District public schools are working on plans to resume school with a hybrid option of both virtual and in-person instruction by Nov. 9. “I see it critical not just for those kids, but for the entire city, for the business community…the government and families starting to make plans,” she said. “That continues to be our focus.” All three leaders agreed the federal government should contribute more money toward Metro. Before Friday’s forum, the transit agency’s board of directors held a special meeting to approve public hearings on proposed service changes that include closing Metrorail stations by 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. The stations currently close at 11 p.m. Metrobus service would also end at midnight and these routes discontinued on Saturday and Sunday: M6 (Fairfax Village); N2 (National Harbor-Alexandria); Z6 (Calverton-Westfarm); and 30N and 30S (Friendship Heights-Southeast). The agency faces a budget shortfall of $212 million by the end of this fiscal year and possibly layoff more than 1,700 employees. If approved by the board later this year, the service changes would take effect in December.
5 D.C Mayor Muriel Bowser, bottom right, speaks during a virtual Capital Region Business Forum on Sept. 18. From left to right: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, bottom left; Tony Pierce, top left, partner of Akin Gump in Northwest D.C. and moderator of discussion; and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. (Screen grab: Capital Region Business Forum)during a virtual Capital Region Business Forum on Sept. 18. From left to right: Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, bottom left; Tony Pierce, top left, partner of Akin Gump in northwest D.C. and moderator of discussion; and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan. (Screen grab: Capital Region Business Forum)
The two states and the District agreed in 2018 to contribute $500 million annually to upgrade Metrorail stations, purchase new buses and other capital improvements. “It wasn’t an easy thing to do,” said Hogan, who added about 40 percent of the ridership are federal workers. “I’m going to continue to push to see if we can’t get our federal partners to step up.” The governor announced earlier this month for the state to move into its third and final recovery stage of the “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery” plan that relaxes restrictions on certain activities. For instance, movie theater and indoor venues can open at 50 percent capacity, or up to 100 people. Outdoor performance venues are
Eugene Grant Re-Elected as Seat Pleasant Mayor According to unofficial results Monday, Sept. 14, voters in the city of Seat Pleasant re-elected Mayor Eugene Grant for another four-year term. Grant received 416 votes to remain in the seat he’s held since elected in 2004. Juanita Riley challenged Grant and garnered 375 votes. Four incumbents will remain on the seven-member council. Both at-large members, Kelly Porter and Shireka McCarthy, received 540 and 483 votes, respectively. Hope Love retained her council seat in Ward 2 with 56 votes and Gloria Sistrunk kept her seat in Ward 4 with 176 votes. Ward 4 will have a new representative, Gerald R. Raynor, Sr., who ran unopposed. Current Ward 4 council member, Charl Jones, didn’t seek re-election. Monica Higgs garnered 99 votes to defeat current Ward 1 council member Lamar Maxwell, who received 39 votes. Kizzie Scott received 56 votes to represent Ward 3 against incumbent Reveral L. Yeargin with 39 votes. Voters also approved two ballot questions to increase the annual compensation of council members and the mayor starting Oct. 5 until October 2024. The council members salary will increase by $250 per year from $6,329 to $7,329. The mayor’s salary will increase by $500 annually from $9,118 to $11,118. 5 Eugene Grant (Courtesy photo) WI
12 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
also at 50 percent, but with up to 250 people that can attend. In addition, retail businesses and places of worship can extend from 50 percent capacity to 75 percent capacity. Prince George’s County Angela Alsobrooks sent a text message to residents Friday stating the county remains under a phase two plan, but certain businesses can reopen with certain limitations. Reception and meeting rooms in hotels, conference centers and similar establishment can open at 50 percent capacity, or no more than 150 people. No buffets are allowed and capacity is limited to no more than six people per table with social distancing measures enforced. Service appointments may resume at tanning salons with one customer per 200 square feet. Vape, cigar and hookah businesses can reopen for retail sales only and no smoking on the property. Also, public and private indoor pools may open at 50 percent capacity and people must wear face coverings when not in the water. “I want to remind our residents that this virus is still present in our community,” Alsobrooks said in a statement. “Please remember to continue following COVID-19 safety guidelines to keep yourself and your fellow Prince Georgians safe, including wearing a face mask, practicing physical distancing and washing your hands frequently.” WI
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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
Maryland Senate Committee Holds Police Reform Hearings By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
A Maryland Senate committee officially presented proposed legislation on police reform this week that includes use of force measures, elimination of no-knock warrants and reporting of police misconduct. Three Democratic members of the Judicial Proceedings Committee – Sens. William C. Smith Jr., Jill Carter and Charles Sydnor III – emphasized the seven bills are a starting point for discussion and craft legislation when the General Assembly convenes in January. “This is about legislation that puts the people that we serve first,” Carter, of Baltimore City, said Tuesday, Sept. 22. “There should not be a disparity between people and law enforcement in terms of one group being on a pedestal and another not. Carter presented four bills on use of force standards, no-knock warrants, duty to intervene and whis-
tleblower protections. Sydnor offered legislation for police officers to report misconduct by another officer and create a database that highlights officers “found to have committed or alleged to have committed certain acts.” The final bill from Smith, who chairs the committee, would prohibit a certain law enforcement agency from purchasing surplus military equipment. Between 1997 and 2019, he said agencies have bought $11 million in military equipment. “I want to ensure those officers have all the equipment to accomplish their mission safely,” said Smith, a lawyer who spent eight months last year in Afghanistan as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Naval Reserve. “But when you start blending the military with local, state and municipal law enforcement [agencies], that runs afoul of what’s in the interest of public safety and the community’s relationship with law enforcement.” The Republican committee mem-
bers said the hearings scheduled to run through Thursday, Sept. 24 present a partisan tone, especially with no proposed bills from the minority party. Sen. Chris West (R-Baltimore County) called the bills “anti-police.” Sen. Robert Cassilly (R-Harford County) went a little further. “It’s a crisis in the rule of law in our state,” he said. “The police are not the problem here. They, like the citizens, are just victims of the failure of governance. We’re seeing the gravitating fallout of seriously broken local governments shaped by decades of single-party dominance.” Former police officers, criminal justice advocates, current police chiefs, attorneys with the fraternal order of police and others testified Tuesday. David Rocah, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Maryland, said his organization along with 75 groups demand the General Assembly address these police reform items
in the next session: repeal the state’s Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, allow public knowledge of police misconduct, establish a statewide use of force policy, remove school resource officers from schools and shift control of the Baltimore City Police Department back to the city and away from the state. “If we don’t do at least these five things, we will not have made meaningful steps,” Rocah said. Meanwhile, some members in the House of Delegates held their fourth police reform and accountability session last week and heard from three state’s attorneys. The prosecutors spoke on behalf of the Maryland State’s Attorney Association and offered a few recommendations for police reform such as implicit bias training, creation of a statewide database to track police misconduct and require law enforcement agencies immediately inform state’s attorney offices when police misconduct occurs. One proposal the association
opposes: an independent agency or appointed prosecutor from the state attorney general’s office to handle local cases that may involve incidents such as use of force by police. “I believe very strongly the local state’s attorneys have the greatest responsibility to the people that elected them,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy. “We know our community. We present cases to them all the time and we understand how to try cases in our respective jurisdictions.” Del. Wanika Fisher (D-District 47B) of Hyattsville said residents may not agree with certain decisions made by a state’s attorney, such as the 2018 death on the Eastern Shore of 19-year-old Anton Black, who died in police custody. “What do you do for a jurisdiction where the electorate in keeping the state’s attorney accountable does not have the same view of justice,” she said. WI
2020 Presidential General Election Tuesday, November 3, 2020
ARE YOU REGISTERED? To be eligible to vote, you must register or update your voter registration information by Tuesday, October 13.
STAY SAFE. VOTE-BY-MAIL. Step 1:
REQUEST A BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED BY OCTOBER 20 To vote-by-mail in the 2020 Presidential General Election you must request a ballot. Your ballot request must be received by October 20.
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LOOK OUT FOR YOUR BALLOT
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COMPLETE YOUR BALLOT & SIGN THE ENVELOPE Follow the instructions.
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RETURN YOUR BALLOT BY NOVEMBER 3 Return your completed ballot to an official election drop box by 8pm on November 3 or postmark by November 3.
You can track your ballot application status online. Ballots will begin arriving in early October.
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October 26–November 2 7am–8pm
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Learn more about registering, requesting a ballot, or in-person voting options at
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SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 13
BUSINESS Winston Chaney Joins WHUR-FM Following Death of Patrick Ellis By Hamil R. Harris WI Contributint Writer
The Sunday morning line-up has changed in a big way at WHURFM with the addition of veteran gospel morning disc jockey Winston Chaney who has been added to the 96.3 FM family following the death of gospel music icon Patrick Ellis. “Patrick Ellis shoes will never be filled but I am just grateful that he left shoes to be followed,” said Geraldine Capehardt, who was listening intently when Chaney came on the air at 5 a.m. by playing the Vanessa Bell Armstrong hit, “The Denied Strong.” Chaney, who was the longtime morning man at WYCB 1340 AM, was on the air from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily. His first Sunday on WHUR he offered a mix of selections. “You are waking up with Winston Chaney,” said Chaney just before he dialed an old classic, “My Soul Says Yes,” by the Chicago Mass Choir. While Chaney, like many AM radio announcers, was known for plenty of talk between his foot-stomping gospel selections, on his WHUR
5 Veteran radio announcer Winston Chaney has joined WHUR-FM 96.3’s all new gospel experience and will be heard on Sunday mornings from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. (Winston Chaney/Facebook grab)
Sunday show he was more restrained as he played a mix of gospel and inspirational music. In a statement, WHUR management said. Sunday mornings are now being turned over to radio veterans Winston Chaney and Jacquie Gales Webb beginning Sunday, Sept. 20.
Reps to Fed Officials: Boost Financial Resources Recent conversations have been held on how and what role the Federal Reserve can help those less fortunate during the coronavirus pandemic. The Federal Reserve System, also known as “The Fed” as the central bank of the United States, brought zero interest rates for loans, stabilized the stock market and bought up corporate debt. However, some members of Congress said large companies received more assistance because of the relationships with banks and financial institutions versus those with limited resources. “The Amazons of the world are making a great deal of money. They have all the relationships,” Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-New York) said Monday, Sept. 21. “But when you look at the small mom and pop businesses – the barber shops, the florists, not-for-profits – they don’t have the contacts and the facilities and the re-
lationships with these banks.” Meeks spoke on a virtual panel during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative conference on the topic entitled “Economic Justice: Examining the Financial Burdens of Inequality and Striving for an Equitable COVID-19 Recovery.” Robert Johnson, founder and chairman of RJL Companies and moderated the 53-minute discussion which featured ideas such as the Fed institute a monetary policy that includes a racial and equity component. “These economic issues have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the former founder of BET Television and noted as America’s first Black billionaire. According to the Fed’s guidelines, it mainly has four roles: conduct monetary policy through financial conditions that helps keep employment and finances stable; supervise and regulate financial institutions to protect credit rights of consumers; ensure a stable economy and analyze risks in the financial markets; and
provide certain services to the federal government and overseeing the nation’s payment systems. The Federal Reserve, established in 1913, mainly provides nationwide programs that mostly big banks are able to recover during financial crises. The Fed did establish a Main Street Lending Program this year for small and medium-sized businesses at $600 billion, but so far has brought in about $1.5 billion in loans. “We’re doing more today than we did back in 2008 and [2009 financial recession]…giving the severity of the situation we’re in,” said John Williams, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. “We focus on how to use the best tools that we have and use them as appropriate to get the economy back on its feet… and do the best that we can.” Raphael Bostic, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, said Fed staff are experienced in homeownership, workforce development and financial literacy. “These are all other ways we contribute to the development and stabilization of communities,” he said. WI
Chaney, a DMV radio icon, will hit the airwaves with “Wake-Up” from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. followed by Gales Webb who will move to the 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. time slot. Chaney and Webb will carry on the legacy of WHUR’s “Gospel Spirit.” Both Chaney and Webb are radio legends with careers spanning decades. WHUR is also introducing to the Sunday mix Stellar Award-Winning Gospel Artist Anthony Brown with “Blessings on Blessings Radio” from 12:15pm to 2pm. Brown has broken
Stellar Awards history with 10 wins in one night with his “Group TherAPy.” “These changes round out the WHUR Gospel Experience, which also includes Tracy Morgan heard Monday thru Friday from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. We look forward to building on the foundation laid by our beloved Patrick Ellis,” said WHUR General Manager Sean Plater. “Ellis, who reigned on Sundays from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. for 40 years, passed away in July following complications from the coronavirus.”
The Howard University Rankin Chapel broadcast will continue on Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon followed by “The Journey,” hosted by Howard President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick. “In thinking of how we could keep the Patrick Ellis mission going and honor his incredible legacy, we assembled a team of all stars able to inspire, entertain, and serve every DMV listener. I can’t wait to hear this stellar combination,” said WHUR Program Director Al Payne. WI
By William J. Ford WI Staff Writer @jabariwill
If a loved one has passed away with HIV, we may be able to help. When a loved one passes away, you may feel hopeless. When the person you loved was HIV positive, grieving can be even more difficult. We can help. Your family may qualify for assistance if you have lost a loved one who: • received a diagnosis of HIV, and • legally resided in D.C.; and • had less than $800 in liquid assets at the time of death
14 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
To see if your family qualifies, contact
Samaritan Ministry’s Burial Assistance Coordinator:
202.889.7702 x 306
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BUSINESS
A Look at the At-large D.C. School Board Race
By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
This article is the first installment of a four-part series about the D.C. State Board of Election races, the winners of which will develop and promote policies on the behalf of students, parents, and teachers in Wards 2, 7 and 8, and throughout the entire District. In this year’s At large D.C. State Board of Election (DCSBOE) race, six people are vying for a position that comes with a racially and socioeconomically diverse constituency. Once elected, the winner will have to leverage relationships with D.C. residents and the D.C. Council to affect widespread change during a pandemic that has strained the District’s budget and further exacerbated long-standing disparities. The following are profiles about most of the candidates, one of whom will eventually replace Ashley MacLeay, a Trump supporter who incited controversy earlier this year with her disparaging remarks about D.C. school children and an appearance at the Republican National Convention. While each of the following candidates represents a variety of perspectives and experiences, they have expressed a desire to not only increase parental involvement in decision-making processes, but work toward making the DCSBOE more effective during an era of mayoral control of schools. Here are their stories:
JACQUE PATTERSON: THE ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE
A parent of two D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) students and an alumnus of D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams’ administration, Jacque Patterson currently serves as a member of the Local School Advisory Team at his children’s school and the Chancellor’s Parent Cabinet. Patterson has also been appointed to
the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Task Force. If elected, he has identified the landmark legislation as his focal point, telling The Informer that he plans to agitate for recommendations outlined by the task force to adjust the STAR rating system. As an At-large representative, Patterson said he also plans to improve aspects of the virtual learning experience, including access to technology. While he commended local school officials for adjusting and rolling out the fall program within a matter of months, he argued that social distancing protocols allow for more innovation in how students receive information, including the creation of learning pods and use of outdoor space in the warmer months. “Parents are overburdened. We have a hole of $11 million and children who don’t have the appropriate technology, hot spots and infrastructure to do their job,” Patterson said. “Kids in marginalized communities are going to suffer, and what we’re asking them to do in this space, it’s overwhelming! It’s hard for a child to sit in front of a computer for hours on end without any real person in front of them, guiding them.”
RAVI K. PERRY: THE POLICY WONK
In his appeal to voters, Dr. Ravi K. Perry touts his experience developing and implementing policy. If elected, he pledges to address the technological divide, reliance on standardized tests, and other signs of socioeconomic inequity through what he calls targeted universalism, a means of helping people understand why education investments in low-income, marginalized communities can be of equal benefit to everyone. Perry, an openly gay Ward 7 resident and professor who serves as chair of the political science department at Howard University, has co-authored books on urban policy and developed expertise in matters of public policy, Black politics, and LGBTQ political representation. His platform includes mandating Black
and ethnic studies, and LGBTQ history in the curriculum across grade levels, as deemed appropriate. In mentioning the aforementioned policy goals, Perry highlights the District’s Black mayor, Black chancellor, and sizable Black teacher population. He said his research has instilled a pas-
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sion to remove the red tape from education and unite various stakeholders -- including students, parents, teachers, DCSBOE members, the D.C. Council Committee on Education and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D)-- around sound policy that boosts the dignity of human life in the District.
“We have to do the work of explaining to people in different areas, whether you have kids or not, whether you are a native Washingtonian or not, and frankly, whether you are Black or not, why the investment is necessary to go to certain areas to ensure that we are lifting
RACE Page 38
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NATIONAL Bill Cosby Awaits Supreme Court Appeal on Second Anniversary of Sentencing By Stacy M. Brown, WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia On Sept. 25, 2018, legendary comedian and television icon Bill Cosby received a three-to-10-year prison sentence after a jury convicted him of three counts of aggravated indecent assault. This reporter recalls well the morning of that sentencing. Due in court by 8:30 a.m., Cosby called me at about 8 a.m. The comedian had developed a close relationship with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, including the Washington Informer. Throughout his trials (the first trial resulted in a mistrial after a panel from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, failed to reach a unanimous verdict), Cosby regularly spoke to the Black Press.
He’d even call me at home and amuse my children with classic Cosby stories and routines. On the morning of his sentencing where he knew Montgomery County, Pa., Judge Steven O’Neill would throw the book at him, Cosby wasn’t about to flinch. He called concerned about a family matter that he learned about. The phone rang at about 8 a.m. It was Cosby’s loyal spokesman Andrew Wyatt who said his boss wanted to chat. “Mr. Brown. Mr. Stacy Brown,” Cosby exclaimed. “How’s the family? Is everything okay? I want you to know that you can call on me if you need anything.” My response: “Thanks, but everything is good.” Half kidding, I said, ‘Don’t you have an appointment this morning?”
Cosby brushed back. “O’Neill can wait. I’m not worried about him, you’ve been a friend, and I need to know if there’s anything I can do to help my friend.” We talked about the cases as we had throughout the trial. “I’m going to walk in there and hold my head up high,” Cosby declared. He reminded me of a couple of revealing conversations we’d shared. One took place when Cosby and Wyatt each were convinced that the case amounted to a witch hunt, a blatant and racist attempt to destroy the legacy of the man once known as America’s Dad. Networks had taken re-runs of groundbreaking shows like ‘I-Spy,” “Fat Albert,” and “The Cosby Show,” off the air.
COSBY Page 24
Does Any Other U.S. President Compare with the Unhinged Trump? By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
‘Unhinged’ serves as a continuing series developed by The Washington Informer which seeks to chronicle the unpredictable and sometimes questionable behavior of Donald Trump, including potential instances of race-baiting, while providing closer scrutiny of multiple examples of the president’s statements or positions, proven to be false or unfounded, that have marked his presidency. President Donald Trump has continued his fascination and praise of dictators like North Korean strongman Kim Jung Un, which has even caused some of his detractors to pause and consider just how unhinged the commander-in-chief has become.
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5 Bill Cosby is keeping his head up despite languishing in prison (Photo courtesy of Vibe)
5 President Trump (Courtesy NNPA Newswire)
Among the eye-popping, “comeagain” moments offered by the United States of America’s 45th president to journalist Bob Woodward: Trump’s revelation of helping the Saudi Crown Prince cover-up the brutal murder of an American journalist. It’s admissions like that and other “shaking my head” moments throughout Trump’s four decidedly controversial years that have history buffs trying to determine whether America has ever elected as president such a divisive, racially-insensitive, and unabashed opposer of truth. “Trump is the most divisive and unscrupulous president America has had. Other presidents don’t hold a candle to Trump in terms of incompetence and surrounding themselves with sycophants and inept family members,” Konrad Juengling, a gay rights activist, and writer told the Washington Informer in an email. “Just look at the last Republican National Convention,” railed Juengling, a collateral descendent of President Abraham Lincoln through Lincoln’s great-grandfather, John Lincoln. “It was practically a family reunion for the Trump family. Trump’s interests lie in expanding his empire and growing his fortune. If he has to run America into the ground by appealing to racists, homophobes, and nationalists, he’ll do it.” Dr. Karla Mastracchio, a presidential communication expert and
communications consultant, stopped short of labeling Trump the most racist. However, she qualified it by noting that 24-hour news programs and social media enables information to travel instantly. “Donald Trump is not the first president to say racist things or support policies and laws that displace people of color,” Dr. Mastracchio observed. “He happens to be president in a time where digital media is accessible for everyone, so it’s not surprising, he is using this medium to normalize inflammatory language and meanness.” She continued with a comparison to America’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson, who claimed to represent the common man. Yet, Jackson’s legacy is that of an overt racist who, in 1804, years before taking office, posted a sign for an escaped slave that read, “Stop the Runaway. Fifty dollars reward. A Mulatto man slave. All reasonable expenses paid – and ten dollars extra for every hundred lashes any person will give him, to the amount of three hundred.” Dr. Mastracchio noted that Jackson didn’t have access to mass media and couldn’t reach millions of people worldwide in real-time. “That capability didn’t exist then. So, while I would say the current
TRUMP Page 24
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Report Says Death Penalty Disparities Linked to Slavery, Jim Crow Policies By Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer A new report has linked the modern day death penalty with slavery, lynching and segregation. The Death Penalty Information Center released, “Enduring Injustice: the Persistence of Racial Discrimination in the U.S. Death Penalty” to provide an in-depth look at the historical role that race has played in the death penalty. The Center says the findings detail the pervasive role racial discrimination continues to play in the administration of capital punishment today. “The death penalty has been used to enforce racial hierarchies throughout United States history, beginning with the colonial period and continuing to this day,” said Ngozi Ndulue, DPIC’s Senior Director of Research and Special Projects and the report’s lead author. “Its discriminatory presence as the apex punishment in the American legal system legitimizes all other harsh and discriminatory punishments.” “That is why the death penalty must be part of any discussion of police reform, prosecutorial accountability, reversing mass incarceration, and the criminal legal system as a whole.” The report notes that during slavery capital punishment was a tool for controlling Black populations and curbing rebellions. After the Civil War, public officials promised legal executions as a means of discouraging lynchings. As lynchings decreased in the early 20th century, executions began to take their place in circumstances that earlier would have drawn a lynch mob. Across the South, African American men were condemned and executed for alleged rape or attempted rape of white women or girls and other like accusations. Authors of the report say racial bias persists as evidenced by cases with white victims being more likely to be investigated and capitally charged; systemic exclusion of jurors of color from service in death-penalty trials; and disproportionate imposition of death sentences against defendants of color. They add that since executions resumed in 1977, 295 Black defendants
WE’RE READY 5 Photo courtesy of the Death Penalty Information Center.
have been executed for the murder of a white victim, while only 21 white defendants have been executed for the murder of a Black victim. A 2015 meta-analysis of 30 studies showed that the killers of white people were more likely than the killers of Black people to face capital prosecution. There are currently 57 people on federal death row, 34 of which are people of color, including 26 Black men. The center says some were convicted and condemned by all-white juries, an ongoing issue they say plays a role in driving death sentences for Black defendants. The report points to death penalty cases like Abu-Ali Abdur’ Rahman’s in Davidson County, Tenn., where the District Attorney General Glenn Funk conceded that the trial had been infected by overt racial bias. The Center says Abdur’Rahman had long argued that the prosecutor struck two Black potential jurors based on racial stereotypes. The trial court agreed to a reduced sentence, but the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office is currently appealing. They also note the Oklahoma case of Julius Jones, who was convicted and sentenced to death by a nearly all-white jury for killing a white businessman. His case was riddled with racial discrimination, including an officer using a racial slur during his arrest, prosecutors striking every Black potential juror but one, and a juror who used the n-word to describe Jones, according to the center.
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His petition for clemency is currently pending. “Racial disparities are present at every stage of a capital case and get magnified as a case moves through the legal process,” Robert Dunham, executive director of the DPIC, said.
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“With the continuing police and white vigilante killings of Black citizens, it is even more important now to focus attention on the outsized role the death penalty plays as an agent and validator of racial discrimination.” “What is broken or intentionally dis-
criminatory in the criminal legal system is visibly worse in death-penalty cases. Exposing how the system discriminates in capital cases can shine an important light on law enforcement and judicial practices in vital need of abolition, restructuring, or reform.” WI
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Facebook Reinforces Its Presence In Africa
American social media giant Facebook has announced the company is willing to open a new office in Lagos, Nigeria in the coming year, AfricaNews reported Sept. 20. In what will be its second office on the African continent after its Johannesburg Bureau in South Africa, the Lagos division will host teams specialized in engineering, sales, politics and communications. Facebook hopes to develop products made by Africans, for Africans and the rest of the world. In 2016, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg (right) went on his first business in Africa, meeting Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and local businessmen in Lagos, where he now plans to further implement his company. Buhari said at the time that the various meetings held with Nigerian youths were most timely as the country was already exploring opportunities to spur development through entrepreneurship. A statement by the president’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, shared on his Facebook page, quoted Buhari as saying, “Nigeria has always been identified as a country with great potentials for growth, especially with our youthful population, but now we are moving beyond the potentials to reality. I am impressed by your simplicity in sharing your knowledge and wealth with those with less income.” President Buhari noted that the simplicity and magnanimity of the entrepreneur, who is among the world’s richest men, had also challenged the culture of lavish wealth display and impulsive spending that had become peculiar to Nigerians. Facebook’s expansion on the African continent will certainly be watched by western African countries. According to a study commissioned by the social media company, Facebook’s investments in infrastructures and connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa could generate over $57 billion dollars for African economies over the next five years. WI
caribbean now U.S. Donates $3.6m For Hurricane Response In The Bahamas
NASSAU, Bahamas --The Embassy of the United States in Nassau delivered $3.6 million dollar’s worth of modular shelters, medical evacuation boats, and construction materials to The Ministry for Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction on Friday, Sept. 18, just in time for peak hurricane season. Chargé d’Affaires John McNamara (left) delivered the donation to Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction the Hon. Iram Lewis at Coral Harbour in Nassau, just over two weeks after the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Dorian. The governments of the United States and The Bahamas continue to cooperate on disaster preparedness and COVID-19 response at the highest levels. This donation is the latest addition to what is now nearly $38 million in assistance from the United States to disaster recovery in The Bahamas since Hurricane Dorian. Upon delivering the donation, Chargé McNamara said, “Today’s event represents the enduring spirit of friendship between the United States and The Bahamas and our shared commitment to save lives when disaster strikes.” Additionally, the United States donated 12 medical evacuation boats and related equipment—including litters, life vests, and trailers—that will help The Bahamas respond quickly to life-threatening floods following a hurricane. These specialized craft are unsinkable, rust-proof polyethylene boats with 40hp engines that can reach 20-25 knots in normal conditions and carry up to 12 people (or 2,500 lbs. of cargo). The boats will go to the islands of Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, New Providence, Great Exuma, Cat Island, Long Island, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Mayaguana, all of which have received flood water rescue training from U.S. Northern Command. WI
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HEALTH COVID-19 UPDATE
COVID-19 Defines Maternal & Infant Health Summit
By James Wright WI Staff Writer @JamesDCWrighter
The coronavirus pandemic and its impact on mothers and babies took center-stage at the Third Annual National Maternal & Infant National Summit held in the District from Sept. 16-18. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser convened the summit which took on a virtual format due to the pandem-
ic. Dr. LaQuandra S. Nesbitt, the D.C. Director of Health, at a Sept. 14 news conference, said the virtual platform of the event will be a boon to participants. “I have attended a host of medical conferences throughout my career and this year, because of the pandemic, I attended conferences virtually, particularly the National Medical Association Annual Meeting and I happen to find them to be more engaging,” Nesbitt said.
“I was able to listen to the content of the speakers without the distractions that take place when conferences are in-person. Virtual works. However, this summit won’t be a virtual event in perpetuity.” Dr. Faith Gibson Hubbard, the executive director of Thrive by Five DC, a comprehensive childhood health and learning initiative designed to aid District families through the early years of a child’s life, said the volume of reservations for the summit reached 6,500. “We have doubled the number of RSVPs of last year since they will be able to participate in this conference via video,” she said. “The workshops will take place over four days. People are hungry for the information.” Bowser launched the first summit in 2017 out of a concern of the District’s high infant and maternal mortality rate. This year, the Kaiser Family Foundation reported the District, ranks fourth among the nation’s states in infant mortality with 7.38 deaths per 1,000 births. A Feb. 18 NBC News story credited the findings to Boston College School
of Social Work Associate Professor Summer Sherburne Hawkins. According to the data, D.C.’s maternal mortality rate for 2007-2015 was 33 deaths per 100,000 live births and for African American women in the city, the rate was 59.7 deaths per 100,000 live births, worse than similar categories in Panama (52) or Ecuador (59). In the Sept. 15 opening panel of the summit, “What We’ve Learned from COVID-19: The Pandemic’s Impact on Perinatal Health and Next Steps”, Bowser, along
with Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Dr. Aletha Maybank, chief health equity officer of the American Medical Association and the moderator, Errin Haines, editor-at-large of The 19th, speculated on the coronavirus’s impact on mothers and infants. “We still don’t know much about COVID-19 and pregnancy,” Maybank said. “There are recent figures saying there have been 20,000 coronavirus cases among pregnant
COVID-19 Page 21
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HEALTH
Why More African-American Women Turn to Midwives for Childbirth By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia
Childbirth continues to be an iffy proposition for Black women, with the infant mortality rate still plenty too high in the Black community. In response, and because of the pandemic, more African American women reportedly turned back to midwives. Infant mortality rates fell for all age groups and shifts in the age of women giving birth accounted for about one-third of the decline from 2000 through 2017, according to a June 2020 study published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Vital Statistics Reports. However, Black infants have over twice the risk of dying as White infants, the report revealed. Further complicating the childbirth experience is the current coronavirus pandemic, which has laid bare healthcare inequities. Researchers at Kaiser Health noted that more Black women are looking to home birth as a way not only to avoid the coronavirus but also to shun a health system that has contributed to the infant mortality rate disparities faced by African American women. The researchers argued that the roots of this disparity — one of the
COVID-19 from Page 20 women and we don’t know what the data shows because it is incomplete. There isn’t enough data about pregnant women in general. What we do know is pregnant women who do get the coronavirus tend to be hospitalized. Nevertheless, there is still not much known about COVID-19.” Bowser said public officials are still in a learning mode about COVID-19 but pointed out in the District the hospitals seem to be handling the crisis as well as possible. The mayor said people who suffer from ailments other than COVID-19 should visit a hospital particularly if they have a serious medical episode such as heart attack or a stroke and even routine examinations like natal visits and infant appointments. Kelly, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus’s Health Brain-
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widest in women’s healthcare — lie in long-standing social inequities, from lack of safe housing and healthy food to inferior care provided at the hospitals where Black women tend to give birth. “It feels like we are needed,” midwife Kiki Jordan, who co-owns Birthland, a prenatal practice targeting low-income women of color, told Kaiser Health officials for their report. Since the pandemic hit in March, Jordan said, the practice’s clientele has more than tripled. “Hospitals are less likely to prioritize birthing sessions since everyone is more focused on dealing with the pandemic,” Alicia Hough, a corporate wellness expert at The Product Analyst, told the Washington Informer. “Both hospital rooms and staff are fully booked, and it’s difficult to find
someone to monitor your situation. Also, giving birth will put you in a vulnerable state and your baby, which is why a dozen of extra protections should be considered,” Hough determined. In hiring a midwife, she advises women to make sure they have isolated with the midwife immediately following a negative swab [coronavirus] test to assure that mother and baby are in safe hands. “Thus, also keep in mind to save the contact of your OB-Gyne or Pedia should any complications that a midwife can’t fix, arise,” Hough said. The lean toward midwives in the African American community comes as more reports show not just that there’s a disparity in the infant mortal-
trust, characterized the federal government’s response to COVID-19 inadequate, saying “given the number of people that have died, we should have done more sooner.” “We in the Congress could be doing more,” Kelly said. “Until we find a vaccine for COVID-19, we should follow what the doctors and the scientists say to get past this.” During the summit, two COVID-19-oriented workshops, one exploring the disease’s unique effects on infants and children as vulnerable populations and the other dealing with the impact of systemic racism and the coronavirus on breastfeeding, occurred. The workshop took place Sept. 16 as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a new study revealing 12.6 percent of live births among hospitalized prospective mothers with COVID-19 became
preterm compared with 10 percent of births in the U.S. general population, according to CNN. The study is based on data gathered involving 598 hospitalized pregnant women in 13 states between March 1 and Aug. 22. More than half of the women, 54.5 percent according to the study, had asymptomatic status when admitted to the hospital, the data showed, CNN reported. Bowser said mothers should constantly be in touch with their health care providers, especially while the pandemic continues. “Over 70 percent of COVID-19 casualties are Black in the District,” Bowser said. “We need people to go to their health care providers in their communities to be tested and monitored to be healthy and to have healthy babies.” WI
MIDWIVES Page 24
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HEALTH
U.S. Surpasses 200,000 Deaths Due to COVID-19 WASHINGTON, D.C. TOTAL CASES RECOVERED 15,021 +43 VIRGINIA TOTAL CASES 142K +872 MARYLAND TOTAL CASES 121K +341
UNITED STATES TOTAL CASES 6.92M +37,237
DEATHS 621
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DEATHS 3,060 +39
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DEATHS 201K +942
WORLDWIDE TOTAL CASES 31.6M +273K
DEATHS 3,895 +12
RECOVERED 21.8M
DEATHS 972K
DATA PROVIDED BY GOOGLE RESOURCES, SEPT. 23, 2020
EVENTS from Page 8
area this fall and launch an internship program next year for college students and young adults pursuing careers in sales, public relations, graphic design, communications, and other aspects involved in building a corporation. Earlier this month, patrons who visited DC Now Events on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn learned more about an organization highlighting missing Black girls, and received information about a safe family and friends gatherings that took place at the Kennedy Center in Northwest and Annapolis. DC Now Events also highlighted an upcoming Polo and Jazz benefit scheduled for late September. For Auntea Marie, co-founder and executive director of Kids Fashion Week DMV, a collaboration with DC Now Events made perfect sense, especially when COVID-19 interrupted plans for an in-person event. That highly anticipated function, originally scheduled for mid-April,
would’ve followed the Purple Gala that Kids Fashion Week DMV co-hosted with DC Now Events at the Smithsonian Institute last year. The duo would instead collaborate on a virtual show geared toward young people in the D.C. metropolitan area between 6 and 16 that aired earlier this summer to critical acclaim. “The commitment level of DC Now Events is top notch. You sit down with a lot of partners and they come up with terms, but DC Now Events went beyond our terms,” Marie told The Informer as she explained DC Now Events’ promotion of Kids Fashion Week DMV, including the design of attractive Instagram flyers. “I appreciate that communication and brainstorming, and the forward thinking they have when it comes to advertising to a digital audience,” Marie added. “Kids Fashion Week DMV is my baby, so to work with someone who treats it the same makes me want to work with them forever.” WI
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EDUCATION COSBY from Page 16 And, for Cosby who has enough cash for a dozen lifetimes, it was problematic because it meant co-stars like Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, and Keisha Knight Pulliam wouldn’t receive any hard-earned royalties. “There were also people who didn’t have [prominent and regular roles], but you know I kept them on the payroll to make sure they were ok,” Cosby told me. Now 82, Cosby knew the persona of America’s Dad was just because of his on-screen image. Off-screen, he never pretended to act in a manner in which he was not. “I’m ready,” he declared. “To go to that place where they want to send me [prison]. Do you know why I’m ready? Well, one thing to know is that
these people have nothing on me except that I’m a successful and wealthy Black man. Nelson Mandela helped to prepare me for this. “Camille [Cosby’s wife of nearly 60 years] and I visited Mandela years ago, and he took us to Robbin Island, where they held him all those years. He said I’d eventually have to face this too. I draw my strength from people like Nelson Mandela because if he can serve all those years, decades, as an innocent man, then who am I?”
Before the first trial, Cosby’s relationship with the Black Press had taken an ominous turn. When allegations surfaced in 2014 and Cosby declined interview after interview with all media, I called Cosby’s home and recorded the comedian’s first statements of the scandal. He wasn’t pleased about the intrusion and neither was Wyatt. Still, during the call, Cosby didn’t ask for any special treatment. “I only ask that the Black Press is fair,” Cosby requested. He said the media was feeding off rhetoric from a District Attorney [Kevin Steele] who had broken ethics and disregarded a previous agreement not to prosecute Cosby. That agreement was reached with former District Attorney Bruce Cas-
When allegations surfaced in 2014 and Cosby declined interview after interview with all media, I called Cosby’s home and recorded the comedian’s first statements of the scandal.
tor, who convinced Cosby to waive his constitutional rights and give a deposition that was never supposed to see the light of day. Castor told the Black Press that “Steele is breaking every rule, and it’s heartbreaking because Bill Cosby is being illegally prosecuted.” The Pennsylvania Supreme Court cited that agreement earlier this summer as one reason the panel will hear an appeal from Cosby, who has maintained his innocence. He’s also maintained his association with the Black Press. NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., has visit-
ed Cosby in prison on at least three occasions, and, in November 2019, Cosby spoke exclusively to this reporter in a groundbreaking jailhouse interview. Cosby vowed not to capitulate to a potential 2021 hearing before the state parole board in that interview. “I have eight years and nine months left,” Cosby stated. “When I come up for parole, they’re not going to hear me say that I have remorse. I was there. I don’t care what group of people come along and talk about this when they weren’t there. They don’t know.” WI
TRUMP from Page 16
help,” Hartman contended. “There is no president in modern history who has exploited the economic underclass and pre-existing racial divisions as this president shamefully has,” he added. “The closest POTUS in terms of controversy would be President Nixon, and his foibles pale compared to those of President Trump. I am a longtime moderate Republican who voted against Trump in 2016 and who will again in 2020. I make my living in politics and public policy; I know what I’m talking about.” WI
president might not be the most divisive, the access digital apps like Twitter provides make the impacts of his speech greater now than in the past,” she posited. James Hartman, a political consultant based in Louisiana who has worked for candidates in both the GOP and Democratic parties, said it might be unfair to call Trump unhinged. “That is insulting to those with actual, diagnosed mental illnesses who are functional and seek
MIDWIVES from Page 17
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ity rate, but a glaring shortage of Black doctors. Researchers from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., analyzed data that captured 1.8 million hospital births in Florida between 1992 and 2015. The Aug. 2020 study revealed that Black newborn babies in the United States are more likely to survive childbirth if they are cared for by African American doctors, but three times more likely to die when looked after by white doctors. “Strikingly, these effects appear to manifest more strongly in more complicated cases, and when hospitals deliver more Black newborns,” the George Mason University team wrote. “The findings suggest that Black physicians outperform their white colleagues when caring for Black newborns. Taken with this work, it gives warrant for hospitals and other care organizations to invest in efforts to reduce such biases and explore their connection to institutional racism.” They added that reducing racial disparities in newborn mortality will also require raising awareness among physicians, nurses, and hospital adminis-
trators about the prevalence of racial and ethnic disparities. “American women are dying of preventable deaths and 50,000 annually nearly die due to life-threatening complications, and there are vast disparities between African American and Native American women when compared to their white counterparts,” stated Jennie Joseph, the Executive Director of her non-profit corporation, Commonsense Childbirth Inc. Joseph is also the founder of the National Perinatal Task Force, a grassroots organization whose mission is to eliminate racial disparities in maternal-child health in America. Joseph’s midwifery school is the first and only black midwifery school accredited by the Midwifery Education and Accreditation Council. “Where a person, lives, works, plays or worships may negatively affect a person’s health, but the social determinants of health also include the effect of weathering or wearing down from racism, classism, sexism, and both conscious and unconscious biases, which are perpetrated personally or institutionally to the point of ill health or even death,” Joseph noted. WI
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EDUCATION
Today’s Black Women Take Up the Mantle of Suffragist Ancestors By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer @StacyBrownMedia In a column for NBC News, P.R. Lockhart wrote that while the 19th amendment is commonly credited with expanding the right to vote to women, it didn’t guarantee all women the right to vote. Although the amendment, ratified 100 years ago, eased some women’s obstacles at the ballot box, Black women still faced legal barriers, the District-based Lockhart wrote. Others echo her words, including Howard University Professor Dr. Valethia Watkins, who said Black women’s right to vote would only be secured with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. “Black women have only had the legally protected vote for half the time of some other women,” Watkins said. Still, employing their substantive political and voting power, today’s
Black women have continued to mobilize in ways that their suffrage ancestors would likely view with pride. “Black suffragists extended organizing power from a few vocal leaders to individuals from further underrepresented groups,” said Regi Angelou, a vice-principal, recording artist and activist from New York. “Black women labored alongside Black men but continued to organize separately, rallying those same men, white women, and distant yet powerful people to hear our needs and to act on behalf of our politics. Micro-influence and micro-organization will continue to be the most impactful tools we have in our belts,” she said. With their votes finally legally protected under the law, Black voters began to have a more significant impact on elections. For example, during the general election in 2008 and 2012, Black women’s exceptionally high turnout cemented their status as the most loyal Democratic
Party voters, Lockhart noted. “Fast-forward to 2020 and Black women are demanding a return on their investment, calling for party leaders like former Vice President Joe Biden to support policies that improve their communities and for Black women to be treated as viable candidates for political office,” she said. Lamell McMorris, a civil rights leader who has served on boards including the National Action Network, the NAACP and the National Urban League, said voting rights for Black people have always been met by a constant, uphill battle. “The struggle is rooted in history when Black people were first not considered fully human and then considered three-fifths of a person. The critical history of Black suffrage serves as an undercurrent for today’s Black Lives Matter movement,” said McMorris who also counts as the founder of Greenlining Realty USA, a firm dedicated to reversing the neg-
ative impacts of redlining in neighborhoods across the country. “Today’s activists need to remain dedicated to their goals just like their predecessors did. They should be encouraged by Black suffragists’ long history for the path was long and hard with victories along the way. The Voting Rights Act was a milestone, yet the fact that we even needed it is mind-boggling. Unfortunately, though much has changed, a lot has stayed the same.” “Tragically, the Voting Rights Act was gutted by the Supreme Court and the legislation today is in dire need of ratification. Voter suppression remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. And the need to affirm and fight for fair elections and the right for Black people to vote remains. Many organizations, such as Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight, are paving the way for the future of Black voting rights,” McMorris said. This feature is part of an ongoing
5 Regi Angelou (Courtesy Hubhopper)
Washington Informer series about the Women’s Suffrage Movement initiated by Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. It lives in the institutional home of The Washington Informer Charities. WI
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Afro-Latino Culture in D.C. September 2020. Volume 6. Issue 9
H STREET 5K FOR THE STREETS AND BEYOND PG. 4
ADOBO: AFRO-LATINO FLAVOR IN D.C. PG. 6
D.C. - BASED ARTISTS TO WATCH: JOSEPH ORZAL & MANNY HERNANDEZ PG. 8
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Lafayette Barnes IV Claudia M. Watts copy Editor : Sam P.K. Collins Photography Editor : Lafayette Barnes IV Layout Design : Lafayette Barnes IV Art & Photography : Manny Hernandez, Joseph Orzal Contributing Writers : Claudia M. Watts, Marcus K. Dowling managing Editor :
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H STREET 5K FOR THE STREETS AND BEYOND
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The H Street Festival is one of D.C.’s most anticipated and highly attended single-day festivals, according to hstreetfestival.org. Often boasting roughly 150,000 participants, it’s certainly a fan favorite. Unlike other local street fairs, the H Street Festival seems to have maintained the sense of community it was founded upon. To give a brief history lesson, the H Street Festival was started by the Community-Business Action Coalition, which neighborhood residents and businesses created in response to the 1968 riots. These days, Chris Clayton (@TheDistrictBloke), a clothing designer working on the H Street corridor, represents this persistent ethos. For the last few years, his company has created promotional gear in advance of the festival to engage residents and foster community pride. This year, as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic, the festival was forced to go virtual, leaving much to be desired from neighborhood residents, businesses, and devoted festival goers. “I got a call from my friend Kristin asking what I had planned for Saturday [ 9/19 the planned date of the festival] since she knew we had done activations with local creatives during the festival over the last few years. I told her I had only planned to go running like I do every Saturday morning and then it clicked. Why not do a 5K?” said Clayton. From there things moved pretty quickly. Inspired by his friend Erica Jackson’s (@EricaJaxn) Instagram posts about voter registration, Clayton knew he wanted the 5K to do more than fill the void left by the festival. He looped in Kristin Gnau (@awwgnau) who introduced him to Hips DC, creating a three-pronged event that fostered community, promoted civic engagement and supported a local nonprofit. With less than 72 hours to pull it all together, the trio leveraged their relationships and put out the call for support. The response was more than they could have anticipated. Dryy DC, Maketto Cool Kids Vinyl, Chris.Cardi and Too Many Tabs all signed on as sponsors. H Street Corridor artist Christine Vineyard (@lidflutters) created the logo and Atlas DC assisted in getting the word out. When Saturday rolled around, H Street 5K welcomed 50 in-person participants -- a capped number due to social distancing policies -- and 52 digital participants who checked in using the hashtags, #GoGoVote, #HStr5K, and #HipsDC. More than $800 was raised for Hips DC, surpassing the initial goal by a few hundred dollars. The general consensus was that the H Street 5K is here to stay. If there was ever an appropriate time to reiterate that “it takes a village,” now would be it. *Note: HIPS DC promotes the health, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by sexual exchange and/or drug use due to choice, coercion, or circumstance. * Too Many Tabs is an educational consulting firm that specializes in books and other resources for children of color. Follow the 5K on Instagram to stay connected. You can also check out the sponsor and other supporters listed below: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ @hstreet5k | @Hips.dc | @Chris.Cardi | @DryyDC | @Maketto1351 | @Atlaspacdc | @Coolkidsvinyl | @Ericajaxn | @Rockthevote
Words Claudia M. Watts | @callmeclaud
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Afro-Latino Flavor in D.C.
Words 6
Marcus K. Dowling | @marcuskdowling
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SEPTEMBER 2020
Suppose you asked my business partners DJ Pedro Night and promoter/party host Walter “Don Waltero” Alvarado, “Why did you partner with Marcus to start ADOBO?” Their answer regarding our two-year-old D.C.-metropolitan area Afro-Latino party, social activism group, and lifestyle brand would probably differ from mine. However, we’ve discovered that our shared interests extend into a well-defined global community uniquely crafted within the DMV. Because of that essence, ADOBO has become not just “the flavor of the DMV,” but more so, an ode to the world from the best evolved version of itself. Pedro originally wanted to play old and new reggaeton, blended with hip-hop and a few classics, in downtown D.C. Walter was a party promoter at Towson University who wanted to expose his friends to a fantastic time. However, the ties that bind me, a Black man, with the Nicaraguan-American open-format DJ I mentored, and that DJ’s Salvadoran-American childhood friend who’s a charismatic talker and dancer, run more profound than the dancefloor. I co-founded ADOBO because I believe that America’s African, African-American, and Latin diasporas need to safely celebrate their best, most authentic identities through multicultural experiences. It’s more than just being a youthful D.C. metropolitan area-based Afro-Latino party and lifestyle brand. Our events and overall existence allow a population primarily composed of the generational ancestors of enslaved people and criminalized immigrants to live freely within, but without the gaze of America’s physically and emotionally harmful mainstream. Afro-Latino populations exist nationwide, but there’s something about D.C.that allows ADOBO to take the expectations of these events to another level. Foremost, one-in-three people in the D.C. metropolitan area is between the ages of 21 and 40. If anything, that’s the marker of a demographic that loves uplifting social experiences. As far as ADOBO is concerned, there are almost as many Black and Latinx people as whites in the region. Within this group, U.S.-born people directly trace their lineage to least 15 Central and South American nations, 10 African countries, and most of the Caribbean. Meanwhile, 54 percent of the area’s foreign-born residents hail from Latin America or somewhere on the African continent. No Note that Spanish is the first language spoken at home for 17 percent of people within the DMV. Overall, 30 percent of the metro region doesn’t speak English as their primary language. Given the fact that this population spans an area that’s only 4,000 square miles, ADOBO seasons an already-vibrant blend. Added to the mix are multiple generations of America’s Black migrants who are emptying portions of North and South Carolina, along with graduates of Howard University, the University of Maryland- College Park, Towson University, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Bowie State, and other local colleges. These are people who have shared community with the immigrants of 25-plus different nations with ethnic traditions and music they are aware of and respect. From jollof rice and arroz con pollo to half-smokes and empanadas, it’s all there. Once you’ve extended that to hip-hop, the D.C. go-go sound, Dominican dembow, Nigerian afrobeats, and Jamaican dancehall, then you’ve seen the sonic core of our beloved events. Intriguingly, Blacks and Latinos count among the lowest wage-earning and, statistically, most-impoverished people in the DMV. Thus, a club party doesn’t need to be thrown for this population. Before COVID, ADOBO typically happened in a multi-level bar with adequate dance floor space to welcome our salseros, bachateros, slow winers, and twerkers alike. There isn’t a need for exorbitant entry fees, dress codes, or bottle service. What’s lost in big ballin’ and shot callin’ is instead replaced by exposing a party scene largely confined to suburban haunts, restaurants doubling as dancehalls, and bashment-style basements to the downtown lights of the big city. Ultimately, there’s a great conversation to be had that notes that ADOBO honors D.C.’s Black roots while providing a gathering place to celebrate Black survival. Moreover, sociologically, we highlight how marginalized populations are emerging and positively evolving in once predominantly Black spaces. As 2019 turned into 2020, we closed out our time for now with a series of events. Noted urban radio spinner, globally-renowned musical encyclopedia, and Black Prince George’s County, Maryland native DJ Alizay spun go-go at an event at the cavernous Hard Rock Cafe. Ecuadorian-American dance music star Dave Nada -- another P.G. County-bred creative -- spun a set at Big Chief. His selections on New Year’s Eve included Dominican dembow, Mexican cumbia, Jamaican dancehall, and the American hip-hop sound moombahton that he invented while living in the D.C. metropolitan area. Months later, while quarantined during the pandemic, Cameroonian-American DJ Bo, Ethiopian-American DJ K-Meta, Nicaraguan-American DJ MADD OD, and Pedro Night have played ADOBO-branded sets collaboratively with other DJs worldwide. Even amid uncertainty, ADOBO’s unique sonic and cultural blend sustains. “At an ADOBO party, you’ll see people of all different races, colors, ethnicities, and backgrounds, all having the times of their lives,” says DJ Pedro Night. “Everyone’s singing their hearts out, dancing their asses off, drinking, and having fun. Whether it’s salsa, reggaeton, R & B, dancehall, Motown, cumbia, Afrobeats, go-go, bachata, and more, people aren’t just at a party, they have an incredible experience,”he added. “ABODO is a love letter to Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and the DMV. Whether it’s on the dancefloor or in the community, we have already accomplished so much, and there’s so much more left to do.”
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Creatives to Watch
Manny Hernandez Originally from North Philadelphia, Hernandez, like many others, discovered his artistic inclination early on, though it wasn’t until a chance encounter at community college that his practice took off to the next level. Under the guidance of his professor, Manny began to take art more seriously and ultimately found his way to the Rhode Island School of Art and Design (RISD). “I like to separate myself into categories,” he said. “Design I take very seriously and it’s what I am primarily paid to do…..illustration and typography are my passions, it’s what I do instead of sleeping.” You may recognize Manny’s whimsical illustrations from his collaboration with comedian Joe Marshall in last month’s edition of The Bridge. As he continues to grow and evolve as an artist, Manny plans to expand further into the editorial space. For him, success is best measured by his ability to continuously push creative boundaries. “Success for me is about continuously learning and surrounding myself with people I can learn from,” said Manny. Follow Manny’s Instagram page @MannyHernendezStudio to learn more about his work and upcoming projects.
Words
Claudia M. Watts | @callmeclaud
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Creatives to Watch
Joseph Orzal If you aren’t already familiar with the name Joseph Orzal, chances are, if you’ve been living in D.C. and follow the arts, you’ve come across programming created by Nomu Nomu, the curatorial collective he co-founded. For the last five years, Nomu Nomu has collaborated with artists in a more radical context, choosing projects based on shared political views. This guiding principle is how Orzal came to be involved with the Mochella movement. His thesis project and exhibition, Hedonist Buddisht, took place at The Shay, the apartment complex where tenants complained about music coming from the Metro PCS across the street, on the corner of 7th Street and Florida Ave NW. The eventual shutting down of the Metro PCS speakers, and local reaction to that decision handed down from corporate, inspired the Don’t Mute DC movement. “I had a show, Hedonist Buddisht with WPA (Washington Performing Arts) who helped navigate around the developer and not let them know what the show would be about and it was about gentrification, and challenging people living and working in spaces of gentrification,” said Orzal.
Words
Claudia M. Watts | @callmeclaud
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From there, he reached out to Yaddiya and his team in the hopes of hosting Moechella in his space at The Shay. While this did not come to fruition, Nomu Nomu ultimately sponsored one of the live outdoor events that took place on the corner of 14th and U Street NW. Orzal is also responsible for the design aesthetic that has become synonymous with the Moechella movement. Recognizing the parallels between “Chicha” music in Peru, also of the people and rejected by the privileged, Orzal adopted the bright colors and lettering as they aligned both in vibe and solidarity. Orzal and Nomu Nomu have recently relocated to Baltimore, where they will open a permanent space in the coming months. “We want to be a hub for progressive and experimental art creation,” said Orzal. You can stay up to date on future programs and the official opening by following @Nomu.Nomu on Instagram.
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Justin “Yaddiya” Johnson with “Moechella” posters.
Hedonist Buddhist Exhibit, 2019 WPA Annex at The Shay 11
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS
EDITORIAL The Role of a Supreme Court Justice There is a sense of uneasiness when Republicans say they want to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat, left vacant by the recent death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with a “strict constructionist” of the U.S. Constitution. Republicans make it clear that they want to move post-haste to fill the seat before the November 3 election with a conservative judge. Some hear instead the plan is to appoint a nominee that will issue decisions based on Republican traditional values and not Constitutional ethics. Undoubtedly, Americans are well-served by having a guiding document that defines the principles of this nation to “establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity,” as written in its preamble. Over time, however, political ideology – conservative vs. liberal – has sparked intense debates over a strict interpretation of what the “Founding Fathers” meant rather than how their words and vision should be applied today. Justice Ginsburg, respectfully referred to as Notorious RBG, was only the second woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. Her gender alone made her an anomaly related to her position on the Supreme Court, where she was labeled a moderate who fought vigorously for women’s rights, particularly for their right to equal pay. She has been labeled an originalist, meaning she believed the Constitutional framers gave the federal government broad powers to protect all persons in an inclusive democracy, and not to the states that often deny equal rights and protections under the law. President Donald Trump and the Republican Party want to fill Justice Ginsberg’s seat immediately with an appointee that supports their political views including denial of a woman’s legal right to an abortion, declaring the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional and rejection of the District of Columbia’s hardfought battle for Statehood, among other issues. Any justice who accepts the nomination and is sworn to serve on the nation’s highest court only to fulfill a political agenda can and must be impeached. The job is to interpret the Constitution and to apply the law. Voters must pay attention to a Supreme Court that could change America for a lifetime. WI
President Donald Trump and
TO THE EDITOR
the Republican Party want to fill Justice Ginsberg’s seat
immediately with an
appointee that supports their
political views including denial
of a woman’s legal right to an
abortion, declaring the Afford-
Keep Light on Diversity Promises
Serving the Community
The “Major U.S. Companies Pledge to Add a Black Director to their Boards” story was interesting. I don’t think many people know that these corporations have slim to no Black representation, yet we make up so much of their consumer base. I look forward to a story from you following up on the promise these companies are making.
What an outstanding paper I picked up last week. I got one of the last ones in the pile and I’m glad I did. It’s nothing like getting news and information specifically for you and your community — and it also speaks to your interests!
Paula Cheaves Washington, D.C.
Landon P. Oliver Alexandria, Va.
able Care Act unconstitutional and rejection of the District of
Readers' Mailbox
Columbia’s hard-fought battle for Statehood, among
other issues.
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The Washington Informer welcomes letters to the editor about articles we publish or issues affecting the community. Write to: lsaxton@washingtoninformer. com or send to: 3117 Martin Luther King Jr Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20032. Please note that we are unable to publish letters that do not include a full name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you. SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 27
OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Charlene Crowell
Suffering Continues While More COVID-19 Aid Remains Stymied in Congress
As of late September, roughly 200,000 people in the U.S. have died from the novel coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. Beyond these fatalities, the number of COVID-19-related diagnoses have reached 6.8 million people and continues to rise. Beyond the health effects, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of Aug. 31, over 80% of adults with
post-high school education plans either canceled or significantly changed those plans this fall. Further, a significant number of consumers are housing challenged, with one-third of adults anticipating either eviction or foreclosure in the next two months, and over 36% of adults continuing to telework due to the pandemic. Since late July, consumers and small businesses have hoped for a renewed federal commitment for COVID-19 aid. But no successful compromise on two vastly different aid proposals has yet to emerge. A failed Sept. 10 vote in
Guest Columnist
the U.S. Senate’s majority-sponsored proposal leaves the House-passed aid package as the only legislative option to have been approved by a chamber. In a news conference held later that same day, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi noted an earlier offer to compromise on the scale of aid. That offer proposed to cut the cost of the House-passed version to $2.2 trillion and asked the Senate to increase the size of its proposal. “Let’s not have a skinny bill when we have a massive problem,” Pelosi said.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer after the upper chamber’s roll call vote that Congress “needs to respond in a way that meets the nation’s very real and urgent needs.” In the meantime, as the pandemic claims more lives every day, too many people can’t find work, especially Black and brown workers who are bearing the brunt of this economic and public health crisis. The Senate proposal, known as the HEALS Act, emphasized cost breaks for businesses instead of consumer relief.
For instance, it would have shielded employers from liability lawsuits under federal accommodations law if related to COVID-19 risk and the lack of requested workplace accommodations. Another proposal would have temporarily doubled business deductions to 100% for business meals through Dec. 31, 2020. It provided for increased funds for the Paycheck Protection Program but contained few consumer protection provisions and no rental assistance or
In the spring, the Democrat-led House passed the Heroes Act, COVID relief legislation that included billions of dollars to keep the post office running because people across the country — in red and blue states, cities and rural areas — depend on it. But Trump threatened to veto the legislation and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to even let the Senate vote on it. And now that Trump has made the post office part of his political war
on vote-by-mail, too many Republicans lack the courage to stand up to him — despite the hardship many of their constituents face in order to vote in person. That has to stop right now, because not only is our election at risk, the attacks on postal workers’ ability to deliver the mail are putting people’s lives in danger. At my organization, we’ve heard
CROWELL Page 49
By Ben Jealous
Blame Anybody
The post office is one of the most respected institutions in America, a lifeline for millions of Americans, and a source of good jobs for thousands of Black people — and the Trump administration is trying to destroy it. Senate Republicans have a choice to make right now: are they going to side with the Trump administration’s political corruption, or with Ameri-
cans who rely on the post office? The corruption is so shameless that it’s almost hard to believe. Here’s how it works. Louis DeJoy, a super-wealthy Trump donor with massive investments in competitors to the U.S. Postal Service, was put in charge of the agency in June, in spite of obvious conflicts of interest. Almost immediately, Trump’s new postmaster general forced postal workers to adopt operational changes that make it impossible for them
Guest Columnist
to do their jobs well, causing serious delays in mail delivery. Trump then used those delays to attack the post office as a “joke” and to claim that the post office can’t handle more people voting by mail this year. Trump wants to make it harder, not easier, for people — especially Black people — to vote. Even before DeJoy came along, 2020 was already a difficult year for the post office, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout.
JEALOUS Page 49
By Marc H. Morial
National Black Voter Day: NUL’s Answer to Voter Suppression, Misinformation and Division
“Too many people struggled, suffered and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote. And we have come too far together to ever turn back. So we must not be silent. We must stand up, speak up and speak out. We must march to the polls like never before. We must come together and exercise our sacred right.” — Rep. John Lewis In April 2019, The Associated
Press released an analysis of census data and exit polling that reached a remarkable conclusion: The Black voter turnout rate in the 2012 presidential election exceeded the white rate for the first time in history. A census report in May confirmed the AP’s findings. Some researchers disputed the findings, contending that the milestone actually had occurred in 2008. The Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby v. Holder slammed the brakes on nearly five decades of progress on narrowing the gap between
28 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
white and Black voter participation rates. By eliminating a requirement that the federal government approve election law changes in jurisdictions with a history of racial discrimination, Shelby unleashed a deluge of restricting voting laws throughout the United States. National Black Voter Day is our answer to voter suppression. It’s our answer to misinformation campaigns. It’s our answer to efforts to stoke racial division and diminish the voices of Black and brown Americans.
The National Urban League, in partnership with BET and other advocacy groups, designated Sept. 18 as National Black Voter Day as part of our voter engagement and education campaign, #ReclaimYourVote. We chose Sept. 18 was because it was the first day for early in-person voting in the country. Although Election Day is more than six weeks away, voting has already begun. Thousands of North Carolinians have already returned their absentee ballots. We’re asking Black Americans to make a plan. Will you vote in person,
or by mail? If your state allows early in-person voting, what day will you vote? Where is your polling place? If you plan to vote by mail, what are the rules in your state? Do you need a witness when you sign your ballot, like the voters in North Carolina, opportunity to get voters registered, demystify the voting process, provide guidance on voting rights restoration for eligible voters, and help voters create their voting plan to plot a clear path to the ballot box.
MORIAL Page 49
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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist
By Julianne Malveaux
Black Lives Matter T-Shirts and Masks — Who Profits?
I always smile when I see Black Lives Matter T-shirts until I saw one gracing the grubby back of a white man who had on both a BLM T-shirt and a MAGA (Make America Great Again) hat. I started to either take a photo or start a conversation because I knew somebody would accuse me of making the combination up. Instead, I wondered where the man got the shirt/hat
combo. Was he homeless and got the combo at a shelter? Was he visually impaired and didn’t understand the contradiction? Without starting a conversation, I was left to my imagination. It had me thinking about the production and distribution of BLM wearables and the profit stream they may be creating. You can find custom-designed screened T-shirts online for as little as $5 apiece, and anybody can make T-shirts and a profit. If Black lives, Black dollars, and Black profits matter, it makes sense to look behind the T-shirt to con-
source is a BLACK street vendor, who will at least be able to pocket the difference between what she purchased the shirts for and what she sold them for. Increasingly, coronavirus-imposed economic hardship has motivated people to take their entrepreneurial ability to the streets. The next best source might be BLM-friendly activist organizations that are selling BLM stuff. It doesn’t hurt them, though, to ask where they got the shirts and where the profits go. The worst place to get BLM material is from a capitalist retail establishment
sider the sellers and their motives. You might be funding your oppression by purchasing the right message from the wrong seller. I think the best place to buy BLM clothing and accessories (I’ve seen hats, bags, signs, and more) is from the BLM website, www.blacklivesmatter. org. Things will cost more there than they might cost from a street vendor or another source, but the BLM site profits will fund the movement. From the BLM site, you can also sign up to get email updates. The second best
Guest Columnist
like Walmart, which sells the shirts and (until June) All Lives Matter shirts, Irish Lives Matter shirts, and Homeless Lives Matter shirt. While taking nothing from the homeless or the Irish, in some ways, these shirts attempt to undermine and minimize the purpose and focus of the Black Lives Matter movement. We say Black Lives Matter emphatically because our lives didn’t matter when our country was founded. They didn’t matter when we were
MALVEAUX Page 50
By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
Myths and Lies About Poverty
“The poor will always be with us,” say the cynics. No doubt, some will always be wealthier than others. We wouldn’t want to live in a society that forced all to be equal. But poverty isn’t inevitable. The 30 million people in America who lived in poverty even before the pandemic when unemployment was at record lows needn’t exist in that state. Too many myths and lies cloud
our understanding of the poor. Most poor people are not Black. More are white than Black, female than male, young than old. More have a high school education. Some graduate. Poverty in America used to be far worse; about a third of Americans lived in poverty in the 1950s. Poverty was reduced, dramatically, by Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. The war on poverty was defeated not by poverty, but by the war in Vietnam, which sapped resources, attention and will. Most poor people work when they can. They take the early bus.
week as companies continue to lay off workers. Many more children are hungry. Public policy — the “stimulus checks,” the enhanced unemployment insurance, the expansion of food stamps (SNAP), the partial moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, the aid to businesses if they kept their employees on payroll — saved millions from poverty. Now those benefits have expired, but the unemployment remains high. Many companies are declaring bankruptcy. Many are slashing payrolls with permanent, not temporary
layoffs. Again, public policy could help. The House passed another rescue package — the HEROES ACT — that would provide another round of stimulus checks, sustain enhanced unemployment benefits, continue the expanded food stamps, extend the payroll protection subsidies and provide aid to states and localities to avoid the layoffs of millions of public employees. The Republican Senate refused to act — and refused to compromise.
20,000 lies during his time as president, according to The Washington Post. Lying is “almost like breathing” to the president, his niece said. In July, Mary Trump released a tell-all book about her uncle, “Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” and she also suggested Biden call out her uncle’s lies to his face if the moderators don’t do so. One thing even Stevie Wonder can see is that the Trump Republican Party plays by a totally different set of rules.
They’re lowdown and dirty. Think of the ugliest, most hypocritical, deceitful thing you can imagine from any politician. Then double that. No, triple that. That’s what those scoundrels will do. We cannot perceive the depth of treachery and wickedness these characters are capable of. Michael Cohen, former vice president of Trump Enterprises and “fixer” for the guy for more than a decade (and now a convicted felon), told
They do the hardest jobs for the least amount of money. They bear the most amount of stress. They care for the children of others. They tend to the sick. They serve food in restaurants. They sweep the streets. They clean bedpans beneath hospital beds that they cannot lie in when they get sick. Many are essential workers who are at greater risk in the pandemic. When the pandemic forced the economy to shut down, millions lost their jobs — and their health care at work, if they had any. Over 30 million still draw unemployment, with over a million new applicants each
Askia-At-Large
JACKSON Page 50
By Askia Muhammad
How Biden Can Win First Debate
Here’s the formula for Joe Biden to win the first presidential debate with Donald Trump in Cleveland on Sept. 29 on Fox News: When the men walk onto the stage, Biden should walk briskly up and get in Trump’s face, and conspicuously extend his hand for a handshake. If The Donald ignores him, he’s got him. Then he should say loudly: “Come
on! Man up for once Donald! This is a shaming you cannot run from!” If Trump shakes hands, Biden should grip his hand firmly and say: “Attaboy Donald. Now let’s stick to the truth tonight.” This is High School Debate Book, Rule No. 1: The Definition of Terms. Biden can set the tone and get right into his opponent’s head, and throughout the session, he should address Trump only as “Donald.” You see, according to the president’s niece Mary Trump, calling him Don-
ald would get under his skin. “Even if it feels rude, even if it feels like he’s interrupting, it’s too important for us to sit on ceremony here,” she told Lawrence O’Donnell recently on MSNBC’s “The Last Word.” “I mean this sincerely, I hope Vice President Biden refers to Donald as Donald just because that’s an easy way to get under his skin and nobody’s disrespected the office as much as Donald has, so he doesn’t deserve the cover of the respect of the office of the presidency.” The Donald has told more than
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ASKIA Page 50
SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 29
LIFESTYLE It’s ‘Back to Black’ as Smithsonian Reopens Doors to its Popular Museum
Nation’s Largest Repository of African American History, Culture Marks Fourth Year on the Mall By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir Friday, Sept. 24, will mark the Friday, Sept. 24, will mark the fourth anniversary of the much-heralded and long-awaited grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum
of African American History and Culture [NMAAHC] – the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African-American story and its impact on both American and world history.
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But another recent occurrence lends itself to further celebration as the Museum reopened its doors to the public on Sept. 18 following a months-long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And with public health concerns and the safety of visitors and staff still guiding the decisions of the museum’s leaders, it has reopened with new standards that allow patrons to experience the venue in a more intimate setting. Beverly Morgan-Welch, associate director for external affairs for the Museum, described the recent opening as a “trial run,” initiated after months of daily meetings with “enterprises, members and donors.” “Everyone has stepped up and contributed to a safe reopening which has required virtual meetings and phone calls almost every day,” she said. “Visitors won’t be able to experience the total breadth of the Museum as some exhibits will remain temporarily closed as will our retail stores. But we’ll be able to accommodate up to 1,100 visitors on a daily basis.” “Clearly, we’re excited to see peo-
5 A panoramic view of an exhibit in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
ple finally come through our doors again. Seeing them boosts our confidence and confirms that what we do – what we’re doing – matters. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve added a lot of resources that can be accessed and studied online so that even students can learn about and enjoy our extensive collection.” One visitor who joined hundreds of others on the first day of the Museum’s reopening was a native New Yorker who had never been to the venue. “I felt like a kid in the candy store,” said Jerry White, 57, who lives in the Bronx. “It was amazing, highly education and more than I could have imagined. As I approached the Museum, its exterior, fashioned in the shape of a ship which transported slaves from freedom in Africa to the Americas, really caused me to reflect on our history as Blacks.” “There was so much to see and experience, that there’s no way I could ever say which exhibit I enjoyed the most. But the collection of Black contributions to the world of music,
literature and dance was truly inspiring. I had no idea how much our people have given to this country and to the world,” White said. Morgan-Welch shared her perspectives in response to Donald Trump’s recent pledge to enable more intensive exposure to and studies more reflective of “pro-American history.” “We were once slaves in American history – the last group included in this country’s lens,” she said. “Yet, there’s nothing more quintessential to this republic’s story than African-American history. It is a history that’s challenging – even horrific – and since we opened our doors four years ago, we’ve accepted and remained focused on this Museum’s charge to tell the unvarnished truth. That’s still both our mission and our duty,” she said. The NMAAHC will be closed on Monday and Tuesday and open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visitors will be required to obtain free, timed entry passes, available on the museum’s website at nmaahc.si.edu/visit/passes. WI
5 Beverly Morgan-Welch (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
5 Jerry White reflects at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. (D. Kevin McNeir/ The Washington Informer)
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LIFESTYLE
5 Staff members of ‘The Poet Life’ organization. (Courtesy photo)
Poetry Inspires Cancer Patients
Virtual Workshops Staged at Busboys and Poets Soothe Cancer Pain By Lindiwe Vilakazi WI Contributing Writer While educators and parents search for innovative methods to encourage learning and child development amid COVID-19, a local poetry organization corrals children and adults together, presenting a platform in poetic expression for a bigger cause. Inspired by the untimely passing of Justin Izlar, a close friend and victim of sarcoma, cancer, Cristoph Jenkins,founder and CEO of “The Poet Life” organization, created an inspiring coalition of poets performing poetry to garner funding and support for local Cancer patients. “After he (Justin) passed, I wanted to make sure that his family were still being consoled, and just ensure that they were surrounded with support,” said Jenkins. Jenkin’s held a poetry event in respect to the one-year anniversary of his friend’s death, unexpectedly garnering community requests for a continuity of his cancer support efforts - a further confirmation after Jenkin’s discovery of Justin’s craft, and love of poetry amid his illness. “News got out, and it actually turned out to be a full-on event to where we raised about $4,000. From there, everyone was asking, ‘What do we do next?’ Jenkins said. In January, 2012, Jenkins began to commemorate his friend and cause with a high-impact endeavor to use the spoken word and the arts to provide comfort for those affected by can-
cer naming the then-nonprofit organization, “Fight Cancer with Poetry.” The organization has galvanized poets locally and nationally to raise money to poetically inform people about cancer and generate cash donations to patients. Jenkins efforts caught on like wildfire, as parents throughout the community became interested in engaging their children with the program. The Poet Life Academy, created in 2018, is a series of Poetry workshops geared towards K-12 children across the DMV, instilling various linguistic and character development activities through spoken word performances and audience engagement. The organization partners with Busboys and Poets and at the restaurant’s Takoma location stages weekend workshops that are conducted online to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic. “We know where the world is going. Why put the time into building a brick and mortar when we can simply go to where they are. They are already home, and we are also able to reach more people. So it’s not just D.C., we can reach people across the world,” Jenkins said. The Poet Life organization proudly cheerleads for Brandon Leake, Jenkin’s business partner, and the first poet to be a finalist on “America’s Got Talent.” In honor of Leake’s winning streak, show producers have reached out to The Poet Life organization, requesting submission of a congratulatory video set to premier on the final episode of
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the season, as Leake’s supporters cheers him on from Washington, D.C. “I hope people (poets) are ready to start upping their prices. I hope people (poets) are ready to start writing
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contracts to where when people reach out to book them, they can say ‘Here’s the contact and here’s the minimum that I’ll take to be paid,’ as opposed to just ‘What are you offering?’ I want to
elevate the game, take them to a new plateau,” Leake’s told Cristoph Jenkins on The Poet’s Life Podcast. “America’s Got Talent” finale is set to air on Wednesday, Sept. 23. WI
SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 31
LIFESTYLE
Burns Brothers’ ‘I am a Dreamer’ Uses History to Advocate Voting as an Obligation
Documentary Provides Compelling Commentary on Racial and Social Injustice By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor @dkevinmcneir Mike and John Burns, siblings and co-founders of IconTalks – a District-based business that identifies and works to advance the cause of those who inspire others through their goodwill and determination – recently premiered a timely documentary which illustrates the similarities between the early years of the Civil Rights Movement to today and highlights issues that remain unresolved in the ongoing battle for racial and social justice. The film, “I Am a Dreamer,” released virtually on Aug. 27, the eve of the 57th anniversary of the historic March on Washington, includes interviews with iconic figures from yesteryear and today, including the late Congressman John Lewis, (D-Ga.), the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., Rep. Terri Sewell, (D-Ala.) and Cathy Hughes. They, along with a
diverse group of other African-American icons, share their perspectives on the current state of affairs and challenge humanity to become more active in efforts that may ensure a better tomorrow. “We intentionally used the history of the Civil Rights Movement beginning with the 1950s through today and relied on both those who have been major contributors along that timeline as well as vivid images in order to create a seamless bridge for our viewers,” the brothers said. “It was especially important to provide points of connection for millennials who are obviously too young to have witnessed many of the seminal moments from the formative years of the movement and may need something to which they can better relate,” Mike Burns noted. The brothers served as executive producers along with the two other
co-founders of IconTalks, John Hartsfield and John Gibson, for the documentary produced in partnership with the Motion Picture Association. John Burns said the decision to employ the services of Torrance Hampton as the director came easily. “Torrance shared our vision and our beliefs about using the past to raise awareness and to encourage our communities to mobilize so that Blacks can become their own advocates and amplify the power of the people,” John Burns said. “The way Torrance thinks and tells stories meshed with our own thoughts and methods. Throughout the film, we included quotations that he shared with us one evening over dinner – powerful gems – and we immediately recognized how they could serve as pillars of reflection as the documentary moved along.” The Burns brothers said the primary purpose of the documentary
5 John and Mike Burns are founders of IconTalks and are also experts in the area of culture, diversity & inclusion, servicing clients through their firm The Burns Brothers.
remains leading people to commit to actions which confront and neutralize recent efforts of voter suppression that have become more overt since Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and throughout his tenure as president. “We wanted people to see that every vote matters,” they said. “We wanted to shed greater light on the plight of our leaders and the sacrifices they made to secure the vote for Blacks. The com-
mentaries from the influencers who we interviewed shared one common thread: the assertion that we have both the right and obligation to vote because of the debt we owe to those whose blood was shared. People have to be uncomfortable to a certain degree before they’re willing to fight for or accept change.”
BROTHERS Page 34
BUILD BACK BETTER
JOBS AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY AGENDA Joe Biden believes we cannot build back better without a major mobilization of effort and resources to advance racial equity across the American economy. Visit joebiden.com/racial-economic-equity to learn more PAID FOR BY BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT
32 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
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LIFESTYLE
New MLK Library Features Signature Works of Four Black Artists
Submitted by DC Public Library
For nearly four decades, people gathered at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to learn about and organize for racial justice. When the District’s central library reopens on September 24 for limited services, four Black artists spanning several generations will help showcase that struggle for equality. Donald L. Miller’s iconic “King Mural” will be joined by Nekisha Durrett’s “Prepare to Participate,” Xenobia Bailey’s “Funktional Frequency, Liberation Station” and 13 works by former DC educator, Alma Thomas. Each artist shows a representation of Black art using a different medium.
THE KING MURAL RETURNS TO THE GREAT HALL “The King Mural” has been the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library’s signature piece since it was installed in 1986. Commissioned by the DC Public Library, the 56 x 7-foot
mural captures the life and work of Dr. King and the American Civil Rights Movement through nearly 100 images, buildings and events. During the modernization, the mural was cleaned and stored offsite. With the modernization complete, the mural is returning to Great Hall.
PREPARE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BUILDING’S ENTRY As part of the building’s modernization, the main entrance was redesigned to create a sense of openness and welcome. New double-height glass walls showcase two grand, monumental staircases. These new walls are the site of Nekisha Durrett’s art installation “Prepare to Participate.” Durrett’s turned thousands of images into discrete dots that create two larger images. The east installation is a 1967 image of Dr. King at Cardozo High School from the Library’s Washington Star Photograph Collection. The west installation shows student activists who attend Cardozo in 2020. The dots in the images are historic
buttons from the Library’s Special Collections and artworks created by youth at workshops and the Ellington School of the Arts. Creating large-scale installations and public sculpture that makes the ordinary enchanting, Durrett transforms subject matter that is often hidden from plain sight into art. Durrett was selected from a pool of 70 artists by a panel of experts with input from community advisors.
GRAND READING ROOM The grand reading room on the third floor features a textile art installation by Xenobia Bailey: “Funktional Frequency, Liberation Station.” Eleven suspended circular mobiles with crocheted copper wire hang below a can-
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vas digital cosmic composition. The collage is composed of multi-colored energy swirls of cosmic regeneration in varying sizes, references the cosmos’ navigational tools, and illustrates an abstraction of the Farmers’ Almanac. The collage also contains images of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom from the Library’s collection. Artist Xenobia Bailey, was commissioned to create the piece. Known for her elaborate designs evoking African and Native American patterns, Bailey’s works can be found in the permanent collections at Harlem’s Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Museum of Contemporary Arts and in the Museum of Arts and Design. The artwork continues Bailey’s epic project “Paradise Under Reconstruction in the Aesthetic of Funk.”
ART, PROGRAMS NEW TEEN SPACE NAMED FOR ALMA THOMAS Middle and high schoolers will congregate, use private study rooms,
and enjoy the new Alma Thomas teen room. The 10,000 square foot space is filled with age-appropriate books, lounge seating and a gaming area. The room is dedicated to the renowned painter and educator Alma Thomas. Thomas was the first graduate of Howard University’s fine arts program and one of the first African American women to earn an art degree. She taught at Shaw Junior High School. As a painter, she is best known for her colorful abstract paintings. In 2015 she became the first African American woman to have her work added to the White House permanent collection. Susan and Dit Talley donated 13 of Thomas’s pieces to the Library. A rotating selection of two to three works will be displayed on the wall outside the room bearing her name. In addition, the donation supports teen programming honoring Thomas. To learn more about the art in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and the reopening schedule of virtual events, visit the Library’s website dclibrary.org or download the DC Public Library mobile app.
SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 33
LIFESTYLE
Dr. Candace Ashley: The Dog and Cat Whisperer of Anacostia By Sam P.K. Collins WI Contributing Writer @SamPKCollins
On any given day, for several hours at a time, one can find a meandering line of dog and cat owners that starts on the front steps of the Animal Clinic of Anacostia and stretches along Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue for at least half a block. Alan Amrhine, Communications Director For these pet owners, the long, but reasonable, wait is often well worth it, Lutheran Mission Society as it culminates in a one-on-one with Dr. Candace Ashley, the only Black vet"MDDC has connected donors with the LMS Vehicle erinarian located east of the Anacostia Donation Program for over six years! Great exposure, River and one of the few who has concost effective, and Wanda is so helpful!" Alan Amrhine, Com tinued to accept walk-in appointments Lutheran M during the coronavirus pandemic. “People don’t want to wait, but they want to get their animals help,” Call Wanda Smith, 410-212-2616 wsmith@mddcpress.com said Ashley, a Southeast resident of nearly 50 years whose animal clinic at 2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE has been a consistent presence in the Anacostia community for most of her career. Get dental insurance from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company to help cover the services you’re most likely to use – Unlike her colleagues throughout the D.C. metropolitan region who are Dentures Cleanings X-rays Fillings Crowns booked up to several months, Ashley doesn’t schedule appointments, nor does she leave owners outside during Call now to get this FREE Information Kit! check-ins. Since March, she and three dental50plus.com/MDDC nursing assistants have accepted up to Product not available in all states. Acceptance guaranteed for one insurance policy/certificate of this type. Contact us for complete 30 clients per day. details about this insurance solicitation. This specific offer is not available in CO, NY; call 1-888-799-4433 or respond for similar offer. Certificate C250A (ID: C250E; PA: C250Q); Insurance Policy P150 (GA: P150GA; NY: P150NY; OK: P150OK; TN: P150TN). “We see the typical things, mostly 6154-0120 pets getting vaccinations updated, ear cleanings, checking out swellings on
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BROTHERS from Page 32 Given Trump’s penchant for spreading his rhetoric and inaccurate information through social media, we asked the brothers to share their thoughts on the reasons behind the chosen messages and images that dominate the documentary. “There’s tremendous power in the use of psychological warfare and unfortunately, Trump has proven that he’s good at using it,” the brothers said. “When you have a people like Blacks who were first told that we only measured as two-thirds of a human being, who’ve never had the same rights as whites and who were among the last Americans to be guaranteed the right to vote, understanding the power of voting can be a foreign concept – especially given the historical evidence that leads Blacks
34 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
the body, limping dogs, and elderly dogs that have to be euthanized,” Ashley told The Informer. “We knew the protocol out there and had to conform to that. Between the veterinary nurse and myself, we know we have to do all the things to sanitize and limit how many people can come in.” Ashley, a native Philadelphian and Howard alumna, said she pursued veterinary medicine after encountering a Black veterinarian as an adult adolescent. Her passion for animals -- and working independently as a business owner -- would take her to what was then called Tuskegee Institute where she immersed herself in the discipline. Upon the completion of her studies, Ashley enjoyed a stint at Norbeck Animal Clinic in Silver Spring before launching a practice of her own on Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue in 1979. For the next 40 years, she would conduct numerous medical checkups on dogs and cats and advise her customers on the best methods of pet care. Ashley also learned to work hard and take extra precautions during a crack-cocaine epidemic that spurred crime across the District. Despite the obstacles over the years, neither leaving the profession or the Anacostia community ever crossed her mind. “It was something I was able to do to make a living. This location is conveto question the entire political system.” “Then we have a president who says the upcoming election will be rigged. It all causes people to be afraid to go out and cast their vote. This documentary was produced to provide people with accurate information. As for our organization, IconTalks, it shares similar goals with the team who developed the documentary. Blacks represent a diverse group of people who are all trying to secure certain needs, to assimilate into society and to figure out how to survive in a world where whites are the majority and the most powerful. While we may count among the nation’s minority voices, we still matter – our votes matter – every voter matters,” they said. For more information about the Burns brothers and their documentary, visit www.icontalks.com or www.motionpictures.org. WI
5 Pet owners line up with their dogs at the Anacostia Animal Clinic in Southeast to see the vet. (Roy Lewis/The Washington Informer)
nient [because] you can get to Virginia and Maryland,” said Ashley. “I live here. I’m working most of the time and so much of my energy has gone into this office. People have this notion that it’s easy to work yourself, but it’s more difficult than working for others.” Since local and state-level officials announced quarantines earlier this year, a significant number of veterinary offices in the D.C. metropolitan area have experienced bookings for up to several months. Throughout the pandemic, not only have a small number of cats and dogs tested positive for COVID-19, but disruptions to daily schedules during the mandatory quarantine period posed the risk of inducing stress and other behavioral changes in pets that are used to spending time outdoors. Given those circumstances, some pet lovers like Kayla Campbell said they relish the opportunity to see a veterinarian like Ashley who builds long-term relationships with her clients and their dogs and cats. Campbell, a D.C. resident and owner of two rottweilers, said she started visiting the Anacostia Animal Clinic last month after another veterinarian prioritized profit over customer service. “You just come, get what you need, and you’re out,” Campbell told The Informer. “They’ve been great to our dogs, and they’re so excited to see them. I like the way they handle them. Yes, it’s a business but they care about the dogs they’re dealing with. When I first met Dr. Ashley, it was a very personable experience.” WI
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PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT JEANNÉ LEWIS / ANDREW PLUMLEY, TREASURER
Cooperative Models Will Build Wealth In the Black Community. As a Councilmember At-Large, I will work to implement cooperative programs that circulate wealth within Black and Brown communities and close the wealth gap.
By Jeanné Lewis Every candidate this election cycle is offering solutions to recover from the economic and health fallouts of COVID-19. Most ideas depend on trapping already marginalized residents in unstable social safety nets, rather than promoting empowerment by building sustainable wealth within a community. I believe it’s time to stop letting spreadsheets determine the type of support people receive and start trusting the leadership of residents in their communities. A few years ago, on the first Saturday of the month, I went to the Safeway in Good Hope Market Place on Alabama Ave., SE. Despite this being a typical heavy shopping day, there were only two cashiers open and the lines were stacked down the aisles. Several items I was looking for were sold out or not available. I angrily assumed it was evidence of poor management in the store. After speaking with a regional representative for Safeway I learned about the budgeting formulas that Safeway uses to determine the staffing and stocking allocations for particular stores. In short, if the local sales and average income of the surrounding area don’t meet a certain threshold, the stores won’t get more resources. This is why as your next Councilmember At-Large I will focus on supporting cooperative business models that invest in the Black and Brown communities and close the wealth gap. Cooperative businesses contribute to the overall health and well-being of a community. DC has a legacy of cooperative businesses including daycare centers, art galleries, and energy cooperatives, some of which are still in existence. Shortly after that Safeway visit, I joined the Community Grocery Cooperative (CGC) – an effort to open a full service grocery store cooperative East of the River, where I live. The CGC is building on a legacy of cooperatives in DC. The DC Council must fully explore all of the ways these models can close equity gaps in our city. Cooperatives create healthy competition for corporate chains, demonstrate a business case for the economic power of a community, and provide residents with more options and power to nego-
tiate. With the right support from local government, which we’ve seen historically in DC and in currently in other cities around the country, cooperatives can successfully support wealth creation for marginalized communities. Examples of worker cooperatives in Cleveland, OH, and in New York City show the longer term effects of stabilizing their communities beyond economic growth. These models have contributed to home ownership, job placement for returning citizens, and financial skills training and development for workers. Below are some key proposals that I would present if elected to Council. This model of building wealth addresses the long-term poverty created by systemic racism and sexism.
propose special incentives for businesses that implement a cooperative model. This includes granting them preference in competitive bids for city goods and services. Also, to ensure that all groups are duly represented, funding for these efforts will be set aside specifically for groups that are underrepresented in small business ownership, such as women, Black and Brown people, and immigrants. A dual-approach of incentivizing members of underrepresented populations to start small businesses following a cooperative model and setting aside funds with the sole purpose of helping them achieve this goal would drastically improve the District’s ranking in women-owned and minority-owned businesses as compared to MD and VA.
We need an innovative vision for our economy that doesn’t rely on poor people staying poor. Our social safety net is more crucial than ever, but preserving the safety net does not require sacrificing vision for a more empowered community. If elected officials are serious about ending poverty in our city and preserving DC as a home where everyone can thrive, it’s time we invest in a vision for equitable economic development that includes the empowering aspect of cooperatives. The excuses that larger corporations offer as to why they can’t risk investment in marginalized neighborhoods – low tax base, high crime rate, lack of staffing pipeline –become less important when the owners and operators are residents.
The profit from the business is circulated within the same community it’s generated. Crime is less likely when local people are owners. And operators of cooperatives gain skills that can be applied to advancing their careers. These are the types of innovative policies we need right now to close the equity gaps in our community, increase access to home ownership, invest in small businesses and build wealth in Black and Brown families. I look forward to the opportunity to join the DC Council and promote policies that empower our communities. That’s why I am asking for your vote for Jeanné Lewis on November 3rd. https://www.jeannelewisatlarge.com/
Signature Policy Proposals: • Provide necessary training and resources to facilitate the development of worker cooperatives within the District. Since this is a unique approach to small business management, I propose that the city provide educational and training resources, such as general information sessions, individual and group coaching on financial literacy and best business practices, assistance with applying for licenses and permits, and financial support for newly developed cooperatives. This support will be crucial in the start-up phase of new worker cooperatives and will be available for up to five years for each business. • Implement innovative revenue earning initiatives to support the development of worker cooperatives and the sustainability of other small businesses owned by Washingtonians. High start-up costs are one of the most frequently cited reasons for not starting a business, especially for an untraditional business model such as a cooperative. Consequently, there must be a dedicated source available to meet this need. I propose a program of mini bonds sold to DC residents with revenue earmarked to support pre-existing businesses in their conversion to cooperative models, as well as newly developed co-ops. Funding from these initiatives will also be used to support traditional small businesses in D.C. that are owned by Washingtonians. • Create special incentives and funding for worker cooperatives. In order to ensure their lasting sustainability, I
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SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 35
LIFESTYLE 16th Annual
DC JAZZFEST
THURSDAY, SEPT. 24 – MONDAY, SEPT. 28
DANILO PEREZ • MARC CARY FRÉDÉRIC YONNET • MATTHEW WHITAKER BABY ROSE • MAIMOUNA YOUSSEF DADO MORONI • BEN WILLIAMS NASAR ABADEY TRIO • CHRISTIE DASHIELL ALLYN JOHNSON AND SONIC SANCTUARY CECILY • ¡ F I A S C O ! • G I VE TON G E LI N THE CHUCK BROWN BAND • HERB SCOTT
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ALLISON AU • H E A R T O F T H E G H O S T HEIDI MARTIN • DCJAZZPRIX FINALS The 2020 #DCJazzFest will be streaming live from our Nation’s Capital, watch on:
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https://bit.ly/2020DCJazzFest The DC Jazz Festival®, a 501(c)(3) non-profit service organization, and its 2020 programs are made possible, in part, with major grants from the Government of the District of Columbia, Muriel Bowser, Mayor; the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts; and with awards from the National Endowment for the Arts; the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities; and, in part, by major grants from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Galena-Yorktown Foundation, the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Gillon Family Charitable Fund, Venable Foundation, The Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing Arts, The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation, the Kaiser Family Foundation, the John Edward Fowler Memorial Foundation, and The Leonard and Elaine Silverstein Family Foundation. ©2020 DC Jazz Festival. All rights reserved.
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5 Dr. Mary Frances Berry is a University of Pennsylvania scholar and former chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. (Courtesy photo)
Eisenhower and Civil Rights: The Moderate Approach By James Wright WI Staff Writer @JamesDCWrighter
The opening of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. has scholars pondering the civil rights legacy of the 34th president of the United States and his commitment to equal opportunity and fairness for African Americans through moderation. Eisenhower served as the Supreme Allied Commander during World War II from 1941-1945 and president from 1953-1961. He died in 1969. The effort to build the $150 million memorial started in 1999 and endured years of building delays and conflicts with members of his family over the project’s direction and message about Eisenhower. Architect Frank Gehry designed the memorial. Before the formal opening of the memorial on Sept. 18 to the public, a series of virtual programs took place during the week talking about Eisenhower’s contributions as a war commander and the nation’s chief executive. One of the programs, “America’s Re-appreciation of Dwight D. Eisenhower”, occurred on Sept. 15 with Will Hitchcock, the author of “Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s” as a panelist saying the president didn’t have a strong view of civil rights when he first came to the White House. “Eisenhower was a leader who took risks,” Hitchcock said. “He was not in
his comfort zone when it came to civil rights. You have to put Ike in context. He grew up during the Jim Crow era in Kansas when Blacks faced segregation in education and voting and other areas of American life. When Ike was in the military, he opposed segregated troops but he was not a crusader.” Hitchcock said Eisenhower gets credit for appointing Earl Warren as the chief justice of the United States, who has been credited for sheparding the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954 which outlawed segregated public schools in the country. Hitchcock said while Eisenhower criticized Warren for some progressive decisions of the court, he didn’t on civil rights. “We must remember Eisenhower sent federal troops to Little Rock Arkansas to see that Black students enter Central High School,” he said. “That was the first time since the end of Reconstruction federal troops were sent to the South. I would say what led Eisenhower to do that was Gov. Ray Faubus defying a federal order and as a general, Ike didn’t like a governor defying the federal government and sent in troops to uphold the law of the land.” The Civil Rights Act of 1957, the first such legislation since Reconstruction, received its approval from Eisenhower. The legislation created the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, an agency Dr. Mary Frances Berry, a civil
CIVIL RIGHTS Page 42
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APPROVAL
LIFESTYLE
MLK Library Reopening Celebration Goes Online Submitted By Dc Library While the public will have to wait a bit longer to explore the entire Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library’s upper floors, they will be able to experience the building virtually through online programming. A virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 24 will kick off an online program series that will continue into the new year and be streamed online and on the Library’s social media platforms. The programs will be filmed around the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to give people a feel for the spaces in the building. For children, virtual storytimes will be streamed from the new children’s theater, which overlooks the 9th and G Street Northwest corridors. There will also be a musical tour of the MLK Library highlighting the building’s new spaces. For teens, the “Know Your Power” awards ceremony will announce the winners of the civic engagement cre-
ative art contest sponsored by Pepco and the DC Public Library Foundation. The event will feature special performances by Words, Beats and Life and keynote remarks by New York Times Best-Selling Author and DC resident, Elizabeth Acevedo. For adults, Brandi Summers, professor of Geography and Global Metropolitan Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, will discuss her book “Black in Place: The Spatial Aesthetics of Race in a Post-Chocolate City” with Samir Meghelli, Senior Curator at the Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum. Summers scholarship focuses on the ways Blackness is aestheticized in urban cultural landscapes and used to achieve particular social and economic ends. Her work includes examining gentrification in DC’s H Street5.85” Corridor.
LIMITED SERVICES AVAILABLE IN PERSON
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memo-
rial Library will only be offering limited services in person when it opens on September 24. For the time being, the upper floors of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will be closed to the public. However, people will be able to enter the building’s main floor to: Apply for a Library Card: Customers can apply for a Library Card at an open branch and online via the Library’s website www.dclibrary.org. Pick up Holds and Return Items: Customers can search the Library’s catalog or contact the Library to have staff reserve a book for pick up at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. They will receive an email when
the items are ready. Customers can also return any borrowed item to the library. Computers and Printing: The Library has reduced the number of public computers to ensure 6-feet of social distancing. In addition, computer sessions are limited to 45-minute sessions to allow for cleaning and for more people to access the internet. While photocopying and scanning are not available, customers can also send documents electronically for free printing. Borrow Grab & Go Materials: Curated book titles and bundles of books will be available for checkout near the circulation desk. Customers can ask for a specific item, and the staff member will retrieve it. Visit dclibrary.org or download the DC Public Library mobile app for reopening information and the event schedule. For the latest information on the District Government’s response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
RACE from Page 15 all boats to create equity,” Perry said. “That’s been a talking point, but I’ll argue that I’m the only candidate that has developed equity through policies and programs. That’s a skill set I hope to bring to address various schisms.”
CHRISTOPHER MARTIN: THE CONCERNED DAD
If elected to 5.5” the At-large DCSBOE seat, Christopher Martin said he wants to expand resources to schools and communities that have been penalized by the STAR rating system. Part of that strategy includes securing funding for the Birth-to-Three for All DC legislation that builds upon the universal pre-kindergarten expansion of the last decade to guarantee equitable access to early childhood programs. In fulfilling his goal, Martin, a small business owner and Ward 3 resident of nearly 20 years, said he will rely on his
38 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
experience as a real estate developer to build a bridge between constituents and the D.C. government. The father of three has twins who are immersed in a virtual learning program via John Eaton Elementary School. Within a month, their 18-month-old sibling will attend CommuniKids, a Spanish immersion preschool. “My concern is that post-COVID, many of the already limited childcare facilities won’t reopen because of funding and loss of teachers,” Martin told The Informer. “The first focus of achieving equity is making sure our children have equal access to early childhood education,” he added.
TROY MURPHY: THE DCPS ALUMNUS
In his conversation with The Informer, Troy Murphy, a graduate of Eastern High School and one-time Atlarge D.C. Council candidate, emphasized his refusal to accept campaign contributions. Murphy, an opponent of charter school expansion, has centered his campaign on restoring the fabric of District communities and ensuring that students enrolled in public schools establish strong connections with their peers and teachers. While the coronavirus pandemic somewhat complicated that vision, Murphy said the proper investments in technology and other forms of enrichment can help equip parents, particularly those from low-income communities, for a successful academic year. For now, the former charter schoolteacher has expressed a willingness to do that within the boundaries of what the DCSBOE position allows in a city where the mayor controls the public school system. “A lot of high school students I’ve spoken to had so many disruptions during distance learning,” he added. “The parents with the resources outside of distance learning will excel. When parents have spotty Wi-Fi or are unable to assist children, they fall by the wayside. We have to find a way to assist these people.” The Informer was unable to establish contact with DCSBOE At large candidates Dorothy Douglas and Mysiki Valentine. For more information about all candidates, visit DCBOE.org. WI
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LIFESTYLE
wi book review “The Awkward Black Man: Stories” By Walter Mosley c.2020, Grove Press $26.00 / higher in Canada 336 pages
By Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Right now, you’re living your best life. That’s all. It’s not complicated: you roll with whatever happens and try not to worry; your path is before you, and you’re light-footed enough to react swiftly if needed. Flexible, that’s the way to be because, as in “The Awkward Black Man,” a collection of stories by Walter Mosley, plans can go south in a minute. Sampson Diehl was finally dropping some weight and he looked great. The bad news was that he had cancer. But he also had money, a soonto-be-ex-wife, a girlfriend, and a private nurse. In “The Good News Is,” that’s a lot for one man to lose. When Alyce walked out of his life, Albert Roundhouse hoped that someday, she might come back. Nobody’d ever take her place, though he met other women as he traveled the world and lived off the kindness of others and the money he could beg – and then he saw Frankie, and in “Almost Alyce,” Frankie could’ve been Alyce’s sister, maybe, nearly, except for that little job she hired Albert to do.... When his wife, Marguerite, cheated on him, Jared took her back because, well, he loved her. But then the spark went out of their marriage and she ruined his dreams. In “Starting Over,” Jared didn’t understand why Marguerite did what she did, until a co-worker said something that struck him right in the heart. On the afternoon that Chase Martin ran away from school, he was sure the police were looking for him. Instead of cops, though, Chase was found in the woods by a homeless man who seemed to be troubled. When the man turned out to be a thief, Chase lost everything but in “Otis,” he gained something, too. Six months after his brother, Seth, died, a strange man visited Roger with a message from beyond. Roger and Seth were never close, not even as kids, but in “Reply to a Dead Man,” Seth had plenty to say. Imagine, if you will, a man with a heavy sigh on his lips, shaking his head ruefully as though he can’t quite believe what’s happening. That’s the idea of what to expect in “The Awkward Black Man.” The stories inside this book are like a rained-out Saturday afternoon event. They’re like a bad car battery when you just bought four tires. Like ink stains on a brand-new shirt: irksome, not life-or-death, but leaving you wondering what you did to deserve this. But here: though these tales might remind you of a busted shoelace on your favorite kicks, you’re going to love every one of them because author Walter Mosley is the kind of storyteller that makes his characters’ worst days into something you can recognize and relate to. Been there. Done that. Lived, too. Gonna be okay. Fans of Mosley don’t need to be told twice to go find this book. Just go. If you’re new to Mosley but you love short stories, though, “The Awkward Black Man” might be the best book for your life right now. WI
horoscopes
SEPT 24 - 30, 2020
ARIES Implementing a plan for work-life balance is more easily said than done, but that doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. Your schedule may be turned upside down today and fun times are pushed aside. But it’s this that gives you the awareness of needed changes. Start to visualize what you want different in your life. Lucky Numbers: 21, 22, 36 TAURUS Today, you may feel compelled to express your feelings. This could be to your children who may or may not be doing homework on time, or to the teachers who are not giving enough support or even to the school board itself. These are best as one-on-one conversations rather than something that you post. With this aspect, you can actually make progress and be heard. Lucky Numbers: 20, 26, 38 GEMINI Today, there could be a romantic happening where you see fireworks and stars. Plans are spontaneous and unfold effortlessly. A single match could create a roaring fire. That is, of course, if you can get a few moments of time alone with your honey, as others in your life will be chasing you with lists of things to do. Lucky Numbers: 8, 16, 29 CANCER The desire for physical pleasure is strong today. This could involve eating a whole bag of chips or several pieces of chocolate cake. You may be lounging in front of the television or begging family members for a shoulder massage. It’s good to take the day off today, as it will be difficult to concentrate on anything else. Lucky Numbers: 9, 10, 46 LEO This week you may feel you would like a different job, but this is not a day for a big move. If you been waiting for a contract for employment it’s coming, but you need to be patient a little longer. Use the time today to put your home office in order. Lucky Numbers: 19, 32, 34 VIRGO This is a great day to get financial matters in order. However, your temper may run hot if you are forced into long-winded conversations with credit card customer support specialists or enthusiastic financial planners. The best use of this energy is to organize your paperwork, secure important documents and scan papers to reduce clutter. Lucky Numbers: 8, 17, 57 LIBRA A friend of yours may inspire you to have a new experience and this time you’re all in. This could be something simple and yet slightly risky — like cutting your own hair or something health-minded like making kombucha and growing sprouts on your kitchen counter. Soon you’ll be able to share your experiences and success with your friends. Lucky Numbers: 23, 30, 41 SCORPIO Today, you can accurately assess what others are thinking. When it comes to a family discussion, this is a good time to just step aside and allow others to duke it out. And while you know your argument may be ironclad and your facts are irrefutable, this is not the time to wade into this melee. Lucky Numbers: 13, 17, 44 SAGITTARIUS Every once in a while, a day comes along where you can really see the truth about things and see patterns of spending and money handling. This gives you the opportunity to make changes for the better. Today’s a restless aspect, and you may find yourself wanting to make big changes, but even small, incremental shifts will have a profound effect in the months to come. Lucky Numbers: 37, 40, 46 CAPRICORN While you may have been on a budget for a while, today it’s very easy to go on a little spending spree. This may be due to a friend’s birthday coming up, or gifts you want to give family members. Also, you might need a new laptop or some other expensive piece of equipment. However, use caution when shopping online, as today you can go way overboard. Lucky Numbers: 10, 26, 55 AQUARIUS This is one of the best days for doing deep work. If you have a project that needs your concentration, something difficult that you need to learn, or correspondence to be crafted with the right language, today’s the day. Block out time where you can work uninterrupted. Try to avoid procrastinating, as this is a rare aspect you can really use. Lucky Numbers: 2, 16, 28 PISCES While you may have been tripped up by some recent criticism, today you can recognize how far you’ve come. You have achieved many things in your life, and you’ve gained much experience. Even with the occasional stumble, you have picked yourself up and gone on. You can look at critiques objectively, incorporating the helpful information and discarding the rest. Pisces native, you’ve come a long way. Lucky Numbers: 9, 22, 27
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SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 39
CAPTURE the moment
For more photos, visit www.washingtoninformer.com
IN MEMORIAM
Flowers, cards and candles left by U.S. citizens confirm their respect for the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
GINSBURG from Page 1 easily tally enough votes to replace Ginsburg quickly with a conservative-minded Supreme Court justice. toward lame-duck status. Still, Ginsburg’s loss remains palpable for millions of Americans. “We have lost a champion of justice, an icon and patriot – a woman who lived the concept of building a more perfect union,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser affirmed. “Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought for us until the very end, and it is that fighting spirit – that we were fortunate as a nation to benefit from time and time again – that made us love, respect and admire her. We are heartbroken.” Hillary Shelton, chief lobbyist of the NAACP, described Ginsburg’s death a sad day for America. “We are losing a real champion for civil rights, voting rights, women’s rights and human rights on our Supreme Court,” Shelton posited. Shelton honored Ginsburg for breaking through many barriers for all Americans’ full participation and demanded Republicans wait until after the election to confirm a successor. “It is our hope that whoever fills her position would have her same
values. We also urge that the president withhold the nomination to fill that position until after the election,” Shelton said. “It was Mitch McConnell who insisted not to allow President Obama to fill a position in his last year in office. We urge that there not be a nomination or consideration by the U.S. Senate until after the November election,” Shelton said. Through her cancer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg fought to the end with unwavering faith in our democracy and its ideals and that’s how she’ll be remembered, Obama expressed in a written statement. “But she also left instructions for how she wanted her legacy to be honored,” the popular former president observed. Obama recalled when Republicans refused to hold a hearing or an up-or-down vote on his Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, and concocted the principle that the Senate shouldn’t fill an open seat on the Supreme Court before the swearing-in of a new president. “A basic principle of the law – and of everyday fairness – is that we apply rules with consistency, and not based on what’s convenient or advantageous in the mo-
40 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
ment,” Obama demanded. “The rule of law, the legitimacy of our courts and the fundamental workings of our democracy all depend on that basic principle. As votes are already being cast in this election, Republican Senators are now called to apply that standard. “The questions before the Court now and in the coming years – with decisions that will determine whether our economy is fair, our society is just, women are treated equally, our planet survives and our democracy endures – are too consequential to future generations for courts to be filled through anything less than an unimpeachable process,” Obama concluded. Sixty years ago, the Brooklyn-born Ginsburg applied to be a Supreme Court clerk. She’d studied at two of the country’s finest law schools and had ringing recommendations. But because she was a woman, she was rejected, Obama recalled. Ten years later, she sent her first brief to the Supreme Court – which led it to strike down a state law based on gender discrimination for the first time. And then, for nearly three decades, as the second woman ever to sit on the highest court in the land, she proved a warrior for
gender equality – someone who believed that equal justice under the law only had meaning if it applied to every single American. “Over a long career on both sides of the bench – as a relentless litigator and an incisive jurist – Justice Ginsburg helped us see that discrimination on the basis of sex isn’t about an abstract ideal of equality; that it doesn’t only harm women; that it has real consequences for all of us. It’s about who we are – and who we can be,” Obama remarked, noting that Ginsburg inspired the generations who followed her. John Burns, a District lawyer and graduate from the Georgetown University School of Law, said he will never forget being in law school and having a front row seat to the love affair that Ginsburg had with her husband, Martin D. Ginsburg, a former law professor at Georgetown. “I was in law school from 2004 to 2007 and I spent time with her in 2006 because her husband Marty was my tax law professor at Georgetown,” Burns said. “I first met her when she came to meet her husband after class. It was magical to see a couple that had been married for so long share that bond. He was such an avid believer in her. “
Burns, 38, reflected on the time he spent with Bader and the late Congressman John Lewis. He said the two shared a similar spirit. “The level of difference both showed in ordinary people – the level of humility, the level of respect they give to everyone – I carry that to this day,” he said. Justice Ginsburg always voiced strong and principled demands for justice and equality for all, and she was a lifelong champion of women’s and civil rights declared Marcela Howell, the founder and president of “In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda.” “We are putting the U.S. Senate on notice; we demand that no nominee be voted on until a new president is elected. We will take to the streets in protest if McConnell and his cohorts do not abide by their own precedent,” Howell avowed. “We promise to continue Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fight for freedom. As we mourn, we will honor her life and legacy by fighting hard to demand a worthy successor. And we will fight even harder to ensure that all votes are counted on Election Day,” she said. WI
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SPORTS Washington Fumbles Away Opportunities on the road in Arizona
Washington Football Team Loses First Game of the Season against the Cardinals By Daniel Kucin Jr. WI Sports Writer danielkucin88 Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and his favorite receiving threat, DeAndre Hopkins, had a field day respectively against the Washington Football Team on Sept. 20. Murray accounted for 353 total yards and three touchdowns (one interception) while hooking up with Hopkins for eight receptions, 68 yards and a touchdown en route to a 30-15 blowout win in Arizona. As the Cardinals’ leading receiver in this contest, Hopkins surpassed Earl Cooper and Eric Metcalf for the most receptions (19) in his first two games with a new team in NFL history. Washington was on cloud nine after a huge comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Week 1. However, the Washington Football Team was promptly brought back down to earth after allowing 20 unanswered points in the first half, and they never established a lead in the entire match. Murray was sharp and in the zone on the Cardinals’ opening possession after he led a 10-play, 63-yard drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown pass to Hopkins in the back of the end zone. Though Washington’s defense forced a key three-and-out on the ensuing possession, Washington Football Team wide receiver Steven Sims muffed the punt and gave the ball right back to Arizona. Murray capitalized on the mistake and showed his versatility by scampering into the endzone on a 14yard touchdown run to go up by two scores early. Washington received a golden opportunity to strike back early in the first quarter when Murray tossed a poorly thrown ball on third down, which found the hands of safety Landon Col-
lins to set up the Burgundy and Gold in prime scoring position on Arizona’s 19-yard line. However, that chance was shortlived when defensive lineman Jordan Phillips stripped the ball away from Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins, and fellow lineman Chandler Jones recovered the fumble to regain possession just three plays later. Despite that setback, Murray, the former NFL Rookie of the Year, bounced back, leading two more scoring drives before the end of the half by way of two successful field goals from kicker Zane Gonzalez. Washington would not score until the 3:17 minute mark in the third quarter when kicker Dustin Hopkins chipped in a 24-yard field goal. However, it took less than four minutes for Arizona to strike back on the following possession when Murray made multiple Washington defenders miss on a 21-yard touchdown run to go up by 24 points. Though Haskins led a 62-yard scoring drive that finished with a 26-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Terry McLaurin, Washington had trouble up front protecting the second-year quarterback. Haskins went 19-of-33 for 233 yards and threw a touchdown but was pressured constantly and sacked four times. Washington would only score once more when rookie running back Antonio Gibson (13 carries, 55 yards) scored the first touchdown of his career late in the fourth quarter on an 11-yard run up the middle reducing the deficit to 12 points. Regardless, it wasn’t enough to stop Arizona’s high-powered offense the rest of the way, and Gonzalez tacked on an insurance field goal with 30 seconds remaining after the Cardinals controlled
the clock for more than six minutes. Once again, Washington did not have a back exceed the century mark on the ground, and the only player to stand out offensively was McLaurin, who hauled in seven receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Washington lost the first game of the season (1-1) and will be on the road again Sunday to take on the Cleveland Browns (1-1), who recently won their first match of the year against the winless Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 17. “We will all be judged on what happened,” said Rivera. “This is history; there’s nothing that we can do on what just happened other than learn from it, so if we don’t learn from this, we just wasted an opportunity.” WI
5 Though Washington Football Team wide receiver Steven Sims corralled three receptions for 53 yards, he gave up possession on a costly fumble that took momentum away from the Burgundy and Gold in the first half. (Daniel Kucin, Jr./The Washington Informer)
SPORTS HEADLINES
COMPILED BY D. KEVIN MCNEIR WI EDITOR @DKEVINMCNEIR
Hot off the Press
Michael Jordan Joins NASCAR – First Black Principal Team Owner Since 1973
On Monday, Sept. 21, basketball legend Michael Jordan announced that he’ll be joining forces with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin to form a NASCAR Cup Series team and Bubba Wallace, the Black NASCAR driver who recently severed ties with Richard Petty Motorsports after three seasons, will be behind the wheel. “Growing up in North Carolina, my parents would take my brothers, sisters and me to races, and I’ve been a NASCAR fan my whole life,” Jordan said in a statement. “The opportunity to own my own racing team. . . is very exciting for me. Historically, NASCAR has struggled with diversity and there have been few Black owners. The timing seemed perfect as NASCAR is evolving and embracing social change more and more. In addition to the recent commitment and donations I have made to combat systemic racism, I see this as a chance to educate a new audience and open more opportunities for Black people in racing.” Jordan becomes the first Black principal owner of a full-time Cup team since NASCAR legend Wendell Scott drove his own race car in 495 races from 1961 to 1973, according to ESPN. Scott, with his 1964 victory at the Jacksonville 200, remains the only Black driver to win an event in Cup history.
‘Prime Time’ Deion Sanders Assumes Head Coach Duties for Jackson State’s Football Team
Deion Sanders, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame following a stellar NFL career during which he also played Major League Baseball, now adds more to his impressive resume, becoming a first-time head coach at the collegiate level. “I am truly blessed to be the 21st head football coach of Jackson State University [JSU],” Sanders said in the school’s statement on Monday, Sept. 21. “It’s my desire to continue this storied tradition and history of JSU and prayerfully bring more national recognition to the athletes, the university, the Sonic Boom of the South and HBCUs in general.” “It’s very big for Jackson State University,” Athletic Director Ashley Robinson said, according to the Clarion Ledger. “Not only for Jackson State University, this is very big for the country right now. Very big for the state of Mississippi. To Coach Prime, Jackson State University – a blue blood program full of Hall of Famers – it’s just a great time.” Sanders stated, according to the Clarion Ledger, “God called me to Jackson State.”
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Three NFL Coaches Net Hefty Fines for Not Wearing Face Masks
The NFL has fined several head coaches $100,000 for not wearing face masks on the sidelines – a safety precaution now required at games during the COVID-19 pandemic. The coaches’ teams also faced punishment with each team slammed with a $250,000 fine. The coaches include: Pete Carroll of Seattle; Kyle Shanahan of San Francisco; and Vic Fangio of Denver, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. A league source confirmed details about the fines to NPR on Tuesday, Sept. 22. The fines were issued after the NFL completed the second week of games, all of which have been played in stadiums that were either empty of fans or at sharply reduced capacity due to concerns about the possible spread of the coronavirus. Carroll, Shanahan and Fangio have all worn neck gaiters during their teams’ first two games but each of them has often been seen with the covering pushed down below their chin.
SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 41
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42 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
CHURCH from Page 1 Calvary Holy Church thanked Mayor Bowser for use of RFK stadium for the church’s service as he preached from a raised platform in the parking lot. The service was also streamed on several social media platforms. “We haven’t seen anybody since March, we haven’t been able to get together, and it’s overwhelming to look at the cars and be able to wave to them … and so we’re just happy,” said Owens. “Greater Mount Calvary members are more than excited to be together again and if this is all we have then we’re excited about it so we’re happy to be here,” said Elder Julia Chaney. Elder Dr. Barbara Reynolds said, “I miss my pastors I’ve missed so many people and it just gives me such joy to just be here. It’s a new normal but whichever way it goes we will still be Calvary.” “Praise the Lord everybody!” declared Owens, whose greetings elicited a chorus of honks. In Alexandria, Rev Howard John Wesley, pastor of the Alfred Street Baptist Church was preaching hard about the life of Paul from the book of Romans in the New Testament. “Death is not the final chapter in the life of the believer,” said Wesley on Facebook live as members tapped away responses on/ their cell phones.
CIVIL RIGHTS from Page 36 rights leader and University of Pennsylvania scholar, served on the commission from 1980-2004 and was its chair from 1993 until 2004. “The Civil Rights Act Eisenhower signed into law wasn’t as strong as he wanted because of Southern Democrats and the power they held in the Congress,” Berry said. “The Civil Rights Act though create the civil rights commission and a civil rights division in the U.S. Department of Justice. It must be remembered the bill was legislated during the time of the Little Rock Nine, the Mont-
Bishop Alfred A. Owens, pastor of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church, preaches in the parking lot of RFK Stadium in Southeast. (Shevry Lassiter/The Washington Informer)
“We are a generation that quits on God too easily. Walk with the assurance of your victory.” At the University Park Church of Christ in Hyattsville members had a choice of listening to Minister Ed Wilson live or on YouTube live. Those who actually came to the building had their temperatures taken and sat six feet apart in the pews. About 40 people have done this since the church reopened while most members watch online. Rev. Henry P. Davis, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Highland Park said that his congregation is coming back to the sanctuary in
phases. “We will first hold a Saturday service, take temperature and practice social distancing etc.” “We did a survey and 70 percent said they want things to be safe before they come back, so I am really addressing the 30 percent who want to come to church,” Davis said. “Our first phase is Saturday evening. We have 3,500 on the roll and the church has grown during the pandemic.” “Our classes on Zoom have been very effective. We do a call in for our seniors on Tuesday and we are trying to use all technology,” Davis said. “Our new slogan is ‘faith strong during the pandemic.’” WI
gomery Bus Boycott and the Brown decision. What is not as well known is that African diplomats didn’t like suffering discrimination in the United States. When Eisenhower was president, many African and Asian countries gained independence from their colonial overseers. Many of them, when traveling from New York to Washington and throughout the country made it a point to wear their native garb so they would not be mistaken as African Americans. It was a general practice in many places in the South that Africans could be served in hotels and restaurants but not Black Americans. Eisenhower’s secretary of
state, John Foster Dulles, told him racial discrimination had to be outlawed because the African leaders may decide to side with the Soviet Union, as America was engaged in the Cold War. Eisenhower agreed and pushed for the Civil Rights Act.” Berry said the president’s insistence that the civil rights commission had subpoena power played a role in the agency’s potency in the ensuing years. She noted before the commission, Blacks would write letters to federal officials about the abuse and discrimination they faced in the South, and the response generally encouraged them to deal with local officials. “They were often the ones doing the injury,” Berry said. Berry said Blacks mainly had positive views of Eisenhower during his presidency. “I remember my physics teacher said in class that he would vote for Eisenhower,” she said. “He said Eisenhower won the war. I think a lot of Black people voted for him because he was seen as being fair on civil rights. Eisenhower is far different from later Republicans such as Ronald Reagan when it came to civil rights.” WI
RELATIVES OF ODESSA MADRE/ AFTER-HOUR CLUBS I am doing historical research on Odessa Madre and would like to speak to a relative or anyone who knew her and has pictures of U Street during the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Please email me at Robin@aroundrobin.com
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RELIGION the religion corner WITH LYNDIA GRANT
History Will Repeat Itself When We Fail to Remember
As African Americans, we must remember from whence we’ve come. When we forget how far we’ve come, we can get kidnapped again, and without realizing it, some may find themselves in another form of slavery. America has more prisoners than any other country in the world — another form of slavery. Bureau of Prisons statistics show an incarceration rate per 100,000 inmates of 450 whites and 2,306 African Americans. Disproportionate — another form of slavery! Every week, we see more and more police brutality; more men, women and children being shot to death. This has to stop, but we allow history to repeat itself when we fail to remember what has happened. Keep your eyes open, and vote on Nov. 3. Let’s take a look back in order to go forward. One-hundred and fifty-five years ago, after President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Procla-
mation, African-Americans waited for midnight so that freedom would come. It was during this era that Blacks were considered lower than animals. Slave owners often fed the animals before they fed the slaves. We were chattel. Freedom came gradually over the next 50 years. We rose from full-blown slavery to become sharecroppers. My father was one, and our family worked in the fields for the opportunity to live in an old, run-down house owned by the land-owner. It is with this history in mind that we must remember from whence we’ve come. We will not be driven back to that menial lifestyle again. History reflects that after the Civil War, thousands of former slaves and white farmers forced off their land by the bad economy lacked the money to purchase the farmland, seeds, livestock and equipment they needed to begin farming. Former planters were so deeply in debt that they could not hire workers. They needed workers who would not have to be paid until they harvested a crop — usually one of the two labor-intensive cash crops that still promised to make money: cotton or tobacco. Tenant farmers usually paid the landowner rent for farmland
Mt. Zion Baptist Church
and a house. Sharecroppers seldom owned anything. Instead, they borrowed practically everything — not only the land and a house but also supplies, animals, tools, equipment and seeds. The sharecropper contributed his and his family’s labor. They had no control over which crops were planted or how they were sold. After harvesting the crop, the landowner sold it and applied its income toward settling the sharecropper’s account. Most tenant farmers and sharecroppers bought everything they needed on credit from local merchants, hoping to make enough money at harvest time to pay their debts. I write this from personal knowledge. My family lived the sharecropper lifestyle in North Carolina. Between 1880 and 1900, the number of tenant farmers increased from 53,000 to 93,000. By 1890, one in three white farmers and three of four Black farmers were either tenants or sharecroppers. Let us pay close attention to our history in America. We must look back in order to continue to move forward and never, ever allow African Americans to go backward again! WI
John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.
5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089
1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005
“A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org
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Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
Reverend John W. Davis Pastor
Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m.
(301) 864-6070
Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com
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SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 43
RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church
Pilgrim Baptist Church
Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor
Rev. Louis B. Jones II Pastor
9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724
700 I Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 (202) 547-8849
Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”
Service and Times Worship Sundays: 7:30 & 11:00 AM 5th Sundays: 9:30 AM 3rd Sundays: Baptism & Holy Communion Prayer & Praise: Wednesdays @ Noon & 6:30 PM www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org
Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ
Blessed Word of Life Church
Church of Living Waters
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor Harold Andrew Assistant Pastor 4915 Wheeler Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-894-6464 Service and Times Sunday Service: 8:30am& 11:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday www.livingwatersmd.org
St. Stephen Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Sr., / Pastor 2498 Alabama Ave., SE - Washington D.C. 20020 Office: (202) 889-7296 / Fax: (202) 889-2198 - www.acamec.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 8:00am and 11:00 AM Sunday Church School - 9:15am & Sunday Adult Forum Bible Study - 10:30 AM 2nd & 4th Monday Women’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday Jr./Sr. Bible Study: 10:00 AM Tuesday Topical Bible Study: 6:30 PM Tuesday New Beginnings Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Pastoral Bible Study: 6:30 PM Wednesday Children’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Thursday Men’s Bible Study: 6:30 PM Friday before 1st Sunday Praise & Worship Service: 6:30 PM Saturday Adult Bible Study: 10:00 AM “The Amazing, Awesome, Audacious Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church”
Third Street Church of God
Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors
Reverend William Young IV Interim Pastor
Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. Senior Pastor
Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor
4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax
3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax)
5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301-899-8885 – fax 301-899-2555 Services and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship: 7:45 AM Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 AM Tuesday: 7:00pm/Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday , 12:30 PM Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: Prayer/Praise/Bible Study-7:30 PM Baptism & Communion Service: 4th Sunday – 10:30 AM
1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax
Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org E-mail: church@blessedwordoflifechurch.org
Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org
Campbell AME Church Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White 2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study Wednesday: 12:00 Noon Wednesday: 7:00 PM Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020
421 Alabama Ave. SE Washington, DC 20032 Phone: 202-746-0113 Fax: 301-843-2445 Service and Times Sunday School: 10:15 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11;15 AM Children’s Church: 11:15 AM Tuesday Bible Study: 6:30 PM Motto : “A Great Commitment to the Great Commandment” Website: www.turningheartschurchdc.org Email: gr8luv4u2@gmail.com
“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org
Rev. Dr. Alton W. Jordan Pastor 800 I Street, NE - Washington, DC 20002 202-548-0707 - Fax No. 202-548-0703 Service and Times Sunday Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:45 AM Men’s Monday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 PM Women’s Ministry Bible Study: 3rd Friday -7:00 PM Computer Classes: Announced Family and Marital Counseling by appointment E-mail: Crusadersbaptistchurch@verizon.net www.CrusadersBaptistChurch.org / “God is Love”
Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr.; Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax
Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church / Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org / emailus@gmchc.org
Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor 1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661 Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 2nd Sunday at 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday Church School: 9:20 AM Seniors Bible Study: Tuesdays at 10:30 AM Noon Day Prayer Service: Tuesdays at Noon Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7 PM Motto: “A Ministry of Reconciliation Where Everybody is Somebody!” Website: http://isleofpatmosbc.org Church Email: ipbcsecretary@verizon.net
St Marks Baptist Come Worship with us... Dr. Raymond T. Matthews Pastor and First Lady Marcia Matthews St. Mark's Baptist Church 624 Underwood Street, NW Washington, dc 20011 Services and Times Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wed. Noon Day prayer service Thur. Prayer service: 6:45 PM Thur. Bible Study: 7:15 PM
Twelfth Street Christian Church Reverend Dr. Paul H. Saddler Senior Pastor (Disciples of Christ) 1812 12th Street, NW - Washington, DC 20009 Phone: 202-265-4494 Fax: 202 265 4340 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion every Sunday: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 12 Noon Pastor’s Bible Study Tuesday: 6:30 PM Motto: “Discover Something Wonderful” Website: 12thscc.org / Email: Twelfthstcc@aol.com
Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Turning Hearts Church Virgil K. Thomas, Sr. Senior Pastor/ Teacher
“We are one in the Spirit” www.ssbc5757.org / E-mail: ssbc5757@verizon.net
Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM
Crusader Baptist Church
Reverend Dr. Paris L Smith, Sr. Senior Pastor 901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423 Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:10 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 6: 00 PM Prayer Service Tuesday: 7:00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM
44 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
themcbc.org
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RELIGION Shabbath Commandment Church Bishop Adrian A. Taylor, Sr. Pastor 7801 Livingston Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745 301-534-5471 Service and Times Sabbath School 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 AM Service 11:00 AM Praise & Worship Preaching 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM Motto: “A Church Keeping It Real for Real.” Website: Shabbathcommandmentchruch.org Email: Praisebetoyhwh@gmail.com
Zion Baptist Church Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org
St. Luke Baptist Church Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon
All Nations Baptist Church Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor 2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards
Israel Baptist Church
Rev. Daryl F. Bell Pastor 2324 Ontario Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-1730 Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Baptismal Service: 1st Sunday – 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday – 11:00 AM Prayer Meeting & Bible Study: Wednesday -7:30 PM “Where Jesus is the King”
Dr. Earl D. Trent Senior Pastor
2409 Ainger Pl.,SE – WDC 20020 (202) 678-0884 – Office / (202) 678-0885 – Fax “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven!
623 Florida Ave.. NW - WDC. 20001 Church (202) 667-3409 / Study (202) 265-0836 Home Study (301) 464-8211 / Fax (202) 483-4009
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 8:00 AM & 10:45 AM Baptism/Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Family Bible Study Tuesdays – 6:30 PM Prayer Service: Tuesdays – 8:00 PM www.emmanuelbaptistchurchdc.org
Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith
Lincoln Park United Methodist Church Rev. Richard B. Black Pastor
Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor
1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288
1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org
5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005
Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM
Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"
Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42
New Commandment Baptist Church
Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor
Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor
1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964
8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240
13701 Old Jericho Park Road Bowie, MD. 20720 (301) 262-0560
Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM
Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM
Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM
Rehoboth Baptist Church
Reverend Peter R. Blue Sr. Pastor
Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor
2001 Brooks Drive District Heights MD. 20744 240.838.7074
621 Alabama Ave., S.E.- Washington, D.C. 20032 P: (202) 561-1111 - F: (202) 561-1112
Service and Times Sunday Worship Experience: 10:15am Sunday School: 9:00am Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday Morning Noontime Bible Study: Tuesday @ 12:00pm Prayer Meeting/Bible Study: Tuesday @7:00pm Theme: "Building On A Firm Foundation"
Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM
Email: revprbstmbc@gmail.com Website: www.stmatthewsbaptist.org
Motto: “Where God is First and Where Friendly People Worship”
“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org
“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”
Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax : 202-338-4958
Shiloh Baptist Church
Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 – 9:45 AM Holy Communion: Every First Sunday Intercessory Prayer: Monday – 7:00-8:00 PM Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday –7:45 PM Midweek Prayer: Wednesday – 7:00 PM Noonday Prayer Every Thursday
Matthews Memorial Baptist Church Dr. Joseph D. Turner / Senior Pastor 2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Early Worship Service: 8:00 AM Worship Service: 11:00 AM New Member’s Class: 9:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday, 11:00 AM Church School: 9:45 AM Wednesday 12:00pm Bible Study Prayer, Praise and Bible Study: 7:00 PM Saturday Bible Study: 11:00 AM Baptism 4th Sunday: 11:00 AM “Empowered to love and Challenged to Lead a Multitude of Souls to Christ”
Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “
4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net
Christ Embassy DC
Kelechi Ajieren Coordinator 6839 Eastern Avenue, R1 Takoma Park, MD 20912 (202) 556-7065 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00 PM Friday Evening Service: 7:00 PM ; Last Friday “…Giving Your Life a Meaning” www.Christembassydc.org Christ.embassy.dc@hotmail.com
Pennsylvania Ave. Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry Pastor 3000 Pennsylvania Ave.. S.E Washington, DC 20020 202 581-1500 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11:00 AM Monday Adult Bible Study: 7:00 PM Wednesday Youth & Adult Activities: 6:30 PM Prayer Service Bible Study
First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church
Mt. Horeb Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith Pastor
Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor
Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor
9th & P Street, N.W. - W. D.C. 20001 (202) 232-4288
602 N Street NW - Washington, D.C. 20001 Office:(202) 289-4480 Fax: (202) 289-4595
2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon
www.stmarysfoggybottom.org Email: stmarysoffice@stmarysfoggybottom.org
Service and Times First Sunday Worship Service (one service): 10:00 AM Second, Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sunday Worship service: 7:45 AM and 10:55 AM Sunday Church School/Bible Study: 9:30 AM Thursday Prayer Service: 6:30 PM
All are welcome to St. Mary’s to Learn, Worship, and Grow.
Email: sbc@shilohbaptist.org Website: shilohbaptist.org
Service and Times Sundays: 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music and Hymns Wednesdays: 12:10 p.m. - Holy Eucharist
Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor
Email Address: admin@pbc712.org
Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest
Holy Trinity United Baptist Church
Florida Avenue Baptist Church
Reverend Christopher L. Nichols Pastor
Rev. Dr. Jerryl V. Moody Pastor-Elect
Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org
St. Matthews Baptist Church
Emmanuel Baptist Church
King Emmanuel Baptist Church
WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER
Service and Times Sunday School for All Ages: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “
Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180.
SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020 45
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Unregistered Claim Notice of an unregistered claim by a private living woman, sovereign by the grace of God, name written in the Book of the Tree of Life, benificary in the original jurisdiction, now coming as Grantor/Settler with NOTICE OF UNREGISTERED Claim, or priority equitable right, title, and interest in the JOHN QUE PUBLIC estate, NORTH CAROLINA, state file number 1962000073498 529133, including all assets, attributes, derivatives, and transmissions there of. For more on the nature http.//notice.legal-regristry.org/PublicNotice.pdf
In God We Trust Declaration of Nationality Notice of Special Appearance: I am that I am: “Adrian Bogopane ©”, in full life, in propria persona, sui juris, in solo propio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ BOGOPANE, ADRIAN ©”, corp. sole Dba.: “ADRIAN BOGOPANE©”, Notice of Special Appearance: I am that I am: Lesley Ann Bogopane ©”, f/k/a “Lesley Ann Jackson©; in full life, in propia persona, sui juris, in solo proprio, Haqdar by natural issue, the beneficiary and heir of: “ JACKSON, LESLEY ANN© , corp. sole Dba.: “LESLEY ANN JACKSON ©”, and “BOGOPANE, LESLEY ANN ©, corp. sole Dba.:”LESLEY ANN BOGOPANE ©”. Collectively having reached the age of majority, being aboriginal to the northwestern and southwestern shores of Africa, the Atlantic Islands, the continental Americas, being duly certified, hereby affirm to declare our tribal intention to be as our pedigree subscribes, as: Moorish American(s), but not citizen(s) of the United States. We declare permanent, and unalienable, allegiance to The Moorish Empire, Societas Republicae Ea Al Maurikanuus Estados, The Constitution for the united States of America, Article III Section 2, The Lieber Code, Hague Conventions of 1899 & 1907, The Geneva Conventions,
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2020 ADM 000402
2019 ADM 001022
2020 ADM 000397
Alberta D. Wilson Decedent
Barnett Lee Schank Decedent
George C. Valentine aka George Valentine Decedent
Cheryl Chapman Henderson, Esq. 4920 Niagara Road, Suite 200 College Park, MD 20740 Attorney
Brett Cohen 7910 Woodmont Avenue, #1430 Bethesda, Maryland 20814-7047 Attorney
Robert P. Newman, Esq. 801 Wayne Avenue, Suite 400 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Dale J. Wilson, whose address is 4706 Cherokee Street, Apt. 203, College Park, MD 20740, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Alberta D. Wilson who died on December 10, 2019 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., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/10/2021. 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 3/10/2021, 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.
Brett Cohen, whose address is 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1430, Bethesda, Maryland 20814-7047, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Barnett Lee Schank who died on July 16, 1997 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/10/2021. 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 3/10/2021, 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.
Darrell Valentine, whose address is 1120 ½ C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George C. Valentine aka George Valentine who died on 3/27/2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/10/2021. 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 3/10/2021, 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: 9/10/2020
Date of first publication: 9/10/2020
Dale J. Wilson Personal Representative
Brett Cohen Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Date of first publication: 9/10/2020 Darrell Valentine Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY
LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2020 FEP 46 November 12, 2019 Date of Death John Henry Gause, Jr. Name of Decedent NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS Tyrone Timms, whose address is 16988 W. Durango Street, Goodyear, AZ 85338 was appointed personal representative of the estate of John Henry Gause, Jr., deceased, by the Superior Court of Arizona Court for Maricopa County, State of Arizona, on February 28, 2020. Service of process may be made upon Jeffrey K. Gordon, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW #700, Washington, DC 20015 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C. The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real estate. 5524 C Street, SE, 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: 9/17/2020 Tyrone Timms Personal Representative
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
2020 ADM 000417
2020 ADM 000388
2020 ADM 000448
2020 ADM 000462
Ratrini H. Nyasumah Decedent
Richard D. Fleming Decedent
Linda L. Coleman Decedent
Steven Anthony Brannum Decedent
Attorney Ethel Mitchell 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney
Joyce A. Ferguson 33 Sherman Circle, NW Washington, DC 20011 Attorney
Nakia V. Gray, Esq. 800 Maine Ave., SW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20024 Attorney
Valerie Edwards, Esq. 1725 DeSales St., NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Anthony Burley, whose address is 1316 Park Road, NW, Washington, DC 20010, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ratrini H. Nyasumah who died on January 13, 2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/10/2021. 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 3/10/2021, 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.
Joyce A. Ferguson, whose address is 33 Sherman Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Richard D. Fleming who died on January 24, 2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/10/2021. 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 3/10/2021, 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: 9/10/2020
Date of first publication: 9/10/2020
Anthony Burley Personal Representative
Joyce A. Ferguson Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY
TRUE TEST COPY
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
[United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples], and all natural laws governing moors, and hereby declare and proclaim our Nationality in good faith as: Moorish American(s). Any and all facts contained in this publication, are fully applicable to any and all private tribal issue offspring of Affiants, Nunc pro tunc. I am: Adrian Bogopane© “, from this day forward, in harmony with my Nationality/Status/Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “ amanya basimane bogopane-el©”. I am “Lesley Ann Bogopane© “from this day forward, in harmony with Nationality/Status/Jurisdiction, shall be known as: “lesley ann bogopane-el ©”. Notice of White Flag Surrender: as “hors de combat pursuant to The Geneva Conventions, Article III, as ministers of the Moorish Empire, and Internationally Protected Persons. Notice of LAWS AND CUSTOMS OF WAR ON LAND (HAGUE, IV), ARTICLE: 45, 46, & 47. Notice of Claim pursuant to Public Law 87-846, TITLE II, SEC. 203. Notice of Bailment Merging of Legal Title with Equitable Title: This order is to preserve legal and equitable title, and to reserve all rights, title, and interest, in the property, Re: 1. DEPARTMENT HOME AFFAIRS / REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA/ CHILD’S ID NO:”, B4048958/7107145747081: “Adrian Bogopane ©, to the depositor: “amanya basimane bogopane-el©”nom deguerre: Adrian Bogopane©”, 2. STATE OF CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: State file number: 14181, “LESLEY ANN JACKSON©”, to the depositor. “lesley ann bogopane-el©”, nom deguerre: “Lesley Ann Bogopane©”. All property of the same issue and amount, in like kind and specie, is to be returned fully intact, as a Special Deposit order of the Depositor/ Beneficiary/ Bailor/ Donor/ Principal/ Creditor. “amanya basimane bogopane-el©”, nom deguerre: “Adrian Bogopane© for: “AETHIOPIA JUS SOLI TRUST”, and or: “lesley ann bogopane-el©”, nom deguerre: “Lesley Ann Bogopne©”, for “Rising Sun Trust”, as special deposit order in lawful money. This special deposit is to be used exclusively for the benefit of: each respective Trust, an Inter Vivos Unincorporated Divine Grantor Trust. This deposit is not to be commingled with general assets of any bank, nor depositary/ trustee/agent/ bailee/ donee/ debtor. This deposit is not limited to, but including: discharge and set off, of any and all outstanding liabilities as accord and satisfaction. Inter alia enact fuit. All Rights Reserved.
46 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alicia Gordon, whose address is 1876 4th Street, NE, Apt 130, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Linda L. Coleman who died on December 24, 2019 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/17/2021. 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 3/17/2021, 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.
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS
Date of first publication: 9/17/2020
Jennifer Brannum, whose address is 140 Ivanhoe Street, SW, Apt. 101, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Steven Anthony Brannum who died on September 2, 2019 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/24/2021. 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 3/24/2021, 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.
Alicia Gordon Personal Representative
Date of first publication: 9/24/2020
TRUE TEST COPY
Jennifer Brannum Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
LEGAL NOTICES
CL ASSIFIEDS
CL ASSIFIEDS
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131
Diabetes/Cholesterol/Weight Loss Natural Product for Cholesterol, Blood Sugar and weight. Physician recommended, backed by Human Clinical Studies with fast acting results within 30 days. Call to hear about our special offer 866-640-5982
2020 ADM 000495
2020 ADM 000442
2020 ADM 000421
Estate of Jean M. Harris aka Gene M. Harris
Donna Marie Check Beuttell Decedent
Carlton J. Alston Decedent
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NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE
Valerie Edwards 1725 DeSales St., NW Suite 600 Washington, DC 20036 Attorney
Howard Haley, Esq. The Haley Firm, PC 7600 Georgia Ave., NW #405 Washington, DC 20012 Attorney
Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Delores D. Harris Floyd and Steven M. Weinberg for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative Date of first publication: 9/24/2020 Edward G. Varrone, Esq. #257147 1825 K Street, NW Ste. 1150 Washington, DC 20006 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Robert Check, whose address is 802 Foxboro Drive, Norwalk, CT 06851, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Donna Marie Check who died on May 6, 2020 with a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/24/2021. 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 3/24/2021, 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.
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Janet Alston, whose address is 813 30th Street, SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carlton J. Alston who died on February 21, 2014 without a Will, and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/24/2021. 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 3/24/2021, 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: 9/24/2020
Washington Informer
Date of first publication: 9/24/2021
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION
Robert Check Personal Representative
2020 NRT 000015
TRUE TEST COPY
TRUE TEST COPY
Grace L. Callis Name of Deceased Settlor
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
Nicole Stevens Register of Wills
NOTICE OF EXISTENCE OF REVOCABLE TRUST
Washington Informer
Washington Informer
Grace L. Callis, whose address was 530 Oneida Place, NW, Washington, DC, 20011 created a revocable trust on November 8, 2013, which remained in existence on the date of her death on September 21, 2019, and Donna Stewart-Moore, whose address is 5201 Janesdale Court, Glenn Dale, MD 20769, is the currently acting trustee, hereinafter the Trustee. Communications to the Trust should be mailed or directed to the following: Edward G. Varrone, Esq. at 1825 K St., NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20006. The Trust is subject to claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors, costs of administration of the settlor’s estate, the expense of the deceased settlor’s funeral and disposal of remains, and statutory allowances to a surviving spouse and children to the extent the deceased settlor’s residuary probate estate is inadequate to satisfy those claims, costs, expenses, and allowances. Claims of the deceased settlor’s creditors are barred as against the Trustee and the trust property unless presented to the Trustee at the address provided herein on or before 3/24/2021 (6 month after the date of the first publication of this notice.) An action to contest the validity of this trust must be commenced by the earliest of (1) September 21, 2020, (One year from date of death of deceased settlor) (2) 3/24/2021, (6 months from the date of first publication of this notice) or (3) Ninety days after the Trustee sends the person a copy of the trust instrument and a notice informing the person of the trust’s existence, of the Trustee’s name and address, and of the time allowed for commencing a proceeding. The Trustee may proceed to distribute the trust property in accordance with the terms of the trust before the expiration of the time within which an action must be commenced unless the Trustee knows of a pending judicial proceeding contesting the validity of the trust or the Trustee has received notice from a potential contestant who thereafter commences a judicial proceeding within sixty days after notification. This Notice must be mailed postmarked within 15 days of its first publication to each heir and qualified beneficiary of the trust and any other person who would be an interested person within the meaning of D.C. Code 20-101(d). Date of First Publication: 9/24/2020 Donna Stewart-Moore Signature of Trustee TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2020 ADM 000427 Blake Thomas Decedent
NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Angela M. Thomas, whose address is 1218 Randolph Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Blake Thomas who died on April 23, 2020 without a Will, and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., Building A, 515 5th Street, N.W., Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/24/2021. 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 3/24/2021, 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: 9/24/2020 Angela M. Thomas Personal Representative
TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer
Janet Alston Personal Representative
CL ASSIFIEDS Reader Advisory: The National Trade Association we belong to has purchased the following classifieds. Determining the value of their service or product is advised by this publication. In order to avoid misunderstandings, some advertisers do not offer employment but rather supply the readers with manuals, directories and other materials designed to help their clients establish mail order selling and other businesses at home. Under NO circumstance should you send any money in advance or give the client your checking, license ID, or credit card numbers. Also beware of ads that claim to guarantee loans regardless of credit and note that if a credit repair company does business only over the phone it s illegal to request any money before delivering its service. All funds are based in US dollars. 800 numbers may or may not reach Canada. MEDIABIDS MISCELLANEOUS
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administration to interrupt mail deliveries. “Trump’s reckless and that’s my biggest concern,” Thomas told The Informer on Monday evening, just moments after leaving a polling station on North Royal Street in Alexandria, Va. “Most of my issues are national,” Thomas continued. “Especially with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passing away, I’m concerned about women’s rights, policing, and Black votes. The president doesn’t seem to care that Black people are getting killed by police. I lost two people to COVID, and it’s upsetting because I’ve been through a lot this year and he’s not doing right,” said Thomas, an Alexandria resident. Thomas was among the thousands of Virginians who’ve gone to polling places since last Friday, when early voting, scheduled to be in effect until Oct. 31, started. In addition to the presidential contest, voters are also deciding on local, state and congressional races, along with some constitutional amendments. Unlike previous elections, when voters could only submit ballots early under special circumstances, early voting was open to all registered voters. Polling places throughout Northern Virginia, particularly precincts with a sizable Democratic population, have reported long lines of voters wearing masks and practicing social distancing. On Friday, members of the Brothers in Christ Motorcycle Ministry and co-chair of the Republican National Committee, were among the Trump supporters who formed a “Trump Train” caravan from Manassas to Fairfax. Once they touched down at the Fairfax County Government Building with engines revving, horns blowing, and Trump flags wav-
5 Trump supporters disrupt early voting site in Fairfax County creating a disturbance on Sept. 19. (Anthony Tilghman/The Washington Informer)
ing, they those who were lined up to vote. Eventually, they gathered in a nearby parking lot for a spontaneous rally. Members of the group moved to the front entrance of the building, where they remained for the next hour. When they reached the area where the voting line was formed, they continued to chant, heckle voters, and wave their flags in support of the president. The group’s actions concerned poll workers, so much so that, despite the health risks of gathering in closed spaces during a pandemic, they opened an additional room in the government building to provide voters a refuge while they waited to cast ballots. “It was very intimidating: leather-clad motorcycle guys with ‘Blue Lives Matter’ on their motorcycles,” said a volunteer poll watcher who requested anonymity out of fear for her safety. “They were told to honk their horns and tell voters waiting in line
“Early voting was easy and available to us. I don’t want the next generation to see the political process the way I consider it now.” – Shawn J.
48 - SEPTEMBER 24 - 30, 2020
who they should vote for. They wanted to cause a disruption, which was inappropriate and borderline illegal.” Back in Alexandria, a voter who asked to be identified as Shawn J. said that, given the rise of conspicuous racial animosity in the U.S., early voting, much like what his mother exposed him to as a youngster, is necessary to effect change. On Monday, a masked Shawn J., accompanied by his wife and son, approached the ballot box. “Early voting was easy and available to us. “I don’t want the next generation to see the political process the way I consider it now,” he told The Informer. “[Participating in] early voting assures us that no one would mess with the mail-in votes for us. The issues that concern me are police reform, healthcare and education -- the issues we watched Congress not address for the last four years.” Another voter who asked to be identified as Roxana shared Shawn J.’s sentiments, telling The Informer that, with the threat of a backlog at local post offices, she wanted to fulfill her goal in person. On Monday, after leaving the ballot box, she joined her husband outside, still anxious about the future but relieved that she voted early. “It’s important that every vote count,” Roxana said. “I know it’s going to be crazy on November 3 with the amount of people coming to the polls. This needs to be done earlier with COVID-19 going on. All of us have to keep precaution and keep safety first while performing our civic duty.” WI
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CROWELL from Page 28 relief for student borrowers. Though it provided $105 billion in aid for K-12 schools and postsecondary institutions, this earmark included monies for private schools and reserved funds for schools that reopen. “This bill is an inadequate response to our current economic fallout and public health crisis, said Ashley Harrington, federal advocacy director and senior policy counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending. “More than five months have passed since Congress approved a substantive, bipartisan bill to help families stay afloat during this pandemic. Low-income families, particularly families of color who have yet to recover from the Great Recession, have been hit the hardest by this pandemic and the economic fallout.
JEALOUS from Page 28 from veterans and cancer patients who rely on the post office for lifesaving drugs that keep their hearts pumping, their lungs working, and their diseases in check — deliveries that are now being dangerously delayed. We’ve heard from people who run small businesses out of their homes and count on the mail to move checks and products—and who are losing business and money due to the new delays. We’ve heard from a retiree whose insurance was canceled because a renewal payment arrived after the deadline.
MORIAL from Page 28 We’ve broken the process down into five steps: Step 1: Register to Vote By federal law, no state can set its voter registration deadline any earlier than 30 days before Election Day. That means the earliest deadlines this year are Oct. 5 — which is right around the corner. Step 2: Check Your Voting Options From in-person early voting to no-excuse voting by mail, voters in most states have more options in 2020 than in years past. Step 3: Find Your Polling Location The coronavirus pandemic has led many jurisdictions to consolidate polling locations. Voters shouldn’t assume they’ll be able to vote where they’ve voted in the past.
Without a comprehensive response, renters will continue to live with anxiety under threat of eviction, student borrowers will suffocate under crushing debt, and small business owners will close their doors permanently, which will distress local economies.” By contrast, the House version, known as the $3.4 trillion HEROES Act, passed the House with a 208199 vote on May 15 and advocates broad and comprehensive support for consumers and small businesses to include: - $100 billion in new emergency rental assistance. - $75 billion for homeowner assistance. - $11.5 billion in homeless grants. - $1 billion to expand Section 8 housing vouchers. The House measure would also
forbid negative credit reporting and debt collection. Another key provision would require the Federal Reserve to make low-cost, deferrable loans to small businesses, nonprofits, and public universities, as well as provide a broad assortment of new and renewed assistance targeted to essential workers, first responders, minority-owned and other small businesses, and the homeless. It also provides extended payment relief for student loan borrowers, including debt cancellation for some borrowers. “Inaction and subpar responses to this pandemic is dangerous, irresponsible, and unacceptable,” Harrington SAID. “Each day that passes without a comprehensive bill will cause irreparable harm to families who are living on the margins and struggling to get by.” WI
And we’ve heard from postal workers who see their job as a mission. They know their customers. They hate that they’re being forced to let those customers down by following the Trump team’s new rules. Many postal workers are Black — about 177,000 of them in 2018, when they made up about 29 percent of the postal service workforce. Unlike some of our national problems, this one has a pretty simple solution. Postal workers want to do their jobs. They want to play their part in helping people vote safely during this pandemic. Legislation to provide the postal service with the money it needs
has already been passed by the House of Representatives. But it’s stuck in the Senate while Americans wait for Republican senators to do the right thing. Let’s not wait quietly. Let’s make some noise. Get on the phone and make sure Mitch McConnell and other Republican senators know that they need to get out of the way and stop blocking the relief the post office needs. For reliable information on voting, visit the websites run by the League of Women Voters (https://www. vote411.org) and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (https://866ourvote.org/state). WI
Step 4: Know The Candidates and Issues Our vote is a powerful tool for effecting change, but only if we use it in an informed way.
We will not be defeated. The National Urban League continues to advocate for the restoration of the Voting Rights Act and is committed to safeguarding the right of every American to fully participate in our democracy and civic processes. Commenting on efforts to suppress the Black vote, the late Congressman John Lewis said, “I’ve seen this before. I’ve lived this before.” Prior to the Voting Rights Act, he said, “People stood in unmovable lines. They had to pass a so-called literacy test, pay a poll tax. On one occasion, a man was asked to count the number of bubbles in a bar of soap. On another occasion, one was asked to count the jellybeans in a jar — all to keep them from casting their ballots. “Brothers and sisters, do you want to go back? Or do you want to keep America moving forward?” WI
Step 5: VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! Between the time of the Shelby v. Holder decision and the 2016 presidential election, nine out of the 15 jurisdictions previously covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act had new restrictions in place. Texas announced within 24 hours of the decision that it would implement a strict photo ID law, and Mississippi and Alabama, began to enforce photo ID laws that had previously been barred because of federal preclearance. Black voter turnout fell from more than 67% in 2012 — more than five points above the white rate -- to just over 51% in 2016 — almost four points below the white rate.
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MALVEAUX from Page 29 lynched, and no one was ever prosecuted. Our lives have little value when we are treated inhumanely, with our little girls being dragged by their braids by rabid police officers, shot in the back, subjected to chokeholds to the point where we can’t breathe, endured a knee to the neck to the point of death and more. Taking the Black Lives Matter slogan and spoofing it (Drunk Wives Matter) attempts to minimize the racism that riddles our country. Walmart stopped selling the All Lives Matter shirts after getting criticism from the BLM movement, but it still sells Blue Lives Matter shirts and paraphernalia. It sells shirts that say Bartender Lives Matter and Cat Lives Mat-
JACKSON from Page 29 Senate leader Mitch McConnell put together a $1 trillion alternative but didn’t even try to get his members to support it. Twenty Republican senators opposed doing anything. The nonpartisan Urban Institute noted that a second round of stimulus checks alone would keep 8.3 million people out of poverty from August to December. The extension of enhanced unemployment benefits would keep 3.6 million out of poverty. The continuation of food stamp expansions would keep about 1.7 million out. If all three were enacted, 12.2 million people would be kept out of poverty for the rest of the year. Mitch McConnell refused to act. Donald Trump, the great “deal maker,” refused even to get involved. After the benefits expired, McConnell finally decided to pass a bill out of
ASKIA from Page 29 NBC’s Lester Holt in an interview promoting his book “Disloyal” that Trump would “start a war” in order to stay in power. Trump said during the 2016 campaign he could shoot someone in the middle of New York’s Fifth Avenue and not lose a single vote. We know he’s a murderer and the hypocrite, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is his getaway driver. Already, roughly 200,000 people have died in this country from the coronavirus — at least 50,000 to 75,000 of them needlessly because of Trump’s neglect and wicked policies. There is no dirty trick that is beneath him, so, the least thing Biden can do to rattle him in the upcom-
ter shirts as well. While no one has a trademark on the term “Lives Matter,” satirizing Black Lives Matter is, at the very least, disrespectful. It is anti-Black hostility. In June, Walmart said it would spend $100 million over five years creating a “center for racial equity.” Though its CEO, Doug McMillon, explicitly said “Black Lives Matter” at a June virtual company-wide meeting, the commitment was vague. Walmart, one of the largest employers of African Americans, should put their money where their rhetoric is and pay people fairly, provide good benefits (including health care and paid sick leave), and establish a center for racial equity. With 2019 profits exceeding $123 billion in profit, they can certainly afford to
spend a fraction of one percent of those profits on racial equity. There are online T-shirt companies that sell Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter T-shirts, missing BLM’s whole point. They include Wild Bobby and Old Glory Merchandise, neither of which is Black-owned. They are just capitalists hedging their bets, just like the white-owned stores that offer discriminatory service but put BLM signs in their window. Instead, why not look for a Black-owned T-shirt company. All you have to do is Google “Blackowned T-shirt company,” and dozens pop up. Don’t let the BLM movement be a profit center for predatory capitalists. Ask questions before you buy. Buy Black. WI
the Senate, but his Republican colleagues would support only about $300 billion in new money for a bill that did not include the stimulus checks, did not include the SNAP benefits and limited unemployment assistance to $300 a week, half of what it was in the first rescue package. They voted to put millions of Americans into poverty. Public policy matters. We could eliminate poverty in this country with sensible policy. Raise the minimum wage to a living wage; empower workers to organize and negotiate a fair share of the profits they help to produce. Guarantee affordable health care for all. Provide affordable housing for all. Provide high-quality pre-K and quality education for all. Add a jobs guarantee, so that instead of forcing workers onto unemployment when the economy slows or their company goes belly up, they can move to a public job doing
work that is necessary — from retrofitting buildings for solar heating to caring for our public parks to providing care for the elderly and more. Let’s not fool ourselves. America has millions of people in poverty because Americans choose not to demand the policies that would lift them out of poverty. Because corporate CEOs choose profits and bonuses over fair pay for their workers. Because small-minded legislators are more responsive to those who pay for their party than those who are in need. This isn’t complicated. The recent decision to block action on a second rescue package is a decision to increase the number of Americans in poverty, the number of children who go hungry. The Bible teaches we will be judged by how we treat the “least of these.” We should shudder at that judgment. WI
ing debate is to address him as Donald and call him a bald-faced, lying bucket of spit, directly to his face. If Biden tries to play by the conventional rules of decorum, he’s a goner. If he doesn’t do something ugly to Trump, as I’ve said often, it will be like Biden is taking a switchblade to a hatchet fight. Maybe Biden will get lucky and win the presidential election without devastating The Donald in the debates. But why should he depend on serendipity when he could just whip the bully with his own hands? There’s really too much at stake to leave this to chance. Biden has been too busy playing nice, trying to court disgruntled Republikkkans, and not trying to excite the Black folks most likely to vote for
him. His strategy seems to be simply counting on a universal loathing for Trump — and there’s plenty to be disgusted about — and not giving his base a reason to support him. Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris is playing cute with her unconventional shoe choices and coffee klatches with her sisters in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, while leaving Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and the new incoming progressive Black Democrats — who are the real engine driving the new energy in the Democratic Party — to fend for themselves and work to defeat Trump because of their own self-interest. Not me. My motto this election season: “Be for who who be for you.” Get him, Joe! WI
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SUBSCRIBE. DONATE. ADVERTISE. During times of crisis, crucial information about your community comes from local reporters. Access to high quality information is essential. Especially local information. And especially now. What’s happening in our communities? What’s the impact? How are our local leaders responding? For answers to these questions, we rely on the hard work of our local reporters. As a result, readership of local news outlets has reached record highs.
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