This Week Edition 2-26-26

Afeni Evans: A Full-Fledged Abolitionist Tells Her Story

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Local Politics & Education Writer

While District-based organizer Afeni Evans counts Octavia Butler, Malcolm X, and Kwame Ture among her greatest inspirations, she also has lived experiences that fuel her abhorrence for the U.S. military industrial complex.

Nearly a decade after getting booted from Fort Meade in Maryland, Evans, as is the case for other D.C. residents, often sees members of the National Guard who, unlike her, completed a process that obligates them to serve the United States government at any time and anywhere.

“I feel for that experience…of being severely underpaid and doing things because you’re being brainwashed and indoctrinated into the values of the Army….and you’re also under threat of incarceration if you don't follow whatever they see as lawful orders,” Evans told The In-

EVANS Page 9

The Preservation of Barry Farm: More Than Just the Buildings Washingtonians Talk Redevelopment, Resurgence and Resilience of Anacostia

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

With Approval of Federal Disaster Assistance, Potomac Interceptor Restoration on the Horizon

Spill Aftermath

By Mya Trujillo and Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Contributing Writer and WI Senior Local Politics & Education Writer

More than a month after the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor (PI), local and federal agencies are collaborating on repair and mitigation efforts, all aimed at ensuring that the PI is fully operational and overflow cleaned up by the middle of March.

This development comes not long after the Trump administration approved D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request for federal disaster assistance. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with other federal agencies, are PI RESTORATION Page 16

With a projected 2030 completion, the redevelopment of the historic Barry Farm neighborhood is steadily progressing alongside concerns of what it means to preserve a community once among D.C.’s most prosperous.

Amid a multiphase expansion promising more than 1,000 new units, Northeast, D.C., native Patricia Thomas was among those sounding off on a BARRY FARM Page 26

The U Street Corridor: Past Glory, Present-Day Questions

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Local Politics & Education Writer

As Black History Month winds down, third-generation Washingtonian Gregory Adams thinks about what’s become of the Northwest community he’s lived in for more than 40 years.

Though the U Street corridor, where Adams purchased a home with his late wife in 1984, still has remnants of what once made it “Black Broadway,” he is growing more disillusioned about the business closures and demographic changes that have taken place since the turn of the century.

“People who lived along the U Street corridor… in some of the houses, I've

5 Activist Afeni Evans rides atop the Harriet’s Wildest Dreams float during the 2026 MLK Holiday DC Parade on Jan. 19. (Ja’Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

5 D.C. native Patricia Thomas reflects on the changes in the city where she grew up, after a screening of the documentary “Barry Farm: A Conversation Across Generations.” (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

5 A 60th celebration for Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street NW, one of the three remaining Black-owned businesses on the corridor. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER NEWSPAPER (ISSN#0741-9414) is published weekly on each Thursday. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C. and additional mailing offices. News and advertising deadline is Monday prior to publication. Announcements must be received two weeks prior to event. Copyright 2016 by The Washington Informer. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send change of addresses to The Washington Informer, 3117 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The Informer Newspaper cannot guarantee the return of photographs. Subscription rates are $96 per year, two years $168. Papers will be received not more than a week after publication. Make checks payable to:

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STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER

Prince Perp Walk? Andrew Arrested in Epstein Bombshell

5

For years, Jeffrey Epstein’s name hovered over presidents, princes and power brokers like smoke that would not clear. Files were sealed. Names were whispered. Deals were struck.

No one at the very top had been arrested after the public release of those records.

Until now.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, known globally as Prince Andrew and the younger brother of King Charles III, was arrested by British police in connection with newly disclosed Epstein materials.

Police confirmed they detained “a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk,” the BBC and the New York

Times reported. Investigators are examining whether confidential government information from Andrew’s tenure as a British trade envoy was shared with Epstein.

A prince in custody.

That fact alone sends a message that power may not be an impenetrable shield.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated plainly that status would not interfere with justice.

“Nobody is above the law,” Starmer said. There has been no signal that King Charles, who previously stripped his younger brother of royal titles and duties, intends to intervene. Palace aides have reportedly cooperated with authorities, reinforcing the view that Mountbatten-Windsor will face the legal process without royal protection. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

After 107 Minutes, Advocates, Politicians Reject Trump’s Narrative

With chaos, trampling on civil and human rights and escalating global tensions marking the first year of his second term, President Donald Trump strode into the House chamber and delivered the longest State of the Union address in American history, insisting he has overseen what he called a “turnaround for the ages.”

“President Trump's State of the Union address showed a stark contrast between his public promises to lower health care costs and his actual policies of deliberate decisions to raise premiums,” Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA, said in a statement

Onyx Impact kicked off the Black History Month centennial betting half-a-million-dollars on safeguarding African American media.

Announced Feb. 5, the Invest in Black Media campaign commits $500,000 to strengthening Black print, broadcast, and digital storytellers in an age of censorship and daily propaganda.

Inspired by the recent arrests of journalists Georgia Fort, vice president of the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), and former CNN host

Milk & Honey Turns

Dining

released after the speech. “We must look at what the president has done, rather than what he said.”

Trump’s remarks stretched one hour and 47 minutes. He insisted the nation is “bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever,” even as polls show declining confidence in his stewardship of the economy and widespread concern about rising costs.

Wright said the president’s real health care agenda is reflected not in “the few sentences in a speech,” but in “the massive Medicaid cuts he signed into the law, and Con-

UNION Page 13

Don Lemon, the nonprofit also launched a Black History Month-specific effort with NABJ to match up to $100,000 in funds raised.

“Throughout our history, Black media has held the line in the face of anti-democratic forces, while others fall in line and appease propaganda,” said Esosa Osa, founder and CEO of Onyx Impact, in a press release. “There is no healthy democracy in this country without strong, independent Black media.”

BLACK NEWS Page 5

into Impact with Divine Nine Initiative Scholarship Fundraiser Highlights Joint Commitment to Advancing Leadership, Service in the DMV

in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) of Washington, D.C.’s scholarship fund.

Commonly referred to as the Divine Nine, the NPHC consists of: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Frater-

In the final week of Black History Month, Thompson Restaurants’ Milk & Honey brand is daring the DMV to put the money where its mouth is, boosting scholarship and service efforts in a joint fundraiser with D.C.’s Divine Nine network. Initially launched on Feb. 13, restaurateurs across all Milk & Honey locations have one last chance to dish Southern Hospitality and uplift excellence by contributing meal proceeds to the benefit of students MILK & HONEY Page 17

In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

People across the globe are reacting after the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, known globally as Prince Andrew and the younger brother of King Charles III. He was arrested by British police in connection with newly disclosed Epstein materials. (Courtesy Photo)

Snow, Wind and Cancellations Paralyze D.C. as Nor’easter Roars Up East Coast

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Snow swept across the District Sunday and on into Monday as a rapidly strengthening nor’easter tightened its grip on the mid-Atlantic, grounding flights, disrupting rail service and knocking out power for tens of thousands across the region.

Forecasters warned that the system, known as Winter Storm Hernando, would bring heavy snow and powerful wind gusts from D.C. through New York and into New England, creating blizzard conditions in parts of the Northeast. As snow fell steadily across the region, crews treated roads and officials urged residents to stay off highways unless travel was essential.

“Snow may impact tomorrow's

Drawing on past momentum to uplift Black media, the campaign marks a goal totaling at least $500,000 in 2026.

For the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), that means $100,000 to support a yearlong investigative journalism cohort, as well as $100,000 towards NABJ’s Jubilee Fund, and a $75,000 investment in the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters’ Creators Mastermind program.

Additionally, the Invest in Black Media campaign allocates $75,000 for Archiving the Black Web (ATBW)’s Information Integrity & Web Archiving (IIWA) Fellowship, designed to train scholars in digital media preservation, plus $150,000 to Onyx’s Information Integrity Lab.

“As someone who has dedicated most of my career to Black-owned media, I am elated with the commitment that Onyx Impact is making to ensure that we not only survive, but thrive," said NABJ Vice President-Digital Roland S. Martin, who also serves as founder of the Black Star Network. “This financial support speaks directly to the need of Black-owned media to maintain its commitment to the liberation of Black people in the 21st century and beyond.”

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., NNPA President and CEO, sees the moment as a reaffirmation of the

morning commute,” D.C.’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. “Drivers should exercise caution and give plow trucks extra room.”

Air travel deteriorated as conditions worsened. At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, airlines canceled and delayed numerous departures and arrivals as snow and wind reduced visibility and complicated runway operations. Similar disruptions were reported at Washington Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where dozens of flights were called off and travelers crowded terminals seeking rebooking options.

Nationwide, thousands of flights were canceled as the storm moved

foundation in African American newspapers, founded with “Freedom’s Journal” on March 16, 1827.

“The Black Press has always held the line on trust and standing firm in the face of threats to our democracy. For 200 years, we have been on the frontlines of American history, documenting Black stories,” Chavis said. “We are grateful to Onyx Impact for their continued partnership, helping NNPA members to modernize in the era of digital media and disinformation. This critical investment will help extend our work and will enable us to continue holding the line in the face of ongoing threats to truth and democracy.”

According to Makiba Foster, ATBW co-founder, the grant is especially pivotal to the program’s 2026 Freedom School webinar, which aims to boost a new generation of Black “memory workers” confronting the environmental costs and inequitable systems of a digitally evolving world, particularly for those most targeted by misinformation and “online abuse.”

“Artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping what we see, remember, and forget online,” read Foster’s statement.

“At Archiving the Black Web, we know that if Black communities are not in control of preserving our own digital footprints, technocapitalism and algorithmic bias will decide which of our stories survive.” WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

along the Interstate 95 corridor, affecting hubs in New York and Boston and rippling through airline schedules across the country.

Rail service also faced strain. Amtrak announced service adjustments along the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston. Several Northeast Regional trains were canceled Sunday and Monday, and the railroad said customers would be notified directly about changes as it monitored track and weather conditions. The move reduced service between Washington, New York and Boston as crews prepared for snow accumulation and wind.

Further, power outages mounted overnight. More than 150,000 customers in the mid-Atlantic were without electricity around midnight, according to PowerOutage. us, as heavy snow and gusty winds pulled down tree limbs and power lines. Utilities warned that restoration efforts could stretch into the

week if winds continued.

“Power flickered first thing this [morning] and [we’re] just getting started with the worst part. This blizzard is no joke. Stay safe, East coast,” a social media user who lives in Maine wrote o X. “Call your loved ones and make sure they are okay.”

With the snow no longer falling

in the DMV area, places such as Montgomery County, Maryland are working to help residents amid power outages.

“Power outages: use portable generators safely [and] check on neighbors,” the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security posted on X. “If you see fallen power lines, call 911.” WI

5 People in the DMV area are working to commute around the region and travel via airplane and rail, after a snowstorm swept across the District Sunday into Monday. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

BLACK NEWS from Page 4

AROUND THE REGION

black facts

Feb. 26

1926 – Boxing great Theodore "Tiger" Flowers becomes the first Black middleweight champion.

1928 – R&B legend Fats Domino is born in New Orleans.

1965 – Civil rights activist Jimmie Lee Jackson dies eight days after being shot by police during a peaceful voting rights march in Marion, Alabama.

Feb. 27

1844 – The Dominican Republic declares its independence from Haiti.

1872 – Charlotte E. Ray, the first Black American female lawyer in the United States, graduates from Howard University School of Law.

1897 – Famed opera singer Marian Anderson, the first African American singer to perform at the White House and the first African American to sing with New York's Metropolitan Opera, is born in Philadelphia.

1988 – Figure skater Debi Thomas becomes the first African American to win a medal in the Winter Olympics.

Feb. 28

1984 – Michael Jackson wins eight Grammys for his record-breaking "Thriller" album.

Feb. 29

1940 – Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African American to receive an Academy Award, winning in the Best Supporting Actress category for "Gone with the Wind."

March 1

1913 – Famed novelist and scholar Ralph Ellison, author of "Invisible Man," is born in Oklahoma City. 1927 – Singer-songwriter, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte is born in Harlem, New York.

March 2

1807 – Congress votes to ban the African slave trade. 1867 – U.S. Congress enacts charter to establish Howard University in Washington, D.C.

1962 – Basketball great Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 169–147 win over the New York Knicks, an NBA record.

1990 – Carole Gist becomes the first African American to be crowned as Miss USA.

March 3

1821 – Thomas L. Jennings patents a dry-cleaning process, becomes the first Black American to receive a patent. 1836 – Jefferson Franklin Long, the first African American from Georgia to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, is born in Knoxville, Georgia.

1865 – The Freedmen's Bureau, a federal government agency that aided freed slaves in the South during the Reconstruction era, is established.

1991 – Black motorist Rodney King is beaten by Los Angeles Police Department officers following a highspeed car chase. The incident is captured on video and incites a massive riot in Los Angeles after the officers' acquittals a year later. WI

Michael Jackson (left)

Debi Thomas (center) Marian Anderson (right)

Jimmie Lee Jackson

AROUND THE REGION view P INT

BY KEITH GOLDEN JR.

What do you think young people need most in the community?

JOHNATHAN STITH / SOUTHEAST D.C.

“I always think young people need love first and foremost. And that can look like a variety of things, it has to be taken into action. It looks like opportunities to grow, to develop, to bloom and blossom. I always think about that quote, Assata Shakur has a quote around that. That seems like every season, regardless of the times or how troubling the times can be. Our young people need love, sometimes a little bit more of it, sometimes expressed in a different way.”

LEAH BOGGS JACKSON / SOUTHEAST D.C.

“Patience, from other people [and] from adults, and I say that because oftentimes, when adults see them going about life in a certain way, and adults think they should not be doing certain things. I think adults don’t understand that they’re young adults now and they're growing up in a world that does not see them as part of contributing people in life. So oftentimes, when they are lashing out, they are lashing out against things that do not appreciate them as part of society. So I think we need to give them patience and the right guidance.”

SHINA / PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY MARYLAND

“I think what young people need most in the community right now is to be trusted to make decisions. So many times, people refer to the young people as people who are just going to be affected by things and there’s no real way to have an impact on those things that will affect them. And the lack of trust is clearly displayed when people say ‘these kids don’t care about anything’ or ‘these kids are not interested in anything’ or even the escalation to ‘these kids are dangerous and we need protection from them.’ They need to be trusted to be involved in the solution making process instead of the problem that needs to be solved all the time.”

OKECHUKWU WYCHE

SOUTHEAST D.C

“Education and things to do in the community to keep them from outside, like in the streets. I think structure, and basically transportation to and from where they need to go, to get them off the streets.”

Inside Out: A View of Hope from Incarceration

Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer

Life on the inside at Lorton Reformatory, a federal prison in Virginia, was dark and bleak, but an innovative photography program during the 1980s offered fleeting moments of light and freedom for men who were incarcerated in prison.

Now, modern audiences can view moments captured four decades ago through “Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing," an engaging exhibition where black and white photos, taken by men at Lorton, show the day-today life behind bars. Running until Mar. 5 at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities--- located at Eye Street Gallery, 200 I St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003--- the exhibition invites audiences to enter the environment for incarcerated men at Lorton.

“I want to thank the artists whose works fill this space,” said Aaron Myers, executive director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “This exhibition forces us to see people, not as labels, not as systems, not as statistics, but as whole human beings.”

5 “Kelso,” a photo of a formerly incarcerated man, taken in 1986, is included in the exhibition “Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing" until Mar. 5 at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, located at Eye Street Gallery in Washington, D.C. The photo is taken by Bernard Seaborn, who was in the Lorton Prison photography program. The photo (Courtesy Photo/Patrick Realiza,CAH)

teaching at Lorton and building a community,” said Ruckman about her role during a recent panel discussion at the Eye Street Gallery. “Plus, I gave the men tools so they could be in control of their own narrative.”

More than 45 years after its inception, the exhibition captures the intent of this unique creative outlet for men incarcerated at Lorton.

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

Started by documentary photographer and educator Karen Ruckman and funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities , the Lorton Prison photography program lasted from 1980 until 1989. The photography workshops for the incarcerated men included taking on specific photo assignments, maintaining the equipment, and building a darkroom to process photos.

“It was a very powerful experience

“Washington, D.C. is a city of second chances, where people come to reinvent themselves,” said Myers, “We believe deeply that access to the arts, especially for those who have been marginalized, silenced, or overlooked, is one of the most powerful ways to make those Second Chances a reality.”

Teaching Photography, Changing Lives

When she started the program in 1980, Ruckman approached teaching the 20-30 men at Lorton each week, just as she did when teaching high school or college.

“I had an assistant photographer working with me where we taught camera controls, discussed shooting with intention, then reviewed their results,” said Ruckman. “I had journalists and guest photography teachers come to the class. They actually became advocates for the program.”

In addition, participants gained hands-on experience.

“The cameras and other equipment were paid for under the grant,” she explained. “Also, Kodak donated printing paper and film.”

For many participants, the program was not only an outlet, but allowed for a connection to the outside world.

During the exhibition opening, Desi Moses El, wife of Lorton Photography Program participant Michael Moses El, excitedly showcased photos that her husband— who she is still with today— captured of her while he was incarcerated.

“I visited him every day,” she said lovingly, pointing to the photo of him looking at his mural display of his wife above his prison bunk.

As the program gained recognition, participants’ pieces were exhibited throughout the District, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library and official mayoral gallery, under former Mayor Marion Barry.

Further, Effi Barry, who was then first lady of D.C., and Jim Vance, the late news anchor at NBC Washington, hosted a small exhibition of the Lorton photography program at the D.C. International Club in 1983. The program was also featured on “Good Morning America.”

While the visibility provided perks, such as allowing some incarcerated photographers to step outside the prison to be congratulated for their newfound talent, the program offered lifelong lessons overall.

“They were very respectful of the program, the equipment, and their role in being caretakers of the program,” said Ruckman.

The program inspired the men to think about a life outside of prison, vs. what brought them to Lorton.

“There was never an incident with this program,” said panelist and former Lorton Photography Program participant photographer Bernard Seaborn.

INSIDE OUT Page 9

Now a filmmaker living in New York City, Seaborn has worked as an editor, director of photography, and performed stunt work. A martial artist, film credits include “The Empty Hands” (2011), “Love Sex & Kung Fu” (2015), and “Blood Mix” (2025).

His experiences with the photography program put him in a position to move around inside the prison walls, which translated to how he works in the film industry.

“In Lorton, I became a moderator because you can talk to everybody. Everybody wants their picture taken,” said Seaborn. “When I showed a guy a picture I took, then the next week, he wanted his picture taken. It’s using photos in a way that brings people to a moment of: ‘it’s okay.’”

How ‘Inside Out’ Furthers the Program Nearly 40 Years Later

While Lorton Reformatory closed in 2001 and the photography program concluded 12 years before that, the stories of Lorton Reformatory– from the eyes of former residents— continue, with “Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing.”

Although a museum stands on the

EVANS from Page 1

former. “I don't necessarily feel bad for them to the point where I have loads and loads of empathy, but as somebody who has experienced…being enlisted in the military, I can't help but be like, ‘Well damn, like there's probably a part of you [that] miss your holidays and families.’”

Evans, 29, was an early member of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams, a Black-led abolitionist community defense hub that formed in 2021 to protect all Black people against state-sanctioned violence. She’s since gone on to serve as a community organizer at Fair Budget Coalition and a national trainer at Mass Liberation Network, an entity that helps returning citizens address the trauma of mass incarceration.

However, as Evans, a so-called “military brat,” would admit, her current work is a far cry from the path that she thought she would take as an adult adolescent.

“I've always been leaning more progressive,” Evans told The Informer, “but I think there was a point in time where I did believe that America could

5 “Pinnacle of Love” is 1985 compilation, where Michael Moses El displays his love in a mural of his wife, Desi Moses El, who visited him every day while he was incarcerated at Lorton. The piece is featured in “Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing" until Mar. 5 at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, located at Eye Street Gallery in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy Photo/Patrick Realiza/CAH

portion of the original prison site in Virginia, the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities is emphasizing to District audiences the enduring power of visual storytelling.

“Art allows us to see the world from perspectives other than our own,” said Myers. “As an agency, it is also a reminder of why public investment in the arts is so critical, because when we support artists, we support truth.”

While “Inside Out” features photo-

live up to the dream that we're all promised that this land is. But I never supported the killing of innocent people.”

During the summer of 2017, Evans, then 20 years old and estranged from her family, enlisted in the U.S. Army to escape homelessness. As she recalled however, a series of events confirmed that she didn’t belong in uniform. Within three months of a four-month training, the U.S. Army let her go— but not before higher-ups told her and her comrades the truth.

“I'll never f***ing forget,” Evans said, “[A sergeant] was standing in front of our brigade and she was basically saying, ‘There are three places in America that you get like fully institutionalized: the prison system, mental institutions, and the military’ and everybody was nodding and agreeing.”

That moment, Evans said, infuriated her to no end.

“I’m looking around like, ‘Did you not just hear what the f**k she just said?’” Evans told The Informer. “We're being asked to put our bodies on the line to de-center our own values and our own ideas for the ideas of

graphs from nearly four decades ago, the exhibit offers a view of how the Lorton Reformatory resident navigated life behind bars.

“We built a community at Lorton with other people from the outside, like photographers and guest lecturers,” said Ruckman. “It was a very gratifying experience.”

For more information on “Inside Out: Dignity and the Art of Seeing,” visit dcarts.dc.gov. WI

the military, and really for the parts of U.S. imperialism.”

It didn’t stop there. As Evans recounted, she and members of her brigade took part in exercises much like what military personnel, and even Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), are carrying out in cities across the U.S.

“We had started doing house-clearing drills,” Evans said, “and it’s like when would you need to clear homes? Why is that the specific thing that we're training on? There [were] a lot of things that I didn't learn until years and years later that really clarified my position and [the] feeling in my gut.”

Last August, just days after President Donald J. Trump took over the District’s public safety ecosystem via Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act and, in collaboration with redstate governors, deployed National Guard troops into the District, Evans counted among those on the frontlines ensuring that Black youth made it home without crossing paths with federal officers.

EVANS Page 30

AROUND THE REGION

CAPTURE THE MOMENt

More than 100 people gathered on Feb. 21 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Southwest, for an event hosted by the D.C. Black History Celebration Committee, founded over 25 years ago by Chuck Hicks (center), known as “Mr. Black History.” The celebration honored five D.C. residents for their community service and support for Black History, including: (left to right) Dr. Harold C. Hunter, Pege Gilgannon, LaTonya Kyler, Dennis Houlihan, Pat Wheeler, and John Zottoli. The Rev. Dexter Nutall, pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church, delivered the keynote address, and Attorney General Brian Schwalb and D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson also offered remarks. (D.R. Barnes/The Washington Informer)

Vocalist and educator Iva Ambush, known as the "Scat Lady," reads The Washington Informer at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, held in Bethesda, Maryland Feb. 14-16. (Brenda Siler/ The Washington Informer)

– Frederick Douglass "Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."

BUSINESS

seen them go. “It wasn't [that] they were dying off. They couldn't afford to stay,” Adams told The Informer. “People driving into the city from the suburbs to go to church. It wasn't everyone's decision to move out of the city. It was an economic necessity.”

In 2023, Adams and seven residents formed Black Neighbors of 1617 U Street, what he described as an effort to stop Office of Planning’s upzoning of a nearby plot of land on which Third District Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) headquarters and Fire Engine Company 9 currently sit.

The map amendment in question would allow for mixed-use development, including residential, retail and municipal buildings through the construction of a 10-story building (MU-10), instead of a four-story structure (MU-4) as allowed at the time.

The Black Neighbors of 1617 U Street counted among those who questioned whether the proposal aligned with the 2021 Comprehensive Plan, or if it would even spur housing affordability amid area median income calculations that don’t reflect the District’s economic reality. Coalition members took their qualms to the D.C. Zoning Commission out of frustration with, as Adam explained, the manner in which D.C. Office of Planning advanced the map amendment.

“They were supposed to consider the cost to the community, particularly the long-term residents of the community,” said Adams, whose home stands across the street from the Third District Police Station. “They didn't contact any of my neighbors. They didn't talk to any of the Black residents of the neighborhood. They didn't talk to Black churches in the neighborhood.”

In 2024, after more than two dozen meetings, the D.C. Zoning Commission settled on the Office of Planning’s modified upzoning proposal that, much to D.C. Councilmember

Brianne Nadeau’s chagrin, is estimated to yield 52 fewer affordable units, and 175 units overall, due to only the V Street NW side of the land getting upzoned.

“Office of Planning effectively cut off the potential for more of all of the above with its half-measure to appease specious opposition arguments,” Nadeau said in a July 11, 2024 statement. “That opposition, which primarily argued that there would not be enough affordable housing, succeeded only in eliminating the potential for at least 50 new affordable units, and in reducing the size of a future public plaza.

Adams, a likely member of the opposition that Nadeau mentioned, told The Informer that, with the Office of Planning’s partial acquiescence to his comrades’ concerns, there’s still work to be done.

“It didn't really solve the problem because there's no guarantee that whatever's put on that property will include really truly affordable housing,” he said.

As the RFP (request for proposals) process gets underway, Adams and other members of the Black Neighbors of 1617 U Street are still making the push for what they deem affordable.

“We'd like the city to actually consider a social housing program,” he said, “which would basically really guarantee affordable housing.”

The Conversation about “Gentle Density”

Last year, the D.C. Office of Planning embarked on what will eventually become DC 2050, the first full rewrite of the District’s Comprehensive Plan in 25 years. The agency will shape the final product, which determines how and where future development will take place in the District, in collaboration with elected officials, D.C. residents, and community organizations.

Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs), including that which has jurisdiction over U Street NW, are also taking part in that pro-

cess. Earlier this month, ANC 1B advanced a resolution in support of “gentle density” which would, as ANC 1B Chair Miguel Trindade Deramo said, liberalize the use of single-family homes in the expansion of housing.

“Working within that existing framework….how do we add more people?” Trindade Deramo told The Informer. “A couple ways are allowing the homeowner to subdivide the home and turn it into several apartments or condos. Another answer is allowing people to build accessory dwelling units, but behind in their home facing an alley in a carriage house.”

During its Feb. 5 meeting, ANC 1B adopted a resolution that Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Francois Barrilleaux (Single-Member District 1B02) introduced in support of “gentle density” throughout the District. Well before the meeting, the resolution caught the ire of housing advocates who say Barrilleaux’s resolution lacks affordability requirements for newly-constructed units, as well as provisions that pave the way for family-sized housing.

These advocates, members of what’s known as Save DC Public Land, say that the “gentle density” resolution, if embraced by D.C. Office of Planning, will exacerbate the displacement of marginalized residents across the District. Emails the coalition gathered through the Freedom of Information Act highlight attempts by Karen Gaal, public safety director of the MPD Third District Citizens Advisory Council, to revise the “gentle density” reso-

to the number of units that we need in the city in order to meet demand,” Trindade Deramo said, “but it's one way to address that question of just how do you add more people in the city in a way that’s gentle.”

He decried the notion that “gentle density” would aggressively destroy the fabric of single-family neighborhoods.

lution so that vacant properties, not single-family homes, are considered sites of “gentle density” development.

Gaal, a member of the ANC 1B Economic Development Committee, also pushed for community input and the use of data from the government and peer-reviewed, independent sources, rather than members of the real estate industry. She didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trindade Deramo said there’s more community engagement to come, as it relates to “gentle density” and other aspects of the Comprehensive Plan.

“It’s not a comprehensive solution

“They’re quieter, we understand that, but obviously we need to add more people to the city,” Trinidad Deramo told The Informer. “A gentle way to do that is to divide an existing home into a number of apartments that…preserves the look and feel of the neighborhood, but also allows more people to move in through a decrease in density.”

A Local Historian Weighs in on What Used to Be

Journalist and historian Briana Thomas didn’t speak directly to “gentle density” or 1617 U Street NW, part of what’s known as the Strivers’ Section Historic District. She did however point out the hoops and hurdles that members of any community have to jump through when weighing in on urban development matters.

“In general, the community does try, but voices aren't always heard,”

U STREET Page 25

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U STREET from Page 1

3 Gregory Adams, a longtime U Street NW resident, is taking up the mantle for social housing. (Courtesy Photo)

BEE

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Maryland Ends Local ICE Partnerships as Governor Signs

Emergency Immigration Law

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has signed emergency legislation barring state and local law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements with federal immigration authorities that allow officers to carry out civil immigration enforcement duties.

This legislation immediately ended the state’s participation in the long-running 287(g) program.

“In Maryland, we defend Constitutional rights and Constitutional policing — and we will not allow untrained, unqualified, and unaccountable ICE agents to deputize our law enforcement officers,” Moore said at the signing ceremony in the State House. “This bill draws a clear line: we will continue to work with federal partners to hold violent offenders accountable, but we refuse to blur the lines between state and federal authority in ways that undermine the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Maryland is a community of immigrants, and that’s one of our greatest strengths because this country is incomplete without each and every one of us.”

The measure, passed as Senate Bill 245 and House Bill 444, took effect immediately upon the governor’s signature. It prohibits jurisdictions from participating in agreements under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to delegate certain federal immigration enforcement powers to state and local officers. Under the new law, any Maryland jurisdiction with a standing 287(g) agreement must terminate it at once.

Supporters of the Maryland legislation argue that such partnerships

5 An emergency legislation now prevents Maryland and local law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements with federal immigration authorities that allow officers to carry out civil immigration enforcement duties. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says the bill draws a clear line and defends Constitutional rights. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

erode trust between immigrant communities and local police, making residents less likely to report crimes or cooperate with investigations. Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller described the bill as personal.

“As an immigrant, this bill is deeply personal to me,” Miller said. “Immigrants make Maryland stronger every day, and our communities are safer when everyone feels protected and valued. This legislation ensures that our law enforcement resources remain focused on keeping Marylanders safe, not on actions that create fear in our neighborhoods.” WI

NATIONAL

Civil Rights Leaders Demand End to $2.13 Tipped Wage, Call It a Legacy of Slavery

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Justice, political and labor leaders stood inside the New York Hilton Midtown and declared that the mission to end subminimum wage is the unfinished business of the Civil Rights Movement.

“As we think about the partnership with One Fair Wage and the relationship with labor you know that NAACP and labor is married,” said Jamal R. Watkins, senior vice president of strategy and advancement at the NAACP, during a spirited press conference. “The movement of working people is the movement of Black people, the movement of brown people, the movement of women, the movement of children, the movement of folks who had to make this country what it is.”

UNION from Page 4

gress’ deliberate decision to double premiums for those who buy coverage as individuals, costing consumers hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

The Families USA director explained the administration and Congress allowed enhanced premium tax credits to expire, made historic cuts to Medicaid and are “pushing and pricing millions of Americans off of coverage.”

He also critiqued the president’s plans for health savings accounts and the cost of medications.

“We support the specific focus on prescription drug prices,” he said, “ but it’s wildly out-of-touch to say a website of coupons of existing programs means we got it done.”

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin went further.

“At the State of the Union, a president with a 36% approval rating

With Black History Month underway, and held during the NAACP National Leadership Convening and Black History Month, the gathering united: NAACP President Derrick Johnson, National Urban League leadership, New York NAACP Chair L. Joy Williams, New York City Councilmember Yusef Salaam (D), One Fair Wage President and Co-founder Saru Jayaraman, tipped restaurant workers, small business owners and labor advocates. Together, they called for passage of Living Wage for All, legislation newly introduced in New York City and New York State, and for similar Congressional bills.

“Today we recognize Black History Month, and as we recognize Black History Month, we also recognize that the fight for economic justice is inseparable for the ongoing struggle

spent 107 desperate minutes trying to convince us he's good at his job. Yet by every measure, he is a stunning failure, and Americans are no longer buying what he's selling,” Martin said.

He said Trump “promised to lower prices on Day One. Instead, families paid an estimated $2,120 more last year,” and accused the president of ducking transparency, “building a ballroom, partying with the elites, and selling out American families to serve billionaires.”

The DNC chair concluded:

“Costs, corruption, and chaos. Donald Trump has taken the State of our Union to an all-time low.”

Congressional Leaders Respond

United States Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania (D) delivered the Working Families Party response and opened with a blunt assessment.

of racial justice,” said Salaam. “This gathering honors the leadership, resilience, and contribution of Black workers who have always been at the forefront of movements for fairness, dignity and opportunity.”

The proposed measures would raise the minimum wage closer to the cost of living at least $30 an hour in New York and $25 an hour federally, and eliminate all subminimum wages— including the tipped minimum wage that remains at $2.13 an hour under federal law.

Leaders were able to tie the current campaign to the work done to organize restaurant workers after the September 11 attacks.

3 Justice, political and labor leaders, are advocating for an end to subminimum wage, calling for the passage of a bill entitled Living Wage for All, in New York, as well as encouraging members of Congress to consider similar legislation. (Stacy M. Brown/The Wash-

annually and that 95% earn less than $57,000. In states where the tipped wage remains $2.13, tipped restaurant workers have a median individual income of $15,149 compared to a national median income of $42,220.

Pointing to a systemic issue, speakers said the subminimum wage traces directly to post Emancipation labor practices that forced Black workers into tip-dependent jobs without guaranteed pay.

“On that morning, 73 workers died and 13,000 workers lost their jobs. I was asked as a young organizer to start a relief center for restaurant workers in the aftermath of the tragedy, and what started as a relief center for restaurant workers grew into a national restaurant workers organization.”

Today, service industry employees remain frustrated, Jayaraman said.

“Everywhere we went, restaurant workers would always say it’s my wages, it’s my wages,” she continued.

“This is the 25th anniversary of 9/11; on 9/11 there was the restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center – a restaurant called Windows on the World,” said Jayaraman.

“So let’s start with a simple truth: What we are witnessing from our government is authoritarianism,” Lee said.

She said Trump is “gaslighting us” and warned that “Our country is in crisis.”

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) also rejected Trump’s assessment of the nation’s condition.

“Tonight, President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address, claiming that our country is ‘bigger, better, richer, and stronger than ever.’ But for Black Americans, the reality behind these blatantly racist lies, disrespect, and outright distortions tells a very different story,” the caucus said in a statement.

For Trump, the speech was a forceful defense of his record. For his critics, it was further evidence that rhetoric and reality are moving in opposite directions.

“Our country is in crisis,” Lee said. WI

“There are 13.6 million workers in America, 700,000 here in New York, yet it is the absolute lowest paying employer and has been for generations, dating back to emancipation.”

‘Still Waiting for Equal Pay’

At the center of the event was the release of a February 2026 report from One Fair Wage titled “Still Waiting for Equal Pay: How $2.13 Suppresses Tipped Workers’ Wages and Exacerbates Black Women’s Pay Gap.”

The report concludes that the federal tipped wage of $2.13 an hour depresses earnings and widens racial and gender wage gaps in the restaurant industry.

According to the report, Black women tipped workers earn just 63 cents for every dollar earned by white men in the same industry. The research also concluded that more than 70% of tipped restaurant workers nationwide earn under $25,372

They also warned against the federal Tipped Employee Protection Act, H.R. 2312, which, according to Congress.gov, would modify the definition of a tipped employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act to broaden who qualifies as a tipped employee. Advocates described the proposal as an expansion of subminimum wage loopholes that would weaken worker protections nationwide.

Salaam, a member of the Exonerated Five, framed the issue as a civil rights imperative.

“We must also confront a painful truth that some minimum wages are the direct legacy of Jim Crow policies designed to exclude Black workers from basic labor protections,” Salaam said. “That legacy has not disappeared. It continues today morphing into disproportionately harming workers of color who are overrepresented in low wage and tipped industries.”

Johnson, president of the NAACP, argued that wage policy sits at the heart of democratic power.

“Our job is to serve and create a better society for all. If you think about how workers are treated, particularly service workers. It is inhumane,” Johnson remarked. “It is inhumane for someone to work 9,10,12 hours to almost make their house payments. The history of the human rights movement in this country that we call the Civil Rights Movement is based on three basic pillars; our ability to exercise our vote; our ability to ensure the public policy that arise from our vote prepares our young people for a future, education and the abilities of our communities not to be exploited for free and cheap labor.” WI

INTERNATIONAL

n Booklets

n Brochures

n Business Cards

n Banners

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n Color Copies

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Programs

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Promotional Products n Posters & Signs n Tithe Envelopes

n Tickets & Flyers n T-Shirts

39th AU Summit Emphasizes Need for Water Access, Self-Sufficiency

Annual Conference Introduces Framework to Narrow Water and Sanitation Services, Deeming it Necessary for Africa’s Development

By Mya Trujillo WI Contributing Writer

Despite water being a vital resource for all living things worldwide, equal access is scarce, especially in Africa, a disparity that the African Union (AU) is fervently working to address.

The union held the annual AU Summit from Feb. 11-15 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the theme “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

As part of the mission, the continental union created the Africa Water Vision 2063 and Policy framework, which places water as a crucial factor in transforming Africa into a global powerhouse of the future– Agenda 2063’s main goal. Per the recently introduced plan, if Africa has access to clean water, it will catalyze the elimination of poverty and hunger while promoting industrialization and climate resilience.

“Despite the abundance of water resources on the continent, we continue to see countless situations where African citizens are deprived of safe access to drinking water and adequate sanitation, which is a collective challenge that requires courageous, integrated and sustainable responses,” said João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the AU.

Africa contains 9% of the world’s freshwater, making it the fourth largest continental supply of the resource.

According to UNICEF, in 2022, 418 million people across Africa lacked basic drinking water services, 779 million did not have basic sanitation services and 839 million lacked basic hygiene services.

While progress has been made in the last two decades, members of the AU recognize there is still more work to be done. Under the guidance of the Africa Water Vision of 2025, commissioned by the World Water Council in 2000, Malawi reduced untreated wastewater by 80%, Senegal distributes at least 10% of its budget to water and sanitation services and others like Egypt and Tunisia have put an end to public defecation.

According to the 2024 Africa Water and Sanitation Sector Monitoring Report, half of the continent’s population

is at a disadvantage regarding sound access to safely managed drinking water, 1 in 7 people defecate publicly, and sanitation and hygiene financing averages 0.25% in gross domestic product, not meeting the 0.5% goal.

Africa is also heavily dependent on external funding in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) budgets, comprising 78%, which could threaten resource sovereignty and sustainability.

“Water investment is a catalyst for transformation. It strengthens food security, drives industrial growth, reduces health care costs, and it creates jobs for the growing population,” said Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, during the AU Summit.

“However, to meet the [U.N. Sustainable Development Goal] 6 targets , we have to close an estimated investment gap of about US$30 billion annually.”

From Resource Sovereignty to Sustainable Stability

Currently, only $10 to $19 billion is invested annually in water security and sustainable sanitation.

To accelerate funding into the WASH sectors, the AU Heads of State adopted the Continental Africa Water Investment Program (AIP) in 2021 as part of the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).

“The efforts we have undertaken to build the Africa we want cannot be fully realized without making significant investments that deliver tangible results in the water and sanitation sector,” Lourenço said.

The initiative urges leaders to prioritize shrinking the water access gap, increase transparency and accountabil-

encourage the adoption of innovative financing measures to build resource sovereignty, promote gender equality in decision-making, and incorporate water funding into economic planning.

With the successful implementation of the AU-AIP, the continent of Africa can make strides toward becoming a major actor on the world stage, as plans like these foster independence and less dependency on external forces. If leaders can address and make progress in mending their water access disparities, then they note economic and health autonomy could be easier to achieve, potentially bringing forth stability, peace and self-sufficiency across the continent.

“This is 2026, not 1946,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing his displeasure that no permanent African seats exist in the U.N. Security Council.

Although African nations represent 54 of the 193 member states of the General Assembly, and the continent accounts for approximately 18% of the world’s population, it is the only region in the international organization that isn’t represented in the Permanent Five.

“Whenever decisions about Africa and the world are on the table, Africa must be at the table,” Guterres continued.

Lourenço emphasized the interconnection of all injustices and instabilities that African nations face, acknowledging that the road to an abundant, self-reliant and secure continent requires a multifaceted, collaborative approach.

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5 The African Union Summit concludes in Addis Ababa after four days of discussions surrounding resource access, peace, sovereignty and economic growth. (Courtesy Photo/African Union, X) ity regarding efforts to finance water needs,

HEALTH

ABC Wraps Month-Long Campaign Screening Thousands for Heart Risks Nationwide

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

As Heart Awareness Month concludes, leaders within the African American medical community are urging renewed attention to a crisis that continues to claim Black lives at higher rates, even as overall cardiovascular deaths decline nationwide.

Dr. Anthony Fletcher, the 20th president of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) and an interventional cardiologist at CHI St. Vincent Cardiology and Medicine Clinic in Little Rock, Arkansas, said the month provides a necessary moment to pause and confront persistent disparities that remain embedded in the health care system.

“Every month should be Heart Month, and every month should be Black History Month,” Fletcher told The Washington Informer. “This is an opportunity to focus, to pause for a moment, and to think about the significance of both.”

Fletcher was installed as president of the ABC during the organization’s spring 2024 membership meeting in Atlanta. Founded in 1974, ABC has a global membership exceeding 2,000 health professionals and advocates committed to improving cardiovascular outcomes in minority communities.

While advances in cardiovascular care have driven down death rates over time, Fletcher said recent trends are concerning. He pointed to an upswing in cardiovascular deaths that many clinicians associate with rising diabetes and obesity rates.

“Despite the improvements, there is still a gap in deaths among people of African American descent in this

country,” said Fletcher, who specializes in all aspects of clinical cardiology, with an emphasis on patient education and prevention, especially in minority and underserved populations. “The numbers are coming down, but Black people still die at higher percentages compared to our white counterparts.”

Hypertension remains one of the most pressing threats. A veteran doctor who has served patients across Central Arkansas for more than three decades, Fletcher said high blood pressure often develops earlier in Black Americans, sometimes beginning in the late teens, and tends to be more severe.

“It puts us at higher risk for congestive heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke,” he said. “Heart failure overall is rampant in the African American community.”

A graduate of Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in Ohio, Fletcher also highlighted transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy, known as ATTR-CM, a genetic condition that disproportionately affects Black Americans and is frequently overlooked.

“It gets missed, even by doctors,” Fletcher said. “But ATTR is just one of many cardiovascular illnesses that disproportionately affect African Americans.”

Paying Attention to Symptoms, Accessing Care

Black Americans who have lived through delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialty care said they hope Heart Awareness Month reminds everyone of the importance of paying close attention to health matters.

“By the time I realized the shortness of breath wasn’t just stress, I had already

been to urgent care twice and left feeling brushed off,” said Audrey Wright, 38. “Chest pain is not the only warning sign. Fatigue, jaw pain, nausea, swelling in the legs, and getting winded doing ordinary things can be the heart waving a red flag.”

Maurice Boyd, 52, said geography nearly cost him his life.

“I live in what they call a cardiology desert,” Boyd said. “I learned I couldn’t afford to be passive. I walked into that office with receipts, not vibes. Heart care has to be treated like a plan, not a wish.”

Jeannette Coleman, 67, said family history should never close the conversation.

“My father died young, so I thought I was ready for this, but you’re never ready,” Coleman said. “Do not normalize high blood pressure, and do not accept ‘It runs in your family’ as the end of the conversation. Family history is information, not a sentence.”

Beyond individual risk factors, Fletcher said geography plays a decisive role in who receives timely care. He described what clinicians call cardiology deserts, areas with limited or no access to cardiologists.

“There are at least three million African Americans who live in areas where they have access to no cardiologists whatsoever,” Fletcher said. “Another 16 million live in places where access is limited.”

To confront those barriers, ABC launched its Cardiovascular Desert Initiative, a campaign started about five months ago and sponsored in part by Amgen. The pilot focuses on Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, with host cities including Atlanta, Jackson, New Orleans, and Little Rock.

The initiative takes a two-pronged approach. One arm focuses on communities, beginning with LDL-C cholesterol screenings and education around modifiable risk factors. The

other arm centers on providers, offering education on national guidelines, consultation access, and direct relationships with cardiologists.

Fletcher said there’s a clear call to action.

“We want providers to be able to pick up the phone and call a cardiologist when a patient is not responding to treatment,” he said.

‘We Still Have a Gap. We Just Need to Work Harder’

The ABC president explained that progress is visible, pointing to a grow-

ing number of Black cardiologists and improved enrollment of Black Americans in clinical trials. Still, he said more work remains.

“We still have a gap,” Fletcher demanded. “We just need to work harder, enhance the workforce, and improve educational opportunities for early detection and early treatment.”

The decorated physician noted the work must remain clear and sustained.

“The first step is awareness,” Fletcher said. “We have risk factors that can be modified, hypertension, cholesterol, weight, activity levels, smoking. People need screening programs, early physicals, and to know their numbers, blood pressure, weight, sugar, cholesterol.”

He said treatment must follow evidence-based goals.

“Too many people are seen by providers but are not treated to goal,” Fletcher acknowledged. “Access matters. Education matters. Funding matters, so people can be screened and have access to the medications they need.” WI

3 Dr. Anthony Fletcher, president of the Association of Black Cardiologists, is urging renewed attention to cardiovascular health care, education and access. (Courtesy Photo)

EARTH OUR

now joining in on efforts to protect the east coast’s fourth largest river.

“The Potomac Interceptor collapse and overflow is a sewage crisis of historic proportions,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a Feb. 21 statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency, otherwise known as FEMA, announced disaster assistance.

“Never should any American family, community or waterway have to experience this level of overflow.”

Last month, during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, DC Water became aware of the PI break via a camera at a nearby odor control facility. From that moment, the agency coordinated a response with the National Park Service that included the use of bypass pumps to move wastewater from around the break site and back into the Potomac Interceptor.

Despite complications caused by “snowcrete” and freezing temperatures, local response went on as planned, with bypass pumps taking 60 million gallons of wastewater per day away from the Potomac River by the latter part of January.

Other steps included excavation of a large rock dam that impeded pipe flow; that process required the construction of an additional pit upstream, which resulted in 130 million gallons of daily pumping capacity. With the EPA as the lead federal government agency in response efforts, local authorities in the D.C. metropolitan region have another level of support in the aftermath of an unprecedented infrastructure problem.

Amid President Donald J. Trump’s feud with Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore about the PI collapse, such support, however, may come at a price. In its communique, the EPA claimed that, before last week, neither the District or Maryland responded to its offers of support.

“The Trump EPA stands ready, motivated, and highly capable to step in and correct this situation,” Zeldin said. “I have full confidence in Assistant Administrator Jessica Kramer’s tre-

mendous ability to serve as senior response officer. Together, we will work transparently, collaboratively, and efficiently to fulfill President Trump’s desire to quickly end this disaster and prevent it from being repeated.”

On Feb. 21, FEMA announced the availability of emergency disaster assistance for the District. This came days after D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) declared a state of emergency and requested federal support in the form of a presidential emergency declaration.

Other requests made by the Bowser administration included: reimbursement of repair and remediation costs; interagency coordination with FEMA and other federal agencies to affected areas; and additional federal technical and testing assistance. Long-term asks, made not long after the cancellation of a $2.3 million FEMA grant dedicated to the Blue Plains Floodwall project, focused on federal government support for D.C.’s Clean Rivers Project, the acceleration of U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ repairs to the Washington Aqueduct, and collaboration between the National Parks Service (NPS) and DC Water to repair affected parts of the C&O Canal and surrounding federal lands.

By Friday, when it was yet to be determined whether the federal government would provide assistance, Bowser emphasized the importance of an all-hands-on-deck approach to PI repair and waste water mitigation.

“If things upriver aren’t taken care of well, it does impact the perception of the mighty Potomac,” Bowser said during a Feb. 20 situational update at the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency in Congress Heights. “So for us, it has to be taken care of upriver, downriver, at the site, in D.C. It all has to be taken care of, and we are happy to be the conduit for the region.”

E. Coli Levels Rise as Ice Melts

Although the PI wastewater spill is considered one of the largest in U.S. history, with more than 240 million gallons of raw sewage entering the Potomac River, the region’s drinking water remains unaffected and safe to consume.

“The river is the source of our water, and we do get water…from the river, but it was upstream of this event, and it enters a system that is separated out from the sewage system,” said DC Health Director Dr. Ayanna Bennett on Feb. 20. “So the sewage water goes to the Blue Plains. The drinking water goes to the Washington Aqueduct, and they are not together.”

In her remarks, Bennett alluded to the testing of upstream water, telling reporters that the data showed no increase in pathogen levels, whereas the water that went downstream showed quite the opposite. Even so, Bennett expressed no cause for concern.

“The intake site that is downstream is the Little Falls,” Bennett said, “and that is closed during this season of the year generally and was not open at the time of the break and will not be opened anytime soon, as is routine. And so we don't have any reason to think there'll be contact between this sewage spill and our water intake at any point.”

More than eight miles away, at the headquarters of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN), Betsy Nicholas has a slightly different take.

“We would have been in a completely different…situation if this had been just a tiny bit upstream of those pipes,” Nicholas, PRKN president, told The Informer. “Thank goodness that didn't happen, but it's also kind of an alarm going off– that we need to really pay

a lot more attention to our risks with having a gigantic sewage line like that right next to the river.”

Since the Jan. 19 PI collapse, PRKN has collaborated with DC Water and the University of Maryland School of Public Health on consistent sampling of contaminated water. A report showed that, in the days following the collapse, levels of E. coli in the Potomac River were 12,000 times what was deemed safe for boating, fishing, and swimming.

Though subsequent water testing has shown some improvement, the most recent data highlights worsening pollution tied to melting ice and snow that has unleashed contaminants into the Potomac River.

Per local standards, E.coli concentration beyond the threshold of 410 most probable number (MPN) makes a body of water unsafe for recreation. However, samples collected on Feb. 12 from Lockhouse 10 on the C&O Canal show E.coli concentration at 54,000 MPN.

By Feb. 17, that amount increased to 80,900 MPN.

As Nicholas explained, levels will fluctuate as the weather changes.

“There's still sewage all over the ground and at the bottom of the river,” Nicholas said, “which was in some ways worsened by the ice, because it just wasn't flowing. So the solids dropped out, and they're going to be on the river bottom for a while.”

All Hands on Deck

Since the approval of Bowser’s federal emergency assistance request, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been at the collapse and contamination sites, operating under the guidance of the National Response Framework, specifically as it relates to technical assistance, engineering expertise and construction management during disasters.

In collaboration with DC Water, USACE provides safeguards for the Potomac Interceptor repair operation and assists in the execution of an efficient response. To prevent the compromise of repair equipment and sewage overflow caused by heavy runoff, the engineering corps has been working to divert water away from the bypass pumping site.

“We’ve built a series of pulling and pumping locations where we’re collecting all that water using the existing drainage system,” USACE Baltimore District Commander Colonel Francisco Pena said on Feb. 23.

Pena, who’s leading USACE’s efforts on the ground, said this process entails the creation of ponds. Diversions created via a pumping system move the caught water from the ponds, past the repair site and into the Potomac River.

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5Trench boxes are used for stability as crews prepare to remove rock and debris from the compromised pipe. (Courtesy Photo/DC Water via X)

EDUCATION

As Schools Debate DEI, Black Teachers Consider Their Future

NEA President Says Nation’s Climate is Reshaping Classrooms, Pushing Some Teachers Out of the Profession

By Alvin Buyinza Word in Black

This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation's leading Black news publishers (of which the Informer is a member) and slightly edited for clarity.

As debates over diversity initiatives and how race and history are taught in K-12 schools intensify, many educators say they’re navigating uncertainty inside their classrooms.

For Black teachers, that uncertainty can feel personal, professional, and political all at once.

Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union, says that when she meets with educators across the country, the same questions surface again and again: What are they allowed to teach — or not teach — in the classroom?

A former middle school science teacher who taught for 31 years, Pringle now represents more than

AND

from Page 4

nity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

“As a Black-owned business rooted in community, we’re proud to support an organization that continues to uplift future generations through service and education, particularly during Black History Month,” said Warren Thompson, founder and chairman of Thompson Restaurants.

“As a lifetime member of the Xi Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha,

3 million educators nationwide. She says shifting federal and state guidance around diversity, equity and inclusion has created confusion in some districts — and concern among teachers about whether they will be supported.

“There’s no question that they feel the impact of them as educators being attacked by this administration and being threatened about what they can teach about,” Pringle says.

At stake, she says, is not only curriculum, but whether educators feel secure enough to provide what they see as a full and inclusive education for their students.

President Trump’s Attempts to Erase Black History

During the past year, the Trump administration has taken steps to scale back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in federal agencies and higher education. In Washington, D.C., the Black Lives Matter Plaza was dismantled. And federal

and former Chapter President, the partnership is deeply personal to me.”

Saturday culminates the Roundup Two Week Initiative, prompting Milk & Honey diners – both in-store and online – to round up their checks with 100% of proceeds benefiting local Divine Nine NPHC scholarships.

agencies also made changes to public-facing historical content.

Last February, the U.S. Department of Education sent out a “Dear Colleague” letter advising schools that they cannot teach about diversity, equity and inclusion. In February, the federal government dropped the policy recommendation. But even in districts where formal rules haven’t changed, educators are unsure how classroom lessons about race and Black history will be received.

Pringle says President Trump is trying to erase Black history, making this month “a reminder that not only do our students need to understand Black history, but they need to understand that history and how it impacts what’s happening in this country today.”

Teachers want to “be able to ensure that they have a classroom that is inclusive, that provides access and opportunity for all of their students,” she says.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Feb. 27, the brunch eatery will host Black Love Dine & Donate Day, keeping the Valentine’s momentum going with good vibes, soulful food, and a dedicated code contributing 15% of the total bill to the scholarship fund.

More than that, the partnership serves a two-for-one special: highlighting a deeper purpose of Thompson Hospitality and its subsidiary restaurant group, while upholding a long-standing commitment to the future of civic, communal and academic advancement.

“The Divine Nine represents leadership, legacy and service,” Thompson said, “values that deeply align with who we are as a company.”

For more information, please visit thompsonrestaurants.com. WI

The Compounded Pressure on Black Teachers

For Black educators, the current pressures compound longstanding challenges they experience.

“Even as we’re working hard to increase the number of Black students going into education, Black educators are leaving the profession at a disproportionate level,” Pringle says.

Three issues surface repeatedly in her conversations: isolation in the workplace, underfunded schools and resource gaps, and financial constraints.

1. Isolation in the Workplace: Many Black teachers work in schools where they are one of only a few Black teachers — sometimes the only one. “That has a real impact on whether they feel supported. And if they don’t feel supported, then they tend to leave,” Pringle says.

2. Underfunded Schools and Resource Gaps: Black educators are more likely to teach in schools that have been historically underfunded. Larger class sizes, fewer instructional materials and limited staffing support can intensify burnout.

“They are finding that they don’t have the kinds of resources and support to meet the needs of their students,” Pringle says.

3. Financial Constraints: “We’ve never [paid] teachers in a way that reflects the important role they play in this society,” Pringle says.

Many Black educators also carry significant student loan debt, adding financial strain to an already de-

manding career. She notes that the Trump administration erased the progress the Biden administration made around student loan forgiveness.

Those structural challenges, she says, intersect with today’s DEI debates in ways that can shape longterm career decisions.

What This Means for the Future of Teachers

Pringle is concerned that the current environment may discourage more Black students from entering the teaching profession at all

“Absolutely, I’m worried,” she says.

Research has shown that students benefit academically and socially from having teachers who share their racial background. Exposure to at least one Black teacher has been linked to higher graduation rates and increased likelihood of considering college.

“Students are being harmed and hurt right now when they don’t have access to a diverse workforce,” Pringle says.

For Pringle, the conversation about diversity in schools is ultimately about educational opportunity: Who feels welcome in classrooms and who feels supported in leading them? Further, she says discussions should consider whether public education reflects the full history and diversity of the country.

“We are fighting for our students,” she says. “We are fighting for public education – public education itself right now — as this country slips into authoritarianism.” WI

3Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association says shifting federal and state guidance around diversity, equity and inclusion has created confusion for some teachers. (WI File

Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

MILK

HONEY

LIFESTYLE

WASHINGTON INFORMER'S Washington Informer Weekend Checklist

Things To Do, DMV!

By Kree Anderson WI Intern

There’s always something going on in the DMV where the culture runs deep.

From card games and sneakershopping, to meditation and smooth jazz, dive into diverse, creative, and unforgettable experiences!

To learn about more festivities, check out the Washington Informer Calendar!

Thursday, Feb. 26

The Choir Of Man

8 p.m. | $59.00+

Capitol One Hall, 7750 Capital One Tower Road, Tysons, VA, 22102

In “The Choir of Man,” an Olivier Award-nominated, worldwide smash hit, enjoy music across genres— from anthems by “Guns N’ Roses” and “Red Hot Chili Peppers,” to the soulful sounds of Luther Vandross and Adele, chart-toppers like Sia, Paul Simon, Avicii, Katy Perry and more.

Friday, Feb. 27

MTG - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sealed Prerelease 6:15 p.m.-10 p.m.| $50.00 Labyrinth Games & Puzzles, 645

Pennsylvania Avenue SE, D.C., 20003

Join Labyrinth Games & Puzzles for an in-store pre-release function for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” the newest set for the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering.

Saturday, Feb. 28

Queer Black Broadway Walking Tour

2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | $33.60+

The Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, D.C., 20001

Off the Mall Tours and the Rainbow History Project are partnering to offer a 1.5 hour walking tour that begins at Howard Theater and ends at Thurst Lounge, D.C.'s first queer Black-owned bar.

Sunday, Mar. 1

Winter in Bloom: Floral Candle Workshop with Olga Kardonova

3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | $62.18

Shop Made in VA, 1121 King Street Alexandria, VA, 22314

Instructed by Olga Kardonova, in this hands-on workshop, students will be guided in creating a one-of-a-kind floral candle using a handcrafted fiveinch round concrete vessel.

WI

3The Choir of Man cast will take the stage to deliver their Olivier Award-nominated performance on Feb. 28. The stage show explores pub cultural norms, along with the themes of community, and friendship.

(Courtesy Photo)

review wi book

Black History Books by Various Authors

c.2026, Various publishers

$30-$35

Various page counts

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

For weeks now, you've been remembering, studying various subjects, and celebrating Black History Month. But just a reminder: every day is a good day to learn about Black history. These great books can help …

About a year or so ago, we marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and we remembered the men and women who served. Now step further: in "Until the Last Gun is Silent: A Story of Patriotism, the Vietnam War, and the Fight to Save America's Soul" by Matthew F. Delmont (Viking, $32), you'll read about Black soldiers, activists, and protesters who helped bring the war to its end. This book isn't just about war and peace, though; it's also about justice, racism, rights, and it's great for anyone too young to remember.

Another book about battlefields — in this case, airfields — is "Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen" by Charyl W. Thompson (Dafina Books, $30). This small book packs 27 tales of airmen who vanished while fighting America's enemies, and the injustices their families endured after they were lost. Written by the daughter of a Tuskegee airman, this is a must-read if you want a book that'll thrill you and sadden you, both. Perfect for young readers, this is also one you'll want to share with an elder.

For readers who want to reach back much more in their Black history quest, look for "A High Price for Freedom: Raising Hidden Voices from the African American Past" by Clyde W. Ford (Amistad, $30). It's one of those little-known-history books that are intriguing, thought-provoking, enjoyable, and hard to put down. Also look for "The Great Resistance: The 400-Year Fight to End Slavery in the Americas" by Carrie Gibson (Grove Atlantic, $35). This is a huge book but don't let its size scare you. Its comprehensiveness makes the time it'll take to read it, worth it.

When thinking about Black history, the Cold War era might not come to mind, but "Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America" by Howard Bryant (Mariner, $32) takes readers to those years. It's the story of two men, one who'd just integrated America's favorite ballgame, and how his testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee affected the other man, who was one of the country's leading Black American athletes and performers. But this book doesn't stop there: it follows both Robeson and Robinson as an equally tumultuous event happened, years later — the aftermath of both that, says the author, still resonate today. So you say you still need more? You want a book about African American women, or a book on reparations, or one for kids or teens or more on the subjects above. Then now's the time to head to your favorite bookstore or library and ask for help finding what fits your interests best. The staff there can help you get the exact book you're seeking, and more because any day is a good day to read about Black history.

WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

FEB. 26 - MAR. 4, 2026

ARIES Monday brings a conversation that sets the week's tone — listen more than you talk. A decision you've been avoiding only feels complicated because you fear the outcome, not the choice. A financial opportunity midweek is worth a closer look before committing. Your speed is an asset, but patience wins here. A Friday surprise turns out to be good news. Lucky Numbers: 9, 34, 61

TAURUS Someone underestimates you early in the week — let your results do the correcting. A creative project gains momentum if you dedicate focused time rather than scattered bursts. Wednesday's conversation about shared resources requires honesty and flexibility. You've been overcomplicating a problem that has a straightforward solution. Lucky Numbers: 11, 42, 70

GEMINI Your communication skills are your superpower this week — deploy them deliberately. A Tuesday opportunity looks minor but opens a real door if you follow through. Stop editing ideas before they're fully formed; let them breathe. A friendship needs more consistency than you've been offering. Financial clarity comes midweek when you look at actual numbers instead of avoiding them. Lucky Numbers: 5, 28, 57

CANCER Your intuition flags something early in the week that your logical mind wants to dismiss — take it seriously. A work situation stabilizes once you stop controlling every variable. Tuesday is ideal for a conversation you've postponed. Someone close needs your presence more than your advice. Home comfort is a genuine priority, not an afterthought. Numbers: 16, 44, 68

LEO A bold midweek move lands better than expected — you've done the groundwork, now trust it. Someone is watching your leadership more closely than you realize, and for good reason. Romantic tension eases when you drop the performance and show up as yourself. A creative block dissolves once you stop waiting for perfect conditions. Lucky Numbers: 14, 39, 66

VIRGO Start Monday before you feel fully ready — readiness is overrated this week. A colleague's mistake creates an opening to show both competence and grace. A health routine that fits your real schedule beats the ideal one you never follow. Someone offers help you'll want to decline; accepting it is smarter. A financial detail you glossed over needs another look before Friday. Lucky Numbers: 8, 36, 63

LIBRA A decision you've been weighing finally tips — go with your values, not conflict avoidance. An aesthetic or creative spark arrives early in the week; capture it immediately. Wednesday's collaboration works once you release the need to have all the answers. Someone from your past resurfaces with genuinely good intentions. Financial balance requires an honest look at what's outgoing. Lucky Numbers: 3, 33, 59

SCORPIO An early week revelation reframes something you thought you understood. Trust is built incrementally this week — show up reliably rather than dramatically. A financial boundary you've struggled to hold finally feels natural. Wednesday adds depth to a connection you'd been taking for granted. Your investigative instincts uncover something useful at work; share findings diplomatically. Lucky Numbers: 7, 29, 55

SAGITTARIUS Restless energy opens the week — aim it at something concrete. A Tuesday conversation expands your thinking unexpectedly. Commitment feels less like a cage when you remember why you made it. This week clarifies the difference between a financial risk worth taking and one worth avoiding. Someone offers perspective that stings slightly because it's accurate. Lucky Numbers: 22, 47, 73

CAPRICORN A Monday deadline you've been dreading turns manageable once you begin. Recognition arrives midweek from an unexpected source — accept it without deflecting. A relationship conversation requires less strategy and more sincerity. Sustainable progress beats impressive sprints that leave you depleted by Thursday. A creative outlet you've dismissed as frivolous is actually fueling your productivity. Lucky Numbers: 12, 41, 75

AQUARIUS An unconventional solution you propose early in the week gains traction. Emotional honesty in a close relationship creates connection that intellectual rapport alone never quite reaches. Wednesday brings a group opportunity aligned with your actual values. A financial idea that seemed premature may finally have the right conditions. Don't let perfectionism stall a project that's ready to move. Lucky Numbers: 24, 50, 77

PISCES A recurring thought early in the week carries a message worth decoding. Tuesday brings practical momentum on a personal matter you've approached too passively. Creative work flows when you protect uninterrupted time rather than squeezing it between obligations. A boundary you set recently is holding — proof you can trust yourself. Financial clarity comes from simplifying, not optimizing. Weekend water — a bath, a walk near a lake, even rain — restores your particular energy. That escapism you reach for? A real solution is closer than it feels. Lucky Numbers: 18, 52, 80

Why Jesse Jackson Merits the Nation’s Highest Civic Honors

Lying in State and Flags at Half-Staff Should Recognize Lives that Expanded Democracy—Not Merely Amplified Division.

House Speaker Mike Johnson denied a request for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.

Honors such as lying in state at the Capitol and lowering flags to half-staff are meant to signify more than fame or ideological popularity. They are reserved, at their best, for Americans whose lives measurably expanded democracy, advanced justice, and altered the nation’s moral trajectory.

By that standard, the Rev. Jesse Jackson stands among the most deserving figures of the modern era.

For more than six decades, Jackson has been a central architect of the Civil Rights Movement and its evolution. As a close aide to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson helped organize the Poor People’s Campaign and carried forward King’s unfinished work after his assassination.

Through the Rainbow PUSH

Coalition, Jackson built multiracial, multifaith political alliances that translated protest into policy—registering voters, expanding access to education, advocating for workers’ rights, and demanding corporate accountability.

His two historic presidential campaigns in the 1980s did more than seek office; they reshaped American politics by proving that marginalized communities could build national coalitions and compete seriously for power.

Further, he served as one of D.C.’s first shadow senators from 1991-1997, fighting for District statehood and residents.

Lying in state is not about unanimity; it is about impact. Jackson’s influence is evident in expanded Black political participation, the normalization of coalition politics, and the moral language of fairness and dignity that now permeates public discourse. Entire generations of leaders—lo-

Americans Should Revisit the Life

cal, national, and global— trace their political awakening to Jackson’s example.

Flags flown at half-staff in his honor would symbolize a nation acknowledging the long arc of struggle toward equality and the individuals who bent it closer to justice.

That moral weight stands in stark contrast to the attention often lavished on divisive contemporary commentators, such as Charlie Kirk, whose influence is rooted primarily in provocation, polarization, and media spectacle. While free speech protects all voices, civic honors should distinguish between those who inflame divisions and those who labored to heal them.

To honor Jackson in the U.S. Capitol would not have been partisan. It would have been patriotic—an affirmation that America remembers, and reveres, those who widened its promise for all. WI

of Barbara Jordan, who demanded accountability and refused to accept excuses

With the recent deaths of the Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., and local faith leader and freedom fighter the Rev. Graylan Hagler, pastor emeritus of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, many Black Americans have expressed concerns about the increasing demise of leaders like these men who were brilliant, bold, and unabashedly Black.

But before wallowing in dismay and giving up, it is important to revisit a seminal moment in Black history: When a woman from the segregated South with a keen legal mind refused to be held back by restrictions placed on her because of her race and gender.

That woman, Rep. Barbara Jordan (D-Texas), as a lawyer, politician, and scholar, used her public speaking abilities to fight for human and civil rights – not for African Americans alone, but for all Americans.

On July 24, 1974, in her famous U.S. House Judiciary Committee statement regarding the impeachment of President Richard Nixon,

Jordan captivated the world’s attention and powerfully addressed her initial exclusion from the Constitution.

“I felt somehow, for many years, that George Washington and Alexander Hamilton just left me out by mistake,” she said.

Jordan used her 15 minutes as a teachable moment, emphasizing that through amendments and court de-

For Jordan arrogance was not the focus, but accountability. Throughout her short life of 59 years, she never made excuses for her own imperfection or failures.

cisions, she was finally included in that powerful, opening phrase of the Constitution, “We, the people.”

Jordan was often criticized for being too arrogant. However, in her rebuttal, she said there was nothing wrong with that, if there was something to be arrogant about.

For Jordan arrogance was not the focus, but accountability. Throughout her short life of 59 years, she never made excuses for her own imperfection or failures.

In her speech during the Nixon impeachment, historians note that she was so convincing because of her ability to maintain a solemn tone and how she remained focused on legal, constitutional arguments rather than embracing and displaying partisan anger.

Jordan knew what it was like to be a woman in a patriarchal society. And she understood the barriers she faced because of her race. But she refused to allow the “isms” of American society to keep her from walking in her destiny and following her dreams.

TO THE EDITOR

“This was a wonderful story about a fellow sickle cell warrior. Please keep sharing our stories.”

- Syreeta J. (In reference to the article: From IV Lines and Hospital Tubing to Punchlines and International Stages)

“What a wonderful awe- inspiring article. So glad I came across it. My 12 year old daughter and I hopped on a plane on 2/8/2026 and flew non stop from LAX to D.C. for the sole purpose of witnessing and participating in their magnificent Walk For Peace. We met many monks, were able to give them gifts ( a little wood carved box from India, a few pairs of socks, a lovely drawing my daughter made on site, and a watercolor canvas painting. It was a journey we will never forget… Not a day has gone by that I have not thought about , thanked in my heart, and prayed for those precious wonderful selfless monks.

- Sindi from California, retired teacher and practicing LMFT (In reference to the article: “With Arrival in D.C., Monks Promote Power of Peace After 2,300-Mile Walk.”

Now is the time for the next generation of activists to be inspired by the work of Jordan, Jackson and Hagler as the nation still works to combat racism and inequities.

As the District and nation uplift Jackson and Hagler, and with Women’s History Month kicking off on Sunday, highlighting Jordan’s work

and honoring her legacy not only provides a lesson about another freedom fighter, but offers a blueprint for the future.

Despite continued division, racism, and work to revoke civil rights, young activists must boldly and clearly push back against prejudice, inhibiting systems. WI

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

All Must Die, But Legends Live On

All must die. But legends live on. Few Americans embodied that truth more than the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson. At a time when public discourse has become harsh, when entire communities are demeaned in political rhetoric and when cruelty often masquerades as strength, it is vital to remember the power of a voice that demanded human dignity.

Jackson was more than a speaker; he instilled a generation with selfworth. His memorable words — "I Am Somebody" and "Keep Hope Alive" — continue to resonate. These phrases were not mere slogans crafted by consultants. They were lifelines for the soul, providing language to children dismissed in classrooms, workers denied opportunity and citizens told — subtly or bluntly — that they did not belong. Jackson understood a fundamental truth: Before policy can change, people must believe they are worthy of change.

Guest Columnist

Dr. Barbara Reynolds

A Personal Perspective

My perspective comes not as a distant observer, but as someone who wrote Jackson's first unauthorized biography and covered him as a journalist beginning in the 1970s, shortly after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I visited his Chicago home. His wife, Jacqueline, once took me to Ethiopia to report on famine. I witnessed the movement from the inside; I was part of it and lived it.

Private Struggles and

Honoring the Trailblazer, Dr. Norman C. Francis

"We've got to have people who believe that education belongs to everybody. The future is education for our kids, starting early. Let them know about Blacks who made history and did it from their own belief in themselves, and belief in that we have to make a change."

— Dr. Norman C. Francis

There are times in history when

I am a proud Native American who was born in Mexico and adopted at 5 days old into the United States, where I became a naturalized citizen of the USA. I am deeply, deeply appreciative of everything that the United States has provided me in my life and as a humanitarian have worked hard to give back to our wonderful country. But the day Stephen Miller encour-

we are called to meet the moment. During the civil rights movement, the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. dimmed a lot in the eyes of many who had exalted him for courage in the face of violence and racism. For Dr. Norman C. Francis, who began his presidency at Xavier University of Louisiana on the day of King's assassination, it was a call to build something greater. It was a call he answered for nearly five decades.

Francis did not simply lead a university; he opened doors to higher education and professional advancement

that were systematically closed to Black Americans. He widened them and then insisted they remain open. Under his leadership, Xavier became a national model of excellence, particularly in science and pre-medical education, producing generations of doctors, pharmacists and scientists who now serve communities across this nation.

But the impact of that work cannot be measured solely in numbers or rankings. Francis understood something fundamental: health equity is not a niche issue. It is a national im-

Public Triumphs

To understand Jackson's public ministry, it is necessary to understand his private wounds. As a boy in Greenville, S.C., he endured the stigma of being born outside of marriage during a period when such labels carried social cruelty. He faced threats, humiliation and the daily degradations of segregation. A white man once pulled a gun on him for whistling in his store. A lesser spirit might have retreated inward.

Instead, Jackson ran. A ninthgrade teacher recalled that he was

always running for something — class president, honor society, student leadership. Even when he lost, he ran as if the act itself was defiance. That instinct to move forward — boldly and publicly — became the rhythm of his life.

Jackson's Emergence in Chicago

When I began covering him in Chicago in 1970, the city still bore scars of unrest from riots following King's assassination. Charred build-

REYNOLDS Page 37

perative. By investing in STEM education long before it was fashionable and by building world-class programs at a historically Black university, he not only expanded opportunities for Black students but also strengthened America's health infrastructure.

The physicians trained at Xavier treat patients of every race, in rural towns and urban centers, in community clinics and major hospitals. The path he paved has improved outcomes not just for one community, but for all Americans.

That clarity of vision did not emerge

by accident. Raised in a segregated New Orleans, educated in Catholic schools and formed by service in the U.S. Army and at Loyola University Law School, Francis understood both the cruelty of exclusion and the power of institutions to transform lives. He chose education as his battlefield and excellence as his strategy. He believed deeply that when you prepare people to lead in medicine, science, business and civic life, you are advancing justice in its most practical form.

aged Trump to refer to my entire race as "an infestation" and accused us of "dirtying the blood of America," etc., etc., with openly white supremacists like Steve Bannon talking about those with my Native American DNA somehow causing the reduction of the white race, they deliberately isolated brown people.

The Mexican flag is a symbol of when the ancient Aztecs wandered until they spotted a prophesized eagle holding a snake in its claws on an island in the center of a lake (what today is Mexico City), where they built

the ancient city of Tenochtitlan with such wonders as running hot and cold water, separation of waste water from clean water, the first aquaponic systems, a library that rivaled the Library of Alexandria (which the Spanish later burnt down except for scrolls taken by the Papacy), architecture demonstrating a knowledge of calculous, astronomy and engineering, etc., etc.

So in the horrendous rhetoric we are hearing today (for example, I've been at a black-tie gala where drunk attendees encouraged an off-duty ICE officer to shoot me to help get

rid of some of "the infestation" — so that kind of thing), where President Trump's and MAGA's intentional memetics are crafted to incite hate against brown people, I understand why people are resorting back to the original meaning of that flag.

I work beside Native Americans in the USA, too, and ICE has been taking people from Native American reservations and refusing to give them back unless the Chiefs agree to enter a contract with them. Meanwhile, Dallas, which has the third-largest population of Native Americans of any major

city in the country, has had many incidents of ICE threatening them too.

The Native American Nahuatl language shared by many from Mexico is also shared via many dialects among Pueblo Tribes from the Tigua Tribe of Texas to the Tesuque & Hopi of New Mexico and Ute of Colorado/ Utah. We are one race of people, so no wonder ICE can't tell the difference. I share these facts so that you might understand the significance of waving a Mexican flag.

THOMPSON-FRENK Page 37

Marc H. Morial

Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk

Guest Columnist

Guest Columnist

100 Years of Black History: Reclaiming Digital Health as Architects

ties, we must ask ourselves what our ancestors would do in this critical moment and answer with action. We must become architects of our digital future.

This Black History Month, we celebrate 100 years of recognizing Black legacy — Black builders, leaders and innovators who imagined and crafted futures they knew were possible. Their brilliance engineered solutions, healed communities and set policies that saved lives. Today, as digital health and artificial intelligence rapidly reshape our communi-

Our Reality

If we go by the numbers, the story is stark. In the United States, 29% of Black households lack broadband access, and less than half of 1% of venture capital funding reaches Black health technology founders. Black stakeholders are nearly absent from product development, imple-

Guest

mentation and regulation. The consequences of this exclusion are deadly. In 2019, researchers publishing in Science exposed a widely used hospital algorithm that was less likely to refer Black patients for high-risk care, even when they were equally sick as white patients. Researchers have also revealed AI triage tools systematically underidentified Black patients' severity, and image recognition systems designed to diagnose skin cancer performed significantly worse on darker skin, missing melanoma in Black patients at alar

These are evidence of a systemic problem: if you're not seen in the design, you won't be protected in the outcome. When digital health is built without Black voices, it replicates the very inequities it claims to address. Biased solutions become entrenched, trust erodes, gaps widen and pathways to harm are created.

Why This Moment Demands Action

Black people — those with origins from sub-Saharan Africa, including African, Black American, Black Eu-

A State of Emergency Without Urgency in Black America

Every year Black people look forward to the release of the National Urban League's State of Black America Report to share insights into our progress toward achieving full freedom in this nation. The title of the 2025 report was shocking, stunning, jolting: "State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights and Progress Under Attack."

I believe this powerful report was ac-

The

America has rituals for the dead. We lower flags. We dim lights. We ask for moments of silence. In rare cases — former presidents, Rosa Parks — we place bodies beneath the Capitol dome and call it honor. So when congressional leaders declined to extend that honor to the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, they cited precedent.

curate, timely and appropriately titled. Africans in America — Black people — are caught up in one of the most dangerous periods in the history of the United States, a moment where, under the umbrella of the MAGA movement, the foundational documents that tenuously bind this imperfect union together are under vicious assault by racist, white supremacist and white nationalist forces. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution are under assault. Democracy is in grave danger.

This is evident by the shocking rev-

elation of recent events: the image depicting President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as apes on Trump's page on the federal government website; the relentless attack on diversity, equity and inclusion — DEI — or anything that smacks of Black; Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum decreeing that the monument in the driveway of the home of civil rights martyr Medgar Evers will no longer be listed as an official historical marker; and his announcement that there will no longer be free admission to national parks on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Further-

Is Too Small for Rev. Jesse Jackson

Precedent is tidy. Procedural. It is also how exclusion dresses itself in neutrality.

But here is the truth: the Capitol Rotunda is too small for the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Not physically. Symbolically.

The Capitol dome was built with enslaved labor. The wealth that shaped Washington was extracted from Black bodies. The building that houses American democracy rests on people once denied it. The Rev. Jackson spent a lifetime forcing this nation to

confront that contradiction. And he did not simply protest injustice. He altered the political terrain.

Through the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, he pressured corporations to diversify hiring and boardrooms long before "diversity" became a culture-war slur.

Through Operation PUSH, he translated moral authority into economic leverage. His presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 did not merely seek votes; they expanded the electorate and reshaped the Democratic Party's coalition,

ropean, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latino and Blasian individuals — have historical, evidence-based reasons to be skeptical of health institutions and research. Communities already struggling with limited access to quality care fall further behind as systems become more sophisticated at excluding them. When digital health tools replicate that exploitation, they confirm those fears.

Despite a lack of institutional support, our ancestors understood

more, the words "racist" or "racism" are banned as a mischaracterization of American history. Trump is making it clear: His mission is to make America white again.

A State of Emergency Without Urgency

So there is absolutely no question that there is a state of emergency in Black America. My concern is that it is a state of emergency without urgency. Each organization and leader is addressing the crisis in its own way, its own silo or circle. These individual, disjointed

responses do not match the magnitude of the crisis. What is required is an urgent, collective, visible, public response by a united front of Black organizations and leaders to create the psychological momentum to spark a massive response by Black people to the danger to democracy and the danger to Black America.

What this moment demands is an overarching collective series of bold actions that penetrate right down to

language, and imagination.

He helped register millions of voters. He stood with sanitation workers, autoworkers, underpaid hotel workers, and farmworkers.

He negotiated hostages' release when official diplomacy stalled. He could pivot from children who needed eyeglasses to geopolitics in a single breath because he understood both were about power — who has it, who hoards it, and who must demand it.

I knew him. I worked with him through PUSH/EXCEL, the edu-

cation arm of Rainbow/PUSH.

I watched him move from boardroom to church basement to international stage without ever shifting his moral center. It was all connected. It was all justice.

The Rotunda honors office. The Rev. Jackson held movement.

The rules governing who lies in state or in honor privilege elected officials and generals. That is not neutral. It reflects a nation that confers legitimacy through title

Page 38 MALVEAUX Page 38

DANIELS

Dr. Ron Daniels

BLAKE Page 38

Rotunda

Columnist

Dr. Hassanatu Blake, et al.

Julianne Malveaux

Guest Columnist

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Mimi’s Musings: Black History Month 2026

More Than 100 Years Ago, Black Washingtonians from Anacostia to U Street, Influence the Nation Overall

By Micha Green WI Managing Editor

With February featuring everything from African American barrier-breaking winners in the Olympics, to the death of the Rev.

Jesse Jackson, and the Obamas not appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files, it’s been an eventful Black History Month.

Despite awesome, inspiring, racist, shocking, painful and encouraging moments for many in

the African American community, this February emphasized the importance of commemorating Black history.

This year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is recognizing “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” as the organization’s founder, Carter G. Woodson, established Negro History

WASHINGTON GAS CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Washington Gas is honored to celebrate Black History Month and each week during February 2026 we will profile one of our employees and what Black History means to them.

Bryan Lipscomb Senior End User Computing Specialist

I’m a Washington, D.C. native, born and raised, and currently work as a Senior End User Computing Specialist for Washington Gas. I began my career here first as consultant in 2015 before transitioning to full-time in 2023. In my role, I ensure that our staff’s technology and endpoint experiences are reliable and well supported, which helps ensure that we can execute on our mission to ensure that the DMV has access to affordable, reliable, and safe natural gas.

Black history is deeply personal to me. As a person of African American and Jamaican descent, I carry with me the sacrifices, resilience, and sense of responsibility that have shaped my family for generations and continue to shape who I am today.

Service has always been a constant in my family. My father served in the U.S. Army as a Petroleum Specialist. He also was an extremely talented bass guitarist, which led him to perform on the road with Fats Domino. Growing up, he shared stories that instilled in me the values of discipline, opportunity, and service. My godfather, a retired Naval Commander, dedicated his life not only to serving his country but also to mentoring me and other underprivileged youth. At the local level, my great-aunt was the first African American woman to serve an Animal control Officer in Prince George’s County.

All of their experiences shaped my understanding of service, a lesson my grandmother embodied in her own extraordinary and inspiring way. A Jamaican immigrant who came to this country in the 1930s, she raised eight children in the Barry Farms dwellings and dedicated more than 20 years to community activism. She worked tirelessly to help underprivileged African American families gain access to food and support. From her, I learned that true leadership is rooted in service and that lifting others is one of the highest callings we can answer.

Through my father and grandmother, I also learned about my great cousin, Eugene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb, who played professional football for the Baltimore Colts — a legacy my father proudly carries through his middle name. That same commitment to community continued through my father’s work, as he helped establish a resource center with Washington Redskins legend Darrell Green. This center helped create opportunities and support for families who needed it most.

These stories remind me that my history is more than where I come from, it’s something I am responsible for honoring and carrying forward.

That sense of responsibility guides the work I do today. For me, this work is about more than just a job. It’s about ensuring that the communities that raised us, like the communities like my grandmother served, have the safe and reliable energy they need to thrive.

Black history lives in my family’s story. And I will always carry it forward through service, leadership, and a commitment to making a meaningful difference every day.

3

Week in February 1926.

Ten decades later, Black History Month serves as a reminder of African Americans’ strength and resilience despite slavery and racism, and their incredible contributions to the nation and world overall. Further, 100 years later, as African Americans and other marginalized groups navigate continued racism, inequities and threats to civil rights, examining Black history-makers offers inspiration in order to combat modern-day injustices.

“The goal of Negro History Week was to study, teach, and promote the significant contributions that Black people had made to American society,” ASALH President Karsonya Wise Whitehead wrote in a Black History Month 2026 statement. “From our writers to our inventors, our politicians to our teachers, our artists to our musicians— it was designed to document our lives from American slavery to freedom and to fill in the historical gaps that were deliberately overlooked in an effort to miseducate our children.”

As ASALH uplifts a century of Black history and the United States nears its 250th anniversary celebration, The Washington Informer is highlighting local Black history makers not only in the last 100 years, but since the nation’s inception.

Even before 1926, Black people— like Frederick Douglass (February 1818-February 20, 1895), the celebrated abolitionist and orator, who lived in Anacostia— walked D.C. streets, belonged to local churches, owned businesses, created community, and contributed to the District’s development overall.

The U Street corridor, once known as “Black Broadway,” boomed with Black-business-

es from the Reconstruction Era to the mid 20th century. While many of those businesses are long gone, sites like Bohemian Caverns and the still-in-operation Lincoln Theatre highlight how the local performance scene was not only a hot-spot, but influenced the nation. Further, establishments such as Industrial Bank, Lee’s Flower Shop and Ben’s Chili Bowl–founded in 1934, 1945 and 1958, respectively— stand as symbols of resilience and proof of the power in supporting, preserving and maintaining Black businesses and narratives.

“We built this country. We tamed the land, and we cultivated the crops. Our unpaid labor and the buying and selling of our bodies are the cornerstone of America and of American capitalism. Our blood is mixed with the soil, and the wind carries forward our tears of both sorrow and joy. We fought in the wars for democracy abroad and at home,” Whitehead explained. “To celebrate America at this moment requires us to fully situate ourselves within the narrative, not as a footnote, but as main characters who have helped shape this American experience and the American story.”

While President Donald Trump works to largely ignore parts of Black history and attack the overall freedom fight, knowing the stories of the District’s African American changemakers— from five, to, 50, 100, and 250 years ago— is critical as the nation nears its semiquincentennial in July.

As part of D.C.’s 24th anniversary celebration of emancipation, Douglass delivered a speech in the nation’s capital on April 16, 1886, warning of the danger of “ignorance” and injustice.

“The American people have this to learn: that where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them,” Douglass said, “neither person nor property is safe.”

WI

Standing in front of Jay Coleman’s “The Three Kings of Anacostia” (2024) mural in Southeast, D.C. during a Juneteenth celebration, a District resident calls for the preservation of Black history and narratives. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

U STREET from Page 11

Thomas told The Informer. “Part of the issue is just actually [providing] more of a platform for people to know about the changes that are coming, and then to stick with it until they see it through.”

Last month marked five years since Thomas published “Black Broadway in Washington, DC.” The 192-page book details the unique history of U Street NW, starting at the Reconstruction Era, and ending around the 1950s, when African Americans had already established thriving businesses while under the thumb of segregation.

Since the release of “Black Broadway in Washington, DC,” Thomas has conducted tours along U Street NW, and collaborated with the National Association of Realtors to highlight what she calls a history decimated by gentrification. In making her case, Thomas points out that, out of more than 300 Black-owned businesses that existed along U Street NW at the height of its existence, only three are remaining.

“Those three are Ben's Chili Bowl,

Lee's Flowers, and Industrial Bank,” she told The Informer.

As for newer entrepreneurial endeavors, Thomas said that their stay along and near U Street NW often gets cut short.

“I see new Black-owned businesses come into the area, and within a year,” Thomas said, “they’re folding because they can't afford to actually hold property and stay within that community. There's a lot that still has to be done in terms of progress.”

In recent years, Thomas has weighed in on urban policy while engaging ANCs representing LeDroit Park and a portion of U Street NW where developers built a condominium next to Bohemian Caverns, a historic restaurant and jazz club that closed a decade ago.

Those experiences, she said, have shown her what’s within the realm of possibility when it comes to preserving history.

“The city can create ordinances that [guarantee building] reuse in a way that [the building] doesn't just become office space,” Thomas told The Informer. “A good example of that is Bohemian Cav-

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

erns. A large part of why that building is still there, and that history is still saved, is because there's an ordinance that says places that come in here have to be associated with music and nightlife.”

As far as affordable housing is concerned, Thomas said that that crusade should take place well before the construction of new property.

“There has to be systems set in place before building is finished that says this is what you have to maintain and keep for the lifetime of this complex,” Thomas told The Informer. “The way it's working now, you can get inclusionary zoning, and then rates can change and so do the percentages. The first few years of opening up an apartment complex, they have to have a certain amount of the units that uphold it, but after a number of years, they can change those policies.”

In 2022, D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) introduced the Green New Deal for Housing Act, which aims to preserve affordable housing via social housing. If approved by the council, the District would fund this concept,

which is mixed-income housing and the reinvestment of rent payments into lowering rent and expanding housing across the District.

The Green New Deal for Housing Act went to what was then the council’s Committee on Housing and Executive Administration, where committee chair D.C. Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At large) conducted a public hearing. In 2023, when Lewis George introduced the legislation again, it went to the Committee on Housing and what was then

the Committee on Business and Economic Development, chaired by D.C. Councilmember Robert White (D-At large) and then-D.C. Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie (I-At large), respectively.

Neither committee conducted a hearing for Lewis George’s bill.

As Lewis George runs for D.C. mayor, Adams is taking up the mantle for social housing. He said seeing this vision come to fruition is a matter of ensuring that U Street NW can be, not just a monument and nightlife hub, but a place to live comfortably.

“I'd like for it to be more here than historic markers [about] what used to be here and there,” Adams told The Informer. “It’d be nice for people to still be there and for others to be able to move into the community.” WI

As we celebrate Black History Month in February, we recognize and honor the accomplishments of so many who have helped shape the face and future of our nation.

3 Journalist and U Street historian Briana Thomas says that advocacy for affordable housing should take place before the construction of new property.

(Courtesy Photo)

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deeper call after the screening of LMSvoice Productions’ “Barry Farm: A Conversation Across Generations” on Saturday, Feb. 21.

“I did not see the Barry Farm that it became years later. The thing that I liked about growing up in D.C., and I think it's true of most urban areas during that time, was that we really did have a community –– the neighbors looked out for neighbors…there was a sense of everybody looking out for each other,” Thomas, 79, told The Informer following the event. “The future has to be with educating and sharing that same kind of experience with young people.”

Thomas was joined by dozens of attendees, including Empower DC housing organizer and staff historian Corey Shaw Jr., at the DC History Center in Northwest, D.C., all of whom reflected on the breadth of the neighborhood that once stood as a beacon of African American advancement.

Reflecting on its 1867 origins as Barry Farm-Hillsdale, to later transformations that include a newly renamed public housing unit (Barry Farms Dwellings), Shaw said what once topped 375 acres of Anacostia is now a museum of untold truths obliterated by cultural erasure, and there’s something to be learned.

“When we talk about Southeast pride, [D.C.] pride, really, this is all that we have left. Wards 5, 7 and 8 is all we have left as Black folk in the city, and that's by design,” he told The Informer. “The Barry Farm ReDevelopment is moving differently than

it was, which is good, but…we have to get back to this notion of what community development looks like. What does it mean to have community at the table?”

A Legacy Renewed, a Past Undone

By the time the relocation process hit in 2019, a collective effort to safeguard what’s left of the original site was well underway and not at a total loss, Shaw explained.

In partnership with humanity scholars, historians, and the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association, Empower DC led the charge to the neighborhood's official historic nomination, and with it came the preservation of five buildings donning a generational call of Black leadership in D.C.

Of the five preserved sites, the historian notes the residences of some formidable figures that emerged out of the area, such as: community organizer Etta Horn, lead singer of Grammy-nominated band The Anacostia, and the Jennings sisters, whose pivotal stance in Bolling v. Sharpe led to the desegregation of D.C. public schools –– carrying the torch of what Southeast, D.C. has to offer.

“One of the first Black women to get a Ph.D. lived in Barry Farm. Junkyard Band is from [there], and they took go-go music international,” Shaw emphasized. “The influence of [Frederick] Douglass kind of reverberates through history. That's the caliber of folk that come out of Barry Farm.”

5 Joseph Green, founder of LMSvoice Productions, speaks on the documentary “Barry Farm: A Conversation Across Generations,” during a screening for the film at DC History in Northwest, D.C. on Feb. 21. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

BARRY FARM from Page 1

BARRY FARM Page 27

FARM from Page 26

An emerging leader of the originally established Barry Farm-Hillsdale, Douglass spent his time challenging racial inequity politically – from fair teacher wages to the suffrage of African American men — while helping launch an independent press.

Further, while literacy societies, entrepreneurship and religious sanctuaries, including the historic African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, blossomed in the days of Hillsdale, Barry Farm Dwellings’ reclaimed era of the 1950s and 60s laid the backdrop for emerging civic rights activism.

In fact, when Barry Farm parents were leading the charge of Bolling v. Sharpe in 1954, Thomas was an elementary schooler frequenting Southeast, D.C.’s Saint Cyprian Catholic Church, right across the street from the former Hine Junior High School, one of the first public schools to be integrated in Washington.

“This is why I get so defensive when people talk about the generational violence that came out of Barry Farm,” Shaw added, “it neglects the broader history of the folk that actually worked to do a thing – the folks that worked to make sure that the community did feel safe for [residents]; it neglects how Junkyard used to come out to Barry Farm every weekend and play a show.”

On the cusp of what’s to come for the historic Southeast neighborhood, Shaw said the work is in the hands of its beneficiaries.

“Barry Farm was a segregated public housing project when it was built, and it gets disinvested in, and the community still found a way,” said the historian. “We really have to sort of center community voices in the development process, because if we don't… we're going to get to a place where the folks that have been in place for 10,15, 20,30, years, they will be gone, and there won't be much of anything.”

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5 Public historian Sarah Jane Shoenfield, a co-producer on the documentary “Barry Farm: A Conversation Across Generations,” speaks at a screening for the film on Feb. 21. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

"Treemonisha” Returns: Washington National Opera Reimagines Scott Joplin’s Classic

New adaptation at Lisner Auditorium centers Black leadership, literacy and empowerment in post-Reconstruction

By Demarco Rush WI Contributing Writer

of Ragtime,” Scott Joplin and his only surviving opera, Treemonisha, March 7, 8 and 15 at Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

This newly commissioned ad-

TREEMONISHA

March 7, 8, 15 Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW

Damien Sneed and Kyle Bass bring Scott Joplin’s forgotten opera into a new era under the direction of legendary mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves.

THE CRUCIBLE

March 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW

Robert Ward’s Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, based on Arthur Miller’s Tony Award®-winning play, puts truth on trial.

America

aptation by Washington National Opera features musical arrangement and orchestration by composer Damien Sneed and a revised story with dialogue and additional lyrics by playwright Kyle Bass, under the direction of internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves. The production blends ragtime, spirituals, Black folk traditions and classical operatic form in a revival of one of the richest works in the American repertoire.

Set in 1884 on a former plantation, the story follows Treemonisha, an educated freedwoman who challenges superstition and confronts local “conjurers” manipulating her community. Armed with literacy and conviction, she ultimately emerges as a teacher and leader — a figure of empowerment in a fragile era following slavery.

For Alexandria Crichlow, who portrays Beth, the opera’s themes remain deeply resonant.

“This was a time after [slavery] where African-Americans were already marginalized,” she told The Informer. “Now they’re coming into another marginalized section of life where they only make a third of their profits by sharecropping.”

Crichlow said Treemonisha’s courage to speak against injustice feels especially relevant today.

“It’s important to always have the courage to speak up against things that don’t seem right,” she said. “[In that time] they weren’t able to feel like they were truly liberated and had rights.”

Ernest Jackson, who plays

Cephus, previously performed in the production during its 2023 staging at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. He welcomed the opportunity to revisit the work with old and new collaborators.

“I’m very happy to be part of the production,” Jackson said. “I think this is a great opportunity to showcase a Black woman in a role of power.”

That emphasis on Black female leadership runs throughout the cast’s reflections. Tichina Vaughn, who portrays Monisha, Treemonisha’s mother, drew parallels to political and cultural movements that uplift Black women as community leaders.

“I relate it a bit to a Kamala Harris situation where our [black] women leaders are being lifted up and bringing our communities forward,” she told The Informer.

Vaughn praised the late Joplin for finishing the story, despite passing away before seeing it come to life on stage in 1972.

“This story is [rare] because Scott Joplin himself is known more for his ragtime reputation but one of

his passions was classical music, so I think for that reason… it’s critically important,” she explained.

Brittani McNeill, who has worked with Washington National Opera since 2019 and plays Rose, hopes the production reaches beyond traditional opera audiences.

“Opera is for everyone,” McNeill said. “This one in particular can resonate with [people] because it’s about educating communities and moving them away from superstition and folklore that sometimes tends to keep people from progressing.”

For those on the fence about attending, Vaughn offered some advice.

“You need to come and watch this, it is indeed a true opera,” she emphasized.

Performances take place at Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW, Washington, D.C., with evening and matinee options available. Tickets and additional information are available through Washington National Opera.

Viviana Goodwin TREEMONISHA

Justin Austin REMUS Kedrick Armstrong CONDUCTOR Denyce Graves DIRECTOR

J’Nai Bridges

ELIZABETH PROCTOR Ryan McKinny JOHN PROCTOR

Robert Spano CONDUCTOR

Francesca Zambello DIRECTOR

Washington National Opera is bringing new life to the “King

5 Viviana Goodwin and Hakeem Henderson, Cafritz Young Artists with Washington National Opera, perform at the Library of Congress. The two artists are featured in Washington National Opera’s production of Treemonisha at Lisner Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Washington National Opera.

SPORTS

D.C. United Remains Undefeated at Home to Start the Season, United Set for Baltimore Debut in March

By Skylar Nelson WI Contributing Writer

The Major League Soccer (MLS) 2026 season began in the nation’s capital under the lights of Audi Field on Feb. 21, where D.C. United opened its campaign with a narrow but meaningful 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union with 18,003 fans in attendance.

“I’m glad that I scored. I’m glad that we won,” said forward Tai Baribo. “This is the most important thing, but again the result is good... We came to fight today, we won. It's good, but sometimes we’ve come to fight and we will not win. But still we’re focusing on ourselves and continuing the process.”

The Black and Red, now 1-00 with three points, delivered a performance that blended defensive steel with flashes of attacking promise, setting an early tone for

what they hope will be a defining year.

A breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute. Eager to make his mark in Washington, Baribo found the striking moment, notching his first goal for the club. It was a striker’s finish that stood as the difference in a tightly contested match.

“It’s something that we’ve worked on in training and it’s something that the coach wants us to do, to counter the attack,” said Baribo. “When someone is dribbling, someone needs to go behind, and then there are options. Maybe we’ll go along or give me the opportunity.”

Baribo remained active throughout his 89 minutes. He registered for three shots and implemented himself as a staple in the attack.

Midfielder Matti Pelota commanded the center of the park, completing 84% of his passes and

securing seven defensive recoveries. His impact offered balance connecting the defense for attack while breaking up Union’s advances.

Goalkeeper Sean Johnson made his first debut as a member of the United with a clean sheet performance, turning aside three shots across 90 minutes.

Johnson’s presence organized the back line and exposed a Philadelphia side that has historically posed problems for Washington.

“I think today was the first step for us,” said Johnson. “We just wanted to create a solid foundation, a solid defensive lead, and obviously we had chances to move forward but I think we did both. So it’s a group that’s hungry to get better. It sou

Late in the match, defender Nikola Markovic stepped on the field for his MLS debut as a stoppage-time substitute. This moment for Markovic marked a pivotal moment for the club as it signaled a positive outlook on D.C. United’s developing depth.

The victory continued a solid home trend against Philadelphia and ensured D.C. remained unbeaten at Audi Field to start the season. More importantly, it

provided belief and hope. Three points in the standings are valuable, but confidence to keep in the momentum going into March can be transformative.

“This is what we are doing,” said General Manager René Wiler. “We are trying to build our own culture and our own identity. That’s what we started. And that was just a small step for me. It’s not like a big thing in my opinion. It’s just one step moving forward to build that culture, to build that identity and just get better everyday.”

D.C. United Set to Make MLS Debut At M&T Bank Stadium in March

The club’s optimism is traveling north.

On March 7, the club will host the 2025 MLS Champions, Inter Miami CF at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. This marks the first-ever Major League Soccer match ever played at the venue. The move signals ambition beyond the District and creates an extended home for the club in Baltimore.

"This match represents a pivotal moment for our club, and every step we’ve taken has been guided by what our supporters deserve,” said Danita Johnson, D.C. United president of business operations.

“Bringing this match to Baltimore is not just a venue change. It is a

meaningful step to embracing Baltimore as part of our home fan base. It is also an incredible opportunity to help grow the sport in a market that has consistently shown tremendous passion for soccer. M&T Bank Stadium is no stranger to hosting world-class matches, and we’re grateful to the Baltimore Ravens for welcoming us and helping make this match possible.”

With a natural grass surface and a history of major sporting events, the stadium offers a grand stage for a premier showdown.

For D.C. United, this season’s story is only beginning. A successful home opener, a new goal-scoring threat, a veteran goalkeeper’s arrival, and a regional spotlight in Baltimore all signal a campaign defined by renewal and growth.

If the home opener was about laying the foundation, then the next test will be to see how this team can build upon their redefined growth.

“It’s everyday we have this culture, the winning mentality that only through winning, we can win everyone back,” said Wiler. “Our fans, our staff, everyone will come back to Audi Field. And it’s a long journey, we know that, we accept that. We’re not saying that it will happen overnight. I want you to see that today is just the beginning from that. It’s not like the end of the road, so it’s very important to know that.” WI

5 D.C. United forward Tai Baribo makes a pass in the team’s home opener against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday Feb. 21. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

3 D.C. United fans cheer during a home opener match against Philadelphia Union at Audi Field on Saturday Feb. 21. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

CAPTURE the moment

People gathered at the DC History Center in Northwest on Feb. 21, for a screening of “Barry Farm: A Conversation Across Generations,” a sequel to the 2023 “Barry Farm” documentary, which explains the story of the Black-led struggle for land and housing into the present. After the 25-minute screening, hosted by Empower DC, attendees discussed the documentary themes in small groups and considered necessary work to uplift local communities. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

from Page 9

However, a heavily publicized encounter with D.C. Metro Transit Police landed Evans in jail. More than 15 hours later, Evans, donning a white jumpsuit and sneakers without shoestrings, busted out the doors of D.C. Superior Court and jumped into the arms of an attorney, comrades, and supporters who fought for her release.

Months after that harrowing experience, Evans said it’s not lost on her how many other activists, and everyday Washingtonians for that matter, have had similar experiences throughout the years— all without the resources that freed her from the bowels of D.C. Central Cell Block.

“We’re all under threat of this escalation and we have to prepare ourselves at any time for the trajectory of our lives to change because America is a uniquely brutal country,” Evans said.

“The Trump administration is not this unprecedented thing in America. It's an America that is returning back to herself.”

An Inside Look: The 18 Hours that Had the World on Pause

As documented in footage that circulated on social media platforms, D.C. Metro Transit Police violently arrested Evans at Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro Station in Southeast on the night of Aug. 15. The arrest took place days after Trump evoked Section 740 during an emergency juvenile curfew that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed and the D.C. Council approved.

Frankie Seabron, a local organizer, was on the scene that night to, as she told The Informer, check on her kidnapped comrade and control the

narrative.

“I opened my phone to record and I go, ‘Afeni, what do you want everybody to know?’ and she says ‘This isn't about me, it's about the kids,’” said Seabron, program manager at Harriet’s Wildest Dreams. “We were there to do that, right? We were there to surveil the state, to see how they were interacting with our people. Afeni put her body on the line for the youth.”

Overnight, and well into the morning, as the footage circulated on social media, plans gelled together for a mass protest outside of D.C. Superior Court on Indiana Avenue in Northwest. Seabron counted among those who led protesters in chants over a bullhorn. Even as Harriet’s Wildest Dreams’ attorney Andrew Clarke laid the groundwork for Evans release, and dismissal of her fare evasion charge, Seabron

said that the stress of the moment weighed on her.

“I didn't sleep,” she told The Informer. “I was up nonstop for about 18 hours, making phone calls, contacting the lawyers, doing wellness checks, gathering people for court support, sending the signal out to all of our comrades across the country— everything that you should do in that moment.”

Seabron, a fixture in D.C. Streets and D.C. Council hearings, first met Evans in 2020, while the young activist earned her chops as a constant presence in Black Lives Matter Plaza.

“We would call them the Plaza Kids because they will always be on Black Lives Matter Plaza showing up consistently every day,” Seabron told The Informer. “You really have to be called to do this work. There's a fire that compels you, and I think Afeni has that fire. She loves her people. I

know when she says ‘liberation,’ she means it.”

However, as Seabron noted, the work is not all on Afeni, or the relatively small number of radicals who’ve been on the front lines against Trump, and those who laid the foundation for his extreme actions.

“If there were more of us doing this work, more of us skilled up, more of us consistently taking care of one another and making everybody else's business, it wouldn't have had to happen that way in the first place,” Seabron said. “We wouldn't have had to maneuver and navigate the complexities of the carceral system. We wouldn't have to hone this skill set, but thank God that we have it so that when our people are taken, we know how to get them back.”

WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

EVANS

RELIGION

Faith Leaders Offer Tools to Deepen Relationship with God During Lent, Beyond The Power

of Listening, Fasting, Creating Communit

By Micha Green and Hamil Harris

WI Managing Editor and WI

Contributing Writer

As alarms ring to remind of obligations, phones ding with alerts, and social media and news alike highlight the continued global challenges of hatred, bigotry and violence, Christian faith leaders across denominations are encouraging people to dive into the power of Lenten practices to find ways to mute societal distractions, listen to God, and build community.

“Now more than ever, Lent calls us to listen more deeply for God’s voice, to fast from indifference, and to draw closer to one another in community.” the Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, newly minted General Secretary for the Progressive National Baptist Convention, told The Informer.

Lent, which officially started this year on Feb. 18— Ash Wednesday— is the 40 days and nights leading up to Easter, where Christians around the world often fast. The tradition of fasting is not only in acknowledgement of Jesus’ death and resurrection, but his own 40 days and nights in the wilderness, after his baptism, where he was pushed and tested.

The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, calls this the time where Jesus was “on the edge of his physical and spiritual limits for 40 days.”

“One way to practice Lent, then, would be to go to the edge ourselves, however we define it,”

Budde wrote in the Feb. 19 statement: “Lent: Life at the Edge of Our Comfort.” “It’s not an easy journey—going to your physical edge hurts. If you stay there too long, you can collapse or do real damage to your body. But without reaching your edge and staying there long enough for your body to learn from it, you will never improve.”

From Bowen, to Budde, the Rev. Grainger Browning of Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Oxon Hill, Maryland, and Pope Leo XIV, faith leaders emphasize the importance of following God’s voice, fasting, and seeking community throughout Lent, noting the benefits of doing so last beyond the 40day season.

“Lent is a time in which the Church, guided by a sense of maternal care, invites us to place the mystery of God back in the center of our lives, in order to find renewal in our faith and keep our hearts from being consumed by the anxieties and distractions of daily life,” the pope said in a Feb. 5 message delivered from the Vatican.

Listening for God

While online trends, personal needs and desires, and political leaders, might influence much of society, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, encouraged following God’s guidance throughout Lent.

“The Lenten journey is a welcome opportunity to heed the voice of the Lord and renew our commitment to following Christ, accompanying him on the road to

Jerusalem, where the mystery of his passion, death and resurrection will be fulfilled,” he said.

The pope places listening as the first part of the 40-day spiritual journey.

“Listening to the word in the liturgy teaches us to listen to the truth of reality ,” he said. “In order to foster this inner openness to listening, we must allow God to teach us how to listen as he does.”

Inspired by Matthew 4:1, where the gospeler tells of Jesus’ retreat to the wilderness following his baptism and prior to kicking off his ministry, Budde said that it is critical to listen to God’s guidance during the season “on the edge.”

“If we are already living on the edge, the spiritual task is to listen for the voice of God, and take on practices that can help us find peace and learn what the wilderness has to teach,” she explained.

Fasting: A Personal Journey in the Wilderness

Often fasting is not only about giving up things that distract people from their faith journey, but also taking on a practice that deepens the relationship with God.

“If Lent is a time for listening, fasting is a concrete way to prepare ourselves to receive the word of God. Abstaining from food is an ancient ascetic practice that is essential on the path of conversion,” Pope Leo XIV said.

As pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E., Browning also encourages his congregation to treat fasting as a means of spiritual formation.

3 The Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, general secretary for the Progressive National Baptist Convention, says Lent is a time to tap deeper into listening to God’s voice, fasting from indifference and drawing closer to others in community. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts)

“It involves learning new concepts, some of which may be so foreign that our minds simply cannot grasp them at first,” she said in her statement ahead of Lent. “It’s not a comfortable place. Yet if we don’t ever go to the edge of our mental capabilities, we will never learn anything, nor experience the joy of at last understanding that which previously eluded us.”

“During Lent I encourage people to identify anything that is hindering your relationship with God,” said Browning. “Some of the things people give up include watching TV, being on social media, giving up certain foods and drinks.”

While she does not mention fasting directly, Bishop Budde discusses the physical, mental, and spiritual discomfort while on the edge, that can ultimately help to strengthen Christian’s faith.

Budde said that practicing Lent requires being mindful of what one does and does not do in order to survive and thrive during the character- and faith-developing moment.

“It matters what we eat in the wilderness and how well we sleep,” she explained. “It matters what we spend our time thinking about, what we read, or watch on our screens—or refrain from watching.”

WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

Creating Community Even in -

ing are critical to Lenten practices,oritize togetherness during sacrednal aspect of listening to the word

RELIGION

The extremely sad news of the passing of the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson reached me at 4:15 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2026. My youngest son, Elton, called me while on his way to work. I am currently visiting his home in Baltimore for two more weeks. "Ma," he said, "I just heard on the radio that Jesse Jackson died." It was a heavy, somber moment that immediately transported me back decades to the height of his influence.

A Vision in Bronze

In 1983, during the Rev. Jackson's first historic run for president of the United States, God gave me a specific vision: to cast a bronze bust of the civil rights leader. I commissioned the late Retha Walden Gambaro, a renowned sculptor of Creek Indian heritage, to mold his image. That bust now sits as the centerpiece in the front office of the Operation PUSH headquarters in Chicago, a permanent testament to his endurance and our shared history.

The Grant Sisters of Georgia Avenue

That same year marked a turning point for my own family. Known throughout Washington, D.C., as the "Grant Sisters of Georgia Avenue," my sisters and I launched our family business: Critique Career Management Services. Our hearts were full of adrenaline, and we carried a divine mandate to bring

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

From the Cocoon to the Clouds: Your Breakthrough Is Coming the religion corner

"Jobs, Peace, and Freedom" to the District.

I felt a spiritual light, akin to Saul's Damascus Road experience, calling me to sow my expertise back into our community. I had mastered recruitment and interviewing strategies while working at Oakland's Children's Hospital in California, and I was determined to use those tools to empower others.

The Silence Before the Breakthrough

The "honeymoon phase" of ministry and business is often short. We had a dynamic grand opening featuring the Hon. Walter Fauntroy (D.C. delegate), news anchor Fred Thomas, and two D.C. Council members. But soon after the applause faded, the phones fell silent.

As daughters of North Carolina sharecroppers, we knew how to toil in the fields of tobacco and cotton, but we were still learning to cultivate a business in the concrete city. This silence was not a failure; it was a "cocoon" moment.

Just as the Rev. Jackson taught us to "Keep Hope Alive," we learned that the quiet struggle is often the precursor to the clouds — the necessary pressure before the breakthrough.

Historical Context: 1983-1984

The Era of Action

In November 1983, the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy for president, becoming the second African American to seek the Democratic nomination. His campaign focused on the "Rainbow Coalition," uniting the poor, minorities, and progressives. Small minority-owned businesses like Critique Career Management began to rise, fueled by a new sense of political and economic possibility in Washington, D.C.

Reinventing yourself is a holy metamorphosis. Before you can soar like a butterfly, you must first endure the crawl and the crushing silence of the cocoon.

What is the lesson in this, you ask? When the world goes silent, your faith must get loud. If your phone doesn't ring, use your courage to ring the bells of heaven. Your "crawl" is over; your "flight" is next!

The theology of the "aha moment": Whatever you are facing, remember — the cocoon isn't a prison; it's a dressing room. Your wings are being perfected in the silence. Don't you ever give up on your dream!

There will be a memorial service in Washington, D.C., hopefully at the District Building, our City Hall, located at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Please be on the lookout for the memorial service.

WI

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

School: 9:00 AM

Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon

Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM

Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com

Service and Times In Person Worship:  Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. Streaming: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M.  www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org Prayer & Study:  Wednesday @ 12 Noon

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

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

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

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

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant

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

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday "Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

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

Purpose “

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Promised

Baptist Church

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 000056

Egypt Elaine Jones aka Egypt E. Jones

Decedent

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

Virdella Maple, whose address is 247 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Egypt Elaine Jones aka Egypt E. Jones who died on 2/28/2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/12/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/12/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/12/2026

Virdella Maple Personal Representative

TRUE

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2026 ADM 000075

Lorraine Wilson Archey Decedent

Lynee C. Murchison, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC 4201 Mitchellville Road, Suite 500 Bowie, MD 20716 Attorney

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

Eric N. Archey, whose address is 9501 Oak Leaf Place, Clinton, MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lorraine Wilson Archey who died on 2/4/2018 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/19/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/19/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/19/2026

Eric N. Archey Personal Representative

Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2023 ADM 001361

Laura Long Decedent

Brian L. Kass, Personal Rep. 4301 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 434 Washington DC 20008 Attorney

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

Brian L. Kass, whose address is 4301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 434, Washington, DC 20008, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Laura Long who died on 2/25/2020 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 (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/12/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/12/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/12/2026

Brian L. Kass Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 000073

Rita Lorraine Cashwell Decedent

Lynee C. Murchison, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC 4201 Mitchellville Road, Suite 500 Bowie, MD 20716 Attorney

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

Kellie Cashwell, whose address is 4594 Grebe Place, Waldorf, MD 20603, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Rita Lorraine Cashwell who died on 10/14/2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/19/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/19/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/19/2026

Kellie Cashwell Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 FEP 000016

2/17/2023

Date of Death

Tennie Waller Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Brian Waller whose address is 10103 Grandhaven Ave., Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Tennie Waller, deceased, by the Circuit Court for Prince Georges County, State of Maryland, on March 15, 2023.

Service of process may be made upon Keith Lomax 4635 Minnesota Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20019 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 4107 Massachusetts Ave., 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:

2/19/2026

Brian Waller Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 000096

Ronald Nehemiah Douglas-Gooden Decedent

Lynee C. Murchison, Esq. Adams Law Office, LLC 4201 Mitchellville Road, Suite 500 Bowie, MD 20716 Attorney

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

Barbra Douglas-Gooden, whose address is 1613 Upton Court, Marion, IN 46953, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Ronald Nehemiah Douglas-Gooden who died on 10/18/2011 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/19/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/19/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/19/2026

Barbra Douglas-Gooden Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 FEP 000013

November 25, 2024 Date of Death

Albert Jean Emile Mauger Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Beatrice Anne Solange Mauger and Jean-Albert Benoit Mauger whose addresses are 414 E. 88th Street, Apt. 1B, New York, NY & 4 Horizon Rd., Apt 618, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 were appointed personal representatives of the estate of Albert Jean Emile Mauger, deceased, by the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County, State of Florida, on July 16, 2025.

Service of process may be made upon Graner S. Ghevarghese; 600 14th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

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

Date of first publication: 2/19/2026

Beatrice Anne Solange Mauger Jean-Albert Benoit Mauger Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 001096

Stephanie M. Saunders Decedent

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

Kevin Judd, Esq., whose address is 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 900-South Building, Washington, DC 20004, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Stephanie M. Saunders who died on 11/13/2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/19/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/19/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/19/2026

Kevin Judd, Esq. Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 000069

Allen Gregory Brooks II Decedent

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

Allen Brooks III, whose address is 1821 Corcoran Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Allen Gregory Brooks II who died on 5/8/2021 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/19/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/19/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/19/2026

Allen Brooks III Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PROBATE DIVISION

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 FEP 000017

June 26, 2025

Date of Death

Robert Alexander Schaefer Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Sheila M. Mattingly aka Sheila Maureen Mattingly whose address is PO Box 88, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Robert Alexander Schaefer, deceased, by the State of New Jersey Surrogate’s Court for Hudson County, State of New Jersey, on December 2, 2025.

Service of process may be made upon Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. of 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 2106 12th Street, NW WDC; 2883 Connecticut Avenue, NW, P-170 WDC and 1210 R Street, NW, #P-83, WDC. 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: 2/26/2026

Sheila M. Mattingly Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2026 ADM 000111

Annie J. Goodson Decedent

Attorney Ethel Mitchell

8403 Coleville Road, Suite 1100 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Attorney

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

Andre Adolph Goodson, whose address is 2112 Ellis Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Annie J. Goodson who died on 8/30/2024 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/26/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/26/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/26/2026

Andre Adolph Goodson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 001170

Regina C. Newman aka Regina Cometa Newman Decedent

Shaoming Cheng, Esq. 6088 Franconia Road, Suite D Alexandria, VA 22310 Attorney

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

John D. Newman, whose address is 7851 Muirfield Court, Potomac, MD 20854, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Regina C. Newman aka Regina Cometa Newman who died on 8/6/2017 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 8/26/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 8/26/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 2/26/2026

John D. Newman Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

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ings stood as reminders of what despair can produce. The nation had lost King, and the North was discovering that its racial realities were no gentler than those of the South. Black pride surged alongside deep frustration.

Jackson emerged in that crucible — charismatic, camera-ready, unapologetically visible. He was not merely theatrical; he was strategic. King had begun to shift the movement's focus from access to ownership — from riding the bus in dignity to owning the bus. Jackson absorbed

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He also understood that leadership requires steadiness. For nearly half a century at the helm of Xavier, through economic downturns and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he modeled disciplined, values-driven stewardship. His singular intellect and devotion to service were matched by humility and humanity.

Today, as we face an adversarial government and renewed threats to equity, opportunity and truth itself, Francis's example feels less like history and more like instruction. We are once again called to meet the moment. The forces that would roll back progress are organized and emboldened.

As this administration and its supporters continue their assault on ac-

THOMPSON-FRENK from Page 22

I don't wave one because I refuse to allow the bigotry that has increasingly become associated with a warped version of Christian Nationalism to be the only visual of USA Patriotism and can think of no more defiant demonstration than to be standing in my brown skin holding the USA flag aloft while standing for equality among all demographics that form our citizenry. But I "get" how hard it is to do that when the MAGA leaders continually co-opt it for their messages of hate and single my race out. There is only so long that you can be singled out without singling yourself out. I have been stopped by ICE more than once and I am in the top 1% economically. So, if I won't even take the trash out without my passport in my pocket, can you imagine how terrified many brown families are across the country? ICE sometimes doesn't care if we have our passport or Tribal ID when they ask, "Papers Please" and Trump's aim at trying to remove birthright citizenship from Native Americans living on

that lesson and expanded it. Through Operation PUSH, he combined moral protest with economic leverage. Corporations were pressed to sign agreements to hire and promote Black employees and stock Blackowned products. Churches mobilized consumers. Boycotts became organized instruments, not outbursts.

Within a few years, the results were visible: Black managers in grocery chains, Black drivers operating delivery trucks and economic inclusion that moved beyond symbolism into payroll.

The Political Impact

cess to health care, voting rights, educational opportunity and economic mobility, we need courage. We need leaders who understand that building institutions is one of the most powerful forms of resistance.

Francis showed us what that looks like.

He demonstrated that fighting for equity does not always mean shouting the loudest. Sometimes it means preparing the next generation so thoroughly that they cannot be denied. Sometimes it means constructing pipelines where none existed. Sometimes it means holding steady when others falter.

The Urban League movement honors Dr. Norman C. Francis not only for what he accomplished, but for how

reservations speaks to his end goal.

We are the most inconvenient demographic for MAGA's narrative of what they feel a "real American" should look like.

But Native Americans share a prophecy of the Eagle and Condor reconnecting, symbolizing the indigenous people across the Americas and recognize our brothers and sisters across borders. I am not advocating for open borders, but I am advocating for basic human decency, respect and ethical treatment of all people as defined by our constitution which promises innocent until proven guilty and access to a speedy trial and representation.

Today there are people this administration has kept in concentration camps where a toilet is the main source of water, medicine is denied, and access to a lawyer is denied — and those are just the legal citizens I am talking about. What they do with those without papers is even worse. So please, before you dismiss the person waving an image of an ancient Native American symbol representing the in-

Jackson understood that politics without economics is hollow. When he ran for president in 1984 and 1988, the chants of "Run, Jesse, Run" filled arenas. Yet he often reminded supporters that he was urging thousands to run with him — for sheriff, state legislature and Congress. His Rainbow Coalition was not just racial; it was aspirational. Farmers, laborers, environmentalists and students — a broad tent of Americans who believed democracy should work for those outside the traditional corridors of power. WI

Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

he accomplished it — with integrity, foresight and an unwavering commitment to service. As the National Urban League rightly observed, his impact will resonate for generations. That resonance is our responsibility now.

We will honor his legacy the only way that truly matters: by fighting for what is right. By defending access to quality education. By advancing health equity. By insisting that opportunity in this country is not the privilege of a few, but the birthright of all. Francis answered the call on one of the darkest days in modern American history and spent a lifetime building light. In this moment of challenge and uncertainty, may we find the courage to do the same. WI

digenous people of the Americas who were not killed by conquistadors, the Ku Klux Klan days when Texas hung signs saying "No Mexicans Allowed" and when those with brown skin were not allowed to pursue graduate education, (my father, John Philp Thompson Sr., was one of those who fought to make The University of Texas allow brown people to get master's and doctoral degrees — and that was long before he adopted me), and now today with ICE stopping us on the street, in the airport, on a bus, etc. (those are just some of my personal experiences), please consider that it might stand for someone declaring they won't hide or be ashamed of their DNA, as opposed to having allegiance to a country other than the USA.

I apologize for this being long, but it was my effort to explain why people carry a Mexican flag these days while simultaneously standing for their rights as American citizens: because for hundreds of years before Mexico existed, that symbol stood for the Native American people who proudly declared, "We are still here." WI

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MORIAL

BLAKE from Page 23

that the most powerful innovations come from intimacy with our communities. Those innovations came from people who understood their cultures and were accountable to those they served. Our inheritance is the responsibility to carry on this collective wisdom.

Black innovators globally are leading digital health transformation. In Rwanda, the government partnered with Zipline to deploy the world's first national drone delivery network for blood and medical supplies, reaching remote communities within minutes and reducing maternal mortality. In Nigeria, platforms like LifeBank connect blood banks with hospitals in real time through technology designed by and for African communities. Black American entrepreneurs are building solutions such as WANDA (Women and Girls Advancing Nutrition Dietetics

DANIELS from Page 23

where "the goats can get it," as Joe Madison used to say — bold actions like the March on Washington, Million Man and Million Women's marches, Rev. Jesse Jackson's electrifying campaigns for president and Harold Washington's brilliant first campaign for mayor of Chicago. These milestone events sparked awareness, interest and excitement across all sectors in Black America — the kind of excitement that is transferable to protests, demonstrations, boycotts and voting. Nothing in recent history has captured that spirit more than the boycott of Target, where a daughter came to me and said, "Poppa D, you know we're not supposed to shop at Target." That awakened spirit of resistance can and must be harnessed.

All Roads Lead to Selma

Perhaps the single most important action I am calling for is an Emergency Black Leadership Summit to be

from Page 23

and rank. But American democracy has been most profoundly changed by people who held neither — people who organized, agitated, preached, marched, and demanded.

I am not sure I want my leader under that dome.

The Capitol is majestic. It is also a monument to compromise with slavery, to exclusion, to legislative delay in the face of moral urgency. It represents power

and Agriculture), addressing health equity through community-led food system transformation that tackles nutrition-related chronic diseases. This collective innovation could transform global health.

Centering Us: Black diaspora-led AI/digital health (BAD) Approach

Our ancestors would create futures reflecting our values. The Black diaspora-led AI/digital health (BAD) approach comprises digital health solutions developed by, with and for Black communities from the very beginning. This is a movement. It means co-design with Black technologists, clinicians, public health leaders and community organizers shaping products from inception. Organizations like Beacon Public Health exemplify this approach with their community-centered digital health initiatives that prioritize local voices in designing chronic disease

convened in Selma to devise a collective strategy for addressing this state of emergency. I suggested Selma because of its symbolic significance — particularly as it relates to "Bloody Sunday" and the struggle that led to the currently endangered Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Some might suggest that the massive "No Kings" rallies meet this criteria. My response is that the No Kings rallies have been incredibly successful and are a major vehicle for confronting the danger to democracy. However, history has demonstrated time and time again the critical need for Black people to define our interests, speak for ourselves and decide the terms and conditions of alignment with significant movements led by others. As the Gary Black Political Agenda stated more than a half-century ago: "It is our people who are most hurt and ravaged by the current systems of society."

It is not too late to call for a preliminary strategy meeting of leaders jour-

consolidated and negotiated. The Rev. Jackson represented power mobilized.

He did not ask permission from marble. He pressured it. He did not seek validation from chambers that too often stalled justice. He stood outside them and forced them to respond.

Perhaps lying in the Rotunda would symbolize acceptance. But the Rev. Jackson's life was never about acceptance. It was about disruption — holy, strategic, relentless disruption. He was not

interventions. It means creating guardrails before harm occurs by resourcing the collective and funding Black innovators at scale to build for futures we haven't seen yet. Global Black Digital Health reflects cultural contexts, lived experiences and collective wisdom in every algorithm, interface and policy decision.

A diaspora approach recognizes that innovation happens everywhere. Solutions developed in Kigali can inform work in Baltimore. Strategies piloted in Kingston can be adapted to strengthen efforts in Atlanta. Knowledge and resources flow across borders, strengthening the global ecosystem. But local implementation remains critical. Digital health solutions must be relevant, tailored and responsive to the communities and cultures where we live, work and play.

WI

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neying to Selma to develop an urgent call for an inclusive National Black Leadership Summit — to build a united front, achieve consensus on a broad Black agenda and motivate Black voters to march on ballot boxes in record numbers. Perhaps it is our faith leaders who might lead the way, as has been the case in virtually every major crisis Africans in America have faced. I have reached out to Pastor Michael McBride, director of the Live Free Initiative and co-founder of Black Church PAC, to consider inviting clergy and lay leaders to gather in Selma during the Bridge Crossing Jubilee.

If there was ever a time to check our egos or set grievances aside, it's now. We face an unprecedented danger to democracy and danger to Black America — a state of emergency that demands urgency. Our ancestors deserve nothing less.

All roads lead to Selma. All boots on the bridge. Keep hope alive!

WI

carved from stone; he was forged in struggle.

The deeper question is not why he is not in the Rotunda. It is whether the Rotunda has ever been worthy of him.

Flags lower at the discretion of those in authority. Movements rise without their consent.

The Rotunda is a room. The Rev. Jesse Jackson was a movement. History will not measure him by who allowed him into the room. It will measure the room by him.

WI

MALVEAUX

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