This Week's Edition : 10-8-26 by The Washington Informer

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Vol 61 No 52

3 The debate about technology use in schools is now going to the D.C. Council, which will host a hearing on Oct. 9, listening to students, guardians, teachers and education officials regarding screen time, artificial intelligence and more. (WI File Photo)

The Fight for Nuance and Equity in the Classroom Tech Convo: An Inside Look

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Staff Writer

In the weeks leading up to a D.C. Council hearing about technology use in schools, D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) rolled out updated policies around acceptable use of technology, protection of student data, and parental engagement. Despite what school leaders call their commitment to intentional and instructional technology use, at least one DCPS student says that there’s more to be done to ensure young people aren’t overly dependent on screens. “We use way more than 150 minutes in school,” Aine

Donaghy told The Informer. “Whatever they’re telling you guys is not what they're doing in our schools. Maybe you guys should go and talk to the actual school administration and then face them because it's kind of annoying to hear that they're making people think that they're using way less technology.” Aine, a 6th grade DCPS student, counted among more than 40 community members who attended the “East of the River Technology Conversation” during the

CLASSROOM Page 15

D.C. Schools Lead the Push for Greener Learning Spaces

October 8 - 14, 2026

Financial Literacy Supplement Center Section

A Crown With a Cause: Black Queens Are Redefining Pageantry

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

It’s been a momentous pageantry season for the beauty queens using advocacy and representation to shape the world one crown at a time. From tackling social justice issues to the first Miss America to be crowned with natural hair, Black beauty pageant contestants are redefining cultural standards on the national stage, all the while continuing a historic tradition to emulate the change to be seen in the world.

“As a native Washingtonian, I wanted to represent the city in a way that spoke volumes,” said reigning Ms. District of Columbia Senior America Betty Entzminger. “I mentor girls who've been told they're not pretty enough, abused, and [who] suffer with low self-esteem…To be in that platform, at this moment at 68, I'm very grateful to have that.” When Entzminger graces the national stage Oct. 11-16, the Miss Senior America contestant will carry three generations of Washington,

BLACK QUEENS Page 40

The Collins D.C. Council Report:

Eric’s ID Law, Parking Tickets, and Ballot Initiative Approval Process Changes

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Staff Writer

Had it not been for Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember Trayon White’s federal bribery trial last month, this reporter would’ve compiled a council report marking the council’s return from summer recess. But alas, duty

calls, especially as it relates to affairs directly affecting home base. Since that trial, which ended in a deadlocked jury, at least two of White’s council colleagues have spoken unfavorably about the council member, with one lambasting his acceptance of money from an FBI informant and

REPORT Page 8

How Architects, Policy Experts and Residents are Committed to Building a More Environmentally Friendly City. By Mya Trujillo WI Multimedia Reporter 5 Shirley Chisholm Elementary School began undergoing renovations in the summer of 2026 as an effort to update its systems and provide students and faculty with new and improved facilities. (Courtesy Photo/Shirley Chisholm Elementary School website)

In May 2024, Ward 7 resident Kate Bockover’s two children missed several days of school after Shirley Chisholm Elementary School closed due to a gas leak. This is the reality for many students across the nation, as many buildings rely on outdated

GREEN Page 17

5 Linda Carpenter-Grantham (at podium) speaks at a January 2026 National Action Network event, with Martin Luther King III, Arndrea Waters King, Eric Carpenter-Grantham, and the Rev. Al Sharpton standing nearby. During the event, Eric Carpenter-Grantham received the youth award. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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wi hot topics

STACY M. BROWN, WI SENIOR WRITER; SKYLAR NELSON, WI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Freddie Jackson, Voice Behind a Generation of R&B Love Songs, Dies at 69 For four decades, Freddie Jackson could turn the opening notes of a song into a memory. “You Are My Lady” belonged to weddings and first dances. “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” filled bedrooms and concert halls. “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” asked a question millions of listeners already knew by heart. Jackson, the silky-voiced R&B singer whose string of 1980s hits made him one of the defining balladeers of his generation, died Monday night, Oct. 5, according to an announcement Tuesday on his official social media account. He was 69. A cause of death was not announced. “It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Freddie Jackson, who went home to rest last night,” the announcement said. In Memoriam Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, Sr. Wilhelmina J. Rolark

PUBLISHER Denise Rolark Barnes

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STAFF Micha Green, Managing Editor Ron Burke, Advertising/Marketing Director Shevry Lassiter, WIN-TV Producer Ra-Jah Kelly, Digital Asset Manager Lafayette Barnes, IV, Editor, WI Bridge DC Desmond Barnes, WIN Daily Editor Anthony Tilghman, Social Media Strategist ZebraDesigns.net, Graphic Design Mable Neville, Bookkeeper Angie Johnson, Office/Circulation Manager Jada Ingleton, Content Editor REPORTERS Stacy Brown, National Reporter Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr., Political/Education Reporter Brenda Siler, Lifestyle Reporter Ed Hill, Sports Reporter Richard Elliott, Reporter Skylar Nelson, Sports Reporter Mya Trujillo, Multimedia Reporter PHOTOGRAPHERS Shevry Lassiter, Photo Editor Ja Mon Jackson, Asst. Photo Editor Roy Lewis, Jr. Robert R. Roberts Anthony Tilghman Abdullah Konte Cleveland Nelson FALL INTERNS Jumana Alsaadoon Kree Anderson Isabella Johnson Draia Shelton

4 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026

Jackson, an internationally celebrated artist, took to the District throughout his career, having performed before a massive R&B audience at RFK Stadium during the 1988 Budweiser Superfest, sharing the bill with Earth, Wind & Fire, Al B. Sure!, and other acts. Years later, he joined Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne and Howard Hewett for a Men of Soul concert at DAR Constitution Hall. Jackson also performed before a live audience at BET’s Studio II in Washington for a televised “Jazz Central” concert released in 2001. “Freddie was more than a legendary voice,” the statement continued. “He was a kind, generous soul who loved his fans, his family, his friends, and his mu-

JACKSON Page 28

Commanders Stumble in London as Injuries Mount in 30-13 Loss to Colts The Washington Commanders stumbled to a 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Injuries continued to pile up from the London matchup as Washington dropped to a 1-3 record on the season. Sunday’s matchup marked the NFL’s 65th international regular-season game and the 43rd regular-season contest played in London. Washington entered the game without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been sidelined with an elbow injury, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who was ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury in Friday’s practice. Quarterback Marcus Mariota stepped in the week four matchup for Daniels but exited early in the first quarter after injuring his right knee on a sack. Head coach Dan Quinn shared after the game

COMMANDERS Page 32 3M Commanders’ running back Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt rushes to gain yardage in Washington’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London on Sunday, Oct. 4. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

Howard Bison Take Down Hampton Pirates 27-13 In Battle of the Real HU The Howard University Bison defeated the Hampton University Pirates 27-13 in the Battle of the Real HU on Saturday, Oct. 3, before a crowd of 15,389 fans at Audi Field. “When you think about Howard and Hampton, just the relevance and the history of these universities and what they mean to the community, not only the African American community, but to all of our communities,” D.C. United’s President of Business Operations, Danita Johnson, said to ABC7 News, “to host that and to have this moment here with them is always special.” The victory marked Howard’s second consecutive win over Hampton in the 101st meeting between the two historically Black programs. “Just to be able to play in this game and win two years in a row and start a new streak for the young guys,” said graduate student defensive back J. Augustus Olidge to

WUSA9. “The young guys haven’t experienced a loss against Hampton, and that’s the way we want to keep it.” Saturday’s historic matchup marked Ted White’s first Battle of the Real HU as Howard’s head coach. It was also Van Malone’s first appearance in the rivalry since assuming the head coach position at Hampton in December 2025. White, however, was no stranger to the historic rivalry, having played quarterback for the Bison from 1995 to 1998 and previously faced Hampton during his college playing career. “[This win] means momentum,” White said. “We didn’t worry about any other game on our schedule but the [Battle of the Real HU] today. And I’m proud of these guys because they worked tremendously hard this week, and to see them reap the benefits of their hard work is

REAL HU Page 32

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Nearly 3,000 Guard Troops Remain in D.C. as Louisiana Sends More By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer The National Guard force on Washington streets has fallen below 3,000 after swelling to more than 5,100 this summer. However, as D.C. parents and officials object to troops appearing near schools, more soldiers are arriving, and the Pentagon is preparing to keep the operation running through January 2029. More than 60 Louisiana National Guard soldiers departed for Washington over the weekend, even as 11 states withdrew their contingents from the capital. As of Tuesday, 2,921 Guard members were deployed in Washington, down from 5,148 on July 10. Troops from 27 states and two territories have taken part in the deployment. “We cannot have armed National Guards in or around our schools and young people,” D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto said after receiving complaints from parents, teachers and students about troops near schools and in residential neighborhoods. “Our schools must remain welcoming environments of learning and growth, and spaces where all D.C. students, parents, and school staff can feel safe and can thrive.” President Donald Trump ordered the D.C. National Guard deployed on Aug. 11, 2025, after declaring a crime emergency in Washington. The operation expanded during this summer’s events surrounding the nation’s 250th anniversary, pushing the force above 5,000, before states began bringing some of their troops home. Louisiana is deploying soldiers, and its new contingent, Task Force Pelican, includes members of the 139th Regional Support Group, 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 225th Engineer Brigade and 61st Troop Command. The Louisiana National Guard said the soldiers will support the D.C. National Guard, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and other law enforcement agencies. Louisiana military officials said their mission includes reducing crime, maintaining order, and protecting federal buildings, monuments, and other federal property. For District residents, troops have become a familiar sight at Metro stations, federal buildings, parks, and

neighborhood streets. Their presence near schools has raised alarm. Pinto, who chairs the D.C. Council’s Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety, said residents have reported Guard members near schools and residential areas. Opposition intensified after troops used a parking area shared by Wheatley Education Campus and the Joseph H. Cole Recreation Center as a staging area. Pinto said she has repeatedly asked federal officials to keep military personnel away from schools. “I continue to hear reports and deep concerns from parents, teachers, and students about the presence of National Guard troops near our schools and in residential areas, and it’s leading to understandable fear,” she said. The Trump administration and military officials defend the deployment as a public-safety mission that has produced results beyond traditional law enforcement. During the first year, Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard, the D.C. National Guard’s interim commanding general, said Guard members: responded to 788 medical emergencies; administered Narcan 325 times for suspected opioid overdoses; reunited 43 lost children with their families; broke up 262 fights; and assisted law enforcement 479 times. “Each of those represents fathers, mothers, children, people who have received emergency care, been returned to parents, and families, had their lives saved from opioid overdoses, or were involved in violent situations brought under control before further harm was done,” Blanchard said.

AROUND THE REGION

members. Military officials have said that moving troops from hotels to apartments could save approximately $90 million. The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated that the operation was costing about $55 million per month when nearly 3,000 troops were deployed. The length and cost of the operation have drawn objections from D.C. leaders and civil liberties groups. The ACLU and affiliates across the country have urged governors to bring their Guard members home, arguing that Washington does not face an emergency that requires a continuing military presence. “Armed National Guard troops are neither needed nor wanted in the District,” ACLU-D.C. Executive Director Monica Hopkins said earlier this month. “There is no emergency in D.C. that justifies this continued

5 As District officials and families object to troops appearing near schools, more members of the National Guard are arriving, and the Pentagon is preparing to keep the operation running through January 2029. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

presence, and we cannot allow armed troops patrolling the streets of our nation’s capital to become normal.” Research has raised questions about how much the Guard has affected crime. A study by the Washington-based Niskanen Center found that the military presence coincided

with reductions in some visible property crimes, including vehicle thefts, but found little measurable change in violent crime. Researchers said Guard members were concentrated largely around tourist corridors, transit hubs, federal buildings, monuments, parks

TROOPS Page 8

‘There is No Emergency in D.C. That Justifies This Continued Presence’

The cost of keeping troops in Washington continues to climb, as Pentagon estimates provided to Congress project that another $1.4 billion will be needed to maintain the operation through January 2029. The estimate includes approximately $596.9 million in fiscal 2027, $625.8 million in fiscal 2028, and $198.3 million through the final months of Trump’s term. A $292 million housing contract signed this summer will provide up to 2,000 apartment units for Guard

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Redd Foxx (left)

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1893 – Early 20th-century jazz musician and composer Clarence Williams is born in Plaquemine, Louisiana. 1941 – The Rev. Jesse Jackson, famed civil rights leader, is born in Greenville, South Carolina. 1992 – Sir Derek Walcott, Saint Lucian poet and playwright, wins the Nobel Prize in literature. 2004 – Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan environmental and political activist, becomes the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

Oct. 9

1806 – Benjamin Banneker, famed African American astronomer, scientist, almanac author and surveyor, dies in Baltimore County, Maryland, at age 74. 1962 – African nation Uganda gains its independence from the United Kingdom.

Oct. 10

1899 – Black inventor Isaac R. Johnson receives patent for bicycle frame. 1901 – Frederick Douglass Patterson, founder of the United Negro College Fund, is born in Washington, D.C. 1917 – Groundbreaking jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk is born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. 1929 – Black inventor and engineer Elijah McCoy, who held patents for the folding ironing board and lawn sprinkler and made numerous revolutionary contributions to train travel, dies in Detroit at age 81.

Oct. 11

1887 – Black inventor Alexander Miles receives patent for automatic opening and closing elevator door. 1991 – Iconic comedian Redd Foxx, best known for

6 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026

OCT. 8 - 14, 2026

SOURCE: BLACK AMERICA WEB

Dick Gregory (right)

his starring role in the '70s sitcom "Sanford and Son," dies in Los Angeles at 68 of a heart attack.

Oct. 12

1932 – Social activist and comedian Dick Gregory is born in St. Louis. 1968 – West African nation Equatorial Guinea gains its independence from Spain. 1999 – Basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain dies in his Bel Air, California, home of a heart attack at age 63.

Oct. 13

1898 – Lawyer and judge Edith S. Sampson, the first Black U.S. delegate appointed to the United Nations, is born in Pittsburgh. 1902 – Harlem Renaissance-era writer and librarian Arna Bontemps is born in Alexandria, Louisiana. 1914 – Inventor Garrett A. Morgan receives patent for the gas mask. 1926 – Jesse L. Brown, the first African American aviator in the U.S. Navy, is born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. 1970 – Famed political activist Angela Davis is arrested in New York City and charged with unlawful flight to avoid persecution for her alleged role in a California courthouse shootout.

Oct. 14

1834 – Maryland-born Henry Blair patents the corn planter, becoming the second-ever African American inventor to receive a patent. 1919 – Famed Black activist Marcus Garvey is shot inside his Harlem office, wounded in his leg and scalp. He recovers, but his assailant, who claimed he was sent to shoot Garvey by the district attorney, died a day later after jumping 30 feet from a jailhouse window. 1964 – Martin Luther King Jr. is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial inequality in America. WI

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“As the saying goes ‘we are not free, until we are all free’. Everyday I advocate for all Black people in the diaspora and that also includes the minorities/other disenfranchised people in this country. We as a country cannot be equal until we reeducate ourselves of the oppression of the founding people of our country.”

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the other calling for a retrial. Through it all, White remains focused on the task at hand. “The jury has spoken. I'm here to do a job,” White told The Informer during an appreciation event he hosted at Sycamore & Oak on St. Elizabeths East Campus in Southeast. “I ran for election twice since [the arrest]. I'm going to focus on work, man…I'm a popular figure, so I'm going to have naysayers, but you see around this room. The support is real. It's been real. We're going to be solid.” Just days after that celebratory affair, White sat at a table with his council colleagues during a breakfast meeting in the John A. Wilson Building that featured Jason Stanek, executive director of PJM Interconnection. For more than an hour, White and other council members listened as Stanek, in a role that puts east coast electrical grids under his purview, touched on utility rate increases that are incongruent with energy generation, the impact of data centers, engagement with utility companies, and changes to electric grids across the D.C. metropolitan region. Hours after the council’s Oct. 6 breakfast meeting, White, on the first reading, voted in support of legislation that D.C. Councilmember Charles Allen (D-Ward 6) shepherded to automatically enroll SNAP recipients in income-qualified utility affordability programs. As this report will explain, Ward 8 D.C. Councilmember White also stood in solidarity with D.C. Councilmember Robert White (D-At large) in the latter’s unsuccessful attempt to slash parking fines, as outlined in

5 After their successful advocacy in Maryland, Eric Carpenter-Grantham, an activist and Gen-Zer with autism, and his mother Linda Carpenter-Grantham are now making a difference in the nation’s capital with Eric’s ID Law. In the District, the Eric’s ID Amendment Act allows individuals with nonapparent disabilities to opt in for the printing of a butterfly on their D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles-issued identification. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

Ward 1 D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau’s legislation. Last week, while out and about with supporters at Sycamore & Oak, White, fresh from a job fair at the READY Center, told The Informer that affordability is a top concern. “There are residents who can't afford to live here anymore so we’ve got to figure out how to keep residents here,” he said. “We're dealing with the utility crisis as well. It’s not just one isolated thing. We have a number of things we have to continue to tackle in the ward.”

Eric’s ID Law Passes in the District

Before the council got to business during its Oct. 6 legislative meeting, the legislative body approved the movement of Eric’s ID Amendment Act of 2026 to the non-consent agenda— thus opening the floor for reflection on what D.C. Councilmember

TROOPS from Page 5 and other public spaces rather than in neighborhoods where much of the city’s violence occurs. Violent crime in D.C. had already been declining before Trump ordered the deployment. The District’s unusual status gives the president authority over the D.C. National Guard that governors have over Guard units in their states. D.C.’s locally elected government does not control its own Guard. The deployment has also been challenged in federal court, while District officials continue to argue that armed troops trained for military service should not be used as a standing presence in civilian neighborhoods.

8 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026

Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) called an impactful bill. “Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of joining Eric and Linda [Carpenter-Grantham] to discuss the bill, disability, advocacy, and the legislative process to a group of students at Anacostia High School,” said Lewis George, who, along with D.C. Councilmember Wendell Felder (D-Ward 7), tuned into the legislative meeting virtually. In March, Lewis George and D.C. Councilmember Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) introduced Eric’s ID Amendment Act. They did so just weeks after hearing Eric Carpenter-Grantham, an activist and GenZer with autism, speak at a Dr. King holiday event about his efforts to get he and others like him properly identified in preparation for law enforcement interactions. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com. The reduction from more than 5,100 troops in July to fewer than 3,000 on Tuesday means the District has fewer uniformed Guard members on its streets than it did over the summer. However, it does not signal the end of the operation. Nearly 9,700 Guard members had rotated through the capital during its first year, and the Pentagon’s plans would keep the mission operating for more than two additional years. For Pinto, where the remaining troops are stationed remains an immediate concern for families whose children encounter them on the way to class. “The National Guard must keep its distance from our schools,” she said. WI

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White House Grant Rule Could Threaten Voting Access Work for Disabled D.C. Residents By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer A White House proposal to prohibit federal grant money from being used for voter registration could directly affect Washington, particularly where: federal dollars pay advocates to inspect voting centers; help people with disabilities exercise their voting rights; and intervene when physical or other barriers make casting a ballot more difficult. The possible changes are especially significant in a city where Disability Rights DC has repeatedly found accessibility problems at voting locations and where its federally financed advocates have worked with election officials to correct some problems while voters were still arriving. Disability Rights DC, a program of University Legal Services, operates the District’s federally funded Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access program. Federal records show University Legal Services received $141,043 for that work in fiscal 2026. The organization has said the federal money is indispensable to its work. “We could not do this work without our PAVA grant,” Disability Rights DC said on its website after describing its accessibility monitoring during the Ward 8 special election. The Office of Management and

Budget (OMB) is proposing changes to government-wide federal grant rules that would prohibit federal award money from being used for voter registration drives or “related activities,” according to a ProPublica investigation published Monday. The restriction would not take effect before the Nov. 3 midterm election. Russell Vought, OMB director, has long opposed using federal money for voter-registration efforts. Neither Vought nor OMB responded to ProPublica’s questions about the proposed change. In a 2022 letter, Vought argued that a Biden administration executive order expanding opportunities for voter registration was a “power grab” that would increase registration and turnout, particularly among Democratic supporters. The proposed rule could create an unusual conflict in Washington because Congress itself authorized federal money specifically to help people with disabilities register and vote. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 established grants to help people with disabilities register, cast ballots, and gain access to polling places. Congress has provided about $10 million annually in recent years for 57 Protection and Advocacy organizations covering every state, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Native American communities

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5 Disability advocates worry a new White House proposal could particularly affect efforts to help people with accessibility and combat barriers that prevent people from casting a ballot. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

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The only Indoor garden that grows 30 plants in just 2 sq ft. People across the Washington region gathered on Sept. 30, to witness the reopening of the newly renovated African American Civil War Museum at 1925 Vermont Avenue NW, marking a significant new chapter for the historic District institution. The ceremony followed roughly six years of renovation and transformation and featured a ribbon-cutting, presentation of the colors, Civil War re-enactors and remarks from civic and community leaders. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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VOTING from Page 9

The proposed restriction could extend beyond organizations dedicated specifically to disability rights. Nonprofits receiving government money to help residents enroll in Medicaid, food assistance, and other programs covered by the National Voter Registration Act must provide voter-registration forms and help applicants complete them. ProPublica reported that organizations could therefore find themselves confronting one federal requirement telling them to provide voter-registration assistance and another restricting federal grant money from paying for it. Other nonprofits receive federal grants for services unrelated to elections while using private donations for voter outreach. Experts said uncertainty over what constitutes a prohibited “related activity,” and the burden of proving that federal dollars were kept separate, could cause some organizations to curtail voter-registration work before the 2028 presidential election. Legal challenges are expected if OMB adopts the rule. Samuel Bagenstos, a University of Michigan law professor who served

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as OMB general counsel during the Biden administration, said the proposal raises a fundamental question about congressional authority because Congress decides how it appropriates federal money and has repeatedly funded disability voting programs. “This is not even a surgical power grab,” Bagenstos determined. “It’s just a massive, across-the-board power grab.” The administration has argued that its overhaul of federal grants is intended to increase oversight and ensure taxpayer money is spent only for authorized purposes. The proposed voting provision, however, would affect programs Congress expressly created to help people with disabilities register and vote. Amy Miller, an attorney with Disability Rights Nebraska, described what that assistance can look like away from Washington. Miller travels to nursing homes and assisted-living facilities and offers residents voter-registration forms while conducting other disability-rights work. She recently helped a veteran with a traumatic brain injury complete change-of-address paperwork so he could vote. At another facility, she encountered a man who had lived there for years but said no one had previously offered to guide him through registering. Miller said she wishes the people writing voting rules could accompany her into those facilities and see residents discover that they can participate. “I wish they could see that and realize how important the work is,” Miller said. WI

Rabia Belt, a Stanford University law professor who specializes in disability and citizenship, said she did not believe disenfranchising disabled voters was necessarily the rule’s intended purpose. But she said, “It’s going to have that kind of effect.”

Kevin Berrier 443-508-1936 KBerrier@MDDCPress.com

5 Pauline Patton, then 104, heads to vote in the 2024 elections, escorted by others to ensure she is able to participate in her civic duty. The Office of Management and Budget is proposing changes to government-wide federal grant rules that would prohibit federal award money from being used for voter registration drives and other “related activities,” such as supporting people with disabilities to cast a ballot. (WI File Photo/Anthony Tilghman)

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and U.S. territories. In Washington, the federal program pays for work that has produced evidence of persistent accessibility problems. During the 2024 D.C. primary, Disability Rights DC surveyed all 75 vote centers and 55 ballot drop boxes and reported accessibility problems at 72% of the vote centers. Two years earlier, the organization surveyed 87 of 90 voting centers during the 2022 general election and found accessibility problems at 64, or 71%. Problems included missing signs, inaccessible voting equipment, movable physical obstructions, broken elevators, and narrow doorways. The work continued this year. During the Ward 8 special election, Disability Rights DC visited 12 of 13 voting centers and made recommendations at some locations while voting was taking place. The organization said election workers implemented some recommendations immediately. The D.C. Board of Elections has worked with Disability Rights DC and the D.C. Office of Disability Rights on accessibility surveys of voting locations, giving the federally supported program a role not simply in helping individual voters but in identifying problems across the District’s election system. Those services potentially affect tens of thousands of Washington residents. D.C. government data based on Census estimates found 10.9% of the District’s civilian noninstitutionalized population had a disability. The percentages were substantially higher east of the Anacostia River, reaching 15.9% in Ward 7 and 16.7% in Ward 8. D.C. provides curbside voting, accessible touchscreen equipment at voting centers, and an Accessible Remote Ballot Marking System that allows voters with disabilities to mark ballots electronically using screen readers, tactile switches, voice recognition, and other assistive technology. But equipment alone does not address every barrier. Nationally, 3.6% of registered voters with disabilities reported having difficulty registering during the 2024 election, compared with 1.4% of voters without disabilities, according to Rutgers University survey data cited by ProPublica. Researchers estimated that the percentage represented about 740,000 registered voters with disabilities.

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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY Prince George’s Business Updates

Hyattsville Treasurer Resigns, Tonya Sweat Running as Write-In Candidate By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

an audit of the Prince George’s County city’s general fund that showed cash reserves significantly lower than anticipated. Reports of the 2024 budget denoted less than $7 million in cash reserves, barely enough to cover two months' worth of city expenses. As budget director Ben Brosch and deputy finance manager Natally

Hyattsville Treasurer Resigns, Town Reports Low Cash Balance

Ron Brooks, who formerly served as Hyattsville treasurer, resigned from his position effective Sept. 2, following

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12 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026

5 Tonya Sweat, a write-in candidate for Prince George’s County Executive, campaigns at the Democratic Central Committee’s Unity Breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 in Lanham, Maryland. (Courtesy Photo)

Palma temporarily assume the treasurer’s duties, City Councilmember Danny Schaible holds deep concerns about the lack of transparency in the town’s dire financial straits –– a point brought to light during a Sept. 15 audit committee meeting. “Following the recent completion of our FY24 financial audit, the city’s general fund balance has decreased from $24.5 [million] to $6.99 [million]. With only $6.99 [million] of unassigned reserves in our general fund, we are modestly above the GFOA recommended minimum threshold to maintain a general fund balance of no less than two months operating expenses,” read an email that Schaible sent to constituents on Sept. 3. “With the findings of the FY24 audit complete, the city of Hyattsville currently has enough reserves in our general fund to cover roughly two months and 10 days of expenses.” Schaible has been one of the few voices on the council to raise awareness and concern of this issue as it developed, an issue brewing over multiple years. “This is using the FY24 audit balance, which only tells us where we were on June 30, 2024,” the letter continued. “Exactly where we are at this moment is unknown and possibly less than the recommended two month cushion.” Former City Councilmember Patrick Paschall has also strongly criticized city leadership for allowing this

to happen and called for the firing of Brooks and city administrator Tracey Douglas. “This is a dereliction of their fiduciary obligations. There’s no question that the treasurer should be immediately fired, and so should the city administrator,” said Paschall. “They lied and misled the City Council, and each day we continue to allow these people to manage our finances is another day that we are increasing our level of risk.” Following Brooks’ resignation on Sep. 2, Douglas reassured residents of new leadership. “This arrangement will provide continuity in the city’s financial operations while also adding professional capacity during the transition,” she said in her statement.

Tonya Sweat Running as Write-In Candidate for County Executive

fter Tonya Sweat’s appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court— in an effort to ensure her name was on the ballot in Prince George’s upcoming election— was rejected on Sept. 9, the local attorney is running as a write-in candidate for county executive. “My campaign is still active, still alive. It is still moving,” she said during an interview with the Daily Record. “The Democrats in this county have become very comfortable not having any opposition. Our county government does not hear us.”

Sweat will be challenging incumbent County Executive Aisha Braveboy (D), who won the Democratic primary with more than 73% of the vote this past June following a 2025 special election to replace now Maryland Sen. Angela Alsobrooks. Sweat alleged in the Prince George’s Circuit Court that the Prince George’s County Board of Elections (BOE) improperly invalidated her signatures, while the BOE argued that Sweat was more than 1,000 signatures short of the legal threshold to be placed on the ballot. Dennis Whitley III, a partner at Shipley & Horne in Upper Marlboro, represented the BOE. “[Sweat] seemed to misunderstand that she had the burden of proving to the Circuit Court that the [Board of Elections] incorrectly rejected enough of her signatures to change the determination that she failed to submit the requisite number of valid signatures to qualify for inclusion on the Nov. 3, 2026, General Elections ballot,” he said during the legal dispute. T.E. Wills, a recently elected Republican Central Committee member from central Prince George’s, is supporting Sweat for county executive and her message of accountability. “Sweat can’t be beat, no matter the competition's heat,” he told The Informer. “In the heat of a competitive race, hard work and Sweat can’t be beat. I’ve heard nothing but good things about her.” WI

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Maryland Home Sales Retreat as Listings Plungeand Buyers Face Fewer Choices

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Maryland’s housing market hit a late-summer slowdown in August, interrupting signs of a rebound just as the number of homes coming onto the market dropped sharply and buyers found themselves with fewer choices than they had a year ago. According to the latest data from the Maryland Association of REALTORS, Home sales fell 8.5% from August 2025, while pending sales declined for the first time in more than a year. Yet prices continued to climb, with the median sales price reaching $445,000, up 2.3% from $435,000 a year earlier. “Historically, we’ve found comfort in pending sales closely because they have continued to show us that buyers are out there,” said Denise Lewis, 2026 president of Maryland REALTORS. “August reminds [us] that we can’t take that demand for granted. Buyers need homes to choose from, and Maryland simply isn’t seeing enough properties come onto the market.” Researchers said the August numbers put Maryland in a difficult position for prospective buyers. Sales are slowing, but the slowdown has not produced the increase in available homes that might ordinarily give buyers more bargaining power. Instead, the state entered the end of summer with fewer sales, fewer listings, less inventory and higher prices. A total of 5,582 homes sold during August, compared with 6,103 a year earlier. The average sales price rose 2.5%, from $517,355 to $530,442, according to the Maryland REALTORS® report. The retreat came after two months in which Maryland appeared to be regaining some momentum. Sales increased 2.3% from a year earlier in June, the first annual increase since January 2025, and were nearly even with the previous year in July, slipping just 0.1%. Pending sales, which show homes under contract before transactions close, fell 1% to 5,786 from 5,846 in August 2025. That ended 12 consecutive months of year-over-year increases in pending sales. But perhaps the most consequential number for buyers was 6,249,

the number of new listings entering Maryland’s market during August, down from 8,177 a year ago, a 23.6% decline. Active inventory dropped to 16,897 homes from 19,576, leaving 13.7% fewer properties on the market. An infographic from The Maryland REALTORS also shows the state with three months of inventory, down from 3.5 months a year ago. Homes that did sell didn't linger much longer, either. The median time on the market was 17 days, compared with 16 days last August. The statewide figures also mask considerable differences across the region. Montgomery County recorded 779 sales in August, down 11.3% from 878 a year earlier, while its median sales price climbed 3.8% to $640,000. Active inventory fell from 2,375 homes to 2,032. Prince George’s County recorded 601 sales, a 9.4% decline from 663 in August 2025. Its median price slipped 1.1%, from $450,000 to $445,000, while active inventory declined from 2,548 homes to 2,144. Former Bowie City Councilmember Jarryd Hawkins, who works in government affairs, sees this partially as a consequence of broader economic trends. “There are dynamics broader than Prince George’s at play: interest rates, stagnant wages, and overall economic insecurity are hitting Prince George’s as well as other parts of the region, state, and country,” Hawkins told The Informer. “Job cuts in the federal level and federal disinvestment that has cut jobs we’ve had in our county. We have a lot of people from previous generations relocating simultaneously. Howard County moved in the opposite direction on sales, recording 330 transactions, up 7.8% from 306 a year ago. Its median sales price, however, edged down 0.8% to $640,000. Anne Arundel County saw 615 homes sold, down 12.1% from 700, while the median price increased 1.3% to $507,000. Charles County sales dipped 1.9% to 208, and its median price fell 3.3% to $435,000. Buyers in some jurisdictions face higher prices even as sales decline, while others see modest price reductions. Across much of the region, however,

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

fewer homes are available than a year ago. Maryland also moved differently in August from the larger U.S. housing market. Realtor.com reported national active inventory increased 3.6% from a year earlier, while new listings were essentially flat, declining 0.1%. Pending listings nationally slipped 0.2% after eight consecutive months of annual growth. Maryland, by comparison, had 13.7% fewer active homes and nearly one-quarter fewer new listings than a year earlier. The state’s August report cautions that it revises its figures regularly and says the current report contains the latest reliable data. “Maryland continues to move differently from much of the national housing market,” Lewis said. “Other parts of the country are rebuilding inventory. We’re still trying to get enough homes onto the market. That limits choices for buyers, puts continued pressure on prices, and ultimately limits the number of transactions that can take place.” WI

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5Homes under construction in Hyattsville, Maryland. A new report from the Maryland Association of REALTORS reveals, home sales fell 8.5% from August 2025, while pending sales declined for the first time in more than a year. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 13

Chase Bank Expands in Greater Washington with New Oxon Hill Location

BUSINESS Downtown Revitalization Could be Key to D.C.’s Economic Future By Isabella Johnson WI Intern

Chase’s newest branch in Greater Washington opened last week at Rivertowne Commons, 6135 Oxon Hill Rd. Branch Manager Taliay Akins and her team are excited to welcome the community and help people make the most of their money. “Most of us are local and grew up in this community, so we’ve watched Oxon Hill change and grow over the years,” Akins said. “It means a lot to us to bring Chase and financial literacy to a place we call home. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve our neighbors and look forward to building something meaningful together in Oxon Hill.” The branch is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A drive-up ATM is also available 24 hours a day.

14 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026

With slow job growth and rising cost of living, the state of the economy is a growing concern for Americans nationwide, and in D.C., the feeling is no different. A recent Gallup poll found that more than half of DMV residents are still reeling from Department of Government Efficiency cuts to the federal workforce in 2025, reporting a negative economic effect in areas such as paying their rent or mortgage, and affording basic necessities such as food. Nonetheless, some argue that the future of economic progress in the metropolitan region could be bright, should D.C. officials be willing to prioritize a new and improved growth model for local businesses. “We are a resilient city and throughout our history we have consistently demonstrated an unmatched capacity to grow our way to prosperity,” wrote Chinyere J. Hubbard, president and CEO of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce in the chamber’s 2026 State of Business Report. In its 2026 State of Business Report, the DC Chamber of Commerce stated that the District’s economic growth faltered in 2025, although it improved slightly early this year While the report cites COVID-19 and federal workforce reduction for the decline, and the weakened labor market, the last decade of an evolving D.C. growth model has also played a role. The model of businesses relocating, employers hiring and the federal government expanding within the District, Yesim Sayin said, is no longer present. “We can’t wait for the growth to come back,” said Sayin, DC Policy Center executive director and a panelist at the DC Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 State of the District & Region Conference. “We have to kind of think about how to recreate it.” Despite the economic challenges, the DC Chamber also said that there

5 Despite economic challenges, Chinyere Hubbard, president and CEO of the DC Chamber of Commerce, says the District is historically resilient, in the 2026 State of Business Report. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

is reason for optimism. Revitalizing downtown D.C. and incentivizing businesses to relocate to the city to support the economy is an objective underscored throughout the State of Business Report, and echoed at the Sept. 25 conference, held at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Northwest, D.C. In a panel discussing D.C.’s economic future, business and political leaders, including Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto, expressed the belief that downtown revitalization, as well as redevelopment of RFK Memorial Stadium, would have positive effects on the local economy. “I want to see the day where we see the headlines everywhere: ‘downtown is back,’” Pinto said. “The entire story that we’re telling as a city in this moment, to our D.C. audience, and to an international audience, is really what we need to ensure, that all of these projects are sustainable and we can have the comeback that I know we are all itching for.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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The Reading of the Will Isn’t Really the Thing By Aimee D. Griffin, Esq

5 Ward 8 State Board of Education Rep. Dr. LaJoy Johnson-Law during a breakout session with students at a convening in January 2025. While the topic of screen time is the focus of an upcoming D.C. Council hearing, Johnson-Law says issues such as attendance and parent engagement are key challenges to address when she speaks with students, families and teachers. (WI File Photo/Ja’Mon Jackson)

CLASSROOM from Page 1 latter part of September at Bard High School Early College DC. That event— hosted by DC Charter School Alliance, D.C. State Board of Education (SBOE) Reps. Eboni-Rose Thompson (Ward 7) and Dr. LaJoy Johnson-Law (Ward 8), ElectED DC, Parents Amplifying Voices in Education (PAVE), Ward 7 Education Council, and Ward 8 Education Council— brought Aine and other young people in contact with parents, advocates, and public officials who weighed in on various aspects of technology use among Ward 8 students. During breakout sessions in Bard’s cafeteria, Aine spoke about the benefits of technology, as it relates to conducting research and preparing for class presentations. In the same vein, she expressed her yearning for more interpersonal engagement with her technology use. “Sometimes I want to ask a question to the video, but how is the video going to understand [my question]?” Aine later told The Informer. “My teacher doesn't have enough time to go through every kid and see what lesson you're on. It kind of makes it harder for them to understand what you're struggling with because you're not even answering questions during the video.” The Sept. 22 community conversation allowed for discussion about: an insufficient number of working devices at schools; inconsistent Wifi access; reluctance of school administrators to allow students to take computers home, and varying levels of digital literary education at each school. As cohorts explored those problems, they learned about the drafting of an SBOE resolution, led by Thompson, that was informed by conversations with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the American Psychological Association. They also

weighed in on how public school technology use policy would affect learning outcomes, especially at the elementary level and with students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. For Aine, a balanced approach to technology use would make her school experience better. “We don't really want to only use technology to learn,” Aine said. “We kind of want to get one-on-one experiences with people. Sometimes, our computers don't work…and our library has a lot of books, but we don't always have enough time to go there.”

Policy Changes and One Teacher’s Embrace of Technology

At the beginning of the school year, DCPS focused its first Parent University meeting on newly shaped elementary school technology use policy that’s rooted in: purposeful learning, student safety and privacy, accessible and inclusive learning, responsible digital and artificial intelligence (AI) learning, and family partnership and communication. “Books, writing, discussion, movement, hands-on activities and peer-topeer relationships remain the primary focus during instruction. That focus on purpose also applies to video instruction,” DCPS Deputy Chancellor Dr. Drewana Bey told parents on the evening of Sept. 1. “For example, rather than giving students direct access to YouTube, teachers will select and preview content, use approved ad-free pathways provided by DCPS, connect viewing to a specific objective and supervise the experience.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

On television, we often see a grieving family gathered in a conference room while the family lawyer dramatically reads the Will. The beneficiaries learn what they have inherited, emotions erupt, and the transfer of property seems to begin immediately. That familiar scene has created a great deal of confusion. Families frequently call my office after the death of a loved one and ask to schedule a “reading of the Will.” I explain that, despite what we see on television, a formal reading of the Will is not a legal event and does not activate the Will. Having a Will is important, but the Will generally does not have authority simply because someone has died. The probate court must become involved. The Will must be submitted to the appropriate court, and someone must be formally appointed to administer the estate. That person may be called the Personal Representative, Executor, or another title depending upon the jurisdiction. This appointment begins the estate administration process. Probate is a court-supervised process for administering property that passes through a decedent’s estate. Depending upon the size and complexity of the estate, the process can take months and, in some cases, years. The process generally begins with filing a petition with the appropriate court. The court is provided information concerning the person who died, the Will, the individuals entitled to notice, and the person seeking authority to administer the estate. Once appointed, the Personal Representative has work to do. The representative must identify and secure estate assets, determine outstanding debts and expenses, address creditor claims, handle appropriate tax matters, maintain records, and ultimately distribute the remaining property to the appropriate beneficiaries. This is much different from simply reading a document and handing out inheritances. Another common misunderstanding is that the Will determines what happens to every asset a person owns. It does not. Some assets can pass outside of probate. Life insurance and retirement accounts, for example, may transfer directly to named beneficiaries. Jointly owned property may pass to a surviving owner depending upon how title is held. Assets properly transferred to a revocable living trust may also avoid probate administration. This is why estate planning should involve more than drafting a Will. An effective estate plan considers how each asset is owned, whether there is a beneficiary designation, what happens at death, and whether the family will need court involvement to complete the transfer. Probate Is Generally Public Families are also sometimes surprised to learn that probate is generally a public court process. Documents filed with the court may become part of the public record, subject to the particular rules of the jurisdiction. For families concerned about privacy, continuity of asset management, multigenerational planning, or property located in more than one state, understanding the difference between a Will and a properly funded trust can be particularly important. A trust, however, does not avoid probate simply because someone signed it. Assets intended to be governed by the trust generally must be properly titled or otherwise coordinated with the trust and the overall estate plan. Planning Is About What Happens After the Documents Are Signed The lesson is not that Wills are ineffective. A Will remains an essential estate-planning document for many families. The lesson is that signing a Will is only one part of planning. Families should understand which assets will require probate, which assets will transfer by beneficiary designation or ownership, which assets have been placed in trust, and who will have legal authority to act when incapacity or death occurs. The goal should not be to create a collection of documents that sits in a drawer waiting for someone to “read the of keeping our Will.” The goal is to create a plan that your family can actuallyinformed! implement. community Your legacy is not created by default, but by design and intentionality. www.washingtoninformer.com

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Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. Life and Legacy Counselors 1401 Mercantile Lane, Ste 211, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW Ste 440 Washington, DC 20015 1100 N. Glebe Road, Ste 1010, Arlington, VA 22201 www.yourestateplanningattorney.us (855) 574-8481 connects all locations

OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 15

NATIONAL At 94, Andrew Young Leads Atlanta Peace Walk With a Message for the World By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer At 94, legendary Ambassador Andrew Young returned to the Atlanta neighborhood where he helped make history, leading a peace walk through Rodney Cook Sr. Park and stopping along the way to tell the stories behind the men whose bronze likenesses now stand there beside his own. Moving through the park on his motorized scooter, the former Atlanta mayor, Georgia congressman and ambassador to the United Nations drew politicians, foundation members, prospective sponsors and neighborhood residents along a one-mile route that became part peace march and part living history lesson. As he motored through, he recalled the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., former Georgia Rep. John Lewis, President John F. Kennedy, and the lessons in nonviolence that shaped his own life. Local politicians, Andrew Young

Foundation members, prospective sponsors, and residents of the surrounding neighborhood gathered for the inaugural Peace Walk, following the longtime freedom fighter through the manicured park in historic Vine City as he linked the battles of his generation to his call for peace in a world still consumed by war. “If you get up on a pretty Saturday morning like this and come out just to walk a mile for peace, you still believe that all things are possible,” said Young, who also represented George in the U.S. Congress from 19731977. “Because there certainly is; if you look at the news, wars are going on all over the world.” The Sept. 26 walk coincided with the United Nations’ International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, an observance established by the U.N. General Assembly to promote nuclear disarmament. The idea came from Les McCurdy, the veteran comedian, podcast host,

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entrepreneur, and founder of McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. Years ago, McCurdy envisioned one billion people worldwide walking one mile on the same day to draw attention to nuclear weapons and the need for peace. The first attempt never gained traction. “We tried it,” McCurdy told the crowd. “It did not go anywhere. We didn’t have the power or the influence. We realized it.” After about 20 years without seeing each other, McCurdy eventually reconnected with his childhood friend J.B. Vick, founder and president of MVP Studios and a confidant of Young. During their conversations, McCurdy told Vick about the peace walk he had tried to launch years earlier. Five weeks before the gathering, McCurdy said, Vick texted him after visiting Young. Young had mentioned he was interested in holding a peace walk, and Vick told him that his childhood friend had been carrying around almost exactly that idea. “And Mr. Young said, ‘Sounds like a fine day for a walk,’” McCurdy recalled. McCurdy now wants the gathering to serve as the starting point for the international event he originally envisioned. His goal was to have as many as one billion people walk a mile wherever they were on Sept. 26, with prominent entertainers, athletes, business leaders, and others helping draw attention to nuclear disarmament. “It shouldn’t be an angry protest,” McCurdy said. “It should be a coming together. It should be a celebration of life.”

A Goal to ‘Set at Liberty Those Who are Oppressed’

Young’s journey through the park offered a living history lesson just a few feet from some of the places where that history was made. King’s family home is nearby, and the park contains statues of the celebrated civil rights leader, Lewis, and Young. On a hill overlooking the area, the Andrew Young Foundation plans to build the Andrew Young International Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. Young stopped at each statue to talk. Standing before King’s likeness, he recalled the freedom fighter’s ties to India and Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence. He also retold the

5 Ambassador Andrew Young next to the statue of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta’s Rodney Cook Sr. Park, during a Sept. 26 Peace Walk. (Stacy M. Brown/The Washington Informer)

story of the 1960 presidential campaign, when Kennedy called Coretta Scott King after her husband was jailed following an Atlanta protest. Young recalled that word of the call quickly reached King’s father, Martin Luther King Sr., who had been leaning toward Richard Nixon. According to Young, the elder King was so moved by Kennedy’s check on his daughter-in-law while her husband sat in jail that he decided to throw his support behind the Democratic nominee. “We think that is how a number of states were changed, and Kennedy became the president,” Young said. “It was always one of these accidental check-on-you-and-see-how-you’redoing phone calls that turned out to have a global significance.” At Lewis’ statue, Young remembered a man whose soft-spoken demeanor gave little indication of the physical courage he would repeatedly display during the civil rights movement. Young recalled challenging participants to think about why Lewis— who was quiet, humble, and spoke with a slight lisp— emerged as a leader among young people who knew that demonstrations could end in beatings, arrests, and imprisonment. “There was nobody in the entire

student movement that could match John Lewis’ courage,” Young reminisced. Lewis did not stand safely behind others and order them into danger, Young said. He went with them. “He was a leader always in the middle of the pack and encouraging people to do things that they were not normally courageous enough to do,” Young told the gathering. “But he made heroes out of those around him.” The former ambassador also recalled how his path led him south. A New Orleans native, Young was living in New York, had recently bought a house, and had a good job when, after watching television coverage of the movement, his wife told him she was going home to the South. “I said, ‘You are home. We just bought this house,’” Young recalled. Her answer was different. “No, this is New York,” he remembered her saying. “My home is down home.” Young eventually returned to the South and became one of King’s closest aides within the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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OUR

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or inefficient temperature-regulation systems. “It’s just a huge disruption to the school day, and it’s dangerous,” Bockover told The Informer. “It made me see how the system that we had was so unreliable… and it wasn’t a good way to heat and cool the school.” As climate change continues to intensify weather extremes, making hot days hotter and cold days colder, more sustainable and environmentally resilient school infrastructure becomes more necessary than ever. Luckily, in Washington, a commitment to green policies and architecture makes the city a leading example of modernized educational infrastructure and what the future of building design should look like. Shirley Chisholm Elementary School is undergoing a renovation of approximately 104,000 square feet that will include new playgrounds, parking and loading facilities, new fencing around the baseball field, and a solution to its previous gas pipe problem– a geothermal heat pump. “D.C. has made investments in all-electric schools that demonstrate what electrification can look like in practice [and] these schools are using the latest electric technologies,” Cliff Majersik, senior advisor at the Institute for Market Transformation (IMT), told The Informer. “Heat pumps provide highly efficient heating and cooling in one system, eliminating the need for fossil fuel systems.” John Lewis Elementary School (JLES), the first in the world to achieve both net-zero and platinum certification in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the WELL Building Standard, is a pioneer in the kind of transformation D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) is working to achieve. The school’s geothermal heating and cooling system, combined with its efficient design, reduced energy consumption by 9% and saved the District an estimated $250,000 annually in operating costs. Others, like J.O. Wilson Elementary School, Harriet Tubman Elementary School and Benjamin Banneker High School, have also become exam-

ples of how city leaders, policymakers and designers should acknowledge the intersections between academic success, sustainable design and environmental stewardship. A 2025 study from the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) found that on hotter days, students are more likely to score lower on math tests, and since buildings are the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the District, school buildings with green infrastructure serve as a double-edged solution. “We want a system that is reliable and safe,” Bokover told The Informer. “As the climate is warming, we’re having more unpredictable weather, so I hope the heat pumps can… keep our kids comfortable while they’re learning.”

5 John Lewis Elementary School, the first in the world to achieve net-zero and platinum certification LEED and WELL, serves as a global example that energy efficiency and successful educational environments can coexist. (Courtesy Photo/Perkins Eastman)

Sustainable Design, Policy: The Keys to a Greener Future

Geothermal heat pumps aren't the only factor in electrifying and modernizing a school. For sustainability experts at Perkins Eastman, a global architecture firm, that renovation process includes preserving a building's rich history and using materials and blueprints that elevate learning experiences. The global practice champions the slogan “human by design,” which reminds architects at the company that they have a responsibility to design with the human experience in mind and ensure they’re having a positive impact on both people and the planet while looking for sustainable ways to take architecture to the next level. “For us, designing a school goes way beyond just energy,” Juan Guarin, a Sustainability Specialist at Perkins Eastman, told The Informer. “Here in D.C., we have [the] slogan ‘net-positive education,’ and we build on the concept of zero energy to use that as an excuse to create high-performing learning environments.” One way Guarin and his colleagues at Perkins Eastman do this is by limiting the window-to-wall ratio in school buildings and being conscious of glass

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At Annual Diaspora Conference, Liberians Explore Potential for Rebuilding Their Native Land By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Staff Writer For the second consecutive year, Liberian officials visited the D.C. metropolitan area to engage its scattered children in conversation about their part in Liberia’s future development. Among those involved in the planning of the annual conference, which has since come and gone, was an entrepreneur and Liberian repatriate who remains skeptical about the Liberian government’s posture toward diasporans returning home. “They made qualified people not feel comfortable. Even their own sons and daughters who were given the opportunity to study abroad and come back home…feel out of place,” George Gablah Brownell, Jr. told The Informer. “It’s not a bad thing for somebody to push you to do better [but] our people have a problem playing the backseat. It's so hard for our people to say they don't know, and the nation itself needs to come to that realization.” Brownell served on the committee that organized the 2026 Liberia Diaspora Annual Conference, part of which took place at Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia on Sept. 25-27. For three days, Liberians brought to life the theme of "From Dialogue to Delivery: Diaspora Capital, Innovation and the Next Liberia” as they discussed how to organize and actualize long-term diasporic investment in health care, agriculture, art, technology, education, and infrastructure. By the time Brownell, a Liberian born and raised in the U.S., took on a leadership role in diaspora conference planning, he already had under his belt five years as a resident and businessman in his ancestral homeland. Since making his move to Liberia during the pandemic, Brown has transformed the several acres of land he purchased into rental property and a farm that yields the country rice he exports. Brownell has also experienced what he described as “bottlenecks,” including an annual business registration fee that he said dampens the pursuit of an entrepreneurial venture in Liberia. As he recounted to The Informer, Brownell has also fallen victim to Liberian government employees who he

5At the Liberia Diaspora Annual Conference, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. set out to assure Liberians in the diaspora that conditions at home are improving and becoming more suitable for their return and investment. (Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr./The Washington Informer)

said, in the absence of systems and accountability measures, delay processes to extract bribes. “Government is a reflection of the people, [and] when we're moving into this environment as outsiders, we have to remember how there's somebody behind us that's aspiring to be a part of the dysfunction,” Brownell said. “People are extremely selfish, and it might be an effect of poverty. At the same time, you have to ask yourself if it’s because people are poor or they just don’t want to do the right thing.”

Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. Speaks to the People

Last year, the inaugural diaspora conference, themed “Building the Future Together: Reconciliation, National Healing, Growth and Prosperity,” focused on resolution of deep-seated conflicts, along with healthcare, education, investment and trade. Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has since pledged to foster healing in the West African nation bouncing back from civil wars and an Ebola epidemic. Well before he approached the podium in the ballroom of the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel on the evening of Sept. 26, the collective of legislators, ambassadors, and cabinet members who accompanied him to this year’s diaspora conference had already touted incremental technological advancements, an increasingly consistent energy grid, stronger intergovernmental cooperation, and electoral reform. Speakers also touched on efforts to expand voting rights and other privi-

leges to Liberians living around the world. In his remarks, Boakai would later characterize such developments as an attempt to return the favor diasporan Liberians had long extended to their Motherland. “The objective is not to ask you to give more,” Boakai said. “It’s to create a credible system to allow you to contribute more effectively and with confidence. The diaspora has already demonstrated what this partnership can accomplish… You are carrying expertise and resources to communities across the country and we are very grateful for these efforts.” Since entering office in 2024, Boakai has set out to actualize his ARREST (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism) agenda. He voluntarily reduced his salary by 40% while suspending more than 450 government officials for alleged corruption. He’s also ordered audits of the Central Bank of Liberia and other institutions. Amid what’s been designated a national drug crisis, the Boakai administration has fired top drug enforcement officials and launched a multi-sector task force to tackle this public health matter. Other priorities center on reducing reliance on imported rice, constructing and rehabilitating several kilometers of roads, and expanding the nation’s electricity network. Even with that, Boakai said there’s more work to be done. “The true value of achievement will…be measured by better roads, better schools, health services, jobs, opportunities and improved livelihood,” he told audience members on

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Ten Tips to Keep Your Business Cybersafe Sponsored by JPMorganChase A cybersecurity breach can present significant threats to your business. No matter the size of your organization, it’s important to take cybersecurity seriously. Your data is your company’s most important asset, and you need to keep your digital operations safe. Most businesses also rely on external partners and vendors, which can introduce cybersecurity risks that must be carefully managed. Whether you’re a seasoned business leader or just beginning to prioritize cybersecurity measures within your organization, it’s important to equip your company with the knowledge and tools necessary to enhance cyber-readiness. These tips and best practices may help protect your organization in an ever-evolving threat landscape. 1) Create guidelines to access your data Businesses should develop protocols for responsible use of technology resources within their organization. Users should only have access to the data they need to do their jobs, and should avoid accessing, sharing or disclosing sensitive information without proper authorization. 2) Keep an eye on your data Internal control best practices can include classifying data based on sensitivity (e.g., public, internal, confidential), regular auditing and monitoring, employee training, building an incident response plan, completing data backup and recovery, instituting third-party vendor assessments, making regular updates and disposal of data.

4) Maintain business continuity Implement backup and disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity in case of a breach or cyberattack. Test data recovery procedures and processes, and develop robust incident response and business continuity plans to allow for swift recovery. 5) Protect your data with encryptions Encryption can help protect data from unauthorized access in transit (when it's being transmitted over networks) and at rest (when stored on servers or devices). This involves using technologies such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to encrypt communications between servers, applications, users and systems. Ensure appropriate controls where encryption keys are stored, managed and accessed. 6) Create backup plans Incident management helps to address and manage security incidents, breaches and other disruptive events that can impact your organization’s ability to deliver services and products effectively. 7) Identify vulnerable areas Find security threats and vulnerabilities early to help reduce the risk of data breaches, financial losses, operational disruptions and customer dissatisfaction. Many industries have legal and regulatory requirements mandating incident response preparedness and reporting. 8) Ensure your business objectives are aligned Outline goals and key performance indicators you want to align with your

business objectives. Effective logging and monitoring help you maintain the reliability, security and performance of your services and products. 9) Consistently log and monitor Continue to observe your systems, applications and networks to ensure they operate efficiently, securely and reliably. Identify problems before they impact users, which allows for proactive resolution, reduced downtime and fewer service disruptions. Consistent logs also aid in investigating security incidents and ensuring compliance with data protection laws. 10) Test your applications in a separate environment By developing and training your applications in a test environment, you can work out any bugs in a safe environment to help minimize security risks. Creating a secure and efficient work environment minimizes distractions and misuse of resources.

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3) Manage your network Protect your network across traditional data centers, your cloud or other vendor-hosted environments. A secure and well-managed network reduces the risk of cyber threats, enhances productivity, and contributes to customer trust and satisfaction. Require strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication for all network users, regularly update and patch systems and complete regular security audits and assessments.

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HEALTH LIBERIA from Page 18 Sept. 26. “We must match revenue with accountability, investment with integrity, and policy with implementation. Diaspora engagement cannot be sustained by appeals to patriotism alone. Government must help make returning home [and] investing practical, predictable and worthwhile.”

Liberian Youth Make Their Mark

The 2026 Liberia Diaspora Annual Conference kicked off on Sept. 25 with networking and an open plenary session that featured D.C. Metropol-

itan Area Liberian Community Association President Sebastian Teclar, Jackie McKay of Liberia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MacDella M. Cooper of the Movement for One Liberia, and Erasmus T. Williams of Liberia’s Office of Diaspora Affairs. The conference concluded on Sept. 27 with a presidential town hall at the Harvest InterContinental Church in Olney, Maryland that placed Boakai before hundreds of Liberians. Other speakers who graced the stage at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel throughout the weekend included: Ambassador Emmett L. Dunn, chair of the national planning committee for the 2026 Liberia Di-

3The Rev. Francis Tabla, a member of the Liberia Diaspora Annual Conference planning committee, Heritage X Hustle marketing director Tinicee Nmah, Liberia Diaspora Annual Caucus chair Ambassador Emmett Dunn, and Heritage X Hustle executive director Rolyn Clarke. (Courtesy Photo)

aspora Annual Conference; Liberian Ambassador to the U.S. Al-Hassan Conteh; and Christine N. Umutoni, who serves as United Nations resident coordinator in Liberia. For Umutoni, Liberia’s future lies in the hands of its children. “The youth must [be] used as partners. Not only as beneficiaries,” Umutoni said on Sept. 26. “That means connecting young people in Liberia with young Liberians and people of Liberian heritage through mentorship,

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entrepreneurship, innovation and exchange. For the second and third generation born and raised in the diaspora, the connection with their heritage cannot be taken for granted. It must be intentional.” Rolyn M. Clarke, a family nurse practitioner, said she and hundreds of other young Liberians who she’s organized under her nonprofit are prepared to help the Liberian government in whichever way possible. “The government is going to be the government [and] they're going to have friction points [but] how you work yourself kind of within those challenges goes a long way,” Clarke told The Informer. “When we look at certain policies and structures that are placed in different countries or different states that worked well, they may not work well for Liberia. Where we can find alignment is we can say, ‘Hey, there's a group of young professionals that you can mobilize.’” As the executive director of Heritage X Hustle, Clarke has spent the last seven years coordinating networking events for young Liberian professionals. At this juncture, she and her colleagues have set out to develop a registry that would give some indication of the skills sets and social capital that the Liberian government can leverage. While that work gets underway, Heritage X Hustle continues to curate intimate, but intentional gatherings. During the conference, organizers commandeered a room nestled in the corner of the HIlton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel’s bottom floor. That’s where Heritage X Hustle hosted Liberians between the ages of 21 and 45 with libations, food, and networking opportunities. “We really wanted a place where young professionals can kind of get away and connect and actually exchange ideas,” Clarke said. “They're absorbing a lot of information at this conference, meeting a lot of

people, and we really need to mobilize amongst each other, figure out what problems we can solve in our community, and then we network together to figure out how to make that happen.” In the mid-1990s, Clarke immigrated to the U.S. to escape the Liberian Civil War. She told The Informer that she and other Liberians who’ve acquired their education in the diaspora are looking with glee toward their native land. She noted, however, that it’s also about recognizing that young Liberians back home have just as much to contribute, if not more, to the cause. “Young professionals are the majority of our population, [and] the older people are phasing out,” Clarke told The Informer. “If we have the knowledge, we should also kind of come together so we can speak in one voice and really make an impact. That means sharing ideas, exchanging information, exchanging resources on capital growth.” In December, Liberians around the world will return to Liberia to see family and take part in holiday festivities. A diaspora annual return committee recently revealed its intentions to take this occasion, known as Decrembree, to the next level with a calendar of events intended to showcase landmarks and business opportunities back home. Liberian-born entrepreneur John Greaves said he plans to, once again, step foot on the land of his birth. “We want to figure out how to showcase Liberia in a beautiful way that will attract people to open up the tourism sector,” Greaves told The Informer. “Hopefully, a lot of the projects that people are working on are well-developed and are something… that we will be able to show to the world.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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EDUCATION GREEN from Page 17 usage. In cooler weather, heat is lost through windows, walls and floors. In warmer weather, a building heats up in the same way. By strategically placing windows, architects can reduce heat loss and gain and maintain regulated temperatures in schools year-round. While developing these designs, they also aim to achieve optimal daylight levels, as access to natural light can improve the learning environment. These strategies improve how airtight a building is. The envelope at Banneker High School is so tight that there have been cold days when the heat pumps do not need to be turned on because minimal heat was lost inside classrooms. J.O. Wilson Elementary is another example of a building with an outstanding envelope. “This is the most airtight building they’ve seen in the entire city,” Guarin told The Informer, “which is remarkable for an existing building that had such a huge amount of challenges [and] constraints from a historic preservation standpoint.” Modernizing schools is improving students’ experiences and educational success. The Perkins Eastman team found that after the new building for the Paul Laurence Dunbar Senior High School was opened in 2013 with LEED Platinum certification, student test scores increased at a rate faster than any other school in the city. The high school has also produced more graduates since, with rates increasing from 60.3% before the new building to 83.4% in 2022. “I like holding these buildings up as

an example for schools across the nation… because it showcases that you can create high-performing buildings and you don’t have to compromise your purpose or main function,” Heather Jaregui, the director of sustainability at Perkins Eastman’s D.C. office, told The Informer. “You can create better learning environments… that support health and the wellness of students and their performance within those spaces… and meet your net-zero energy goals.” Jaregui and Guarin worked on the modernization of Banneker High School, JLES, J.O. Wilson Elementary School, Harriet Tubman Elementary School, and more. Such a large concentration of and prioritization for sustainable design like this wouldn’t be possible without the policy and legislation that enforce the need for these initiatives. Since Washington serves as a mirror for the rest of the country, its being a trailblazer in clean air and green infrastructure policy can bring forth motivation for environmental stewardship nationwide. The District had the first Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS), which was passed as part of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018, mandating energy efficiency in the city’s buildings to meet the Sustainable DC plan’s climate goal of reducing GHG emissions by 50% by 2032. Since then, 15 other cities and states across the country have adopted building performance standards. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

“This is the most airtight building they’ve seen in the entire city,” Guarin told The Informer, “which is remarkable for an existing building that had such a huge amount of challenges [and] constraints from a historic preservation standpoint.”

Deeply Invested in the Health of Our Neighbors Submitted by Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health As part of our dedication to a healthier community, Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health is home to a spectrum of healthcare services. We continue our outreach efforts to help ensure that residents know they can access quality care to help manage, and even prevent, many common and complex conditions. Here is just a sample of the services available at Cedar Hill. Cardiology Clinicians at Cedar Hill diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions affecting the heart and cardiovascular system, including heart attack, heart failure, heart rhythm disorders and coronary artery disease. We also offer care for vascular disease, deep vein thrombosis and peripheral arterial disease. Our cardiac catheterization lab is a dedicated space where cardiologists use minimally invasive tests and procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease. OB/GYN For the first time in nearly a decade, Wards 7 and 8 have access to local maternity care, right here at Cedar Hill. Our secure unit features four private labor and delivery suites and 14 private postpartum rooms, designed for the comfort of our patients, their babies and families. There are two dedicated cesarean section operating rooms, a dedicated post-anesthesia care unit, and 24/7 emergency OB and hospitalist care. For babies who need specialized care, Cedar Hill offers a five-bed Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nursery. We also provide postpartum support for lactation, recovery and newborn care. In addition to our maternity services, patients can turn to us for access to affiliated clinicians located at the hospital to address general gynecology services to address family planning, abnormal vaginal bleeding, menopausal symptoms and more. Children from birth to high school can receive care at Cedar Hill in our dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department. The unit is designed with children in mind, with separate registration, triage and waiting areas. Surgery Inpatient and outpatient general surgery and specialty procedures are available at the hospital. We work hard to put our patients and their families at ease throughout the process. Cedar Hill offers abdominal, gynecological, vascular and cesarean section procedures. We also provide surgery for the appendix, colon, gallbladder, stomach, intestines and more. When appropriate, patients may qualify for minimally invasive surgical procedures.

5 Labor & Delivery Team left to right: Ashley Ausby, Manager, Dr. Arthur Thorpe, OB/GYN, Whitni Richardson, Manager

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EDITORIAL

The Supreme Court, the Midterms, and the Future of Our Rights Justice Alito’s Retirement Remarks Underscore Why Every Vote Matters in November

The recent remarks by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito about reconsidering his retirement next year should serve as a wake-up call for every American who cares about civil rights, equal justice, and our democracy's future. In a recent CBS News interview, Alito, 76, acknowledged that he had considered retiring this year but decided to remain on the Court. He said he would reconsider his decision each term. Although he denied that Republican control of the Senate influenced his decision, the political implications of a potential vacancy are impossible to ignore. The stakes could hardly be higher. The Supreme Court already has a 6–3 conservative majority, cemented in large part by President Donald Trump's three appointments during his first stint in the White House. That majority overturned “Roe v. Wade,” ending federal constitutional protection for abortion rights, and has issued consequential rulings on affirmative action and other longstanding legal protections.

Another Trump appointment could entrench this ideological direction for decades, threatening reproductive freedom, voting rights, diversity initiatives, LGBTQ+ protections, and other hard-won civil rights. Justice Clarence Thomas, 78, raises equally serious concerns. As the Court's longest-serving justice, Thomas has repeatedly supported positions that challenge legal protections many Black Americans fought for generations to secure. His opposition to affirmative action and willingness to reconsider established constitutional precedents raise fundamental questions about his judicial legacy. His tenure is a reminder that a Black justice on the Supreme Court does not automatically lead to decisions that advance racial equality or protect historically marginalized communities. The consequences would extend well beyond Black America. Latino communities, Asian Americans, women, immigrants, working families, and other historically disadvantaged groups could face additional setbacks

if the Court shifts further to the right. Supreme Court justices hold lifetime appointments, so decisions made today can shape the rights and opportunities of generations yet unborn. This is why the Nov. 3 midterm elections are so significant. Control of the Senate determines whether a president's judicial nominees are confirmed. The outcome will influence not only the legislative agenda but also the future composition of the federal judiciary. A Supreme Court vacancy could arise unexpectedly, making the Senate's role in the confirmation process especially consequential. We cannot afford complacency. Every eligible voter must understand the power of the ballot, participate in the midterms, and encourage family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. Our rights were hard-won, and preserving them demands vigilance and action. Vote for your rights. Vote for your future. Vote as if the future of our democracy depends on it—because it does. WI

As D.C. Prepares for a New Mayor, Vote for the Change You Envision With the midterm elections less than one month away, the message for all Americans, 18 and older, remains the same: make sure you’re registered and be sure to vote. Here in the District, while the decades-old battle for statehood has yet to be won, many Washingtonians anticipate that a change is imminent as voters will elect a new mayor to take over the reins. But other citywide and local positions are also up for grabs including attorney general; seven-of 13 D.C. Council seats (Wards 1,3,5, and 6); four-of-eight State Board of Education seats; and multiple ANC seats throughout the city’s single-member districts. Meanwhile, on the federal level, voters will choose a new U.S. House of Representatives member of Congress to replace Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, and one shadow House and Senate representative and senator, respectively. So, while we cannot predict the

outcome in these races, we can definitely say that a change is going to come. The question, however, remains whether eligible voters will exercise their Constitutional right and turn in their ballot. Some voters may choose to vote along party lines while others may give the nod to the incumbent candidate. But there’s an unknown factor that must also be considered: those who decide not to vote at all. We contend that even by not voting, each individual still impacts the outcome of every race. Consider what happened two years ago in the 2024 presidential election between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. With 270 electoral college votes required to win, Trump won 312226 with 49.8% of the popular vote compared to Harris at 48.3%. The actual number by votes, just over two million, illustrates why every vote counts. Trump won

with 77,302,580 popular votes while Harris lost with 75,017,613 popular votes. Black baby boomers and millennials may remember the good old days when voting was a communitywide event. Parents walked to the polls with their children in tow who watched as their mother and fathers participated in an activity in which many of their grandparents were denied. Black Church congregants joined “Souls to the Polls” movements and made voting a daylong celebration and responsibility. African Americans were convinced that by casting their vote, they could become the change that they desired. They were fed up with false promises or urges to be patient a little while longer. As American citizens, they believed they had a right to demand and expect better, if not fully equal, representation at all levels of government.

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TO THE EDITOR “What an inspiring story! Congratulations on eight years of strength and survival! Looking back at your journey, I am constantly inspired by the grace and resilience you carry with you every day. Wishing you endless good health, peace of mind, and a future filled with bright moments!” -Angel (In reference to the article: “‘The Softest Thing I Ever Did Was Survive’: Breast Cancer Survivors and Clinicians Reframe the Meaning of Fight.”)

“It’s crazy because my fiance is 74 years old veteran. Served in Vietnam and still can’t get any compensation after 50 years. America should be ashamed.” -Antonette Castrillo (In reference to the article: “JOHNSON: Beyond the Battlefield — Advancing Equity for Black Veterans in D.C.”)

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George, the highly-favored Democratic mayoral candidate for Washington, D.C. who, during her recent citywide listening tour, asked voters to bring their solutions to the table. Lewis George asserted that for some, the easier road may be to complain about what’s wrong in D.C. and to criticize those who are in power.

But she concludes that criticisms alone will not revert or correct the policies enacted by current administrations under which so many Washingtonians and other Americans now suffer. Solutions, however, will. So, we must all vote and then hold accountable those who win their races. We can be part of the change we desire. WI

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

Wade Henderson

Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?

There are moments when a nation must decide, not simply what it has the legal power to do, but what its sense of humanity requires it to do. The treatment of more than 300,000 Haitians living and working in the United States under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) presents such a moment. The Senate should pass S. 4814, legislation that would designate

Haiti for TPS for three years. The Senate's Republican members hold a critical key to whether Congress will act before the midterm elections. There are several reasons the Haitian TPS question is a genuine crisis. First and foremost, Haiti is dangerously unsafe, and the justification for TPS could hardly be clearer. Haiti continues to experience extraordinary violence and instability. United Nations and human rights organizations report killings, kidnappings, sexual violence, displacement and widespread abuses by armed

Guest Columnist

gangs. Millions of Haitians face acute humanitarian needs. Most tellingly, the U.S. Department of State warns Americans: "Do Not Travel" to Haiti, citing kidnapping, crime, terrorism, civil unrest and limited health care. That warning raises an unavoidable question: If Haiti is too dangerous for Americans to travel there, how can it be considered safe to compel more than 300,000 Haitians to return? Congress created TPS precisely for circumstances in which armed conflict or extraordinary conditions make safe

return impossible or inappropriate. The documented conditions in Haiti meet that humanitarian standard many times over. Let's also clear up another misimpression. The Supreme Court in its June 25, 2026, decision in Mullin v. Doe did not order TPS to end, and it did not order Haitians to be deported. Rather, the Court ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had the primary responsibility to decide whether to terminate TPS and that its decisions were not, in most instances, judicially reviewable.

The decision therefore permitted the administration's termination of Haitian TPS to proceed, but the humanitarian question of whether it should proceed remains with the political branches. In other words, Congress retains its legislative authority to act. S. 4814 is Congress exercising that authority. For Haitians living under the threat of deportation, this is not an abstract legal dispute. The human cost is becoming painfully real.

My experience is not unique. An estimated 870,000 veterans receiving Department of Veterans Affairs health care were diagnosed with PTSD in 2024. Since 9/11, nearly 150,000 veterans have died by suicide. Many continue searching for relief after available treatments have failed. That is why veterans are cautiously hopeful about psychedelic treatments. Studies of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression show significant reductions in depressive symptoms, with up to one-third of patients achieving remission in some trials. A

recent pilot study involving 12 veterans with severe, treatment-resistant PTSD found that 75% were in remission one month after psilocybin treatment. I followed the research before pursuing psilocybin treatment myself. During that experience, I was finally able to access the grief I spent decades burying. It did not erase what happened or the memories of the Marines I lost. It changed my relationship with those memories. They no longer controlled my life. I reconnected to the self I had lost

HENDERSON Page 41

Juliana Mercer

Washington Has a Chance to Save Veterans' Lives

I graduated from Marine Corps boot camp a couple weeks before Sept. 11, 2001. I had no idea how profoundly 9/11 would change the trajectory of my life. I went on to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. Between deployments, I worked at the Wounded Warrior Battalion in San Diego, supporting Marines as they rebuilt their lives. What

I did not understand was how deeply I was absorbing their grief and losses. That became clearer when I later deployed to Afghanistan during one of the deadliest periods of the war for Marines. I purposefully stopped counting the flag-draped coffins as they were loaded onto planes to return home, swallowing my grief so I could return to the mission. I became paralyzed watching young Marines go outside the base, thinking about their families and whether they would see them again. I began hallucinating that wounded Marines I cared

Guest Columnist

for were walking toward me in the war zone. I now recognize that, alongside my own PTSD, I was carrying secondary PTSD from caring for wounded Marines. With every loss, I swallowed what I felt just to keep functioning. I kept moving forward until everything I buried became impossible to ignore. I did not recognize what was happening until five years after returning home. I sought help. Therapy helped me feel less alone, but my symptoms continued to affect my life and relationships.

MERCER Page 41

Charlene Crowell

70% of Consumers Struggle With Multiple Affordability Issues

As the nation's affordability crisis continues, a growing body of new research finds that rising gas and grocery costs are but two of many factors causing consumers' financial stress. Moreover, today's financial stress is deemed a function of both old and newer consumer concerns. Research from the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequali-

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ty exposes how 70% of all Americans struggle with multiple affordability issues like housing, food, healthcare and childcare, according to its Family Economic Well-Being Index. Nationally, 41% of Americans face a health care burden, 33% face a housing burden, and nearly one-third face a food burden. "While families in poverty face the greatest difficulty affording the basics, this struggle reaches well into the middle class," said Lelaine Bigelow, the organization's executive director. "Millions of people are working hard and

still can't get ahead of these costs. The data make clear that affordability isn't a narrow problem that can be solved with narrow policies. The scale of the response must match the scale of the challenge." A longer-term view from the Brookings Institution finds the origin of America's affordability challenges festered for more than a decade, beginning in 2014. "Over the 2014-to-2024 period, the shares of Black and Latino or Hispanic households making ends meet were the lowest of any demographic group,"

according to its policy brief, "States of Affordability: Where and Why U.S. Households Struggle to Make Ends Meet." "This trend mirrors the income and wage gaps that continue to persist by race and ethnicity. … When the costs for housing, health care, education, and food rise faster than wages, families fall behind not because they are failing, but because the math no longer works in their favor," the brief read. These findings are substantiated by updated median household income statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Although 2025's median household income of $87,460 was the highest on record dating back to 1967, nagging and historic income disparities by race and gender remain largely unchanged. Last year, non-Hispanic whites had a median income of $75,030, lower than that of Asian Americans who topped this earning category at $90,430. At the same time, Black median income was $55,100, and Hispanics even lower at $51,500. Similarly, by gender, the 2025 female median

CROWELL Page 41

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OPINIONS/EDITORIALS Guest Columnist

E. Faye Williams

Why I Support Cuba

Dr. Ron Daniels, president of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, invited several U.S. leaders to go on a fact-finding mission to Cuba. Among those who went were Dr. Daniels, Louis Romain, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Rev. Robert Turner, Dr. James Early, reporters from The Final Call and The Informer, representatives of the World Conference of

Mayors and the National Association of Black Social Workers, young people, etc. I've been blessed to visit and work in many places in the world. I've seen people struggle in many of those places. Some have given up struggling to make their country better, but not Cubans! We saw them carrying on with the best they have, and they gave us the very best of everything available to them. Many places are indeed run down from a lack of care through no fault of their own. There's trash on many

Guest Columnist

have had the opportunity to become doctors are doing so due to the graciousness of the Cuban people. Some of those students are from the U.S. and are studying in Cuba because they were not given a chance, for various reasons, to study in the U.S. No matter what, these students soldier on, studying under the most difficult of conditions now caused by the U.S., with frequent power outages, a lack of much-needed equipment and forms of treatment brought on by the U.S. with the cruel blockade of necessities. Yet they are willing to re-

streets, not because Cubans don't want to take the trash away, but because of the blockade of the United States against them. They have no fuel to send garbage trucks to pick it up. All the nations I've visited taught me something, but in no place were we more welcomed to see anything we wanted to see than in Cuba, including visiting with Cuba's president and elected leaders, community organizers and justice workers, hospitals, and their famous medical school, where young people who might never

main in Cuba because they know the value of becoming doctors and being willing to go into the most difficult and dangerous places in the world to provide health care. Cuba has research programs going on with something plaguing the United States now. They have done some of the most advanced memory care studies that we in the U.S. are unable or unwilling to conquer. While visiting hospitals, we saw doctors with tears in their eyes because

WILLIAMS Page 42

Dr. Anthony O. Kellum

What Is a Gift of Equity and What Could It Mean for Black America?

For generations, the conversation about Black wealth has focused on what we do not have: not enough savings, not enough access to capital, not enough homeownership and not enough inherited wealth. Those realities matter, and the disparities behind them are real, but there is another question worth asking: What are we doing with the wealth we already have?

That question deserves more attention because one of the greatest barriers to homeownership is often not the ability to make a monthly mortgage payment. It is the ability to get through the front door — the down payment, closing costs and cash required to purchase a property in the first place. For many Black families, that initial hurdle can delay homeownership for years, even when someone has a stable career, good income, reasonable credit and the financial capacity to sustain a mortgage. Yet in some families, part of the solu-

Guest Columnist

tion may already be sitting within the family itself. Across Black America, there are parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles who may not consider themselves wealthy but who own something extraordinarily valuable: equity. They purchased homes decades ago, made mortgage payments month after month, raised families in those homes, maintained them through recessions and difficult economic periods and, over time, watched those properties appreciate. A house purchased for $50,000 or $75,000 may today be

worth $250,000, $300,000 or considerably more. That difference represents more than appreciation on a financial statement. It represents years of work and sacrifice converted into an asset, and therein lies a tremendous opportunity. A gift of equity allows a homeowner, typically in a transaction involving family, to sell a property for less than its appraised market value and transfer some of the difference to the buyer as equity. Subject to the requirements of the mortgage program, that equity can potentially be used toward the buyer's

down payment and, in some circumstances, closing costs. Example. Suppose a mother owns a home that appraises for $300,000. She wants to sell it to her daughter for $240,000. The $60,000 difference between the appraised value and the sales price can potentially become a gift of equity. The mother does not have to withdraw $60,000 from a bank account and hand it to her daughter. The wealth is already there — it has been accumulating inside the property.

KELLUM Page 42

Marc H. Morial

The Assault on a Free Press Threatens Every American

"The people must know before they can act, and there is no educator to compare with the press." — Ida B. Wells If you placed me in a time machine and took me back to grade school, when I first learned about World War II — specifically, the portion of history where I learned how the far right came to power in 1930s Germany — I

would have told you it was unimaginable that those tactics would ever be acceptable in America. I'm sure many of you who learned heralded stories of our troops' bravery fighting tyranny on the shores of France and deep into Germany would agree. But decades later, I witnessed the sitting president of the United States expel three of our largest media outlets — CNN, MS NOW and Politico — from the White House press pool. The same day, ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC suspended their participation in the press pool in solidarity.

The result is effectively a media blackout from the White House as the nation is in the midst of a seven-month war that has cost the American people over $50 billion and counting. The blackout also overlaps with the United Nations General Assembly, the first state visit from China this decade, and growing lawsuits to stop the administration from deploying troops to the polls this midterm election. As outlets filed lawsuits to block the president's outrageous abuse of power and violation of the First Amendment, his behavior drifted further toward

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the authoritarian tactics we've seen in regimes in Germany and Russia; he launched his own, filtered news outlet, "Trump TV." In many ways, the "channel" functions like many propaganda machines we see around the world: discrediting the free press while disseminating unchecked accounts of government actions. It is clear that we have crossed a red line and entered a danger zone. And a zone that threatens to further divide the American people and disproportionately impact Black and other mar-

ginalized people who need access to information most. But this isn't the first time the administration has targeted information flow to Black communities. In his first term, President Trump threatened to revoke the press credentials of April Ryan, who was then with American Urban Radio Networks, the only Black-owned broadcaster with a bureau in the White House press room. He's also called CNN anchor Abby Phillip "stupid" and accused

MORIAL Page 42 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 25

LIFESTYLE

3 In honor of October’s National Book Month, Fall for the Book’s 28th Annual Festival returns to D.C. with more than 50 writers, including esteemed poets, historians, children’s authors, and more. (WI File Photo)

Washington Informer Weekend Checklist WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

Things To Do, DMV! By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor From seafood cuisine to festivals honoring October’s cultural and literary significance, here’s another weekend roundup sure to keep your spirit and social life lit. Check out a handful of the many events happening this weekend, including musical performances and a historic dive into Washington’s spookiest days to close out the weekend –– and kick off Halloween early. There’s always something fun happening in the DMV, and it starts in the Washington Informer Calendar.

Thursday, Oct. 8

A Night on the Farm 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | $77.00+ Common Good City Farm, 300 V Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 Enjoy an evening on an urban farm with chef-prepared small plates, fresh cocktails and mocktails, farm tours, and more. This ticketed event brings neighbors

and broader community members together to nurture a sustainable community space grounded in food justice, education, and connection. Maybe Happy Ending 7:30 p.m. | $172.28+ The National Theatre, National Place, 1321 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20004 Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Maybe Happy Ending” tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Parade), the production has been called “one of the best musicals in years” (USA Today) and even “The best musical in eons!” (Observer). Don’t miss the totally original new musical adventure that explores what it means to be human––even if they’re not.

Friday, Oct. 9

Fall for the Book Festival 5:30 p.m. | Free, with tickets

required for select headlining events George Mason University and other Fairfax locations, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22030 Thrillers, poetry, history, memoirs, literary fiction, and more –– Fall for the Book’s has it all. Fall for the Book’s 28th Annual Festival –– taking place Oct. 6-10 –– is packed with more than 50 writers, including a broad spectrum of esteemed poets, historians, novelists, memoirists, children’s authors, graphic novelists, and more. With in-person and virtual events –– held at George Mason University, downtown Fairfax, and in Fairfax County Public Library branches –– the festival nods to October’s National Book Month, while offering a day of hands-on literary events for readers aged 2 to 13. The Latinx Movement Festival DC 7 p.m. | Prices vary by event Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, D.C., 20017 More than a performance event, the 3rd Annual Latinx Movement Festival: AMÉRICAS AWAKENING serves as a platform for cultural preservation, artistic experimentation, and collective dialogue. Held Oct. 9-11, this multidisciplinary arts festival uplifts con3 D.C.’s own go-go ensemble The Backyard Band (pictured at the 2025 National Cannabis Festival) is set to take over Crank and Crabs in Baltimore, Maryland on Oct. 10. (WI File Photo)

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temporary Latinx/e artists through performance, education, and community engagement in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme, “AMÉRICAS AWAKENING,” honors Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month by exploring migration, identity, protest, citizenship, belonging, and the political realities shaping communities across the Americas –– through the lens of DMV-based creatives and national guest artists.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Crank and Crabs 4 p.m. | $41.00+, ticket does not include crabs Pier Six Pavilion, 731 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD, United States 21202 The Finn Group presents Crank & Crabs, bringing all-day crank, crabs and DJs to the Baltimore waterfront. Come to Pier Six Pavilion for a special night, featuring: The Backyard Band, DCVybe, Raheem DeVaughn and Crank Crusaders, and Scooby DaGodSon and Sirius Company. AC2: An Intimate Evening With Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen 8 p.m. | $107.00+ DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20006 Join Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen for an unscripted, uncensored and unforgettable night of conversation. The late-night talk show host and journalist –– longtime friends and both Emmy Award winners –– will interview each other and take questions from the audience in this live, interactive look behind the scenes of pop culture and

world events. Guests can look forward to stories, banter, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.

Sunday, Oct. 11

Profs & Pints DC: Washington's Spookiest Days 5 p.m. | $14.77 Penn Social, 801 E St NW, Washington, D.C., 20004 What do Harry Houdini, Woodrow Wilson, Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous Washington brewmaster Christian Heurich, and the spirit of a Native-American “Princess” named Monotowah have in common? They’re all part of an eerie chapter in Washington history, the 1910s and 1920s, when seances were the focus of both harmless parlor games and serious religious practices, and when skeptics of the occult clashed with believers in the halls of Congress. Learn about this fascinating time with historian Mark Benbow, who will discuss how a Spiritualist movement in the 19th century, combined with a spike in interest in contacting the dead after the First World War, left many Washingtonians trying to reach those on “the other side.” New Jack Swing Birthday Bash featuring Teddy Riley and Guy 2.0 8 p.m. | $108.69+ The Theater at MGM National Harbor, 101 MGM National Ave, Forest Heights, MD 20745 Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Teddy Riley Experience live at The Theater! Join the legendary creator of New Jack Swing for a night of iconic hits, unforgettable performances, and classic R&B energy, featuring Guy 2.0. WI

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OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 27

LIFESTYLE

JACKSON from Page 4

sic with everything he had.”

Harlem Church to No. 1

Jackson grew up in Harlem and learned to sing in church, performing gospel at White Rock Baptist Church. There he met Paul Laurence, who would become his producer and songwriting partner. Jackson later joined Laurence’s group, the Laurence-Jones Ensemble, worked the New York club circuit, sang with the funk band Mystic Merlin, and became a backup singer for Melba Moore. His life changed in 1985 when Capitol Records released Jackson’s debut album, “Rock Me Tonight,” and the title song spent six weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart. “You Are My Lady” followed it to No. 1 on the R&B chart and climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Jackson’s biggest crossover pop hit. The album went platinum. Jackson returned the next year with another platinum album, “Just

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Like the First Time.” “Tasty Love,” “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” and “Jam Tonight” each reached No. 1 on the R&B chart, while “I Don’t Want to Lose Your Love” climbed to No. 2. His duet with Moore, “A Little Bit More,” also reached No. 1. ““My heart is broken over the loss of a great singer and even a greater friend, Freddie Jackson,” Moore wrote in a statement posted to her social media. “When we worked together on songs such as our hit, 'A Little Bit More,’ his sense of humor had me laughing during the sessions.” The run established Jackson as a dominant voice of an era when polished R&B ballads and slow jams commanded Black radio. His records put romance at the center, carried by a tenor that could move from a near-whisper to a pleading high note without losing its intimacy. Albums including “Don’t Let Love Slip Away” (1988) and “Do Me Again” (1990) produced more hits. “Hey Lover” and “Do Me Again” reached No. 1 on the R&B chart, while “Nice and Slow,” “Cra-

zy (For Me)” and “Main Course” added to a catalog that kept Jackson on R&B radio well beyond his commercial peak. “We had such a special relationship,” Moore continued. “I will forever miss my dear friend. Rest peacefully, Freddie."

A Private Fight Goes Public

5 Family, friends and fans are mourning the death of singer Freddie Jackson, who died on Oct. 5 at the age of 69. (WI File Photo/Marckell Williams)

In September 2024, Jackson revealed that he had been diagnosed with kidney disease. He chose to make the diagnosis public and partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about kidney health. Jackson said he wanted to turn his experience into something that could help others facing the disease. “This journey has had its challenges, but I’ve decided to face it with openness and resilience,” Jackson said at the time. No statement announcing his death connected it to kidney disease, and his family and represen-

tatives had not disclosed a cause Tuesday. Jackson continued recording long after the chart dominance of the 1980s. His later albums included “Life After 30,” “It’s Your Move,” “Personal Reflections,” “Transitions,” “For You,” “Love Signals” and, in 2023, “My First Love.” His official website listed no upcoming performances when his death was announced. Jackson’s prime records remained fixtures of classic R&B, family gatherings, weddings, reunions and late-night listening, songs passed from the people who bought them on vinyl and cassette to generations who discovered them through streaming. His family said those connections were what they wanted people to remember. “For decades he gave us the songs that became the soundtrack to our love stories, our celebrations, and our most treasured memories,” the family statement said. “That gift will live on forever.” WI

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October 15, 2026 | 5 - 9 PM Busboys & Poets 450 K St. NW DC

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Joy Architect, Soul Therapy Media

CEO, WACIF (Washington Area Community Investment Fund)

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RESILIENCE IS THE STRATEGY

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wi book review "Holding Lightning: The Life, Loves, and Art of Whitney Houston" by Emily Lordi c.2026, Mariner $32 336 pages Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer Round and round they go in your head. Snippets of tunes, entire songs you loved decades ago, dance moves you copied and videos you never missed. Those things were essential to your youth, they were a soundtrack of your life, so read "Holding Lightning" by Emily Lordi and learn about the woman whose music you can still remember at full volume. In the nearly 15 years since she died, Whitney Houston, says Lordi, has been "widely considered to be one of the greatest singers of all time." Her mother, Cissy Houston, and record executive Clive Davis are generally "credited for her rise." Her ex-husband is "frequently blamed for her fall." Says Lordi, "This … frame has made it impossible to see how hard Whitney worked to become herself …" Houston was born in August 1963, the child of musical royalty. Her mother was a renowned backup singer; her cousin was Dionne Warwick. The family was immersed in music from church to concert, and Houston happily took her place among them. "Whitney… loved the sound of her voice," says Lordi, which is apparently rare for a singer. As Houston's talents grew, she became a "diva" and that was important: "she understood what it meant to claim this superlative status as a Black woman." She was likewise focused and "worked hard to develop the aptitude she'd inherited." She also played hard: early in her career, she and her best-friend-turned-lover, Robyn, did drugs sometimes but it didn't affect Houston's work then. Houston was energetic, on top of her career, topping the charts, and she made it all look easy. It seemed as though she was everywhere, dancing in heels and using that amazing voice — and yet, her success brought criticism from those who questioned her musical choices and her Blackness. By the early part of this century, Houston was struggling. Substance abuse plagued her. She was "stressed out all the time," seemingly refusing to fail but also ready to stop … It's called an earworm, when you just can't get a song out of your head, when it rolls around and around for days. That's what's going to happen when you read "Holding Lightning." If you're a fan, you won't mind. Whitney Houston's music is a good accompaniment to this book — and a needed one, since, aside from the occasional insight and surprising tidbit, author Emily Lordi doesn't offer much new about Houston's life here. Still, Houston's story is a classic tale of a rising and falling star, the kind that movies are made of. That doesn't make it any easier to read, nor is it easy to look away because Houston was (and still is) everywhere. Even though what's in this book may feel like it's all been covered before, even though there may be repetition, even though the narrative can lag some, you'll be left with earworms and sadness. That should make fans old and new eager to get ahold of "Holding Lightning." So find it and turn up the volume; here's a book to wrap your hands around. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE OCT. 8 - 14, 2026

ARIES This week has a way of exposing which ambitions are genuinely yours and which ones were inherited from other people. A goal that once seemed essential may lose some of its shine, while a quieter possibility suddenly feels exciting. Don't mistake that change for indecision. Your priorities are allowed to evolve. A useful conversation toward the middle of the week could help you see an old situation without the emotional baggage attached to it. Lucky Numbers: 12, 40, 67 TAURUS Your attention turns toward pleasure, but not necessarily the expensive or elaborate kind. A meal made slowly, music played loudly, a beautiful view, or an afternoon with nowhere to be could restore more of your energy than another item crossed off the list. Someone may also invite you into an experience you would not normally choose. . Lucky Numbers: 7, 26, 54 GEMINI You may find yourself unusually fascinated by a person who sees an ordinary subject from an entirely different angle. The conversation could stay with you long after it ends. This is a good week to follow intellectual curiosity wherever it leads, even if there is no obvious practical payoff. Meanwhile, an unfinished matter from earlier in the year may resurface asking for a final decision. Lucky Numbers: 18, 35, 61 CANCER There is a difference between remembering the past and living inside it, and this week makes that distinction especially clear. A familiar object, photograph, place, or recipe could stir up a strong memory. Enjoy the feeling without assuming you need to recreate the circumstances that produced it. In your current life, something is quietly becoming more stable. A private conversation over the weekend may leave you feeling understood in a way you didn't realize you needed. Lucky Numbers: 10, 43, 69 LEO You may be tempted to make a dramatic move simply to prove that you're not standing still. Don't. Some of the most important progress this week happens through refinement rather than reinvention. A project, relationship, or personal plan benefits from one thoughtful adjustment. Someone whose opinion you value may also point out a strength you have been treating as ordinary. Lucky Numbers: 5, 28, 73 VIRGO Your standards are useful, but this week asks whether they have occasionally become obstacles. Something doesn't have to be flawless to be worthwhile, and a person doesn't have to approach a problem exactly as you would to be competent. Relaxing one expectation could make collaboration considerably easier. You may also discover that a task you've been mentally preparing for is much smaller than you imagined. Once it is handled, resist replacing it with another worry. Lucky Numbers: 16, 37, 58 LIBRA October's momentum picks up around a decision you've been postponing. You may have been trying to find the option that keeps everyone equally happy, but that option may not exist. Choose the one that feels most honest. The consequences are likely to be less dramatic than you've imagined. Elsewhere, your surroundings deserve attention. Rearranging a room, changing your usual route, or bringing something beautiful into your space can give you a surprisingly fresh outlook. Lucky Numbers: 9, 32, 65 SCORPIO Something you've been observing from a distance becomes impossible to ignore this week. That doesn't mean you need to intervene immediately. In fact, your strongest position may come from understanding the situation completely before choosing your response. A professional or financial matter could benefit from this same patience. Lucky Numbers: 21, 46, 70 SAGITTARIUS The urge to escape your routine is strong, but you may not need to go very far. Try changing the scale of your day instead. Visit somewhere you've never explored, learn something outside your field, or accept an invitation from someone you usually only see in passing. A new environment could shake loose an idea you've been trying unsuccessfully to force. Lucky Numbers: 4, 33, 57 CAPRICORN A practical matter you've been postponing becomes easier once you stop waiting for the perfect moment to address it. The solution may involve asking for help, spending a little money, or admitting that your original plan needs changing. None of those things represents failure. They represent efficiency. A separate question about your future could also become clearer after you talk with someone who has no stake in the outcome. Lucky Numbers: 14, 30, 63 AQUARIUS Your social life may become more selective this week, and that could be exactly what you need. You are less interested in maintaining connections out of habit and more interested in conversations that leave you thinking afterward. One friendship could deepen through a surprisingly serious discussion. Another may simply need more space. Lucky Numbers: 11, 39, 72 PISCES There is something satisfying about making an invisible idea tangible, and this week encourages exactly that. Write the proposal, start the sketch, schedule the appointment, plant the seeds, or make the first call. You don't need to know how everything will unfold. The act of beginning will provide information that thinking alone cannot. Lucky Numbers: 8, 24, 56

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OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 31

SPORTS REAL HU from Page 4 always great.” Howard’s balanced offensive attack and dominant defensive performance proved to be the difference maker in the highly anticipated game. The Bison established their run game early, with running backs Travis Kerney, Eden James, Billy Roberson II, and quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins working together to keep Hampton’s defense under pressure. Kerney opened the Bison’s scoring effect with a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and James added another 2-yard touchdown in the second to extend Howard’s lead 14-3. The Hampton Pirates responded with an 83-yard touchdown drive before halftime, but Howard answered with a 25-yard Matt Conord field goal to take a 17-10 lead into the break.

COMMANDERS from Page 4 that the team believes Mariota re-aggravated the MCL injury he suffered during the preseason, with further scans scheduled for Monday. Mariota’s departure called upon rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis to take action for his NFL debut. The rookie finished 15-of-33 for 186 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but Washington’s offense struggled to maintain consis-

The Bison’s defense took control in the second half, holding Hampton to just 36 rushing yards and recording a season-high six sacks. Linebacker Aidan Foster led the defensive effort with five tackles, four solo stops and 1.5 sacks, as defensive backs Kaleb Gallop, Joseph Tabe and linebacker Cameron Demma also finished with five tackles apiece. “Kyshoen Jarrett, our defensive coordinator, he’s a star, and our guys have really done a great job, led by Rodney Roane, [Kaleb] Gallop, [Kedrick Green], and all of those guys who have done a really good job of just making sure that we were able to stay true to what we do,” White said Conord added a 39-yard field goal in the third quarter, remaining perfect on the season at 5-for-5, to extend Howard’s lead to 20-10. Hampton managed another field goal in the tency after Mariota’s departure. “That all starts the day after the game going into next week,” said quarterback Kaliakmanis. “As a backup, you never know. That’s the situation I’m in right now, backup quarterback. That starts on Monday. You prepare all week. If anything happens, you’ve got to be ready to go in because you never know. You’re always one snap away. I was preparing mentally for that all week.” The Commanders briefly found

5 Rookie quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis looks to make a play in the Commanders’ 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday, Oct. 4. (Abdullah Konte/The Washington Informer)

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5 Howard Bison linebacker Gabe Stephens holds up the Battle of the Real HU trophy after defeating the Hampton Pirates 27-13 at Audi Field on Saturday, Oct. 3. (Cole Edmunds/HU Bison Football)

fourth, but the Bison put the game out of reach when Roberson turned a short pass from Scroggins into a 52yard touchdown, marking the first touchdown reception of his career. momentum when Kaliakmanis connected with Treylon Burks for a 47yard gain, while an apparent 87-yard touchdown to Antonio Williams was wiped away by two penalties. “Yeah, it definitely stung, but it’s next play. You can’t control that,” said Kaliakmanis. “You can only control what you can control. Yeah, it hurts for a second, but now you’ve got to go into [the] next play. It’s unfortunate, but we let the refs ref and the players play the game… It’s not about what the call is or isn’t, it’s about the next play, and we’ve got to go down and do that again.” Washington also committed 10 penalties compared to just one by Indianapolis, further stalling play opportunities. Defensively, the Commanders made an immediate impact, with defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw deflecting a pass from Colts’ quarterback Daniel Jones before outside linebacker Odafe Oweh sacked Jones, forcing a fumble and recovering it on Indianapolis’ opening drive. But it was the Colts that eventually pulled away behind Jonathan Taylor’s two rushing touchdowns and Jones’ rushing score. “We started out hot,” said linebacker Sonny Styles. “[I] think we started

Scroggins was the key to Howard’s offensive success, rushing for a teamhigh of 64 yards while completing 23-of-34 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown. The Bison’s ability to run

effectively while limiting Hampton on the ground allowed Howard to control the game down the stretch and secure its second straight victory in the rivalry. “Our offensive start by Ja’Shawn Scroggins has done a tremendous job all year,” Coach White continued. “He had some rushed passes the last couple of games. But to see him come out here and really lead the guys the right way is always good.” Howard’s victory in the nation’s capital snapped the program’s three-game losing streak and improved the Bison to a 2-3 record on the season, while the Pirates dropped to 1-5. The Howard Bison will travel to Philadelphia to take on Ivy League UPenn Quakers in week five of the college football season, before returning home to Greene Stadium for their 102nd Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 17, against the Morehouse Maroon Tigers. “We have a lot of things to clean up, but to be able to get the win and do that on the winning side is always great,” White said. “We’re looking forward to celebrating this for 24 hours, and then we’ll get started on [University of Pennsylvania].” WI 3 Commanders cornerback Rasul Douglas attempts to bring down a Colts wide receiver in Washington’s 30-13 loss to Indianapolis on Sunday, Oct. 4. (Abdullah Konte/ The Washington Informer)

with a few three and outs, turnovers. [We] just got to keep fighting, find a way to pull it off in the second half. Obviously, we’ve got our third string quarterback in there, so I think the defense has to step up and find a way. He kept us in striking distance. We had the opportunities to get a few stops and get off the field, and we didn't get the stops we needed.” The loss also came with additional injuries. Wide receiver Jaylin Lane suffered what Quinn described as a “serious” ankle injury, while defensive end Charles Omenihu left with a groin injury. With the Commanders already dealing with significant absences, the injuries to Mariota, Lane, and Omenihu add even more uncertainty heading into week five. Washington will return

home to face NFC East rival New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 11, with Daniels expected to return to practice this week. His progress, along with the results of Mariota’s injury evaluation, will play a major role in determining who leads the Commanders into their second home game of the season. “That’s the hope for us for sure, [Jayden Daniels] coming back,” said Head Coach Dan Quinn. “He’ll have a full week of practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. That’s the goal that he could get into that space. Once we get, see where Marcus [Mariota] is, that part too, we’ll have a better understanding. That’s the goal for Jayden to throw a full on week. He was able to do some limited this week, and this week would be the plan for him to do all the reps.” WI

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CAPTURE the moment

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library hosted the “Power the Dream: The IRL Experience” fundraising gala on Oct. 2, gathering library supporters, civic and community leaders, authors, philanthropists, and bookworms in downtown D.C. Convened by the DC Public Library (DCPL) Foundation, the affair highlights libraries' transformative power to strengthen communities and shape the lives of people of all ages. (Robert R. Roberts/ The Washington Informer)

3 Author Glory Edim, Ciara Mackey-Hall of the Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools program, and Elizabeth Ajunwa, library director for the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

5 DC Public Library associate Allison Pierce with DCPL Teen Services Coordinator Joanna Harris, children’s librarian Tasneem Daud, Shauntee Burns-Simpson, DCPL director of Youth and Family Services, and LaTrisha Milton, early literacy manager.

5 Van Ladson and Cynthia Doty. 3 Dr. Carla Hayden, the first woman and African American to lead the Library of Congress (2016-2025), accepts her award as a featured changemaker at "Power the Dream: The IRL Experience.”

5 Rob Hartman, executive director of the DCPL Foundation, and award-winning author Jason Reynolds.

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OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 33

RELIGION The Forest Rev. Jeremiah Wright Planted Is Still Growing As The Legendary Chicago Pastor Approaches 85, Ministers, Scholars, Leaders He Mentored Reflect On the Lessons — and Love — That Shaped Their Lives.

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware This article was originally published online with Word In Black, a collaboration of the nation's leading Black news publishers (of which The Washington Informer is a member) and slightly edited for clarity. The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. sat quietly as a screen full of his spiritual children told him what his life had meant to theirs.

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There was laughter, teasing, testimony and, more than once, tears. Panelists leaned toward their cameras as memories returned. Some rocked in their seats. Others paused to steady their voices. Wright, approaching his 85th birthday, listened. The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference gathered pastors, scholars, educators, an attorney and a consultant for a virtual “Critical Conversation: We Are the Legacy!”

5The Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, and the Rev. Jeremiah Wright at Howard University in April 2022. (WI File Photo/Roy Lewis)

This was not a recitation of Wright’s résumé. It was a family conversation about the pastor, teacher, and mentor behind the public figure.

‘You Have Planted a Forest’

The Rev. Iva E. Carruthers, general secretary emerita of the conference, opened the celebration by placing Wright within the continuum of Black prophetic witness. She described him as a living libation whose ministry merged Christian faith, African tradition, and social action. Carruthers recalled nearly 50 years of shared friendship, work, joy and pain. “You have planted a forest,” Carruthers told Wright. That forest filled the screen. Attorney Natasha Robinson remembered joining Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ with her family in 1981. Wright led the church for 36 years until his retirement in early 2008. She was 7 when she joined, and misunderstood the Free South Africa sign outside the church. She thought joining Trinity might win her a free trip to South Africa. The room erupted in laughter, but the misunderstanding opened into something deeper. Trinity became the place where Robinson learned who she was in God’s sight and in her own. When schools miseducated Black children during the week, Robinson said, Trinity recalibrated them on weekends. Scholars, artists and activists introduced children to Africa, Black history, politics and faith. Consultant Nakia Green saw the same theology embodied in Trinity’s structure. Before diversity, equity and inclusion became corporate language, she said, Wright placed women in ex-

ecutive leadership, created shared leadership between women and men and ensured that people with disabilities could participate.

‘One Final Act of Love’

Then the Rev. Neichelle Guidry, dean of Sisters Chapel at Spelman College, slowed the room down. Guidry remembered being a young minister assisting Wright at a graveside service. They had been in many rooms together, but this was their first time alone. She was nervous. Wright sensed it and turned the committal service into a teaching moment. He showed her how to take two roses from the arrangement resting on or near the casket. As the final words were spoken, the roses were placed across one another in the form of a cross. It was, Guidry recalled, “one final act of love.” The roses transformed the moment. Wright was teaching more than ritual. He was teaching presence — how a minister remains attentive to a family at the place where language begins to fail. Guidry said she carries that lesson into her ministry with students at Spelman College. In an era when ministry is often measured by platforms, branding, and visibility, Wright modeled the ministry that matters when people need it most.

Afrocentric Scholar, Faithful Christian

The Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford, senior pastor of Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, first encountered Wright’s preaching as a Morehouse

College student. He saw a prophetic giant who held biblical scholarship, Black history, pastoral care, Africa and America together without contradiction. When Crawford later interned at Trinity, Wright listened to his questions and made him feel seen. Crawford learned that ministry’s power is found not only in what a preacher proclaims but in what that preacher pours into people. Dr. Greg Carr, former chair of the Department of Afro-American Studies at Howard University, described Wright as a road map for being an African intellectual in the world — a preacher who refused to choose between African-centered scholarship and Christian faith. The Rev. Bernard L. Richardson, dean of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel at Howard University, focused on Wright’s authenticity and endurance. Ministers, he said, must learn how to keep standing when they are wounded or left alone. Wright modeled that discipline after excerpts from his sermons were used to turn him into a political controversy during Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. The Rev. Jamar A. Boyd II, pastor of Kenwood United Church of Christ in Chicago, brought the conversation back to mentoring. After graduating from seminary during the pandemic, Boyd was uncertain about several ministry opportunities. He called Wright, and they talked for three hours.

‘What is God Telling You to Do?’

Boyd expected the elder preacher to give him an answer. Instead, Wright redirected him toward discernment: “What is God telling you to do?” Years later, when Boyd was preparing to eulogize his predecessor at the Chicago church, he again went to Wright. They worked through three Scripture passages. Wright helped Boyd understand that the eulogy would also be his first defining sermon as Kenwood’s pastor. Near the end, the Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, who is running for a Texas congressional seat, joined from the campaign trail. He rejected any attempt to let cable news define Wright and spoke instead of the man who helped fill the void when Haynes’ father died during his adolescence. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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the religion corner

RELIGION

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

The Poison of Power: Breaking the Silence This Domestic Violence Awareness Month October arrives clothed in vibrant autumn leaves, but for many women, it marks a solemn call to look behind closed doors. As we observe National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we dedicate this edition of The Religion Corner for The Washington Informer to a truth that our sanctuaries too often ignore. Abuse within relationships is a quiet epidemic. While it is a reality that some men are abused by women, I must use this specific platform to speak about women of all races and colors. Women are disproportionately the targets of severe, life-threatening intimate terror. Let us be completely transparent: Men who violate, beat and degrade women are weak. True strength protects; it does not crush. These abusers desperately need deep therapeutic treatment to dig out the roots of the generational traumas that shaped them into the monsters they have allowed themselves to become. Society often makes excuses for them, but Scripture provides no cover for cruelty. Colossians 3:19 commands, "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." When a man uses physical force to control a woman, he is operating in complete opposition to God's design. The staggering reality in the Black community: While domestic violence cuts across every racial and socioeconomic line, research highlights devastating racial disparities. Statistics reveal that more than 40% of Black women will experience intimate partner physical violence, sexual violence or stalking in their lifetimes. This crisis is literally a matter of life and death. Nationally, on average, more than three women are killed every single day by a current or former intimate partner. In the Black community, this lethal violence reaches a boiling point. Black women comprise roughly 14% of the U.S. female population, yet they account for over 31% of all females murdered by males in single-victim incidents. According to annual stud-

ies compiled by the Violence Policy Center, Black women are murdered by men at more than twice the rate of white women. Shockingly, 90% of these victims knew their killers, and over half were murdered by current or former husbands or boyfriends. Who are these abusers? Data consistently points to a cycle. Studies show that men who witnessed domestic violence in their childhood homes are twice as likely to become abusers themselves. They normalize the trauma, mixing it with external factors like socioeconomic stress, substance abuse and untreated mental health crises. They allow generational curses to dictate their behavior instead of seeking deliverance. My personal exodus from the shadows: I do not write these numbers from a place of detached academic curiosity. I write them as a survivor who knows the terrifying sound of a gasping breath. Years ago, I was married to a former U.S. Marine. He was a man who fought bravely for this country and was physically injured while serving in the Vietnam War. But the battle did not stay in Vietnam; he brought a violent warfare home into our marriage. Like many combat veterans, he returned home carrying the invisible, heavy chains of severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The unresolved trauma, flashbacks and rage of war lived inside our home. Yet, we must speak the truth in love and clarity: while PTSD explains the internal torment an individual experiences, it never excuses or licenses the physical abuse of a spouse. Mental illness and trauma require intensive therapeutic treatment, not the victimhood of a partner. I will never forget the horror of the many choking episodes. Feeling the hands of the person who is supposed to love and cherish you tighten around your throat, watching the room fade as you fight for oxygen, is a trauma that imprints itself on your very soul. Strangling is one of the highest predic-

tors of future domestic homicide. In those dark moments, I learned that an abuser's military service, past trauma or physical injuries may explain their brokenness, but they have a responsibility before God to seek healing rather than projecting their war onto those they love. God delivered me from that valley of the shadow of death, and He wants to deliver you, too. Psalm 34:18 reminds us, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." A beacon of hope in the DMV: To every sister reading this who is currently covering up bruises with makeup or making excuses to her pastor about why she "fell down the stairs," hear me clearly: You are not trapped, and you are not alone. If you are in the Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia (DMV) area, there is a safe haven waiting for you. You can reach out to the House of Ruth, an incredible organization dedicated to providing shelter, counseling and transitional housing for battered women and their children. Their emergency services and advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every single day of the year. You can call the House of Ruth D.C. Line at 202-667-7001, or if you are a Maryland resident, you can contact the House of Ruth Maryland Hotline directly at 410-889-7884. They will help you map out a plan for safety without judgment. Do not let fear silence you. This Friday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m., we will continue this urgent conversation on "The Lyndia Grant Show: Think on These Things" on Radio One Washington, D.C., SPIRIT 1340 WYCB. My special guest will be Dr. Lynn Strange, a renowned domestic violence expert, survivor and advocate who serves in the Domestic Violence Division of the State's Attorney's Office. Together, we will unpack the steps to breaking the cycle, healing from trauma and reclaiming the beautiful life God intended for you. Your survival is your testimony. WI

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OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 35

RELIGION The Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Michael C. Turner, Sr. Senior Pastor 9161 Hampton Overlook Capitol Heights, MD 20743 Phone: 301-350-2200 / Fax: 301-499-8724 Service and Times Sunday Worship Times : 7:30 AM 7 10:00 AM Communion: 1st Sunday Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday, 12 Noon Bible Study in homes: Tuesday 7:00 PM Website: www.themiraclecenterFMBC.com Email: Miraclecenterfmbs@gmail.com Motto: “We Walk by Faith, Not by Sight”

Blessed Word

Pilgrim Baptist Church Rev. Joel R. Limerick Pastor

Rev. Dr. Paul Carrette Senior Pastor

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

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

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 and 7:00 P.M.

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM Communion Service: First Sunday

www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ

Dr. Dekontee L. & Dr. Ayele A. Johnson Pastors

Reverend William Young IV Pastor

4001 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202) 265-6147 Office 1-800 576-1047 Voicemail/Fax

3845 South Capitol Street Washington, DC 20032 (202) 562-5576 (Office) / (202) 562-4219 (Fax)

Service and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 11:00 AM Communion Service: First Sunday Prayer Service/Bible Study: Tuesday, 6:30 PM www.blessedwordoflifechurch.org

Mount Carmel Baptist Church

Church of Living Waters

Services and Times Sundays: 10:00am Worship Services Bible Study: Wonderful Wednesdays in Worship and the Word Bible Study Wednesdays 12:00 Noon; 6:30 PM (dinner @ 5:30 PM) Sunday School: 9:00 AM – Hour of Power “An inclusive ministry where all are welcomed and affirmed.” www.covenantdc.org

Mount Olivet Lutheran Church

www.livingwatersmd.org

St. Stephen Baptist Church Bishop Lanier C. Twyman, Sr. / Senior Pastor 5757 Temple Hill Road, Temple Hills, MD 20748 Office 301.899.8885 – Fax 301.899.2555 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Worship 8:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM Tuesday: 7:00 PM – Kingdom Building Bible Institute Wednesday: 12:30 PM – Mid-Day Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00 PM – Evening Bible Study Baptism - 3rd Sunday – Communion 4th Sunday Free Food Giveaway – Every Tuesday, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm “We are One in the Spirit” www.ssbcmd.org | secretary@ssbcmd.org

Campbell AME Church

Rev. Dr. T. Ashby Banister, III Senior Pastor

John F. Johnson Reverend Dr.

Rev. Terrance M. McKinley Senior Pastor

901 Third Street N.W. Washington, DC. 20001 Phone (202) 842-3411 Fax (202) 682-9423

1306 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005

2562 MLK Jr. Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Adm. Office 202-678-2263 Email: Campbell@mycame.org

Service and Times Sunday Church School : 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00 AM Bible Study Tuesday: 7: 00 PM Holy Communion: 3rd Sunday 10:10 AM themcbc.org

Service and Times Divine Worship, Sunday 10:00 a.m. Communion 1st and 3rd Sunday “Friendliest Church in the City” Website: mountolivetdc.org Email: mtolivedc@gmail.com

All Nations Baptist Church

Adams Inspirational A.M.E. Church

Rev. Dr. James Coleman Pastor

Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness - Senior Pastor Rev. Ali Gail Holness-Roland Assistant & Youth Pastor

2001 North Capitol St, N.E. - Washington, DC 20002 Phone (202) 832-9591 Service and Times Sunday Church School – 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service – 11:00 AM Holy Communion – 1st Sunday at 11:00 AM Prayer – Wednesdays, 6:00 PM Bible Study – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM Christian Education / School of Biblical Knowledge Saturdays, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Call for Registration Website: www.allnationsbaptistchurch.com All Nations Baptist Church – A Church of Standards

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12801 Old Fort Road • Ft. Washington, MD 20744 Office (301) 292.6323 • FAX (301) 292.2164 Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:15 am Sunday Church School 11:00 am Youth Sunday every 4th Sunday Prayer Call @ Noon every Tuesday & Thursday 978.990.5166 code: 6166047# Virtual Bible Study Wednesday Facebook & Zoom 7:00 pm “A Growing Church for a Coming Christ” www.adamsinspirationalamec.org

Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 8:45 AM Bible Study: Wednesday: 12:00 Noon, Wednesday: 7:00 PM, Thursday: 7:00 PM “Reaching Up To Reach Out” Mailing Address : Campbell AME Church 2502 Stanton Road SE - Washington, DC 20020

Emmanuel Baptist Church Rev. Christopher L. Nichols Pastor 2409 Ainger Place SE Washington, DC 20020 / Office: (202) 678-0884 “Moving Faith Forward” 0% Perfect . . . 100% Forgiven! Service and Times Sunday: Worship Service – 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM 3rd Sunday: Unity Service – 11:00 AM (Only One Service) Sunday School: 10:00 AM Monday: Unity Bible Study – 5:00 PM Call-In Number: (646) 749-3112/ Access Code: 971155757 Tuesday: Prayer Service – 6:00 PM & Family Bible Study – 7:00 PM Call-In Number: (872) 240-3212/Access Code: 164695965 Wednesday: Noonday Worship – 12:00 PM Thursday: Adult Bible Study – 7:00 PM Call-In Number: (646) 749-3112/Access Code: 843069541 Friday: Impact Focus (Online) – 7:30 PM Saturday: Children's Church (Online) – 6:00 PM Website: www.ebcwdc.org

Third Street Church of God Rev. Cheryl J. Sanders, Th.D. Senior Pastor

Isle of Patmos Baptist Church Reverend Dr. Calvin L. Matthews Senior Pastor

1204 Third Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-347-5889 office / 202-638-1803 fax

1200 Isle of Patmos Plaza, Northeast Washington, DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-6767 - Fax: (202) 526-1661

Services and Times Sunday School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday Community Worship Service: 8:30 AM

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

“Ambassadors for Christ to the Nation’s Capital” www.thirdstreet.org Live Stream Sunday Worship Service begins @ 12:00 noon www.thirdstreet.org

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Reverend John W. Davis Pastor 5101 14th Street, NW / Washington, DC 20011 Phone: 202-726-2220 Fax: 202-726-9089 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service - 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church - 11:00 a.m. (1st & 3rd Sundays) Communion - 10 a.m. 4th Sunday Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. (4th Sunday 8:15 a.m.) Prayer Meeting & Bible Study - Wednesday 7:00 p.m. “A Church with a past to remember – and a future to mold” www.mtzbcdc.org

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

Holy Trinity United Baptist Church Rev. Dr. George C. Gilbert Senior Pastor 4504 Gault Place, N.E. / Washington, D.C 20019 202-397-7775 – 7184 Service and Times Sunday Church School: 9:30 AM Sunday Worship Service : 11:00 AM The Lord’s Supper 1st Sunday Prayer & Praise Services: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: 7:30 PM Saturday before 4th Sunday Men, Women, Youth Discipleship Ministries: 10:30 AM

Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church Bishop Alfred A. Owens, Jr. Senior Bishop & Evangelist Susie C. Owens – Co-Pastor 610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 529-4547 office • (202) 529-4495 fax

Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 AM and 10:45 AM Sunday Youth Worship Services: 1st & 4th 10:45 AM; 804 R.I. Ave., NE 5th 8 AM & 10:45 AM; Main Church Prayer Services Tuesday – Noon, Wednesday 6:00 AM & 6:30 PM Calvary Bible Institute: Year-Round Contact Church / Communion Every 3rd Sunday The Church in The Hood that will do you Good! www.gmchc.org / emailus@gmchc.org

Shiloh Church of God 7th Day Elder Jonathan M. Carson Senior Pastor

5701 Eastern Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20782 Phone: 301 559-5262 Service and Times Sabbath Worship @ 1:00 pm in-person/FB/Zoom Tuesday - Prayer@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Wednesday - Bible Study@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Friday - Sabbath School@ 7:30 pm on Zoom Web: shiloh7thday.org Email: shiloh7thdaycomm@gmail.com "A culturally diverse church of edification, deliverance and transformation"

Place your church ad here! Contact Ron Burke rburke@washingtoninformer.com

A Christ Centered Church htubc@comcast.net

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

RELIGION Zion Baptist Church

Israel Baptist Church Rev. Lance Aubert Senior Pastor

Rev. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. Pastor 4850 Blagdon Ave, NW - Washington D.C 20011 Phone (202) 722-4940 - Fax (202) 291-3773 Service and Times 9:00 a.m. – Sunday School 10:15 a.m. – Worship Service Wed. Noon: Dea. Robert Owens Bible Study 7 PM Pastor’s Bible Study Ordinance of Baptism 2nd Sunday, Holy Communion 4th Sunday Mission: Zion shall: Enlist Sinners, Educate Students, Empower the Suffering, Encourage the Saints, And Exalt our Savior. (Acts 2: 41-47) www.zionbaptistchurchdc.org

St. Luke Baptist Church

1251 Saratoga Ave., NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 269-0288 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion1st Sunday: 10:45 AM Prayer Service: Wednesday at 6:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday at 7:00 PM Bible Study: Tuesday at 10:30 AM

Mount Moriah Baptist Church Dr. Lucius M. Dalton Senior Pastor

Rev. Aubrey C. Lewis Pastor 1415 Gallatin Street, NW Washington, DC 20011-3851 P: (202) 726-5940 Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11:00 AM Sunday School: 9:15 AM Holy Communion: 11:00 a.m., 3rd Sun. Bible Institute: Wednesday - 1:30 PM Prayer Meeting: Wednesday - 12:00 Noon

Rehoboth Baptist Church

1301 North Carolina Ave. N E Washington, D C 20002 202 543 1318 - lincolnpark@lpumcdc.org www.lpumcdc.org Service and Times Sunday Worship: 10:00 AM Holy Communion: First Sunday 10:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Bible Study: Wednesday @ 12 noon and 6:30 PM Motto: "Faith On The Hill"

Eastern Community Baptist Church Damion M. Briggs Pastor

Elder Herman L. Simms Pastor 5606 Marlboro Pike District Heights, MD 20747 301-735-6005

Apostolic in Doctrine, Pentecostal in Experience, Holiness in Living, Uncompromised and Unchanged. The Apostolic Faith is still alive –Acts 2:42

“Where God is Praised, Christ is Obeyed, and People are Loved”

New Commandment Baptist Church Rev. Stephen E. Tucker Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Worship Services: 7:45 AM and 10:45 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sundays at 7:45 AM & 10:45 AM Sunday School: 9:30 AM Prayer & Praise Service: Tuesdays at 12 noon & 6:30 PM Bible Study: Tuesdays at 1 pm and 7 PM Youth Bible Study: Fridays at 7 PM Web: www.mountmoriahchurch.org Email: mtmoriah@mountmoriahchurch.org

Service and Times Early Morning Message: 7:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Sunday Church School: 9:00 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM Prayer, Praise and Testimony: Wednesday 7:00 PM Bible Study: Wednesday 7:30 PM

Service and Times Sunday Worship: 11 AM Sunday School: 10 AM Wednesday Mid-Week Worship, Prayer & Bible Study: Wed. 7 PM

The Reverend Canon Michele Hagans Priest

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

Foggy 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.

Promised Land Baptist Church

Dr. Joseph D. Turner Senior Pastor

Service and Times Sunday Apostolic Worship Services 11:00 A.M and 5:00 PM Communion and Feet Wash 4th Sunday at 5:00 PM Prayer/Seeking: Wednesday at 8:00 PM

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

“Real Worship for Real People” Website: www.easterncommunity.org Email: ecc@easterncommunity.org

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church

2616 MLK Ave., SE - Washington, DC 20020 Office 202-889-3709 - Fax 202-678-3304 Service and Times Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 AM Holy Communion: 1st Sunday 9:30 AM Sunday School: 8:15 AM Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon Baptism: 4th Sunday 9:30 AM

8213 Manson Street Landover, MD 20785 Tel: (301) 322-9787 Fax: (301) 322-9240

Rev. Curtis l. Staley Pastor

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

Rev. Richard B. Black Interim Pastor

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of Joy Apostolic Faith

1636 East Capitol Street, NE Washington, DC 20003 Telephone: 202-544-5588 - Fax: 202-544-2964

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Service and Times Sunday Service: 10:00 AM Sunday School for all ages: 8:30 AM 1st Sunday Baptism: 10:00 AM 2nd Sunday Holy Communion:10:00 AM Tuesday: Bible Study: 6:30 PM Prayer Meeting: 7:45 PM

Lincoln Park United Methodist Church

“A Church Where Love Is Essential and Praise is Intentional”

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Website address: www.mmbcdc.org

Peace Baptist Church Rev. Dr. Michael T. Bell 712 18th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 Phone 202-399-3450/ Fax 202-398-8836 Service and Times Sunday Early Morning Prayer & Bible Study Class: 8:00 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Sunday Morning Worship Service: 10:00 AM Wednesday Service: 12:00 PM “The Loving Church of the living lord “ Email Address: admin@pbc712.org

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rev. Oran W. Young Pastor

Rev. Dr. H. B. Sampson, III Pastor

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

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

Service and Times Sunday Worship 10:30 am Zoom: zoom.us/;/2028828331 Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00pm Communion Every First Sunday

Service and Times Adult Sunday School: 8:00 AM Sunday Worship Services: 9:30 AM Youth/Young Adult Sunday School 12:00 PM Midday Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 11:30AM Evening Prayer & Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM Laymen's League: Thursday 7:00 PM

2914 Bladensburg Road, NE Wash., DC 20018 Office: (202) 529-3180 - Fax: (202) 529-7738 Service and Times Worship Service: 7:30 AM Sunday School: 9:00 AM Worship Service: 10:30 AM Holy Communion: 4th Sunday 7:30AM & 10:30 AM Prayer Services:Tuesday 7:30 PM. Wednesday 12 Noon

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

"Serve, teach and Live by precept and example the saving grace of Jesus Christ." Website: Theplbc.org Email: churchclerk@theplbc.org

Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “

Email:mthoreb@mthoreb.org Website:www.mthoreb.org For further information, please contact me at (202) 529-3180

Join us for our live broadcast every Friday at Noon!

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Denise Rolark Barnes - Publisher of The Washington Informer WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM / THE WASHINGTON INFORMER

OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026 37

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2026 ADM 000944

2026 ADM 000927

2025 ADM 001365

2026 ADM 001027

2026 ADM 000959

Lula Mae Smith Decedent

John H. Jones, Jr. Decedent

Shirley M. Phillips Decedent

Estate of Vivian C. Lee

Mamie Ruth Reese Decedent

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

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE

Ernest D. Smith, whose address is 15192 Lancashire Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia 22191, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Lula Mae Smith who died on January 2, 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 3/24/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 3/24/2027, 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.

Diane P. Jones, whose address is 4211 Illinois Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of John H. Jones, Jr who died on 5/14/2016 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/24/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 3/24/2027, 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.

Darrel S. Parker 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #440 Washington DC 20015 Attorney

Peggy A. Miller, Esq. 5130 7th Street, NE Washington, DC 20011 Attorney

Date of first publication: 9/24/2026 Ernest D. Smith Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Date of first publication: 9/24/2026 Diane P. Jones Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Darrel S. Parker, whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #440, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shirley M. Phillips who died on 1/16/2025 without a Will and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 3/24/2027. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 3/24/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship. Date of first publication: 9/24/2026 Darrel S. Parker Personal Representative

Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Paula Evans Esq. c/o Joyce Nick for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint a supervised personal representative Date of first publication: 10/1/2026 Paula Evans Esq. Julius P. Terrell 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Suite 400 Washington DC 20004 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

TRUE TEST COPY

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Valda Charlene Reese, whose address is 1014 Sigsbee PL., NE, Washington, DC 20017, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mamie Ruth Reese who died on May 20, 2026 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 4/1/2027. 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 4/1/2027, 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: 10/1/2026 Valda Charlene Reese Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2025 ADM 001365

2026 ADM 000933

2026 ADM 000953

2026 ADM 000938

2026 ADM 001004

Shirley M. Phillips Decedent

Bernice Marie Lee Decedent

Robert Lee Stewart Decedent

Estate of Annie Pearl Bates

Darrel S. Parker 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #440 Washington DC 20015 Attorney

Evelene Ellis aka Evelyn Patrick Ellis Decedent

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

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Darrel S. Parker, whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #440, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shirley M. Phillips who died on January 16, 2025 without a Will and will serve with Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 4/1/2027. 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 4/1/2027, 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: 10/1/2026 Darrel S. Parker Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

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

Deirdre J. Payne, whose address is 8 Fordham Hill Oval, Apt. 16F, Bronx, NY 10468, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Evelene Ellis aka Evelyn Patrick Ellis who died on 9/29/2019 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment 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 4/1/2027. 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 4/1/2027, 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.

Derrick L. Tobias, whose address is 1340 Barnaby Terrace SE, Washington DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert Lee Stewart who died on March 30, 2021 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 4/1/2027. 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 4/1/2027, 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: 10/1/2026

Marcus Eugene Lee Personal Representative

Deirdre J. Payne Personal Representative

Derrick L. Tobias Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

Marcus Eugene Lee, whose address is 3332 Croffut Place, SE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bernice Marie Lee who died on 11/13/2020 with a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 4/1/2027. 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 4/1/2027, 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.

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF STANDARD PROBATE Notice is hereby given that a petition has been filed in this Court by Brian Bates for standard probate, including the appointment of one or more personal representatives. Unless a responsive pleading in the form of a complaint or an objection in accordance with Superior Court Probate Division Rule 407 is filed in this Court within 30 days from the date of first publication of this notice, the Court may take the action hereinafter set forth. In the absence of a will or proof satisfactory to the Court of due execution, enter an order determining that the decedent died intestate appoint an unsupervised personal representative Date of first publication: 9/24/2026 Brian Bates 5119 Shamrocks Delight Drive Bowie MD 20720 Petitioner/Attorney: TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Washington Informer

38 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM

LEGAL NOTICES

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

2026 ADM 000610

2026 ADM 000960

2026 ADM 000965

2026 ADM 000966

2026 ADM 000507

Louise Elizabeth Stewart aka Louise E. Stewart Decedent

Nadine Ruth Akers-Mitchell Decedent

Maurice Johnson Decedent

Angela Maria Cordoso de Vilhena Decedent

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

Edward M. Biggin 200A Monroe Street, Suite 110 Rockville, MD 20850 Attorney

Edward W. Brooks aka Edward Wendel Brooks Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Jeffrey Louis Stewart Sr., whose address is 1812 Billings Ave., Capitol Heights, MD 20743, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Louise Elizabeth Stewart aka Louise E. Stewart who died on 11/30/2025 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 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

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

Date of first publication: 10/8/2026

Carl Mitchell, whose address is 5706 7th Street, NW, Washington DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nadine Ruth Akers-Mitchell who died on December 1, 2025 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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.

Jeffrey Louis Stewart Sr. Personal Representative

Date of first publication: 10/8/2026 Carl Mitchell Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Marshay Dubose, whose address is 301 Tingey Street, SE, Apt., 420, Washington, DC 20003, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Maurice Johnson who died on 12/25/2025 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 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2026 Marshay Dubose Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Mark L. Brooks, whose address is 6506 Quentin CT, New Carrollton, MD 20784, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edward W. Brooks aka Edward Wendel Brooks who died on March 13, 2026 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 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2026 Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

Darrel S. Parker, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW #440 Washington, DC 20015 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Darrel S. Parker, Esq., whose address is 5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, #440, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Angela Maria Cordoso de Vilhena who died on May 22, 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 (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 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2027 Darrel S. Parker, 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 000986

2026 ADM 000964

2025 ADM 001028

2026 ADM 000996

2026 ADM 546

Bernard Levi aka Bernard Richard Levi Decedent

Charles Emory Johnson Decedent

Deborah W. Boyce Decedent

James Edward Williams Decedent

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

Julius P. Terrell 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400 Washington DC 20004 Attorney

Edith Ceaser aka Edith M. Ceaser Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Adrienne Linder, whose address is 4644 Minnesota Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Bernard Levi aka Bernard Richard Levi who died on July 30, 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 (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 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2026 Adrienne Linder Personal Representative

Nereka Wilson and Dearie Johnson, whose addresses are 1435 Montello Ave., NE Washington DC 20002 & 4502 Payne Dr., Fort Washington, MD 20744, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Charles Emory Johnson who died on June 11, 2024 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2026 Nereka Wilson Dearie Johnson Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Julius P. Terrell, whose address is 1455 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Deborah W. Boyce who died on 2/2/2024 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 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2026 Julius P. Terrell Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Alleyah Ceaser, whose address is 11278 Laurelwalk Dr. Laurel, MD 20708, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Edith Ceaser aka Edith M. Ceaser who died on June 9, 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 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2026 Alleyah Ceaser Personal Representative

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS J. Anthony Concino III, Esq., whose adadress is 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20015, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of James Edward Williams who died on 1/24/2026 without a Will. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment (or to the probate of decedent’s Will) shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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: 10/8/2026 J. Anthony Concino III, Esq. Personal Representative

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LEGAL NOTICES SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2025 ADM 000847 Shirlene Wood-Walker aka Shirlene Wood Walker Decedent Mahsa Alaeian Legal Counsel for the Elderly 601 E Street, NW Washington DC 20049 Attorney NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT, NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS David Walker, whose address is 2809 31st Place, NE, Washington DC 20018, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Shirlene Wood-Walker aka Shirlene Wood Walker who died on 2/12/2023 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision. All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 4/8/2027. 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 4/8/2027, 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.

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BLACK QUEENS from Page 1 D.C. and a personal commitment to protect the young Black girls that social tropes often aim to diminish. Ahead of the competition, which will host a total of 48 contestants in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Entzminger emphasized the power of forging platforms where culture and advocacy collide. Standing tall, in a glowing red dress at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the reigning beauty queen prompted a call to build a vision for America that’s stronger than its past. “I think that once you understand where real beauty is, you can take off this mask,” she told The Informer during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference. “The platform that I stand on is what I went through…I was always a part of that thought process: ‘As a model, you have to look a certain way,’ but now, to be liberated, natural hair. I love it! It took you all too long to get here, but we're here to stay, and we're not going anywhere.” Beauty queens from Ms. Senior DC to Miss Black USA are in agreement––this season of cultural aptitude is a historic nod to Black girl magic, but it’s far more than a moment, and it’s also nothing new. Before Miss America crowned its first natural hair winner on Sept. 6 (25-year-old Regan Hutsell of Texas), Karen Arrington heralded a similar call to Entzminger when she founded Miss Black USA in 1986, establishing a now 39-year tradition that empowers African American women with skills, scholarship, and foundation to serve in communities around the world. More than a pageant, what Arrington calls “an empowerment organization,” Miss Black USA birthed an alternative to the negative stereotypes and portrayals of Black women in mainstream media –– a concept that proved pivotal to the founder’s own upbringing attending mainstream pageants. “Imagine that impact of that one young woman that I saw as a middle schooler…now multiplied by 50,” she told The Informer, “when these young girls see [Black pageant contestants], they will be so inspired, and it will give them sort of the fuel, the fire they need to realize that they can also be whomever they want to be in their lives, and also have a sense of pride.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

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HENDERSON from Page 24 Consider Pierre Damas Bel, a 20-year-old Haitian college student with a promising future who lived in Springfield, Ohio. After losing his immigration protection, he was placed on an ICE ankle monitor. His family has described the profound psychological distress he experienced. Bel subsequently died after stopping his car and walking into traffic on a crowded Ohio highway. His family believes it was suicide. Authorities are investigating, and it would be irresponsible to claim that immigration policy alone caused his death. But his tragic story illustrates the human consequences of creating fear and uncertainty for people who have lived, studied and worked lawfully in this country and have no immediate expectation of returning home safely. There also is another compelling reason for Congress to act: Haitian TPS holders are caring for Americans. Approximately 21,000 Haitian TPS holders work as caregivers and nursing assistants, serving an estimated 77,000 patients nationwide. They care for seniors in nursing homes, assist people

MERCER from Page 24 and was able to feel joy and love again. Psychedelic medicines are not a cure-all. But veterans pursuing them are not looking for shortcuts. Many have spent years doing everything the medical system asked while continuing to search for relief. Our government is beginning to recognize the potential of new approaches.

CROWELL from Page 24 income of $60,760 remained lower than that of men at $72,380. In other words, for every dollar in 2025 earned by white, non-Hispanic men working full time, year-round, Black women were paid just 64 cents, Hispanic women 60 cents, white women 81 cents, and Asian women 99 cents, as analyzed by the Center for American Progress. The stark jump in childcare costs — even when regional variances are considered — illustrates how hard these gender and racial statistics hit families. Just as housing is defined as "affordable" when it costs no more than 30% of income, similarly, childcare costs are generally considered affordable when they cost no more than 7% of income. Last year, the $13,184 national average annual price of childcare cost 33 percent of single-parent households' income, according to Child Care Aware

with disabilities and provide home care that allows vulnerable Americans to remain in their communities. When experienced Haitian caregivers lose their legal ability to work, families must scramble to find replacements, nursing facilities face staffing shortages, and vulnerable people can lose caregivers they have trusted for years. At a time when America already faces a serious shortage of direct-care workers, deporting thousands of experienced Haitian caregivers is not merely inhumane, it's self-defeating and contrary to our nation's own health care needs. The mass deportation of Haitians also presents a troubling humanitarian double standard that Congress should confront. The Trump administration has made a special effort to admit White South African Afrikaners as refugees, citing racial persecution and violence — a dubious claim at best. At the same time, it is stripping protection from Haitians whose country is experiencing catastrophic violence, death and insecurity. The State Department currently rates South Africa for travel recom-

mendations at Level 2 — "Exercise Increased Caution." Haiti is at Level 4 — "Do Not Travel." Every person facing genuine persecution deserves humanitarian consideration and protection, but humanitarian standards should be applied consistently. If America can recognize humanitarian danger facing White South Africans, surely it can recognize the documented and extraordinary danger confronting Black Haitians. The disparity deserves congressional scrutiny — not because one group should receive less protection, but because humanitarian protection should not depend upon race or political convenience. Finally, the Haitian TPS question should not be reduced to a partisan argument. Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has criticized the administration's approach to Haitian immigrants and warned of the consequences of ending TPS. Democratic Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has likewise expressed opposition to returning Haitians to dangerous conditions. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

This year, President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate research and reduce barriers to psychedelic treatments for serious mental illness. VA is conducting clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and alcohol use disorder and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. In July, FDA finalized guidance for clinical trials involving psychedelic drugs. If these treatments receive FDA ap-

proval, the health care system must be ready to deliver them responsibly — through DEA action, clear safeguards and VA facilities prepared to provide care. Our country asks a great deal of those who serve. If evidence demonstrates that these treatments are safe and effective, veterans should not wait years longer because Washington failed to prepare for success. WI

of America's 2025 National Trends report published this May. Nor was this disproportionate cost of care limited to one year. This same report found that childcare costs rose: · 2% from 2021 to 2025. · In 47 states, two children (an infant and a 4-year-old) in a center are more expensive than median annual rent payments. · In 39 states, two children in a center are more expensive than median annual mortgage payments. · In 38 states, infant care is more expensive than in- state, public college tuition. "Families struggle to find and afford childcare, the childcare workforce is woefully underpaid, childcare programs operate on razor-thin margins, and businesses are suffering lost productivity and workforce turnover due to childcare issues," states the report. "Children, families, and communities

across America remain on an uneven playing field when it comes to state childcare and preschool funding." In June, Julie Margetta Morgan, president of The Century Foundation, testified at a hearing convened by the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Succinctly summarizing the affordability crisis, she challenged lawmakers to enact meaningful reforms for consumers and businesses alike: "Policymakers are focused on the cost of a gallon of gas today, but millions of Americans are still paying off last week's tank of gas, plus more than 20% interest on those fuel costs. … Given the role that financial institutions are playing in compounding families' affordability woes, there is plenty that this Committee, and banking regulators could be doing to dramatically reduce families' financial burdens." WI

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they were unable to provide their best-known treatment because of the U.S. blockade of goods, equipment and medication. They often struggle to get to where their patients need them because of the unavailability of fuel to travel where needed. One member of our team became ill in Cuba. They gave him the best treatment they could without charge — while here in the U.S., we have a doctor suing his patients who have no money to pay after his fellow Repub-

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That is what makes this strategy so important to understand. We frequently talk about the difficulty of saving a down payment without asking whether a family may already possess an asset capable of helping overcome that barrier. A son or daughter could spend another five or 10 years attempting to save enough money to purchase a home while a parent or grandparent is sitting on substantial equity accumulated over several decades. The family has wealth; it simply may not be liquid. A gift of equity can create a bridge between those two realities. The previous generation may have spent 30 years building equity so that the next generation does not have to begin at zero. That is one of the deeper meanings of generational wealth. It is not simply about leaving something behind after we die. It is about understanding whether the assets one generation has built can improve the economic starting position of the generation that follows. For Black families, that distinction is especially important. We have spent generations fighting for access to property and the opportunity to own it. As more Black families acquire homes and build equity, the conversation must eventually expand beyond the question of how we create more first-generation homeowners. We must also ask how the ownership already achieved by one generation can

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licans deleted, out of spite, the health benefits President Barack Obama worked to give them. We met people who are suffering from the inability to get vitamins for headaches, eye drops, etc., because of the U.S. blockade. Yet the Cubans showed us no hatred. They just struggle for peace from threats of destruction from the U.S. government, for an opportunity to feed their families, have gasoline to travel to work, and for their children to go to school and have lights to study when it's dark. We take these things for granted, but

our government shows no regard for others needing the same things. As an American, I'm hurt and embarrassed about what the U.S. is doing to Cuba — a country that has done nothing to us. I pray that our people will stand up and do everything possible to allow Cuba to live free without U.S. interference. President Obama respectfully visited Cuba and began an effort to resolve differences now shut down by current U.S. leaders. Thank you to Congressman Jonathan Jackson, who is a major leader to free Cuba from U.S. cruelty. WI

help create ownership in the next. This requires us to think differently about inheritance. We often imagine inheritance as an event that occurs at the end of someone's life, when assets pass through a will, trust or estate. But property gives families another possibility. Under the right circumstances, real estate can be used to transfer economic opportunities while parents and grandparents are still alive to participate in the process and see what the asset they spent decades building can do for the next generation. A parent may not have $100,000 sitting in a savings account, but that does not mean the parent has nothing substantial to give. The family home may be the largest asset that person owns, and this points to a distinction that is essential to any serious conversation about wealth: income is what we earn; wealth is what we own. A family can have relatively modest income and still possess meaningful wealth because a home purchased decades earlier has appreciated while its mortgage has steadily been paid down. This matters for Black America because the racial wealth gap cannot be understood solely as a question of wages and income. It is also a question of ownership, assets and whether those assets successfully move from one generation to another. Return to the mother with the $300,000 home. She could sell the property on the open market, receive the proceeds and allow the house to

leave the family. There is nothing inherently wrong with that decision. She earned that equity, and her own financial security must matter. But suppose her circumstances allow another choice. She sells the property to her daughter for $240,000 and provides $60,000 through a gift of equity. Her daughter may now be able to purchase a home she otherwise could not have acquired because she lacked sufficient cash. More importantly, she does not necessarily begin her ownership journey at zero. She enters it with equity. If she manages the property responsibly, makes the mortgage payments, maintains the home and allows time and amortization to work, the economic value accumulated by one generation has the potential to continue growing in another. The mother has therefore transferred more than a house — she has transferred a financial head start. That is when property becomes more than shelter — it becomes capital. None of this means that a gift of equity eliminates financial responsibility or the normal requirements of obtaining a mortgage. The buyer still has to qualify. A lender will evaluate credit, income, debt and the ability to repay the loan. The property generally must be appraised, title requirements must be satisfied and the transaction must comply with the rules of the mortgage program. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

facing the American people, including the skyrocketing cost of living, dangerous cuts to programs like Medicare and SNAP, and investigations into the administration's endless cycle of corruption. The American people deserve to know the truth about what is going on in this country. Instead, the White

House is setting the stage for mass indoctrination through its own media outlets controlled by a president and Cabinet that have as much respect for the truth as they do the mainstream media. We are standing in solidarity with these outlets as they go to court and fight this injustice. WI

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SPLASH EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

Residential customers enrolled in a payment plan may qualify for a 50% credit on eligible payments made toward past-due balances. This is a great opportunity to reduce what you owe while staying on track. Visit dcwater.com/paymenthelp to learn more.

For customers facing short-term financial hardship, SPLASH offers one-time emergency assistance of up to $350 to help cover past-due water bills. Eligibility is based on household income, as defined in the 2025 federal guidelines.

CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (CAP)

To apply, customers should visit dcwater.com/ cap or contact the Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL) at 202-265-8200 during business hours.

Enrollment is now open for our CAP programs, which offer monthly discounts and bill support for income-eligible households. If you or someone you know could benefit, now is the perfect time to apply. Visit dcwater.com/cares to learn more.

Every situation is different—these programs are here when you need them most.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR WATER BILL?

Explore your options by visiting dcwater.com/cares 44 OCTOBER 8 - 14, 2026

THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM