VOL. 52, NO. 22 • MARCH 16 - 22, 2017
The Washington Informer Celebrates Women's History Month
D.C. Teacher Awards Page 5
Tuskegee University Choir Performs ‘Sing-Sationally’ Area Alums Lead the Way Supporting By D. Kevin McNeir WI Editor The internationally-acclaimed Tuskegee Choir, formed in 1886 by Booker T. Washington after realizing that his Alabama-based college, Tuskegee Institute, needed a group of singers who could lead vesper services and sing at special campus events, has made tremendous strides in its over 100-year history, captivating audiences at legendary venues including Radio City Music Hall, the Lincoln Center, the White House and even in Brussels during the World’s Fair. While on their spring break, The Tuskegee University Golden Voices Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Wayne A. Barr, made a stop
in the District as part of their annual concert tour on Saturday, March 11 at THEARC in Southeast – continuing a rich choral tradition. With an audience of just under 100 listening intently and confirming their appreciation with frequent applause, the Choir’s repertoire included sacred and secular anthems, hymns, spirituals and gospel selections, all performed with the highest quality and featuring soloists whose youth belied their vocal skills and commitment to their craft. One Tuskegee graduate currently leading a District-based group of fellow alums proudly presented Barr with a check for $1,000 – funds donated to support the choir.
CHORUS Page 28
5 The Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir performed various soul stirring spirituals during a 2017 Spring Concert Tour held on Saturday, March 11, in the theater of the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Center in Southeast. /Photo by Mark Mahoney
5 The DC Public Schools was the one, if not only, school system on the east coast open during snow storm Stella which brought far less snow than expected to the DC area. Schools in New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Richmond were all closed Tuesday. /Photo by Roy Lewis
District Revises Plan; Remembering the Hanafi Siege of 1977 ESSA Deadline Nears
D.C. Native Maurice Williams Killed Reporting the News
Joins 17 States as Future of Public Education Hangs in the Balance
By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer
By Dorothy Rowley WI Staff Writer
It was as stunning as anything that had previously happened in the nation’s capital or any government building around the country. Most remember it as one of the first acts of domestic terrorism when 40 years ago, armed terrorists stormed three District buildings taking about 150 hostages. Then-D.C. Councilman Marion Barry narrowly avoided life-threatening injuries after being struck by a stray bullet landing just inches above his heart. However, a different fate awaited one young, WHUR reporter, Maurice Williams, 24, who would tragically lose his life.
As deadlines approach for states to present the U.S. Department of Education [DOE] with final draft accountability plans for implementation of the “Every Student Succeeds Act,” the DC State Board of Education [SBOE] recently revisited the District’s plan, coming up with nearly a dozen recommendations for improving the proposal. The recommendations, which impact both traditional public and charter school students, were provided on March 10 to the Office of the State Superintendent for Education [OSSE]. “[DC’s plan for implementation of ESSA] will set long-term goals and strategies for citywide academic suc-
HANAFI SEIGE Page 11
ESSA Page 32
Celebrating 52 Years of Service / Serving More Than 50,000 African American Readers Throughout The Metropolitan Area