Issuu

Reopening of Ben’s Chili Bowl Honors

’D.C.’s Mom’ Virginia Ali

Celebration Highlights Restaurant as District Staple, Furthers the Ali Legacy

By Micha Green and Demarco Rush WI Managing Editor and WI Contributing Writer

After six years of planning and undergoing renovations since July 2025, community members, public officials and longtime supporters gathered to celebrate the reopening of Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street NW on Friday, May 1, a moment that represented more than the return of a historic restaurant.

A little more than a week ahead of Mother’s Day, the reopening served as a gift to the enduring commitment and legacy of Virginia Ali, the

Change: Beyond Lewis George and McDuffie: The Other Mayoral Candidates Aims for the Throne

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr.

From the onset, Councilmember Janeese Lewis George (D-Ward 4) and her former D.C. Council colleague Kenyan McDuffie have emerged as frontrunners in what is the Dis-

trict’s most consequential mayoral race in decades.

As these two candidates fight for the top spot, other candidates, like former D.C. Councilmember Vincent Orange, continue to make their case to voters. If elected, Orange pledges to reverse much of what he calls the damage done by Lewis George and McDuffie on the

CANDIDATES Page 44

3 (L-R) Vincent Orange, Rini Sampath, Gary Goodweather, and Yaida Ford are other contenders in a race where Kenyan McDuffie and D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George have emerged as frontrunners. (Illustration by WI Photography)

Cyber Threats Are Growing—But So Are Ways to Stop Them

With Tech 101, D.C.’s OCTO Puts Digital Safety in the Hands of Consumers

By Jada Ingleton WI Content Editor

With a rapidly evolving digital world and heightened dependence on the internet, technology advocates note that most Americans ought to be prioritizing cybersecurity.

Amid concerns of personal data breaches, phishing scams and extortion, plus the likes of artificial intelligence (AI), studies show the nationwide surge in cybercrime is neither beyond the average consumer nor unavoidable with the right precautions.

Here in the nation’s capital, Chief Technology Officer Stephen N. Miller says there’s no better time to take the

Mother’s Day, the Thomas Family Honors a Giant

By Sam Plo Kwia Collins, Jr. WI Senior Writer

Family members recently said their final good-byes to Romaine B. Thomas, a Ward 5 matriarch who, for more than half a century, educated young people, stood up for the elderly, and preserved history amid gentrification, all while being a wife and mother to local political leaders.

As Mother’s Day fast approaches, Thomas’ only son, former Ward 5 D.C. Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., is taking solace in the more than 60 years he spent with his late mother.

“None of that is always guaranteed to any of us,”

5 Virginia Ali (center), co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl, walks with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (right) and Maryland First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore (back) through the doors of the newly renovated Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street NW on Friday, May 1. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

BEN'S CHILI BOWL Page 9

WI Senior Writer

5Family and community members are remembering Ward 5 matriarch and longtime District educator Romaine B. Thomas. (Courtesy Photo)

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‘I Don’t Want to Die Without Knowing Love’ — Jackson’s Phone Call Resurfaces as ‘Michael’ Breaks Box Office Records

The box office says one thing, Michael Jackson was beloved globally. A resurfaced private call from Jackson at 34 years old that’s trending on social media is saying something else– the artist wanted to truly know love.

As “Michael” keeps pulling in massive numbers worldwide — more than $217 million globally, including a $97 million U.S. debut — fans aren’t just watching. They’re showing up in fedoras, sequined jackets, and single gloves, singing, dancing, and shouting at the screen. In cities across the country and overseas, theaters have turned into something closer to live shows than movie screenings.

The film has already set records, including the biggest opening weekend ever for a musical biopic worldwide and the biggest domestic debut for any biopic period. Audiences have pushed the film’s approval into the high 90% range, even as critics remain split. By Tuesday, it was still piling on, adding $11.1 million in a single day — one of the strongest April weekday totals on record.

That’s the movie.

This now viral call across the Internet is the man. In the recording, Jackson is talking to an unidentified woman. He’s 34. He’s already arguably the most famous person on the planet. And he keeps coming back to one thing.

“I just want to be with you, you know, one-to-one, without the whole gang being around,” Jackson says. “I just, it’s important for me to be with you. I don’t care. And I really want to be with you.”

The unidentified woman on the other end of the call asks: “So, what are you going to do?”

Jackson makes it plain. “Well, I’m going to, I’m going to be with you,” he says.

Then he lays it out.

“Tell me before you make love,” Jackson says. “Because I don’t love those people. I want to be with them. I want

Federal Officials Warn Banks on AI Threat as Cybersecurity Risks Grows

Federal officials are sounding the alarm to the nation’s largest banks over a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) that could accelerate cyberattacks, as reports out of Washington show the threat is already growing more sophisticated and harder to stop.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell met with major bank CEOs to warn that advanced AI tools could expose weaknesses in financial systems and speed up attacks that once took weeks or months to carry out.

The meeting occurred after a new cybersecurity report found that attackers are now using AI to “reduce

the cost, time, and expertise” needed to launch phishing schemes, create malware, conduct reconnaissance, and test system vulnerabilities, allowing even less experienced hackers to carry out complex operations.

The report notes that advanced language models now enable novice actors to produce highly credible phishing messages, while more sophisticated groups have automated their operations through APIs, fake support systems, and tools that blend into legitimate business environments, making attacks harder to detect.

That same report shows why officials in Washington

Defenders Cruised Past Renegades 24-6, Winning Sixth Straight Game of the Season

The DC Defenders cruised to their sixth straight win of the season, defeating the Dallas Renegades on Saturday, May 2 at Audi Field. The Defenders dominated with a powerful first-half performance and relentless defensive pressure.

“We trusted our system, trusted [Offensive Coordinator Fred Kaiss] call, and our offensive line, our running backs, and our receivers, we’re all on the same page,” said quarterback Jordan Ta’amu. “We communicated well and just went out there. We wanted to start fast and finish faster, and that’s what we did.”

Quarterback Jordan Ta’amu threw three first-half touchdown passes, finding wide receivers Erik Ezukanma, Cornell Powell, and tight end Mason Fairchild to build a 21-0 lead. They later extended the lead 24-0 with a 56-yard field goal from kicker Matt McCrane.

The Defenders’ defense controlled the pace of the game, forcing key stops, including a red-zone interception by cornerback Deandre Baker, while repeatedly shutting down Dallas’ drives. A successful fake punt kept the momentum on DC’s side, and penalties by the Renegades helped seal the outcome of what became yet another Defenders’ victory.

“The [Dallas] Renegades have such an explosive offense, and for our guys to do what they did from a defensive standpoint, to hold them to

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

MICHAEL Page 31

5 Defenders wide receiver Cornell Powell catching a pass from quarterback Jordan Ta’amu one-handed in the team’s 24-6 win over the Dallas Renegades at Audi Field on Saturday, May 2. (Marcus Relacion/The Washington Informer)

AROUND THE REGION

D.C. Moves to Crack Down on Domestic Violence as New Law Targets Repeat Abusers and Deadly Gaps

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Jade remembered how it started with compliments and attention, before quickly turning into control, and then violence.

“He became controlling about what I ate, what I bought, and where we would go,” Jade recalled for a testimony for Safe + Equal, describing how the domestic abuse she experienced escalated into beatings that left her isolated and afraid. “I felt really trapped and isolated and became really depressed.”

Her experience, marked by control, isolation, and physical abuse, mirrors patterns city officials say are playing out across the District and driving urgent action from law enforcement and policymakers.

Standing alongside advocates and public safety officials during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 19-25), D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced the Protecting Victims Act of 2026, a sweeping proposal aimed at strengthening protections for survivors and increasing penalties for repeat offenders.

“When we talk about making sure every D.C. resident feels safe, it has to include making sure people are safe in their own homes,” Bowser said.

Officials say the legislation comes as domestic violence continues to fuel some of the city’s most dangerous crimes, even as overall violent crime trends downward.

Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said domestic-related incidents are behind a 36% increase in assaults involving dangerous weapons. He added that 25% of homicides in the District this year involve a domestic relationship between the victim and the offender.

“Sadly, the need for this legislation has become even more apparent this year,” Carroll said.

Officials noted that recent cases illustrate the urgency for new legislation. In one incident, a repeat domestic offender fatally shot the mother of his child before taking his own life. In another, a man shot his former girlfriend and another indi-

alone will not solve the crisis.

In a statement, the D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence said it is encouraged by the attention to the issue but raised concerns about funding.

vidual before also killing himself.

At the center of the proposed law is an effort to close gaps that officials say allow repeat offenders to continue harming victims.

The bill would strengthen enforcement of protection orders, expand pretrial detention for individuals accused of domestic violence, and increase penalties for repeat violations. It would also create new criminal charges for violence committed in the presence of a child and allow courts greater authority to hold offenders with prior histories.

Pirro said current laws do not go far enough to address the severity of domestic violence cases.

“Right now, my office has filed 90 felony strangulation cases, and we are on par to file 360 before the end of the year,” she said.

She warned that strangulation cases are among the most dangerous indicators of future violence.

“When someone strangles an intimate partner, they’re 800% more likely to kill that person in the future,” Pirro said.

The legislation would also make repeated violations of protection orders a felony offense and introduce mandatory consequences for offenders who continue to target the same victim.

Pirro pointed to another gap she said requires immediate action.

The proposal also includes provisions to modernize existing laws, including changes to kidnapping statutes and the creation of felony unlawful entry charges tied to domestic violence incidents. It also seeks to strengthen privacy protections for victims by limiting the release of identifying information.

“I am stunned to come here from New York and find out that if you assault a child or assault a spouse or a partner in front of a child, there is no separate crime,” she said. “We’ve got to make that a crime.”

Support, Resources, and Protecting Victims

Advocates who work directly with survivors say the changes are necessary but warn that legislation

The organization pointed to a proposed $6.3 million reduction in victim services funding, arguing that survivors need more support to safely leave abusive situations and rebuild their lives.

For survivors, those resources can be the difference between remaining in danger and finding a path forward.

Rebecca described how her partner isolated her from family and friends and threatened her with weapons. Even after the relationship ended, she said, the abuse continued through stalking. Finding support helped her begin to rebuild her life.

“To be within a supportive group of women who just get it – it changed my life,” she said.

Sharyn, who entered a relationship that became violent, said her partner used control to limit her independence and education. After leaving, she was able to complete her studies and now works to help others recognize warning signs of abuse.

Jade said it was support from co-

workers and a friend that helped her leave a relationship that had become increasingly dangerous.

“I congratulated myself for surviving the terrible experience I had endured,” she said. City officials say such experiences are central to crafting the legislation. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 The Protecting Victims Act of 2026 is a sweeping proposal aimed at strengthening protections for survivors and increasing penalties for repeat offenders, announced by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. (WI File Photo/ Robert R. Roberts)

AROUND THE REGION

MAY 7 - 13, 2026

May 7

1878 – Inventor Joseph Winters receives a patent for a wagon-mounted fire escape ladder.

1943 – The SS George Washington Carver launches at the Richmond Shipyard No. 1 in California.

May 8

1911 – Legendary blues guitarist and singer-songwriter Robert Johnson is born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi.

1915 – Henry McNeal Turner, the first Black chaplain in the United States Colored Troops, dies in Windsor, Ontario, at 81.

May 9

1800 – Abolitionist John Brown, who led the slave revolt at Harper's Ferry in 1859, is born in Torrington, Connecticut.

1899 – Inventor John Albert Burr patents one of the first rotary-blade lawn mowers.

2010 – Famed singer, dancer, actress and civil rights activist Lena Horne dies in New York City of congestive heart failure at 92.

May 10

1837 – P.B.S. Pinchback, the first African American to become governor of a U.S. state, is born in Macon, Georgia.

1950 – Baseball great Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be featured on the cover of Life magazine.

1994 – Nelson Mandela is inaugurated as South Africa's first Black president.

May 11

1895 – William Still, "the Dean" of African American composers and the first to conduct a major American symphony orchestra, is born in Woodville,

Mississippi.

1933 – Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, is born in New York City.

May 12

1955 – Chicago Cubs pitcher Sam "Toothpick" Jones no-hits the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 at Wrigley Field, becoming the first African American in Major League Baseball history to pitch a no-hitter.

May 13

1888 – The South American nation of Brazil formally abolishes slavery.

1914 – Boxing great Joe Louis, "The Brown Bomber," is born in La Fayette, Alabama.

1950 – Music legend Stevie Wonder is born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan.

1985 – A police helicopter drops a bomb on a Philadelphia row house occupied by MOVE, a Black liberation group founded by John Africa, during a standoff. The explosion killed 11 MOVE members and destroyed 65 neighborhood houses. WI

Joe Louis

Jackie Robinson (left) Nelson Mandela (center) Louis Farrakhan (right)

AROUND THE REGION view P INT

BY KEITH GOLDEN JR.

What is some advice you’ve received that has remained with you and served as a source of guidance ever since?

GREGORY GRANETT-CAUTHEN / CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MARYLAND

“That no one man is a mountain unto themselves, and for every time you feel like you’ve reached the summit, to one of them, there’s always one in the distance to climb. So always try to learn and stay curious.”

CRIS ANDERSON / NORTHEAST, D.C.

“Enjoy each day.”

DR. MARVIN PERRY / NORTHWEST, D.C.

“Always put other people first, believe in God, believe in yourself and always help your family when they are in crisis and in need.”

JAYY JONES (R), GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA AND CORVAN HILL, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI /

“You get a million chances to do something wrong, you only get one chance to do it right.”

“You might as well make your choice because they are going to talk about it anyways.”

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

AROUND THE REGION

Lawsuit Claims Tenants Misled as Apartment Company Charged Illegal Fees in D.C.

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb has filed a lawsuit against Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. and related entities, alleging the company charged illegal fees and misled tenants about the true cost of renting apartments in D.C.

The complaint, filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, names Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc., Mid-America Apartments, L.P., and Post 1499 Massachusetts, LLC, which own and manage a 269-unit building at 1499 Massachusetts Avenue NW.

“The rent you see advertised should be the rent you pay,” Schwalb said. “MAA has been nickel-and-diming D.C. tenants with illegal hidden fees and concealing the true price of leasing their apartments.”

According to the 17-page complaint, the District alleges the company imposed multiple unlawful charges on tenants, including a $385 “processing fee” collected before lease signing, even though District law permits only an application fee at that stage. The lawsuit also states that tenants were charged a $350 “roommate release fee,” despite a legal cap of $54 for such charges.

The filing states that the com-

5 The District is suing Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. and related entities, alleging the company charged illegal fees and misled tenants about true costs of apartments, says D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb. (WI FIle Photo/Roy Lewis)

pany also collected a mandatory $18 monthly “community fee” to cover costs such as maintenance, insurance, and property taxes. District law requires landlords to provide those services as part of rent and bars charging separate fees for them.

The complaint further alleges that tenants were charged a monthly utility administration fee that was not disclosed before lease agreements were signed.

In addition to the fees, the District alleges the company advertised apartments using “starting at” prices that did not include mandatory monthly charges. The lawsuit states that prospective tenants could not rent units at the advertised base prices because required fees increased the total monthly cost.

The complaint includes examples showing that listings on rental websites displayed base rents without

“D.C. housing is already too expensive,” the attorney general said, “and my office is putting an end to practices that prey on tenants and those looking for clear, reliable information when searching for a place to live.”

detailing required charges, leaving prospective tenants without a full understanding of the actual cost.

The District also alleges the company failed to clearly disclose additional fees tied to specific events, including early lease termination, unit transfers, and penalties for failing to maintain renters’ insurance. Those charges were not prominently listed on fee disclosure pages and, in some cases, were only available in documents less likely to be reviewed by prospective tenants before applying.

The lawsuit argues that these practices violate the Consumer Protection Procedures Act and the District’s rental housing laws, which require transparency and limit what landlords can charge tenants.

District officials are seeking a court order to stop the company from continuing the alleged practices, along with restitution for affected tenants, civil penalties, and recovery of legal costs.

Schwalb said landlords in the District are required to be transparent about what tenants will pay. He said his office will hold accountable those whose practices hide the true cost of housing from District residents.

restaurant’s co-founder, known as “Mom” to many across the District.

“This is all for Mom,” Sage Ali, the founders’ oldest son and restaurant’s co-owner, told The Informer ahead of the reopening.

“For her to be alive at 92 and see us bring [Ben’s] back and restore it to its original glory is going to be very special.”

Hundreds filled U Street NW for a celebration that was hosted by DJ QuickSilva, included a performance from Sirius Company, speeches from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and special appearances from influential figures such as filmmaker Spike Lee, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), Maryland First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore, and Cora Masters Barry, former first lady of the District.

“It’s [an] honor today to [celebrate] my teacher and our inspiration [Virginia Ali],” said Bowser, who also declared May 1 ‘Ben’s Chili Bowl Day’ in the District. “So let us remember that this woman, in her 92-year-old body, in her beautiful petite frame, she can tell you stories about giants meeting in her chili bowl. She can tell you about reaching out to people that some of us would pass by on the street and discount and say they were worthless or didn't meet worth our time, but they came to the Chili Bowl, they helped keep the Chili Bowl open when times were tough.”

For more than six decades, the restaurant’s co-founder has poured into a business she started with her husband– the establishment’s namesake– on Aug. 22, 1958, as a way to give back to the community.

“Some people won’t know that when they saw Ms Virginia Ali greeting her guests, she was also staying till the end of the night to count her money.” the mayor continued. “I would say, ‘Miss Ali, why don't you go home?’ [And she’d say] ‘No, no, no. I’m going to close out.’”

Getting to the May 1 reopening was a labor of love, sacrifice and endurance, something the Ali family says their mom knows all about.

Ensuring the restaurant felt like home to each person who walks

in has always been the matriarch’s priority, even as she navigated life as a mother, wife, and business owner throughout the Civil Rights Movement, riots of 1968 post the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., recessions and more. Despite challenges, she always has worked to make a way, all the while helping others.

“When I say she would do anything for her kids, she would do anything. But the thing is, it’s not only us she sees as kids,” Vida Ali, the co-founder’s daughter-in-law and Ben’s public relations director, told The Informer. “Everyone of you, she calls a son and a daughter.”

Before walking into the new space arm-in-arm with the D.C. mayor, the nonagenarian said she could not have reached this milestone without help from people across the District such as Bowser, Norton and loyal customers.

“The only way I could have been here [at Bens] for 67 years is because of the support of my community and my wonderful city,” Virginia Ali said. “The good Lord gave me the wonderful gift of caring and loving people. And that's been so easy for me to do. I'm 92 years old now and I love coming to my Chili Bowl every day, and greeting my guests.”

Reopening a D.C. Staple

In celebrating the reopening, Mayor Bowser emphasized the critical role Ben’s Chili Bowl plays in the District.

“I’ve been all over the world, all over the United States, and [the three things] people ask me about Washington, D.C. is Marion Barry, Howard University… [and the

other] is Ben’s Chili Bowl,” she said.

With the first day of May kicking off Small Business Month, the mayor also highlighted Ben’s as an example of the benefits local establishments can bring to the community overall.

“Let us be grateful for good neighbors, good friends, and good businesses. Business is not our enemy. Business helps us deliver good food, good jobs, and make corridors like U Street what they were and what they will be,” Bowser continued. “Thank you, Mrs. Ali.”

While Ben’s has been beloved for decades, the Ali family said the space was in dire need of repair.

“This was really about taking care of our guests because the building is old, everything was old, and that was fine until things started to fall apart,” Sage Ali explained. “It rained, we had leaks happening, we had to put buckets out. We had the electricity [issues]... The HVAC wasn’t working right, so we really wanted to take care of everyone by getting things done.”

The decision to temporarily close after 67 years was not easy, brothers Sage and Kamal Ben Ali explained. However, after making the necessary repairs, they’re most happy their mother can see the new and improved location.

“To finally have that infrastructure done— that plumbing, that electric— and to have my mom here at 92 years old to know that this Chili Bowl [will] go on for another 50, 60 years is just a great blessing,” Kamal Ben Ali told The Informer at the May 1 event.

While the reopening was a full

5 The crowd listens to different speakers outside of the newly-renovated Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street NW on Friday, May 1. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

BEN'S CHILI BOWL from Page 1

BEN'S CHILI BOWL Page 11

AROUND THE REGION

CAPTURE THE MOMENt

candidates

Jack Morton Auditorium. Presented in partnership with The Washington Informer, DC Democratic Party, Washington Association of Black Journalists, Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce, and Greater Washington Urban League, the event covered crucial city issues, including statehood, economic development, and local governance. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)

Who’s Reading the Informer

Frederick Fair, president and CEO of The Fair Group catching up on the news in The Washington Informer. (Brenda C. Siler/The Washington Informer)

her children at

— Zora Neale Hurston

Mayoral

Gary Goodweather, Rini Sampath, Charles Wilson, Kenyan McDuffie, Janeese Lewis George, and Vincent Orange at the DCision 2026: Delegate and Mayoral Debate on May 2 at George Washington University's

circle moment for the Ali family, it was truly a community celebration, with representatives from local teams coming to cheer on the business and its big day.

“I could not be happier than to be with the Chili Bowl to celebrate the reopening,” said Mark Clouse, president of the Washington Commanders.

Janine Brunson-Johnson, senior director of events and entertainment for D.C. United, called the restaurant a cornerstone of the community.

“To see it be reopened, all is right with the world now,” she told The Informer. “I don’t think that you can quantify the impact that Ben’s has had on D.C. as a whole, I mean it’s so historic.”

For the Alis, the reopening is both a milestone and a promise for the future.

“The family will ever be grateful for the love and support we have received and Mom has received now for 67 years,” the oldest of the Ali brothers.

Love and Lessons,

Furthering the Legacy

At 92 years old, the Ben’s Chili Bowl co-founder has learned a lot, met countless people– including U.S. presidents— and has loads of wisdom and stories to share.

While her family has continued managing day-to-day operations, she still enjoys going to the restaurant she started nearly seven decades ago.

“I love [talking to customers]

very much,” the family matriarch said on May 1. “I want to tell my story, and I want to hear your story, because everybody has a story.”

Her appreciation for getting to know others roots from a lesson the rural Virginia native learned when she was a young girl.

“The one thing my parents taught [me] was to treat everybody the way you want to be treated and you will never have a problem,”

Virginia Ali said. “It’s all about just a little bit of kindness.”

That philosophy, her family says, is what transformed a restaurant into a success.

“When you have an amazing mom, you see the world differently. You don’t see limits,” Vida Ali told The Informer, “you only see possibilities.”

Hoping to continue the family business and uphold its legacy, Sage Ali, said he and generations to come have one primary duty.

“Our job is to not mess anything up [and] to keep this not only alive, but thriving,” he said. “We're not looking for [just] a successful business, that’s fine, that’s gravy [but] we’re looking for the warmth and the values that we have always exemplified.”

The co-owner and eldest son pointed to the reopening crowd as proof that those principles still resonate.

“You see the love, you see the unity, and you realize that these small community gatherings are not so small,” he told The Informer. “They are meaningful.”

AROUND THE REGION

5 The line to get inside the newly-renovated Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street NW on Friday, May 1. (Demarco Rush/The Washington Informer)

BEN'S CHILI BOWL from

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY

Prince George’s Political Updates

By Richard Elliott WI Contributing Reporter

Gov. Moore Launches

Re-Election Campaign

Gov. Wes Moore (D) and Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) have officially kicked off their re-election campaign, beginning with a May 3 launch at the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad Museum and concluding with a rally at the Prince George’s Community College’s (PGCC) Performing Arts Center.

Moore’s message centered on significantly reducing the violent crime rate in the Baltimore region, raising the minimum wage, and bringing new businesses to Maryland. He

also maintained his opposition to the Trump administration’s efforts to downsize the federal government.

“I will work with anybody, but I will bow to nobody,” Moore said in an interview with WUSA9 following a campaign event. “I will not bend the knee, and that is something the president has an issue with. But I think he’s very quickly learning that I’m a Marylander and I’m built different.”

The state’s first Black governor, who has raised more than $12 million over the past three years, is a heavy favorite in both the Democratic primary and the general election.

Miller, a veteran legislator who served for nearly a decade in the general assembly, is the first Asian American and second woman to serve as lieu-

tenant governor. She has been visible and accessible across the state and a strong fundraiser for their joint campaign.

“I am thrilled to travel to Baltimore and Prince George’s County with Gov. Wes Moore to kick off our reelection campaign with so many of our dedicated supporters,” said Miller. “What we’ve seen coming out of Washington shows us it’s more important than ever that we continue the work to make

From Workforce to Ownership

Workforce development remains a cornerstone of economic growth in Prince George’s County. As we continue to prepare residents for meaningful careers, there is also an opportunity to expand the conversation toward long-term pathways like business ownership. With many small business owners approaching retirement, transitions in ownership are becoming more common. Supporting employees and professionals who are interested in stepping into ownership roles can help maintain business continuity, preserve jobs, and strengthen our local economy.

At the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce, we are focused on connecting workforce initiatives with access to resources, training, and networks that support both career advancement and entrepreneurial growth.

A strong workforce builds strong businesses and, over time, can help sustain them through ownership.

Sincerely,

Alexander K. Austin President & CEO Prince George's Chamber of Commerce

our public schools the best in America, to end childhood poverty once and for all, and to make sure more Marylanders can afford to live here, buy a home, create wealth for their families, and live a secure middle-class life. I hope you’ll join us to keep delivering on that mission all across Maryland.”

Dan Cox, a conservative who promoted the Jan. 6 rallies near the Capitol and openly advocated against safeguards during the COVID-19 pandemic, was the Republican gubernatorial nominee in 2022. He is seeking the office again and his campaign reported spending more than $1.5 million during the current gubernatorial campaign.

Moore received more than twice as many votes as Cox during the 2022 general election.

Prince George’s County Democratic Central Committee Chair Sylvia Johnson attended Moore’s PGCC launch and plans to adamantly support his re-election.

“This is not just a re-election campaign—it’s a reaffirmation of a vision. A vision where leadership delivers, opportunity expands, and no community in Maryland is left behind,” Johnson told The Informer. “We didn’t come this far to turn back. We’re here to build on progress, protect what we’ve achieved, and ensure that every Marylander has a stake in what comes next.”

Prince George’s County Council Passes Annual Tax on Tobacco Shops, Gas Stations

The Prince George’s Council passed

a bill 9-2 to add a new $5,000 annual tax on certain businesses including tobacco shops, gas stations, self-storage spaces, and gun stores to help fund new child care and scholarship programs for county residents.

County Council Chair Krystal Oriadha (D- District 9) is seeking to bring fine dining and other upscale businesses to Prince George’s while limiting the expansion of what she called “harmful” businesses.

“People are opening up things that do not help our community. They’re opening up things that are harmful to our community, either from a health perspective or economic development perspective. We want to be open to business, for the right types of business,” she said. “I’m unapologetic about saying I don’t want to be open to business for 20 more 24-hour tobacco stores and more things that don’t benefit the residents of Prince George’s County.”

Councilmembers Jolene Ivey (DAt Large) and Sydney Harrison (DDistrict 9) both voted against the tax package, citing serious concerns.

“This fee is considered unconstitutional, punitive, and discriminatory, and it violates state law given that Maryland operates under a home rule system, which restricts the creation of new taxing authorities,” Harrison told WTOP. “State approval is required for such initiatives. As we do not function as a municipal government, we cannot unilaterally establish new revenue streams to fund programs without obtaining the necessary state authorization.” WI

5 Gov. Wes Moore congratulates Sen. Charles Sydnor III on the passage and signing of the Maryland Voting Rights Act.

(Courtesy Photo/Sen. Charles Sydnor III)

Maryland Delegation Secures $39.7 Million to Expand Port of Baltimore Capacity and Jobs

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

Federal officials and Maryland’s congressional delegation announced nearly $39.7 million in funding to expand freight capacity at Tradepoint Atlantic, a move tied to efforts to increase cargo flow and job creation at the Port of Baltimore.

The funding, awarded through the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program, will support development of the Sparrows Point Container Terminal. Lawmakers said the project is expected to expand container cargo capacity in Baltimore by roughly 70% while generating an estimated 1,100 International Longshoremen Association jobs and supporting another 7,000 positions tied to port activity.

“The new Tradepoint Atlantic Terminal being constructed at Sparrows Point represents a tremendous opportunity for the people of my district and the State of Maryland as a whole,” said U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (DMd.). “The new well-paying jobs for the people of Dundalk and

Turner Station, and the additional marine traffic in the Port of Baltimore will be an economic boon for our State and will cement our Port as one of the nation's busiest and most prominent commercial gateways.”

The funding follows a push by Maryland lawmakers who wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in support of the project. The letter outlined plans for expanding freight handling capacity through Phase 2 of the container yard project, including development of about 22 acres and upgrades to cargo-moving infrastructure.

“This effort to modernize the Sparrows Point Container Terminal will support good-paying union jobs and increase the Port’s capacity, efficiency, and reliability,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) said the Port of Baltimore is an”economic engine” for Maryland and beyond.

“I will always stay committed to ensuring the Port of Baltimore can continue fueling our local,

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

5 Nearly $39.7 million in funding is going into expanding freight capacity at Tradepoint Atlantic, in order to increase cargo flow and job creation at the Port of Baltimore. (WI File Photo/Brigette Squire)

national, and global economy,” she said.

The project builds on earlier federal investments in the same region. In 2023, Maryland lawmakers announced $47.3 million through the same federal program to support development of an offshore wind manufacturing hub at Tradepoint Atlantic. That funding targeted site preparation, environmental remediation, and heavy cargo capacity at the former Bethlehem Steel site.

Officials said the combined investments are intended to transform Sparrows Point into a mod-

ern logistics and manufacturing center, with capacity for large container vessels and expanded intermodal transport connections. The current container yard expansion is expected to increase storage capacity while improving efficiency and lowering transportation costs.

“By expanding capacity at Tradepoint Atlantic, we are fueling our economy, creating good-paying jobs, and amplifying the State’s ongoing investments to ensure Maryland remains a competitive, premier hub for global commerce,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said.

5 OCTO Digital Inclusion Coordinator Adrian Sutton helps a senior resident find virtual recipes and tools to pack for a cruise during a Tech 101 workshop at Bernice Elizabeth Fonteneau Wellness Center in Northwest, D.C. (Courtesy Photo/Office of the Chief Technology Officer)

CYBER THREATS from Page 1

first step in building safer digital experiences, and it can start with individual responsibility.

“[It’s] all about personal awareness and personal action. Regardless of who you are, you are a target for bad actors,” Miller told The Informer. “Taking the time to monitor your financial accounts, recognize a phishing attempt through your email or text messages, it's pretty important…. If someone adopts the practices we're going to talk about, they'll be able to protect themselves, and potentially enjoy the holiday season a little more.”

Among a myriad of initiatives, D.C.’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) offers Tech 101 Workshops that aim to show residents the basics of building technological skills, with a pulse on common areas like device usage and protection, and promoting safe online practices.

Held in various locations throughout all eight wards, the weekly sessions are designed to minimize barriers for people of all ages –– from recognizing the ins and outs of cyber scams, to

helping folks situate major life changes and necessities in a tech-driven climate.

“They're going to talk through things like monitoring your accounts…why it's important to treat a public WiFi network differently than you would a private, trusted network…. how to recognize these issues, but also how to be a little more proactive,” Miller explained. “These are hands-on sessions that are going to teach you secure online shopping practices…teach you about how to serve yourself better.”

While end-of-year holiday shopping is a keen time for internet scams, Miller said the risks and exposure know no boundaries, making the workshops a year-round benefit for residents.

Tech 101 participant Teresa Bonham initially took the class to learn how to navigate her new technological devices, but quickly became the victim of a scam.

“It was a false Groupon advertising a lifetime subscription [for Microsoft Office]. And a lifetime subscription is just misleading,” said OCTO Digital Inclusion Coordinator Adrian Sutton, who helped

Bonham discover the scam earlier this year. “[A] one-time fee for like $250, which is a great deal, but too good to be true, right?”

While she was able to call her bank and recover the money, Bonham said the experience showed the cruciality of having access to resources like Tech 101, especially in a world where “everything is digital.”

“We retire from the government, we still have to go online to do everything. Can't even get our 1099 in the mail,” the 66-year-old told The Informer, emphasizing other digitized essentials. “Someone can't pay your bills, knowledge, everything. There's a lot of stuff that we have to have, or you're going to be behind.”

Strengthening Communities One Red Flag at a Time

While there’s a limit to fully avoiding cyber attacks, Sutton told The Informer some of the key red flags are visible to the average person.

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For instance, tips like knowing bogus websites don’t have “HTTPS” in the URL and, as both OCTO representatives pointed out, the inclusion of the “s” adds an extra layer of encryption that protects personal and payment information while it's in transit online.

Additionally, they said switching all digital payment methods to a credit card, versus a bank-linked debit card, can better support financial security, fraud detection, and recovery in the case thereof.

“If you enable [live, automatic] alerts with your bank, credit cards and other financial institutions, you'll be able to collect and catch that suspicious activity earlier,” Miller added, “and help your financial institution with protection against that mode of fraud moving forward, and make your community a little bit stronger.”

Take D.C. resident Marcia Lee, who sang the praises of Sutton’s guidance during a Feb. 3 workshop. WI

NATIONAL

New Report Finds Black-Led Nonprofits Told to Drop Race from Their Work or Risk Losing Support

By Stacy M. Brown WI Senior Writer

After billions of dollars in pledges poured into Black communities fol-

lowing the 2020 murder of George Floyd, Black-led nonprofits now say they are being pushed to remove race from their mission, language, and identity or risk losing funding,

according to a new report detailing a sharp reversal across philanthropy.

“We know that being Black isn’t illegal; neither is talking about our lived experience,” Susan Taylor Bat-

3 A new report reveals Black-led nonprofits are being pushed to remove race from their mission, language, and identity or risk losing funding. (WI File Photo)

compared with 9.9% of nonprofits led by other people of color and 3.8% of white-led organizations. That advice comes from funders, consultants, legal counsel, and internal leadership. In some cases, organizations were urged to replace words such as “Black” with terms like “underserved” or “underrepresented,” even when those terms did not reflect their mission.

ten, president and CEO of Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE), said in a new report detailing the continued challenges of Blackowned or Black-led nonprofits. “We must be careful that philanthropy is not complicit in efforts to erase our history.”

The report, “Holding the Line: Black-Led Nonprofits and Race-Explicit Work Amid Backlash,” documents how organizations serving Black communities are navigating increasing pressure to change how they describe their work, even as race remains central to the disparities they address.

In the months and years after Floyd’s murder, philanthropy made historic commitments to support Black-led organizations and racial equity efforts. The report states that those commitments are now being tested as legal decisions and political actions targeting diversity initiatives have created new risks for organizations that openly name race.

Researchers found that 76.4% of Black-led nonprofits explicitly mention race in at least one part of their public messaging, including conversations with funders, program descriptions, websites, and mission statements. Among white-led nonprofits, 43.8% mention race at all, and just 0.1% do so across all materials.

The divide is most visible in mission statements. Black-led organizations were more than ten times as likely as white-led nonprofits to reference race in their stated purpose, with 40.7% doing so compared with 3.1% among white-led groups.

At the same time, Black-led nonprofits are more likely to be told to stop doing so. The report found that 15.4% of Black-led organizations had been advised to avoid mentioning race when describing their work,

The report also found that Blackled nonprofits are more likely to track legal developments affecting their work. About 31.1% reported internal discussions about the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision limiting racebased college admissions, compared with less than 5% of white-led nonprofits.

The report spans 35 pages and draws on survey responses from 3,888 nonprofit representatives, including 246 Black-led organizations, along with interviews conducted between November 2024 and January 2025.

Financial disparities remain a constant factor. Previous research cited in the report shows 61% of Black-led nonprofits operate with budgets under $100,000, while majority whiteled nonprofits receive roughly three times as much revenue.

Interviews with 24 Black nonprofit leaders show organizations taking different approaches. Nearly three-quarters said race is central to their mission. Some said they adjust language depending on the audience, while others said they refuse to change how they describe their work.

When asked whether they would accept funding that required removing references to race, about half said they would decline. Another quarter said they might comply to sustain operations, while the rest said their decision would depend on factors such as funding size and organizational needs.

Leaders described the added burden of rewriting proposals, maintaining multiple versions of materials, and balancing financial survival with mission clarity.

“Blackness, that’s who we are,” one nonprofit leader said. “If I have to change the focus of how I talk about it, they’re not the funders that we want.”

AI from Page 4

are taking the issue seriously. In 2025, cyberattacks grew in speed and scale as AI tools helped criminals and statebacked groups automate their operations, shrinking the time between discovering a system weakness and exploiting it.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers have already been studying the risks. A bipartisan House task force warned that artificial intelligence can cause serious challenges if safeguards are not in place.

The concern is not limited to banks. Federal officials say AI is now tied to national security, financial systems, and critical infrastructure, with adversaries also adopting the technology at a rapid pace.

For everyday Americans, reportedly the impact is likely to show up first in the form of more convincing scams and fraud attempts. Cybersecurity experts found that AI-generated emails, messages, and even voicebased scams are becoming harder to detect, as attackers use the technology to mimic trusted sources and exploit human behavior.

The report also found that identity-based attacks have become the

leading method for breaking into systems, with more than 80% of incidents tied to stolen credentials or compromised accounts.

Banks and federal agencies are now being pushed to respond. Washington policymakers are calling for stronger cybersecurity standards, better data protection, and clearer oversight of how AI is used across both government and the private sector.

The House task force laid out dozens of recommendations, including improving cybersecurity for federal systems, strengthening data privacy protections, and ensuring agencies can detect and respond to AI-driven threats before they spread.

Despite the warnings, officials stress that the financial system remains stable and that protections are in place. Still, the message from Washington is direct as the technology advances faster than the rules governing it.

“AI has tremendous potential to transform society and our economy for the better,” lawmakers wrote, “nevertheless, we also recognize that AI can be misused and lead to various types of harm.”

The District Of Columbia Housing Authority

Request For Proposals (R FP )

Solicitation

No.: 10-2026

Uniform And Apparel Agency-Wide

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) requires a licensed, qualified turnkey provider for Agency-Wide Uniforms and Apparel PPE. Proposals should address comprehensive fulfillment, including custom branding, on-site sizing, and emergency logistics for the DCHA workforce

SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS will be available Monday, May 4, 2026, full solicitation documents will be posted to our e-procurement system Housing Agency Marketplace at: https://ha.internationaleprocurement.com/requests.html?company_id=506

Respondents must log in to view this RFP for all related documents. It is the respondent’s responsibility to check the Housing Agency Market Place site regularly to stay current on all available documents as this is the primary communication site solicitation.

PROPOSAL RESPONSES ARE DUE ON OR BEFORE Friday, May 29, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Email Deborah Barnes, Contract Specialist (OAS), at dybarnes@dchousing.org for additional information.

Thousands of people got a glimpse into cultures across the globe without leaving the nation’s capital, during the 19th Annual Passport DC on May 2, featuring 68 embassies from around the world. Trademark events include the World Embassy Tour, and festival goers enjoyed music, food and giveaways as part of month-long programming. (Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer) WI

DIRECTOR

CHARON P.W. HINES

Dear Seniors,

Happy Older Americans Month! As the seasons begin to shift and we welcome both the rain and the sunshine, I hope the showers of last month bring blossoming flowers into your life. May is always a special time of year; one we look forward to as we celebrate Older Americans Month.

The 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, highlights prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as key pillars of healthy aging. It encourages each of us to take an active role in managing our health, whether that means scheduling preventive care, staying informed, or making daily choices that support our overall well-being.

As we recognize this important theme, I want to remind both seniors and caregivers that

Live Boldly –May 2026 Message from Department of Aging and Community Living

prioritizing your health is essential. This year, as a caregiver myself, I was reminded just how important it is to care for ourselves, too. I made a commitment to begin championing my own health by incorporating regular exercise and making small, intentional changes to my diet. These adjustments allowed me to regain control over areas of my life that I had not fully prioritized before. More importantly, it has helped me show up as my best self, not only for me, but for those who depend on and care about me.

I encourage each of you to join me in this commitment. Whether it is taking advantage of the many health and wellness resources offered through DACL’s senior wellness centers, participating in an exercise class, or simply enjoying a daily walk as the weather warms up, every step counts. Small changes can lead to meaningful, lasting impact.

Throughout this month, we are proud to offer a variety of opportunities to help you champion your health, including resource fairs, fitness classes, and wellness activities across the District. I encourage you to explore our Older Americans Month calendar to find events happening near you.

I am also excited to invite you to one of our most anticipated events of the season, Mayor Bowser’s “Senior Fest!” In partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), we will host this annual celebration on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Gateway Pavilion (2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE). To register, please visit: https:// seniorfest26.splashthat.com/ .

As we celebrate this month together, I hope you feel empowered to take charge of your health, stay connected to your community, and continue thriving. Your well-being matters, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

In Service, Charon P.W. Hines Director, Department of Aging and Community Living

I am also excited to invite you to one of our most anticipated events of the season, Mayor Bowser’s “Senior Fest!”

More than 300 people gathered at Sycamore & Oak in Southeast, D.C. for the 2026 Health Equity Summit on April 30, hosted by the Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF).

A free event focused on promoting health equity and economic justice in the United States, the day-long event brought together influential leaders and advocates to foster meaningful dialogue and actionable change, under the theme, “We Can Do This: Crafting the Future We Deserve.”

Featuring panels, conversations, networking and performances from poet Camilo Montoya and the award-winning group StepAfrika, the summit worked to combat disparities affecting Black Americans and promote equitable access to health and economic opportunities.

“We believe that by improving the economic stability, mobility, and prosperity of our neighbors and communities facing the deepest disparities, we will ultimately improve the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and raises a family in this region,” said Tonia Wellons, GWCF president and CEO in a February message posted on the foundation’s website.

healthy food for all

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

5 Kate Daniel, Bridget Hanagan, Darin Allen, Dawn Leary and Leslie Jefferson of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

5 Tonia Wellons, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation

5 Dr. Marla Dean, senior director of the Greater Washington Community Foundation Health Equity Fund

6 Attendees enjoy the 2026 Health Equity Summit

Maternal Care Gaps: Why Postpartum Care Matters

Submitted by: AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia (DC)

Bringing a new baby home is often described as one of life’s most joyful moments, but it can also be one of the most demanding. The postpartum period is a time of healing, adjustment, and learning how to care for a newborn — yet many mothers, especially women of color, experience gaps in postpartum care. Follow-up visits may be missed, postpartum depression may go undetected, and important check-ins for infants during their first year of life may be missed. Addressing these gaps is a key step toward improving the health of both mothers and babies.

Understanding postpartum care and follow-up visits

Postpartum care is more than a single doctor’s visit after childbirth. These visits allow providers to check on a mother’s physical recovery, monitor blood pressure and other health conditions, and talk about emotional well-being.

Follow-up visits also help make sure that babies receive routine checkups. Most infants will have their first well-visit two to three days after coming home from the hospital. They will need at least six visits before their first birthday for growth checks, developmental screenings, and vaccines that protect them from serious illnesses.1

What delays postpartum care

Many factors contribute to gaps in postpartum care for mothers. Some barriers are systemic, while others are practical challenges that families face every day. Common obstacles include:2

• Limited access to transportation or childcare for appointments

• Returning to work too soon after childbirth

• Lack of awareness about postpartum benefits through health insurance

• Difficulty finding culturally responsive care or trusted providers These challenges can make it easy for postpartum visits or infant checkups to be delayed or skipped.

Staying connected to postpartum support

There are several ways mothers can advocate for their health and stay informed about available resources. Mothers can get support for both their health and their baby’s health during the postpartum period by:

• Scheduling follow-up visits early. Before leaving the hospital, try to schedule postpartum and pediatric appointments so they are already on the calendar.

• Using their health insurance benefits. Many Medicaid plans cover postpartum care for up to 12 months after birth, including mental health support and well-child visits.

• Asking about postpartum depression screenings. Talking openly with your provider about mood changes or emotional stress can

help identify concerns early.

• Taking advantage of telehealth visits. Virtual appointments may be available for certain check-ins and can help with any travel barriers.

Resources for DC families

Families in Washington, DC, have access to several programs that support maternal and infant health. These resources can help mothers stay connected to care and receive guidance during the postpartum period:

• Title V Maternal and Child Health Services program: A federal and state partnership that helps DC families receive access to important health services for women, mothers, infants, and children.

• DC WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Provides nutrition assistance, breastfeeding support, and health referrals.

• Home visiting programs: These programs connect trained professionals with families to support infant development and maternal well-being.

Maternal Health Month is an opportunity to recognize both the challenges and the solutions of maternal and infant health. By staying informed, attending follow-up visits, and using available resources, mothers and families can take important steps to support healthier futures for both parents and children.

Sources

1. “Make the Most of Your Baby’s Visit to the Doctor (Ages 0 to 11 Months),” Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, July 10,

Telehealth makes getting care a little easier

Life gets busy. Between work, school, errands, and caring for family members, finding time to visit the doctor is not always easy. For many families in the District, challenges like transportation, long wait times, or needing child care can make it harder to schedule an in-person appointment. Sometimes people delay asking a health question simply because getting to the doctor’s office feels like one more thing on an already full to-do list. That’s where telehealth can help. Telehealth allows you to connect with a health care provider using your phone,

tablet, or computer without leaving your home. For AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollees, telehealth can be a convenient way to get medical advice, ask questions, or address minor health concerns when life gets hectic. While telehealth doesn’t replace in-person care, it can often be a good first step when you’re unsure about symptoms or need advice.

AmeriHealth Caritas DC offers several resources that can help enrollees access care quickly and conveniently, including:

•RelyMD: Connect with a provider

2024, https://web.archive.org/ web/20250116161802/https://odphp. health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/ regular-checkups/make-most-your-babysvisit-doctor-ages-0-11-months, accessed March 23, 2026.

2. Syeda Tabeena Ali et al., “Barriers to Timely and Adequate Antenatal Care: A Systematic Review of Socioeconomic, Cultural, Psychosocial, and Health-System Factors Across High and Low Resource Settings,” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, Vol. 26, No. 1, Decem-

ber 26, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12849346/, accessed March 23, 2026.

All images are submitted by AmeriHealth Caritas District of Columbia and are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model

#BestMe

by phone or video to discuss symptoms, minor illnesses, or follow-up care.

•24/7 Nurse Call Line: Speak with a nurse any time of the day or night if you have health questions or are unsure where to seek care.

•Enrollee portal access: Manage your health plan, review benefits, and learn more about available telehealth options.

If you’re not feeling well or need guidance, telehealth may be an easy way to get the care you need, without rearranging your entire day.

EARTH OUR

‘Data Heat Islands’ Add New Burden to Black America

By Willy Blackmore Word in Black

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

The rush to build gigantic data centers powering the nation’s artificial intelligence (AI) boom, such as Elon Musk’s massive Colossus facility near Memphis, usually draws community pushback because they generate dangerous levels of air pollution. But a new study raises another environmental hazard: the huge amounts of energy data centers require are

heating up nearby communities.

Researchers call it the data heat island effect.

It’s an apt name, considering how similar these temperature increases are to those caused by the urban heat island effect — a significant rise in temperatures in communities that lack shady, green spaces and have an abundance of heat-absorbent surfaces, like metal or asphalt. And Black people are 52% more likely than whites to reside in such areas.

The data heat island study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, examined data centers in rural areas to determine whether those facilities caused increases in nearby surface temperatures.

Researchers analyzed 20 years

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Researchers

call it the data heat island effect.

of temperature data gathered from communities adjacent to 6,000 different data centers across the country. They concluded that the opening of a data center — the researcher focused on so-called AI “hyperscalers,” supersized facilities like Colossus — led to an average temperature increase of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. For some data centers, the temperature spike reached 16.4 degrees.

The heat island effect was apparent as far as 6.2 miles away from a

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data center.

Study coauthor Andrea Marinoni of the Earth Observation group at the University of Cambridge in England told CNN that the data heat island effect “could have dramatic impacts on society.”

The study analyzed surface temperature measurements, not outdoor ambient temperatures, which are generally lower even when it’s very hot outside. Think about the notion of frying an egg on the sidewalk: the air itself is hot, maybe in the 90s or triple digits, but the concrete is even hotter.

Still, heat radiating from surfaces — the urban heat island effect — increases daytime air temperatures by up to 7 degrees, according to the EPA.

Not only are Black people far more likely to live in urban heat islands, but extensive research shows the negative health impacts of increased heat exposure. Not only do urban heat islands increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and death, but also create conditions that decrease air quality.

If running an AI data center in a rural or sparsely populated community can increase heat in the surrounding area, that effect is likely compounded when the data center is in a highly industrialized urban area, such as Memphis. And just like the emissions coming from the gas turbines that power the facility, it’s the Black people living nearby who bear the brunt of the impact. WI

5 People protest the idea of a data center in Landover, Maryland, warning of the potential of dangerous environmental effects as a result. (WI File Photo/Robert R. Roberts)

EDUCATION

PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship Introduces Golf to Local Youth & Careers to Student-Athletes

By Stacy M. Brown WI Contributing Writer

The PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship (PWCC), presented by Chase and Kohler Co. May 4-6, provides more than a high-level championship experience for historically

Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving universities and other minority-serving institutions.

Annually, the championship introduces local youth to the game and connects collegiate athletes to industry leaders and career pathways in and

around the $102 billion golf industry.

The Park in West Palm Beach is hosting the 39th PWCC for the first time this week and started the cham-

Maya Angelou Hosts College Decision Day Celebration

As graduating seniors across the nation celebrated College Decision Day on Friday, May 1, Maya Angelou Public Charter School marked the occasion with a celebratory event. Students, staff, family and friends gathered at the Northeast, D.C. school, led by Principal Shantelle Wright-Cunningham and Academic Dean Serena Lewis, as graduating seniors shared next steps post graduation from Maya Angelou next month. In addition to revealing where students plan to continue their studies, the event, hosted by Washington Informer Managing Editor Micha Green, featured snacks, a DJ, and people cheering on each student as they announced their plans for the future. WI

(Cleveland Nelson/The Washington Informer)

pionship’s festivities by hosting Youth Day for local youth to learn the basic fundamentals of the game.

“It’s impactful, getting to see the kids, the next generation of golfers,” said Langston Frazier, PGA, a twotime PWCC participant now serving as a PGA Ambassador for the Championship. “There are so many sports these kids can play, but golf is something they can play for a lifetime.”

Participants learned from PGA of America Golf Professionals across the country who serve as ambassadors for the championship. They also enjoyed a clinic from Korn Ferry Tour Member Ian Gilligan.

“It’s a great opportunity to expose them to the game,” Frazier continued. “They can learn so many positive character traits from golf.”

For students like Joseph Fenceroy, a junior at Coastal Carolina University’s PGA Professional Golf Management

Program, an event like Beyond the Green is instrumental.

“At this stage in my life, connecting with so many companies and professionals through Beyond the Green really opened my eyes to the opportunities ahead,” said Fenceroy. “It’s encouraging to build those relationships early and see how the PGA network supports my growth both personally and professionally.”

This year, North Carolina A&T State University entered the competition as the defending women’s champion.

Now the Aggies return with a chance to defend their title.

“Our team is thrilled to come back and defend, but we know there’s extra pressure in doing that,” North Carolina A&T coach Mesha Levister said.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY PUBLIC CHARTER MIDDLE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS In-house Janitorial Services

Howard University Public Charter Middle School – Request for Proposal – for the opportunity to bid on the furnishing In-house janitorial Services. Additional specifications outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP) may be obtained beginning on Friday, May 1, 2026 from Leslie Boler at info@hu-ms2.org

Proposals will be accepted at 2565 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20059, or via email to Leslie Boler at info@hu-ms2.org no later than 2:00 PM Eastern time on Friday, May 15, 2026.

All bids not addressing all areas as outlined in the RFP will not be considered.

3 A girl participates in Youth Day as part of the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship hosted May 4-6 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Courtesy Photo)

5 Washington Informer Managing Editor Micha Green

5 Principal Shantelle Wright-Cunningham

Maya Angelou students, staff, family and members celebrate seniors as they declare their next steps post graduation on College Decision Day.

You’ve been taught to be strong. To hold it together. To fix it alone.

But the exhaustion goes deep. The rage comes out of nowhere. The heaviness and pain settle into your bones and won’t leave.

You stop doing the little things you loved. And go quiet

This is not a phase. This is not weakness. This can affect anyone before, during, or after pregnancy. And it’s more treatable than you think.

Asking for help is the strongest thing you can do. There will be support to find a path forward

There is life Beyond The Blues. And you don’t have to get there alone.

Get help for postpartum depression and maternal mental health struggles, for you or someone you love. at vdh.virginia.gov/beyond-the-blues

A Dangerous Retreat from Democracy

The Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Decision Betrays the Civil Rights Movement, Threatens Black Political Power.

The U.S. Supreme Court has once again turned its back on the hard-won gains of the Civil Rights Movement. In its recent decision to weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Court did far more than reinterpret the law. It undermined one of the most important democratic protections in this country.

For generations, the Voting Rights Act served as a safeguard against racial discrimination at the ballot box. It was born of the blood, courage, and sacrifice of Black Americans who were beaten, jailed, terrorized, and murdered for demanding the right to vote. From Selma to Montgomery, brave men and women forced America to confront its ugly history of voter suppression. In 1965, Congress responded with bipartisan moral clarity.

The recent Supreme Court has chosen to erase much of that legacy.

Civil rights icon Andrew Young, now 94, voiced the outrage felt across Black America when he declared that “the Supreme Court will go to hell” for attempting to reverse the Voting Rights Act.

Young marched alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and

helped build the movement that transformed American democracy. He knows firsthand what it took to secure these protections — and what is at stake if they are stripped away.

The impact of this ruling will fall hardest on Black voters. States now have greater freedom to dilute minority voting strength through redistricting and other tactics that weaken Black political representation. At a time when Black communities are already battling attacks on voting access, polling locations, and fair representation, this decision

sends a chilling message: equal access to democracy is negotiable again.

And then there is the painful reality that Justice Clarence Thomas sided with the majority. For many, it is deeply disappointing that one of only two African American justices on the Supreme Court joined an opinion that will disproportionately harm Black voters for generations to come.

History will remember this ruling — and Thomas, in particular–- not as an act of judicial restraint but as a retreat from justice, with a Black accomplice. WI

As Midterms Approach, African Americans Must Understand the Major Value in Voting

A Call to Vote Your Life Depends on It

In its alleged “infinite wisdom,” the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) appears to have once again sided with those who are bound and determined to “make America white again.”

That’s the only logical conclu-

sion we can muster as we assess the rationale behind the recent SCOTUS ruling that severely weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

The decision makes it harder to challenge racially gerrymandered maps. What’s more, it will un-

African Americans built this country. African Americans died in service to their enslavers. African Americans have fought bravely in all 12 of America’s military contests, even dying in the defense of democracy abroad.

doubtedly provide smooth sailing for states, while exercising their newly enhanced redistricting power, to create maps that dilute minority voting strength.

The decision comes at a critical time as the 2026 midterm election approaches, not to mention the general election two years from now.

With the GOP supported by a Supreme Court that has clearly lost its way and the reason it was even created, the clock continues to move in reverse.

So, what are some options? Advocacy groups say citizens must flood the phones, offices, and e-mail inboxes of local House and Senate officials, calling for Congress to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Vot-

TO THE EDITOR

“The Defenders success is just what D.C. needs right now. Not ICE, Not DOGE, Not MAGA! Just Ole D.C. kickin it our way HTTD Style. Go Defenders.”

-Michael Owings (In reference to the article: “Defenders Cruise Past Renegades 24-6, Winning Sixth Straight of the Season.”)

“Are you still delivering to supermarkets in Clinton, Maryland? I don't see them there anymore and this is where I always get the paper.”

-Adrienne Howell

Thanks, Adrienne, for this great question! We’re still delivering to southern Prince George’s County and will look into Clinton grocery stores specifically. Be sure to check washingtoninformer.com/circulation for more information on where to get a paper near you!

ing Rights Advancement Act to strengthen voting protections at the federal level.

The Black community is well beyond the point of standing by idly with hopes that things will get better. It’s clear that they will not, unless we demand it.

democracy abroad.

African Americans deserve a lot more.

But if the Black community and all people don't stand up and get involved, African Americans are going to get even less.

So, in November, make sure you vote.

Vote like your life, your children’s lives, and the lives of those yet unborn, depend on it. Because, well, they do! WI

OPINIONS/EDITORIALS

Guest Columnist

Dedrick Asante-Muhammad

Representation at Risk: The Fragile Progress of Black Political Power

In 1965, the United States took a decisive step toward democracy with the passage of the Voting Rights Act. At the time, Black political representation was not just limited — it was nearly nonexistent. African Americans made up more than 10 percent of the population but held less than 2 percent of seats in Congress and none in the United States Senate.

The Voting Rights Act changed that trajectory. By dismantling formal barriers to voting, it opened the door for Black political participation — and over time, representation. That progress was neither immediate nor inevitable, but it was real.

It was in this context that the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies was founded in 1970 — to support the growth of Black political leadership and ensure that increased representation translated into meaningful policy outcomes. More than five decades

Guest Columnist

later, that mission remains urgent.

The gains since 1965 are significant. Black representation in the House has grown from fewer than 10 members to more than 60 today, reaching roughly 14 percent — finally approaching parity with the Black share of the U.S. population. But it took nearly 60 years to reach this point, underscoring a critical truth: representation requires sustained protection and intentional policy.

Even now, the progress is incomplete. In the Senate, Black representation remains far below population share. With a record five Black sen-

ators, African Americans hold only about 5 percent of seats — less than half of what proportional representation would require. Structural realities of the Senate aside, the result is clear: Black political voice remains constrained at the highest levels of government.

And today, even these gains are under threat.

Recent Supreme Court decisions have weakened key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, reducing federal oversight and making it more difficult to challenge discriminatory voting

practices. At the same time, partisan gerrymandering is embraced by both parties while regulation designed to ensure Black representation is being dismantled, and this could prove dangerous to those gains. The result is a system increasingly driven by political advantage rather than fair representation.

Efforts to address this are not new. Since 2013, lawmakers have introduced the Coretta Scott King Mid-Decade Redistricting Prohibition Act,

ASANTE-MUHAMMAD Page 45

Raising Auto Insurance Mandates Will Make Driving in D.C. More Expensive

Consider a D.C. resident who drives to work and keeps an older car because it's paid off: If her monthly auto insurance premium jumps $25–$40, that money has to come from somewhere — the phone bill, after-school costs, or a grocery run. But that's what a bill proposed to raise minimum coverage limits would likely do.

I was raised Catholic. Not casually Catholic. My mother was the kind of Catholic who went to Mass every day. Faith was not something she talked about; it was something she did. In our aquablue kitchen, she had the lyrics, in white paint: "Holy Mary, dressed in blue, teach me how to pray." She prayed without ceasing, and her

Washington, D.C., already has one of the most challenging auto insurance markets in the country. Premiums are high. Too many drivers are uninsured. And many residents are still struggling with the rising cost of living. Yet a proposal before the D.C. Council would likely make auto insurance more expensive for thousands of drivers — and could leave everyone more exposed to uninsured motorists on our roads.

The legislation — B26-0057, or the Motor Vehicle Insurance Modernization Act of 2026 — would

more than double the District's mandatory minimum auto liability coverage, forcing drivers to carry at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, along with higher property damage limits. Supporters argue the change is overdue. It's fair to acknowledge the bill exists to ensure crash victims are adequately protected, and that decades-old minimums can feel outdated as medical costs have climbed. But good intentions don't change basic economics: when the government mandates more cov-

erage, insurance costs go up. Wisconsin offers a cautionary tale about raising required minimums without an affordability plan. In 2009, the state doubled liability minimums to $50,000/$100,000 (and $15,000 for property damage), and set future increases to be indexed to inflation. Wisconsin liability insurance premiums rose 9.9% in 2010, vs. 1.9% nationwide. The new governor and legislature restored the prior mandatory minimums, and premiums fell 2.7% in the state in 2012 at a time when they were going up

and Less Fair

around the country by 2.3%.

In D.C., a cost increase like this is not theoretical. Industry data show that nearly one-third of D.C. drivers currently carry coverage below the proposed new minimums. For those households, the bill would require the purchase of significantly more insurance — regardless of budget, driving history or individual needs. Higher required coverage means higher premiums, plain and simple.

This matters because D.C. drivers

prayers were deep and strong. I went to a Jesuit college, Boston College, where faith was woven into the intellectual life — questions of justice, responsibility, and what it means to live a life of purpose. It wasn't always comfortable, but it was always present.

So when I hear people arguing about the pope as if religion were a political sport, I find myself out of step with the conversation, because that's not the faith I knew.

The noise is everywhere. Commentary about Pope Francis — what

he said, what he meant, who agreed, who didn't — filled panels and social media feeds, turning belief into a series of takes. It is loud and, for the most part, unhelpful.

We have developed a habit of treating religious figures like political ones, as if they occupy the same space. They don't. Political leaders govern behavior, while religious leaders, at their best, try to speak to conscience. But we have grown so accustomed to spectacle that even conscience has to compete for airtime.

The numbers tell us something is

changing. Church attendance in the United States has been declining for years, and fewer people claim formal affiliation. Yet nearly 9 in 10 Americans say they believe in God or some higher power. Many are no longer sitting in pews, but belief persists.

We measure what is easiest to count — attendance, affiliation, participation — but not what is harder to see: practice, discipline, belief. Faith, as I understood it growing up, was never about being seen.

My mother did not go to Mass every day so someone could check her

attendance. She went because that was how she ordered her life — discipline, gratitude, and a quiet insistence that there was something larger than whatever the day might bring. My own relationship with Catholicism has been more complicated. I don't come to this conversation as a defender of the Catholic Church; I come as someone shaped by it, challenged by it, angered by it, and still, in some ways, holding onto it.

As soon as I learned about the

Tom Glassic

Julianne Malveaux

Guest Columnist

Guest Columnist

From Preaching to Practice: Architects of Our AI Future

from the conversation and left behind in the prosperity. With artificial intelligence reshaping the world, we cannot allow history to repeat itself.

America's history is defined by extraordinary innovation. From the industrial revolution to the transformative power of the internet, technological advancements have consistently sparked massive economic growth and expanded human potential.

Yet, as we celebrate progress, we must acknowledge this historical fact: Our communities have been excluded

We must leverage the lessons of our past and become architects of our own AI future. The approach must be collaborative, ensuring that AI advancement is for all, through accessible tools, shared resources, and real investment in our communities, turning the page on the digital divides of the past and building an inclusive, pro-tech future.

Faith leaders across the country have a critical role in this work. We show up

Guest Columnist

for our communities in every crisis, every fight, and every moment. The AI revolution is no different. We must galvanize our congregations and their networks, uniting our collective voice to ensure we are not sidelined once again.

This is where preaching becomes practice.

Where our community controls its own narrative.

And where our voices become power.

First, we must harness the potential of AI to supercharge entrepreneurship across our communities. AI is

a remarkable equalizer, lowering the cost of capabilities that once required vast resources or specialized training.

Our local shops and small businesses deserve the chance to use these cutting-edge tools to grow and thrive. Through partnerships between community leaders and the tech industry, we can make computing resources affordable and accessible, empowering local businesses to compete globally and build lasting, generational wealth in their neighborhoods.

Second, AI holds incredible promise for improving health outcomes and

Ona Judge Escaped once. Now They Want to Erase Her.

Ona Judge escaped George Washington once.

Now the federal government is trying to make her disappear again.

I teach in Philadelphia, a short walk from the site of the President’s House. George and Martha Washington lived there when the city was the nation’s capital. Nine enslaved people lived there too.

My own family fought in the American Revolution. We descend from the youngest boy to carry a musket at Lexington. So I grew up believing the American story belongs to every American. Not the cleaned-up version.

Ona Judge was one of those nine.

The promise of the Revolution lived in that house. So did the cruelty of slavery.

That is not a footnote. That is the American story.

For 15 years, visitors to Independence National Historical Park could learn that story at an exhibit called

“Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation.” It told the truth about the people Washington enslaved there. It told the truth about Ona Judge, who chose freedom in 1796 and refused to return. It told the truth about a country that promised liberty while permitting slavery.

Then the Trump administration took the panels down.

In January, the National Park Service removed the exhibit on White House orders. The administration calls this kind of history too “divisive.” Empty bolt holes marked the brick where the

panels used to hang. Only nine names remained, engraved on the wall. Austin. Christopher Sheels. Giles. Hercules. Joe Richardson. Moll. Oney Judge. Paris. Richmond. Someone left flowers.

The city of Philadelphia sued. A federal judge ordered the exhibit put back.

The administration appealed. The case is now before the Third Circuit.

This is a fight over whether America is strong enough to tell the truth about itself.

And in that fight, we need heroes.

One of them is Judge Timothy K.

enriching our daily lives. As healthcare professionals integrate AI tools, we have a unique chance to bridge long-standing health disparities. Imagine a future where AI-powered telehealth seamlessly connects families in underserved areas to world-class specialists, or where advanced diagnostics provide personalized care that truly understands diverse patient needs. AI can help modernize our healthcare system from fragmented and reactive to proactive and connected, finally account-

LACEY Page 46

Lewis, a retired Black federal appeals judge. President George H.W. Bush appointed him first as a district judge, then to the very Third Circuit now hearing this case.

Judge Lewis came up through the Republican legal world of Western Pennsylvania. His mentor was Wendell Freeland, a Tuskegee Airman who became a leading civil rights lawyer and a lifelong Black Republican in Pittsburgh.

That lineage matters.

JEALOUS Page 46

Black Families Stopped Waiting for Public Schools. Now They're Building Their Own

Democrats have momentum as the midterms approach. A string of recent victories has fueled optimism that Democrats could retake the House of Representatives and even reclaim the Senate. At a moment of rising global tensions and persistent economic strain on working families, Democratic control of Congress would offer a critical check on the Trump administration.

But Senate majorities are not built on national waves alone. They are won or lost in a handful of fiercely competitive states. And this cycle, the path to a Democratic majority runs directly through the South.

Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia could determine control of the Senate. While each state has its own political identity, they share a common reality: Black voters are central to any winning Democratic coalition. If Democrats fail to fully invest in mobilizing Black voters, they risk repeating the mistakes that have cost them power in the past.

That challenge has become more urgent in light of recent Supreme Court decisions that gutted the Voting Rights Act. Now, states are largely free to gerrymander and suppress Black political power. Without the preclearance protections that once required states with histories of discrimination to get federal approval before changing voting laws, access to the ballot increasingly depends on post-facto litigation rather than prevention. In practical terms, that means Black voter participation is shaped not just by enthusiasm, but by the rules governing

registration, district lines, and access to the polls. In key Southern states, these structural barriers disproportionately affect Black voters, making sustained investment in turnout efforts even more critical.

Start with Texas. Long seen as a Republican stronghold, the state has been inching toward competitiveness as its major metro areas of Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio grow more diverse. Black voters make up roughly 12 to 13% of the electorate, but their turnout has been inconsistent, especially in midterm elections.

In 2020, engagement surged in urban counties, helping narrow statewide margins. But that progress slipped in 2022, when turnout declined. For Democrats, even modest gains in Black turnout alongside strong gains with Latino voters could transform Texas from a long shot into a true battleground. A breakthrough victory for Democrat James Talarico would flip a seat and reshape the national political map.

North Carolina presents a different

HARRIS Page 46

Ben Jealous

Rev. Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey

Kevin Harris

Guest Columnist

Washington Informer Weekend Checklist

WASHINGTON INFORMER'S

LIFESTYLE Things To Do, DMV!

By Kree Anderson WI Intern

From cultural celebrations and historical deep-dives to high-energy musical showcases, the second weekend of May in the DMV area offers a vibrant mix of community and creativity.

Whether you are looking to master Brazilian percussion or celebrate Mother’s Day with a sparkling toast, this calendar is packed with opportunities to connect,

learn, and be entertained. Plus, to keep up with more fun, don’t forget to check out the Washington Informer Calendar.

Thursday, May 7

U.S. Citizenship Class

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Free Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA, 22201

Prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Exam in this weekly Thurs-

day workshop covering 128 civics questions and all 12 rotating sections of American history and government. Participants will develop the English fluency and interview skills necessary to navigate the written, oral, and naturalization portions of the exam with confidence.

EducArte at Levine: Brazilian Bateria Samba Drumming Class

7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $400.00 Levine Music - MD Campus: Silver Spring, 900 Wayne Avenue 2nd floor, Silver Spring, MD, 20910

Join this weekly Brazilian bacteria class to learn the fundamentals of samba percussion technique and repertoire.

Friday, May 8

Visions & Voices: Stories on the Screen

7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Free Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 1300 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20560

“A Tale of Three Chinatowns” (2021, 90 min) explores the survival of urban ethnic neighborhoods through the stories of three Chinatowns in Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Boston.

The Apple of Our Eye: Educator Open House

5 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Free Planet World, 925 13th Street NW Entrance on, K Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20005

Cap off National Teacher Appreciation Week with a special after-hours event just for educators.

Planet Word museum will celebrate educators and the wonderful, wise, whimsical things they do for young minds with light food and drinks, extended gallery hours, wordplay games, Planet Wordshop sneak peeks, interactive lessons and materials, swag bags, and raffle prizes!

3 Hosted by the Black Mother’s March Organizing Committee, the organization invites the community to join them on May 10 at Lincoln Memorial in advocating for the protection, stability, and liberation of Black families and children.

(Courtesy Photo)

Saturday, May 9

Encore in Columbia Welcomes...2026 Triple BMA

Nominee Vanessa Collier

8 p.m. | $45.40

The Collective Encore, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD, 21044

Experience the head-turning, fiery performance of master musician and multi-instrumentalist Vanessa Collier as she weaves funk, soul, rock, and blues into a powerful showcase of musicianship. This artist of distinction delivers an impressive display of soulful vocals, searing saxophone, and witty songwriting that has earned acclaim from blues legends and fans alike.

Whiskey & History: DC Music History

7 p.m. - 9 p.m. | $65.30

Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20004

Step into the rhythm of the nation’s capital for an immersive evening of whiskey, cuisine, and storytelling, celebrating the music,

moments, and movements that shaped Washington, D.C.’s legendary sound.

Sunday, May 10

Mother's Day Sparkling Wine Tasting 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | $64.17 Hill’s Kitchen, 713 D Street SE, Washington, D.C., 20003

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a sparkling wine experience designed to be shared. Whether celebrating with Mom or giving her an experience, this is a simple and meaningful way to enjoy the day side by side.

Black Mothers March 2026 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Free Lincoln Memorial, 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington, D.C., 20002

Whether a mother, father, grandparent, advocate, or a co-conspirator, presence matters. This gathering in Washington, D.C., honors a shared commitment to liberation, community, and this year's theme: “WE GOT US!” WI

5 American blues, funk, and soul saxophonist, singer and songwriter Vanessa Collier will return to her hometown on May 9 to wow audience members with her dual mastery of the saxophone and evocative vocals at The Collective Encore. (Courtesy Photo)

Peace Gallery Highlights Ways to Harmoniously Combat Conflict

5 Policymakers, diplomats, and community leaders gather on Monday, April 27, at a public exhibition on Capitol Hill highlighting legal and community-based approaches to advancing peace, including renewed focus on international frameworks aimed at preventing conflict. (Courtesy Photo/HWPL)

5 Organized by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and held on Capitol Hill in the Rayburn House Building, the event featured the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a legal framework outlining principles to strengthen global norms for conflict prevention and peaceful dispute resolution.

5 A member of HWPL gives a tour to visitors on the displays focused on peace education, media's role in global harmony, and documents advocating for international peace laws.

LIFESTYLE Black Women in Food Summit Honors Legacy, Furthers Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

Convening Achieves Record Attendance in D.C.

By Brenda C. Siler WI Contributing Writer @bcscomm

Chefs, authors, entrepreneurs, and media creators gathered for the fourth annual Black Women in Food Summit from April 23-25, a convening that allowed for networking, sharing information and ideas, and celebrating

legacy and new innovations in business.

From panels, to a pitch competition, and awards ceremonies, the summit created an opportunity for all participants to share, learn and consider goals for the future.

“How do we grow ourselves personally and professionally?” said Maame Boakye, co-creator of the summit.

“This has been built and defined by relationship building.”

Further, the event recognizes the leadership and influence of Black women shaping the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. In addition to being celebrated for their innovations, this year’s honorees were gifted with a special award: a newly created keepsake plate with the image of Virginia Ali, co-founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl.

“There are many awards in food with images of men, but never one with a Black woman,” said Nina Oduro, summit co-creator. “We were very intentional that our awardees received a tangible heirloom that can be displayed and kept over time.”

Honorees included:

• 2026 Restauranter Michele McQueen, founder of AC Hospitality LLC

• 2026 Culinarian Lorna Maseko, chef and cookbook author

• 2026 Culinarian Charlene Johnson, chef and culinary instructor

• 2026 Culinarian Maya-Camille Broussard, chef, author, and restaurant owner

• 2026 Hospitality Maven Jessica Douglas founder of “Taste of BLK”

• 2026 Corporate Champion Courtney Willis, VP of culture and experience at Restaurant Associates

• 2026 Amplifier Lyndsay C. Green, dining and restaurant critic at the Detroit Free Press

• 2026 Innovator Kendal Mitchell, chef and biomaterials designer

• 2026 Beverage Master Stephanie L. Franklin, founder and CEO of Franklin Vines

• 2026 Creator/Consumer Package Goods Savannah Campbell, owner and founder of Caribe and Company Flavored Syrups

• 2026 Creator Content Leonie Badge

• 2026 Game Changer Damilola Amina, founder of Frontlines, a culinary training and certifications group

• 2026 Trailblazer Rizpah Bellard, farmer/rancher, president and lead agriculturalist at Nova Farm

Ali spoke about how Ben’s has always been supported by the Black community, which has contributed to the famous eatery being known worldwide.

“I fell in love with a gentleman [Ben

Ali], and we wanted to open a little restaurant in 1958, then we married,” said Ali, matriarch of Ben’s. “When we started, it was a pleasure to experience living in a self-supported, classy, proud Black community.”

While highlighting legacy, the summit also worked to further emerging entrepreneurs, through the pitch competition, where business owners present their plans and products to a panel of judges.

Sponsored by New Voices Foundation, entrepreneurs competed for a first-place prize of $10,000 and a second-place prize of $5,000.

Taylor Davis won first-place with her app “Troodie,” which suggests dining experiences in sync with an individual’s profile.

“The app connects foodies and travelers who want to try new places,” said the Howard University alumnus. “We’re on all social platforms and are available through the app store.”

After vending in the 2025 summit marketplace, Adfia Bristol, owner of Yes Ma! Backyard Farm, won second place during this year’s competition and returned with a growing business. In 2025 she showcased three spicy condiments that were a hit for attendees, and this year she came back with five options.

“I came by the Yes Ma! table last year and bought all three types of sauces. They are so flavorful,” said Allison Cooke, a restaurant consultant. “I squealed when I saw they were back.” The primary objective for both pitch competition winners is to expand their marketing efforts backed by data they have collected.

“The competition and this year’s expanded marketplace from 20 entrepreneurs to 30,” Boakye said, “ ensured there would be something here for everyone.”

5 Second-place pitch competition winner Adfia Bristol (center), creator of Yes, Ma spice sauces, with her brother QuJuan Bristol and aunt Annetha Hall during the pitch competition as part of the fourth annual Black Women in Food Summit in D.C. (Jacques Benovil/The Washington Informer)

to know what a relationship is all about before I die. I’ve never had, I mean, I’ve been with Kate, I’ve been with Kate, I thought I was with Diana. It was just in my own mind.”

The woman notes: “You were a little boy.”

Jackson agrees, adding that he never had been in a real relationship, in comparison to his brothers, who had been married and had girlfriends.

She presses him again, even bringing up where he is in life.

“How long did it take you to get over Diana?” she asks.

The King of Pop replies: “years.”

“A hell of a long time,” he continues.

He doesn’t move off the point.

“I just want to know what it’s like to have a real relationship with someone who doesn’t want me for me,” Jackson says. “That I don’t, I don’t have to look over my shoulder all the time… I don’t want to die without knowing about having a real relationship with a woman for me.”

A Lonely Life and Possible

Part 2 for ‘Michael’

Years before this call, Jackson had already put it in writing.

“I believe I’m one of the loneliest people in the world,” he wrote in his autobiography, “Moonwalk.”

“Success definitely brings on loneliness. It’s true,” he continued. “People think you’re lucky, that you have everything. They think you can go anywhere and do anything, but that’s not the point. One hungers for the basic stuff.”

Back on the call, he’s still talking about that same “basic stuff.”

“Well, I loved her so much,” Jackson says, speaking about a woman widely believed to be Diana Ross, whose portrayal in the blockbuster film was reportedly cut out for legal reasons. “God, I would give her money, I would give her jewelry, I would give her a house, a car, whatever. But we never did that.”

He circles back again.

“I don’t regret that I didn’t sleep with her. I’m glad I didn’t,” Jackson says. “I wanted to change what I haven’t experienced before.”

About 16 years before his death, the then 34-year-old King of Pop made his hopes and fears clear: “For someone to accept me totally.”

“I don’t want to die, not in a happy relationship like everybody else around me does,” Jackson says. “I don’t want

to die.”

That part — the relationships, the loneliness, the need for something real — is largely outside the timeline of the current film, which focuses on Jackson’s life through 1988.

And that’s where the conversation is starting to go now.

With “Michael” already breaking records, turning theaters into singalongs, and pulling in audiences across generations, attention is shifting to what comes next. The story doesn’t end in 1988. The fame gets bigger. The scrutiny gets louder. And, by Jackson’s own words, the search for love doesn’t go away.

Stories that surfaced later add to what’s heard in the call. In her memoir, Priscilla Presley wrote that her daughter and Jackson’s first wife, Lisa Marie Presley, told her Michael was “still a virgin” at 35 when their relationship began.

On this call, at 34, he’s already saying it without saying it.

“I don’t want to die without knowing about having a real relationship with a woman for me,” Jackson says.

All of this adds what could be fodder for the second “Michael” movie. The first film shows the rise. The music. The control. A second chapter — and with these numbers, that conversation is already happening — likely won’t be about records.

It could be about whether he ever found what he kept saying he didn’t have.

“There's still so much in my father's story that deserves to be told, and I think it's just finding that right throughline to really make it make sense,” Prince Jackson told KTLA. “I think the story and the creation of the child who became the King of Pop meant so much to so many people… There's so much more to be told and we just have to figure out how to tell it.” WI

MICHAEL from Page 4

5 A resurfaced private call with Michael Jackson is now emphasizing the King of Pop’s desire to know true love. (Courtesy Photo)

review wi book

"A Terrible Intimacy: Interracial Life in the Slaveholding South"

By Melvin Patrick Ely

c.2026, Henry Holt

$31.99 / 368 pages

Terri Schlichenmeyer WI Contributing Writer

Time served.

If you've ever faced a judge in a courtroom, that's what you hope to hear. A few hours in a concrete room, maybe an uncomfortable overnight, done. It's not fun, it might be embarrassing, but it's over and you move on, chastised. Unless, as in the new book "A Terrible Intimacy" by Melvin Patrick Ely, time served was a lifetime.

When you think about slavery, the image of large fields and entire households full of enslaved people probably comes to mind.

That, says Ely, isn't the whole story. In the years prior to the Civil War, he says, roughly "one-quarter of America's enslaved people lived on large plantations with fifty or more forced laborers …" Another 25% dwelt on smaller plantations with slightly fewer enslaved people.

The rest — about half of this country's enslaved people — lived on small farmsteads; in fact, households that held five or fewer enslaved people "were very numerous."

This, Ely says, meant that slaveholders were very familiar with those they held in bondage, and they likely knew those held by their neighbors. They might have attended church with enslaved people, or sought medical help from a enslaved Black doctor.

"Trade across racial lines was frequent," he says, "shared recreation not rare."

Such "intimacy" sometimes led to looser rules for enslaved people. It also led to a surprise: "An enslaved person charged with a crime in Virginia, and in the South generally, would have had legal representation" in the case of an alleged crime.

A Black man named Tom, for example, was accused of killing an overseer in a fight — but was the fight cloaked in a whole other matter? Nancy Morgan was viciously murdered by a "negro" named Solomon — or was she nothing more than "a wayward, shiftless pauper"? Mary Tatum accused George of rape. Was it a case of mistaken identity?

And when Hillery Richardson was mortally wounded by William, the jury had to decide: who was really the victim?

So you say you're a big fan of mysteries. Nothing like a good whodunit, right? Then check out "A Terrible Intimacy" and see if it doesn't fit just perfectly.

Because it will. Reading author Melvin Patrick Ely's work is like having Matlock on the sofa by you, and Easy Rawlins next to her. It's part courtroom procedural, with a historical angle that Ely is studiously careful to explain, and the kind of excitement you'd expect from life-or-death testimonies, a few shockers, and some heartbreak. Readers will clearly understand Ely's obvious excitement in teasing apart these tales — they are, after all, things that happened to real people in real court cases, presented with a shared knowledge of 19th-century vocabulary and slang, culture, and with filled-in-the-blanks for deeper understanding. If you feel like a real sleuth while you're reading, you're not far off.

This is a book well-told by a great storyteller, and if you're a fan of courtroom-thriller novels or historical events, you won't be sorry to find it. Start "A Terrible Intimacy" and it will serve you well. WI

horoscopes

LIFESTYLE

MAY 7 - 13, 2026

ARIES The urgency you've been manufacturing around a decision that isn't due yet is costing you clarity — slow the clock and let the answer arrive on its own terms. A conversation you've been rehearsing doesn't need a script; it needs presence. Something you dismissed as outside your lane is exactly where your skills are most needed. Lucky Numbers: 7, 32, 51

TAURUS What looked like a setback three weeks ago is revealing its actual shape — it cleared space you didn't know you needed. A commitment made in passing deserves more formal treatment; put the terms somewhere both parties can see them. Someone around you is operating on incomplete information; a brief correction saves a longer misunderstanding. Lucky Numbers: 5, 29, 58

GEMINI The version of the story you've been telling has started to harden into something that may not survive new evidence — stay loose. A professional contact who went quiet isn't gone; they've been watching how you handle yourself under pressure. Something you agreed to without reading closely is worth a second look before the terms become binding. Let yourself be surprised by someone you've already categorized. Lucky Numbers: 14, 37, 62

CANCER The stability you've built is real, and you're allowed to stand on it without bracing for the fall. An emotional pattern that keeps surfacing is asking for examination rather than another workaround. Someone offers you credit this week that you'll be tempted to deflect — receive it cleanly. A domestic matter you've let run on autopilot needs recalibration before it drifts further from what you want. Stillness this weekend is maintenance, not waste. Lucky Numbers: 3, 41, 66

LEO The audience you've been cultivating is more attentive than your metrics suggest — don't let the numbers talk you out of what you feel in the room. A disagreement framed as a conflict is actually a negotiation; reframe your position and watch the dynamic shift. Someone you've written off deserves a second look before the file closes. What you start this week has staying power. Lucky Numbers: 18, 43, 67

VIRGO The analysis you've completed is thorough enough — acting on it is now the more disciplined choice. A relationship that's run on practicality alone is asking for something warmer; you have more of that available than you typically deploy. Someone brings you a problem this week that sounds like a complaint but is actually a request — hear past the surface. Protect your mornings. Lucky Numbers: 22, 46, 71

LIBRA The compromise you engineered last month is showing strain — a targeted repair now prevents a full reopening later. A person who's been inconsistently present is offering consistency this week; decide whether you're willing to reset the count. Something you've been trying to make elegant is working against itself — the simpler version is the right one. Name what you want. Lucky Numbers: 10, 39, 64

SCORPIO The trust you extended recently is being handled with more care than you expected — notice that and let it update your working model. A project in early stages needs a cleaner boundary between your vision and incoming opinion; not all feedback is load-bearing. Someone close is asking for honesty delivered gently rather than precision delivered bluntly — the container matters as much as the content. A matter you consider closed has one remaining thread worth pulling. Lucky Numbers: 1, 48, 75

SAGITTARIUS The momentum you built last month needs direction more than speed — point before you accelerate. An assumption about someone's intentions is outdated; the person has moved and your model hasn't. A creative project running in the background is ready to become foreground — let it. Someone you respect challenges your position not to diminish it but to test whether it holds — engage fully. Forward motion beats waiting for conditions that never fully arrive. Lucky Numbers: 19, 52, 77

CAPRICORN The discipline you've maintained through a long, unrewarding stretch is about to produce something visible — don't change the approach right before the evidence arrives. A boundary that felt harsh in the moment has been working exactly as intended; trust the early data. Someone reaches out with an opportunity requiring collaboration you don't usually invite — the discomfort is the useful part. You're further along your recovery than you've acknowledged. Lucky Numbers: 16, 44, 80

AQUARIUS The distance you keep in certain relationships reads as indifference to people who haven't been told it's protection — consider closing the gap selectively. An idea you've been workshopping in isolation is strong enough to survive a room; bring it out. Lucky Numbers: 25, 50, 73

PISCES What you've been calling intuition and what you've been calling fear have been running together — this week offers enough clarity to finally sort them. A relationship you've been giving the benefit of the doubt has used up its provisional status; what you have now is the data. Someone needs you to be specific rather than supportive — the kindest thing available is a clear answer. A project that began as an escape has evolved into something with real stakes. Treat it accordingly. Lucky Numbers: 9, 55, 83

SPORTS

only six points, that was huge,” said Defenders Head Coach Shannon Harris, “but we gotta regroup and continue to make that message be known to our players that we will give everyone our best shot. We can’t be laxed, we gotta keep our composure, and we have to do it the DC [Defenders] Championship way.” The DC Defenders will be back home at Audi Field for their Week 7 matchup against the Louisville Kings on Saturday, May 9. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

5 Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma celebrate after their first-quarter touchdown against the Dallas Renegades at Audi Field on Saturday, May 2.

Renegades

Relacion/The Washington Informer)

CAPTURE the moment

Hundreds flocked to the historic U Street NW Corridor for the reopening celebration of Ben’s Chili Bowl’s flagship location on May 1. The Friday afternoon event honored the business as an important District staple, with people such as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Maryland First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore, Cora Masters Barry, former first lady of the nation’s capital, and filmmaker Spike Lee. The celebratory event, hosted by DJ QuickSilva, also featured a performance from Sirius Company and several speakers honored the establishment’s co-founder Virginia Ali, who started the restaurant with her husband Ben Ali in August 1958. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

RELIGION

Her Calling: Healing Through Music and Medicine

Violist Robin Fay Massie Turns Art and Medicine Into One Ministry

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware Word in Black

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

A compliment to Robin Fay Massie is certain to elicit her response of, “It’s God, or it’s the Lord.” She’s careful, as good Christians say, to give God all the praise and glory for her life. It’s more than an affectation; it’s her entire life.

And what a life it is. She’s a full-time

school nurse in Atlanta by day, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse by night and a freelance classical violist.

As such, Massie’s life sits at the intersection of faith, caregiving, and artistry, where her work as a school nurse and professional violist becomes a single ministry rooted in service.

From Baltimore to Atlanta, her journey shows how devotion to God shapes not only her calling but the way she heals, performs, and moves through the world.

Few Black Classical Musicians

Massie is a freelance musician.

“I perform with organizations like the Atlanta Opera and Atlanta Symphony,” she says. “I’ve also worked with groups like the Philadelphia Orchestra and National Symphony. I also do chamber music and work through the musicians’ union, which has been incredibly helpful for opportunities and support.”

The field, however, can be challenging for Black classical musicians.

A 2023 study found that Black people represented 2.4% of musicians in surveyed American orchestras, but for string players like Massie, representation for Black string players — violin, viola, cello, and bass — is often even lower.

There has been growth, albeit slowly: the percentage of Black classical musicians increased from 1.8% in 2014 to 2.4% in 2023.

‘From the Very Beginning’

Massie’s musical journey began in Baltimore when her parents managed to get her a second-hand piano she had long coveted.

”It was just sitting in someone’s house, not being played,” she says. “It wasn’t financially easy for them, but they got it for me. And I loved playing it from the very beginning.”

Later, Massie’s musical interests migrated to the violin — her second musical love. But it was not to be: “My teacher, my mentor, said the notes I played leaned more toward the lower instrument,” the much larger viola,” she says.

That was her next musical challenge, and that’s where she remains.

Though Massie isn’t officially connected to any orchestra, some critics have become enamored of her playing. They include Michael Caruso, a

Philadelphia-area journalist who reviewed one of Massie’s performances.

“Especially noteworthy was the strength of Massie’s playing,” he wrote. [Her] strongly projected and beautifully modulated brawny tone made certain that her voice would be heard.”

Personal Caregiving Journey

Massie’s relationship with the Lord was nurtured from the beginning by her parents and has grown to be the central part of her life. Each day begins with a consultation with the Lord and orders for the day.

”Then I say, ‘O.K., let’s go to the gym,” Massie says.

Massie is divorced, but she began her transition to nursing by providing care for her then-husband.

”I knew I had to take care of him regardless of his resistance at the time. I was at peace with it even if he wasn’t,” she says. Her next assignment was caring for her mother, who was having trouble managing diabetes.

The healing touch, Massie says, merges with her faith.

“I just want everyone I care for to know they’ve been touched by the Lord.”

Word in Black: Tell me about your work as a nurse.

Robin Fay Massie: I believe that music and nursing, for me, are one spectrum of care, really doing God’s work. It’s ‘heart’ ministry. I knew from a young age that I wanted to help people, even before I fully understood what that meant.

It wasn’t until 2016, during a very difficult time in my life, that I stepped into nursing. My then-husband was struggling with health issues and addiction, and he became my first patient in a sense. I remember saying,

‘God, I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m going to take the next best step.’ And I did.

WIB: How did music become a profession for you?

Massie: I started piano at four years old. My parents saw that I wasn’t just playing—I was connecting with it— so they sacrificed to get me lessons. At eight, I fell in love with the violin, and at fourteen, a mentor introduced me to the viola. The moment I played it, I knew that was it.

WIB: Now, I know you were taking care of your mom. How’s that going?

Massie: That has been a profound part of my journey. I moved to Atlanta to care for my mom when I saw her health declining. She’s diabetic, and things weren’t well-controlled. I left Baltimore without a job, without a plan—just trusting God. I call that my ‘wilderness season.’ But he provided every step of the way.

Today, my mom is doing so much better. She had surgery and is now standing upright for the first time in years. My brother is also doing well, and I’m able to help care for him, too. It’s clear to me now that God prepared me through nursing for this very purpose.

WIB: How does your faith sustain you as well as propel you in life?

Massie: I want to leave this world better than I found it. I believe pain connects us, but joy heals us—and true joy comes through Jesus Christ. I want anyone who encounters me to feel like they’ve been touched by him. I start my day intentionally with the Lord because that prepares me to meet others. For me, everything—music, nursing, life—is about the heart. I have to examine myself before I can pour into anyone else. And I strive to show up with joy, because that’s what draws people to him. WI

3Violist Robin Fay Massie is using her background as a nurse and musician into a ministry rooted in service. (Courtesy

Photo/Facebook, Robin Fay Massie)

What an outstanding time for families to bring their mothers, aunts and daughters who are moms to enjoy this Mother's Day weekend at the historic Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. The church is inviting the community to a spectacular celebration of sacred music. On Saturday, May 9, at 3:30 p.m., the sanctuary will fill with the sounds of "The Evelyn Concert," a special tribute highlighting the extraordinary life and talent of Evelyn Simpson Curenton, M.A.

Evelyn is a true "precious jewel" to the Shiloh family and the global church music community. A master composer, arranger and performer, her work spans the beautiful breadth of the Black musical tradition, ranging from soaring anthems and spirituals to the rhythmic heart of gospel and jazz.

A Pillar of Civil Rights and Social Justice: The hosting venue, Shiloh Baptist Church, stands as a powerful beacon of freedom. Founded in 1863 by 21 formerly enslaved people from Fredericksburg, Virginia, the church has been a sanctuary for both the soul and the struggle for equality.

Shiloh's pulpit has long been a platform for the most influential voices in the Civil Rights Movement. The legendary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. graced the church with his presence multiple times, and the renowned Mary McLeod Bethune was a dedicated member of the congregation.

Under the leadership of visionaries such as Interim Pastor George Men-

WITH LYNDIA GRANT

Honoring Evelyn: A Mother's Day Tribute at Historic Shiloh Baptist Church the religion corner

sah Jr., Pastor Emeritus Dr. Wallace Charles Smith and Dr. Henry C. Gregory III, Shiloh became a model for holistic ministry, launching the Shiloh Family Life Center, the first of its kind in the nation. The purpose of the Family Life Center was and still is to provide health, recreational and social services to the Shaw community.

An Afternoon of Inspiration: Under the baton of conductor Dr. Lloyd Mallory, the upcoming concert promises unparalleled artistry. The program features an elite lineup:

• Lyric sopranos: Janice Chandler-Elemé and Marquita Richardson

• Dramatic coloratura soprano: Jeryl Cunningham-Fleming

• Flutist: Dr. Julietta M. Curenton

• Tenor: Larry Thomas

• The Shiloh Baptist Church Senior Choir

This concert is a beautiful way to honor Mom with an afternoon of music and history. While the event is free, sponsorships are welcomed. Contributions can be made via check to Shiloh Baptist Church (memo: Evelyn Concert) or through eGiving at simplegiving.com.

When: Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. Where: Shiloh Baptist Church, 1500 Ninth St. NW, Washington, D.C. Note: Parking is limited; attendees are encouraged to use a taxi,

Lyft or Uber.

For more information, contact Hazel Thomas (thomashazelb@aol.com) or Dr. Sharon Parker (sharonparker509@gmail.com).

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of song and the vessel of your grace, Evelyn Simpson Curenton. We thank you for the legacy of Shiloh Baptist Church, a sanctuary built on faith and freedom. As we gather to honor mothers and celebrate musical genius, let our hearts be lifted and our spirits renewed. May this concert be a joyful noise that reflects your love and the enduring strength of our community. Amen.

Bring your mother out for an exciting concert as we come upon yet another Mother's Day! Personally, I was born during Mother's Day week, with my 75th birthday this year coming only a few days before Mother's Day. My poor mom was a small woman, but she delivered me as a 13-pound bouncing baby girl!

Enjoy your Mother's Day weekend, everybody! Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there — whether you raised them for someone else, you are an adoptive mother, you are a grandmother raising your grandchildren for one reason or another — to each and every one, may God bless you and may Heaven smile down upon you! Amen!

547-8849

Service and Times

Person Worship: Sunday @ 9:30 A.M.

Sunday @ 9:30 A.M. www.pilgrimbaptistdc.org

& Study: Wednesday @ 12 Noon and 7:00 P.M.

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

Mount Carmel Baptist

Rev Kevin A. O'Bryant Pastor

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

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

Email: Froffice@firstrising.org Website: www.firstrising.org “Changing Lives On Purpose “ The Rev. E. Bernard Anderson Priest Foggy Bottom - Founded in 1867 728 23rd Street, NW - Washington, DC 20037 Church office: 202-333-3985 - Fax 202-338-4958

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

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

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

Sermon On The Mount Temple Of

Mt. Horeb Baptist Church

Rehoboth Baptist Church

First Rising Mt. Zion Baptist Church

Historic St. Mary’s Episcopal Church

Promised Land Baptist Church

MOTHER'S DAY from Page 1

Thomas told The Informer. “We don't know how much time we're going to have with people, so for me to have that kind of time in this life and collective wisdom that I continuously see from my mother was a blessing in itself.”

On April 27, Thomas announced his mother’s death to an online community that included many of her colleagues, mentees, and former students. The late Thomas, a second-generation Washingtonian and lifelong resident of Ivy City in Northeast, died at the age of 96.

In the days and weeks leading up to that fateful day, the former Ward 5 council representative and several other family members coalesced around the late Thomas’ care and comfort. Three generations of Thomases would later gel together plans for: an evening of reflection on May 3 at Michigan Park Christian Church in Northeast on May 3, and a well-attended funeral service at Bethesda Baptist Church in Northeast on May 4 followed by a repast at Ivy City Smokehouse.

For Thomas, nothing compared to serving his mother during her final moments.

“I was honored to nurture her as she nurtured me coming into this world,” Thomas said. “When I was in incarceration, I would pray every day that my mom would be here when I got back, and the Lord heartened me with that. There was a responsibility that was put on me that I had to try to do my best to ensure that her life was comfortable until the end.”

Looking Back: A Mother Figure to Many

The late Thomas was born on June 5, 1929. She matriculated through D.C. Public Schools,

attending Crummell Elementary School, Brown Middle School and Cardozo High School. She later completed her undergraduate studies at what was then Miners Teachers College before pursuing her master’s degree at George Washington University.

Also of significance to her personal and professional journey was a stint at what was then Lasalle School during a period of racial segregation in the District, along with her pursuit of advanced studies at Vanderbilt University and study of open-space education in London.

As Thomas explained, his mother leveraged her global experiences to effect change locally.

“She went to China, she went to Africa, she went to places to get recognized but she never moved out of a 10-mile radius,” Thomas told The Informer. “A lot of us stay in those siloes and don’t grow, so she showed how you can grow beyond your circumstances but never forget your sense of community.”

Kai Thomas, the former council member’s daughter and a traveler in her own right, said she caught the travel bug from her late grandmother despite never accompanying her on her excursions.

“I was too young,” said Thomas, a 21-year-old who’s since traveled to London, the Dominican Republic, and Panama, “but I did hear many a story about the different safaris that she'd take or cruises that she would take. I was a kid listening to this fairy tale story of a place that I've never been to.”

The younger Thomas, a photography and communications student at a college in the Northeast, told The Informer that, this Mother’s Day, she will honor the woman she called Mumsy, in part, by remembering her constant presence, support and influence.

“That support looked like love in the form of congratulations that I had a good year of grades,” she said. “It looked like…being there for my family during trying times. It looked like a hug and a kiss and telling me I'm doing good at being like a person in life.”

As the youngest Thomas granddaughter recounted, her grandmother even imparted words of wisdom.

“She would always tell me, ‘Don't act ugly,’” Thomas said. “Just a very good role model in my life in general to be there and love and care for my family.”

Throughout much of her life, the Thomas matriarch served as a role model to legions of young people. She started her teacher career at her alma mater Crummell Elementary School before dedicating 25 years of service to Ketcham Middle School as an award-winning principal.

Beyond education, Thomas served the District as chair of the D.C. Commission on Aging, president of the Woodridge Civic Association, member of the D.C. Historic Preservation Board, and a delegate at the 2012 Democratic National Convention where President Barack Obama won party nomination for the second time.

In her later years, the late Thomas received a litany of awards and recognition, including the renaming of Ward 5’s Rocketship Infinity Prep in her honor. As her son explained, his mother went to great lengths for her youth.

“She made it a point to work through my father [then D.C. Councilmember Harry Thomas, Sr.] to get the National Park Service to allow her to have [Ketcham Elementary School’s] graduation at Frederick Douglass’ house,” he told The Informer. “Her leadership in that was the vision of those kids looking off that hill and connecting history to life today and understanding how those things happen.” WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

5 Former Ward 5 Councilmembers Harry Thomas Jr. (left) and the late Harry Thomas Sr. (right) with Romaine B. Thomas (center), their mother and wife, respectively. The family matriarch died on April 27 at the age of 96.

(Courtesy Photo)

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SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 367

Annie L. Carter Decedent

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

Dorothy A. Carter, whose address is 1735 Upshur Street, NW Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Annie L. Carter who died on May 17, 2008 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 10/23/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/23/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication:

April 23, 2026

Dorothy A. Carter Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2026 ADM 000421

William E. Johnson Decedent

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

Yvette C. Johnson Reid, whose address is 1917 Tulip Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of William E. Johnson who died on January 29, 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 10/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/30/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Yvette C. Johnson Reid Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division

Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 000318

Carolyn Renee McKinley Decedent

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

Funicello Haynes Owens, whose address is 3223 6th Street SE, Washington, DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Carolyn Renee McKinley who died on 12/21/2016 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 10/23/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/23/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/23/2026

Funicello Haynes Owens 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 000401

Vaughn E. Tillman aka Vaughn Erricky Ariel Tillman Decedent

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

Arrica V. Tillman, whose address is 10900 Penny Avenue, Clinton MD 20735, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Vaughn E. Tillman aka Vaughn Erricky Ariel Tillman who died on 2/10/2026 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 10/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/30/2026, or be forever barred.

Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Arrica V. Tillman

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 000375

Cora Lee Rious Decedent

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

Michael L. Rious, whose address is 12101 Quick Fox Lane, Bowie, MD 20720, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Cora Lee Rious who died on 9/21/2022 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 10/23/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/23/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/23/2026

Michael L. Rious

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 000302

Linda Jo Smith Decedent

Damon Adams 10770 Columbia Pike, Suite 300 Silver Spring, MD 20991 Attorney

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

Shareda L. Smith, whose address is 21200 Kittridge St., #2141, Woodland Hills, CA 91303, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Linda Jo Smith who died on January 18, 2026 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 10/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/30/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Shareda L. Smith

21200 Kittridge Street, #2141 Woodland Hills, CA 91303

Personal Representative TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

PROBATE DIVISION Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 FEP 000043

July 30, 2024

Date of Death

Michael Debaugh aka Michael B. Debaugh Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

John K. Gardner whose address is 7310 Richie Hwy., Empire Towers, Suite 412, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Michael Debaugh aka Michael B. Debaugh, deceased, by the Register of Wills Court for Anne Arundel County, State of Maryland on November 5, 2025.

Service of process may be made upon Jacobie Whitley, Esq., 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

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

Date of first publication: April 23, 2026

John K. Gardner

Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 000392

Melvin Tyrone Pittman Decedent

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

Markeida Jones, whose address is 3360 6th Street SE #101, Washington DC 20032, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Melvin Tyrone Pittman who died on 10/30/2025 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 11/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/30/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Markeida Jones

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2026 FEP 000052

12/18/2025

Date of Death

Margaret DeWolf Gilbertson Name of Decedent

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF FOREIGN PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Roger George Gilbertson whose address is 6251 Old Dominion Dr., Apt. 149, McLean, VA 22101 was appointed personal representative of the estate of Margaret DeWolf Gilbertson, deceased, by the Circuit Court for Fairfax County, State of Virginia, on 4/15/2026. Service of process may be made upon Kezia Constantine 211 44th Street, NE, Washington, DC 20019 whose designation as District of Columbia agent has been filed with the Register of Wills, D.C.

The decedent owned the following District of Columbia real property: 1417 Columbia St. NW, Washington, DC 20001. Claims against the decedent may be presented to the undersigned and filed with the Register of Wills of the District of Columbia, 515 5th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, D.C. 20001 within 6 months from the date of first publication of this notice.

Date of first publication: April 30, 2026

Roger George Gilbertson Personal Representative

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 272

Endalew Kebede Delegassa Decedent

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

Eleni Dinkalem, whose address is 7440 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Endalew Kebede Delegassa who died on 1/9/2026 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 10/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/30/2026, or be forever barred.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Eleni Dinkalem

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 000402

Evie T. Ellis Decedent

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

Stephen Ellis, whose address is 5112 Bass Pl., SE Washington DC 20019, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Evie T. Ellis who died on February 24, 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 10/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/30/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Stephen Ellis Personal Representative

of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2026 ADM 000444

Anthony M. Butler Decedent

Deborah D. Boddie, Esq. Probate Law DC 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20001 Attorney

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

Deborah D. Boddie, whose address is 1308 Ninth Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anthony M. Butler who died on 2/26/2026 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Deborah D. Boddie

Personal Representative

TRUE

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 000373

Thomas S. Fulford Jr. Decedent

Sharon Legall, Esq. 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20004

Attorney

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

Thomas Fulford III, whose address is 154 Eagleton Circle, Moyock NC 27958, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Thomas S. Fulford Jr. who died on July 8, 2016 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 10/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/30/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Thomas Fulford III Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills Washington Informer

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131 2026 ADM 000460

Albert Alston Decedent

James Larry Frazier, Esq. 918 Maryland Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002 Attorney

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

Alma L. Alston, whose address is 17 Underwood Place, NW, Washington, DC 20012, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Albert Alston who died on January 20, 2026 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Alma L. Alston 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 000310

George A. Resper Decedent

Damon Adams 10770 Columbia Pike., Suite 300 Silver Spring, MD 20901 Attorney

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

Susie Ann McFadden-Resper, whose address is 2117 Young St., SE Washington DC 20020, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of George A. Resper who died on February 4, 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 10/30/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 10/30/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 4/30/2026

Susie Ann McFadden-Resper 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 000445

Nathaniel M. Gant Sr. Decedent

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

Shanima M. Parker, whose address is 5661 3rd Street NE, #202, Washington, DC 20011, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Nathaniel M. Gant Sr. who died on March 8, 2026 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Shanima M. Parker 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 000441

Teretha Victoria Jones Decedent

David A. Lucas, Esq. 200A Monroe St., Suite 110 Rockville, MD 20850 Attorney

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

Troy DeMarco Slay, whose address is 7100 Earl Dr., District Heights, MD 20747, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Teretha Victoria Jones who died on 1/31/2026 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Troy DeMarco Slay 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 000458

Robert N. Felder aka Robert Nicholas Felder aka Robert Nicolas Felder Decedent

Bradley A. Thomas, Esq. 1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006-1631 Attorney

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

Ronald W. Felder, whose address is 15405 Wylie Road, Brandywine MD 20613, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Robert N. Felder aka Robert Nicholas Felder aka Robert Nicolas Felder who died on 3/1/2026 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Ronald W. Felder 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 000428

Elizabeth Jane Whitfield Braxton Decedent

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

Patricia A. Braxton, whose address is 4105 13th Street, NE, Washington, DC, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Elizabeth Jane Whitfield Braxton who died on 2/20/2026 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Patricia A. Braxton

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 000454

Harry Dash, Jr. Decedent

Scott L. Little, Esq. PO Box 1057 Upper Marlboro, MD 20773 Attorney

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

Aaron Dash, whose address is 901 Karlson Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20783, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Harry Das, Jr who died on 11/28/2025 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Aaron Dash

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

LEGAL NOTICES LEGAL NOTICES

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Probate Division Washington, D.C. 20001-2131

2025 ADM 000585

Anthony M. Lawson aka Anthony McKay Lawson Decedent

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

Damon Anthony Lawson, whose address is 3706 Parkwood St., Brentwood MD 20722, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Anthony M. Lawson aka Anthony McKay Lawson who died on March 3, 2025 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: May 7, 2026

Damon Anthony Lawson Personal Representative

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Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2026 ADM 000426

Mary Delores Coates aka Mary D. Coates aka Mary Delores M. Coates Decedent

Aimee D. Griffin, Esq. 5335 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 440 Washington DC 20015 Attorney

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

James A. Miller and Deneen M. Miller, whose addresses are 308 Madison Street, NW, Washington DC 20011 & 218 Hibiscus Way Downingtown PA 19335, were appointed Personal Representatives of the estate of Mary Delores Coates aka Mary D. Coates aka Mary Delores M. Coates who died on 11/20/2017 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

James A. Miller

Deneen M. Miller

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 000436

Irvin O. Kemp

Decedent

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

Gary Kemp, whose address is 1391 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Unit 243, Washington, DC 20003, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Irvin O. Kemp who died on April 5, 2020 without a Will and will serve without Court supervision.

All unknown heirs and heirs whose whereabouts are unknown shall enter their appearance in this proceeding. Objections to such appointment shall be filed with the Register of Wills, D.C., 515 5th Street, N.W., Building A, Third Floor Washington, D.C. 20001, on or before 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Gary Kemp

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens Register of Wills

Washington Informer

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

2024 ADM 000390

Renee Yvette McKenzie Decedent

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

Kevin Judd, Esq., whose address is 601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 900-South Building, Washington, DC 20004, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Renee Yvette McKenzie who died on January 31, 2022 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Kevin Judd 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 000438

Marie A. Jenkins

Decedent

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

Debra J. Tyler, whose address is 1323 5th Street, NW, Apt. #201, Washington DC 20001, was appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Marie A. Jenkins who died on 11/29/2024 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 11/7/2026. Claims against the decedent shall be presented to the undersigned with a copy to the Register of Wills or filed with the Register of Wills with a copy to the undersigned, on or before 11/7/2026, or be forever barred. Persons believed to be heirs or legatees of the decedent who do not receive a copy of this notice by mail within 25 days of its first publication shall so inform the Register of Wills, including name, address, and relationship.

Date of first publication: 5/7/2026

Debra J. Tyler 1323 5th St. NW, #201 Washington, DC 20001

Personal Representative

TRUE TEST COPY

Nicole Stevens

Washington Informer

CANDIDATES from Page 1 council.

“They helped create the narrative of ‘defund the police,’ and in creating that narrative, they were able to keep the police force around 3,100, but they continued to budget for 4,500 officers,” Orange told The Informer. “So over the past four or five years, what happened to the monies for those 1,400 FTEs [full-time employees]?”

Orange, a lawyer and certified public accountant, had choice words for McDuffie, questioning the degree to which he’s been able to effect change on the council.

“He really pushes the baby bonds bill,” Orange said about McDuffie’s landmark legislation. “You would think the baby bonds bill has been enacted and it's funded. It's not. You've been there for almost 13 years. You've been there at least eight years as chairman pro tempore. You have not been able to get that bill funded.”

The former council member also criticized Lewis George’s strategy for revenue generation.

“She has gone on record saying she's going to raise taxes,” Orange said, later expressing his opposition to congestion pricing, which Lewis George told Greater Greater Washington she supports. “You need folks to come into the city, because the only tax they pay is our sales tax when they buy things. You don't need a tax to prevent people from coming in here.”

Orange, who’s in his third run for District mayor, launched his bid in February, touting a record of service that includes two stints on the council between 1999 and 2016. In 2016, after his unsuccessful re-election bid, he resigned from his at-large seat to become president of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce.

His mayoral vision, called “The Orange Plan” starts with public safety as the foundation. Other priorities include: quality education from age 3 to high school graduation, “real” pathways to the middle class for graduating high school seniors, fiscal discipline, the creation of workforce housing, quality health care, home rule preservation and pursuit of statehood, and making the District a family-friendly tourist destination.

As the council debate about the youth curfew rages, Orange said that the District’s residential and commercial jurisdictions need equal attention.

“I need public safety for our neighborhoods, but I also need public safety for economic development, and for tourism,” he told The Informer. “I can't have a person going to the ballgame and getting carjacked. I can't

have a person going to a restaurant and getting shot.”

In the realm of education and workforce development, Orange expressed plans to incentivize high school graduates’ matriculation to the University of District of Columbia. He also identified the D.C. government as an incubator for local talent.

“You can get an apprenticeship at the Office of Tax and Revenue. If you want to get into event planning, you can get an apprenticeship at the convention center with Events DC,” Orange said as he outlined his vision. “If you want to be into sports management, we're going to get you over at Audi Field, Nationals Park, or the new stadium that's being built. If you’re into the environment and science, I'm going to get you an apprenticeship at the Department of Energy & the Environment.”

While on the campaign trail, Orange has highlighted his council experience, which includes helping navigate the District through its Control Board era. He’s also touted his facilitation of deals that brought Home Depot, Costco and other retailers to the District, along with his role in the incremental minimum wage increase, the reopening of McKinley Technology High School and modernization of Noyes Elementary School, Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, North Michigan Park Recreation Center, and Brentwood Community Center. His experience, he said, eclipses that of Lewis George and McDuffie.

“They can't be the leading candidates in terms of record,” Orange told The Informer. “When I make the statement that I'm the most accomplished, the most trained, the most educated and have delivered the most, they cannot engage in conversation with me on that subject matter. They just sit there.”

Rini Sampath: A Young Professional Focused on Building Better Systems

Other mayoral candidates are: veteran and real estate professional Gary Goodweather, Friends of Frank Reeves Center Chairman/CEO Ernest Johnson, federal contractor Rini Sampath, and Hope Solomon, a native Washingtonian with experience in the private sector and federal law enforcement.

Attorney Yaida Ford also launched a write-in bid in criticism of the D.C. Board of Elections’ (DCBOE) signature collection process she said precluded her from securing ballot access. WI Read more on washingtoninformer.com.

ASANTE-MUHAMMADfromPage 26

legislation designed to limit mid-cycle partisan redistricting and preserve key voter protections established under the Voting Rights Act.

Gerrymandering is often discussed as a partisan tactic, but it has broader structural consequences. When districts are drawn to maximize political control, they can dilute the voting power of communities of color — even without explicitly referencing race. For Black communities, whose political gains have often depended on fair districting, the erosion of these protections is particularly consequential.

This is not simply about who wins elections. It is about how policy is shaped and whose interests are represented in decisions that affect econom-

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are already under strain. Inflation has driven up repair costs, medical expenses and insurance claims. Premiums have risen accordingly. Adding a new mandate on top of that reality risks pushing insurance out of reach for the very residents policymakers say they want to protect.

The consequences won't stop with higher premiums. D.C. already has the highest uninsured motorist rate in the nation, with roughly 1 in 4 drivers estimated to be uninsured. That's not just a statistic — it's a daily risk faced by responsible drivers who follow the law and pay for coverage.

When insurance becomes more expensive, more drivers go without it.

church's historical role in sanctioning enslavement, I was repulsed — and I made my opinion known, quite vocally: skipping Mass, arguing with priests, and sometimes embarrassing my mother. Sexual abuse in the church repulses me. The betrayal of trust, and the lengths taken to conceal it, stand in painful contradiction to the values the institution professes. The codified inferior role of women has never sat easily with me either. It is undeniably an imperfect church, but its imperfections do not diminish its relevance.

Years ago, I wrote about the patriarchy embedded in the church, and one of my small, symbolic protests has been ending prayers with "amen, a-woman, and ase." Inequality does not disappear simply because we believe in our Creator. A mentor once asked whether I could point to any

ic opportunity, education, healthcare, and wealth. Representation alone does not guarantee equity — but without it, inequity is almost certain.

The current moment demands clarity. The expansion of Black political representation over the past half-century was the result of deliberate policy choices, sustained advocacy, and legal enforcement. As those protections weaken, the risk is not just stagnation — it is regression.

At the Joint Center, we view this as a critical inflection point. Our role has always been to monitor, analyze, and support Black representation — not as an end in itself, but as a foundation for broader economic and social progress. That work is more important now than it has been in decades.

We will continue to track represen-

That's not speculation; it's what has happened in other jurisdictions that sharply increased required coverage without addressing affordability. Ironically, that outcome would undermine the bill's stated goal of improving protection after accidents. The best insurance coverage in the world doesn't help if the driver who hits you has none at all. Increasing the number of uninsured motorists puts every insured driver at greater financial risk, leading to more unpaid claims, higher costs spread across the system, and ultimately higher premiums for everyone.

The bill also removes consumer choice by requiring drivers to carry underinsured or enhanced underinsured motorist coverage — coverage

institution entirely free of racism or sexism. I could not.

When I hear that we are created in the image and likeness of God, I find myself looking for a stained-glass window with a pecan-colored woman with gray dreadlocks. I haven't seen one yet.

And still, the quiet, practiced kind of faith does not lend itself to commentary, nor does it disappear simply because fewer people are sitting in church. There are still people who pray before the day begins, give thanks before they ask, and show up for others not because it is convenient, but because it is right.

It is also worth noticing the signals we choose to see. Pope Francis chose to live in modest quarters rather than the traditional papal apartments, a small but visible gesture in an institution known for grandeur. In a world accustomed to power on display, that kind of restraint stands out — not

tation trends, assess the impact of redistricting and legal changes, and provide data-driven analysis to inform policymakers and advocates. The goal is clear: to ensure that the gains of the past are protected and that the path toward equitable representation remains open.

Nearly 60 years after the Voting Rights Act, Black Americans have come closer than ever to achieving representation in Congress that reflects their share of the population. But progress at this level is not self-sustaining. Without strong protections and continued commitment, it can be reversed.

The work of building a representative democracy is ongoing. And in this moment, it is clear that the work must continue.

that protects you when the at-fault driver's insurance isn't enough to cover your losses — even if they previously opted out. While these coverages can be valuable, mandating them eliminates flexibility and further drives up costs, particularly for lower-income drivers who may prioritize affordability over additional protections.

Consumers already have the option to buy more coverage if they want it and can afford it. The question isn't whether higher limits should be available; it's whether they should be compulsory for everyone, regardless of circumstances.

AIRLINE CAREERS

GLASSIC

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ing for the disparities that have denied access to quality care, and elevating the standard of living for all.

Third, we must invest in our greatest asset: our people. AI literacy will soon be as fundamental to success as reading and writing. By embedding comprehensive AI education in our schools and community colleges, we can prepare our youth for the jobs of the future, ensuring schools that historically lacked technology resources are first in line for this new wave.

For our current workforce, learning to collaborate with AI must be a shared national commitment. By encouraging employers to proactively invest in retraining and upskilling, workers can

JEALOUS

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In 2006, Judge Lewis testified at Samuel Alito’s Supreme Court confirmation hearing. The two did not agree on much. Lewis told the committee he was “openly and unapologetically pro-choice.” But he stood up for Alito’s character because integrity mattered more than politics. That kind of judge does not lend his name to easy fights.

A friend-of-the-court brief from the African Methodist Episcopal Church and historian Dr. Erica Armstrong Dunbar makes the stakes plain. Take Ona Judge and Bishop Richard Allen out of this story and you erase something we cannot afford to lose. Enslaved people and free Black people helped shape the conscience of this nation.

Allen was born into slavery. He bought his freedom. He founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, the first independent

kind of opportunity. The state has already been competitive for Democrats in recent years. With Black voters accounting for roughly 20 to 23% of the electorate, statewide races are often decided by razor-thin margins. A oneor two-point increase in Black turnout can determine the outcome.

Yet, like Texas, North Carolina saw a drop in participation from presidential-year highs to the 2022 midterms. Democrats have a strong candidate in former Governor Roy Cooper, who has consistently demonstrated the ability to win statewide. But his success has always depended on robust Black voter engagement—which requires sustained national investment, not just candidate strength. Democrats have

move confidently into the AI-driven economy, embracing technology as an engine for career advancement rather than fearing it as a disruption.

To realize this inclusive, pro-tech vision, our communities must tune out the noise and reject the ideological warfare that too often derails progress.

Artificial intelligence is simply too vital to our shared future to be bogged down by partisan gridlock or a fractured, state-by-state approach that only creates geographic barriers to access.

We must rise above the loud voices on both the extreme right and the extreme left who use fear or political posturing to either stall innovation or shut people out of the conversation. Instead, we need a unified, national focus that invites voices from all back-

Black church in the United States.

He built a free Black community that pushed America closer to its own promise.

But what is divisive about telling children that enslaved people dreamed and planned and ran?

What is divisive about telling tourists that George Washington was both the father of his country and a man who held people as property?

The real division comes from the lie.

It comes from asking Black children to walk where their ancestors’ suffering has been scrubbed away. It comes from asking white children to grow up on a fairy tale. It comes from saying that loving America requires forgetting.

Real patriotism does not fear Ona Judge.

Real patriotism can stand in the President’s House and say: Here lived George Washington.

Here also lived the people he enslaved. Here a young woman named Ona Judge saw her chance and took it.

the right candidate in North Carolina, but the party must follow through with the right strategy. That strategy starts with robust resources for Black turnout across urban and rural communities.

Then there is Georgia, where the blueprint for success already exists. Black voters routinely make up nearly a third of the electorate in high-turnout elections and were instrumental in Democratic victories in the 2020 presidential election and the subsequent Senate runoffs. The reelection of Senator Raphael Warnock confirmed that these gains were not a one-time surge but the result of years of organizing and investment. Georgia shows what is possible when Black voters are prioritized as the foundation of a winning strategy. That approach must be rein-

grounds — tech leaders, community advocates, and everyday citizens — to the table. Together, we can champion opportunity over politics.

The AI revolution is not something to fear; it is an incredible instrument that we can shape to serve the common good. By investing in education, supporting our workers, and empowering our small businesses, we can ensure that the transformative benefits of this technology reach every corner of America.

Let us embrace the boundless potential of artificial intelligence and work collaboratively to build a society where innovation is synonymous with inclusion, and where every community has the power to rise.

Here the promise of America was broken. Here it was also pushed forward by people who refused to be owned.

This year America turns 250. The fight over how we tell our story will only get bigger.

Pressure to turn the founders into marble and the enslaved into ghosts. Pressure to call love of country a cleaned-up script we must recite.

But Ona Judge already showed us another way.

She told her own story with her feet. She walked away from the President’s House. She made herself free. Washington tried to get her back. He failed.

More than two centuries later, no government should be allowed to do what Washington could not.

Ona Judge did not ask George Washington for freedom.

She took it.

The least we can do now is refuse to let anyone take her story away.

forced for Senator Jon Ossoff to secure reelection this year.

What ties these states together is not just their competitiveness, but the fact that Black turnout is not guaranteed. Just because Black voters dislike Trump does not mean they are automatically ready to vote for Democrats. Democrats’ fate with Black voters rises and falls based on investment, outreach, and whether Black voters feel seen and heard. Too often, Democrats assume that demographic change alone will deliver victory. It will not. Elections are decided by the voters who actually show up on Election Day. Black turnout, especially in midterm cycles, must be earned.